The city lights shimmered like scattered stars against the night sky. Standing by the window, Haruto gazed at the skyline, his phone pressed to his ear.
"So… you're not coming home this week, huh, sis?" His tone was casual, but a hint of disappointment slipped through.
On the other end, his sister hesitated. "I'm really sorry… Something urgent came up at work."
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah, I figured. Just don't overwork yourself, alright?"
"I won't… Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
The call ended with a soft beep. The room fell silent. He set his phone down and glanced at his desk, where stacks of books and notes lay waiting.
Another long night.
He sat down, picked up his pen, and got to work. The hours passed in a blur of scribbled notes and turning pages until, finally, his alarm vibrated against the desk—study session over.
Leaning back, he rubbed his eyes. His body was exhausted, but his mind was still racing.
"Five minutes," he mumbled, resting his head on his arms. "Just five minutes…"
The moment his eyes shut, sleep took him.
And then—
A voice.
Soft. Unfamiliar.
"I found you."
His eyes snapped open.
Something was wrong.
The warm glow of city lights—gone. His desk, his books—gone.
Instead, towering trees surrounded him, their dark silhouettes stretching toward a sky filled with unfamiliar stars. A cool breeze whispered through the leaves, carrying the scent of fresh earth and damp moss.
His breath slowed. His mind sharpened.
He rubbed his eyes once, twice. No change.
Okay. Think.
Dream? No, too detailed. He could feel the cold, the uneven ground beneath his hands. Hallucination? Unlikely—his mind felt clear, no dizziness, no distortion.
So that left… what?
His pulse was steady, but his stomach twisted.
"This is real, isn't it?" he muttered under his breath.
The moment he said it out loud, reality settled in like a weight pressing against his chest.
He exhaled slowly. Priorities: One—confirm if this place is dangerous. Two—find civilization. Three—figure out how the hell I got here.
His eyes scanned the unfamiliar forest. Shadows stretched between the trees, but nothing immediately threatened him. He took a careful step forward—then stopped.
A strange glow caught his eye.
Kneeling, he examined a small plant with deep blue petals and a shimmering liquid pooled at its base.
He frowned. That's… odd.
The petals had a faint glow, and the leaves were thick and waxy, unlike anything he had seen before. He reached out, brushing a fingertip along the stem—firm, but smooth. The liquid shimmered under the faint light.
He narrowed his eyes.
I know over 400,000 plant species. I've studied botany, medicinal herbs, even rare hybrids… But this?
His fingers curled slightly. This doesn't exist. Not in any book. Not in any research.
For the first time since waking up, unease crept into his mind.
Could this be a rare species? A genetic mutation? Something from deep within an uncharted rainforest?
He inhaled slowly. No. That still didn't explain the trees, the sky, the air itself.
His surroundings weren't just unfamiliar—they were fundamentally different.
His mind turned over the possibilities, searching for the logical answer. But the only conclusion that made sense was one he didn't want to accept.
This… isn't Earth.
The thought sent a quiet chill through him.
And then—
"Analysis complete."
He stiffened. The voice was calm, emotionless—yet undeniably real.
"Plant: Saphiris. Classification: Medicinal Plant. Effect: Secretes a high-purity blue liquid with potent healing properties. Capable of accelerating cell regeneration and closing wounds upon contact. Effectiveness increases when processed into an elixir. Additional Notes: The liquid retains its potency even when separated from the plant. Excessive use may lead to mild numbness due to rapid tissue regeneration. Highly valuable for medical applications."
His fingers twitched. That was not normal.
Slowly, he stood, scanning the area again. No one was there.
"Who said that?" he asked, his voice calm but firm.
A brief pause. Then, the same voice answered, smooth and measured.
"I am [Unique Skill: Azara]. This skill was granted to my user upon entry into this world. My primary function is to assist with information analysis, optimize decision-making, and provide strategic guidance to enhance adaptation to the new environment."
His heartbeat remained steady, but something inside him shifted. A skill? A system?
A deep breath.
His mind had already accepted the reality. This wasn't a dream.
This was a new world.
And something told him… this was just the beginning.
—WHOOSH.
A powerful gust of wind tore through the trees. Leaves ripped from branches, swirling violently.
His eyes snapped upward.
A shadow streaked across the night sky.
It was massive. The wings stretched wide, cutting through the moonlight like a phantom. As it descended, its shape became clear—snow-white scales gleaming under the stars, golden eyes burning like molten fire.
A dragon.
His entire body tensed. It's coming straight for me.
Then—
FWOOOOOSH!
A blinding burst of white flames shot down from above, illuminating the forest in an eerie glow. The heat rushed toward him, his instincts screaming—move!
Without hesitation, he lunged forward, grabbing the Saphiris plant and sprinting toward the trees.
BOOOOOOM!
The ground behind him exploded in a wave of white fire, sending dirt and shattered branches flying in all directions. The force nearly knocked him off his feet.
Not good.
He pushed forward, weaving through the thick trunks, using the dense forest as cover. Flames roared behind him, lighting up the night like a second sun.
He had to think. Fast.
Why is it attacking? What triggered this? Was it me? Or… something else?
No time to stop. No time to analyze. Right now—
Survival came first.
High above, the dragon's golden eyes scanned the forest, searching for him.
Think. He couldn't outrun something that could fly. Hiding wasn't an option forever.
I need a plan. Fast.