《My Life In Isekai》


 A Fresh Start... or Not! ( 1 )

    "Gyaaaaaahhh!!"


    I ran down the forest path, my lungs burning and my legs moving fast. Behind me, a group of male orcs in heat chased after me, their voices echoing through the trees like a scary song.


    "Hey, hey, onii-chan~!" one of them shouted, his deep voice sounding both playful and frightening. "Don''t run away from us! We''re your friends!!"


    "Like hell you are! Screw this! Someone! Anyone! HELP!"


    I gasped for air as I jumped over bushes and roots, trying to get away from the orcs. Their heavy footsteps and heavy breathing kept getting closer.


    "Why me? Why now?!" I yelled, my voice cracking.


    This was supposed to be a fresh start! A new world, magic powers, hero status! And what do I get? Orcs. Horny, strong orcs with no idea of personal space.


    "Damn it, damn it, damn it! Screw this stupid isekai!!"


    The trees blurred as I ran harder, driven by panic. There was no way I was going to end up as some orc''s... whatever they were planning!


    "How did this happen? Seriously? You all wanna know? Fine, I''ll tell you. Just don''t laugh, okay?"


    -- (Back in Japan, before the chaos) --


    "Oi, Hazekaya! Are you joining us or what?" one of my coworkers called from across the office.


    I groaned, hunched over my laptop. "Wait for me! I just need to save this report!" My fingers raced over the keyboard as I finished my work for the day. I was so close to being free, but deadlines wait for no one.


    "If you''re late, we''re leaving without you," another coworker said, already halfway out the door.


    I sighed, mumbling to myself. "Damn this ikemen group..."


    These guys, with their perfect hair and bright smiles, could charm everyone in the office, even the boss. Meanwhile, I was just the "average guy" stuck in their shadow.


    "Oi! Don''t leave me behind!" I shouted, grabbing my bag and rushing after them.


    "Hahaha, slowpoke!" they teased, walking just fast enough to make me jog to keep up.


    "Hell no, I''m not slow! You''re just tall with long legs!" I shot back, making them laugh even more.


    When we finally got to the cafeteria, one of them turned to the group. "Hey, let''s skip this boring place. Let''s find a nice spot outside instead."


    "Oi!" I protested. "Don''t wander too far, or I''ll end up as the boss''s new target. You guys can flirt your way out of trouble or even... offer your bodies to her if needed, but not me!"


    "Oh, Hazekaya," one of them smirked, hitting me on the back. "Don''t be jealous just because the boss likes us."


    "Jealous?!" I huffed. "Yeah, right. Like I''d want to trade places with you pretty boys. I like not being the office plaything, thanks!"


    "Hey, let''s go to the family restaurant," one of them suggested, excitement in his eyes.


    "That''s a good idea," another agreed, nodding eagerly.


    I frowned, feeling the weight of my responsibilities. "Oi! This isn''t too far from the office, right?" I asked, half-worried and half-annoyed.


    "Hey, don''t worry about it, Hazekaya," one of the ikemen said confidently, waving his hand. "Come on... just this once."


    I hesitated, glancing back at my desk, then sighed. "Haaaaa... fine," I muttered, scratching my head.


    "That''s what we want to hear! Alright! Let''s go!"


    With that, the group laughed and started walking, their excitement contagious. I shook my head but followed them, curious about this family restaurant.


    As we walked down the street, the ikemen squad wasted no time showing off.


    "Feewiit! Hey, lady over there... ohhh~ nice body!" one of them called out with a loud whistle, flashing his big grin.


    Another one¡ªalways smooth¡ªblew a kiss to a pair of passing girls. To my surprise, they giggled and smiled back.Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    I decided to try my luck too. I gave what I thought was a friendly smile to the same girls.


    ...


    They didn''t even look at me. Not a single glance. It was like I didn''t exist.


    "Haaah..." I sighed, my shoulders drooping. Of course. The curse of being "that guy" strikes again.


    One of the ikemen noticed and patted my back. "Cheer up, Hazekaya! Not everyone can be as dazzling as us."


    "Dazzling, my ass," I muttered under my breath, but I followed along anyway.


    We finally arrived at the family restaurant, the cozy atmosphere filled with chatter and the sound of dishes. It looked nice¡ªbright, welcoming, and with a good menu.


    But as soon as we sat down, things changed.


    A pretty waitress came to our table, her uniform fitting her perfectly. She leaned in close¡ªtoo close¡ªher voice sweet as honey. "Welcome, gentlemen~ What can I get for you today?"


    I swear, she practically purred while batting her eyelashes at the ikemen squad.


    "Oh, miss, you''re too kind," one of them said, his smile shining bright. The waitress giggled, her cheeks turning pink like she was really into it.


    Another one placed his order, and she replied with an overly excited, "Of course, take your time~ If you need anything else, just ask me, okay?"


    Then it was my turn.


    Her smile disappeared faster than my hopes of being treated like a normal person. She looked at me with a face that clearly said she was annoyed.


    "What do you want?" she asked, her tone so flat it could have ironed my shirt.


    I blinked, surprised. "Uh... I''ll just have the¡ª"


    "Yeah, yeah, I got it," she cut me off, writing something on her notepad like she was giving me a ticket. No smile, no flirting, just pure "get this over with" energy.


    "What the hell...?" I muttered, glancing at my friends. They were too busy enjoying their special treatment to notice me.


    When the food arrived, it was like a feast for the ikemen squad. The waitress floated back to our table, balancing their plates gracefully.


    "Here you go, gentlemen~ Enjoy your meal!" she cooed, placing steaming, beautifully plated food in front of them. Each dish looked like it came from a five-star restaurant.


    "Wow, this looks amazing!" one of them said, and the others nodded, already digging in like kings.


    Then it was my turn.


    The waitress dropped my plate in front of me like it was junk mail. The food on it... well, let''s just say it looked bad. The eggs were half-burnt, the toast was soggy, and the sausage had a weird greenish tint.


    I stared at the plate, horrified. "Ugh... can this even be eaten?"


    I raised my hand hesitantly. "Umm... I''m sorry, but this isn''t what I¡ª"


    Before I could finish, the waitress shot me a glare so cold it could freeze the sun. Her eyes seemed to say, "You dare question me?!"


    I froze, swallowing my words. "Oh... umm... nothing."


    She huffed and walked away, leaving me alone with my... food.


    The ikemen squad looked at my plate and burst out laughing.


    "Hazekaya, did you make her angry or something?" one teased, shoveling a perfectly cooked steak into his mouth.


    "I didn''t even say anything!" I shot back, but they just laughed harder.


    As I poked at the sad food on my plate, I couldn''t help but wonder: "Why am I even friends with these ikemen idiots?"


    It wasn''t like we had much in common. They were the golden boys, blessed with looks, charm, and a knack for making life seem easy. And me? I was just the unlucky guy always caught in their shadow.


    Then it hit me. "Yeah... I remember how this all started."


    It was back in college. I wasn''t exactly popular¡ªmore like the guy people avoided because of my face. Not that I was ugly, but my sharp eyes and permanent scowl made me look tough, like I belonged in a gang. People would see me and cross the street.


    That day, though, I saw one of these perfect ikemen cornered by some delinquents in an alley.


    "Hey, pretty boy," one thug sneered. "Hand over your wallet, and maybe we won''t mess up that pretty face of yours."


    The ikemen looked terrified, and for some reason, I couldn''t just walk away. Maybe it was the way he looked like a lost puppy, or maybe I just wanted to punch someone.


    Before I knew it, I stepped into the alley. "Oi, you guys got a problem?" I growled, cracking my knuckles for effect.


    The delinquents froze, their eyes wide when they saw me. With my face, they probably thought I was a gang leader.


    "N-No, man! No problem here!" one stammered before they all ran off, leaving the ikemen shaking behind me.


    He looked up at me, a mix of fear and gratitude on his face. "Th-Thanks, man. You really saved me."


    And that was the start of it. Somehow, saving that ikemen led to me becoming part of their group. I wasn''t sure if I regretted it yet, but moments like this¡ªthe sad plate of food in front of me¡ªdefinitely made me question my choices.


    After that incident in college, they started talking to me, inviting me to hang out, and even treating me to food. At first, I thought, "Hey, maybe this isn''t so bad. Free food, good company... could be worse."


    But then, reality hit me hard.


    We hung out more often, but I noticed one thing: whenever there were girls around, guess who ended up with none? Yeah, me.


    These ikemen didn''t just attract women¡ªthey pulled them in. I watched helplessly as girl after girl fell for their charming smiles and smooth words. Meanwhile, I was stuck in the background, chewing on a toothpick like some unimportant NPC.


    I couldn''t help but wonder... just how many girls had they been with since college? Judging by their stories (which they shared way too casually), it was probably enough to fill a small country.


    And now? Things had somehow gotten even crazier.


    Even our boss¡ªour strict, no-nonsense boss¡ªwas totally smitten with them. And not just one of them. No, all of them.


    From what I overheard (and trust me, I didn''t want to hear this), they''d been "enjoying the company" of the boss at her big, fancy house.


    But wait¡ªit gets worse.


    One day, they decided to share the details. I didn''t ask, but apparently, they thought I needed to know.


    "You know, Hazekaya," one of them started with a smug grin, "the boss lady was so tired last night."


    I raised an eyebrow. "Tired? Why?"


    "Because we all stayed over," another added, smirking. "At the same time."


    It took me a second to process what they were saying. "Wait. You''re telling me... all of you were... with the boss lady? At the same time?!"


    They nodded, looking way too proud.


    "The whole night," one said with a wink. "She could barely walk by morning."


    I stared at them, my mouth open. "What the fuck..."


    It was official. I was friends with a harem protagonist support group. And me? Still single, still ignored by girls, and still questioning every life choice that led me here.


    ( End of Chapter )

 Damn Those Ikemen! ( 2 )

    "Damn you, Kenji! Ishikawa! Seiji! Kazama! You''re all so damn lucky!" I shouted, slamming my hands on the table.


    They looked at me with those annoyingly smug grins that made me want to flip the table.


    "So, for real?!" I practically yelled. "You''re telling me you all¡ªtogether¡ªwere with the boss lady?!"


    Kenji leaned back in his chair, hands behind his head, smirking like he owned the place. "What can we say, Hazekaya? She''s a very... accommodating woman."


    "Accommodating?!" I sputtered, nearly choking on the word.


    Ishikawa shot me a sly grin. "Don''t look so surprised. You know how charming we are. She couldn''t resist."


    "Charming, my ass!" I snapped. "Who even does stuff like that?! And at the same time?!"


    Seiji shrugged, picking at his perfect plate of food. "Hey, it''s not our fault she likes to... share."


    Kazama chuckled, shaking his head. "It''s all consensual, Hazekaya. No need to get so worked up."


    "Worked up?!" I shout, throwing my hands in the air. "Of course I''m worked up! I''m here struggling to get a girl to even look at me, and you guys are living some kind of doujin fantasy!"


    They all burst into laughter, as if my misery was the funniest thing ever.


    Kenji clapped me on the shoulder. "Don''t worry, Hazekaya. Maybe one day you''ll have your own boss lady."


    I groaned, burying my face in my hands. "Yeah, right. I''ll probably end up with the cafeteria lady..."


    After finishing our meal (if I could even call my plate "food"), I leaned back in my chair and looked at the group.


    "Hey, tomorrow''s our day off," I said casually. "Wanna hang out tonight? You know... drinking? Just us guys?"


    They exchanged glances, and I immediately knew something was up.


    Kenji cleared his throat, trying to look innocent. "Well, Hazekaya... the thing is..."


    I narrowed my eyes. "The thing is what?"


    Ishikawa scratched the back of his neck, avoiding my gaze. "Lady boss wants... another round tonight. With all of us."


    I froze, blinking at them. "Huh? You''re all... doing it again? What is this, a... five-some?!"


    They didn''t answer. Instead, they smiled at me with those smug, we''re-living-the-dream grins that made me want to throw something.


    I groaned, burying my face in my hands. "Damn you ikemen! Seriously, what kind of life are you guys living?!"


    Kenji shrugged with a grin. "A good one."


    "Yeah, no kidding," I muttered.


    My thoughts wandered to the boss lady. I couldn''t deny it¡ªshe was hot, sexy, and the kind of woman who could stop traffic just by walking down the street. But seriously? She was now their personal... what, groupie?


    I shook my head, sighing deeply. "Damn... what a world we live in."


    They all laughed as they stood up, ready to head off to their night of luxury. Meanwhile, I sat there, staring at my sad, empty plate and wondering how my life ended up like this.


    That evening, as I walked home, I saw it.


    A sleek, black luxury car pulled up near the office, the kind that screamed rich and powerful. And who stepped out?


    Kenji, Ishikawa, Seiji, and, of course, Kazama.Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    They all piled into the car with the boss lady behind the wheel, looking like a goddess of seduction ready to whisk them away. She even flashed them a sultry smile as the doors closed.


    I stood there, frozen on the sidewalk, watching this unfold like a bad soap opera.


    "Damn! All of them?! Lady boss! Include me too!" I yelled, throwing my hands in the air. "I don''t mind if I''m last! I''ll wait my turn!"


    Of course, they didn''t hear me. Or maybe they did and just didn''t care. Either way, the car sped off into the night, leaving me alone under the streetlights.


    I clenched my fists and shouted at the sky. "Damn it, you group of ikemen!"


    Then, with a deep sigh, my shoulders slumped. "Haaa... well, no use crying over it now."


    My stomach grumbled, and I shoved my hands in my pockets. "Perhaps ,drinking alone again tonight... damn."


    With that, I trudged off into the night, the shadow of the ikemen squad looming large over my sad, lonely life.


    While walking aimlessly, I noticed a small booth tucked away on a quiet side street¡ªa roadside izakaya with a canvas roof, a few wooden stools, and a counter where a middle-aged man flipped skewers on a tiny grill.


    The warm, smoky aroma of grilled meat and the faint clinking of sake cups caught my attention. The glow of a paper lantern hanging outside gave the place a cozy vibe.


    I stopped in my tracks, staring at the booth. "Hmm... A drink first wouldn''t hurt. Might as well enjoy myself a bit before heading to the brothel."


    Sliding onto one of the stools, I let out a deep sigh, the weight of my miserable evening settling in. The owner glanced at me and nodded.


    "Evening. What''ll it be?" he asked in a gruff but friendly tone.


    I looked at the menu on a wooden board above the counter. It wasn''t fancy¡ªyakitori, oden, and sake. Just the basics, but exactly what I needed.


    "Sake, please. And some skewers," I said, rubbing my temples. "The strongest stuff you''ve got."


    The owner chuckled as he poured me a cup of sake. "Rough day?"


    I raised the cup and downed it in one go, the sharp burn of alcohol hitting just right. "You don''t know the half of it."


    He smirked, handing me a plate of grilled skewers. "Well, take it slow. This place is for forgetting your worries, not drowning in them."


    I nodded, munching on a skewer. The flavors were simple but comforting¡ªsalty, smoky, and indulgent.


    "Yeah... maybe this isn''t so bad," I muttered, taking another sip of sake. For a moment, I almost forgot about the ikemen squad and their ridiculous lives. Almost.


    "You know, old man! Those ikemen... they''re so damn lucky!" I slurred, waving my cup around. "They even did it all together with my lady boss! My lady boss! Damn those ikemen! At least let me join too, damn it!"


    The old man chuckled quietly as he poured me another cup of sake, nodding along like a sake-slinging therapist.


    I wasn''t sure how much I''d had by that point. Maybe I was drunk. Okay, fine¡ªI was definitely drunk, but only a little! Or maybe a lot. Who''s keeping track?


    "And you know what else?" I leaned forward, pointing my chopsticks at him. "This isn''t the first time they''ve stolen the spotlight. Back in college... they had girls lining up for them like it was a damn theme park!"


    The old man hummed in understanding, flipping skewers on the grill. The aroma wafted up, and I couldn''t help but grab another one.


    "And another thing! Why am I always the side character in someone else''s story?! Is it the face? The vibe? What is it, old man?!"


    He handed me another cup of sake without a word. I took it, downing it like a pro, even though my vision was starting to blur.


    My rant derailed completely. I went from complaining about the ikemen to lamenting my college days, to shouting about overpriced brothels, and somehow ended up rambling about the meaning of life.


    Through it all, the old man just kept grilling, pouring, and listening.


    "You''re a good listener, old man," I said, swaying slightly on my stool. "Why can''t girls be like you? Huh? Huh?!"


    He chuckled, handing me another skewer. "Eat up. You''ll feel better."


    "If only life were as simple as yakitori and sake," I muttered, taking a bite.


    I kept drinking, my complaints spilling out like the sake in my cup. The old man was a great listener, never interrupting, just nodding and occasionally refilling my cup or handing me another skewer.


    "You''re a saint, old man," I slurred, waving my chopsticks for emphasis. "If only the world had more people like you. Maybe then I''d have a girlfriend!"


    As I rambled, another guy walked up and slid onto a stool a couple of seats away. He looked younger than me, maybe in his mid-twenties, wearing glasses and a hoodie. After ordering sake and some grilled meat, he took out his smartphone and started scrolling.


    At first, I ignored him, but then I heard it¡ªan unmistakable tune blaring from his phone.


    "Wait... is that anime music?" I asked, squinting at him.


    The guy looked up, surprised, and nodded. "Yeah, it''s from this new Isekai anime. You watch anime?"


    I hesitated, taking another sip of sake. "Honestly? Nope."


    His face fell, but I wasn''t done yet. "Well, not really. I mean... I watch it sometimes. Mostly to keep up with conversations at work. Everyone''s always talking about the latest shows."


    The guy laughed. "I get it. But man, you''re missing out! Isekai is where it''s at. Imagine getting hit by a truck and waking up in a whole new world. Magic, adventures, girls¡ª"


    "Yeah, yeah," I interrupted, waving my hand. "I get it. Sounds nice, but come on, that stuff doesn''t happen in real life."


    The guy grinned, leaning forward. "But what if it did?"


    I rolled my eyes, reaching for another skewer. "If it did, I''d probably end up as a background character there too. Just my luck."


    The old man chuckled quietly, pouring sake for both of us. The guy beside me smirked, his phone still playing that anime music, as if setting the stage for something I couldn''t see coming.


    ( End of Chapter )

 Sake, Skewers, and Orcs in Heat ( 3 )

    I paid for another round of sake and skewers, not even keeping track of how much I''d spent. Honestly? I didn''t even know what time it was anymore. The anime guy had left a while ago, and it was just me and the old man now.


    Strangely enough, the shop still wasn''t closed. The old man didn''t seem to mind.


    "Old man, you''re a good person, you know that?" I said, my words slurring a little.


    He chuckled, pouring me another drink. "I get that a lot."


    I sighed, leaning on the counter. "Haaa... if only life were fair."


    He nodded, flipping a skewer on the grill. "Well, that''s how life is."


    I kept rambling about my days, work, college, and my endless complaints about the ikemen. The old man just kept smiling, listening quietly.


    Then, out of nowhere, he spoke up. "Hey."


    I looked up, blinking at him. "Hmm?"


    His smile grew, and there was something different about it this time. It wasn''t his usual kind, understanding smile. It felt like he knew something I didn''t.


    "What do you think about another world?" he asked, his voice calm and steady.


    I blinked again, processing the question, then laughed, nearly spilling my sake. "Old man! Don''t tell me you''re an anime guy too! Damn! Hahaha!"


    He didn''t laugh back, just smiled, waiting for me to answer.


    Realizing he was serious, I scratched my head, thinking. "Hmm... well, I don''t think it''s bad. In those stories, people who get Isekai''d end up super OP, right? They build harems, get crazy magic powers... sounds nice."


    The old man nodded thoughtfully. "It does, doesn''t it?"


    I chuckled, leaning back. "Yeah, but that''s just fantasy. Real life doesn''t work like that."


    His smile deepened, and for a moment, I thought I saw something strange in his eyes. Maybe that was just the sake talking.


    "You never know," he said cryptically, handing me another skewer. "Life''s full of surprises."


    Suddenly, the old man pulled out a large, ornate bottle of sake and placed it in front of me. It was different¡ªgolden designs etched into the glass, glowing faintly.


    I blinked at it, then at him. "Hey, old man! I don''t have enough money for this. Payday''s not until the day after tomorrow."


    He chuckled, waving his hand dismissively. "Don''t worry about it, young man. Consider it my treat."


    My eyes widened. "Whoa... really? You sure?"


    He nodded, smiling warmly. "Just enjoy and drink until you''re satisfied."


    I grinned, grabbing the bottle. "Oh yeah! Thanks, old man! You''re the best!"


    He poured me a cup, and I gulped it down, savoring the smooth, rich flavor. It was unlike any sake I''d ever tasted¡ªwarm, sweet, and almost otherworldly.


    The old man kept grilling meat, sliding fresh skewers in front of me as I drank. The night felt perfect, like nothing else mattered.


    But as the sake kept flowing, a warm haze started to take over my mind. My vision blurred, and my head grew heavy, like I was sinking into a dreamlike state.


    Through the haze, I could barely make out the old man''s voice, calm and steady.


    "Sleep well, young man. When you wake up..."


    His words trailed off as my eyes finally closed.


    "And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the story of how I ended up being chased by a horde of orc males in heat. Yes, you heard me right¡ªorc males. In heat.If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Do you think I''ll stop? Hell no! My ass is literally on the line here. I didn''t even get to have sex with a girl, and now these orcs are chasing me like I''m the main course at a buffet!


    "Don''t run, hyuman! We good orc~" one of them called out, his voice disturbingly enthusiastic.


    "Good!? Good!? No way!! Fuck off, scram!!" I yelled, dodging a tree branch.


    "Oho~ this hyuman just shy~ Ahnnn!" another orc cooed.


    "Shy!? SHY!? Fuck off!! Don''t you dare!!" I screamed, leaping over a fallen log.


    I kept running, adrenaline pumping through my veins as I evaded everything in my path¡ªrocks, bushes, low-hanging branches¡ªwhile the orcs stomped behind me like a stampede of hormonal beasts.


    "Why me?!" I yelled at the sky. "I didn''t sign up for this kind of Isekai!!"


    The universe, of course, didn''t answer. It just laughed at me silently as I sprinted for my life, my dignity barely clinging on by a thread.


    Oh, you want to know how I ended up here? Fine. It all started after I got drunk.


    See, after that "special" drink the old man gave me, I blacked out and woke up lying in the grass. At first, I thought I''d just stumbled into some park in the city. But when I noticed the sun wasn''t its usual color, I thought maybe it was an eclipse.


    Well, guess what? It wasn''t.


    As I groggily sat up, I heard a loud, earth-shaking thump. I turned just in time to see a massive creature charging at me¡ªshaped like a boar but elephant-sized.


    Naturally, my first reaction wasn''t bravery¡ªit was sheer panic.


    "Hey!! What the hell?!" I screamed, diving out of its path just in time. Do you think I was going to charge at that thing? Hell no! I evaded like my life depended on it. Because, well, it did.


    Luckily, the big boar was slow, so dodging it was easy. It stomped around a bit before running off into the forest.


    Now, here''s where things get complicated.


    I stood there, catching my breath, and thought maybe I should throw a rock at it to scare it off. Not my brightest idea, but I picked up a rock, aimed, and hurled it.


    And... I missed.


    Instead, I heard a scream from the nearby forest.


    "Who threw a stone at us?!"


    At first, I thought it was just some random hikers. "Oh, sorry! I didn''t mean to!" I yelled.


    Then they emerged¡ªa group of hulking figures stepped out of the trees, easily taking down the big boar. I was about to thank them when I realized something was off. Their skin was green, their muscles bulged unnaturally, and their tusks gleamed in the sunlight.


    They were orcs. Male orcs.


    I froze. One of them stepped closer, sizing me up with a grin. Then, without warning, he reached out and grabbed my ass.


    "Hey~ nice looking ass," he said, his tone disturbingly playful.


    My brain short-circuited.


    "W-what?! H-hey!! Hands off!!" I shouted, stumbling backward. But they didn''t stop. Their eyes lit up like predators spotting prey.


    "Don''t run, hyuman. We good orc~"


    And that''s how I ended up in this mess, sprinting for my life while a horde of male orcs in heat chased me down.


    "Good!? GOOD!? No way!! Screw you guys!! Leave me alone!!"


    "Aww, come on! Don''t be shy~" one of them called out, licking his lips.


    "Shy!? SHY?! I''M NOT SHY, I''M TERRIFIED!!" I screamed, jumping over a log and sprinting faster.


    And that, folks, is the story of my glorious first day in this so-called fantasy world. Not exactly the heroic Isekai dream I signed up for, huh?


    "Formation!!! Ready!! Shoot!!"


    Huh? What the hell was that? I glanced over my shoulder just in time to see a barrage of glowing arrows flying straight toward me¡ªor, more accurately, the orc horde hot on my tail.


    "Shit!" I yelled, instinctively ducking as the arrows whizzed over my head. One came so close I could feel the heat sizzling past my hair.


    "Hey!! Watch where you''re aiming, dammit!!"


    Luckily, the orcs behind me weren''t as agile. The glowing arrows struck them with deadly precision, lighting up the forest like a fireworks show. Several howled in pain and collapsed.


    For the first time in this nightmare, I felt a sliver of hope. My ass? Finally safe. At least for now.


    I stood up and looked ahead to see a group of people charging toward me, clad in full plate armor. Some wielded bows, others carried massive shields and pikes, and a few had small shields paired with swords. They moved in tight, disciplined formation, like a proper military unit.


    One soldier, wearing a shining helmet and exuding authority, ran up to me. "Hey! Are you alright?"


    "Yes! Thank you very much!!" I panted, still catching my breath. "If you hadn''t shown up, I''d be... well... let''s not talk about it."


    The soldier tilted their head, confused. "What were you doing so deep in the forest alone? Don''t you know this area is dangerous?"


    "Trust me, I had no idea where I was or what was going on. I just woke up here, and the next thing I know¡ªbam! Orcs! Everywhere!"


    They nodded slowly and gestured to their group. "You''re lucky we were patrolling this area. Those orcs are part of a raiding party. They''ve been terrorizing nearby villages for weeks."


    "Raiding party? Terrorizing? Well, they were definitely terrorizing me!" I said, throwing up my hands.


    Another soldier joined us, glaring at me suspiciously. "Who are you? You don''t look like a villager, and you''re dressed... strangely."


    I looked down at my clothes¡ªstill my office attire, now covered in dirt, sweat, and probably a bit of orc spit. "Uh... long story. Let''s just say I''m not from around here."


    The first soldier gave me a curious look but didn''t press further. Instead, they motioned to their group. "We''ll escort you to the nearest village. You can explain everything there."


    "Nearest village? Sounds good to me!" I said, quickly falling in line behind them. Anywhere was better than here, especially if it meant fewer orcs and more safety.


    As we marched away, I glanced back at the carnage. The surviving orcs were retreating into the forest, grumbling angrily. I shuddered.


    "First day in this world," I muttered to myself. "And I''ve already almost died... twice."


    ( End of Chapter )

 Caged and Confused ( 4 )

    As we marched along, I overheard one of the soldiers talking to the one they called.


    "Captain, we''d better bring him to the city. He doesn''t have an identity card on him."


    The captain glanced at me, raising an eyebrow. "Oh, really?"


    Crap. What now?!


    Before I could explain myself, the soldiers suddenly surrounded me. One reached for my arm.


    "Eeeek!! Wait, wait, wait!!" I yelped, trying to back away. "I''m a good person! Not a criminal! I swear!"


    The captain sighed, clearly unimpressed. "Relax. This is standard procedure. You''re not under arrest... yet."


    "Yet?! What do you mean ''yet''?! I didn''t do anything!" I protested, flailing as they grabbed my arms and secured them behind my back with some glowing rope.


    "You don''t have an identity card," the captain stated matter-of-factly. "Only criminals, deserters, or spies wander around without one. And you..." He gestured to my disheveled appearance. "You look suspicious."


    "Suspicious?! I just got here!" I blurted out, immediately regretting it.


    The captain''s eyes narrowed. "Just got here? From where?"


    "Uh... you know... a faraway land?" I stammered, laughing nervously.


    The soldiers exchanged skeptical glances.


    "Right. Faraway land," one of them muttered sarcastically. "Nice try, buddy."


    The captain motioned for his squad to move. "Let''s bring him to the city and sort this out with the authorities. If he''s telling the truth, he has nothing to worry about."


    "Nothing to worry about?! You''ve tied me up!" I shouted, struggling against the glowing rope. "I''m innocent! You''re making a mistake!"


    One of the soldiers smirked. "That''s what they all say."


    "I''m serious! I didn''t even want to be here!"


    But no matter how much I protested, they dragged me along. As we moved through the forest, I couldn''t help but think...


    "First orcs, now this?! Could this Isekai get any worse?!"


    Before I knew it, I was shoved into what can only be described as a moving cage. It was like a carriage, but surrounded by metal bars, just big enough for two or three people. Luckily, I was the only "passenger."


    "Haaa... damn this Isekai..." I muttered, slumping against the cold bars.


    One soldier walked beside the cage and glanced at me suspiciously. "Hmm? What are you mumbling about?"


    "Err... nothing! Nothing at all!" I replied quickly, forcing a nervous laugh.


    "Weird..." he muttered, shaking his head.


    The wagon creaked and groaned as it moved along the bumpy forest road. I was trying to think of a way out of this mess when my throat reminded me just how dry it was.


    "Hey, umm... can I at least get some drinking water?" I asked, pressing my face against the bars with what I hoped was a pitiful expression.


    The soldier smirked. "Oh, you want water? Sure, let me just grab some from my¡ª"


    "Private!" the captain barked, cutting him off. "Stop messing around. Give the man some water. He''s not a criminal yet."


    "Tch, fine," the soldier grumbled, pulling a flask from his belt and passing it through the bars.


    "Thanks," I muttered, gulping it down as quickly as I could. The water tasted a little metallic, but I wasn''t in a position to complain.This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    "Don''t drink it all in one go," the soldier snapped. "You''re not getting more until we reach the city."


    As the cage jolted along the uneven road, I leaned against the bars, watching the soldiers marching alongside. The forest around us was dense, with sunlight filtering through the canopy.


    "Hey," I called out casually. "What''s the name of the town we''re headed to?"


    One of the soldiers turned his head, surprised. "Huh? It''s called Briskle. Why do you ask?"


    I shrugged. "Oh, nothing much. Just wanted to chat. It''s kind of boring in here, you know?"


    The soldier smirked. "You wouldn''t be bored if you hadn''t gotten into this mess."


    "I didn''t get myself into anything!" I protested. "I just woke up in the middle of the forest and¡ª"


    "Yeah, yeah, save it for the city guards," he interrupted, clearly uninterested.


    Another soldier chuckled. "You''re lucky we even let you ride in the cage. Normally, we''d make someone like you walk the whole way."


    "Lucky? Oh yeah, I feel super lucky right now," I muttered, rolling my eyes.


    The captain, riding at the front, glanced back. "If you want less boredom, maybe keep quiet until we get to Briskle."


    "Got it, Captain," I said, raising my hands in mock surrender. "Silent as a mouse from here on out."


    As the cage continued to rattle along, I wondered what kind of place Briskle would be. A bustling medieval town? A run-down village? Either way, I had a bad feeling about what was waiting for me.


    I noticed a group of riders approaching from the opposite direction, wearing full plate armor like the soldiers with me.


    "Hey," I called, gesturing toward them. "Is that...?"


    One soldier glanced over his shoulder. "Hmm? Oh, that''s a patrol squad. They always travel in groups."


    He waved lazily to the riders, and a few nodded back.


    "Patrol squad?" I repeated, curious.


    "Yeah, their job is to secure the roads and villages, like we are... Well..." He smirked, looking at me. "Except we''re hauling you back to Briskle instead of rescuing anyone."


    I narrowed my eyes. "Rescuing? I got chased by orc males! I didn''t need rescuing¡ªI needed a break!"


    The soldier laughed. "Hah! You''re lucky we showed up when we did. If those orcs had ''caught'' you..." He leaned closer with a wicked grin. "Let''s just say you wouldn''t be walking normal for a while. If at all."


    The other soldiers burst out laughing.


    "Oh, real funny," I snapped, crossing my arms. "Laugh it up at my expense, why don''t you?"


    "Relax, kid," another soldier said, slapping the side of the cage. "You made it out alive, didn''t you? Be grateful."


    Grateful? Sure, I was "grateful" that my first Isekai experience involved running for my life from orcs who wanted to make me their dessert. What was next? A dragon with a fetish?


    I slumped against the bars, letting the soldiers'' laughter echo around me as the patrol squad disappeared down the road behind us.


    As the road grew busier, I noticed more people traveling in both directions¡ªfarmers with carts of produce, merchants with wagons piled high with goods, and a few well-dressed individuals on horseback.


    "Hey," I called, leaning against the bars of the cage. "Are we near the town?"


    One of the soldiers shot me a warning look. "Yeah, we''re close. Now behave yourself."


    "Hey, I''m just asking," I said, throwing up my hands defensively.


    I glanced at the people passing by. Something felt off. "Hmm... there are no other races besides humans around here. I wonder if there are any elves or beastkin, like in those Isekai anime."


    "Hey."


    "What now?" the soldier grumbled, clearly annoyed.


    "Chill, man," I replied, trying to sound casual. "I just want to ask something."


    "What is it this time?"


    "Are there any other races besides humans around here?"


    The soldier raised an eyebrow. "Huh? Humans live here. This is the Human Kingdom. There might be a few of the other races around for work or trade, but they rarely stick around."


    "Oh..." I said, a bit disappointed.


    He continued, "If you want to see other races, you''d have to head to the capital city. There''s more diversity there."


    My ears perked up. "The capital? How far is that from here?"


    "About ten days by fast horse," he smirked. "If you''re in a carriage, it''ll take even longer."


    "Ten days!?" I groaned. "That''s insane! Who has the time for that?"


    The soldier chuckled. "Welcome to the real world, kid. This isn''t one of your fairy tales where you can teleport wherever you want."


    I slumped back in the cage, staring up at the sky.


    As I leaned against the bars of the cage, staring at the bustling road ahead, a thought popped into my head.


    "Hey... you know..." I began, scratching the back of my head. "Am I talking normal right now?"


    One of the soldiers looked at me, confused. "Huh? What are you talking about?"


    I gestured vaguely. "You know, my language. Am I speaking it right? Does it sound weird?"


    The soldiers exchanged puzzled glances before bursting into laughter, clutching their sides.


    "This guy is crazy!" one laughed, gasping for breath.


    "What does he think he''s speaking, some elf tongue or dwarf gibberish?" another teased.


    Even the captain smirked. "Bwahahaha! A funny crazy guy, huh? Maybe he thinks he''s some legendary hero!"


    I groaned, my face heating up in embarrassment. "Hey! I''m serious! I''m not from around here!"


    The captain raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, no kidding. Your clothes are weird. But you''re speaking perfectly fine Hyuman Common, so maybe tone down the crazy before we hand you over to the guards in Briskle."


    "Hyuman Common?" I repeated, confused.


    "The language we''re all speaking, genius," one soldier replied, rolling his eyes. "What did you think you were speaking? Goblin grunts?"


    I slumped back in the cage, muttering to myself. "Hyuman Common, huh? I don''t even know how I''m speaking this... Damn it, old man, what did you put in that sake?"


    The soldiers continued chuckling as the cage rattled down the road, leaving me wondering what other surprises this Isekai world had in store for me.


    ( End of Chapter )