Ren Takahashi, a 22-year-old young man, began an ordinary day in his modest apartment. While he answered emails and savored a cup of coffee, the monotony of the afternoon seemed to envelop him—though deep down, he longed for a change. As he reviewed his task list, a strange vibration disrupted his concentration, accompanied by a persistent humming, as if the very walls were trying to tell him something.


    Suddenly, a gust of wind shook the windows. Ren, as bewildered as a fish out of water, exclaimed:


    —“What is happening?!”


    In that moment, a portal opened in the middle of the room. Reality seemed to vanish in an instant. As he was swept away by that invisible force, Ren felt himself floating in a whirlwind of light and shadows. His mind flooded with confused, terrified thoughts: Am I dreaming? Or is this real? Astonishment mixed with inexplicable terror, and every fiber of his being cried out to understand what was unfolding.


    When the dizziness subsided, he found himself standing on a crowded street. The transition was as abrupt as it was organic: the calm of his apartment had transformed into an environment pulled straight from legend—a blend of medieval grandeur and the unyielding vigilance of a royal guard. The air was infused with incense and the dampness of old stone, while the distant ringing of bells merged with the murmur of voices. Suspicious glances from passersby tracked his every move, marking him as a stranger out of place.


    Trapped in this new world, Ren began to walk, each step echoing with uncertainty. The worn cobblestones creaked beneath his feet, and in the interplay of twilight shadows, the streets seemed to whisper forgotten tales. Although the enigmatic beauty of the place captivated him, the atmosphere was dense and charged: hushed whispers and wary glances blended with the imposing presence of the guards, clearly signaling that nothing here was coincidental.


    With his heart pounding and a growing sense of loneliness, Ren recalled the shyness that had accompanied him since childhood. After wandering much of the city and feeling increasingly overwhelmed, he realized that his only option was to try to communicate. With a mix of nervousness and determination, he approached a woman with a kind face and serene gaze.


    Stolen novel; please report.


    —“H-h-hello…” —Ren stuttered, his voice trembling.


    The woman, speaking in a soft and enigmatic tone, tilted her head slightly and said:


    —“Welcome, stranger. Your arrival is not a mere coincidence… Are you seeking something to be revealed in these lands?”


    Surprised by the almost mystical tone in her voice, Ren mustered his courage:


    —“W-where exactly are we?”


    With an enigmatic smile, the woman replied:


    —“We are in Aurelia, a land of ancient pacts and unspoken secrets.”


    Ren nodded, trying to regain his composure as his thoughts swirled.


    —“Aurelia… Eh, thank you very much.”


    Though he wished to delve deeper into the conversation, he felt his awkwardness and shyness resurface. With a resigned sigh, he walked away, carrying with him the uncertainty of a destiny that was only just beginning to reveal itself.


    He wandered the streets for several minutes, letting the murmur of the city envelop him. The sunset cast a play of shadows and light, and every step seemed to mark the beat of an ominous premonition. The scent of aged wood and wet stone accompanied him, and at every corner, the echo of his own heartbeat underscored the strangeness of the place.


    Exhaustion began to take its toll on his body, but just as he was about to stop, something caught his eye. In the distance, the monumental entrance of the city rose: a gigantic iron-forged door adorned with ancient legends in relief, guarded by imposing metal bars. Beside it, a weathered bulletin board hung like a forgotten relic.


    Driven by a mix of curiosity and apprehension, Ren approached and examined the papers pinned to the wood. Among the notices from merchants and mundane messages, one sign leapt out in capital letters: “WANTED”. His gaze fixed on the portrait—it was his own.


    A shiver ran down his spine. He had barely arrived, and yet he was already being hunted. For a brief moment, the world seemed to hold its breath; each heartbeat resounded like a thunderclap in the stillness. Cold sweat trickled down his neck as he slowly turned his head.


    In that moment, he was paralyzed by the sight of the sun’s gleam reflecting off imposing armor. A group of knights, with rigid stances and stern expressions, advanced toward him. One of them, in an authoritative tone that brooked no argument, exclaimed:


    —“We are the Royal Guard! You must come with us.”


    The air grew thick and laden with imminent danger. In that instant, everything in Ren’s mind was distilled to a single word:


    Run.