How did things end up like this?

“Is the food to your liking?” “Yes, it’s delicious.” “You’d fit well in our guild too.” “Huh!?”

Cattleya, the guild master of the Frey Guild, smiled at me, saying it was just a joke, though I wasn’t sure. She insisted I call her Lea Unnie (big sister Lea) with affection, and I did.

But why am I having a meal here with her?

It’s because I was kidnapped this morning.

I woke up at the usual time, like any other day.

In this world where I didn’t know a single soul, I habitually checked my phone and saw I had a message.

I was about to delete it, thinking it was spam, but something made me pause.

“I wanted to treat you to a meal, big sis. Are you free today?”

At first, I thought it was sent to me by mistake, but after checking the business card I’d received last time, the phone number matched.

I hesitated for a while, trying to figure out how to refuse, but before I could do anything, my phone rang.

Panicking, I accidentally hit the answer button.

“Hello?” “Hello...?” “I’ll be in front of your house in 30 minutes. Can you come out?” “Wait, what!? 30 minutes!?” “I’ll treat you to something delicious!”

With that, she hung up, and it dawned on me—this wasn’t a request, it was a command.

But wait, how did she know my address!?

There wasn’t much time to think.

I quickly washed up, threw on a hoodie and cap, and headed outside. Sure enough, a red sports car was parked in front of my house.

Out of the fancy car, which looked like something out of a YouTube video, stepped a beautiful woman.

“Hello.” “It’s been a while. How have you been?” “I’m doing well.” “Shall we go then?”

She opened the car door for me and gestured for me to get in. I’d never been in a sports car before, and I was nervous as I climbed in. Everything felt so new and unfamiliar.

She even buckled my seatbelt for me and then drove off.

Where are we going?

“I made a reservation at a place that only operates in the morning. I’ll treat you to something delicious.” “Thank you.” “If you’re thankful, why not join our guild?” “Huh!?”

She laughed brightly, saying it was just a joke, but my heart couldn’t take it.

In the game, I wouldn’t care, but here in the real world, dealing with people is tough due to my social anxiety.

The car sped through the streets and entered a quiet alley before stopping at a public parking lot. After we got out, she smiled and said it was just a minute’s walk to the restaurant.

The restaurant looked like an ordinary house on the outside, but the interior was decorated like a royal palace.

Following the staff’s guidance, we entered a private room and sat down. The food started arriving, one dish at a time, from appetizers to light meals perfect for breakfast. While eating, I chatted with Lea Unnie.

“Why don’t you just call me Lea Unnie, to be more familiar?” “Sure, Lea Noona.”

She seemed momentarily stunned by my response but then nodded.

“I see... I’m sorry.” “Huh!? No, it’s okay! You don’t need to apologize!”

Suddenly, tears welled up in her eyes as she apologized, leaving me in a panic.

How could I possibly call her unnie when I’ve lived my entire life as a guy!? Even though I inherited the memories of this body, mentally it still felt strange.

After she wiped her tears, we continued chatting about everyday life and gaming, and time flew by.

“So you went back to Yoram Village?” “Yes, I missed the villagers, so I’m staying there for a bit.” “And you even handed out mana stones to the monsters nearby?” “Yes, I owed them, so I paid it back.” “As expected...”

She nodded as if she had known all along, mumbling something to herself. What was that about?

“Have you been to the Canyon of Death recently?” “How did you know?”

She clenched her fist and exclaimed, “I knew it!” But what’s going on?

Then, all of a sudden, she took my hand and looked at me with serious eyes!?

This was... the first time? No, second... maybe third time? Anyway, this kind of sudden move…

“Would you really not consider joining our guild? I promise you the best treatment.”

I quickly realized what kind of misunderstanding I’d been having and lowered my head in embarrassment.

So awkward.

I gathered myself and politely declined the offer.

I was happy traveling with Dragon-Dragon, and no matter how good the offer was, I wasn’t interested in joining a guild.

“I’ll provide high-grade to top-grade mana stones monthly.” “...” “And unlimited low-grade and mid-grade mana stones.” “I’ll join!”

The offer was too good to resist.

If Dragon-Dragon could eat his fill of mana stones, joining the guild wouldn’t be so bad.

“You’ve made the right choice! I’ll send you the guild invitation! You’ve hit level 50, right?” “I’m only level 40.” “Huh?”

We both stared at each other in confusion.

“Guild entry starts at level 50... Wait, you’re only level 40? Then how did you survive the Canyon of Death!?” “The gryphons let me go.” “...”

After finishing the meal, Lea Noona gave me a friend invite, and we agreed that I’d join the guild once I hit level 50.

“When you join the guild, we’ll throw a welcome party! Our guild is small but elite, with only high-rankers who can help you a lot. See you then!”

Lea Noona waved goodbye as she drove off, leaving me to reflect on the chaotic time we’d just spent together. Once inside, I collapsed onto my bed.

Staring blankly at the ceiling, I eventually geared up and logged into the game.

And was immediately scolded by Dragon-Dragon.

“Bweee!” “I’m sorry.”

He was mad that I had woken up so late.

Even when angry, he’s cute.

After appeasing him with a high-grade mana stone, we went downstairs, where Bell Noona was standing behind the counter, looking troubled.

“Bell Noona, is something wrong?” “Well, we’re running low on ingredients, but the merchant isn’t due to arrive for a while.” “Shall I go get some for you?” “Really!? That would be such a help!”

[A quest has arrived.] Collect Kuing-Kuing Mushrooms from the Giant’s Cave. Reward: Experience points, Gold.

She handed me a map and explained that the mushrooms grew deep inside the cave. Since the cave was a maze, she also gave me a pouch of stones to mark my way.

“I’ll be back soon!” “Be careful!”

“Bweeee!!” “I’m really sorry!”

I had successfully collected the mushrooms Bell Noona had requested.

But there was a problem.

I was lost.

I had confidently told Dragon-Dragon to trust me when we entered the cave, but now we were stuck.

The cave was like a maze, and I should have been marking the path, but I was overconfident.

I remembered hearing somewhere that if you keep your right hand on the wall in a maze, you’ll eventually find the exit...

Apologizing to Dragon-Dragon, who was still mad at me, I tried to think of a way out, but nothing came to mind.

If only I had bought a teleport scroll...

After wandering for a while, I saw a light in the distance. As I approached, I found a large clearing filled with countless gravestones.

The eerie atmosphere made me want to turn back, but then I heard a voice.

“Are you lost?”

I flinched and turned around to see a headless knight staring at me.

No, to be precise, he was holding his head under his arm.

I babbled incoherently in panic, but the knight calmly told me to relax and speak slowly.

“You’re in danger here. I may have lost my lord, but I haven’t lost my honor as a knight. Trust me, and I’ll guide you to the exit.” “Th-thank you.”

I followed the headless knight, passing by decayed figures with rotting flesh or missing limbs, all staring at me.

One of them was even screaming incoherently, only to be smacked on the back of the head by another figure nearby. What was going on...?

Suddenly.

A bright light flashed, and a massive figure began to materialize.

The headless knight panicked and tried to hide me.

“Damn it! Why now!? Quick, hide behind a gravestone!” “O-okay!”

Following his instructions, I hid behind a gravestone as the knight stood in front of me, using his massive body to shield me.

I peeked out and saw something like a giant door, from which an armored figure emerged.

It had the body of a human, but its head resembled that of a monster—something like an orc.

“How are the preparations for the invasion?” “There are no issues.”