The heavy door to the Guild Master’s office closed behind them with a low, echoing thud. The air outside felt lighter, less dense than the presence-filled room they had just left.

  Lars let out a quiet breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.

  Rin turned to him with a gentle smile. “Come on. I’ll show you where you’ll be staying.”

  Osbin stretched his arms over his head. “Yeah, yeah. New kid gets the royal treatment.”

  Rin shot him a look. “It’s not the royal treatment. It’s basic decency.”

  Osbin smirked. “Same thing in this place.”

  They began walking down one of the wooden corridors branching off from the main hall. The sounds of the guild echoed faintly behind them — laughter, clinking mugs, the low rumble of conversations.

  After a few steps, Osbin leaned closer to Lars and muttered with a crooked grin, “Don’t get too comfortable. The last guy who stayed in that room snored so loud the walls started cracking.”

  Lars blinked in confusion. Rin stopped walking. Slowly, she turned her head toward Osbin, her eyes narrowing to something sharp enough to cut steel.

  Osbin froze. “…Right,” he said, clearing his throat. “Anyway, I’m starving. Time for a proper meal.” He pointed a thumb over his shoulder. “After you show him around, Rin, bring the kid down to eat. He looks like he hasn’t had a full plate in a week.”

  Without waiting for a reply, he turned and walked off toward the main hall.

  Rin kept her eyes on him for a few seconds longer before sighing. “He never knows when to stop talking.”

  Just then, footsteps approached from behind. Tobi adjusted his glasses as he came up beside them. “Perfect timing. I’ve just finished the paperwork.”

  Rin glanced at him. “Already?”

  “It was simple enough,” he replied. “Temporary residency under guild supervision.” He reached into a small pouch at his belt and pulled out a small object — a golden crest, about the size of a coin, shaped like a shield. At its center was an emblem: three sharp claw marks slashing diagonally across the surface. The symbol of the Wilds Guild.

  Tobi handed it to Lars. “If you decide to explore the city, there’s a good chance someone will stop you. Guards, association members, even other adventurers.” Lars took the crest carefully, turning it in his fingers. It felt heavier than it looked. “Just show them this,” Tobi continued. “It proves you’re under the protection of the Wilds Guild. Most people won’t question you after that.”

  Lars nodded. “…Thank you.”

  Tobi gave a small, polite bow. “I’ll be in the records room if you need anything. And Rin — don’t forget to feed him.”

  Rin smirked. “I wasn’t planning to starve him.”

  Tobi nodded once, then turned and walked off down the corridor, already pulling a small notebook from his sleeve.

  Now it was just the two of them.

  Rin looked back at Lars. “Alright. This way.”

  They continued down the hall until she stopped in front of a simple wooden door and pushed it open. “This is yours.”

  The room was modest but comfortable. A single bed sat against the far wall, neatly made with thick blankets. A small wooden desk stood beside a narrow window that let in warm sunlight. There was a chair, a simple wardrobe, and a washbasin in the corner. Nothing fancy. But clean. Quiet. Safe.

  Lars stepped inside slowly, looking around. He placed a hand lightly on the edge of the desk, almost as if confirming it was real.

  Rin leaned against the doorframe. “Not much, but it’s better than the forest.”

  Lars nodded. “…It’s more than enough.”

  For the first time since his rebirth, he had a space that was his. Not a cave. Not a road. Not someone else’s shoulder. A place to sleep. A place to think. A place to begin.

  ?

  Lars stepped farther into the room, his eyes moving slowly across the simple furnishings. Nothing polished. Nothing ornate. No silk curtains, no marble floors, no servants waiting outside the door. Just a small, practical space meant for rest and quiet.

  He let out a soft breath.

  It’s funny, he thought. In his previous life, he had been born into nobility. His rooms had been larger than this entire hallway. Every piece of furniture had been chosen for elegance. Every fabric soft, every surface polished. And yet he had never felt comfortable there.

  Now, standing in a modest guild room with bare wooden walls and a simple bed, he felt something different. Something lighter. This is just a place to get the work done, he thought. Nothing fancy. Nothing forced. Just… normal.

  He turned toward Rin and gave a small, respectful bow. “Thank you for showing me around.”

  Rin shook her head. “You should thank Guild Master Raiyo.” She leaned against the doorframe, arms loosely crossed. “Honestly, I haven’t seen this side of him before. Normally he wouldn’t get personally involved in something like this.”

  Lars blinked. “Really?”

  “Yeah,” she said. “He usually leaves these kinds of situations to the Association or the lower officers. But with you…” She tilted her head slightly. “Maybe he saw something different.” She smiled faintly. “Something worth keeping close.”

  Lars wasn’t sure how to respond to that.

  Before he could think of anything to say —

  Grrrrrrr…

  A loud, unmistakable rumble echoed from his stomach. Lars froze. His face turned bright red in an instant. Traitor… he thought, mortified. My own stomach betrayed me.

  Slowly, he lifted his eyes toward Rin, bracing for her reaction. For a second, she just stared at him, surprised. Then she burst out laughing — not mockingly, but openly, warmly.

  “Well, that answers one question,” she said between chuckles. “You’re definitely human.”

  Lars looked away awkwardly, still flushed. “…I’m sorry.”

  Rin waved a hand. “Don’t apologize for being hungry.” She pushed herself off the doorframe. “Come on. Let’s head to the main hall and get you something to eat.”

  Lars nodded, still slightly embarrassed, and stepped out of the room behind her. The door closed softly behind them. And for the first time since arriving at the guild, the thought of a warm meal made him feel like maybe — just maybe — he was starting to belong.

  ?

  The sounds of the main hall grew louder as Lars and Rin approached — laughter, clinking mugs, and the low hum of conversations filling the air. When they stepped inside, the ambience of the room greeted them immediately.

  Several guild members from earlier noticed them. “Hey, Rin!” Mara called from a nearby table. “Kid still alive?” Derek added with a grin. Lenn lifted his hand in greeting. “Looks better already.”

  Lars gave small, polite nods to each of them, still not used to being addressed so casually.

  Then his eyes drifted toward the long wooden tables near the center of the hall. There sat Osbin — a massive slab of roasted meat in one hand and a large mug of beer in the other, grease glistening on his beard as he tore into the food like a starving beast. He swallowed a huge bite and leaned back with a satisfied breath. “Ahh… I can’t remember the last time I was this hungry,” he muttered, more to himself than anyone else. “Today wasn’t your typical day…”

  Then he noticed Lars walking in.

  Osbin smirked. “Well, look who it is. The walking twig.” He pointed the slab of meat at him. “You better eat well, kid. At that size, a strong breeze might knock you over. If you want to get big and strong like me, you’ve got a lot of catching up to do.” He flexed one arm proudly.

  Then he felt it. A presence. Slowly, he turned his head.

  Rin was standing beside Lars, staring at him. Eyes sharp. Focused. Unblinking. Like a hawk that had spotted its prey.

  Osbin stiffened instantly. “…Right,” he said, clearing his throat. He quickly pushed the slab of meat toward Lars. “Here. Eat.”

  Lars hesitated. “Are you sure?”

  “Yeah. I’ve already had three. That one’s yours.”

  Rin’s expression softened slightly. Lars accepted the meat carefully. “…Thank you.” He took a small bite. The flavor hit him immediately — rich, smoky, and tender. It was simple food, but after everything he had been through, it tasted incredible. Warm. Filling. Real.

  Osbin watched him for a moment, then took another drink from his mug. “See? Already looks better on you.”

  Rin sighed. “Try not to scare him off on his first day.”

  Osbin shrugged. “What? I’m being helpful.”

  Despite herself, Rin allowed a faint smile. And as Lars sat down among them, chewing quietly, he felt warmin his chest again. It wasn’t just the food. It was the people.

  ?

  Lars took another careful bite of the meat. The flavor was unlike anything he had tasted before — rich, slightly smoky, and carrying a faint sweetness beneath the surface. The texture was firmer than the meats he remembered from his previous life, but not unpleasant. Just different.

  He swallowed and looked at the slab in his hands. “…What kind of meat is this? I’ve never tasted anything like it.”

  Osbin immediately leaned forward, his chest puffing out as if he had been waiting for that question. “That, young lad,” he said proudly, “is Ironhide Boar.” He took a dramatic bite of his own meal before continuing. “Big, ugly monsters. Thick hides like armor. Takes a proper squad to bring one down cleanly.”

  Lars blinked. “Ironhide… boar?”

  Osbin nodded. “Yep. And not just anyone gets to taste it. Most commoners — and even some nobles — never get their hands on meat like this.” He tapped the table with his mug. “Everything we bring back from quests? Monsters, materials, resources… we use it. Armor, tools, food. Nothing goes to waste.”

  Lars’ eyes widened slightly. They eat monsters…?

  At first, the idea felt strange. But then he remembered the feral gray — its massive size, its muscles, its presence. He glanced back at the slab of meat. How big was this Ironhide Boar?

  Osbin continued, pointing a greasy finger at him. “Don’t get too used to it, though. You’ll have to hunt your own food eventually.” He chuckled. “Until then, maybe you’ll survive off some good old slime jelly.”

  Lars blinked. “Slime… jelly?”

  Osbin laughed. “You’ll see.”

  Lars wasn’t sure he wanted to.

  Still, his thoughts drifted as he took another bite. This world was different in so many ways. Monsters weren’t just threats — they were resources. Food. Materials. Tools. People didn’t just fight them. They lived alongside their existence.

  This really is another world… he thought.

  Rin, who had been watching quietly, tilted her head. “You’ve never had meat like this before? Maybe you’re not a noble like we thought.” She gave a small shrug. “It’s fine if you’re not. The Kingdom of Solaris is pretty fair when it comes to class. Nobles and commoners are different, sure, but most people respect each other. Food, traditions, markets… a lot of it’s shared.”

  Lars’ heart skipped. Careful…

  “I’ve had meat before,” he said, choosing his words carefully. “But… the taste was quite different from this.” That wasn’t a lie. In his previous life, he had eaten every kind of delicacy imaginable — roasted meats, seasoned dishes, luxurious banquets. But nothing tasted like this. This was rougher. Wilder. More natural. And somehow better.

  It didn’t feel like something served to him out of obligation or status. It felt earned.

  He took another bite, slower this time. Instead of comparing it to his old life, he simply accepted it. A new taste. A new world. A new beginning. And for once, he wasn’t bothered by the difference.

  ?

  Lars finished the last bite of the Ironhide Boar, setting the empty plate down in front of him. His stomach felt warm and full, a comfortable heaviness settling in after what felt like days of uncertainty and hunger.

  Beside him, Rin was still eating at a slower pace. “Good,” she said, nodding approvingly. “Eat well when you can. You never know when your next meal will be.”

  Lars blinked. “…I never thought about it like that.”

  And it was true. In his previous life, meals had simply appeared. Breakfast, lunch, dinner — always on time, always prepared, always plentiful. He had never once questioned where it came from, or what would happen if it didn’t. But now there were no servants. No family estate. No guaranteed plates waiting for him. Just himself. If he didn’t work, he wouldn’t eat.

  Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

  The thought lingered in his mind, heavier than the meal in his stomach. So this is what it means… to rely on yourself.

  He stared quietly at the wooden table, lost in reflection.

  Then —

  RRRRAAAAAHHHH…

  A loud, rumbling sound erupted from across the table. Lars jolted upright, eyes wide. For a split second, his heart pounded in his chest. Is a monster nearby?!

  He turned toward the source of the noise — and froze.

  Osbin was slumped forward at the table, arms crossed beneath his head. Snoring. Loudly. His beard lifted and fell with each deep breath.

  Lars stared, stunned. “…He fell asleep?”

  Rin chuckled softly. “Yeah. He does that sometimes after eating too much.”

  Osbin let out another thunderous snore. Lars looked at him more closely. He could see the dents in Osbin’s armor, the scars on his exposed skin, the roughness in his hands. This wasn’t just some lazy man who ate and slept. This was someone who had survived countless battles. A seasoned knight. And yet he slept at the table like a carefree child after a big meal.

  He’s strong… but relaxed. Like he doesn’t carry fear with him.

  A faint respect formed in his chest. He turned back to Rin. “…Rin,” he said softly.

  She looked up. “Yeah?”

  “I was thinking…” He hesitated. “I’d like to explore the city a little. Would that be alright?”

  Rin studied him for a moment, then smiled. “Alright,” she said. “You can explore a bit.” Lars’ eyes lit up slightly. “But,” she added, raising a finger, “don’t wander too far. The Kingdom of Solaris is safe compared to most places, but that doesn’t mean it’s perfect. Every basket has its bad eggs. Some people might try to take advantage of you — especially if you look lost.”

  Lars nodded respectfully. “I understand.”

  He began to stand, preparing to leave the hall. “Wait.” Rin reached into a small pouch at her belt and pulled out a few coins. She stepped closer and placed them gently into Lars’ hand.

  He looked down. One silver coin. Seven bronze coins.

  Lars blinked in surprise. “Rin… I can’t take this.”

  She shook her head. “It’s fine. Think of it as a small welcome gift.” She folded his fingers over the coins. “If you see something you like, you can buy it. Just be careful — some merchants or shady types might notice you’re new and try to overcharge you.”

  Lars looked at the coins again. This was the first money he had ever held in this world. “…Thank you,” he said quietly.

  Rin smiled. “Just don’t spend it all in one place.”

  Lars nodded, then turned toward the entrance of the guild hall. As he stepped outside, the sounds of the city greeted him once more — voices, footsteps, music, and the distant clatter of carts. He took a deep breath. For the first time since his rebirth, he was walking the streets of this new world on his own.

  ?

  The moment Lars stepped out of the guild and onto the streets, the world seemed to expand around him. The air was warm, touched by the long sunlight the kingdom was known for. Golden rays reflected off stone buildings and tiled rooftops, giving the entire city a soft, glowing tone. The streets were wide and paved with smooth stone, worn down by years of footsteps and wagon wheels.

  People moved everywhere. Vendors stood behind wooden stalls, calling out to passersby. The scent of baked bread, roasted meat, and sweet fruits drifted through the air. Bright cloth banners hung between buildings, fluttering gently in the breeze. Children ran through the streets, laughing as they chased each other between carts. Musicians sat near corners, playing strange but beautiful instruments — long flutes, small stringed harps, and drums carved from hollowed wood.

  He noticed the differences in clothing first. Commoners wore simple, practical attire — plain tunics, work trousers, leather aprons, and cloth headwraps, sturdy and made for labor. Merchants dressed more colorfully, their garments layered with scarves, belts, and embroidered details. Then there were the nobles — elegant coats, flowing dresses, polished boots, fine fabrics shimmering in the sunlight. Some walked with attendants or guards, their posture straight and confident, as if the city itself belonged to them. Yet despite these differences, they all walked the same streets. Bought from the same vendors. Passed one another without conflict. Exactly how Rin had described it — different classes, but shared spaces.

  As Lars moved farther into the streets, he began noticing another group entirely. Adventurers. They were impossible to miss. Some wore heavy armor, their steps loud against the stone roads. Others carried oversized swords or massive shields strapped to their backs. A few wore robes with glowing gemstones attached to staffs. One man walked past with a giant hammer slung over his shoulder. Another woman wore a cloak made from wolf fur, a curved dagger at her hip. Lars even saw someone with armor pieces made from monster scales, shimmering faintly in the sunlight. Every one of them looked different — different weapons, different styles, different strengths. Some laughed loudly, some walked in silence, some looked proud, others exhausted. It was like watching countless stories pass by at once.

  Lars slowed to a stop near the edge of a busy square. Just a short while ago, he had been in a quiet cave. Then a dangerous forest. Then surrounded by the Wilds Guild. But now he was alone. The first time since the ruins that he wasn’t being guided by someone else. No Rin. No Gallant. No Osbin. No Tobi. Just him and the city.

  He looked around again, feeling a small wave of uncertainty. Where should I even start? he thought. The world felt enormous now — full of possibilities, full of dangers, full of things he didn’t understand.

  He adjusted his grip on the golden crest in his pocket. I’m not sure where I should start first… And for a moment, he simply stood there — one small figure in the middle of a bright, bustling kingdom.

  ?

  Lars stood in the middle of the bustling square, watching people pass by in every direction. So many things he didn’t understand. The clothing. The weapons. The strange instruments. The accents. The coins. The guilds.

  Information. That was what he needed most. If he kept wandering around without understanding this world, someone would eventually notice. They would question him. And if his answers didn’t make sense, suspicion would follow.

  He touched the golden crest in his pocket. The Wilds Guild symbol would protect him for now. But he couldn’t rely on that forever. For my own peace of mind, he thought, I should learn more about this world.

  His eyes began scanning the street more carefully. Then one shop caught his eye — a wooden sign shaped like an open book hanging above the entrance. He approached and gently pushed the door open. A soft bell chimed overhead.

  ?

  The air inside smelled faintly of parchment and ink. Shelves lined the walls from floor to ceiling, filled with books of different sizes and colors. Some were neatly stacked, others piled in uneven towers across tables. It was quiet. Calm. Almost peaceful compared to the streets outside.

  Behind a wooden counter stood a woman in her mid-thirties. Her skin was pale, and her dark hair fell loosely around her shoulders. She wore a long, layered dress in deep violet and charcoal tones, with wide sleeves and a high collar. The outfit reminded Lars of something from his previous world — a witch, he thought. Not in a frightening way, just the image from old storybooks. Mysterious, elegant, and a little unusual.

  She looked up and smiled. “Welcome. Looking for a grimoire?”

  Lars froze for a split second. Grimoire…? He had never heard that word before. But he couldn’t let it show. If he acted confused, she might start asking questions. So he nodded. “Yes.”

  The woman studied him for a moment. “I don’t think I’ve seen you around before. Are you hoping to become a mage?”

  Lars chose his words carefully. “I’m new to the kingdom. I was just exploring the shops.” It wasn’t a lie. And it didn’t reveal anything.

  The woman didn’t press further. Instead, she gave a small, understanding smile. “Well, then you came to the right place. I’m Selene Vaelor, owner of this shop. The grimoires are all around you — feel free to take a look and see if one catches your interest.” She returned to organizing a stack of books on the counter.

  Lars nodded politely and stepped deeper into the shop. He reached for one of the books and opened it. Symbols. Diagrams. Strange characters he didn’t recognize. So… grimoires are books, he realized. But they didn’t look like ordinary books — the pages were filled with magical symbols, spell circles, and notes written in precise, careful handwriting. Maybe this is something mages need to cast magic, he thought. His mind drifted to Tobi. The staff. The gemstone. The robes. Mages really do use all kinds of tools.

  He carefully closed the grimoire, then glanced back toward the counter and approached. “Excuse me,” he said politely. “Do you know anywhere I could find… regular books? I’d like to study more about magic.”

  Selene looked up, her eyes thoughtful. “If you’re looking for general knowledge — history, magic theory, things like that — the best place would be the Adventurers Association Archives.”

  “Archives?” Lars repeated.

  She nodded. “They keep records of everything. Magic, monsters, geography, guild rankings, even old expedition logs. If there’s something you want to learn, you’ll probably find it there.”

  Lars felt a small spark of excitement. “That sounds perfect.”

  Selene studied him again, this time with mild curiosity. “So,” she asked, “are you a mana user? Or do you rely more on Ki?”

  Lars froze for a split second. Mana… Ki… This was the first time he had heard those words spoken out loud. He forced himself to respond calmly. “I’m… still figuring that out.”

  Selene raised a brow, then gave a small laugh. “Aren’t we all?” she said.

  Lars let out a quiet breath of relief. “Thank you,” he said with a respectful nod. “For telling me where to go.”

  “You’re welcome. Try not to get lost in the archives — some people disappear in there for days.”

  Lars gave a small, awkward smile, then turned and headed for the door. The bell chimed softly as he stepped back out into the sunlight.

  ?

  The sounds of the city returned around him, but his thoughts were elsewhere.

  Mana… Ki…

  He rolled the words around in his mind. He remembered the strange sensation in the cave. The pressure in the forest. The overwhelming presence he had felt when Guild Master Raiyo opened the door. Maybe that’s what I was feeling…

  For the first time since arriving in this world, he felt like he was getting closer to real answers. His steps grew more purposeful as he asked a few passersby for directions. Soon enough, he spotted a large stone building ahead, decorated with banners bearing the emblem of the Adventurers Association.

  Adventurers moved in and out constantly. Some were tall and heavily armored, others slim and lightly equipped. Mages in robes passed by warriors in leather armor. Different races. Different builds. Different classes. Yet they all shared the same entrance — each one carrying their own story.

  Lars stood just outside, watching the steady flow of adventurers pass through its doors. Some walked with confidence. Others carried the weight of exhaustion. All of them seemed to belong.

  He tightened his grip on the small pouch of coins at his side. Mana… Ki… The words echoed in his mind. Maybe those were the answers he had been searching for — the strange sensations, the power he didn’t understand, the world he had been thrown into. And just beyond those doors were the records of countless adventurers before him. Stories. Knowledge. Truths about this world.

  Lars took a quiet breath and lifted his eyes toward the entrance.

  This time, he wasn’t just wandering. He was searching.