The evening sky was already cloaked in dark indigo when the guild's lamps began to flicker one by one. Inside the Adventurer's Guild, the once-lively atmosphere had turned unusually quiet. Arthur sat at his desk, his fingers drumming anxiously against a stack of parchment. Theo stood nearby, his arms crossed, brows knitted tightly.
"It's already late…" Arthur muttered, glancing at the clock hanging on the stone wall. "She should've been back by now. The wolf subjugation quest isn't supposed to take this long."
Theo remained silent, his eyes fixed on the guild doors as if expecting Akari to suddenly burst in with her usual carefree smile. But the silence grew heavier with each passing second.
"Something's off," Arthur said again, his tone more serious this time. "That quest was a D-rank at best, and for someone like her—it should've been over hours ago."
Theo exhaled sharply. "You think she ran into something unexpected?"
Arthur frowned, hesitant. "I'm considering posting a retrieval quest. If she's lost or injured—"
"No," Theo interrupted, his voice low but firm. "That'll cause a stir. If an adventurer disappears, rumors will spread fast. The guild can't afford unnecessary panic right now." He turned, his crimson eyes narrowing. "I'll handle this myself."
Arthur's lips parted, but he didn't argue. He knew Theo's instincts were rarely wrong—and if he was this concerned, something must've gone terribly wrong.
Meanwhile, across the city, the soft glow of lanterns illuminated the windows of the Moon Inn. Inside, the air carried the faint scent of roasted bread and candle wax. Behind the counter, Nina sat with her chin resting on her palm, staring at the clock. Christina, seated across from her, twirled a spoon idly.
"She's still not back?" Nina asked quietly.
Christina shook her head. "No. It's been hours since she left. I thought maybe she'd stop by for dinner, but…"
Nina sighed, a faint crease forming on her forehead. "I told her to be careful. Those slave traffickers have been moving again lately. I don't like this feeling."
"Hey, relax," Christina said, though her tone was uncertain. "Maybe she's just taking her time. You know how carefree she can be."
Nina forced a small smile, but deep down, she couldn't shake off the unease. Something in her chest told her that this wasn't just a simple delay.
The rhythmic clatter of wooden wheels echoed through the night. Somewhere far from the warmth of the city, a lone carriage rolled through a fog-shrouded forest. Inside, the faint creak of chains mixed with the sound of shallow breathing.
Akari slowly stirred. Her vision blurred for a moment, then cleared to reveal the dim interior of the carriage. Her wrists ached slightly, bound by thin metal cuffs that pulsed with faint magical energy. Her head throbbed—an aftereffect of whatever had hit her earlier.
"Ugh… where… am I?" she murmured, blinking at the flickering lantern hanging above.
Across from her sat two men. One wore a dark hood, his sharp eyes glinting in the shadows—the same man who had attacked her in the forest. Next to him stood another figure clad entirely in black armor, silent and still like a statue.
Akari's gaze darted around the carriage. Beyond the narrow window, she could see flickers of movement—hulking silhouettes, monstrous shapes moving alongside them. The air itself reeked of mana and decay.
When the carriage finally stopped, the armored man stood up and pushed open the door. The sound of chains rattled as Akari was pulled out into the open. Her boots met the cold ground, and she was greeted by the sight of what looked like an underground palace. Giant torches lined the obsidian walls, casting an eerie crimson glow across the marble floor. Strange creatures knelt along the sides, their yellow eyes fixed on her.
"Okay… this definitely isn't the Moon Inn," Akari muttered, trying to sound lighthearted despite the dread creeping up her spine. "Did I trigger some kind of hidden boss quest or what?"
The hooded man scoffed. "You talk too much for a prisoner."
Akari ignored him, tugging slightly against the cuffs. "These are sealing my mana, aren't they? Wow, what a cowardly move. Is this what passes for fair play now?"
The man sneered. "Says the girl blessed by a cheat ability."
Akari froze mid-retort. "…Well, you're not wrong," she admitted flatly, earning herself a confused glare. "But that doesn't make it okay to cheat at cheating!"
Before the man could respond, the air in the hall shifted—heavy, suffocating. The armored figure stepped forward, raising a hand. Instantly, everyone fell silent. The pressure alone was enough to make Akari grit her teeth. Whoever this man was, his presence was overwhelming.
"You," the man said finally, his voice deep and calm. "What is your name?"
Akari frowned. "You're the one who kidnapped me, and you're asking my name first? Where are your manners?"
The hooded man growled. "Watch your mouth—!"
The armored man raised his hand slightly, silencing him. Then, slowly, he reached up and removed his helmet.
The metallic clang echoed through the hall as the helmet hit the ground. The man's face was revealed—sharp features, dark hair, and a deep scar running across his right eye. But what caught Akari off guard wasn't the scar—it was his face. His distinctly Japanese face.
Akari blinked. "Wait. You're—no way…"
He gave a small, knowing smile. "It seems you've realized it. My name is Arima Takahashi. A fellow soul from Japan."
Akari's mind reeled. "Another transported person…?"
Arima nodded slowly. "Yes. You're not the only one. There are many of us here—some reincarnated, some summoned. Each serving different gods, different fates."
Akari felt a chill crawl up her spine. "Then why kidnap me?"
Arima's gaze hardened. "Orders from the God of Destruction."
The words hit her like a thunderclap. "God of Destruction…?"
He stood from his throne, the black metal of his armor gleaming under the torchlight. "You've caught his eye, Akari Sato. Your presence in this world threatens the balance. But instead of eliminating you, he wishes to recruit you—to stand beside us. Join me, and together, we can reshape this broken world under our will."
Akari stared at him, silent for a long moment. Then she smiled faintly, her voice soft but firm. "Sorry, but I prefer to shape my own path. I didn't come to this world to play world conquest simulator."
A tense silence followed. Arima studied her for a moment, then exhaled through his nose. "So be it."
He turned away, his cape brushing the floor as he walked toward the exit. "Do what you want with her," he said coldly to the hooded man. "She's of no use to me."
The man grinned, stepping closer to her. "Heh, finally some fun."
Akari's expression remained calm, but her mind was racing. Adaptability, what's the plan here? I can't use mana, my skills are sealed—this isn't great timing.
A faint, familiar voice echoed inside her mind.
—Warning: high-risk situation detected. Attempting temporary override.
Akari's heart leapt. Adaptability?! You're awake!
—Executing emergency measure: Mana Seal Countermeasure… failed. Secondary protocol activated. Suggesting use of new skill: Teleportation – Divine Realm Access (Limited).
Akari's eyes widened slightly. Teleportation? Seriously?
—Ten uses remaining. Use only in life-threatening situations.
Akari looked up, grinning now despite the danger. The man in front of her frowned, confused by her sudden confidence.
"What's so funny?" he demanded.
"Nothing," she said sweetly. "Just realizing you're about to be very, very disappointed."
He lunged toward her, but Akari spat lightly in his direction. "Tell your master this—next time, I'll be the one knocking on your door."
Before his hand could reach her, a radiant light enveloped her body. The hall erupted in chaos as the glow intensified, blinding everyone around. The man shouted in frustration, but by the time the light faded, Akari was gone—leaving only a faint shimmer in the air.
When she opened her eyes again, the world had shifted. Gone was the cold stone and oppressive air. Instead, a soft golden light filled her vision. A familiar aroma of tea drifted through the tranquil air.
Akari blinked. "Wait… this place…"
Across from her sat the God of Reincarnation, serene as ever, holding a porcelain teacup. He gave her a small, amused smile. "Welcome back, Akari. You're quite early this time."
Akari stared at him. "I didn't die again, right?!"
The god chuckled lightly. "No, no. You merely used a fail-safe I built into your Adaptability skill. When you're in mortal danger, it can transport you here temporarily."
He took another sip of tea before continuing. "However, that skill is limited. You can only use it nine more times."
Akari slumped slightly. "Nine…? Ugh, that's both a relief and a problem."
The god smiled faintly. "Consider it a divine safety measure."
Akari tilted her head. "Then… can I ask something? Is it true? That there are more people like me in that world?"
The god's expression dimmed. He placed his cup down gently and leaned back in his chair. "Yes. And I believe it's time you knew the truth."
To be continued…