The forest path was quiet except for the sound of rustling leaves beneath their feet.
Reed followed behind the raven-haired man while carrying Mr. Tabby in his arms. Sunlight filtered through the towering trees overhead, painting patches of gold across the ground.
After nearly dying twice in a single day, Reed's mind felt exhausted.
First the truck.
Then waking up in another world.
Then a starving wolf trying to eat him.
At this point, his brain had almost given up trying to understand anything.
Mr. Tabby comfortably rested in his arms while occasionally glancing around with alert eyes.
The raven-haired man walked calmly ahead as though monsters appearing in forests was a normal everyday occurrence.
Eventually, Reed could no longer hold back his curiosity.
"Um… sir?"
The man glanced back slightly.
"What is it?"
"How did you know what I meant earlier?
"Hm?"
"When I mentioned getting hit by a truck… you didn't seem confused."
The man became silent for a moment.
"I wasn't familiar with the word itself at first," he admitted. "But over the past few months, strange rumors have been spreading between kingdoms."
His expression grew thoughtful.
"Rumors about people suddenly appearing from nowhere."
Reed's eyes widened slightly.
"People… from Earth?"
"I do not know what 'Earth' is," the man replied honestly. "But the stories are similar. Confused people appearing in forests, roads, ruins, or even near villages."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"And nearly all of them speak about the same thing before arriving here."
Reed swallowed nervously.
"A truck?"
The man nodded slowly.
"Yes. They all mention a mysterious object called a 'truck' before their deaths."
Reed stared blankly at him.
"Some say they were struck by it," the man continued. "Others claim they heard it moments before dying."
He crossed his arms while walking.
"At first, many believed it was merely a strange coincidence."
"But now?" Reed asked quietly.
The man looked ahead toward the distant forest path.
"Now some believe this 'truck' is connected to another world."
A cold chill ran down Reed's spine.
Hearing somebody else say it out loud somehow made everything feel even more surreal.
The man exhaled softly.
"Of course, nobody truly understands what a truck actually is. Some scholars think it might be a type of magical beast."
Reed nearly choked.
"A magical beast?!"
The man glanced back in confusion.
"…It isn't?"
Reed imagined explaining modern vehicles to fantasy-world people and immediately gave up.
"No… not exactly."
The man narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Interesting."
The two continued walking until the forest slowly began thinning out.
Then Reed finally saw it.
A massive city stood proudly in the distance beneath the afternoon sky.
Gigantic stone walls surrounded countless buildings and towers stretching far beyond what Reed could see. Colorful banners danced in the wind while enormous gates stood open for travelers entering and leaving.
But what truly stole Reed's breath were the creatures.
Birds larger than cars flew overhead carrying riders on their backs.
A merchant wagon was being pulled by enormous horned lizards.
Near the gates, a child happily played with a glowing rabbit-like creature floating beside him.
Reed stopped walking entirely.
"…Whoa."
The city looked straight out of a fantasy movie.
No.
Even more alive than that.
The raven-haired man noticed Reed's stunned expression and smirked faintly.
"First time seeing Lunaris City?"
Reed slowly nodded.
"It's amazing…"
The man turned toward the city ahead.
"This is one of Astravia Kingdom's outer cities. Adventurers, merchants, travelers… people from all walks of life gather here."
As they approached the entrance gates, several armored guards immediately straightened upon seeing the man.
"Vice Guild Master Kael!"
The guards saluted respectfully.
Kael casually waved his hand.
"At ease."
Reed blinked.
Vice Guild Master?
The guards curiously glanced toward Reed and Mr. Tabby but did not question further after seeing Kael beside them.
The moment Reed stepped inside the city walls, his senses were immediately overwhelmed.
People filled the streets.
Vendors shouted while selling food and equipment.
The smell of roasted meat drifted through the air.
Most eye-catching of all were the beasts accompanying nearly every single person.
Some walked proudly beside their owners.
Others rested on shoulders or floated nearby like spirits.
Reed looked around in amazement.
"Everyone really has a beast…"
Kael nodded while leading him through the busy streets.
"This world is called Beastrium."
"Beastrium…" Reed repeated softly.
"In this world, beasts are deeply connected to humanity. There are two kinds of beast companions."
Kael raised two fingers.
"Spirit Beasts and Companion Beasts."
Reed listened carefully.
"A Spirit Beast is born alongside a person at childbirth. At first, it exists only as a spiritual entity invisible to most people. As the individual grows stronger, the spirit gradually develops a true physical form."
"So everybody has one?"
"Yes."
Reed looked down at Mr. Tabby.
"Then what about Tabby?"
Kael glanced toward the gray cat.
"That would be a Companion Beast."
"A beast you form a genuine bond with over time. Trust, loyalty, affection… emotions strengthen the connection between human and beast."
Mr. Tabby proudly puffed out his chest after hearing the explanation.
Reed gently scratched under the cat's chin.
"To me, he's family."
For a brief moment, Kael's expression softened slightly.
Eventually, the two stopped before a massive building near the center of the city.
A giant emblem hung above the entrance.
A sword crossed together with beast claws.
Adventurer Guild.
Loud laughter and conversation immediately greeted them upon entering.
The inside of the guild was bustling with activity. Adventurers wearing armor gathered around tables drinking and discussing quests while waitresses moved between them carrying trays of food.
Request boards covered the walls.
Some papers contained monster hunts.
Others requested escorts, herb gathering, or deliveries.
Reed stared around curiously.
This place felt exactly like something from a fantasy novel.
Several adventurers greeted Kael respectfully as he walked past.
"Vice Master!"
"You're back already?"
Kael nodded casually before leading Reed toward a quieter table.
"Sit."
Reed obediently sat down while Mr. Tabby curled up on his lap.
Kael crossed his arms.
"Now then. Since you likely have nowhere to go, you'll need work and identification."
Reed awkwardly smiled.
"Yeah… about that…"
Kael sighed lightly before tossing a small leather pouch onto the table.
Coins clinked softly inside.
Reed immediately widened his eyes.
"I can't accept this!"
"You can."
Kael's tone left little room for argument.
"Consider it temporary support from the guild."
Reed looked conflicted.
Kael leaned back slightly.
"Besides, if the rumors are true, then people like you are victims thrown into an unfamiliar world with nothing."
His sharp eyes met Reed's.
"At the very least, we can help you survive."
Reed lowered his gaze quietly.
"…Thank you."
Kael nodded once before standing.
"Come. I'll register you as an adventurer."
"Me?"
"It is the fastest way for someone with no background to earn money."
Kael led him toward the reception counter where a young woman with fox-like ears greeted them warmly.
"Vice Master Kael?"
"A new recruit," Kael replied.
The receptionist's eyes immediately landed on Mr. Tabby.
"What an adorable Companion Beast."
Mr. Tabby proudly stood on the counter as though accepting praise from his fans.
Reed awkwardly scratched his cheek.
"My name is Reed."
The receptionist smiled while preparing paperwork.
"Welcome to the Adventurer Guild, Reed."
As Reed held the registration form in his trembling hands, he quietly looked around the lively guild hall.
Yesterday, he had died beneath a crimson sky back on Earth.
Today, he stood inside a fantasy world filled with beasts, adventurers, and mysteries beyond imagination.
And somehow…
For the first time in years—
Reed felt that life might finally begin moving forward again.