Miyuki carefully unfolded a rough map in front of Haruto. It wasn't an official map or something professionally drawn. It looked handmade, with uneven lines and incomplete borders, as if she had drawn it herself from memory and limited knowledge.
Even so, it was enough to understand the world around them.
On the left side of the map lay the Human Kingdoms, marked loosely without clear boundaries. Above them, stretching across the upper region, was the Demon Kingdom, separated by a wide stretch of land and danger.
Between the two powers, deep forests spread across the central regions like a dark barrier, hiding unknown dangers and unclaimed territories.
On another side of the map, two smaller regions were marked: the Elf Kingdom and another unknown territory, along with scattered references to demi-human settlements hidden near the forests.
Haruto studied the map carefully, his expression serious.
I need to reach the Human Kingdom… he thought. If I can find out which kingdom summoned me, maybe I can return to my world.
But his current strength was still far too weak. Even with the system's power, he had only just begun. At level one, he would not survive a direct conflict with anyone stronger than ordinary threats.
His gaze shifted to Miyuki.
"Do you know which kingdom performs hero summoning?" he asked.
Miyuki shook her head slightly. "I don't know… but my master might."
Haruto's eyes narrowed. "Your master?"
Miyuki hesitated for a moment before nodding. "She taught me magic. She knows many things about the world."
Haruto tilted his head slightly. "But you said your village was destroyed. Everyone was killed… except you."
"She is not from my village," Miyuki explained quietly. "She came from another place. If we find her, she might know what we need."
Haruto looked back at the map and traced a location near a mountain region.
"So she lives around here?" he asked.
Miyuki nodded. "Yes… near that mountain."
Haruto remained silent for a moment, thinking carefully. The world was still unfamiliar to him, and every direction carried unknown risks.
Then he spoke again, his tone slightly
softer.
"Are you sure you want to come with me?" he asked. "This journey is dangerous. You could die."
Miyuki looked at him without hesitation this time. "I don't feel fear anymore," she said. "After forming the contract with you… I have nowhere else to go. You saved my life. I want to help you."
She hesitated briefly before adding, "Besides, I've never seen a contract like this before. I don't even understand your skills or your magic."
Haruto exhaled slowly. Then he spoke, his voice lower.
"There's something else you should know… I'm not from this world."
Miyuki's eyes widened in shock. "Not from this world…?"
Haruto nodded. "I was summoned here by mistake. I was not the hero they intended to bring."
"Then… you are a hero?" she asked.
"No," Haruto answered firmly. "I'm not a hero. I was just dragged into the summoning ritual by accident. I want to return to my original world."
He paused for a moment, then continued.
"That's why I need to grow stronger. And I need information. Help me now… and I will find a way to go back to my world."
For a second, she froze.
After a moment, she slowly nodded.
"I don't know where your world is," she said softly, "but I can see that you are not a bad person. I will help you."
A brief silence followed.
Then Haruto folded the map carefully.
"Then it's decided," he said. "We go to your master first. She may know more about this world… and about the summoning."
Miyuki nodded.
Together, they prepared to leave, stepping into a journey that would decide not only their survival—but the fate of everything ahead.
The house had served as a safe place for the past week, but now it was time to move forward.
Miyuki stepped outside first.
The morning air near the river was cool and fresh. Sunlight filtered gently through the trees, reflecting softly on the flowing water.
Haruto followed her out and took one last look at the small house behind them.
For a short time, it had been their shelter.
Then he turned away.
Without saying anything more, the two of them began walking.
Their path led deeper into the forest.
The direction was clear toward the master village. Neither of them knew how long the journey would take, but that no longer mattered.
Step by step, they continued forward, walking through unfamiliar paths and silent
Forest.
Days passed as they traveled together.
The forest seemed endless, stretching in every direction with tall trees and thick shadows. The path was not clear, and sometimes they had to push through bushes or walk around fallen logs.
Even so, they continued moving forward.
Eventually, after many days of traveling, they had reached only half of the journey toward the master village.
When the sun began to lower slightly in the sky, Haruto finally stopped walking.
"Let's rest for a while," he said.
Miyuki nodded in agreement.
Both of them walked toward a large tree nearby and sat down in the shade beside its thick trunk. The ground was soft with fallen leaves, and the cool forest air made the place surprisingly comfortable.
Haruto leaned back slightly and glanced at Miyuki.
She looked tired.
Even though she tried to act normal, the long days of walking had clearly drained her energy.
Haruto crossed his arms and looked at her seriously.
"You should take some rest," he said.
Miyuki blinked once and looked at him.
"You've been walking for days," Haruto continued. "And we've only reached halfway."
He glanced deeper into the forest.
"I don't even know how far the rest of the journey is, and you've never gone to your master's village before. "
Then he pointed lightly toward the ground.
"So take a nap. I'll watch the area."
Miyuki immediately shook her head.
"No," she said firmly.
Haruto raised an eyebrow.
"You should sleep," she continued. "You've been walking too."
She straightened her posture slightly, trying to look responsible.
"I will guard the area. That is my duty."
Haruto stared at her for a moment.
Then he sighed.
"Why are you acting like a knight protecting a king?" he muttered.
Miyuki tilted her head.
"…Because you're my master."
Haruto rubbed his forehead.
"That title is causing too many problems."
For a moment, both of them sat there silently.
Then Haruto finally spoke again.
"Fine. Let's do it another way."
Miyuki looked at him curiously.
"We take turns," Haruto said. "One person sleeps, the other watches."
He pointed at her.
"You sleep first."
Miyuki hesitated.
"But—"
"No arguing," Haruto interrupted.
He pointed at the ground beside the tree.
"Nap."
Miyuki stared at him for a moment.
Then, slowly, she sighed and leaned against the tree trunk.
"Fine," she said quietly.
A few seconds later, she closed her eyes.
At first she tried to stay awake.
But the exhaustion from days of traveling quickly caught up to her.
Her breathing slowly became calm and steady.
She had fallen asleep.
Haruto glanced at her briefly.
Then he looked around the forest.
The wind moved softly through the leaves, and distant birds occasionally called from far away.
For now, the forest seemed peaceful.
Haruto remained sitting quietly beneath the tree, watching the surrounding area while Miyuki rested.
Everything seemed calm.
Almost too calm.
Haruto's eyes slowly moved across the forest, carefully observing the shadows between the trees.
Then—
He heard something.
A faint sound reached his ears.
Step… step…
Haruto's body stiffened slightly.
At first, the sound was distant. Barely noticeable. But as the seconds passed, it became clearer.
Footsteps.
More than one.
Haruto's eyes narrowed.
The sounds were coming from somewhere ahead, deeper inside the forest.
Several figures were moving through the trees.
He slowly turned his head in that direction, focusing carefully.
The footsteps were heavy, pressing against the forest floor. Leaves and small branches cracked under their weight as they moved closer.
Haruto remained completely silent.
His hand slowly moved closer to the weapon resting beside him.
Whoever—or whatever—was approaching had not noticed them yet.
For a moment, Haruto considered waking Miyuki.
But he waited.
His sharp gaze remained fixed on the dark path between the trees.
The figures were getting closer now.
Closer… and closer.
Haruto listened carefully as the footsteps grew closer, each one heavier and rougher than any normal human stride. They didn't carry the rhythm of a person at all something about them felt off, almost unnatural. His eyes narrowed slightly as he frowned.
Not human…