I was finally almost out of the jungle. It had been a terrible three days. For almost the entire first day, I was just in shock over what had happened. I never expected to still be alive.
But I knew I shouldn't waste this chance. I stood up and tried to get out alive. I escaped from a huge snake, and I could swear I saw a jaguar. Just when I thought I had reached the edge of the forest, I stepped forward and saw a flash of green. It turned, and a sharp pain erupted in my leg. I fell over in agony and saw a crocodile with my leg in its jaws, pulling me into the water. I screamed in pain, but then suddenly…
I was standing again. The pain in my leg had vanished. I looked around and realized I wasn't at the edge anymore.
"Did I time travel?"
"Did I die again?"
"WHAT WAS THAT?"
My thoughts were interrupted by a sudden, sharp pain in my head.
I needed to calm down. I told myself there was no way that was real, but just to be safe, I decided to turn right and go that way instead.
After walking for a while, I saw the edge of the forest again. It was surrounded by water, just like I had seen before with the crocodile.
"Was it real?"
Suddenly, my stomach growled loudly. I hadn't eaten anything since I arrived in this world.
I wandered a bit further when I thought I heard something. Then I really started hearing it. I couldn't explain what it was. It was quieter than the wind, yet it felt like something was pulling me toward it.
I simply chose the direction that felt right and kept walking.
As the sun began to set, I saw a fire in the distance. Relief washed over me. I was finally going to meet people.
When I got closer, I realized it was a small village. The villagers sat around the fire, enjoying stories. Then they noticed me.
An old man asked if I was an adventurer.
I answered that I was and that I had gotten lost.
They told me the nearest city was still a day's walk away, but warned me not to leave at night.
He said:
"Between here and the city, there is a forest. It's known for its legend. People who desire something feel a pull toward it, the stronger the desire, the stronger the pull. Everyone who has seen it says the same thing: they see what they want most inside. But no one who enters has ever come back out."
"I've seen it myself. I saw my deceased wife. I almost walked in, but at the last moment, I felt an evil aura and came to my senses. It's dangerous. Whatever you see in there."
"Don't enter the forest."
I told him I understood and that I would wait until morning before leaving.
My stomach growled loudly again.
"Ah, you must be hungry. Here, have some soup," he said.
I thanked him.
After eating, I went to bed on the one they gave me and immediately fell asleep.
In my dream, I was on the movie date with Yui that never happened. Everything felt perfect, until suddenly, an arm pulled me back. Yui's expression changed from happiness to betrayal. I was back in the execution chair, unable to move.
Behind her, in the shadows, I saw a sadistic smile. The only thing I could make out clearly was a single strand of red hair resting on her shoulder.
Then I felt the injection again.
I woke up, gasping for air.
It was already daybreak. I tried to calm myself. It was just a nightmare.
But then I heard a voice carried by the wind:
"Come to the forest. You'll get your life with Yui again."
It sounded incredibly convincing.
Then I remembered the old man's warning.
I said goodbye to the villagers. Before I left, the old man handed me a map. He marked a path that avoided the forest and showed where the city was.
I thanked him and set off.
The path was safe. For once, I could walk without fear. I even started humming some of my favorite songs from my old world, thinking maybe this new life wasn't so bad. Maybe I could actually enjoy it. Do what all the isekai protagonists do.
"Wait if I got isekai'd, does that mean I'm strong?"
I kept walking, still humming. Along the way, I saw some slimes. I thought about fighting one, but then I realized I had no weapons.
"Yeah, maybe not yet."
Then I saw it to my left, a dark, menacing forest.
The old man had been right. The voice was much stronger here. But there was also something else, an evil presence.
As I walked alongside it, something felt wrong. It was like the forest was pulling me, slowly changing my direction. Step by step, I found myself drifting toward it instead of away.
I looked inside.
I saw Yui.
She was smiling.
Without thinking, I started walking toward her. It felt like I had lost control of my body.
I took my final step toward the forest.
"DON'T LISTEN, YUKI!" Solmerra shouted.
But it was too late.
I had already stepped inside.
I turned around, trying to walk back out, but when I looked behind me, the forest stretched endlessly, with no exit in sight.