The leaves trembled violently as a hulking shadow emerged from the trees. Standing over two meters tall, its green skin glistened with sweat, muscles corded like iron ropes under its tattered leather armor. Its tusked jaw gaped, saliva dripping as its glowing yellow eyes locked onto me.
I froze, feeling the raw, predatory weight of it pressing down like a storm. Then, with a roar that split the air, it charged. I panicked, with throbbing head I spun around and ran.
I tried to run as fast as I can, but my body betrayed my expectations. I'm too slow, and just running a few steps makes me exhausted.
Within seconds, the monster's footsteps thundered closer, closing the distance before I could step out from the grassland.
I tried to run faster than before, desperate not wanting that hideous creature catch up to me. Gods only know what it will do to my body.
Even with my cursed stats, I clung to the desperate hope that I could survive in this world—maybe even enjoy it. But now, with a monster before me, that hope shatters. I never thought I'd die this soon—like this. As my gasp a raspy breath tore through my chest, my mind raced, fragmented as frantically searching for way to escape.
Not long after my head spun and my vision blurred. I feel like a hot liquid rose from my stomach to my mouth; the effects of the Glass Body skill were kicking in.
I staggered, stumbled—and fell headfirst to the ground. Ironically, that stumble saved me from being crushed by the monster's massive hand.
But now I was in an even worse predicament. I was directly beneath the towering creature.
With widen eyes I watched its massive body tipping, losing balance as I glanced back fearfully.
So this is the end of my fantasy, isekaied life…
Crushed by a monster and turned into a human pancake.
I squeezed my eyes shut helplessly, my mind still denying that my grand adventure in this fantasy world lasted only a few minutes after opening my eyes.
'How can I survive this? Do I have some cheat power—anything—that can get me out of this?'
The thought had barely formed when i feel a sick churn twisted my stomach. After that my body convulsed as a blood vomit gushed from my mouth together with a cough. Through the pain and fading consciousness, I heard a thunderous blast echoed from somewhere nearby. Concern filled my brain.
'This damned fantasy life…'
And for the second time today, everything went black again.
Weakened by exhaustion and stress, his Glass Body trait flared violently—making him unconscious.
Before the monster could hurt him, a flash bright of orange light erupted from the dense trees.
Booommm!
A colossal explosion ripped through the forest, shaking the trees. Scattering leaves and dust in all directions. Blinding orange light slammed into the green monster, throwing it violently to the side across the clearing. The air hummed with energy as the creature flung to the side uncontrollably.
As it's flung a young man with one handed sword slashed the monster. Turning it into black particle dust
scattering carried away by the wind.
The young man landed lightly, his white cloak billowing in the wind. A fitted breastplate gleamed over his adventurer's tunic, leather straps crossing his waist where pouches and sheaths hung. The outfit was practical yet stylish, the kind worn by seasoned adventurer. Every movement carried the ease of someone who had survived countless battles.
As his grey eyes scanned the surrounding. Toward his comrades, he exclaimed, "Good job, Lyra" as He turned to the woman who had just unleashed her magic.
"It's nothing, Darrian," Lyra replied flatly.
Her wavy blonde hair, tied in a high ponytail, swayed as she walked, her red eyes gleaming beneath the dense forest canopy. Earrings as red as her eyes dangled from her ears, complimenting her striking beauty. Wearing an off-shoulder red elvish robe, with a leather pouch strapped to her waist, she slowly approached the young man named Darrian.
Behind her, a petite girl followed, holding a short staff crowned with a green orb. The orb glimmered softly, like morning dew caught in sunlight.
Her expression was gentle, radiating warmth, a single mole like a teardrop adding to her tender appearance. She wore a black priest robe adorned with gold embroidery, in her waist there is same leather pouch as Darrian and Lyra. Containing potions and other miscellaneous items.
From another direction, an imposing man in heavy armor appeared, sword and shield in hand, his steps shaking the ground, the clang of metal announcing his presence. He too wearing same leather pouch but hidden beneath the heavy armor.
"Damn orc… it ran off while I was drawing the other monsters' aggro!" grumbled the young man in heavy armor as he strode closer to regroup with his party.
As they regroup, their eyes fell upon someone lying on the grassland.
"Is this boy still alive?" asked the armored young man, his voice taut with urgency.
The girl priest, seeing that the youth needed immediate help, moved swiftly toward him.
"Wait, I'll check!" she exclaimed.
She knelt beside the unconscious youth. and checked his pulse. He have really weak pulse and his skin was growing paler with each passing time. He would become a corpse if they didn't act quickly.
She cast Heal, pouring life into the pale-faced boy, hoping to pull him back from the brink of death.
A soft green light enveloped him, but even as the spell's glow faded, there's is no reaction from the young man. He remained unconscious, still lost in the depths of slumber.
"This man… how did he end up here? Did a monster kidnap him? or...is he an evil dark mage trying to perform some forbidden summoning ritual in this forest? Gloomreach is no place for ordinary civilian." The red mage said.
"Heemm.. you're right. Let me search his belongings." said the young man in heavy armor, his gauntlet-ed hand already reaching toward the unconscious stranger.
"Wait, Berron! You can't just do that!" cried the priest tried to warn him.
"Relax, Serena. I'm not trying to steal anything," Berron replied firmly, his tone carrying the weight of his resolve. "I just need to make sure this man isn't a threat to us."
Serena just stared silently with worried and unsure expression.
Darrian's eyes narrowed, suspicion hardening his gaze as he looked at both his party members and the pale youth lying motionless on the ground. His stare sharp, lingering, keeping close watch on them.
After searching his belongings, Berron found only a small pouch containing thirty gold coins and an emblem engraved with the image of a tree.
"So… who is he, and why is he here?" Ask Lyra curious
"Looking at the emblem and the money he carries, he looks like a noble." Said Lyra guessing his identity.
"We'd better return his belongings before he wakes up. The last thing we need is trouble with a noble. I don't want our mission getting more harder as it should be and turn into a mess." Darrian said sternly, giving Berron warning.
Without a word, Berron placed the youth's belongings back into the folds of his robe.
"We should wait until he regains consciousness and ask him directly. For now, let's make camp here," Darrian added, his gaze lifting to the sky as the fading light surrendered to the coming night.