Rent squeezed his eyes shut again, then let out a long, heavy sigh. He hoped that when he opened his eyelids, this ridiculous scenery would vanish and be replaced by the ceiling of the bus stop from before.
One second. Two seconds.
He opened them again.
Damn it.
The sky was still there. Still with a blue that was too bright, clouds that were too fluffy, and grass that looked too comfortable. This world was real, and it was annoying.
Rent blinked repeatedly. Opening, closing, then opening again. As if he still couldn't believe this place was real. It felt like a beautiful dream leaking into reality.
"Haaah... looks like I'm trapped in my own dream. Forget it, my head hurts just thinking about it."
Rent looked down at his new equipment. His old clothes were gone.
He was now wearing a light brown leather jacket with a simple white shirt underneath. Loose pants made of flexible fabric, a belt with a small pouch on the side, and high boots made of an unfamiliar material. Slung over his back was a small satchel.
"Hmm. Not bad. But why am I suddenly wearing this small bag? Is this some kind of illusion?" Rent patted the bag.
It felt solid. "Turns out it's a real bag. Alright, free useful stuff."
Rent looked around again.
A forest with towering trees, a castle in the distance, and the faint silhouette of an ice mountain far away. To the west, he could see a white stone path leading downward, disappearing behind the hills.
Then... came a foreign voice. Soft, high-pitched, and... slightly annoying.
"Welcome to Aeltherion, Soul Traveler!"
Rent turned his head. Floating in the air was a round creature resembling a blue fur ball with two small wings and imaginary eyes that only the creature itself could see. Its body vibrated slightly as it spoke.
"My name is Moro! I have been assigned to be your guide... uhh... during the initial adjustment phase, that is!"
Rent raised an eyebrow. "Fur ball? What kind of creature are you?"
Moro's (imaginary) eyes sparkled. "Of course, I am the creature of ultimate knowledge! I am the guide of this world. And you are my new arrival! Congratulations!"
Rent massaged his temples. "Okay, you're a creature of knowledge. But can you tell me why you were chosen as my guide?"
Moro looked confused. "Eh? Why me? Hmm, I don't know either. Suddenly there was a notification that you would be landing in this world. Do I need to explain the details?"
"No. That's enough, my head is starting to spin."
Rent crossed his arms. "Okay, Moro. Tell me. I landed in the middle of a grassland. And this place is quite strange. Can you... explain this weird world briefly?"
Moro nodded quickly. "Of course! This is Aeltherion. A world created from the harmony between magic and soul. A world that—"
"—Wait. Magic world?"
"Yes, correct! This is a world of magic. You can learn a lot of magic, don't worry!"
Rent massaged his temples again. "Damn it. Even in my new life, I have to learn from scratch."
Rent looked at Moro again. "Okay, so what should I do in this weird world? Don't tell me you're going to give me strange quests. If you do, I'll bury myself right now."
Moro vibrated in panic. "W-Wait! Don't be rash! My task is only to guide, that's all. I'm not a quest giver, and you just need to... adapt first. Because this world is... a bit unstable."
"Haaah... I figured." He looked up at the blue sky. "That damn White God is definitely playing with me on purpose. This world is broken too? Great. My suffering doesn't end just like that."
Moro floated closer. "So... are you ready for the start of your journey, oh Soul Traveler?"
Rent looked away. "Whatever. And don't use that title. Just call me by my name, Rent. Got it?"
Moro vibrated with enthusiasm. "Roger! Master Rent! Our initial destination is to follow this stone path. Come, follow me!"
They began walking, following the wind that carried a strange scent from the east. Moro was still rambling about "soul and harmony," but Rent was busier observing the ground around him—this grassland wasn't just ordinary grass. There were strange patterns, faint symbols on the ground that glowed softly when they passed certain areas.
Rent looked at them with one raised eyebrow. "What is this? Some kind of pattern? Who scribbled here?"
They continued walking. Although still on the same stretch of grass, this time in certain spots, the grass seemed to change color to a reddish hue. Unconsciously and without the slightest suspicion, as they passed through that patch of grass, Rent stepped on one of the faded circle patterns.
Sizzle.
"Ugh... my foot feels warm," Rent muttered, lifting his leg slightly. Thin smoke wafted from the sole of his boot. "Did I just step on a fireplace?"
Moro, who had been busy talking to himself in front, turned slowly.
"And there should be a—" Moro froze. His round body stopped vibrating.
His eyes (wherever they were) bulged. "M-Master! Move away from there, quick!"
"Huh? What the..."
Before he could process the warning, the ground Rent was standing on suddenly shook violently.
WHOOSH!
The temperature skyrocketed in a split second.
"AHHH HOT!"
A masculine scream (that wasn't very manly) escaped Rent's mouth. He jumped back like a startled cat, then frantically patted his new boots which were now emitting black smoke.
Moro flew closer in a panic, circling Rent's head. "Master! We have to leave! I just scanned this area and confirmed there is a sleeping Fire Spirit! Master just stepped on its physical manifestation!"
Rent had just finished saving his poor shoes. He stared at Moro with ragged breath and cold sweat.
"What do you mean, Fur Ball? I stepped on its body?"
"Correct! Master stepped on its tail!" Moro replied hysterically.
"Damn. I've only been alive for a few minutes, and I'm already given a trial from hell."
The light from the strange symbol on the ground glowed brighter, blinding them. From the crack in the ground, a creature emerged slowly.
Fyra-Bunn.
That was its name according to Moro's data.
At a glance, the creature looked... cute. It resembled a chubby rabbit. Its ears were long, and its nose twitched amusingly.
The only problem was: Its entire body was made of blazing fire. Its eyes weren't cute black beads, but sharp red embers. Its claws gripped the ground, leaving scorched marks. Heat immediately slapped Rent's face.
The fire rabbit growled low.
Rent took a step back. He raised both hands slowly, trying to smile stiffly.
"Ahem... Moro? This creature... can it be reasoned with? I want to negotiate for my life."
Moro stopped spinning above Rent's head, then slowly floated down until he was level with his master's face.
"Hmm... it seems," Moro muttered while examining the rabbit. "It decided not to attack, Master."
"Are you... sure?" Rent replied doubtfully, his eyes never leaving the monster.
Moro turned back (towards Rent). His round face—though lacking features—seemed to nod convincingly. "Yes, Master! Because I'm sure if this creature could..."
However...
While Moro was busy explaining enthusiastically, Rent's eyes widened in horror.
In front of him, the fire rabbit was not relaxing. Its mouth was wide open. Right in front of it, a ball of pure fire the size of a melon was vibrating violently, radiating heat that scorched the skin.
Cold sweat the size of corn kernels slid down Rent's temple.
"Moro..." he called out with a hoarse voice.
"—it's a unique creature because it has a structure—"
"MORO!" Rent's shout instantly cut off the fur ball's rambling. "You... better look behind you. NOW."
Moro turned his body again. This time, if he had eyes, they would have popped out of their sockets.
"MASTER! WATCH OUT!" he screamed hysterically.
WHOOSH!
Rent jumped to the right, while Moro swerved to the left just before the fireball hit where they had been standing.
BOOM!
The tree in the trajectory was incinerated instantly. Its trunk had a massive hole, leaving a black, smoky cavity that was still smoldering.
Rent landed in a crouching position, his breath ragged. He looked at the hole in the tree, then at Moro.
"Damn fur ball! If I hadn't dodged while you were lecturing, I would be roast meat by now!"
"I'm sorry, Master!" Moro's shrill voice came from behind the bushes on the other side. "I was too focused analyzing the potential of the creat—"
"Shut up!" Rent cut him off in panic. "Don't speak again or I'll turn you into a roasted fur ball, got it?!"
Fyra-Bunn growled, giving no pause. It started chasing Rent. Every step it took left a trail of burnt grass.
Rent stood up and ran in a zig-zag pattern to avoid the fire rabbit's pounce.
"Damn it! I just arrived a few minutes ago and now I'm about to be burned alive by a rabbit?!" Rent shouted in frustration. He kept pushing his legs, hoping his lungs wouldn't explode.
Moro spun nervously in the air. "Calm down, Master! Usually, this creature can be tamed, it's just that umm..."
"Tamed? Are you kidding me?!" Rent replied in panic while running.
Damn! If this keeps up, I'll run out of breath! Rent glanced at his bag.
Ah, the bag! Right! Maybe there's something useful.
He reached into his bag while running, hoping to find something useful. His hand felt a long and light object as he groped inside.
"Got it! Take this, you stupid rabbit!"
SWISH.
Silence. The wind blew, slightly swaying his ahoge hair.
Fyra-Bunn stopped chasing. It tilted its head, staring at the object in the human's hand in confusion. Its fire dimmed slightly.
The object that came out was not a knife or a magic wand. But a Quill Pen.
Rent stared at the pen in his hand. Then stared at the rabbit. His eye twitched.
"What... is this?" he hissed with a trembling voice. "Is this... a joke?"
Moro, watching from the other side, vibrated slightly. His round body shook (holding back laughter).
Moro covered his mouth (if he had one) with his small wing, trying to stifle the leaking giggle. "Pfft... I'm sorry, Master! It... maybe the God wants Master to write a last will and testament before—"
"SHUT UP, YOU FUR BALL!"
Out of frustration mixed with annoyance, Rent picked up a small flat stone nearby and threw it at Moro.
"TAKE THIS!"
WHOOSH!
Moro nimbly floated to the side. "Sorry, your accuracy missed, Master!"
The small stone sailed freely past Moro... and landed right on Fyra-Bunn's forehead.
Thud.
The sound was quiet. Very quiet. The stone bounced off the fire rabbit's forehead, then fell to the ground.
Silence again.
Fyra-Bunn looked down at the stone. Then looked up at Rent. Its red glowing eyes now blazed twice as bright. Its nose snorted, expelling thick black smoke.
Rent smiled stiffly. "Damn. I actually hit my own grim reaper."
"RAAAARRRHH!"
The monster rabbit's roar thundered. The fire on its back exploded massively. Clearly, it was offended by being pelted with a pebble.
With robot-like stiff movements, Rent turned around. Then...
WHOOSH!
Rent immediately ran faster because this time, behind him... Fyra-Bunn accelerated its leg movements, taking strides far wider than before. Making it look like a red bull chasing its own tamer.
"Hah... hah... Damn!" While catching his breath, Rent glanced back slightly. Fyra-Bunn's eyes stared directly into Rent's purple eyes. Making him shiver even more.
"Ugh. I shouldn't have thrown that stone! This is all that damn fur ball's fault!"
While running zig-zag, Rent reached into his bag again, searching for other items that were at least more useful.
"Come on, quick! Anything! I don't care!"
His hands fumbled around. The bag's contents turned out to be pitiful: One Quill Pen (the one from before), one standard thick Book, and... a loaf of Dry Bread with the texture of a red brick.
"Are you serious?! This is all there is?!" Rent grumbled while continuing to run. "That God is really playing with me, damn it!"
"Calm down, Master! Remember! It can be tamed!" Moro shouted casually from a safe height. "Master only needs to, umm... calm it down!"
"Are you crazy?!" Rent replied quickly, veins bulging on his neck. "How can I calm it down, idiot?! Can't you see it wants to eat me raw right now, HUH?!"
"Uh-oh... that's true," Moro muttered. "B-But the point is, it can be tamed! Theoretically!"
"SHUT UP, MORO! YOU'RE NOT HELPING AT ALL!" Rent shouted in frustration.
Rent continued running without stopping. The grassland that was once green was now a bit chaotic due to the rabbit's rampage.
Damn! I have to find a way out of this situation!
While running, his eyes scanned the surrounding area. As he scanned, from a distance, he saw a hole with wet roots right under an old tree at the edge of the grassland.
A hole? Can I...
Rent glanced back slightly; Fyra-Bunn was still chasing with blazing fire.
This creature seems focused on me. Can I make it go in there? He thought quickly.
"Tch! Whether it works or not, I don't care!"
Rent turned back. Provoking Fyra-Bunn loudly.
"HOI! YOU! COME CHASE ME! YOU STUPID RABBIT!"
Fyra growled even more, accelerating its wide strides again.
Good. Now I just need to lure it there, he thought with a slight smile.
When he was within a few meters of the root hole, Rent stopped, then turned around with a thin smile full of confidence.
"MASTER! RUN QUICK! IF YOU DIE, WHAT DO I TELL THE BOSS?!" Moro shouted hysterically from the opposite direction.
Rent, who no longer cared about Moro's words, just stood silent. Staring straight at the rabbit.
"I'VE PREPARED A GIFT FOR YOU! THE GIFT IS RIGHT BEHIND ME! STUPID RABBIT!"
Rent jumped to the right just moments before Fyra-Bunn pounced on him.
Because of the sudden action, Fyra-Bunn couldn't brake its own body which continued to slide forward.
Then...
CRASH! SNAP!
The rabbit fell into the old tree hole. Its body was entangled by wet roots that instantly extinguished part of its massive fire.
Rent rose slowly from a kneeling position. Patting the dirt off his pants slightly.
"Heh... Gotcha, Stupid Rabbit."
Moro fell silent, his (imaginary) mouth slightly open. As if he didn't believe the event.
He then floated down, approaching Rent who was still standing looking at the hole.
"How... I thought you could only run. Master Rent is truly a genius!"
"Shut up. You can only yap up there. And only make things worse," Rent answered with a cynical gaze.
"B-But I'm not a fighter! If I were a fighter, I would have beaten that rabbit from the start!" Moro replied, refusing to accept the blame.
"Haaah... whatever."
Rent stared at Fyra-Bunn who was still writhing. Trying to get out of there but failing.
"Moro..."
"Yes, Master?"
"What are we going to do with this rabbit? Leave it?"
"Emm..." Moro floated forward, getting a bit closer to analyze Fyra-Bunn.
"It seems... it won't be able to get out for a while. So we are safe, Master! My advice, just leave it. It can free itself later because these roots will shrink at night, anyway."
"Hmph. Is that so."
Although Rent tried to ignore it, his eyes kept staring at Fyra-Bunn's body. Which was being squeezed tighter and tighter. The rabbit's struggling movements were weakening.
"Haaah... troublesome."
Without warning, Rent entered the hole.
"M-Master Rent! What are you doing! It's still dangerous!" Moro shouted.
"Shut up. I just intend to loosen these roots a bit. That's all."
Quickly, Rent picked up a long wooden stick and wedged it between the roots. With random jerks, he pried every root that entangled the Rabbit's body.
One by one, the piled-up roots released Fyra-Bunn's body. Making the rabbit finally free from the root entanglement. Although the Rabbit's body was free, it still harbored the fire of anger leaking slightly from its back.
"Hey, you. Give it a rest. Save your fire to burn something else, not me."
Rent looked at the hard Bread in his bag. Quickly, he took the bread and threw it forward.
"Burn that instead, not me. And eat that as a substitute for my tough meat." He glanced at the fur ball. "Or I'll give you this fur ball, I'm willing."
"HEY! WHY AM I THE SACRIFICE?!"
Fyra-Bunn stared at the Bread. Stared back at Rent, then back at the bread. Although still angry, its nose twitched. Sniffing the Bread. Then...
Crunch! Crunch! The rabbit chewed the edge of the bread slightly. Its angry gaze couldn't leave Rent, but its mouth was now full of chewing bread.
"Gluttonous rabbit," Rent muttered, smiling thinly.
Then he stood up. "Moro, let's go. My business here is done, and I don't want it to change its mind and eat me alive."
"Roger! Come, follow me!" Moro floated enthusiastically.
Outside the hole, Moro looked back at the stone path.
"Master Rent! We just need to follow that stone path. That path will lead us to the first civilization around here!"
Rent just stepped out of the hole. "Whatever. I don't care where you take me anymore."
Finally, the two of them managed to survive the grim reaper's chase on the first day. However... without them realizing it.
A pair of glowing orange eyes in the darkness of the root hole was watching Rent's steps from afar.