"The state of this world can only be described as dire. The Demon King has returned after disappearing for more than two thousand years — yet the Heroes have yet to appear. Normally, Heroes manifest whenever a world-level catastrophe approaches, so their arrival is unpredictable. I'm worried, because nothing like that has happened in the last two thousand years. Their existence feels like it has simply vanished." Tia glanced at Budi.
"Eh? Why are you looking at me like that?" Budi felt uneasy being stared at.
"Iris said you're a Hero — is that true?" Tia leaned forward, her face nearing his. Budi shifted away, uncomfortable.
"A–ask Iris about that. I seriously don't know anything. I'm just a lost person in this world." Budi pointed at the rainbow-eyed girl.
Tia shot Iris a look, asking for confirmation. Iris sighed. "Yes, he's the chosen Hero — according to my master. That's all I know about him."
"Master? Are you a servant of some kingdom?" Tia's ears twitched.
"Apparently not." Iris tried to recall.
"Apparently? What do you mean?" Budi frowned.
"To be honest, I don't have any memories either. All I know is that I'm a servant of a master… but I can't even remember who my master is. My master ordered me to accompany the Hero and defeat the disaster that is to come." Iris thought hard, playing with her bangs.
"'Defeat'? So this disaster is a living being?" Budi felt something was off.
"Maybe the Demon King! Heroes have always been the natural enemies of the Demon King!" Tia exclaimed with excitement.
"Okay, okay. Enough about the Demon King, stay on topic." Iris dragged the conversation back.
"Right." Tia adjusted her seat. "Because of this crisis, many kingdoms have fallen into chaos. The Demon King's mere presence is like death to life — literally. His power corrupts ecosystems, kills plants and animals. Food prices have skyrocketed everywhere, and many regions have become uninhabitable. People lost jobs, starvation and poverty are everywhere.
But on the other hand, this has become a great opportunity for adventurers, hunters, mercenaries, and knights. Because of the constant attacks, more and more places need protection, opening up jobs for mercenaries and knights. And the monsters and servants of the Demon King roaming around can be turned into valuable weapon materials." Tia took a long breath and sipped from her wooden cup.
Iris nodded in understanding. "So this is the perfect time to become an adventurer."
"Exactly! That's why Master was willing to sell his horse just to keep this small guild running." Tia smiled bitterly.
'Ah… Tia, such an innocent girl. Too honest.' Iris thought.
"Alright, second question — explain the power system of this world." Iris continued.
"There are many types of power here, each with its own system. Talent, Skill, martial arts, and magic. To make it simple: Talent is the innate ability you're born with, Skills are derived from your Talent, martial arts are combat techniques, and magic is instant power fueled by mana.
Since my Class is Caster, I can only explain magic in detail — I don't know much about the rest. Magic is instant power from the outside, and you need mana to use it." Tia pulled something from her pocket and showed them a glass bottle filled with blue liquid.
"Mana is a magical energy that exists in nature. It changes form according to one's will, but it requires a medium or direct contact with the nerves inside the body. That's why you have to consume it. It may sound tempting, but magic is the most dangerous power. If you fail to control it, your nerves can explode instead." Tia put the bottle away. Budi gulped — it sounded terrifying.
"Are there cases of people dying from consuming too much mana?" Iris probed.
"Plenty. Half of them were beginners. I suggest getting a mentor if you want to learn magic." Tia advised.
Budi pondered. This world wasn't as beautiful as the fantasy stories he knew from games and light novels. There were threats everywhere — powerful creatures and deadly forces that could take one's life instantly.
"Alright, last question. Out of all races in this world, where do humans rank in terms of kingdoms, strength, and influence?" Iris fired directly at the core.
"Out of the five major races, humans are third in kingdoms, fifth in strength, and third in influence." The cat-girl thought for a moment, her tail swaying. "But I'm not that sure. News keeps changing with every new incident." She sipped her drink again.
"We might even be fourth or fifth overall…" Budi muttered.
"That's bad for your survival. Your path to fighting the Demon King is still very long." Iris murmured deeply.
"Hah? What? Demon King?" Budi pointed at himself.
Iris stared sharply — a mirage of beauty and danger. "My master never makes mistakes. His words always come true. You are destined to defeat the Demon King, Wudi."
"Budi. Please remember my name at least." Budi looked annoyed.
"You sure have a huge responsibility, huh. Budi." Tia patted his shoulder gently. Budi exhaled — the familiar weight of yesterday's burdens returned.
"This isn't a dream… and everything suddenly became terrifying. I miss my old world." Budi stared at the candle sconce on the wall. Even though he had been seen as strange, lonely, and isolated — at least he didn't bear a responsibility this heavy. He now fully believed this world was real, though he still wished it were just a scrap of a nightmare.
"You say that like you're going to run away. Don't worry, I'll be by your side until the very end, Mister Hero." Iris grinned wide, her rainbow eyes sparkling. Strangely, Budi's heart beat faster.
Now that I think about it… this annoying girl is actually really pretty… totally my type… Budi thought.
"Wow! I'm counting on you, Mister Hero!" Tia hugged Budi's arm. The boy yelped and jumped up reflexively.
"Hey! Don't hug me out of nowhere!" Budi reacted like he had an allergy.
"Aww… but that's a tradition in my clan to cheer someone up." Tia looked sad.
Budi sighed. He couldn't stand her sad face, but he didn't have the courage to accept her hug. He exhaled slowly, raising his hand and gently patting Tia's head.
"S–Sorry… but cats like headpats, right?"
"NYAAA!!" Now it was Tia who jumped like she'd been electrocuted. Her face turned red, hands covering the top of her head.
"Eh? What now?" Budi was confused.
"N–No! N–No! I'm not ready to get married! I still want to be an adventurer!" she screamed, drawing the attention of the entire place.
"HEY!" Budi panicked, trying to cover her mouth.
Iris burst out laughing, holding her stomach. The customers gathered, murmuring.
"Hey! What are you doing to Tia?!" one of them shouted, pointing at Budi.
"Tia said this guy is trying to marry her!"
"Marry her?! How many lives does that bastard have?!"
"You'll have to step over my corpse before you marry Miss Tia, you scumbag!"
A mob of angry people surrounded Budi, not giving him any chance to speak. Iris sat calmly, raising her wooden cup like making a toast before downing it.
"He's planning to do something to Tia! Hit him!"
"Get him!"
"Beat him to death!"
Budi pushed away from Tia, trying to calm the crowd. "Wait, I can expla—"
BANG!!
And instantly, the restaurant turned into a courtroom.
(***)
"Damn… that hurts…"
Budi submerged himself in the wooden tub, letting the healing potion dissolve into the water to repair his bruises and broken bones.
"No day passes without getting hurt in this world…" He stared blankly at the ceiling, where light seeped through a small vent. His mind wandered emptily.
"The Demon King… that's way too much for me…" He sighed, rising from the tub. After drying himself with a towel and preparing to get dressed, his reflection in the large mirror caught his attention.
A young man with a well-built body stood tall — broad shoulders, strong arms and legs, tight abs. Budi focused on the face: blond hair and emerald eyes.
"Damn, this looks like some game protagonist. Is this really me?" He pinched his cheek — it hurt.
"Handsome too! Way better than my old world's barely-passable version. Whoever sent me here sure has taste." Budi nodded proudly.
"Wait… sent me?" A thought struck him. "Could Iris' master be the one who brought me to this world?"
"Hey! Don't take too long in there! We're leaving soon!" Iris called from outside.
"Yeah! Just a minute!" Budi yelled back.
"You're not imagining doing things with Tia in there, are you?" Iris teased.
"Shut up!" Budi snapped. The earlier chaos had traumatized him. Iris' faint giggles could be heard from behind the door. Budi grumbled, finished getting dressed, and left the bathroom so they could head to the guild headquarters.