"Hey, human! Are you alright? Did I scare you?"
Ocridef froze mid-step. A golden insect, no bigger than his hand, stood in the grass, its tiny wings shimmering under the sunlight. And it had just spoken — in a gentle, almost polite voice.
"What the heck…? I haven't even taken two steps, and I've already run into some strange creature! Am I going to die again before I even get started in this world?" he muttered under his breath.
"Hey, human! Stop ignoring me!" the insect said, sounding almost offended. "I'm not here to hurt you. Just tell me — are you the human master or not?"
Ocridef blinked at it, completely dumbfounded."Are you… really not going to hurt me?" he asked cautiously.
"Of course not! I, the Great Golden Beetle Cadran, promise I won't harm you — as long as you answer my questions honestly!"
Damn it, Ocridef thought. If I say the wrong thing, I might die right here. And even if I answer correctly, who knows if this thing will keep its promise?
If this weren't a cultivation world, I'd just squash the damn bug and be done with it… but a talking beetle? No way that's normal. Better play it safe, Ocridef. You can't die here again. Not yet.
"Hey! Stop ignoring me!" Cadran buzzed angrily. "I'll really get mad if you keep ignoring me!"
"Yes, yes, I'm sorry, Great Golden Beetle!" Ocridef quickly bowed his head. "Ask anything you want. I promise I'll answer honestly… I just hope you'll keep your word afterward."
"Hmph! Everyone in the Great Forest knows that the Golden Beetle Cadran never breaks his promises!" the insect declared proudly, puffing out its tiny chest. "Now tell me your name, where you came from, and how you ended up in the Great Forest. And don't even think of lying! I know no normal human could have made it this far alive."
Damn this bug is smart, Ocridef thought, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. But if I tell the truth, will it even believe me? Who would believe a story about coming from another world? It'll just think I'm lying and kill me on the spot! Damn it…
"Answer me now!" the beetle snapped. "Don't waste my time!"
Ocridef sighed. "I guess I have no choice… I can only hope I make it through this alive. If not — well, I already died once. What's another death?"
He straightened his back and spoke, trying to sound confident."Great Golden Beetle, my name is Ocridef. I came from another world called Earth. After I died there, I woke up here — in this body — and found myself in this forest. I swear that's the absolute truth!"
Damn it, I'm so dead. Who would believe a story like that? If you kill me, bug, I'll curse you before I die!
The beetle went still. Then, in a trembling voice, it said, "Earth…? It's true! The world my father always told me about — the world of my future master! That means you must be him — the human master from another world! I've been waiting a hundred years in this forest for your arrival, Master!"
Ocridef gawked. "What the heck? Is this bug crazy? It actually believed me that easily? And how the hell does it even know about Earth?!"
"Wait," he said slowly, "what do you mean you've been waiting for a hundred years? I don't even know you! And why are you calling me your master?"
"Yes!" the beetle said excitedly. "You must be the one! The Great Human from another world my father told me about when I was still a larva!"
It fluttered its golden wings and looked around nervously."But Master, this isn't a safe place to talk. The Stone Devourer lurks nearby — this is part of its territory. Please, follow me! I'll take you to my nest where we can talk in peace."
Ocridef hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Alright… lead the way."
Ocridef hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Alright… lead the way."
"Master, stay close to me," said Cadran, his golden carapace glimmering faintly in the dim light. "This deep in the Great Forest, demonic beasts are everywhere. I can only fight against Tier One, middle-stage beasts, so we must be careful."
"Yes, I understand. Don't worry — I'll follow closely."With that, Ocridef stepped nearer to the little beetle, his eyes fixed on that faint golden glow. It was like staring at his only hope of survival in this strange, deadly world.
The forest stretched endlessly around them. Towering trees blocked out most of the sunlight, casting long shadows across the mossy ground. The deeper they went, the quieter it became. No animal dared to approach — even the birds took flight long before the pair drew near.The few insects they passed seemed frozen in place, as if terrified of attracting the attention of the golden figure walking ahead.
After several minutes, Cadran suddenly stopped."Master," he said sharply, "hide behind that tree in front of you. A demonic beast is approaching at high speed. Your cultivation is too low — it's dangerous for you to be near the battle. I've already scanned the surroundings within a hundred meters; there's nothing else that can harm you there. Please, take cover until I'm done. It seems the creature came at the right time — I had nothing in my nest to serve you as a meal."
What the heck does he mean, "dangerous to be near the battle"? Will I die just from the shockwaves?! Better not test that theory…
"I understand, Cadran. Please be careful!"Without wasting another second, Ocridef sprinted toward the massive tree the beetle had pointed out. As he reached it, the ground beneath his feet trembled — a deep, thunderous sound echoed through the forest, like a mountain on the move.
Cautiously, he peeked from behind the trunk.His breath caught.A monstrous boar, easily seven meters tall, was charging straight toward the small golden beetle. Foam dripped from its tusked mouth, its bloodshot eyes burning with hunger. To the beast, Cadran must have looked like a glittering snack.
Then a powerful voice rang out — shockingly deep for such a tiny creature."Hmph! Blind beast! A mere Tier One, early-stage demonic creature dares to challenge this Golden Lord?!"
The boar roared in response, the sound like grinding metal that made Ocridef's ears ache.It opened its massive jaws and unleashed five spinning water discs, each one slicing through the air with unstoppable momentum. Trees fell in their path like paper, the ground shredded wherever the blades passed.
"Hmph! Low-level tricks!"Cadran's body blazed with a radiant golden light. The water discs froze midair, their deadly spin halted as if time itself had stopped.
Then, with a crackling flash, golden chains burst from the ground, wrapping around the charging boar faster than lightning. The creature froze in place, its massive body bound tight, eyes wide and trembling.
"Hmph. You're dead now."
Cadran darted forward, a streak of light too fast to follow. His sharp horns pierced straight through the beast's left eye. A gush of blood erupted, splattering across the dirt. The boar didn't even have time to scream — its other eye dimmed as crunching, wet sounds echoed from the wound.
From behind the tree, Ocridef's eyes widened in awe and horror.The enormous creature hung suspended in midair, twitching weakly, until the last bit of life faded from it.
So this really is a cultivation world… he thought, his heart pounding. And somehow, I'm the master of that terrifying golden beetle. I don't know why it thinks that — but I can't let it find out the truth. If I want to survive in this world, I have to stay his "master." No matter what.
The golden chains vanished, and the colossal boar crashed to the ground with a deafening thud. The earth shook, and the water blades dissolved into mist. Silence returned — heavy and eerie.
Then, from beside the corpse, came Cadran's cheerful voice."Master! I've taken the heart of this demonic boar. It'll make a perfect meal for you — it can greatly strengthen a human body! Let's leave before other beasts arrive."
"Yes, Cadran," Ocridef said, stepping out from behind the tree. He glanced at the massive corpse, then at the small beetle floating nearby, a glowing crimson heart hovering above its head, bathed in golden light.
"This world…" Ocridef muttered under his breath, half in disbelief, half in awe."…makes no sense at all."