Volume 1: chapter 1

{Would you give up on this reality for a greater one, despite the risks?}

---Seth’s p.o.v—

[ I’m finally here again]

I think this as I stare blankly at the blank blue sky through the evergreen shading of the tree I rest under. My worries about the old reality I’ve just abandoned are whisked away like the verdant grass that engulfs me, stirring wildly away only to return again.

I rise, clothed in a grey sweat pant and shirt that clings and contrasts with my chocolate skin.

Looking around on the lush hill, I can tell that I’m on top of my usual spawning point with the same lethargic feeling that accompanied me ever since I could come here welling up in me.

If that’s the case, it’s time to exercise---

‘ugh, fuck, I’m gonna die’

‘Ah’ I suddenly remember I didn’t come here for a casual drop into another world as I turn to the chubby Caucasian dark haired customer of name, Carrion. ‘so sorry’ I apologize while helping him up.

‘fuck your Indian ass- ugh, I feel like I’m gonna hurl any minute’ he curses, steadily rising to his feet. He’s clothed in a grey attire similar to mine that’s already been dampened with sweat.

I’m only part Indian by the way but, oh well.

10 hours more, I’m already tired of this job.

‘is this what happens to you every time you come to this world or is for first timers like me’

‘happens every time but I’ve learnt to deal with it’ I guide him till we’re standing squarely on our feet (but he still looks like he’ll collapse any minute now) ‘I usually exercise to throw it off’

I say with a passion that seems to irritate him’

‘is that the main reason you’re fit’ he scoffs at my response. Someone’s insecure.

But then, we all have our own insecurities boiling under. Hopefully, for the sake of my wallet, his displeasure won’t affect my pay. Otherwise…

‘no, no, I’ve been training even before I found the ring. For the sake of my hemophilia and other reasons’

‘Bleeders disease’ his gaze on me has softened as he remembers I had once mentioned it before coming to this world. But it still remains skeptical.

‘well, I used to have a bullies that didn’t help my case so I trained but never even got to use it since I transferred schools.’ I laugh at myself gently for that, it seems it’s working.

Yes, my pity game has yet to be defeated.

‘oh, just to remind you. I also have intense myopia so if there are any troubling matters in the distance, I’ll leave it to you’

‘what! How are you going to be a proper guide if so, I’m too young to die’ carrion laments (with a silly expression while he still looks like he’ll collapse any second) but it’s already too late.

We can’t go back until the time limit has been reached, at least with my control over the ring, that’s an undeniable fact.

‘don’t worry, I learnt the basics of martial arts’

‘that’s not strong enough grounds for safety!’ carrion barks. It seems my joke didn’t work.

‘it’s alright, I know the place like the back of my hand. We’re safe’ not completely (not at all in actuality) but a little lie never hurt anyone.

With that, we exercise till our bodies are up to date. Now, heavily breathing and in need of water, we finally embark, on a journey through this other world.

It’s time to do my duty as a guide and hopefully score a ten over ten and earn above 5k.

It’s sight-seeing time.

I take carrion down the hill which centers in a meadow that would easily beat any national park in beauty just when the wind picks up.

Carrion stalls as he watches the mystically hypnotic swaying of the multicolored herbs and flowers that toss precious petals in the air.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

The grass is to green to be real and the fluttering insects look like jewels shimmering like the crystalline lake that circles it.

At least that’s what I see in my immediate vision. Everything past is the most wonderful mélange of colors I will ever witness in my life.

I’ll definitely have to bring Veronica here one day. Definitely.

As I think this, I look at a dumbfounded carrion who’s probably going through the sublime effect I always feel gazing at this.

A tear suddenly flows down his cheek and he greedily wipes it away. I suppose that happened to me before, or something.

This world is after all…in every sense of the word…beautiful.

I suddenly shiver.

But it is even more dangerous.

Something is resting close to us, and it’s stirring.

How did I not sense it before?

‘um…we need to head off’

‘uh-okay’

We head away after satiating our thirsts.

Oof, safe for now. I wonder how long that’ll last, sigh.

More sight-seeing time.

On the bare path surrounded by planes of blade like grass (which might actually be as sharp) and darl leaved trees, we bird watch.

You’d be a fool to think that in another world, there aren’t weird or augmented wild life and animal life is the same as yours. And yes, I was a fool.

Wide eyed, carrion gazes incredulously at the blue feathered bird of prehistoric origin that settles in its nest among said trees.

‘that’s a ----‘oh, he’s a nerd, I wonder to myself. I need to pick up on my biology when I head back to school.

However, for the sake of my wallet- I mean my customer, I share his enthusiasm and puff up my chest in a nerdy pride.

If only I had my glasses to complete the look.

‘yes, as I said earlier. This world has pre historic and mythical organisms and such’

‘well I guess seeing is believing but if that is the case…’

‘yes, we have velociraptors, griffons and dragons here’

‘no…’ he seems awestruck. Understandable, my experience is comforting and bewildering.

‘it’s all possible in this world’

Carrion gulps as the risk of my before mentioned beasts of all nature which are definitely carnivorous sinks in but I who have already witnessed this in dozens of customers, have sufficiently encouraged him.

We resume.

‘so- instead of magic, these people tame beasts with the help of a natural internal energy, what was its name again?’

‘Ure’

‘okay, and is it possible to use it’ he sounds interested but generally calm and fearful that he’s only a bit giddy and sweaty.

Or is that from the large pterodactyl that has been tracing us since a short while ago,

Oh- he hasn’t noticed yet. Let’s not alarm him then.

Right, I have to answer his question before he gets too spooked by my silence.

‘yeah’ of course I can use it. Any sane person who went to another world would at least put their hands on some magical aspect or another.

‘seriously!’ yes you dummy. How do you think I’m keeping the anaconda that’s also been following us at bay?

Ah, my heart races just thinking about the number of eyes on us. Hopefully, this isn’t going to be a repeat of the last time…

It’s a good thing he hasn’t noticed yet.

That we could die any moment from now.

‘you can use it too you know’

‘ahh, how does it feel using it’ hmm, it’s time for a slightly in depth explanation on the power system and quotations from my master who is hopefully close.

I stroke my stubble from shaving a few days earlier before speaking’

‘Ure, thinking of it like life force, something similar and different to mana, it’s more or less like the soul. Animals and humans use it subconsciously when they perform any action. To tame beasts, one’s Ure must be substantially greater than said beasts.’

‘so it’s like spiritual pressure’ he seems to get the gist of it.

‘so yeah, after you learn to interact your Ure with the external environment, it’s more of less like thinking which thoroughly exhausts you after exertion. In other cases, like in animals, it’s an instinct that requires extremely delicate handling’

Currently, since my Ure is especially dominant after training it, I can successfully ward of the creatures stalking us, all just by thinking…

{back away for your own safety} repeatedly.

Hopefully, with the special way mine functions, it will be enough till we get to the border of the village.

‘so can you use it on me or even use it to stimulate your physical potential’ ahh! more nerd talk. But I need to answer anyways.

‘ahh, no and---‘every hair on my body stands on its ends as my focus is directed elsewhere.

I turn behind us sharply.

A disturbance is sourcing from that direction.

‘what-what is it’ carrion asks but I ignore it as I remember some traumatic incidents as I step aside. Carrion rushes to my side.

‘what is it’

‘velociraptors-two of them’ ah… hopefully we’re not in too deep a pile of other worldly shit.