Mira let go of the vine and prepared to catch another, but her eyes landed on the approaching men, and she was startled. In her shock, she mistimed her grab, and her hands closed on air. She felt herself falling, her heart racing with panic. But just as she was about to hit the ground, her pants got caught on a branch, leaving her dangling upside down.
The men froze, their eyes wide with surprise. Vernon's face turned bright red as he rushed forward, his arms outstretched, but he wasn't sure if he should laugh or help her down. Mira, on the other hand, was mortified. She wanted to die from embarrassment. Her hair was a tangled mess, and her clothes were twisted in awkward ways. She glared at the branch that had saved her from a potentially romantic fall but was now leaving her in this humiliating position.
The silence was oppressive, with only the sound of leaves rustling in the breeze. Vernon's team stood behind him, trying to stifle their grins. Mira's face was beet-red, and she just wanted to disappear. "This can't be happening," she muttered, her voice muffled by her upside-down position. Vernon finally snapped out of his trance and carefully made his way to her, a mixture of concern and amusement on his face. "Are you okay?" he asked, trying to sound serious. Mira just groaned, her embarrassment reaching new heights.
Mira covered her face with her hands, trying to hide her embarrassment, and that's when the men noticed the mushroom on her head. At first, they thought it was just a hair ornament, but looking closer, they realized it was a living mushroom. A companion spirit. Their eyes widened in shock as they exchanged glances. "A Guide?" one of them whispered, his voice full of awe. Vernon's eyes locked onto the mushroom, and his expression changed from concern to reverence.
"She's a Guide," he breathed, his voice filled with wonder. The team's demeanor shifted from amusement to respect, their faces filled with admiration and curiosity. Mira, still upside down and mortified, had no idea what was happening, but she could sense the change in atmosphere. "Uh, can you guys help me down?" she asked, her voice muffled by her hands.
Vernon's voice was filled with reverence as he said, "It's our duty, Honorable Guide." He carefully reached out and gently lifted Mira down, his hands supporting her waist as he freed her pants from the branch. As he set her on her feet, he made sure to keep his hands in place, steadying her, his face tilted slightly upwards to meet her gaze.
Mira's face was still red from embarrassment, but her eyes widened at the title. "Honorable Guide?" she repeated, her voice uncertain. She looked at the mushroom on her head, then back at Vernon and his team, who were all gazing at her with a mix of awe and respect.
Vernon's smile was gentle as he said, "Yes, Honorable Guide. We've never had the privilege of meeting a Guide in person. We're honored to be in your presence." He hesitated for a moment before asking, "May we ask, what brings you here?"
Ordinary females were typically sheltered and protected due to their rarity and valuable reproductive capabilities, but Guides were a different story. With their unique abilities and companion spirits, Guides were capable of venturing into hazardous areas that would be off-limits to others. In fact, it was not uncommon for Guides to accompany groups of Sentinels on missions to purify the lands, using their powers to soothe the mental pollution and purify the lands.
Vernon's expression turned thoughtful as he gazed at Mira. "We didn't expect to encounter a Guide her." His voice took on a respectful tone. "Are you here to purify the land, Honorable Guide?"
Vernon's voice was laced with concern and respect as he asked, "Where is the team protecting you? It's very dangerous in this forest, and it's unsafe for you to be alone, Honorable Guide." His eyes scanned their surroundings, as if expecting potential threats to emerge from the trees. His team shifted slightly, forming a tighter circle around Mira, their movements subtle but protective.
"Team?" Mira repeated, her expression puzzled. She should be wary of this group of men, but she didn't sense any malice or bad intentions towards her. They said I'm a Guide? She thought to herself, her mind racing. Did I travel into some sort of interstellar era or novel? The concept seemed absurd, yet the mushroom on her head and the strange looks from these men made her wonder if it was true. She looked at Vernon, her eyes searching for answers. "What do you mean by 'team'?" she asked, her voice cautious.
Vernon's expression was a mix of surprise and curiosity as he replied, "Guides are always being protected by a team of Sentinels whenever they ventured outside, especially on a mission. In a small mission, Guides will have a hundred of Sentinels protecting her." Mira's eyes widened as she processed the information, her mind reeling with questions. Sentinels? So, she really was in an interstellar world?
"A hundred Sentinels?" she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper. "I...I don't have any Sentinels with me."
Vernon's expression turned serious, and he exchanged a concerned glance with his team.
Vernon's expression darkened with concern as he asked, "What do you mean you don't have any Sentinels with you? How did you end up here alone?" His voice was firm but controlled, and his eyes narrowed slightly as he studied Mira. His team shifted uncomfortably, their hands on the hilts of their swords, as if preparing for potential threats. "Did something happen to your escort? Were you...abducted?" The question hung in the air, and Vernon's gaze intensified.
Mira can sense the sudden oppressive atmosphere. "I don't know how I ended up in this place," she said, her voice steady. "When I woke up, I was already here." Well, she was saying the truth. She really didn't know how she got transmigrated here.
Vernon's gaze lingered on her, his expression unreadable. "You don't recall anything unusual before you woke up?"
Mira shook her head. "No, nothing. "