I ordered another round of sake and more skewers, not even keeping track of how much I'd spent. Honestly, I didn't even know what time it was anymore. The anime guy had left a while ago, and it was just me and the old man now.
Strangely, the shop wasn't closed yet. The old man didn't seem to mind.
"Old man, you're a good guy, you know that?" I slurred, lifting my cup toward him.
He chuckled as he poured me another drink. "I hear that a lot."
I sighed, leaning against the counter. "Haaa… if only life were fair."
He flipped a skewer on the grill and nodded. "That's life."
I kept rambling about work, college, and endless complaints about the ikemen. Through it all, he listened with that calm, friendly smile.
Then, out of nowhere, he spoke. "Hey."
I blinked, looking up at him. "Hmm?"
This time his smile felt different. Not just kind, but knowing, like he was in on a joke I didn't understand.
"What do you think about another world?" he asked, his voice steady.
I blinked again, then burst out laughing, nearly spilling my sake.
"Old man! Don't tell me you're an anime guy too! Damn! Hahaha!"
He didn't laugh. He just kept smiling, waiting for my answer.
When I realized he was serious, I scratched my head, thinking.
"Hmm… well, I guess it's not bad. In those stories, people who get isekai'd end up crazy strong, right? They build harems, get magic powers… sounds nice."
The old man nodded thoughtfully. "It does, doesn't it?"
I chuckled, leaning back on my stool. "Yeah, but that's just fantasy. Real life doesn't work like that."
For a moment, I thought I saw something flicker in his eyes. Maybe it was just the sake.
His smile deepened.
"You never know," he said softly, handing me another skewer. "Life's full of surprises."
Suddenly, the old man pulled out a big, fancy bottle of sake and set it in front of me. The glass sparkled, with golden designs on the surface.
I blinked at it, then at him.
"Hey, old man! I don't have enough money for this. Payday isn't until the day after tomorrow."
He chuckled, waving me off. "Don't worry about it, kid. Consider it my treat."
My eyes widened. "Whoa… really? You sure?"
He nodded with the same warm smile. "Drink until you're satisfied."
Grinning, I grabbed the bottle. "Oh yeah! Thanks, old man! You're the best!"
He poured me a cup, and I drank it in one go. The taste was amazing. Smooth, rich, sweet, and warm. It felt otherworldly, almost magical.
The old man kept grilling, sliding fresh skewers my way as I drank. The night felt perfect, like nothing else mattered.
But the more I drank, the heavier my head grew. A warm haze spread through me, making everything feel dreamlike.
Through the haze, I heard the old man's voice, calm and steady.
"Sleep well, young man. When you wake up…"
His words faded as my eyes shut.
And that, folks, is how I ended up being chased by a horde of male orcs in heat. Yes, you heard right. Male orcs. In heat.
Do you think I stopped running? No way! I was sure I was the main dish at an all-you-can-eat buffet.
"Don't run, human! We good orc~!" one of them called, way too excited.
"Get away from me!!" I shouted, ducking under a low branch.
"Oho~ this human is shy~ Ahnnn~!" another crooned.
"Screw you!!!" I screamed, leaping over a fallen log.
Adrenaline pumped as I ran through the forest, dodging rocks, bushes, and branches while the stampede of hormone-fueled orcs chased after me.
"Why me?!" I shouted at the sky. "I didn't sign up for this isekai stuff!"
The universe stayed silent, like it was laughing at me as I ran for my life, my dignity hanging by a thread.
So you want to know how I ended up here? Fine. It all started after I got drunk.
After that special drink the old man gave me, I blacked out and woke up lying in the grass. At first, I thought I'd wandered into a city park. But then I noticed the sun didn't look right. For a moment, I thought maybe there was an eclipse.
Spoiler: there wasn't.
As I groggily sat up, the ground shook with a loud thump. I turned just in time to see a huge beast charging straight at me, like a giant boar, but the size of an elephant.
My first reaction wasn't bravery. It was pure panic.
"What the hell?!" I screamed, diving out of the way.
You'd think I'd fight it? No way!! I dodged like my life depended on it. Because, well, it did.
Luckily, the giant boar was slow, so dodging wasn't too hard. It snorted, stomped around, then lumbered off into the forest.
That's when things got even more complicated.
Still shaken, I thought maybe I should throw a rock at it to scare it off.
I grabbed a rock, aimed, and threw.
…And I missed.
Not my brightest idea.
Then I heard a loud voice from the forest.
"Who threw a rock at us?!"
At first, I thought it was just some hikers.
"Oh, sorry! I didn't mean to!" I shouted.
Then they came out. Big, green-skinned guys, muscles bulging, tusks gleaming in the sun. They cut the giant boar down with ease.
I was about to say thanks when I realized, these weren't friendly hikers.
I froze. One of them stepped closer, grinning as his eyes looked me over. Then, without warning, he reached out…
…and grabbed my butt.
"Hey~ nice looking ass," one of them said, his tone disturbingly playful.
My brain went blank.
"W-what?! H-hey!! Hands off!!" I yelped, stumbling backward. But they didn't stop. Their eyes lit up like predators spotting prey.
"Don't run, hyuman. We good orc~"
And that's how I ended up in this mess, sprinting for my life while a horde of male orcs in heat thundered after me.
"Leave me alone!!"
"Aww, come on! Don't be shy~" one of them crooned, licking his lips.
"Shy!? SHY?! I'M NOT SHY, I'M TERRIFIED!!" I screamed, vaulting over a log and running even faster.
And that, folks, was my glorious first day in this so-called fantasy world. Not exactly the heroic isekai dream I signed up for, huh?
"Formation! Ready! Shoot!!"
Huh? What the hell was that?
I glanced back just in time to see a storm of glowing arrows streaking through the trees, straight at the orcs chasing me.
"Shit!!" I ducked instinctively as the arrows ripped overhead, close enough that I felt the heat sear past my hair.
"Hey!! Watch where you're aiming, dammit!!"
The orcs behind me weren't so lucky. The arrows struck home, lighting up the forest like fireworks. Several howled in pain and collapsed in smoking heaps.
For the first time since this nightmare began, I felt a spark of hope. My ass, finally safe. At least for now.
I staggered to my feet and looked ahead. A squad of soldiers charged toward me, clad in full plate armor. Some carried bows, others heavy shields and pikes, while a few wielded swords and bucklers.
They moved in tight formation, disciplined and precise, like a real army.
One soldier, wearing a shining helmet and radiating authority, ran up to me.
"Hey! Are you alright?"
"Yes! Thank you!!" I panted, still trying to catch my breath. "If you hadn't shown up, I'd be… well, let's not talk about it."
The soldier tilted their head. "What were you doing so deep in the forest alone? Don't you know this area is dangerous?"
"Trust me, I have no idea where I am or what's going on. I just woke up here and bam! Orcs everywhere!"
The soldier nodded slowly, then gestured toward the rest of their squad.
"You're lucky we were patrolling this area. Those orcs were part of a raiding party. They've been terrorizing nearby villages for weeks."
"Raiding party? Terrorizing? Yeah, well, they were definitely terrorizing me!" I said, throwing up my hands.
Another soldier walked up, eyeing me suspiciously.
"Who are you? You don't look like a villager. And your clothes… they're strange."
I glanced down at myself, still in my dirt-stained office attire, sweaty and torn from running.
"Uh… long story. Let's just say I'm not from around here."
The first soldier gave me a curious look but didn't press further.
"We'll escort you to the nearest village. You can explain everything there."
"Nearest village? Perfect! Lead the way," I said, quickly falling in line behind them.
Anywhere was better than here. Especially if it meant fewer orcs and more actual safety.
As we marched out, I risked one last glance over my shoulder. The surviving orcs were retreating into the forest, grumbling like sore losers.
( End Of Chapter )