Hazuki ordered another round of sake and more skewers. He'd lost count of how much he'd spent. The anime guy had left a while ago. It was just him and the old man now.
Strangely, the shop was still open. The old man didn't seem to mind.
"Old man, you're a good guy, you know that?" Hazuki slurred, lifting his cup.
The old man chuckled as he poured another drink. "I hear that a lot."
Hazuki sighed, leaning against the counter. "Haaa… if only life were fair."
The old man flipped a skewer on the grill and nodded. "That's how life is. It doesn't owe anyone fairness. You just take what comes and make the best of it."
Hazuki kept rambling. Work. College. Endless complaints about the ikemen. Through it all, the old man listened with that calm, friendly smile.
Then, out of nowhere, he spoke. "Hey."
Hazuki blinked, looking up. "Hmm?"
This time, the old man's smile felt different. Not just kind. Knowing. Like he was in on a joke Hazuki didn't understand.
"What do you think about another world?" His voice was steady.
Hazuki blinked again, then burst out laughing, nearly spilling his sake.
"Old man! Don't tell me you're an anime guy too! Damn! Hahaha!"
The old man didn't laugh. He just kept smiling, waiting.
When Hazuki realized he was serious, he scratched his head, thinking.
"Hmm… well, I guess it's not bad. In those stories, people who get isekai'd end up crazy strong, right? They build harems, get magic powers… sounds nice."
The old man nodded thoughtfully. "It does, doesn't it?"
Hazuki chuckled, leaning back on his stool. "Yeah, but that's just fantasy. Real life doesn't work like that. If I got a chance to go there, all I'd want is an easygoing life. Maybe a few girls… no, one is enough. Someone who loves me and me only."
The old man's smile deepened.
"You never know." His voice was soft as he handed Hazuki another skewer. "Life's full of surprises."
Suddenly, the old man pulled out a large, ornate bottle of sake and set it in front of Hazuki. The glass sparkled with golden designs etched into its surface.
Hazuki blinked at it, then at him.
"Hey, old man! I don't have enough money for this. Payday isn't until the day after tomorrow."
The old man chuckled, waving him off. "Don't worry about it, kid. Consider it my treat."
Hazuki's eyes widened. "Whoa… really? You sure?"
The old man nodded with the same warm smile. "Drink until you're satisfied."
Grinning, Hazuki extended his cup. "Oh yeah! Thanks, old man! You're the best!"
The old man poured him a cup. Hazuki drank it in one go. The taste was incredible. Smooth, rich, sweet, and warm. It felt otherworldly. Almost magical.
The old man kept grilling, sliding fresh skewers his way as he drank. The night felt perfect. Like nothing else mattered.
But the more Hazuki drank, the heavier his head grew. A warm haze spread through him, making everything feel dreamlike.
Through the haze, he heard the old man's voice. Calm. Steady.
"Sleep well, young man. When you wake up…"
The words faded as his eyes shut.
And that, folks, is how I ended up being chased by a horde of male orcs in heat.
Yes. Male orcs. In heat.
Do you think I stopped running? No way. I'm sure my ass would be their main dish at an all-you-can-eat buffet.
"Don't run, hyuman! We good orc~!" one of them called in a guttural, slobbering voice.
"Get away from me!!" Hazuki shouted, ducking under a low branch.
"Oho~ this hyuman is shy~ Ahnnn~!" another crooned.
"Screw you!!!" Hazuki screamed, leaping over a fallen log.
Adrenaline pumped through his veins as he tore through the forest, dodging rocks, bushes, and branches while the stampede of hormone-fueled orcs thundered after him.
"Why me?!" He shouted at the sky. "I didn't sign up for this isekai stuff!"
The universe stayed silent. Like it was laughing at him as he ran for his life, his dignity hanging by a thread.
So you want to know how I ended up here? Fine. It all started after I got drunk.
After that special drink the old man gave him, I blacked out and woke up lying in the grass. At first, I thought I just wandered into a city park. But then I noticed the sun didn't look right. For a moment, I thought maybe there was an eclipse.
Spoiler: there wasn't.
When I tried to sit up, the ground shook with a loud thump. I turned just in time to see a massive beast charging straight at me—like a giant boar, but the size of an elephant.
My first reaction wasn't bravery. It was pure panic.
What the hell?!
You'd think I'd fight it? No way!! I dodged like my life depended on it. Because, well, it did.
Luckily, the giant boar was slow, so dodging wasn't too hard. It snorted, stomped around, then lumbered off into the forest.
That's when things got even more complicated.
Still shaken, I thought maybe I should throw a rock at it to scare it off.
I grabbed a rock, aimed, and threw.
…And I missed.
And… it was not my brightest idea.
Then I heard a loud voice from the forest.
"Who threw a rock at us?!"
At first, I thought it was just some hikers.
"Oh, sorry! I didn't mean to!"
Then they came out. Big, green-skinned guys. Muscles bulging. Tusks gleaming in the sun. They cut the giant boar down with ease.
I was about to say thanks when I realized these weren't friendly hikers.
One of them stepped closer, grinning as his eyes looked me over. Then, without warning, he reached out…
…and grabbed my ass.
"Hey~ nice looking ass."
Of course my reaction that time was panic.
"W-what?! H-hey!! Hands off!!" I yelped, 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 thundered after me.
"Leave me alone!!"
"Aww, come on! Don't be shy~" one of them crooned, licking his lips.
"Shy!? SHY?! I'M NOT SHY, I'M TERRIFIED!!" I screamed, vaulting over a log and running even faster.
And that, folks, was my glorious first day in this so-called fantasy world. Not exactly the heroic isekai dream I'd signed up for, huh?
"Formation! Ready! Shoot!!"
Huh? What the hell was that?
Hazuki glanced back just in time to see a storm of glowing arrows streaking through the trees, straight at the orcs chasing him.
"Shit!!" He ducked instinctively as the arrows ripped overhead, close enough that he felt the heat sear past his hair.
"Hey!! Watch where you're aiming, dammit!!"
The orcs behind him weren't so lucky. The arrows struck home, lighting up the forest like fireworks. Several howled in pain and collapsed in smoking heaps.
For the first time since this nightmare began, Hazuki felt a spark of hope.
My ass is finally safe. At least for now.
He staggered to his feet and looked ahead. A squad of soldiers charged toward him, clad in full plate armor. Some carried bows. Others heavy shields and pikes. A few wielded swords and bucklers.
They moved in tight formation. Disciplined. Precise. Like a real army.
One soldier, wearing a shining helmet and full plate armor, ran up to him.
"Hey! Are you alright?"
"Yes! Thank you!!" Hazuki panted, still trying to catch his breath. "If you hadn't shown up, I'd be… well, let's not talk about it."
The soldier tilted their head. "What were you doing so deep in the forest alone? Don't you know this area is dangerous?"
"Trust me, I have no idea where I am or what's going on. I just woke up here and... bam! Orcs everywhere!"
The soldier nodded slowly, then gestured toward the rest of their squad.
"You're lucky we were patrolling this area. Those orcs were part of a raiding party. They've been terrorizing nearby villages for weeks."
"Raiding party? Terrorizing? Yeah, well, they were definitely terrorizing me!" Hazuki threw up his hands.
Another soldier walked up, eyeing him suspiciously.
"Who are you? You don't look like a villager. And your clothes… they're strange."
Hazuki glanced down at himself. Still in his dirt-stained office attire. Sweaty and torn from running.
"Uh… long story. Let's just say I'm not from around here."
The first soldier gave him a curious look but didn't press further.
"We'll escort you to the nearest village. You can explain everything there."
"Nearest village? Perfect! Lead the way." Hazuki quickly fell in line behind them.
Anywhere is better than here. Especially if it means fewer orcs and more actual safety.
(End of Chapter)