ã€ŠLoser&#x2019;s Isekaiã€‹


 A dream (not) come true

    Yuki Tanaka was born into a comfortable, supportive family in modern Japan.

    Seventeen years of life, yet she couldn''t find her own purpose in any of them.

    Her current state could be summed up as: "High school dropout, shut-in."

    Or, in harsher terms, "A washed-out girl who gave up on herself after too many failed attempts to meet everyone else''s expectations."

    It wasn''t as if there was one defining moment for her downward spiral.

    In middle school, every effort she made to succeed ended in failure. As expectations grew, so did her doubts. By high school, she stopped trying altogether.

    Now, she spends her days tucked away in her room, bingeing isekai stories, dreaming of becoming someone special in another world.

    The glow of her computer screen illuminated the cramped space of Yuki''s room. She sat cross-legged on her futon, one hand lazily scooping instant ramen from a plastic bowl, the other gripping a mouse as she scrolled through a streaming site.

    "Come on, just go for it," she muttered at the protagonist on screen, a hero decked out in shining armor. He was rallying a group of misfits to save his party from a dragon. The scene climaxed with the hero shouting an attack name, obliterating the dragon in a burst of fiery glory.

    Yuki slumped back against her pillow, sighing deeply. "Must be nice... to have that kind of life."

    She glanced at her reflection in the darkened corner of her computer screen¡ªmessy hair, pale skin, a baggy T-shirt stained with crumbs. A far cry from the heroes she admired.

    "They always get to be someone special," she murmured. "Someone needed, powerful, loved." She stirred the soup in her bowl absentmindedly. "Though... maybe without the dying part. That''d suck."

    She chuckled dryly at her own joke, though it quickly faded into silence. Yuki stared at the screen until the auto-play timer ticked down. The next episode began, but her stomach rumbled loudly, snapping her out of her thoughts.

    "Ugh, fine. I''ll grab something real," she groaned, pushing herself off the floor.

    She stretched and yawned, rubbing her eyes as she shuffled out of her room and down the hallway. The house was dark and quiet, save for the faint hum of the refrigerator.

    But as she reached for the kitchen light switch, everything around her suddenly shifted.

    The cool air of her house was gone, replaced by an oppressive warmth. Yuki blinked, disoriented, as her feet landed on unfamiliar cobblestones. A bright, sunlit sky stretched above her, and the soft hum of her fridge was replaced by murmurs of an assembled crowd.

    "What the..." Yuki squinted, trying to make sense of her surroundings. She was in a massive hall with soaring arches and stained glass windows. Rows of knights in gleaming armor flanked her on either side, and in front of her stood a group of robed priests holding glowing scepters.

    Before she could process what she was seeing, one of the priests stepped forward, bowing deeply. "Oh, great Hero, we humbly welcome you to our kingdom!"

    "Hero?" Yuki echoed, her voice small as her mind reeled.

    The knights and priests fell to their knees, murmuring prayers of thanks. One of the knights raised his head and said, "Our savior has arrived! With your blessing, we shall defeat the Demon King and restore peace to the land!"

    Yuki''s mouth hung open. For a long moment, she simply stood there, trying to comprehend what had just happened.

    Finally, she let out a strangled laugh, holding her head. "Wait. Hold on. Wait. I''ve been summoned into another world?"

    Her voice echoed loudly in the hall, and the reverent murmurs stopped. Everyone stared at her, confusion and mild concern crossing their faces.

    "Summoned... another world?" one of the priests whispered to another.

    "Does the Hero speak in riddles?"

    Yuki ignored them, spinning in place as she took in every detail¡ªthe architecture, the people, the outfits straight out of a fantasy RPG. Her hands shook as she grasped her cheeks and squealed, "This is insane!"

    The priest nearest her cautiously stepped forward. "Great Hero, are you feeling well? Do you require aid?"

    Yuki turned to him, wide-eyed. "Am I feeling well? Dude, I''m feeling like I just got gacha-rolled into my dream scenario!" She froze suddenly, grabbing his arm. "Wait, this isn''t one of those worlds where the Hero dies horribly, right? Tell me it''s not!"

    The knight beside her frowned. "Er... should we be concerned?"

    The priest''s expression turned wary. "Perhaps the summoning process has... disoriented her."

    But Yuki couldn''t care less about their confusion. Her excitement bubbled over as she threw her hands in the air and yelled, "I''M THE CHOSEN HERO! THIS IS THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE!"

    The knights and priests exchanged uneasy glances, unsure whether to celebrate or call for help.

    Meanwhile Yuki spun around in giddy awe, her eyes darting across the majestic hall. "Look at this place! The stained glass, the armor, the banners¡ªthis is like every fantasy setting I''ve ever seen, but better!" She practically skipped over to a knight, poking at the intricate designs on his armor. "And this armor! Do you guys smith this by hand? Do you have a whole forge somewhere? I bet it''s got glowing runes, right? Right?"

    The knight stiffened, looking utterly bewildered. "Er, my lady Hero, I¡ª"

    "And the robes!" Yuki dashed over to one of the priests, nearly tripping over her own feet. "They''re like, peak JRPG mage vibes! Do you guys have elemental spells or maybe, oh! Do you summon holy fire or something?"

    The priest exchanged an alarmed glance with the others before stammering, "W-We are here to serve, great Hero..."

    "Oh, I am so into this!" Yuki clapped her hands together. "Okay, okay, let me guess¡ªnext you''re gonna tell me about my super-awesome, overpowered ability that only I can use, right?"

    The priests and knights exchanged puzzled looks. One of them finally spoke, "How... How did you know that, great Hero?"

    "Know that?" Yuki blinked. "Uh, duh? Isn''t this how it always works? Hero gets summoned, big speech from the king, then BAM! We check the stats and skills! What do you think I''ve been bingeing all year?"

    The murmurs grew louder as confusion spread through the room. Even the stoic knights began to mutter.

    "Bingeing? What does she mean?"

    "Does she have the gift of foresight?"

    "Perhaps her knowledge comes from the gods themselves!"

    "Silence!" A booming voice echoed through the hall as a man in a grand robe stepped forward. The crown resting on his head shimmered under the sunlight pouring through the stained glass. His presence commanded immediate respect, and everyone fell quiet.

    The king looked down at Yuki, his tone gentle yet firm. "Hero, we understand you may be... disoriented by the summoning process. I assure you, all will be explained. Please, calm yourself. Your skill shall be introduced momentarily."

    Yuki froze in place, blinking up at the king. "Wait, for real? Like, you''re gonna show me my skill?!" Her excitement bubbled up again as she bounced on her heels. "Okay, okay, hit me with it! Let''s see what kind of broken OP cheat code I''m rocking!"

    A robed figure stepped forward, holding a glowing orb. "This artifact shall reveal the Hero''s unique ability," he announced.

    Yuki practically vibrated with anticipation as the priest held the orb close to her chest. A soft light pulsed, and a series of glowing characters appeared in the air above her. The crowd gasped as the words became clear.

    "''Delayed... Imitation,''" Yuki read aloud. She tilted her head, her excitement faltering. "Wait, what?"

    The orb pulsed again, and more information appeared:

    Allows the user to copy the skill of another... with a significant delay... and reduced efficiency.

    The hall fell silent. Yuki stared at the floating text, her face frozen in a grin that didn''t quite reach her eyes. "Uh... huh." She squinted at the orb. "Is this thing broken? Like, shouldn''t it say something cool like, I don''t know, ''Flame King''s Wrath'' or ''Unlimited Cosmic Force''?"

    The priest looked equally confused, glancing at the king nervously. "The artifact does not lie, great Hero. This is your unique skill."

    Yuki''s face twitched, her grin turning awkward. "Oh, cool, cool. Delayed Imitation. Sounds... neat." She gave a thumbs-up that screamed forced enthusiasm. "Super useful. Totally not a watered-down version of copying someone else''s homework."

    The king''s brow furrowed slightly, but he quickly smoothed his expression. "Fear not, Hero. All skills, no matter their nature, can be honed to greatness. Your path has only just begun."

    "Yeah, sure. Path to greatness," Yuki muttered, still staring at the glowing text. The words ''reduced efficiency'' seemed to mock her.

    The hall fell into an eerie silence after Yuki''s skill was revealed. The priests exchanged worried glances, the knights'' stoic faces faltered, and even the most optimistic among them couldn''t mask the faint looks of despair creeping into their expressions.

    Yuki noticed. "Hey, uh... are you all good?" She gestured vaguely at the crowd. "You''re not exactly giving me the ''Welcome, Mighty Hero!'' vibes anymore."

    The king cleared his throat loudly, forcing a smile that barely hid his growing unease. "Hero Yuki," he began, his voice straining to sound regal, "your arrival is nothing short of divine providence. We summoned you here because our kingdom is in grave peril. The Demon King''s armies grow stronger each day, and only you, as the chosen Hero, can turn the tide of this war."

    Yuki blinked at him. "Okay, hold up. You expect me to fight a Demon King?"

    "Precisely!" the king proclaimed, a bit too quickly.

    Yuki threw her hands up. "No way, not happening! Did you even see what my skill does? ''Delayed Imitation'' is basically useless! Like, what am I supposed to do, stand behind someone cool and hope I can copy them in time before I get fried?"

    The king''s smile twitched, but he held firm. "Skills... skills can be improved!" he declared, as if struck by sudden inspiration. "Yes, that''s it! With enough belief, training, and determination, even the most modest of abilities can blossom into greatness!"

    Yuki crossed her arms, unconvinced. "You''re seriously just making this up, aren''t you?"

    "Not at all!" The king''s tone grew louder, more theatrical. "The power of the human spirit is limitless! Many Heroes before you have started humbly and gone on to achieve legendary feats. You are no exception, dear Hero!"

    She squinted at him, unsure whether to trust him or not. But then again... wasn''t this exactly what she always dreamed of? Becoming the underdog hero who surprises everyone? Maybe this really was just the start of her journey to greatness.

    "Fine," she muttered. "I''ll play along¡ªfor now. But don''t come crying to me when this whole ''power of belief'' thing doesn''t pan out."

    The king clapped his hands, clearly relieved. "Excellent! Sir Caelric, escort the Hero to her quarters. Ensure she is given everything she needs to prepare for the journey ahead."

    A young knight with sharp eyes and a steady demeanor stepped forward, bowing slightly. "As you command, Your Majesty." He gestured toward Yuki. "This way, Hero."

    Yuki hesitated, glancing back at the crowd. The priests were still avoiding eye contact, and the knights seemed oddly stiff. "We good here?" she asked.

    "Absolutely!" The king''s voice was firm, his expression not so much. "Rest well, Hero. Greatness awaits you!"

    Still unsure but too tired to argue, Yuki shrugged and followed the knight out of the hall.

    The moment the doors closed behind her, the hall erupted into chaos.

    "What are we supposed to do now?!" one of the priests wailed. "She''s completely useless!"

    "I knew this was a risk!" a knight growled, slamming his gauntlet against his thigh. "But this? A Hero who can barely fight?!"

    "She didn''t even want to fight!" another chimed in, voice laced with panic.

    The murmurs swelled into frantic yelling until the king raised his hand for silence. His previously composed expression cracked into one of deep frustration. "Do you think I don''t see the problem here?" he snapped, his regal facade slipping. "I know she''s useless! But what choice do we have?"

    "What should we do, Your Majesty?" a robed advisor asked, his voice trembling.

    The king rubbed his temples, his composure barely holding. "We keep up appearances. For now, we make her believe she has potential. If she falters too soon, the kingdom will lose hope entirely."

    "But the Demon King will not wait for her to ''believe in herself,''" a knight said grimly.

    The king sighed heavily. "Then we will look for alternatives in the meantime. Discreetly. Perhaps we can strengthen our own forces or... or¡ª" He hesitated before something adding darkly.

    As Yuki followed the knight through the winding corridors of the castle, her earlier excitement had drained, replaced by a growing knot of anxiety. The grand architecture and lavish tapestries that had seemed so magical now felt oppressive, looming over her like the weight of her impossible task.

    He finally came to a wooden door. "This will be your room, Hero," he said, opening it with a flourish. The knight had long, black hair tied up in a messy bun, while the rest cascaded down his neck. His skin appeared almost reddish as Yuki noticed that his facial features didn''t quite resemble those of a human, unlike the others in his palace. However, she couldn''t tell if he had bags under his eyes or if it was just makeup. She was about to comment, but decided against it, fearing it might upset him.

    The room was modest compared to the grandeur of the rest of the castle but still leagues above anything Yuki had ever experienced. A plush bed sat against one wall, the soft glow of candlelight reflecting off polished wood furniture. A large window offered a view of the sprawling gardens below.

    "Wow," Yuki muttered, stepping inside. "So, uh... I get this whole room? For free?"

    The knight gave her a faint smile. "It is the least the kingdom can do for its Hero."

    Yuki''s stomach twisted at the word. "Yeah... about that." She turned to him, fidgeting with her sleeves. "Look, I''m not gonna lie¡ªI''m kinda freaking out here. They want me to fight a Demon King. Like, a Demon King. That''s endgame boss stuff! What am I supposed to do with a skill like Delayed Imitation?"

    The knight hesitated, his expression carefully neutral. "You shouldn''t lose hope, Hero. Many great figures in history started humbly. Your skill may seem... limited now, but with time and effort, it could become something extraordinary."

    Yuki blinked at him. "You really think so?"

    Her wide-eyed sincerity made The knight''s''s chest tighten. He wasn''t used to people putting this much faith in his words, especially not someone in a situation as dire as hers. Knowing the truth¡ªthat her chances of surviving, let alone defeating the Demon King, were abysmally low¡ªmade it even harder to respond.

    "Of course," he said finally, forcing a reassuring smile. "Every journey begins with a single step. Believe in yourself, Hero, and you may achieve more than you think possible."

    Yuki''s shoulders relaxed a little, and she managed a small smile. "Thanks. That actually helps... a little."

    She paused, looking him over. "Hey, can I ask you something?"

    "Of course."

    "You said you''re a low-ranking knight, right? So... how come you''re here in the castle, escorting me? Shouldn''t this be, like, a job for someone higher up?"

    His''s gaze shifted slightly, and his smile grew faint. "I... am not entirely sure myself," he admitted. "My position here is more a matter of circumstance than merit. Someone else arranged for me to be in this role."

    Yuki tilted her head. "Huh. That''s weird. You seem pretty capable to me."

    Caelric gave a short laugh. "I appreciate your confidence, Hero."

    "Yuki," she corrected.

    He blinked. "Pardon?"

    "My name. It''s Yuki Tanaka," she said, folding her arms. "If I''m supposed to save the world or whatever, you might as well call me by my real name."

    He smile softened. "Very well, Yuki Tanaka. Thank you for sharing your name." He gave her a slight bow. "For now, rest. Tomorrow, your journey begins."

    Yuki nodded, watching as he turned to leave. "Hey!" she called out.

    He paused in the doorway, glancing back.

    "I want to know your name first!" Yuki exclaimed with a grin.

    He hesitated for a moment before looking away briefly as she replied, "Caelric."

    "Thanks Caelric. You know, for being nice about all this. It''s... kinda helping."

    He gave her a fleeting smile, though it didn''t reach his eyes. "Goodnight, Yuki."

    As the door closed behind him, Caelric''s expression darkened. His chest felt heavy with guilt. He''d seen the spark of hope in Yuki''s eyes, and it twisted his stomach knowing she had no idea what awaited her. She was just a girl thrown into a deadly game she couldn''t possibly win.

    "Forgive me," he muttered under his breath before walking away.

    Inside the room, Yuki let out a long sigh and flopped onto the bed. She stared at the ceiling, her mind racing. "Okay, Yuki," she whispered to herself. "Maybe this isn''t a total disaster. Maybe you really can do this. You''ve read a million stories like this. You''ll figure it out."

    She closed her eyes, forcing herself to relax. For the first time in a long time, she let herself imagine a version of herself that mattered¡ªa Hero, even if she wasn''t sure she believed it yet.

    The morning sun bathed the castle courtyard in warm light as Yuki adjusted the straps on her small bag. Around her, knights busied themselves with preparations for her departure¡ªthough to her frustration, the "preparations" seemed woefully inadequate.

    "Uh, excuse me?" Yuki said, turning to the knight overseeing her send-off. "This is it? No armor, no backup, no supplies? Just me, a horse, and... vibes?"

    The knight, a tall man with a grizzled beard, gave her a disinterested shrug. "The king has faith in you, Hero. He believes you''ll manage."

    Yuki frowned. "Yeah, well, the king isn''t the one walking into Demon King territory with no potions or extra weapons, is he?" She folded her arms. "I don''t know much about adventuring, but even I know you need armor, backup weapons, anda party for something like this."

    The knight waved her off. "You''ll be fine. Besides, you''re getting a magical blessing from one of our court mages. That''ll keep you safe."

    As if on cue, a robed mage stepped forward. They muttered a chant, and a faint golden glow enveloped Yuki for a brief moment before fading entirely.

    "That''s it?" Yuki asked, staring at her hands.

    "That''s it," the mage replied. "A protection spell. It''ll ensure your safety."

    "For how long?"

    The mage hesitated, their expression unreadable. "Long enough," they said vaguely.

    Before Yuki could press further, another knight presented her with a small selection of weapons. "Choose your weapon, Hero. May it serve you well."

    Yuki scanned the options: a dagger, a staff, a bow, and a sword. She reached for the sword. "This one looks cool," she said, holding it up awkwardly.

    The knight nodded. "Good choice. A fine weapon for a brave Hero."

    Despite her lingering doubts, Yuki allowed herself a small moment of optimism. "Okay," she said, taking a deep breath. "Maybe this won''t be so bad. I mean, I''ve seen enough isekai stories to know that this is where things start to pick up, right?"

    The knights exchanged awkward glances, but none of them responded.

    Moments later, Yuki mounted the horse they had provided. She gave a shaky wave as the castle gates opened, revealing the long road ahead. "Thanks for the help, I guess! Wish me luck!"

    "Good luck, Hero," one of the knights called out half-heartedly.

    As Yuki''s horse trotted away, the courtyard fell silent. The knights and the mage stood there, watching her figure grow smaller in the distance.The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

    Then, the laughter started.

    "Did you see her? She''s so clueless, she doesn''t even know that spell will wear off by sundown!"

    "She thinks she''s going to fight the Demon King with that skill? She won''t last a day out there!"

    "She''s nothing more than dead weight. Sending her off like this is just putting her out of her misery."

    The group erupted into cruel laughter, mocking Yuki''s naivety and the hopelessness of her mission. All except for Caelric, who stood silently among them, his jaw tight and his hands clenched into fists.

    As the laughter continued, he made his decision. Without a word, he turned and strode toward his horse.

    "Caelric?" one of the knights called after him. "Where are you going?"

    Caelric swung himself onto the saddle, his expression grim. "She may be useless in your eyes, but she''s still a person. I can''t just let her die out there."

    "You can''t be serious!" the mage shouted. "She''s a lost cause! You''ll just get yourself killed!"

    Ignoring their protests, Caelric spurred his horse into a gallop, charging after Yuki.

    "Caelric! Get back here!"

    As Yuki rode her horse along the dirt road, the silence around her was deafening. The once-excited grin she wore during her send-off had faded into a thin, anxious line. She clutched the reins tighter, her eyes scanning the unfamiliar landscape ahead.

    I''m so screwed.

    Her thoughts raced as reality began to sink in. I mean, come on. "Delayed Imitation"? That sounds like the name of a bargain-bin skill no one even bothers to try out in games. How am I supposed to fight a Demon King with that?

    The horse snorted, almost like it agreed with her assessment, and Yuki let out a groan. This sucks. This really sucks. They didn''t even give me armor or a party. Just a sword, a weird blessing that I don''t even trust, and a horse.

    For a brief moment, she considered turning around and storming back to the castle. But she shook the thought off with a sigh. They''d probably just laugh at me and send me right back out.

    Still, a tiny spark of hope flickered in the back of her mind. Wait¡­ What if this is one of those tropes? Her grip on the reins loosened as her thoughts took a different turn. You know, where the protagonist starts out with a crappy, useless ability, but it''s secretly super broken once you figure out the gimmick. Like maybe my skill only sounds bad, but it''ll turn out to be ridiculously overpowered if I level it up or something!

    She sat up straighter in the saddle, her confidence returning. Yeah! That''s probably it! I just need to find the system menu or skill tree or whatever. There''s gotta be one, right? All the good isekai worlds have one.

    With renewed determination, Yuki held out her hand dramatically, like a mage casting a spell. "Menu!" she said confidently.

    Nothing happened.

    She frowned, her hand still outstretched. "Skill tree! Status screen! Open system!"

    The only response was the sound of her horse''s hooves against the road.

    Her frown deepened as she tried different gestures, waving her hand in front of her face, making a claw shape, even pressing imaginary buttons in the air. "C''mon, it''s gotta work! Status! Level up! Stats!"

    Her voice grew louder with each failed attempt until she was practically yelling into the empty road. "Give me SOMETHING!"

    Still nothing.

    Yuki slumped forward, resting her forehead against the horse''s neck with a groan. "Figures. Guess I''m not the ''level menu'' type of protagonist. Probably stuck with the whole you-have-to-train-really-hard-to-unlock-your-true-potentialthing instead."

    She sat back up, blowing a strand of hair out of her face. "Fine. Maybe this''ll be like... uh, that one story where the main character starts with a crappy defensive item, but it ends up being the strongest weapon in the world."

    The idea was enough to keep her spirits afloat, even if the odds seemed grim. She adjusted her grip on the reins and urged the horse to pick up the pace.

    "Alright, fine," she muttered to herself. "I''ll just stick to the plan: don''t die, try to level up, and hope this dumb skill turns out to be worth something."

    The horse neighed, and Yuki gave it a pat. "You''re with me, right, buddy? You won''t ditch me for some overpowered hero with an actual cheat skill, will you?"

    The horse snorted again, and Yuki chuckled despite herself. At least I''ve got someone on my side, she thought.

    Yuki rode through the winding forest path, her confidence teetering between cautious optimism and outright denial. The dense canopy overhead filtered sunlight through its leaves, casting dappled patterns on the ground. Her horse''s pace had slowed, its breathing heavy, and Yuki finally noticed the poor creature''s exhaustion.

    "Right¡­ You''re not a car. You probably need a break," Yuki muttered, pulling gently on the reins to stop. She slid off the horse with a groan, her legs wobbling from the hours of riding.

    She patted the horse''s neck. "Alright, buddy, let''s find you something to eat."

    Digging through the small bag strapped to the saddle, she rummaged around for food. "Let''s see¡­ dried jerky for me, some gross-looking bread, annnnd¡­ wait, what do horses even eat?"

    Her search was abruptly interrupted by the sound of rustling in the nearby bushes. She froze, her hand still in the bag, as her eyes darted to the noise. Slowly, the rustling grew louder until several small, green creatures emerged from the underbrush.

    Yuki blinked. "Goblins?"

    The creatures grinned wickedly, brandishing crude weapons made of sticks and rocks.

    "Wait, goblins?" she repeated, her tone shifting from shock to confusion. "This world seriously has the default starter enemies? This is like RPG Tutorial 101!"

    The goblins began to approach, their grins widening.

    Yuki gulped but quickly steeled herself. "Okay, calm down, Yuki. They''re just goblins. You''ve seen enough isekai to know these guys are weak as heck. They''re basically EXP dispensers. I can handle this!"

    She grabbed her sword, holding it out with shaky hands. The weight was heavier than she anticipated, but she forced herself to focus. This is it. My first fight. This is where the protagonist''s journey truly begins.

    Taking a deep breath, she tightened her grip. "Looks like this world is set to raise my power after all! With all this adrenaline, I can definitely win!"

    With a yell that was more nervous than heroic, Yuki charged at the goblins.

    Her confidence lasted exactly three seconds.

    Just as she raised her sword to swing at the nearest goblin, a shadow loomed over her. Her instincts screamed at her to stop, and she barely managed to skid to a halt.

    Towering behind the smaller goblins was a much larger one¡ªa goblin chief. It was at least three times the size of the others, with bulging muscles, jagged armor, and a massive club resting on its shoulder.

    Yuki''s sword slipped from her hands and clattered to the ground. Her charge transformed into a panicked slide, and before she realized it, she was kneeling directly in front of the goblins.

    Her body moved faster than her brain, dropping into a deep dogeza position with her forehead pressed to the dirt.

    "I''M SORRY! I DIDN''T MEAN TO INTERRUPT YOUR GOBLIN THINGS! PLEASE DON''T KILL ME!" she shouted, her voice muffled by the ground.

    The goblins paused, clearly taken aback by the sudden shift in tone. The smaller ones exchanged confused looks, while the goblin chief scratched its head with the end of its club.

    Yuki''s heart raced as she peeked up ever so slightly, her forehead still touching the dirt. The excitement and adrenaline from moments ago had completely evaporated, replaced by raw, unfiltered panic.

    This is it. This is how I die. Not in some epic battle against the Demon King, but as a warning screen for future heroes: "Don''t mess with goblins unprepared!"

    The goblins began to snicker, seemingly amused by her groveling. The chief barked something in its guttural language, and the smaller ones immediately surrounded her.

    "Oh no," Yuki whimpered. I should''ve stayed in my room.

    The bigger goblin grabbed Yuki by the back of her jacket and effortlessly lifted her off the ground. She dangled helplessly, her feet barely brushing the dirt as the goblin examined her with a scrutinizing glare.

    "You," the goblin growled in surprisingly articulate speech. Its voice was deep and gravelly, but there was an unsettling intelligence behind it. "You don''t look like you''re from around here. What kingdom or empire sent you?"

    Yuki blinked, her mind scrambling. "Uh, I don''t¡­ I mean, I wasn''t¡ª"

    The goblin leaned closer, its nose wrinkling as it sneered. "You look like a noble. All soft and fragile. Did you wander in here thinking you''re better than us, little human?"

    "N-Noble?" Yuki stammered, shaking her head vigorously. "Nope! Not me! I''m just a normal person! Totally normal! Actually, I shouldn''t even be here. My bad, really, so I''ll just¡ª"

    Before she could finish, the goblin hurled her back onto the ground like a discarded toy. She landed with a painful thud, the impact knocking the wind out of her.

    "You''re an idiot," the goblin spat, glaring down at her. "Entering my domain so casually. Do you even realize where you are? This is the territory of the Goblin King!"

    Yuki''s face went pale. "G-Goblin King?!" she squeaked, scrambling backward on her hands and knees.

    The goblin raised a hand, and icy blue magic began to swirl around it. Frost crept across the ground as the temperature dropped sharply.

    "And now," the goblin snarled, "you''ll pay for your stupidity."

    The goblin unleashed a barrage of ice magic in her direction. Yuki barely managed to roll out of the way, the freezing spikes piercing the ground where she had just been.

    "WHY DOES A GOBLIN HAVE ICE MAGIC?!" Yuki shrieked as she scrambled to her feet, darting around like a headless chicken. She zigzagged wildly, dodging incoming blasts, though not without stumbling over her own feet.

    Her mind raced in panic, but then an idea struck her. Wait a second¡­ I have a skill! I can use that!

    Clenching her fists, she stopped running and turned to face the goblin. She could feel the adrenaline pumping through her veins, and for a brief moment, her terror melted into determination.

    "This is it," Yuki muttered to herself, her voice trembling but resolute. "This is where the protagonist''s journey takes off! My ability isn''t useless¡ªit just needs the right moment!"

    The goblin sneered at her, raising its club. "You''ve got guts, little human. Too bad it won''t save you."

    Yuki''s eyes narrowed. She sprinted toward the goblin, dodging ice spikes and shoving smaller goblins out of her way. Her courage surged as she closed the gap, and with a wild yell, she leapt forward, pulling her arm back for a punch.

    "Delayed Imitation!" she screamed at the top of her lungs, throwing her fist directly at the goblin king''s smug face.

    Her punch connected. For a split second, she thought she had won.

    But nothing happened.

    The goblin king didn''t flinch. Instead, it smiled¡ªa slow, wicked grin that made Yuki''s stomach drop.

    Yuki''s confidence evaporated as she looked up at the goblin''s face, her own frozen in horror. "Uh¡­ s-sorry?" she stammered, her nervous smile betraying the dawning realization of just how screwed she was.

    The goblin king raised its club and swung. The impact sent Yuki flying through the air, crashing painfully into the ground. She groaned, struggling to move, her vision swimming.

    This is it, she thought bitterly, staring up at the sky. This is how I go out. Beaten by a goblin in the middle of nowhere. What a shitty way to die.

    But then, she heard it. The sharp clang of steel, followed by the wet sound of something being cut down.

    Yuki blinked, dazed, as the smaller goblins around her began to fall one by one, their lifeless bodies hitting the ground. She stared at her hands in disbelief.

    "Did¡­ did I do that?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.

    Before she could process the thought, a familiar voice cut through the chaos.

    "Yuki, are you alive?"

    Yuki turned her head and saw Caelric standing a short distance away, his sword dripping with green goblin blood. His horse stood nearby, snorting in frustration as if it had been dragged into this mess unwillingly.

    Caelric''s eyes scanned the area, and when they landed on Yuki, his usual stoic expression softened into something almost apologetic.

    "You¡­ came back?" Yuki mumbled, still too stunned to move.

    Caelric gave her a faint smirk as he stepped forward, slicing down another goblin. "Let''s just say I had a feeling you might need some help."

    Yuki let out a laugh, though it was weak and tinged with relief. "Yeah¡­ no kidding."

    The Goblin King stood tall, his icy aura radiating power as he stared down Caelric. His massive club, encrusted with frost, swung through the air with a menacing weight, leaving trails of icy mist in its wake.

    Caelric didn''t hesitate, gripping his sword tightly. With a low, controlled breath, he infused the blade with fire magic. The weapon glowed a brilliant orange, flickering like a living flame as heat waves shimmered around it.

    The two clashed in an explosion of fire and ice. Caelric swung his flaming blade with precision, aiming for the Goblin King''s weak spots. The fire hissed and cracked as it collided with the Goblin King''s frosty club, creating bursts of steam that filled the clearing. The smaller goblins had either been cut down or scattered, leaving only the two combatants locked in a fierce duel.

    Caelric darted to the side, avoiding a crushing blow from the Goblin King''s club. He retaliated with a horizontal slash aimed at the creature''s torso, but the Goblin King deflected it with a swift upward swing, the force sending sparks flying.

    Yuki, sitting on the ground nursing her bruises, watched in awe. "Whoa! He''s like¡­ an action hero! Look at those moves!" she exclaimed, clapping her hands together. Her eyes sparkled with admiration as Caelric flipped backward to avoid another strike, his flaming sword leaving a trail of embers in the air.

    But then, a thought hit her like a bucket of cold water. Her expression soured as she muttered, "Wait a minute¡­ this is exactly like one of those tropes. Girl in danger gets saved by the big strong hero. Ugh, so clich¨¦." She crossed her arms and pouted, her enthusiasm deflating like a balloon.

    Meanwhile, Caelric was starting to struggle. The Goblin King''s sheer strength and resilience were proving to be overwhelming. Each swing of the massive club grew heavier, and even with fire magic giving him an edge, Caelric''s attacks were getting slower.

    The Goblin King roared, slamming his club into the ground. The impact sent a shockwave of frost outward, forcing Caelric to leap back. He stumbled slightly, sweat dripping from his brow.

    "Not good," he muttered under his breath, tightening his grip on his sword.

    Yuki noticed the shift in the fight and started to panic. "Wait, wait, wait! He''s losing? That''s not supposed to happen!" She jumped to her feet, her hands flailing. "Okay, think, Yuki! What can you do?"

    Desperation kicked in, and she started yelling her skill''s name in every way she could think of.

    "Delayed Imitation!" she shouted.

    "Imitation¡­ but, like, now?!"

    "Ability Activate?!"

    Nothing happened.

    "Ugh, stupid power!" she groaned, pulling at her hair. Then, an idea struck her. A ridiculous, anime-inspired idea.

    Yuki grinned and formed her fingers into the shape of a gun, pointing them at the Goblin King. "Alright, let''s try this¡­ Pew pew! Delayed Imitation!"

    This time, something clicked. She could feel it, a strange tingle in her fingertips. Without warning, tiny ice cubes materialized in front of her fingers, shooting forward with surprising speed.

    The makeshift projectiles smacked into the back of the Goblin King''s head with a loud thunk thunk thunk.

    The Goblin King stopped mid-swing, freezing in place. He slowly turned his head toward Yuki, his expression a mask of irritation and disbelief.

    Yuki stood frozen, still in her finger gun pose, her eyes wide with terror. "Uh¡­ heheh¡­" she chuckled nervously. She quickly hid her hand behind her back, trying to look innocent.

    The Goblin King took a menacing step toward her, his icy aura intensifying.

    But Caelric wasn''t about to waste the opportunity. With the Goblin King distracted, he surged forward, his sword blazing brighter than ever. He ducked under the Goblin King''s arm and delivered a powerful upward slash, the flaming blade cutting deep into the creature''s side.

    The Goblin King roared in pain, stumbling forward. Caelric didn''t let up. He spun around, delivering a swift, decisive strike to the back of the Goblin King''s knee, forcing the massive creature to collapse.

    With one final, fiery thrust, Caelric drove his sword into the Goblin King''s chest. The beast let out a guttural cry before falling limp, its icy magic dissipating into the air.

    Caelric stood over the defeated monster, his shoulders heaving as he caught his breath.He sheathed his sword with a satisfied click, taking a moment to catch his breath. He glanced at the crumpled form of the Goblin King, then turned his attention to Yuki, who was sitting on the forest floor.

    "You know," he began, a faint edge of irritation in his voice, "if I''d been even a minute late, you''d be¡ª"

    But as he faced her, he paused.

    Yuki sat cross-legged on the ground, completely oblivious to Caelric''s words. Her gaze was fixated on her hand, which was still in the finger-gun position. Her lips moved as she spoke in a rapid-fire stream of consciousness, her tone equal parts exasperated and defeated.

    "Why do I suck so much? I mean, seriously, who gets a skill this lame? Everyone else in these kinds of stories gets crazy overpowered stuff¡ªlike summoning dragons or having infinite magic reserves¡ªand I get... this. A finger gun that shoots ice cubes? ICE CUBES. What''s next, a slingshot that fires mashed potatoes?!"

    Caelric blinked, staring at her.

    "And the worst part is," Yuki continued, dramatically throwing her free hand in the air while keeping the finger-gun pose intact, "I thought I was gonna have this epic shonen moment, you know? Like, charging in, yelling my skill''s name, and BAM! The Goblin King would be blown away, and you''d look at me all impressed, like, ''Wow, Yuki, you''re amazing!'' But nooo, instead I just get a monster glaring at me like I stepped on its tail! Why am I like this?!"

    Her voice rose in pitch as she leaned closer to her finger gun, squinting at it as if it held all the answers.

    Caelric''s brow furrowed. He opened his mouth to respond but quickly closed it again. He wasn''t sure where to even start. Yuki''s words were spilling out so fast, and in such a bizarre jumble, that he couldn''t keep up.

    "I mean, maybe it''s user error," Yuki muttered, now gesturing at her finger gun like it was a faulty piece of equipment. "Maybe I''m not saying the name right? Do I need a cooler pose? Do I need to yell louder? Is there some sort of hidden tutorial I missed?!"

    Caelric pinched the bridge of his nose. "Are you¡­ okay?" he asked cautiously.

    Yuki didn''t even acknowledge him. She flopped backward onto the grass, still holding her finger-gun hand up to the sky. "This is the worst. I''m supposed to be the protagonist, but I feel like the comic relief side character who gets knocked out five minutes into every fight. What am I even doing here?!"

    Caelric stood silently for a moment, debating whether or not to interrupt her spiral of self-loathing. He eventually sighed, shaking his head.

    "She''s weird," he muttered under his breath, crossing his arms. "Really weird."

    Yuki suddenly sat up, pointing her finger gun at an imaginary target. "Maybe if I focus hard enough, it''ll work! Come on, Delayed Imitation, show me your true potential!" She squinted dramatically, her whole body trembling with effort.

    Nothing happened.

    Caelric rubbed the back of his neck, genuinely questioning his decision to save her. "Maybe letting her figure this out on her own wouldn''t have been such a bad idea after all," he mumbled.

    Yuki groaned loudly, falling back onto the ground in defeat. "Ugh, why am I like this?!"

    Caelric sighed again, turning to check the area for any remaining threats. "This is the hero that gonna defeat the demon king, huh?" he muttered. "At this rate, she''s going to need saving every five minutes."

    Yuki finally stopped her relentless self-monologue As she pushed herself off the ground, brushing dirt and leaves from her jacket, and finally asked, "Wait¡­ why are you even here? Didn''t you have better things to do than babysit me?"

    Caelric, already securing his sword back onto his belt, gave her a sidelong glance. "I couldn''t just let someone like you die alone out here."

    Yuki huffed. "I wasn''t gonna die. I had it handled."

    Caelric''s raised eyebrow said it all. "Handled? You were seconds away from being goblin stew. With no proper preparation, no decent equipment, and that for a skill¡­" He gestured vaguely toward her hand, which had unconsciously returned to the finger-gun pose.

    Yuki clenched her fist and hid it behind her back, muttering, "I mean¡­ it''s not that bad¡­"

    Caelric''s gaze softened, though his words didn''t. "They sent you out here to die, Yuki. Let''s not sugarcoat it. That so-called ''protection spell'' they cast? It probably wore off an hour ago. They didn''t give you proper supplies, and they certainly didn''t equip you to fight a Demon King. They just wanted to get rid of you."

    Yuki froze. She''d suspected it deep down, but hearing it confirmed stung more than she expected. "Yeah¡­ I kinda figured," she admitted, her voice quiet.

    She rubbed the back of her neck, avoiding eye contact. Her earlier excitement over possibly unlocking some hidden potential felt laughable now. "Guess I was pretty dumb to think I even had a chance¡­" she mumbled, trailing off into silence.

    Caelric watched her for a moment, then turned and walked toward his horse. "Come on," he called over his shoulder.

    Yuki blinked, confused. "What?"

    He climbed onto his horse and gestured for her to follow. "There''s a village not far from here. They might have some equipment or supplies that''ll actually keep you alive for more than five minutes."

    Yuki hesitated, still processing everything. "Wait, you''re¡­ helping me?"

    Caelric sighed. "You''ve got a long way to go, and I''m not saying I trust you to suddenly become the world''s greatest hero, but... I don''t see the point in letting you get yourself killed when you don''t even know what you''re up against."

    Yuki stared at him for a moment, then hurried to grab her horse''s reins. As she mounted awkwardly, she muttered, "Well, thanks, I guess¡­"

    Caelric glanced at her, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Just try not to slow me down."

    Yuki frowned, but before she could retort, he urged his horse forward, and she scrambled to follow.

    The warm glow of the tavern enveloped Yuki and Caelric as they settled into their seats. The air buzzed with chatter, clinking mugs, and the faint strumming of a bard''s lute in the corner. Plates of steaming food were set in front of them, and Caelric wasted no time, tearing into his meal with the enthusiasm of a man who hadn''t eaten in days.

    Yuki chuckled softly, resting her chin on her hand as she watched him. "Geez, you eat like you''re in a food commercial."

    Caelric glanced up briefly, his mouth full, and gave a muffled grunt that might''ve been acknowledgment before going back to his meal.

    Yuki''s gaze wandered across the room, her awe barely concealed. "I mean, wow. A real fantasy tavern." She trailed her finger along the edge of her plate, her curiosity piqued as she took a tentative bite of her food. Her chewing slowed, and her brows furrowed slightly. "This¡­ tastes weirdly familiar."

    She tilted her head, trying to place the flavor. It wasn''t the spices or ingredients, but something about the preparation. It nagged at her like a word on the tip of her tongue. Why does this remind me of something from back home?

    Before she could chase the thought further, Caelric finished his food with a satisfied sigh and leaned back in his chair. "Alright, let''s get to the point."

    Yuki snapped out of her musings, blinking at him. "Huh? What point?"

    Caelric''s tone turned serious. "You''re not going to the Demon King."

    Yuki''s jaw dropped. "Wait, what? That''s the whole reason I''m here! I mean, yeah, I''m still figuring out how my skill works, but I''m sure I can find a loophole or something¡ª"

    "Stop." Caelric held up a hand, cutting her off. "Yuki, you can''t even handle goblins. You''d be dead in seconds if you tried to face him."

    "I just need time to¡ª"

    "No." His voice was firm, and his piercing gaze silenced her. "This isn''t one of those stories where you magically become stronger through sheer determination. Your skill is weak. You have no experience. And the people who sent you don''t care if you succeed. They''re counting on you to fail."

    Yuki bristled, crossing her arms. "Okay, first of all, rude. Second of all, I''m not just going to sit around and do nothing. There has to be a way to make this work!"

    "There isn''t," Caelric said bluntly. "You don''t know this world. You don''t know its rules. And if you rush into things without thinking, you''ll just end up dead."

    Yuki clenched her fists, frustration bubbling inside her. She wanted to argue, but deep down, she knew he wasn''t entirely wrong. Still, she couldn''t just give up. "So what? I''m supposed to just wander around aimlessly? Hope that someone else takes care of it?"

    Caelric leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table, his face etched with a grim seriousness. "Listen, Yuki, the Demon King we''re dealing with isn''t just some random tyrant sitting on a throne. This one has been around for decades¡ªmaybe centuries¡ªand their power is beyond anything you can imagine."

    He began ticking off on his fingers. "They''ve got abilities that force people into contracts they can''t escape, magic that can destroy someone''s body from the inside out, and there''s even talk of them manipulating...."

    "Stop!" Yuki cut him off, waving her hands frantically. "I get it! The Demon King''s OP! That''s, like, rule number one in this kind of world. Do you think this helps my confidence at all?"

    Caelric smirked faintly. "I did say it''s just rumors. Probably."

    Yuki groaned, slumping forward with her head nearly touching her plate. "I''m so cooked. Even if I don''t fight the Demon King, then what? What am I supposed to do? Go back to the kingdom and beg them to send me home?"

    Caelric raised an eyebrow, leaning back and crossing his arms. "Yeah, that''s not happening. You can''t just waltz back and ask them to undo the summoning ritual. It doesn''t work like that."

    Her shoulders sagged further, her face full of defeat as she muttered, "Of course not. Why would it be that simple?" She poked at her food with her fork, her appetite seemingly gone.

    For a moment, there was only the sound of clinking dishes and distant chatter. Then, breaking the silence, Caelric said quietly, "I might know a way for you to go home."

    Yuki''s head snapped up, her eyes wide with a mix of disbelief and cautious hope. "Wait... what?"

    He didn''t elaborate immediately, letting the words hang in the air.

    "There are old tales¡ªstories about people like you, summoned from another world, finding a way back home. The key is a specific ritual. But it''s not just any ritual; it requires a spell that''s split across seven pages, each held by one of the seven kingdoms."

    Yuki furrowed her brow. "Why would they split it up like that? Doesn''t that make it ridiculously hard to use?"

    Caelric shrugged. "Your guess is as good as mine. Maybe it''s some kind of safeguard. Or maybe it''s just politics¡ªeach kingdom wanting a piece of the power. What I do know is that the Kingdom of Greed¡ªthe one that summoned you¡ªhas one of those pages."

    Yuki''s eyes lit up momentarily. "Then why didn''t you just grab it before we left? Wouldn''t that save us a lot of trouble?"

    Caelric shot her a sharp look. "I may not have the best reputation, but I''m not about to steal from a kingdom''s archives. That''s a surefire way to end up on every wanted poster in the land."

    Yuki winced and lowered her voice. "Right. Sorry. I didn''t think about that."

    Caelric exhaled, his tone softening. "Look, it''s not going to be easy, but I''ll stick with you and help you figure this out. First things first, you need proper equipment¡ªand some basic training so you don''t get flattened by the next goblin you meet."

    Yuki glanced away, her face flushing with embarrassment. "Yeah, about that... Thanks for saving me back there."

    Caelric smirked but didn''t press the issue. Instead, he stood and tossed a few coins on the table to cover their meal. "Come on. We''ll need to stock up on supplies before we leave."

    "Leave? Where?" Yuki asked, scrambling to her feet.

    "First stop, the Kingdom of Lust," he said casually as he walked toward the door.

    Yuki froze mid-step, her eyes widening. "The what now?!"

    Caelric didn''t look back, his smirk widening. "You heard me."

    She hurried after him, nearly stumbling over herself as she followed Caelric through the bustling village streets, her mind began to wander. The Kingdom of Lust... The name alone set her imagination into overdrive. She pictured gleaming palaces filled with lavish decorations, an air of romance and intrigue swirling about like a perfume. Then her thoughts derailed entirely.

    Her cheeks flushed as vivid images of gorgeous men and stunning women danced in her head¡ªelegantly dressed nobles, seductive smiles, and¡ª

    "Yuki!" Caelric''s sharp voice jolted her back to reality.

    She jumped, flailing a bit. "What?! I wasn''t¡ªuh¡ªthinking about anything weird!"

    He raised an eyebrow. "Right... Anyway, I was saying it''s probably a good idea you understand the world you''re in, especially if we''re going to be traveling through it. So, listen up."

    Yuki blinked, suddenly feeling like a student about to sit through a lecture.

    Caelric began his explanation. "This world is divided into seven kingdoms, each aligned with one of the Seven Sins. These sins aren''t just concepts¡ªthey''re tied to the goddesses worshiped here. The people believe that each goddess represents a sin, and every few generations, they summon heroes from other worlds in their name to fight the Demon King."

    "Wait, so you''re telling me this whole world runs on sins?" Yuki asked, tilting her head.

    "Not exactly. The sins are more like guiding principles¡ªstrengths and flaws that shape each kingdom''s culture. For example, the Kingdom of Greed values ambition and wealth above all else, while the Kingdom of Lust... well, you can guess that one."

    Yuki''s mind briefly threatened to derail again, but she forced herself to focus.

    "These summoned heroes are supposed to embody the ideals of their respective kingdoms, using their unique abilities to defeat the Demon King. Once the job''s done, they either stick around or find some way back home. You''re one of those heroes, though it seems like they weren''t expecting much from you."

    "Gee, thanks for the confidence boost," Yuki muttered.

    Caelric ignored her and continued. "The current Demon King is Velasine, the Shattered Mirror. She represents Envy and is said to exploit people''s insecurities, turning allies against each other and sowing chaos. No one knows exactly how strong she is, but the rumors..." He trailed off. "Well, let''s just say you''re not ready for that fight."

    Yuki sighed heavily, resting her hand on her jacket pockets. "Great. So I''m in a world run by sins, summoned as a ''hero,'' and expected to fight some overpowered Demon King..."

    Yuki paused for a moment as she took out one hand out of jacket and glanced at at it, flexing them as if willing her ability to feel more significant than it seemed. "Seven kingdoms, seven sins, and I''m one of these ''heroes,'' huh?" she muttered to herself, her voice tinged with doubt.

    "Something on your mind?" Caelric asked, glancing over his shoulder.

    Yuki hesitated, her steps slowing slightly. "I guess... I just don''t get it. A god chooses someone to help defeat a demon king right, then why would they even summon someone like me? My skill doesn''t exactly scream ''hero material,'' and let''s be real¡ªI almost got killed back there because I thought I could just bullshit my way out of trouble."

    Caelric slowed his pace slightly, giving her space to think and speak.

    "But," Yuki continued, her voice steadier now, "I guess it''s what I''ve got. It''s not flashy or overpowered, but it''s mine. If I can copy other people''s skills, even if it''s delayed, then maybe... maybe I can make it work somehow."

    Caelric smirked faintly, a rare softness in his expression. "That''s the spirit. Doubt is natural, but if you''re willing to put in the effort, you might surprise yourself. Just don''t get cocky."

    Yuki gave a small smile, a flicker of determination lighting up her eyes. "Yeah. I''m probably not going to win any hero-of-the-year awards, but if I don''t at least try, what''s the point?"

    "Exactly," Caelric said, turning his attention back to the road ahead.

    With her resolve firming up, Yuki fell in step behind him. I''m not some chosen savior, she thought, but maybe I can still do something.

    Even as doubts lingered in the back of her mind, she felt a small ember of determination spark to life. It wasn''t much, but it was enough to keep her moving forward for now.

 Onwards! Into the first Kingdom!

    A loud, persistent snoring shattered the peaceful quiet of the small tavern room the following morning. Yuki was lying on the bed, arms and legs spread out, her jacket draped over her, partly concealing her face. Through the curtains, sunlight revealed her messy hair and drool-covered face.

    Without warning, the door swung open with a sharp bang.

    "Yuki! Get up. We''re leaving."

    Yuki woke with a jolt, so violently that she flew off the bed. Instead, with an awkward twist, she rolled off the edge, hitting the wooden floor with a loud thud.

    "Ow! Geez, what''s your deal?!" she grumbled, sitting up and rubbing the back of her head, her hair sticking out at odd angles.

    "My deal," Caelric said, leaning against the doorway, "is that we''re wasting daylight while you''re drooling on a pillow. Get moving."

    Yuki groaned and waved a dismissive hand at him. "Alright, alright! I''ll get ready. Can''t a girl have five more minutes to¡ª"

    "No," Caelric interrupted, his expression deadpan. "Five more minutes for you means five hours for me."

    Grumbling under her breath, Yuki scrambled to her feet, yanking her jacket off the bed and attempting to smooth her hair. By the time she joined Caelric downstairs, her irritation had worn off¡ªuntil she spotted him at the base of the stairs.

    Gone was the bulky armor she''d seen him in before. Instead, Caelric wore a fitted dark gray robe with intricate, subtle embroidery, a short cape draped over one shoulder. His high boots and gloves matched the sleek aesthetic, and the hilt of his sword peeked from the sheath strapped at his side.

    Yuki froze mid-step, blinking as her gaze swept over him. "Whoa."

    Caelric glanced up, raising an eyebrow. "What?"

    "You... look different," she said, hopping down the last few steps. "What happened to the armor? Not that I''m complaining¡ªit''s a pleasant look."

    "It''s impractical for traveling," Caelric explained, adjusting the strap of his sheath as he spoke. "My usual armor draws too much attention. We need to blend in, especially where we''re headed."

    Yuki nodded, her lips curving into a small smirk. "Still, you look kind of... cool like that. All mysterious and stuff. Like the edgy knight from some fantasy novel."

    Caelric stiffened, his eyes narrowing as he turned away. "It''s just practical. Nothing more."

    But the faint pink tint creeping up his neck didn''t escape Yuki''s notice, and she fought back a chuckle.

    "Got it, Mr. Practical," she teased, shrugging into her jacket.

    Caelric ignored her and walked toward the door. "We''ll stop by the market for supplies before we leave. If there''s anything you need, get it now."

    Yuki followed, grinning to herself. Who knew the he could get flustered?

    ...

    The morning sun climbed higher into the sky as Yuki and Caelric approached the stables. The scent of hay and leather mingled in the air, and the faint whinnies of horses greeted them as they stepped inside. Their mounts were already saddled and waiting, their coats sleek and their saddlebags packed with essentials for the journey.

    Yuki adjusted the strap of the sword slung over her shoulder¡ªa standard-issue blade given to her by the kingdom when she was summoned. She wasn''t particularly skilled with it yet, but it was better than nothing. She also carried a small satchel filled with basic supplies: dried meat, bread, water flasks, and a few healing salves. Caelric had made sure everything was well-organized, though she suspected he didn''t entirely trust her with provisions.

    "All set?" Caelric asked, giving his horse a final check.

    Yuki nodded, tightening her grip on her reins. "Yeah. I''ve got the sword, food, and whatever else we need to survive. Not that I''d know what half this stuff is for if you weren''t here."

    Caelric smirked faintly, swinging himself onto his horse with practiced ease. "Good thing I am, then. Let''s just hope you don''t need to swing that sword too often."

    Yuki made a face, fumbling slightly as she climbed onto her own horse. "Hey, I''m learning, okay? Give me some credit."

    The horse shifted beneath her, and she adjusted her position awkwardly. While Caelric looked like he was born in the saddle, she still felt like she might slide off at any moment.

    "You''re doing fine," Caelric said, his tone softer. "It''ll come with time."

    Yuki glanced at him, surprised by the rare encouragement. "Thanks, I guess. But don''t think that means you''re off the hook for being a hardass earlier."

    He rolled his eyes but didn''t reply, instead guiding his horse out of the stable. Yuki followed, the rhythmic clop of hooves echoing against the cobblestones as they made their way out of the village.

    The road ahead was long and winding, stretching through fields and forests toward the Kingdom of Lust. The distant horizon shimmered faintly under the mid-morning sun, promising adventure, danger, and who-knew-what-else.

    As they rode, Yuki couldn''t help but glance at her traveling companion. Caelric looked every bit the seasoned warrior, his dark gray cloak fluttering slightly in the breeze, his posture relaxed but alert. She wondered what kind of life he''d lived before meeting her¡ªhow many battles he''d fought, how many dangerous roads he''d traveled.

    "You know," she said, breaking the silence, "this is probably a stupid question, but... do you think I''ll get better at this whole ''hero'' thing? Like, actually survive long enough to figure it out?"

    Caelric glanced at her, his expression thoughtful. "That depends. Are you willing to put in the effort?"

    Yuki hesitated, then nodded firmly. "Yeah. I mean, I didn''t ask to be here, but since I am... I might as well try, right? Even if I''m terrible at it now, I''ll figure it out eventually. Or at least fake it until I do."Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

    A faint smile tugged at Caelric''s lips. "That''s a start."

    The conversation settled into a companionable silence as they rode onward.

    ...

    After three days of steady travel, Yuki and Caelric finally reached the outskirts of the Kingdom of Lust. The journey had been grueling at times, with rocky paths and the occasional bout of rain, but the sight before them made it all worth it.

    Massive gates loomed ahead, carved with intricate designs of vines and blooming flowers that seemed almost alive. The gates shimmered faintly, as though enchanted, and two guards stood at attention in front of them. Both wore polished armor that glinted in the sunlight, adorned with ornate symbols that matched the opulence of the gate itself.

    As they approached, the guards stepped forward, crossing their spears to block the path. One of them spoke, his voice formal and steady. "Welcome to Erosanct, travelers. State your purpose."

    Yuki blinked, glancing at Caelric. "Erosanct? That''s the name of this place?" she whispered, barely able to contain her surprise.

    Caelric gave a faint nod. "Yes. The Kingdom of Lust has an official name. Did you think they''d just call it ''Lust''?"

    "Honestly... yeah," Yuki muttered, scratching her head. "I mean, who names a kingdom after a sin? It''s kind of a weird flex."

    Caelric sighed. "It''s symbolic. The seven kingdoms are named after the seven sins, as I explained. Each sin represents a different aspect of life and power. Erosanct embodies desire¡ªits beauty, passion, and, yes, its excess."

    Before Yuki could respond, the guard cleared his throat impatiently. "Your purpose, travelers?"

    Caelric straightened in his saddle, his tone calm and even. "We''re simple travelers, seeking shelter and trade within your kingdom. We mean no harm."

    The guards exchanged glances before lowering their spears. "Very well. You may enter, but remember: the laws of Erosanct are strict. Disruptions will not be tolerated."

    Yuki leaned toward Caelric, whispering, "Strict laws? In the Kingdom of Lust? That doesn''t add up."

    "Just follow my lead," Caelric murmured back, guiding his horse forward as the gates slowly began to open.

    As they passed through, Yuki caught her first glimpse of Erosanct¡ªand her jaw nearly dropped. The streets were paved with smooth, iridescent stones that sparkled like gems. Elegant buildings with arched windows and intricate carvings lined the roads, and the air was filled with the scent of exotic flowers. People of all species and appearances walked the streets, their attire ranging from extravagant silks to simple yet finely made clothing.

    Yuki stared in awe. "This place is... wow."

    Yuki and Caelric dismounted their horses in front of an ornately decorated stable near the kingdom''s entrance. The stable master, a tall human with sharp features and a friendly demeanor, greeted them and guided their horses inside. Yuki gave her horse a gentle pat on the neck before stepping back.

    "Be good, okay?" she murmured, feeling oddly sentimental about the animal she''d barely known for three days.

    As they left the stable and entered the bustling streets of Erosanct, Yuki''s eyes widened, and her mouth dropped open. Everywhere she turned, people looked as if they''d stepped straight out of an anime¡ªor maybe a fantasy photo shoot.

    Elves moved with unmatched grace, their silken clothes flowing as if animated by the wind itself. Their long ears twitched slightly as they spoke in melodic tones, and their features were so perfect they could''ve been sculpted from marble.

    Sirens stood in groups, their laughter like a gentle melody that seemed to make the air shimmer. Their vibrant hair and sparkling eyes made them impossible to ignore, and Yuki spotted one performing on a street corner, drawing a crowd with their hypnotic voice.

    Humans blended seamlessly into the mix, playing flutes, selling intricately crafted jewelry, and performing street plays that drew cheers from passersby.

    And then there were the Sylphs¡ªethereal beings with translucent wings that glimmered like a kaleidoscope in sunlight. Their light, airy movements gave the impression they could drift away on a breeze at any moment.

    Yuki clasped her hands together, her cheeks reddening as she let out a delighted squeal. "Oh. My. Gosh. Everyone here is so fricking hot! I mean, are we even in reality anymore? It''s like I fell into some kind of reverse harem anime, but everyone is equally gorgeous!"

    Caelric blinked at her, utterly baffled. "What are you talking about?"

    "Look around, Caelric!" Yuki gestured wildly at the people passing by. "Do you see these elves? Their faces are like... divine masterpieces! And those Sylphs? They''re literally glowing! How can you not be freaking out right now?"

    Caelric gave the crowd a cursory glance, his expression unchanging. "They look... normal to me."

    "Normal? Are you blind?! This is peak fantasy aesthetic, okay? Just admit it¡ªyou''re impressed."

    Caelric sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Focus, Yuki. We''re not here to admire anyone. We need to figure out how to get the page."

    "Oh, right," Yuki said, shaking herself out of her fangirling. "So what''s the plan? Are we sneaking in? Do I have to pretend to be royalty or something?"

    "No," Caelric replied. "We''re going to explain your situation and... hope for the best."

    Yuki stopped in her tracks, staring at him. "Wait. What?"

    "You heard me," he said, glancing over his shoulder.

    "Hope for the best? That''s your plan?" Yuki''s voice rose a pitch, drawing a few curious looks from nearby elves. She lowered her voice but didn''t stop glaring at him. "Are you serious? What if they say no? What if they arrest us? What if they¡ª"

    Caelric cut her off with a calm but firm tone. "It''s the best option we have. The kingdoms don''t exactly have the friendliest relationships, politically speaking. And technically, neither of us is supposed to be here."

    "Wait, what?" Yuki repeated, more alarmed this time.

    "You were summoned in the Kingdom of Greed," Caelric explained. "That makes you, in their eyes, part of Greed''s affairs. As for me, I''m a knight from Greed. The other kingdoms might not take kindly to either of us showing up unannounced."

    "So, let me get this straight." Yuki''s voice was dripping with sarcasm now. "We''re walking into the Kingdom of Lust, hoping they''ll give us something super important, while also being very aware that we''re technically not welcome here?"

    "Correct."

    Yuki groaned, slapping her palm against her forehead. "Why does this feel like the start of a really bad sitcom?"

    Caelric smirked faintly. "Relax. We''ll figure it out. Just... try not to draw too much attention to yourself."

    Yuki shot him a skeptical look but reluctantly nodded. "Fine. But if this goes south, I''m blaming you."

    "Noted," Caelric replied, continuing forward as Yuki followed, muttering under her breath about how ridiculous this whole situation was.

    As they wandered deeper into Erosanct, the streets grew even more vibrant, with musicians playing lively tunes, vendors calling out their wares, and performers dazzling crowds with acrobatics. Yuki was still marveling at the scene when Caelric stopped abruptly, turning to face her with a thoughtful expression.

    "Alright," he began, "here''s the plan. We need to approach the right people to even get a chance at securing the page. I know someone in this kingdom who might be able to help us."

    Yuki blinked. "Wait, you know someone here? How does a knight from Greed even have connections in the Kingdom of Lust?"

    Caelric crossed his arms, his tone calm but firm. "That''s not important right now. What matters is that they''re nearby, and I need to meet with them alone to avoid drawing unnecessary attention."

    "Okay, but what am I supposed to do while you''re off being all mysterious?"

    Caelric reached into his pouch and pulled out a handful of coins, pressing them into Yuki''s hand. "Explore the area. Get a feel for the place. Just... try not to get into trouble."

    Yuki stared at the coins in her hand, then back at him, her brow furrowed. There was something unspoken in his words, something that made her stomach twist slightly. It wasn''t just the responsibility of being left alone¡ªit was the weight of his implicit trust.

    Her lips twitched into an awkward smile as she asked, "Why are you trusting me with this? I''m not exactly the most... dependable person, you know."

    "You have the copy skill," Caelric replied matter-of-factly. "If something happens, you can defend yourself."

    Yuki let out a dry laugh, her voice dropping into a low, sarcastic tone as she muttered to herself, "Yeah, because it''s sogreat."

    Caelric didn''t seem to hear her¡ªor he chose to ignore it. He turned slightly, pointing toward a nearby bar with a wooden sign hanging above its entrance. "If we lose track of each other, we''ll meet back there. Understood?"

    "Wait," Yuki protested as she tried to process everything. "I''m still new to all of this! What if something goes wrong?"

    "You''ll figure it out," Caelric said simply, his tone unyielding but not unkind. "Just be careful."

    With that, he turned and disappeared into the crowd, leaving Yuki standing alone in the middle of the lively street.

    She watched him go, the coins still clutched in her hand and sighed. "Right. Figure it out. Easy for him to say," she mumbled, glancing around at the bustling marketplace.

    For the first time since arriving in this world, Yuki was truly alone.

 New friend found!

    With amazement in her eyes, Yuki wandered the city. The mesmerizing architecture featured gilded spires shimmering in sunlight, glowing stone streets, and storefronts showcasing intricate crafts, magical jewelry, and exotic foods. It was like something out of one of the anime she used to binge-watch.

    "Wow¡­" she whispered to herself, spinning slowly to take it all in.

    But as she continued, she couldn''t ignore the surrounding murmurs. The people were staring¡ªno, gawking¡ªat her. Her clothing differed from everyone else''s. While they wore elegant tunics, flowing robes, or outfits that seemed tailored for beauty and function, she was trudging along in her dark tracksuit jacket, black baggy sweatpants, and sneakers.

    "What''s she wearing?"

    "Is that... a human?"

    "Strange, even for a traveler¡­"

    Yuki clenched her fists, her ears burning as she caught snippets of their whispers. She did her best to ignore them, pretending to be deeply interested in a vendor''s stall selling crystal trinkets.

    She moved on, trying to shake off the judgmental looks when a faint sound from a nearby alleyway caught her attention. She stopped abruptly, and then took a couple of steps backward. Turning her head, she squinted into the dimly lit passage.

    At first, she couldn''t make out much, but as her eyes adjusted, she saw a group of figures surrounding someone pressed against the wall. The person looked cornered, their shoulders hunched and their hands raised defensively.

    Yuki''s heart sank. ¡­<i>Not my problem. </i>

    She started to walk away, but a voice inside her head nagged at her. <i>You''ve already had one terrible start. Maybe this is your chance to do something good for once in your life. You can''t just leave them like that. Can you?</i>

    Yuki turned back and marched toward the alley. "Hey! Leave them alone!" she yelled, her voice louder than she expected.

    The group turned to face her, and as they did, Yuki got a better look at them. Her heart skipped a beat. These weren''t ordinary thugs.

    Each of them had horns curling from their heads, and their skin was shades of red and purple. Their eyes glowed a piercing yellow, almost like they were lit from within.

    "Oh, crap¡­" Yuki muttered under her breath, her earlier bravado faltering.

    The group consisted of four figures. The first was tall and lanky, his limbs almost unnaturally long. The second was round, his massive frame intimidating as he crossed his thick arms. The third was muscular, his chiseled form radiating raw strength as he cracked his knuckles.

    In fourth place was a female demon whose presence was striking even among the other demons. Her exposed arms were covered in intricate tattoos that pulsed faintly with some kind of energy, and her long hair fell over her left eye, adding a menacing edge to her already fierce expression.

    Yuki''s legs turned to jelly, and she swallowed hard. "Uh¡­ I mean¡­"

    The female demon stepped forward, her lips curling into a smirk. "Well, well. Looks like we''ve got a little human playing hero. Cute."

    The three other demons shifted their attention fully to Yuki, their glowing eyes scanning her from head to toe. She could feel their gazes lingering on her mismatched outfit, her trembling stance, and, most notably, the sword strapped to her side.

    "Look at this one," the lanky demon sneered, his voice oozing mockery. "She thinks she''s some kind of big shot, carrying a sword like that."

    The round demon chuckled deeply, his laughter echoing in the narrow alley. "Or maybe she''s one of those wannabes, trying to act tough."

    "More like she wandered in by mistake," the muscular one added, his smirk widening.

    The female demon leaned casually against the wall, her tattooed arms crossed. "Whatever she is, she''s in the wrong place."

    Before Yuki could muster a response, the lanky demon reached out with a long, bony arm and grabbed her by the front of her jacket. "Let''s see what''s so special about you, huh?" With surprising strength, he chucked her against the wall, and Yuki yelped as her back slammed into the rough stone. The impact left her dazed, her sword clattering to the ground.

    The three male demons loomed over her now, their towering forms casting shadows that swallowed her whole. Yuki''s heart pounded so loudly she could barely hear their mocking words.

    "You''re done for," one of them sneered.

    He''s not wrong, Yuki thought bitterly. Why did I think this was a good idea? Her mind raced, searching for an escape, but all she could think of was the one thing she had: her skill.

    Delayed Imitation¡­

    It wasn''t much, but it was all she had. She raised her trembling hand, shaping it into a finger gun.Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.

    The lanky demon tilted his head, amused. "What''s this supposed to be? A joke?"

    Yuki didn''t answer. She focused, desperately willing her skill to activate. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, a faint glow emanated from her fingertip.

    <i>Come on, come on, work already!</i>

    Suddenly, a small beam of light shot from her finger, striking all four demons square in the chest. They staggered back, their laughter replaced with grunts of surprise. The light faded quickly, leaving Yuki frozen in place, still pointing her finger gun.

    "What the¡ª" the muscular demon started, rubbing his chest.

    "The hell was that?" the round demon growled, his yellow eyes narrowing.

    Yuki felt a flicker of hope but quickly realized the truth: her skill wasn''t instantaneous. Delayed Imitation, she reminded herself. Delayed. Whatever she''d just activated wouldn''t take effect immediately.

    The lanky demon recovered first, his expression darkening. "You''re gonna regret that, little girl."

    All three of them took a step closer, visibly angrier now, and Yuki''s stomach sank. She was out of time, and all she''d managed to do was make them mad.

    <i>I''m so screwed¡­</i> she thought, bracing herself for whatever was about to come next.

    She stretched her hand out instinctively as thin sheet of ice materialized on the ground behind the demons, its glistening surface spreading faster than she expected.

    The lanky demon took another step toward her, raising his clawed hand. But as his foot hit the ice, his balance wavered. He flailed, his arms windmilling as his legs slid out from under him. With a loud thud, he hit the ground, groaning in frustration.

    The muscular demon snarled. "You think some cheap trick gonna stop us?" He swung his massive fist toward Yuki, the air around his strike whistling from the sheer force.

    Yuki yelped and ducked just in time, the blow narrowly missing her head. Instead, the swing collided with the round demon, sending him stumbling backward onto the ice. His feet shot out from under him, and he landed hard on his back with a loud crash.

    "Watch it, you idiot!" the round demon growled, trying to scramble to his feet, only to slip again on the slick surface.

    Yuki barely had time to breathe as the muscular demon turned his attention back to her. He charged, his movements slowed by the unsteady footing. Yuki ducked and weaved frantically, every step of hers a desperate attempt to stay ahead of his relentless attacks. Each time he lunged, he slipped slightly, throwing his aim off.

    The lanky demon was back on his feet, only to lose his balance again as he stepped onto the ice. He fell forward, crashing into the muscular demon, and the two went down in a heap.

    Yuki couldn''t believe it. All three demons were sprawled on the ground, slipping and sliding as they tried to get up. She stood there for a moment, wide-eyed, before a nervous laugh bubbled out of her.

    "I-I can''t believe that worked!" she said, throwing her hands up in victory. "I actually¡ª"

    Her celebration was cut short as she noticed something: the female demon was gone.

    Her heart sank. "Wait... where''s the¡ª"

    Before she could finish her thought, a voice spoke up behind her.

    "Thank you."

    Yuki spun around to see the person she''d saved stepping forward and took a proper look at the person she had saved, her gaze lingering on their ethereal appearance.

    The siren before her was breathtakingly beautiful, with smooth, slightly blue-toned skin that shimmered faintly in the sunlight. Her large, aquamarine eyes seemed to sparkle with endless curiosity, and her silvery-white hair, streaked with soft lavender, was tied into a loose braid that cascaded over one shoulder. Small, delicate fins peeked out from beneath her hair, a subtle reminder of her otherworldly heritage.

    Her simple attire¡ªa tunic in earthy greens and browns paired with a flowing linen skirt¡ªseemed humble yet elegant. She wore sturdy leather sandals and carried a small satchel at her side, the faint glint of a silver seashell pendant catching Yuki''s eye. Despite her modest clothing, the siren''s graceful movements gave her an almost regal presence.

    "Thank you again," the siren said, her voice melodic and soothing, the kind of sound that could calm a stormy sea. She reached into her satchel and pulled out a small handful of coins. "Please, take this. It''s the least I can do to repay you."

    Yuki quickly held up her hands in protest. "No, no, it''s fine! Really! I''ve got enough to get by." She glanced at the coins and then at the siren, shaking her head. "You don''t need to pay me for doing the right thing."

    The siren hesitated for a moment before tucking the coins back into her satchel. Her expression softened, and she smiled warmly. "You''re kind. Not many people would step in to help a stranger like that."

    Yuki rubbed the back of her neck, unsure how to respond. "Uh, yeah, well¡­ someone had to do it, right?" She cleared her throat, suddenly feeling awkward under the siren''s admiring gaze.

    Before the silence could stretch too long, Yuki decided to introduce herself. She struck a dramatic pose, pointing a finger into the air with exaggerated flair. "The name''s Yuki Tanaka! Loser¡ªuh, I mean, nice to meet ya!"

    As the words left her mouth, Yuki immediately felt the weight of her own awkwardness crashing down on her. Her confident pose faltered, and her cheeks flushed a deep red. "I-I mean, just Yuki! Forget the loser part!" she stammered, waving her hands in a flustered attempt to backtrack.

    The siren giggled, her laughter light and musical. "Yuki Tanaka, huh? That''s quite the introduction. I''m Lyssara," she said, extending a delicate hand in a gesture of goodwill.

    Yuki hesitated for a moment before reaching out and shaking Lyssara''s hand. Her grip was firm but awkward, and she let out a nervous laugh. "Nice to meet you, Lyssara," she said, her embarrassment still evident but tempered by Lyssara''s kind demeanor.

    As their hands parted, Lyssara tilted her head slightly, her aquamarine eyes studying Yuki with a lot of interest. "So, Yuki, what brings someone like you to in this part of Erosanct?"

    Yuki froze for a second, unsure of how to explain herself without revealing too much. "Oh, you know¡­ just passing through!" she said with a nervous chuckle, hoping Lyssara wouldn''t press further.

    Lyssara''s sharp eyes flicked over Yuki''s mismatched outfit, lingering on her baggy sweatpants, track jacket, and sneakers. Her expression shifted from polite curiosity to something more calculating when she noticed Yuki''s glasses.

    "Your¡­ attire is rather unusual," Lyssara remarked, her voice laced with suspicion. "And those lenses¡ªare they for enhancing vision? I''ve never seen anything like them. Where exactly are you from?"

    Yuki stiffened, a bead of sweat forming on her temple. "Oh, uh, my family and I use to in live on a super remote island. Far away. Really far," she blurted, awkwardly gesturing. "We, uh, didn''t get out much."

    Lyssara arched an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "An island? That explains why you seem¡­ unfamiliar with some things. But even remote islands have their own culture. Surely you''ve heard of Alurea?"

    Yuki forced a smile. "Alurea¡­ yeah, totally. Big fan."

    Lyssara''s lips pressed into a thin line as she studied Yuki further. "I see. Well, if you truly don''t know, I can explain."

 Exploring Karm Market of Whispers

    "Here in Erosanct, we follow the teachings of Alurea, the goddess of Lust," Lyssara said, her tone soft but pointed, as if testing Yuki''s reaction. "She embodies passion, beauty, and creativity. Art, music, and love are sacred to us. Every painting, every melody, and every heartfelt connection is a form of worship."

    Yuki tilted her head, taking in the ornate murals and statues that lined the streets. "So, like¡­ everything here is about celebrating life?"

    Lyssara nodded but narrowed her eyes slightly. "Exactly. It''s the foundation of our society. Surely your island had some way of honoring the divine?"

    Yuki rubbed the back of her neck. "Uh, yeah. We kinda kept it simple. Not as fancy as this."

    Lyssara''s suspicion deepened, but she didn''t press further, instead shifting the topic.

    ...

    When they arrived at the bustling Market of Whispers, Yuki''s mouth dropped open. Stalls overflowed with glittering jewelry, rich fabrics, and perfumes that filled the air with a dizzying array of scents. Merchants called out to passersby, their voices blending into a musical hum.

    "This market," Lyssara said, her tone still scrutinizing, "is the heart of Erosanct''s economy. Perfumes, textiles, and potions are our pride, drawing traders from across the world. Even the most remote places must have heard of the Market of Whispers."

    Yuki blinked at a stall where a sylph was crafting a shimmering scarf that seemed to shift colors in the sunlight. "Wow. This is insane. You guys really go all out."

    Lyssara''s eyes lingered on Yuki''s genuine awe. "Yes. It''s part of who we are. Here, appearances matter as much as substance. Though I imagine that might be¡­ different from what you''re used to."

    Yuki nodded slowly, feeling Lyssara''s skepticism like a weight on her shoulders. "Yeah. Totally different."

    ...

    As they walked further, Lyssara continued, though her tone remained cautious. "Our kingdom is ruled by Queen Seraphina Valeria, the Sapphire Rose. She''s as brilliant as she is beautiful¡ªan elf with a mind sharp enough to navigate the world''s harshest politics."

    Yuki furrowed her brows. "Politics? Like¡­ wars and stuff?"

    Lyssara''s lips twitched at the crude question. "Not wars, no. But other kingdoms often misunderstand us. They see indulgence and freedom and mistake it for weakness or decadence."

    "Sounds like their problem," Yuki said with a shrug.

    Lyssara raised an eyebrow, though a faint smile touched her lips. "Perhaps. But we maintain harmony here through the Queen''s wisdom and the guidance of the Court of Silk¡ªa council of artists and philosophers who advise her. The Silver Sentinels uphold order, ensuring that freedom is not abused."

    Yuki hummed thoughtfully, her mind swimming with questions she didn''t dare ask aloud.

    The suddenly, lively atmosphere of Erosanct''s streets suddenly shifted as the sound of clanking armor echoed down the path. Yuki turned to see a group of knights approaching, their polished armor glinting in the sunlight. Their leader pointed directly at her.

    "There she is! Arrest her immediately!" the knight barked.

    Yuki''s hands shot up instinctively. "Wait, what? Arrest me? What for?!"

    "You''re suspected of harming a knight of Erosanct," the leader declared, stepping closer.

    "What? I didn''t harm anyone!" Yuki protested, her voice rising.

    The knights ignored her, their focus unyielding as they advanced. Lyssara glanced at Yuki with a mixture of concern and confusion.

    "Is this true?" Lyssara whispered, her suspicion from earlier creeping back into her tone.

    "No! I don''t even know what they''re talking about!" Yuki hissed back, her mind racing.

    The knights didn''t seem interested in explanations, their weapons drawn and ready. Yuki glanced around, weighing her options. Run? Fight? Maybe try to talk it out? Her heart pounded in her chest as panic threatened to take over.

    One of them reached for her, Yuki instinctively stepped back and gritted her teeth. Her hand moved to the hilt of her sword, gripping it tightly as she prepared to draw it.

    "I didn''t do anything wrong," Yuki muttered under her breath, her voice trembling with frustration. "But if they''re not gonna listen to me¡­"

    Then, she had a thought.

    She pulled the blade an inch from its sheath, the faint sound of metal scraping catching Lyssara''s attention.

    "Wait¡ªwhat are you doing?" Lyssara whispered sharply.

    Yuki didn''t respond, her eyes locked on the knights closing in.

    Before she could unsheathe her weapon fully, a roaring wave of fire erupted between her and the knights, forcing everyone back. The heat was intense, and Yuki instinctively raised her arm to shield her face, her sword falling back into place.

    "What the¡ª?!" Yuki shouted over the roar, her eyes darting to the source of the flames.

    Through the wall of fire, a figure leapt down from a nearby rooftop, landing with a heavy thud in front of them.

    "Caelric?!" Yuki exclaimed, relief flooding her as she recognized the familiar knight.

    He didn''t reply. Without wasting a moment, he grabbed Yuki by the wrist, his other hand gripping Lyssara''s arm.

    "Come on!" he barked, dragging them away from the scene.

    "Wait, what about¡ª" Yuki began, but Caelric cut her off.

    "No time! Move!"

    With surprising strength, he pulled them both into a narrow alleyway, sprinting through the winding streets with practiced ease. The sound of shouts and clanking armor faded into the distance as they zigzagged through Erosanct''s labyrinthine back alleys.

    Finally, Caelric came to a stop in a shaded courtyard, releasing both of them roughly. Yuki stumbled forward, catching herself on a stone bench.

    "Caelric! I¡ª" she began, but froze when she saw his face.

    His normally calm expression was gone, replaced by a scowl that could have cut through steel. His piercing gaze locked onto Yuki, and she could feel the sheer anger radiating off him.You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

    "What the hell did you do?" he snapped, his voice low but seething.

    Yuki recoiled slightly. "What do you mean, what did I do? I didn''t do anything!"

    Caelric''s glare didn''t waver. "The knights were ready to arrest you on sight. That doesn''t just happen for no reason."

    "I don''t know why they''re after me!" Yuki shot back, her voice rising defensively. "I haven''t done anything wrong! I was just walking around, minding my own business!"

    Caelric took a deep breath, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You''ve been here, what? A day? And somehow you''re already on their wanted list."

    Lyssara, still catching her breath, looked between the two of them, her earlier skepticism now mixed with frustration. "If you''re innocent, then why are the knights so certain it''s you?"

    "I don''t know!" Yuki cried, throwing her hands up. "Maybe it''s a mix-up? A case of mistaken identity? Or someone''s framing me!"

    Caelric''s gaze narrowed. "We''ll find out soon enough. But until then, keep your head down and stay out of trouble. You''re lucky I was nearby, or you''d be in a dungeon right now."

    Yuki crossed her arms, scowling. "Yeah, well, thanks for the rescue, but maybe don''t act like this is all my fault."

    Caelric let out a frustrated sigh, shaking his head. "We don''t have time for this. We need to figure out why they''re after you, fast. And until then, you don''t go anywhere without me."

    Yuki frowned, muttering under her breath, "Not like I planned on running around solo anyway¡­"

    Lyssara, now calmer, folded her arms and addressed Caelric. "You seem to know her well enough to leap into fire for her. Care to explain who exactly she is? And why she''s such trouble?"

    Caelric shot Yuki a look before turning back to Lyssara. "Long story. One I''m not in the mood to share right now."

    Yuki groaned, rubbing her temples. "Great. Just great. First I get summoned, now I''m wanted. What''s next?"

    "summoned?" Lyssara noticed of what Yuki said.

    The tense silence lingered as Yuki rubbed her temples, muttering, "Great. Just great. First, I get summoned, now I''m wanted. What''s next?"

    Caelric let out a deep sigh, his scowl easing slightly as he turned to Lyssara. "Apologies for dragging you into this¡­ mess," he said, his tone softer but still tinged with irritation.

    Lyssara straightened, brushing her hair back with an air of calm. "It''s fine," she replied, her voice measured. "Though I''d appreciate an explanation."

    Caelric hesitated for a moment before nodding. "I''m Caelric Vaelwyn. I''ve been tasked with¡­ guiding Yuki here."

    Lyssara''s skeptical gaze shifted to Yuki, who grinned awkwardly, flashing a big thumbs up. "Yep! He''s my guide. Totally legit," she said with exaggerated enthusiasm.

    For a moment, Lyssara looked between the two of them, her expression unreadable. Then, she gave a small nod, her demeanor relaxing. "Well, if that''s the case, I suppose you have your hands full, Mr. Caelric. Best of luck to you both."

    "Thanks¡­ I think," Caelric muttered under his breath.

    Lyssara inclined her head politely. "I''ll leave you to sort out whatever trouble you''ve found yourselves in. Do try to stay out of any more."

    Yuki waved cheerfully. "No promises!"

    As Lyssara turned and walked away, her graceful steps soon disappearing around the corner, Caelric shot Yuki a withering look. "A thumbs up? Really?"

    "What? It worked, didn''t it?" Yuki replied with a cheeky grin.

    Yuki and Caelric crouched behind a stack of crates in the dimly lit alley, the hum of Erosanct''s bustling streets faintly echoing around them. Caelric paced back and forth, his irritation simmering just below the surface.

    "You can''t just go around causing problems everywhere you go," Caelric growled, jabbing a finger at her. "Do you have any idea what happens to people who mess with the knights here? We''re not in some backwater village where they''d just fine you or toss you in a cell for a day. These are the Queen''s men! They could''ve dragged you straight to the Court of Silk for trial, and do you know what happens if they decide you''re guilty?"

    Yuki crossed her arms defensively. "For the last time, I didn''t do anything! They came after me for no reason!"

    "People don''t get hunted down by knights for ''no reason,''" Caelric shot back, glaring down at her. "What aren''t you telling me?"

    "I told you already!" Yuki snapped. "I didn''t attack anyone. I didn''t steal anything. I didn''t¡ª"

    As Caelric launched into another lecture, Yuki''s attention drifted. Her eyes wandered over the bustling streets visible beyond the alley, the vibrant colors and elegant figures of Erosanct''s citizens moving in harmony. That was when she saw her.

    At first, Yuki thought she was imagining it. A figure, walking casually down the street, stood out to her in a way she couldn''t immediately place. It wasn''t just the confident stride or the way they carried themselves. It was something deeper, something¡­ familiar. Then it hit her like a thunderbolt.

    The woman had her face.

    The same messy black hair. The same glasses perched on her nose. The resemblance was uncanny¡ªdown to the faint scar above her left brow. But what made Yuki''s blood run cold was the clothing. The woman wore leather armor and a scarf draped around her shoulders. It was identical to what the female demon thug had been wearing in the alley.

    "What the¡­" Yuki whispered, leaning forward, squinting as she tried to make sense of it.

    "Yuki, are you even listening to me?" Caelric''s voice snapped her back to reality, but her eyes stayed locked on the figure.

    Her mind raced. How is this possible? That demon looked nothing like me before. Did she somehow¡­ change into me? Mimic my appearance?

    Without a second thought, Yuki stood and bolted from the alley, her sights set on the doppelg?nger.

    "Yuki!" Caelric shouted, exasperation and confusion mixing in his voice. "Where are you going? Get back here!"

    She ignored him, her focus narrowing as she closed the gap between herself and the woman. The demon turned just as Yuki approached, her false face¡ªYuki''s face¡ªtwisting into an infuriatingly smug smirk.

    "Well, look who it is," the demon drawled in Yuki''s voice, her tone dripping with mockery. "The little brat who thinks she can play tough just because she got lucky once."

    Yuki stormed up to her, her blood boiling. "What the hell are you doing looking like me?!" she demanded, pointing an accusing finger at the demon. "You think you can just steal my face and get away with it?!"

    The demon crossed her arms, tilting her head as if Yuki were an amusing sideshow. "Steal your face? Sweetheart, it''s not stealing if it''s just a little fun. You should be flattered¡ªI''ve improved on it."

    "Improved?!" Yuki nearly shouted, her hand already twitching toward her sword.

    The demon rolled her eyes. "Relax, princess. You should be more worried about what you did. You think you''re slick, beating up my buddies in the alley and getting away with it?"

    Yuki froze for a moment, then narrowed her eyes. "Wait¡­ that''s what this is about? You''re using my face to frame me for something you did?"

    The demon shrugged nonchalantly. "And? So what? We''re even now."

    "Even?!" Yuki''s voice rose, her temper flaring. "You''re seriously trying to ruin my life just because I defended myself from your goons? What kind of twisted logic is that?"

    The demon''s smirk turned icy, her eyes narrowing. "Twisted logic? Coming from the idiot who doesn''t know when to quit? Cute."

    Yuki''s hand tightened around the hilt of her sword. "You''re nothing but a lowlife thug. You think stealing people''s faces makes you special? It just makes you a coward who can''t stand on her own."

    That struck a nerve. The demon''s smirk vanished, replaced by a flash of fury. In one swift motion, she punched Yuki square in the jaw, sending her stumbling back.

    "Yuki!" Caelric''s voice echoed from somewhere behind her, but she barely registered it.

    Recovering quickly, Yuki glared up at the demon, but before she could retaliate, a sharp tug yanked her forward. The demon had grabbed her by the hair, forcing her to meet her eyes as Yuki''s glasses almost fell out of her face.

    "Let me give you a piece of advice," the demon growled, her voice dripping with venom. "Just because luck was on your side back there doesn''t mean you''re some big shot now. I don''t know what power fantasy you''re playing, but if you think you can cross me twice and get away with it¡­" She leaned in closer, her breath hot against Yuki''s face. "You''ve got another thing coming."

    Yuki struggled against the demon''s grip, her mind racing. She couldn''t rely on brute force¡ªthis wasn''t a fight she was can win easily nor with luck.

    A shadow loomed over them both.

    "Get your hands off her."

    Caelric''s voice was low and dangerous, his sword already drawn and shimmering with a faint, fiery glow.

    The demon hesitated, her grip faltering for a split second. That was all the time Yuki needed to twist free and stumble back toward Caelric.

    "Oh, this is cute," the demon said, her smirk returning as she looked between the two of them. "Your little knight in shining armor, come to save the day. How heroic."

    "Leave. Now." Caelric''s voice was ice, his blade sparking to life with a fiery glow.

    The demon clicked her tongue, raising her hands in mock surrender. "Fine, fine. I''ll play nice. For now." She shot Yuki one last glare. "But don''t think this is over, little miss hero."

    With that, the demon turned and walked walked away.

    Yuki took a deep breath, adjusting her hair. She turned to Caelric, who appeared less than delighted.

    "Mind telling me what that was about?" he asked, sheathing his sword but keeping his eyes narrowed at her.

    Yuki barely had a moment to process what had just happened when the mimic demon suddenly turned back around, a dangerous glint in her eyes.

    "Actually," the demon said, her smirk twisting into something far darker, "why not?"

    Before Yuki or Caelric could react, the demon lunged toward Yuki with lightning speed. In her hand gleamed a dagger, its blade wickedly sharp and aimed straight for Yuki''s stomach.

    "Yuki, watch out!" Caelric shouted, stepping forward to intervene, but it was too late.

    Yuki''s instincts kicked in, and she stumbled back just as the demon struck¡ªbut instead of actually stabbing her, the demon''s hand whipped toward Yuki''s wrist, forcing the dagger into her grasp. With an almost theatrical gasp, the demon spun away, clutching her side as her body shimmered.

    In the blink of an eye, the demon''s form reverted to her original appearance¡ªa pale-skinned, horned figure with crimson eyes and sharp features. She staggered dramatically, then collapsed to the ground, screaming at the top of her lungs.

    "She stabbed me! Someone help!" the demon wailed, her voice echoing through the crowded street.