Yagami barely had time to breathe before the world shifted again.
Light twisted around him, folding inward like paper being crushed. His feet hit solid ground, and the air changed heavier, filled with distant noise. Voices. Metal. Life.
"Well," a familiar, calm voice said. "Good. You made it to Floor Two."
Yagami spun around. The woman of light stood a short distance away, her expression unreadable, her presence pressing down on him like an invisible weight.
"That's it?" Yagami snapped. "You drag me here and say that? I need answers. I need to know how to go home."
Her gaze didn't soften.
"Then descend."
And just like that, she vanished—leaving behind a city of stone walls, banners, and crowded streets unfolding before him.
Yagami stood frozen at the edge of the street, taking it all in.
Stone buildings rose several stories high, their walls lined with banners marked by unfamiliar symbols. Merchants shouted prices from open stalls. The clang of metal rang from a nearby smithy, sparks flying as a hammer struck hot iron. People moved with purpose soldiers in worn armor, travelers with packs on their backs, robed figures speaking in hushed tones. This place felt alive in a way Floor One never had.
It was medieval, but… sharper. More organized. More dangerous.
He looked down at himself and winced. Modern clothes. Sneakers. A hoodie. He stuck out like a sore thumb.
"First time in Bowa?" a voice called out.
A man leaned against a stall stacked with belts, pouches, and dull-bladed knives. His eyes moved over Yagami with practiced ease, lingering on his clothes.
"Those rags aren't from any floor I know," the merchant said with a grin. "You're an outsider."
Yagami stiffened. "That obvious?"
"To anyone who's lived through two wars and three famines," the man replied. "Name's Jorven. I trade information and today, I'm feeling generous."
Yagami narrowed his eyes. "What do you want?"
Jorven tapped Yagami's sleeve. "Those clothes. Strange fabric, strange stitching. I'll buy them. In return, I'll tell you where you are… and how not to die stupidly on this floor."
Yagami hesitated, then nodded slowly. "Fine."
As Jorven spoke, Yagami learned that Bowa stood allied with Ranfall, locked in open war against Gandals' nation to the west. Soldiers were scarce. Adventurers even more so.
"If you want to go down," Jorven finished, "join a party. The Adventurers Guild decides who survives."
Yagami smiled.
Then, the moment Jorven reached out Yagami bolted.
Yagami wandered deeper into Bowa, letting the city swallow him whole.
A tailor's shop caught his eye first. Mannequins dressed in leather tunics and light iron armor stood proudly by the entrance. Cloaks hung from wooden racks, dyed deep blues and reds. He stepped inside, running his fingers over the rough but sturdy fabric.
"How much?" he asked.
The tailor looked him over once. "Two silver for a tunic. Five if you want it fitted."
Yagami reached into his pockets out of habit—then froze.
Empty.
"…I don't have silver," he admitted.
The tailor's expression flattened. "Then you don't have clothes." He turned away without another word.
Yagami stepped back into the street, irritation building. Jewelers displayed rings that faintly glowed with magic. A weapon stall sold real steel swords, polished and deadly nothing like the wooden blade strapped uselessly to his side. Food vendors roasted meat over open flames, the smell making his stomach twist.
Everything here ran on gold and silver. Everything had value.
He exhaled slowly. So this is Floor Two. No kindness for free.
As he walked, he overheard fragments of conversation—talk of war drafts, missing adventurers, and caravans attacked near forests. This floor wasn't just prettier than the first. It was harsher. Smarter. Alive in a way that demanded payment for survival.
His hand tightened around his wooden sword.
"If I want answers," he muttered, "I need money… power… and people who know this world."
His eyes lifted toward a large stone building ahead, marked with crossed blades and a worn crest.
The Adventurers Guild.
The moment Yagami pushed open the guild doors, noise washed over him.
Not the lively chatter he expected—but something heavier. Fewer people sat at the wooden tables. A notice board stood half-empty, its remaining requests stamped with red wax marks. Tension clung to the air.
"…Ranfall's pushing troops again."
"Gandals won't back down."
"Most good parties already left…"
War, Yagami realized. That's why it feels empty.
Behind the counter, a bored receptionist barely looked up. Before Yagami could speak, someone slammed into his shoulder.
"Watch it."
He staggered back—and found himself face-to-face with three adventurers.
The first was a tall fighter with messy dark hair and a confident smirk, resting a sword over his shoulder. "Relax," he said. "You're not dead. Yet."
Next to him stood a girl clutching a staff close to her chest. She had soft features and nervous eyes, clearly uncomfortable with the attention. She offered a small, polite bow but said nothing.
The third leaned against the wall, arms crossed, eyes sharp and amused. Robes marked with earth-toned patterns hung loosely from his frame. He studied Yagami for only a second before clicking his tongue.
"…Another worlder," he said plainly.
Yagami stiffened. "You can tell?"
"Too easy," the mage replied. "Clothes, posture, the way you look at everything like it's about to explain itself. Dead giveaway."
The fighter laughed. "Name's Kai. That's Mia." He jerked a thumb toward the girl. "And the pervert is Rudy."
"Rudi," the mage corrected lazily. "And I prefer 'genius.'"
Mia glanced at Yagami, voice barely above a whisper. "A-are you… lost?"
Yagami swallowed, then nodded. "Yeah. And I need to go down."
Kai's grin widened. "Then you're in luck. We're heading that way too."
Rudi pushed off the wall and walked past Yagami, speaking as if it were the most normal thing in the world."If you're going down, you'll die alone. Floors don't care about courage. They care about magic and teamwork."
Yagami frowned. "Magic?"
Kai snorted. "See? Definitely fresh."
Rudi sighed, clearly enjoying this. "Alright, crash course. Everything here runs on magicules—energy inside living beings. The more you have and the better you control them, the stronger you are. Some people are born with elemental magic—fire, water, earth, air. Others get creation or utility magic. Healing falls under that. Rare, talent-based."
Mia nodded shyly. "H-healing magic uses magicules to… repair the body. It's… hard."
Yagami listened carefully, eyes sharp. "So everyone can learn magic?"
"Everyone has magicules," Rudi said. "Not everyone has talent."
Before Yagami could respond, laughter echoed from the far end of the guild. Another party passed by better equipped, confident. One of them, a man with striking white hair, slowed as he noticed Yagami. His eyes lingered for a second too long.
"Tch," Kai muttered. "Ignore them. Rival party. Always in a rush to go down and die first."
The white-haired man smirked. "Try not to slow them down, newbie."
They left.
Kai turned back to Yagami. "Look. You want in? I don't love dead weight. But…" He scratched his head. "You've got guts."
Yagami hesitated—then nodded. "I don't have a choice."
"Good." Kai clapped him on the back. "We'll gear you up."
True to his word, they dragged him through Bowa's markets. Light iron armor—flexible but solid. A real metel sword. When Yagami lifted it, his eyes widened.
"It's… balanced."
"Of course it is," Rudi said dryly. "Welcome to Floor Two."
Fully equipped, standing with strangers who felt oddly reliable, Yagami felt it for the first time.
Excitement.
And fear.
"Alright," Kai said, facing the forest road. "Forest of Chandra. Staircase is deep inside."
Mia gripped her staff.Rudi smiled faintly.
Yagami tightened his grip on the sword.
"Let's descend."