"Ahhh! What is this?!"
The creature's shadow covered me before I could even breathe properly. Its legs were long and sharp like blades, its body huge and black, its eyes glowing red in the dark forest.
"A bug?! I hate bugs! And this one is so big! No way… no way this kind of bug exists!"
It moved closer, making a horrible screeching sound.
"No… this has to be a dream. Yes. It must be."
I pointed at it with shaking hands. "Stop there, you monster!"
It didn't stop.
"Why isn't it stopping?! Fine! I'll slap myself!"
Smack.
"Ouch! That hurt! It's not a dream! It's real!"
I stepped back but slipped on the wet grass. "Oh come on! Why now?! Save me, someone!"
Let me introduce myself properly. I'm Hora. Fifteen years old. Young, energetic, simple-minded. You can say I'm an extrovert. I just wanted to live peacefully, but somehow I always end up in trouble.
And now, I think I've been transported to another world because of that strange bracelet someone left at my door.
Wait.
If I've been transported… that means I should have magic, right? Like in anime?
"Where is my system screen? The one that shows level and abilities and stuff?"
I stood up quickly and shouted, "System board! Please appear! I'm about to die!"
A blue glowing screen suddenly appeared in front of me.
[ SYSTEM BOOTING… ]
[ Hello, Host Hora. What should I do for you? ]
"There is no time for greetings! That monster is coming to eat me!"
But… it stopped.
The giant bug was just standing there.
"…Why is it not moving?" I blinked. "Maybe it's afraid of me. Hahaha… yeah. That must be it."
I slowly turned around to find it.
Hora: "Where did that little—"
It was sitting calmly behind me.
Like nothing happened.
Monster: "Are you done talking?"
Me: "…Yes?"
Monster: "Good. Then let's begin."
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN LET'S BEGIN?!"
I jumped back.
"Oye, System! What should I do?!"
[ Suggestion: Use Skill. ]
"What skill?! I don't even know what I have!"
[ Level: 1
Class: Unawakened
Skills Available:
• Spark Shot (Beginner Magic)
• Wind Push (Weak Force Skill) ]
"Only two?! Fine!"
I pointed my hand dramatically. "Spark Shot!"
A tiny ball of light flew from my palm and hit the monster.
It disappeared like a small firecracker.
"…Hehehe… now who's laughing?"
The monster looked at me.
Monster: "Are you talking about me?"
"…Yes?"
Monster: "Do you think that tiny attack would work on me? You're funny."
It didn't even have a scratch.
"Why are you still alive?!"
Monster: "Because I am B-Rank."
I slowly turned to the floating screen.
"System board… why is that thing still alive?"
[ First: You are Level 1.
Second: Target is B-Rank Monster: Venom Fang Spider.
Conclusion: No chance of victory. ]
"NO CHANCE?! Then why didn't you tell me earlier?!"
The spider raised one sharp leg.
"Ahhh! Save me someone!"
Suddenly—
Thwack!
An arrow cut through the air and pierced one of the monster's eyes.
The spider screamed loudly, stepping back.
Another arrow followed.
And another.
The monster growled in anger.
A figure jumped down from a tall tree nearby. Light silver hair. Calm blue eyes. Dark cloak moving with the wind. He held a bow with glowing markings on it.
He didn't look at me.
He looked at the monster.
Hunter: "You shouldn't wander into this forest, little one."
The spider attacked him, but he moved quickly and shot a glowing arrow.
"Moon Piercer."
The arrow exploded into bright light and hit the spider directly.
The forest shook.
After a few seconds, the giant body collapsed.
Silence.
I stared at him.
"…You saved me."
He glanced at me for the first time.
Hunter: "You're Level 1."
"…Is that a problem?"
Hunter: "This area is not for beginners. You would've died."
"Well… I almost did."
He walked closer.
Hunter: "Name."
"Hora."
"Rylan," he replied shortly.
I looked at the system screen again.
[ Special Notice:
You have encountered High-Level Individual: Rylan Arkwin.
Hidden Quest Activated: Survive in This World. ]
Survive?
That didn't sound very comforting.
Rylan turned away. "If you want to live, follow me. If not, stay here. More monsters will come."
I looked at the dark forest around me.
Strange sounds echoed again.
My hands trembled slightly.
Fifteen years old. In another world. Level 1. Almost eaten by a giant spider.
And now following a mysterious archer into a dangerous forest.
"…Why does my life always become like this?"
But I still ran after him.
Because in this world, staying alone means death.
And deep inside, I had a feeling…
The bracelet didn't bring me here by accident.