Episode 1: So This Is the Rumored Isekai Transfer!

“You need to exercise more… or you’ll die.”

The doctor’s words hit me like a truck.

It was supposed to be just a routine physical, but now here I was, a 32-year-old man being told I was at risk of death.

(I’m not fat! Just a little chubby!)

I tried to argue with myself, but deep down, I knew the truth. My belly had grown to the point where I could barely see my feet. That’s why, two years ago, I finally decided to join a gym.

At first, I hated it. But as time went on, I found myself enjoying the process. The weights I lifted went from beginner to intermediate level. My body changed from “chubby” to “slightly muscular.” Hell, I even had a six-pack now.

And today, I was aiming to break my personal record in the deadlift.

“180 kilos. Almost got it yesterday. Today’s the day!”

I gripped the barbell, lowered my hips, braced my core, and pulled with everything I had. The weight lifted—slowly, painfully—until it reached my waist.

One second. Two seconds. Three…

I let it down with control, feeling the burn in my muscles.

“Hell yeah! New record!”

But the moment I celebrated, my vision blurred. My legs gave out.

(Oh crap—!)

The world tilted, and I fell backward.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

I Don’t Know This Ceiling

I blinked.

Blue sky. White clouds. The scent of fresh grass.

(Wait… wasn’t I just at the gym? Did I pass out? Hit my head?)

But this wasn’t a hospital ceiling.

I sat up and looked around. A dense forest surrounded me, and in the clearing where I lay, the grass had been recently cut. Nearby, an old shrine stood, slightly collapsed—probably because I kicked it in my sleep.

Beyond the shrine, a narrow dirt path led into the woods.

It was warm. Too warm for winter. Strange birds chirped in the distance.

And most importantly—

Two suns shone in the sky.

(Oh. I see. So this is the legendary isekai transfer…)

For some reason, I accepted it more easily than I expected. Maybe because I’d read too many stories about it.

“Status open!”

Nothing happened.

“Status Open! STATUS OPENED!”

Still nothing.

(Weird. It always works in anime… Maybe I need a higher level?)

No status screen, huh? Well then, let’s check for cheat abilities.

And what’s an isekai without some OP skills and a harem?

Grinning, I turned to the nearest tree. If I had super strength, I’d know it with one good kick.

I swung my leg with all my might—

THUD.

“GAAAHHH! THAT HURTS!”

I clutched my foot, hopping on one leg. The tree barely had a scratch.

(Okay, so not a strength-type cheat… Maybe magic? Or appraisal?)

For now, my throbbing foot took priority.

Into the Forest

After limping around for three hours, I followed the trail deeper into the woods.

The shrine earlier hadn’t been abandoned for long. The grass was neatly cut—someone had to be maintaining it. That meant there was civilization nearby.

After four hours, the path widened. I heard the sound of running water.

My throat was dry. My feet ached.

“Finally!”

A river.

In my world, drinking river water raw was a bad idea. Parasites, bacteria—you name it. But this was another world. Surely, I’d be fine… right?

Checking my watch, I saw it was 3:00 p.m. Assuming the day was 24 hours long, I had maybe three hours before sunset.

Better set up camp before dark.

Gathering sticks and leaves, I built a crude shelter. Then, I removed my watch’s cover, placed a drop of water inside to make a convex lens, and used it to start a fire.

“Didn’t think all those solo camping YouTube videos would come in handy…”

With a simple spear, I caught some fish. They weren’t too wary—maybe people didn’t come here often.

As I ate my bland, unsalted meal, I looked up at the night sky.

Not a single familiar constellation.

“Yeah… this is definitely another world.”

If there were no humans here, I’d be completely alone.

But that shrine meant someone—or something—was nearby.

The night air grew chilly, so I warmed up with squats. My leg felt fine now.

Still, the load wasn’t enough.

“Guess I’ll carry some rocks while I’m at it.”

I picked up a large stone by the river. Unlike barbells, it was uneven, hard to balance. But that just made for a better workout.

I smiled. Carl Gotch, the legendary wrestler, once said—real strength comes from lifting natural weights.

After breaking a sweat, I lay down on the cool sand.

(Tomorrow, I’ll find a human settlement… hopefully.)

With that thought, I drifted off to sleep.