Where was he headed, you might ask? Travis was making his way to a town called Eldermoor. Currently, he was traversing the main continent of the Golden Empire. By his own estimation, he was about 10 kilometers from the capital. Of course, that was just a guess—his map was outdated, and he wouldn’t know the precise distance until he got a more accurate one.
"Well, it doesn’t matter," he thought, tucking the worn map securely inside his armor. He could’ve hired a carriage to make the journey faster, but that defeated the purpose of his trek.
He was here to fight monsters, test his mettle, and perhaps grow stronger in the process. Walking allowed him to experience the world more intimately—and to find those challenges along the way.
The map rested snugly against the protective inner lining of his armor, where it wouldn’t tear or get lost. He patted his chest once for good measure, ensuring it was secure, before his gaze shifted to the sword hanging by his side. Drawing it in one smooth motion, he admired the gleam of the blade under the midday sun.
"I hope this one lasts," he mused, frowning slightly as he turned it over in his hand. His previous weapons had been less reliable. This one had its own quirks, though—specifically, its habit of draining his mana.
"Weird, but at least I have plenty of it," he thought, sliding the sword back into its sheath with a satisfying click.
The road stretched before him, a meandering path flanked by rolling meadows and distant hills. The scenery was breathtaking, the kind of view people in his old world would pay small fortunes to experience. Wildflowers dotted the roadside, swaying gently in the breeze, and the air was rich with the earthy scent of nature.
As he walked, his thoughts drifted to the stories he’d read about this place. Specifically, the tale of the Vermillion King—a mysterious figure who was said to have arrived in this world from another realm.
"Does that mean there are other worlds besides this one?" he wondered. It wasn’t such a far-fetched idea, especially in a place where gods were an accepted part of reality.
"But why don’t they help the people here?" he thought, his brow furrowing slightly.
The question lingered as he continued his journey, his boots crunching softly against the gravel path, the vibrant beauty of the world around him a stark contrast to the mysteries that gnawed at his mind.
After a few hours, Travis found himself at a pathway that wove through a dense forest, its entrance marked by towering trees with gnarled roots spilling across the ground. Something about the place felt peculiar, almost surreal.
"They look like those trees you drive past during a long road trip," he mused, glancing at his map to confirm his location. The path was still correct, and it seemed there was no other way forward. "Guess I’ve got to go through this," he thought, folding the map and tucking it securely back into his armor.
He stepped into the forest cautiously, the shade from the thick canopy casting dappled patterns along the ground. The air here felt different—heavier, yet strangely alive with the sounds of rustling leaves and distant bird calls. Instinctively, he heightened his senses, expanding his awareness. The world around him sharpened as he focused. He could hear the snap of twigs underfoot, the faint rustle of small creatures scurrying in the underbrush, and even the fluttering of wings high above him. His enhanced perception extended to a radius of 5 kilometers, a skill he’d honed but still found a little disconcerting at times.
Within that radius, he detected movement—several entities clustered together deeper in the forest. They weren’t goblins; he could tell by their minimal mana signatures. "Monsters," he thought. "But what kind?" The question lingered in his mind, pulling at his curiosity. He paused, considering his options.
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"Should I go check them out?" He hesitated, recalling the trouble his curiosity had caused him before. But despite the warning echoing in his mind, his legs were already moving. Curiosity won, as it often did.
With practiced ease, he leapt from tree to tree, moving soundlessly through the forest. The branches creaked faintly under his weight, but his movements were fluid, deliberate. As he neared the group of creatures, he finally got a clear view of them. A cluster of small, blue, gelatinous slimes wobbled aimlessly in a clearing below.
"Rimuru?" he thought with a chuckle, the sight of the adorable creatures almost comical. They didn’t look dangerous—far from it, actually. Pulling out his sword, Travis dropped into the clearing, landing lightly on his feet. With a swift series of movements, he pierced each slime's core, the creatures dissolving into a harmless puddle of goo with each strike.
The fight, if it could even be called that, was over in seconds. He sighed, sheathing his sword. "Well, that was lackluster," he muttered, turning back toward the path. The slimes hadn’t posed a challenge at all.
Hours of walking stretched ahead of him, the forest seeming endless. The sun, though obscured by the thick canopy, was beginning its descent, casting longer shadows. "Wonder when I’ll get to the end of this," he thought, his expression souring. "Probably tomorrow if I’m being painfully honest."
Though he could’ve run and sped up the journey, something deep within him insisted he move calmly, cautiously. A nagging feeling whispered that rushing through this forest might invite dangers far greater than slimes. Trusting his instincts, he pressed on, his steps steady, his senses still heightened as the forest enveloped him in its eerie, timeless embrace.
After some time, the sun dipped completely below the horizon, and the forest was plunged into an inky darkness. The only sounds were the occasional rustle of leaves and distant animal calls. Travis found a small clearing and sat on a sturdy log. He quickly gathered some dry wood and, with a few sparks of mana, ignited a campfire. The warm glow pushed back the oppressive darkness, offering a sense of security in the otherwise eerie forest.
"I should probably get some rest," he thought, unrolling his sleeping bag close to the fire. He lay down, staring up at the faint silhouettes of the treetops. The crackling flames provided a soothing rhythm, and soon he drifted off into a deep sleep.
---
In the dead of night, a creaking carriage rolled along the narrow forest path. The carriage was modest, its sides reinforced with wooden panels. The horses pulling it were outfitted with glowing crystal-mounted headlamps, which cast beams of light that cut through the pitch-black forest. Inside the carriage, a group of men sat in low conversation, their voices hushed as if wary of disturbing the silence of the woods.
Suddenly, one of the men, a wiry figure with a sharp nose, sniffed the air. The faint scent of recently extinguished fire reached his nostrils. "Stop the carriage," he said, his voice low but firm. The driver tugged the reins, and the carriage came to a halt with a soft creak.
The man stepped off the carriage, his boots crunching against the gravel. "There was a fire nearby," he muttered, his eyes narrowing. Using a surge of mana, he enhanced his sight, allowing him to see through the darkness. His sharp gaze swept the area until it landed on a faint shimmer in the distance—a mana signal that pulsed faintly, unguarded and exposed.
"There’s someone camped in the woods," he said, turning back to the others. "Let’s see if they need assistance."
The men exchanged glances but nodded, following him into the forest. They moved quietly, stepping over roots and avoiding the underbrush where possible. The faint glow of embers soon came into view, and they found themselves in a small campsite.
Travis lay sprawled on the ground, completely unaware of their presence. His breathing was steady, his expression serene. As the lead man stepped closer, his boot came down on a dry twig with a sharp crack.
The sound jolted Travis awake instantly. His eyes snapped open, and in a fluid motion, he launched himself off the ground. In mid-air, he slipped out of his sleeping bag and unsheathed his sword in one seamless motion.
*BWOOHH*
The blade erupted in a blaze of crimson flames, the sudden light illuminating the forest like a beacon. The raging fire hissed and crackled, its heat palpable even from a distance.
For a split second, Travis stared at the flaming sword, startled by the sudden ignition. But he quickly shook off the surprise, his eyes narrowing as he focused on the group of men standing in the glow of his weapon.
" Who the fuck!?" he said, his voice groggy but laced with irritation. Realizing how rough he sounded, he cleared his throat and straightened his posture. This time, his voice came out deeper, more commanding. "I said, who the hell are you?"
The lead man raised his hands, palms open, signaling peace. His expression remained calm despite the blazing weapon aimed in their direction. "Easy there, kid. Sorry for startling you. We’re just travelers passing through. Thought you might need some help."
Travis didn’t lower his weapon immediately. His eyes bore into the man, his instincts flaring. He extended his senses, gauging the stranger’s aura. The man’s energy was steady and strong—stronger than his own, though not overwhelmingly so.
"Help, huh?" Travis muttered, still gripping his sword tightly. His fiery blade cast flickering shadows across the men’s faces, making their features hard to read. "Why the hell would you stop to help a stranger in the middle of nowhere?"
The man maintained his calm demeanor, though a faint smile tugged at his lips. "Call it common courtesy—or just curiosity. You don’t exactly see people camping out alone in a place like this," he said. "But it’s up to you if you want to trust us or not."
Travis frowned, his eyes darting between them. Though his instincts didn’t sense immediate danger, he kept his sword ablaze. "Fine," he said eventually, lowering the blade slightly. "But try anything funny, and I’ll burn you where you stand."
The man nodded, his expression unwavering. "Fair enough, kid. Fair enough."
TO BE CONTINUED