Minutes later…
The skinny young man and the young woman reached the main group of university students, escorted by the soldier. They were gathered in an open clearing amid the ruins—no buildings close enough to offer shade or threat. The place grew more crowded by the minute as more soldiers arrived with additional groups of bewildered students. No one knew exactly how many had been summoned, but from the looks of it, there were nearly one hundred huddled together.
*There are more than a thousand students at the university.*
*So not everyone was summoned to this world… or worse, they're scattered in different places across it.*
*Who knows…* the skinny young man thought, scanning the sea of familiar yet terrified faces.
He spotted some he recognized instantly, and the sight jolted him.
*So that's Professor Pauline from history class, and Professor Marvin from calculus. And… that woman… is she… Ma'am Jasmine? Yeah, definitely Ma'am Jasmine.*
*One of the most beautiful and sexy professors on campus. I don't even know what subject she teaches, but most guys know her face even if they've never set foot in her class.*
The professors were moving through the crowd, trying to calm everyone. Some students looked dead inside, eyes hollow and staring at nothing; others—mostly girls—were crying quietly, shoulders shaking with suppressed sobs. The shock of the sudden transfer still hung heavy in the air, thick as the dust settling on their clothes.
*The big question now: How the hell are we going to survive in this world?*
His gaze shifted to a cluster of guys talking animatedly. Suddenly, one shouted at the top of his lungs:
"SYSTEM!"
The word cut through the murmurs; heads turned, and scattered laughter broke out—nervous, knowing chuckles from those who got the reference.
"STATUS!" the guy tried again, louder this time. Nothing happened. His face fell, and the laughter grew, though it was edged with desperation. Others muttered the same words under their breath, half-hoping.
*That's the side effect of watching too many isekai anime. Should I try too?*
*SYSTEM.*
"SYSTEM!" he shouted without thinking, the word bursting out louder than intended.
The young woman beside him jumped, turning to stare at him with wide eyes that clearly said, *What are you doing?*
A few nearby students who heard it laughed outright.
"Chill… I'm just copying them… hahaha," he reasoned, forcing an awkward laugh that came out strained and hollow.
But the laughter couldn't mask the grim reality. They were no longer on their own world, and it showed in the worried faces—especially the girls, some biting their lips to hold back tears, others hugging themselves as if the ruins' chill wind cut straight through their uniforms. A few guys still tried to act tough, standing tall with crossed arms, pretending to analyze the situation when everyone could see they were just posing for an audience that didn't exist.
*Tsk. Look at these wannabe main characters.*
He glanced around and noted the soldiers forming a loose circle around the group, rifles at the ready, not relaxing for even a second. Their eyes constantly scanned the horizons, tense and alert, like they were waiting for something—or someone.
*These soldiers won't act without a leader. So who is it, and where are they?*
*If the grunts are this scary and intimidating… what the hell is their boss going to be like?*
BOOM!
"AHHH!"
A distant explosion rolled across the ruins like far-off thunder, the sound muffled by distance yet heavy enough that the ground trembled beneath their feet. The vibration traveled up through their soles, a low rumble that set teeth on edge and hearts racing anew. Every single "tough" guy who'd been posing moments ago turned ashen, their fake bravado crumbling. The quiet crying swelled into open sobs, panic surging until Professor Marvin raised his hands and shouted for calm. Somehow, his voice cut through the fear, and the group quieted, clinging to the fragile order.
Then, from the ruined horizon:
Zoom!
Zoom!
One after another, armored trucks roared into the clearing, tires grinding over cracked asphalt and kicking up thick plumes of dust that hung choking in the air.
Zoom!
One final truck growled to a stop directly in front of the students. The passenger door swung open.
And she stepped out.
A young woman—no older than them. Maybe five-foot-nine, with a killer figure that demanded attention. Silver hair flowed like liquid moonlight, catching the light in an almost hypnotic shimmer. Pale skin glowed against her sharp uniform, and her face… her face was so stunning it bordered on unreal, like beauty crafted to disarm.
The instant she appeared, the lingering tremor in the air seemed to fade, as if her presence alone smoothed the chaos.
Every guy in the crowd forgot how to breathe properly. The ones shaking from the distant blast suddenly straightened, puffing out chests on instinct. The taekwondo hothead—who'd only just come to, head still throbbing—snapped upright like he'd been jolted by electricity, eyes locked on her. A few nearby students actually laughed nervously at the sight.
"Hello, everyone," she said, her voice smooth and melodic, slipping into their ears like a soothing spell and lingering long after.
Half the crowd melted. Even the middle-aged professors weren't immune—their stern expressions softened involuntarily. In that moment, the same dazed thought echoed through nearly every mind:
*Can someone this beautiful actually be real? If fairies exist in this world… what the hell else is out there?*
But the skinny young man wasn't swayed.
Something about her felt too perfect. Too orchestrated.
A far-off explosion shakes everyone to the core, panic at its peak—and then, right on cue, this silver-haired goddess arrives to calm the herd with a smile and a voice? Like she was sent for exactly this moment?
*Is this the sheep fairy they send to calm the frightened flock?*
He exhaled silently, forcing his gaze past her—to the truck she'd emerged from.
And there, behind the wheel: an old man. Grizzled, scarred, eyes cold and predatory even in stillness. The contrast hit like a slap—the beautiful shepherd and the silent wolf beside her.
*Look at that old guy… that's real danger.*
*This world isn't some cozy fantasy.*
*No quiet village. No inventing paper or soap to rise to power. No easy mode.*
*Hahaha… fat chance.*
*Something's seriously off.*
*Or am I just too paranoid?*
*Whatever. The truth will come out once we reach that "safe place" the giant mentioned.*
*What am I stressing for? I'm not some destined hero. Just a skinny dude trying not to die.*
*Sheep fairy… sheep fairy…* he repeated inwardly, clinging to the sarcasm like armor.
Then—without warning—her eyes locked onto his.
*F*ck!*
A cold jolt shot up his spine, rooting him in place.