Part 2
This place… this situation… it was all too big, too unreal.
And yet, Haruto was there.
This isn't a game. Or a dream.
His thoughts spun out of control—until a crunch on the ground froze him in place.
He and Yuna turned at the same time, eyes fixed on a nearby bush.
Something moved between the branches—clumsy, but purposeful.
What emerged made him take a step back.
A grotesque creature. Small-bodied, but threatening. Its grayish skin contrasted with glowing eyes that radiated pure hunger.
He'd seen it before… in manga.
But standing face-to-face with one wasn't fun at all.
"Is that… a goblin?" he asked, voice tight.
"That's right," Yuna replied calmly. "Individually they're weak… but in groups, they're dangerous."
The goblin snarled, flashing its sharp teeth. It advanced slowly, but its gaze was fixed. It would attack.
Yuna closed her eyes and raised a hand.
The air around her shifted. A breeze swirled gently just before she spoke a single word with conviction:
"Materialize!"
A green flash burst in her palm.
From the glow, a bow emerged—not just any bow. It looked forged from platinum, adorned with carved swirls and a crystal at its center that pulsed with soft light.
It wasn't just a weapon. It was part of her.
Yuna held it steady. Her eyes gleamed with a confidence that clashed against Haruto's rising fear.
She pulled the string taut. The goblin took another step.
Every nerve in Haruto's body screamed run, but something held him there.
"Wind Arrow!"
A bluish-green arrow of light formed between her fingers and shot through the air like a gale.
It struck the goblin square in the chest, bursting into light as the creature disintegrated into glowing dust.
"Target eliminated," Yuna murmured, lowering the bow with ease. No surprise. No panic.
She was simply ready.
This is real.
Magic is real.
A crackle to the right snapped him out of it.
Two more goblins emerged from the trees, snarling with fury.
"Looks like it wasn't alone," Yuna said, already drawing another arrow.
She fired without hesitation. The arrows struck both targets before they could reach them—each one dissolving into radiant light.
But a third goblin leapt in from the side, launching itself from a nearby bush.
"Yuna, watch out!" Haruto shouted, without thinking.
His body moved on instinct.
He threw himself in front of her, placing himself between the goblin and its target.
He didn't know why he did it—only that he had to.
The goblin raised its claws.
"Duck!"
He dropped just in time, feeling the swipe of air brush over his head.
Buried instincts awakened. His body moved before his mind caught up.
The goblin lunged again. Haruto didn't flinch.
He stepped in, grabbed its arm, and twisted his hips with force.
"Hyaah!"
The creature flipped over his shoulder and hit the ground with a heavy thud.
"Now!" he yelled, without thinking.
Yuna already had her bow ready.
The magical arrow flew, piercing the goblin cleanly.
It burst into light.
Silence returned to the forest. Haruto, breathing hard, clutched his chest.
Did I just… do that? After all these years…?
"Is this really happening to me?" he murmured, still catching his breath.
He felt Yuna's gaze. When he looked up, he saw something unexpected in her eyes:
Surprise… and admiration.
"You have a strong will to overcome," she said, offering a small smile.
"This world is dangerous—but you don't seem like someone who's easily intimidated."
Her voice was soft, encouraging. But Haruto hesitated.
Not easily intimidated…?
This was all insane. But he couldn't just stand by while they were under attack.
Before he could answer, a flash of light cut through the air in front of him.
"What the—?"
A floating panel appeared out of nowhere, glowing with artificial tones that clashed with the forest's natural colors.
Under his feet, luminous symbols spread outward—like glowing roots of light.
LEVEL UP +1 (LEVEL 2)
DROP OBTAINED: Bronze Piece x1
Haruto stood frozen. It felt just like being inside an RPG… But this couldn't be real.
A warm surge coursed through his body—like that "Level 2" had activated something deep within him.
"Did I just level up…?" he murmured, eyes fixed on the panel. "Is this… like an RPG?"
Yuna tilted her head slightly, a faint frown on her face.
"RPG? I don't know that word," she replied calmly. "But yes… when you defeat enemies, your spirit grows stronger. And sometimes, they leave things behind."
She paused for a moment, her tone shifting to something more serious.
"But never get too confident. A single battle can be your last, no matter how strong you are."
Her words were clear.
This wasn't a game.
No retries. No second chances.
And yet, something about this system felt familiar.
The panel vanished in a soft flash—but that warmth still pulsed in his chest.
"So, if I keep fighting… I can get stronger?" he asked aloud.
"You can," Yuna nodded. "But the more power you gain, the greater the responsibility you carry."
It was a warning… and a promise.
Maybe in this world… he really could become someone different.
"So, what now?" he asked, gazing at the horizon, where the sun was beginning to set.
"We should go to my village," Yuna said. "My father is the clan leader. He might know something about this."
Their eyes met.
There was truth in hers.
"Alright… I trust you, Yuna. I'm in your hands now."
She smiled softly—but then her expression grew more serious as she glanced up.
"Night's almost here. We'd better set up camp. Monsters get more aggressive after dark."
She raised her hands with gentle grace.
"Tempest Veil!"
The wind swirled around her, spinning into a dome of transparent energy that formed over them.
"This will protect us while we rest."
Haruto nodded. Fatigue was beginning to settle in, and the thought of a break sounded more than welcome.
While they prepared the campsite, he tried to help—but his clumsy hands barely managed to pile a few sticks together.
Yuna watched with a calm, amused smile.
"First time setting up a camp, isn't it?"
"That obvious?" he replied, cheeks flushed.
"Don't worry. Everyone starts somewhere."
Patiently, she guided him. After several attempts, Haruto finally managed to strike the flint against a red stone, igniting a small flame.
The fire lit their shelter with a warm glow that danced between shadow and light.
The crackle of wood and the whisper of the forest wrapped around them like a lullaby.
Then, his stomach growled. The sound shattered the moment of quiet.
"Looks like someone's hungry," Yuna said with a faint smile.
"Food… and maybe a nap wouldn't hurt," he admitted.
Without a word, she handed him a leaf-wrapped bundle.
"It's not much, but it'll be enough."
Inside was a piece of bread and an apple.
Haruto ate in silence. The flavors were strange, unfamiliar… but comforting.
The moon shone above them, casting silver light over the forest.
The fire burned like a beating heart between the two of them.
Yuna sat across from the flames, eyes reflecting the firelight.
"Tomorrow we'll head to the village," she said softly.
"But for now… let's rest. The road ahead is long, and we'll likely face trouble along the way."
Haruto lay back on the grass, letting the coolness of the earth wrap around him.
The scent of leaves, the far-off stars, the soft chorus of crickets…
Everything was new.
Strange.
Vast.
And without realizing it, Haruto had already taken his first step… toward a destiny written under the light of the moon.