Chapter 1 : First entry in Zexias Forest

The sky was a brilliant blue with scattered fluffy clouds. The sound of rustling leaves and chirping birds filled the forest, creating a peaceful and serene atmosphere.

It was afternoon.

Leina was slowly waking up, with weeds tangled in her hairs, and with her unique star-shaped earring still in place. She was adorned in a purple dress, her chestnut tresses cascading down to her waist.

She didn't understand! A few minutes ago she was in her room and she was perfectly fine, but everything happened so quickly.

'Did I get drugged or something? Perhaps I fell asleep without realizing it, but I would have been aware of something. This doesn't make any sense !' Leina was still disoriented by this sudden change in environment.

However, she didn't have time to contemplate her surroundings as a gruff voice caught her attention. Glancing over, she spotted a man seated against a towering tree nearby.

Leina was cautious and didn't dare to get too close to the man.

"I just fell from this tree." Said the man with a muscular build, his voice kind and at odds with his appearance. Leina was speechless.

She was amazed to find that she could understand every word he spoke, even though it was her first time hearing this language.

"Ah, don't worry, I'm perfectly fine, just a few scratches. By the way, my name is Igu." Igu misinterpreted Leina's shock as concern for him.

Leina's thoughts were swirling with confusion but she kept her expression calm as she introduced herself.

"My name is Leina. Can you tell me where we are?"

'I'm sure the words I spoke were in Chinese. Why did it come out in another language?' She wondered.

"I assume you're also a transmigrator." Igu stated bluntly.

"It's indeed the case." Leina kept her composure this time as many of her thoughts were confirmed.

"By transmigrator you mean from another world ?"

"If the definition of the word hasn't changed, then yes." Igu replied with a light chuckle.

"I guess you don't know where we are then."

Igu replied with a shake of his head.

'There is no way this is actually another world right ?' Leina pondered.

'I will leave this forest, then I will see for myself if this is really another world or if this guy is bullshitting me.' Leina naturally nurtured some doubts as her eyes flickered.

But Leina also felt excitement at the idea of being in a new world, who wouldn't be ?

...

"Is being transported in a new world a common thing from where you came from ?" Leina inquired.

"Actually there were a lot of stories about people being transported to a higher realm in order to achieve immortality, but they were all legends. I have never seen something like that until today."

"So Leina what did the world you came from looks like ?" Igu inquired as they were walking.

"Pretty much like your world." Leina replied without giving too much information.

"I see...Watch out!"

"I think there is some monster lurking not too far away!" Igu adopted a fighting stance as he looked at a footstep.

Leina was behind him.

"Monster ? What do you mean by monster ? A tiger or something like that ?"

"Not an animal but a monster, and from the footprints it left it seems to be a White Fired Peacock." Igu said as he watched the white fire on a bush slowly dissipating.

"But don't worry I can take care of it even bare handed" Igu spoke with overflowing confidence.

"Don't ! Let's just leave this forest before nightfall, we can't waste time here." Leina interjected, scanning the footprints closely.

"It makes sense." Igu was greatly disappointed not to engage the monster, yet he still chose to listen to Leina's advice.

'Who gave me such muscle-brained teammate... At least he seems to be very strong and he listens to me.'

Igu and Leina took a detour and went around the White Fired Peacock.

"You seem really intelligent." Igu complimented.

'No it's just you who is an idiot.' Leina said in her heart.

"By the way did this monster exist in your previous world ?" Leina asked.

"Yes I've already fought one, the most annoying thing is that white fire, it's almost impossible to catch it with barehand." Igu explained simply.

"So, do you have any idea where we're going?" asked Leina, her impatience growing evident.

"I believe if we just go in one direction without going back we will eventually leave the forest right ?" Igu said his plan.

...

"It's been three hours and we haven't encountered any signs of life since encountering that White Fired Peacock." Leina stated.

"And it's getting dark. Do you think we should sleep in this forest ?" Igu asked.

"Well, it appears that you are better informed than I am. Is there any dangerous monster or beast that could be a threat at night ?"

"As far as I know, when the sun's light fades, zombies rise out of the ground. But they are a common enemie of all beasts and monsters so if we remain hidden, monsters should be busy enough chasing the zombies."

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'He knows so much... Was it like that too in his previous world ?'

"Alright lets first find food and a place to stay the night, from what you said it seems that moving at night is risky."

Unfortunately, after thirty minutes of searching, they were unable to find food and the night was coming. Instead they discovered a cave within a mountain .

"Wait it might be the lair of some beast." Leina whispered.

"Since you've been flaunting your strength, go in first."

"Alright." Igu didn't feel angry being ordered by this women but instead happy to possibly fight.

The cave was quite narrow and only accommodated two people walking side by side, which was fortunate because it indicated a low probability of monsters inhabiting it. Furthermore, large monsters wouldn't be able to enter the cave.

Igu first went in then Leina followed closely behind. They were looking for any traces a beast could do such as scratches or excrement.

But they soon reached the end of the cave. The cave wasn't really deep, only 20 to 30 steps from the entrance.

"Alright, this seems safe for tonight. The only think we lack is food but it is too dangerous right now so lets just bear with it until tomorrow." Leina said as she felt chilly.

"Here, take that." Igu noticed that she was feeling cold and gave his cape.

Leina took the cape and fashioned it into a pillow.

"We will take turn guarding the entrance, every 2 hours we will relay." Leina explained slowly.

"I can stay awake all the night if you want I'm strong enough !" Igu rebutted.

'I would actually feel safer that way but it is imperative that you maintain your strength for tomorrow to lead the way.' Leina thought but she said instead "No we will do just as I said."

"I will guard first then." Igu didn't dare to go against Leina's words.

Leina slowly lied down with her head resting over the 'pillow' while Igu went toward the entrance.

"It's a bit chilly in here, but it's the best we can do for now." Leina commented. "And I'm hungry too..."

'Now that I think of it, these aren't my clothes, they seem very ancient and handmade.'

'The only thing that is mine is that earring.' Leina thought as she touched her adornment.

'I really don't know if I should trust this guy and what he said about transmigrating.'

'Alright, I should get some sleep now. I'll have to stand guard in just two hours.'

'Wait! What if that guy turns on me while I sleep?' Leina took a glance in the direction of the entrance of the cave.

'If he had wanted to harm me, he could have done so already. For now, I should be safe.' Leina rationalized.

Leina was truly extenuated, she fell asleep almost instantly even in these poor conditions.

...

Plop. Plop. Plop.

The sound of raindrops echoed through the forest as Leina stirred from her brief slumber. She had only slept for two hours and it was now her turn to keep watch. Igu came to wake up Leina and the two exchanged positions without incident. As Leina settled into her watch, she could hear Igu's snoring in the background.

As Leina watched the forest from inside the cave, a sudden realization dawned on her. 'Wait, how did he know it's been two hours? We don't have a watch or phone here.'

"Forget it. I'll just have to roughly guess." Leina said with a shrug.

It was the first time since Leina transmigrated that she had a time truly alone.

"Everything that has happened until now is too crazy. Transmigrating ? Hehe. If that guy isn't messing with me that is too unbelievable. Maybe there is magic in this world ? Or maybe giant mecha ? Does electricity even exist in this world ?" Leina naturally had so many question in her head.

But her thoughts were interrupted by the growling of her stomach.

After three shifts between Leina and Igu, the night had passed, and the sun still remained concealed behind the tallest trees. Igu was currently on watch duty, and he waited for another hour before waking Leina.

"The day has already arrived." He informed her.

"Alright, we should get going." Leina said with eye bags under her eyes. This type of interrupted sleep was naturally not enough for her, as her total sleep time was divided in half.

For the next two hours, they encountered no trouble and followed Igu's directions as he occasionally instructed Leina to turn left or right, or even backtrack.

After another two full hours, they finally emerged from the forest.

In the distance, a city loomed on the horizon, its silhouette outlined against the starry sky. What was strange, however, was that the sky above the city was black, as if it were night-time despite the sun being up. The stars shone so brightly that they seemed to form a second layer of lights over the cityscape.

Leina couldn't help but feel like she had traveled back in time as she looked at the city before her. Unlike the cities in her previous life with towering skyscrapers and buildings that all looked the same, this city had a European medieval style to it.

Leina gazed at the city with a mix of awe and apprehension.

"It's stunningly beautiful." She murmured, lost in thought.

"It's fortunate that we arrived just before a city gate." Igu said.

Leina nodded slightly.

"Then let's go in, I'm starting to get hungry." Igu said impatiently.

Leina's tone was filled with arrogance as she voiced her thoughts. "What if there's an entry fee? And what if they ask about our identity? And even if we manage to get in, what are we going to do? Beg for a place to stay ?" She questioned.

"Let's move closer to the city first, and maybe we can gather information by talking to people." Leina suggested.

After a while, Leina and Igu finally encountered the first inhabitants of this world.

"I'll do the talking, you just stand by." Leina whispered to Igu, taking charge of the conversation.

She carefully picked people who seemed to be leaving the city.

Leina approached a man riding a steed with green fur which seemed to be a very big chicken transporting bags on its sides and politely asked. "Excuse me, I'm from a very far away place. My name is Leina, and my friend here is Igu. Do you happen to know the name of this city?"

"You don't know Eldrida? What backwater country do you come from?" The man asked in bewilderment.

"How dare you insult the great estate of Namida ?! Back from where I am people would kowtow thrice before even saying it's name and you dar..." Igu retorted immediately, his spit landing on the man's face.

"Shut up !" Leina threw a cold stare in Igu's direction.

"Wow, I didn't think a man like you would be led by the nose by a mere woman. She doesn't even seem to be a Stellaris hahaha..." The man didn't seem to mind Igu's behavior but was instead surprised by the obediance he had toward Leina.

"I'm very sorry for my friend's behavior. As you can see he is very patriotic." Leina immediatly went to apology not minding being belittled.

"I'm not familiar with cities like this. I usually stay in my village, but I'm here to meet someone." Leina explained as she fabricated a story while gathering information.

"Don't tell me you're here for Diviner Luxi too?" The man seemed to have caught on to Leina's purpose.

"Yes, I am here for Diviner Luxi too." Leina confirmed.

"How did you know ?" She asked, her expression one of surprise.

Leina didn't have any knowledge of a Diviner Luxi or whoever he was, but she was bullshitting her way through anyway.

"How could I not know? The rumor has been spreading like wildfire for the past two days that Diviner Luxi has arrived in the city. Already, thousands of people have flocked to Eldrida hoping for a chance encounter with her. It's no surprise, really, after two heroes had their fortunes foretold by Diviner Luxi and came out successful. Everyone wants to try their luck now." The man explained, shaking his head in exasperation.

"I've heard that there's an entry fee to get into the city, is that true?" Leina asked, hoping to confirm what she was thinking of earlier.

The man looked at Leina with a feeling of disgust.

'She obviously came her without getting any information beforehand.'

"Indeed, you do need to pay to enter the city. It costs 5 grams of stardust or 3 silver coins." The man replied with a sly grin. "In fact, it's even more expensive now that Diviner Luxi is in town. The city would never let go of such an opportunity to make more money."

"So expansive !" Igu exclaimed.

"Ha, do you think Eldrida is for beggars? They don't want poor people to just barge in and start invading the place." The man spoke with a hint of pride.

Leina threw a glance at Igu before, looking back at the man.

"By the way we forgot our identity token, will that be a problem ?"

"Identity token? I've never heard of that." The man replied, his brow furrowed in confusion.

Leina's bluff didn't work this time, but at least they now knew that there wasn't a need for an identity token. Leina breathed a sigh of relief and asked the final crucial question.

"How do we get money ?"

"Ha, actually I have a job for a woman like you..."The man dragged his word toward the end obviously having bad intention as he looked at Leina from top to bottom.

Leina looks were fairly mid, but this combination of purple dress, earrings, and long hair made her look really beautiful.

Fortunately for her, Igu's imposing build intimidated the man, dissuading him from any ill intentions he might have had.

"Authorities post tasks like killing monsters, clearing trade routes, obtaining blood samples from specific creatures, finding thieves, and more. In fact, there are more missions than people available to complete them. But to do that you must register as either a Stellaris or a L'Étoilé military member with at the bare minimum Starlight Lance level." He said as he prepared to depart.

Leina asked again.

"Where do we find these missions ?"

"You can find them in the city !" The man shouted as he waved his hand, already far away from them.