I looked around, amazed. The world felt like something out of a novel, not exactly the same, but close enough that it gave me that weird, surreal feeling. I started running, trying to take it all in and wrap my head around the fact that this was real.
Off in the distance, I spotted what looked like a town, maybe just a big village. I headed straight for it, my footsteps thudding against the ground and the grass brushing past me. When I finally reached it, I stopped to catch my breath and looked around. The place was huge.
I figured I could probably rest here for a bit. Hopefully, I'd find somewhere to stay, though it might be tough, this town's pretty big, and night had already fallen. It felt different from back home. After wandering for a bit, I noticed a large fountain nearby. I made my way over, sat down on the edge, and just tried to breathe. My chest rose and fell with every deep breath.
I glanced around and saw people, normal-looking people. They looked just like us… except, wait, none of them had wings or tails.
Hold on. Where are mine?
(Looks like you just noticed.)
The voice in my head had that annoyingly playful tone.
What?! You changed my form? My face twisted in confusion.
(Yep.)
I let out a sigh. So that's why no one was giving me weird looks. I blended in.
But, wait. How are you even talking to me? Where are you?
(Inside you.)
What?! Inside me? What does that even mean?! I looked even more confused now.
(I'm inside your soul. Kinda sounds like a guardian spirit, huh? Don't worry, I'll protect you.)
I don't know what your deal is, but... whatever.
Can you help me find a place to stay, at least?
(Mmm… I suppose I could help.)
The voice replied with a confident, almost smug tone.
A few quiet minutes passed. Then...
(Alright, get up. Time to move. Follow my words.)
Okay… where to?
(Turn to your right.)
I turned my head. Alright.
(Now walk straight. See that old guy over there?)
I scanned the distance. The bald one?
He was standing alone, just far enough that I had to squint.
He looked ancient, like the kind of person who's seen too much and says too little.
(See that building next to him? That's a hotel.) The voice said casually.
I squinted. Damn, how did I not notice that? The place was huge, standing right there behind the old man. I started walking toward it without thinking.
(Hey, maybe talk to him first before walking in.) The voice chimed in again.
Huh? Why? Is he guarding the place or something?
(Could be. Hard to tell. His clothes are way different from anything back in Natiosea.)
I glanced at the man again. Yeah, the outfit was definitely off, like something out of a different era or culture. Still, if he's standing there, maybe there's a reason.
Alright, fine. I'll talk to him. I walked toward the old man and came to a stop just in front of him.
He looked up, meeting my eyes. His posture shifted slightly, alert, not hostile, just... cautious.
"Is this a hotel?" I asked.
He nodded. "It is. Are you looking to stay?"
I blinked, surprised by the response. Wow, didn't think he would actually answer. I thought the language here was different.
(Well, this world is a bit similar to your old one. There are some similarities, lucky for you, huh?)
Okay…. At least I wasn't completely out of my element here.
"Yeah," I said with a quick nod.
He squinted a bit, then his expression shifted. "Your clothes… they're unfamiliar."
"Ah, this…" I hesitated.
Hey, what do I say?
(Just tell him you're from another town) The voice offered, way too casually.
That's risky. Cultures here might be super specific. Mine stands out a lot, he might catch on.
(Take the risk. He probably has no idea.)
Alright... wish me luck.
The old man raised an eyebrow. "Why are you taking so long to answer?"
"Oh, sorry, I zoned out." I laughed nervously.
He stared at me for a moment longer.
"I'm from another village," I added quickly.
"Village?" he repeated.
"Yep."
He studied me for a few seconds, qfelt like forever, then suddenly relaxed, his expression softening into something warm and welcoming.
"Well then, feel free to stay. Go on in."
"Thanks," I said, letting out a quiet breath I didn't realize I'd been holding.
I stepped inside, taking in the place. The interior had a completely different style, nothing like what I was used to. It felt foreign, but in a strange, fascinating way.
A bit ahead, I spotted the receptionist at the front desk.
(You were pretty slick back there,) the voice said, sounding oddly impressed. (Asking if it was a hotel, pretending you didn't know. I like that.)
I'm smart enough to know that, I thought back. Besides, the old man would've been suspicious if I just walked in without a word.
I paused, considering it more.
Actually... maybe not. If I didn't ask, he'd probably just assume I talked to the locals or something.
I let out a small sigh. Yeah… not that impressive after all.
The voice was quiet for a second.
(Still sounded cool though.)
I rolled my eyes slightly but couldn't help the small grin tugging at my lips.
I walked up to the front desk where the receptionist was sitting. She was a young woman, maybe a little younger than me, and glanced up as I approached.
I froze for a second. Wait, I don't have money... and their currency is probably different here.
I quickly masked my hesitation with a neutral expression, trying not to look like I was about to panic.
I froze for a second, staring at the receptionist. What the hell am I supposed to do now?
(I thought you were smart enough to figure that out.)
I rolled my eyes, trying to hide the panic. Shut up and just help me.
The voice stayed quiet for a moment, as if considering something, before speaking again.
(You could always try asking her about the payment... maybe she'll let you slide.)
I frowned, confused. What payment?
(Well, you can't just expect a room for free. There's got to be some way to pay.)
I glanced at the receptionist again, the realization hitting me hard. I didn't have a clue how their system worked here, or even if they took the same kind of money.
"Hey…" I began hesitantly, "How do I, uh, pay for a room here?"
The receptionist gave me a polite smile, but her eyes were sharp, studying me like I was an interesting puzzle. She didn't answer immediately.
The receptionist's smile remained, but there was a flicker of curiosity in her eyes as she studied me. It felt like she was waiting for something.
"Payment isn't always in money," she said finally, her tone polite but knowing, as if she were gauging me.
I blinked, thrown off. "Not in money? Then... what?"
She tilted her head slightly, eyes narrowing as she considered me. "You've got skills, right? Perhaps something you can offer in exchange. We're a bit more flexible here than most places."
I froze for a second, trying to think. Skills? What kind of skills?
(Well, this is your chance.)
I gave the voice a silent nod and turned back to the receptionist, trying to sound confident. "I can help with... whatever you need. I'm good with my hands. Cleaning, repairs, whatever you've got."
She studied me for another beat before nodding slowly. "That could work. We have a few things that need fixing around here, and it wouldn't hurt to have someone like you help out. Welcome, then. Room's yours for the night."
The receptionist handed me a key, her expression still assessing but with a bit more warmth. "We've got a few things around here that need attention. If you want to stay, you'll need to take care of them. Not too hard, just some minor tasks."
I nodded, relieved. "Sure, what kind of things?"
She smiled, clearly pleased with my eagerness. "There's a broken water pipe near the back, a shelf that needs fixing in the storage room, and the garden outside needs a bit of cleaning up. Nothing too complicated, but it'll show me you can hold your end of the deal."
I nodded again, already picturing the work ahead. "Got it. I'll handle it."
She gave a small chuckle. "I'm sure you will. Go get some rest first, the tasks can wait until morning."
"Does that mean I can rest first?" I asked. "I've been walking all day, and I could definitely use some sleep before diving into all that work."
"Of course, just make sure to finish it by tomorrow," she replied, her tone casual but firm. "We can't have things piling up, but I understand if you need some time to rest first."
"Alright," I said, nodding. "May I ask where my room is?"
The receptionist glanced at me for a moment, then looked down at a ledger or register on her desk, her fingers tapping the surface as she considered something.
"Before I give you a room," she began, "I'll need to know a bit more about you. Just to be sure, you understand." Her eyes met mine, sharp but not unkind. "What's your name, and where exactly are you from? I'd like to make sure we have a proper record for your stay."
"Um, my name is Jinwoo Kim, and..."
Hey, what should I say? We're not from here.
(Sigh. You can't always rely on me for everything.)
"And?" the girl said, her voice calm but pressing.
"I'm from a small village on the edge of the region. You probably haven't heard of it."
The girl studied me, her eyes scanning from my face down to my clothes, a hint of confusion in her expression.
"Alright, alright," she finally said, her tone a bit unsure but accepting.
She handed me a small, bronze key with a worn-out tag. "Room 7. Second floor, end of the hall."
I made my way up the stairs to the second floor, each step creaking under my weight.
Once I got to the top, I walked down the hall, scanning the doors until I found the right number. I slid the key into the lock and opened it.
The room was simple, but cozy enough. A single bed with clean white sheets sat against the wall, and the space had a quiet, lived-in feel to it.
I lay down on the bed, sinking into the surprisingly soft mattress.
Hey, you can help me get those things done, right? I asked, staring up at the ceiling.
(The things that girl mentioned?) she replied.
"Of course, lol."
(Ohh… I thought you meant something else~) she teased, letting out a light laugh that echoed playfully in my mind.
Stop with your jokes, silly.
(Okay, okay,) she chuckled, her voice still carrying that playful tone.
(I'll help you. I'll get it done. You don't have to do anything.)
Her tone was reassuring, as if to say I could finally relax.
(I'll get out of your soul first, and return to my real form.)
Her voice sounded a bit more serious now, as if preparing for something.
Get out then. I sighed, turning away.
She faded in beside me, her form materializing right next to the bed.
"Hey, why are you laying beside me?" I asked, glancing at her with a mix of confusion and irritation.
"Alright, alright. I'll come back to you once I'm done. You can rest for now."
She faded out, turning invisible, but I could still sense her presence, like she was still there, just out of sight.
I took a deep breath, trying to relax, and let the exhaustion from the day finally catch up to me. The bed was surprisingly comfortable, and despite the weirdness of the whole situation, my body seemed to just want to give in to sleep.
I shifted under the covers, closed my eyes, and let the quiet fill the room. For a moment, everything felt still, peaceful even. And soon enough, I drifted off, the soft rhythm of my breathing blending with the calm of the night.
...
Hours passed, and I slowly woke up, sensing a presence beside me. I turned my head, only to find the girl lying next to me, peacefully asleep.
I couldn't help but notice how pretty she looked, her features soft and relaxed in her sleep. For a moment, I just stared at her.
She slowly opened her eyes, just waking up.
I quickly turned my face away, hoping she wouldn't notice I'd been staring at her. My heart skipped a beat, feeling a little embarrassed for getting caught in the moment.
She spoke up, her voice groggy from just waking. "Were you looking at my face just now?"
"No," I lied, trying my best to sound serious, but my voice gave me away.
"You're lying," she replied with a smirk, clearly not buying it.
Before I could say anything else, she gently traced her fingers along my face, sending an unexpected warmth rushing through me.
"S-stop," I muttered, my face flushing red.
"You're boring," she scoffed, her voice dripping with disdain.
The silence between us lingered heavily before she spoke again.
"I figured. I should head back now."
In a blink, her form dissolved like smoke, vanishing without a trace.
I sighed, rubbing my temple. So? You've finished those chores, right?
(Yep. Business done.)
Alright. I pushed myself up and headed to the bathroom.
Everything was the same, the chipped sink, the faint scent of cheap soap still hanging in the air.
(Stop overthinking. I told you, this world's very similar to Natiosea.)
Ignoring her, I grabbed my toothbrush, scrubbed quickly, then splashed cold water on my face. The rough towel scraped against my skin as I dried off.
Stepping outside, the marketplace buzzed with life, vendors shouting, the smell of fresh bread thick in the air. My stomach growled as I approached an old man selling loaves at a wooden stall.
His eyes flicked to me instantly, narrowing slightly.
Then I remembered, I don't have any money here.
(Sigh. You're hopeless.)
(I figured I should help you... and maybe stay inside your soul for now.)
(First, go somewhere quiet. I can't fade in where people might see.)
Alright, alright.
I ducked into a nearby restroom, the door creaking shut behind me. The air shimmered, and suddenly, she appeared beside me.
"Alright," she said.
We slipped back into the crowded streets.
As we walked, a hooded girl passed by, her posture eerily familiar, like Calestia's, but I didn't look twice, keeping pace with the girl beside me.
Then it hit me.
"Ah, by the way. I never got your name."
She glanced at me. "My name?"
"Oh, right. I haven't introduced myself either."
"My name is… Shizuka Shouzei."
"Shizuka Shouzei?" I repeated.
"Yep," she said with a nod.
"What should I call you?"
"Shizei is fine."
"Alright. Shizei."
A faint blush colored her cheeks.
"Now what do we do? We need money. There's gotta be a way."
"I'll speak through our mind link from here on," she whispered. "Safer that way."
"Alright."
(I think the best option is to find commission work. It pays better than basic labor.)
Yeah, but where are we even gonna find one?
(Wait. I'll use my ability to scan the area. I can read minds within range.)
That's an overpowered ability.
(Basic stuff for me. I use it to gather intel during missions.)
Sounds like you're just following orders from my dad or something.
(That's right. She told me to bring you here and keep you company. But I'm not doing this just because he told me to.)
What do you mean?
(I actually wanted to. On my own will.)
(Anyway, enough talk. I'll use it now. Just stay put while I close my eyes.)
A few quiet minutes passed.
(Alright, I found a commission administration building. They're looking for people.)
(Follow me.)
I trailed behind her as she led us through winding alleys until we reached a tall, weathered building.
(Go inside.)
Inside, a long hallway stretched out. We walked until we reached a reception desk where a sharp-eyed man watched us.
(That's the guy. Their group is called the Sole Afe. He's in charge of giving out recommended commissions.)
The man's gaze was sharp, like he could see straight through us.
"We're here for commissions," Shizei said.
(Payments vary depending on the job. 1000 Rd is about 100 F from our old world, and 200 Rd is enough to buy bread.)
"Come with me," the man said.
He led us into an office where clerks scribbled on papers, whispering to each other. A large board on the wall displayed various requests.
One stood out in bold:
[Gather Ingredients - Dragon Head = 100,000 Rd.]
Dragons are real here?
(People have supernatural abilities here too, you know.)
They do?
(Yeah.)
Dragons were common back home, easy prey for hunters.
(Maybe for you.)
A hundred thousand Rd…
Hey, is that a huge amount here?
(Yep. Like I said, 200 Rd gets you bread. I heard the locals talking too when I scanned the area.)
(Though… there was one person I couldn't detect. They were protected by magic. Couldn't recognize who.)
(Back in our world, people block mind-reading with magic all the time.)
(But here, most of them are magically weak compared to us.)
Yeah… So, a dragon. What could go wrong? It's probably just like the ones we've hunted.
(Don't underestimate it.)