Leaving the Dungeon with Iz and Kumironi, I truly didn't see a single monster along the way.
It was just as they had said.
They had cleared out every monster in the Dungeon.
Sigh...
'If possible, I'd really like to see one of these monsters for myself.'
'But considering they're both only Level 5, I'm not sure if they could even protect me.'
'Forget it. It's better not to run into any monsters before I get my bearings.'
'If we ran into a monster and those two didn't react fast enough, I'd probably die right after arriving in this world.'
After leaving the Dungeon, the three of them waited at the entrance.
During that time, they asked Lu Cang a few questions, but since he knew nothing about this world, he couldn't answer most of them.
Kumironi pressed her temples, clearly troubled. "That makes sense... He's just a little boy, after all."
"He's only eight years old. No wonder he hasn't had his first awakening yet."
A verdant light flowed over Lu Cang's body. It seemed she had used some sort of method to determine his age.
Thanks to Kumironi's assessment, Lu Cang finally learned how old he was.
'Thanks, Kumironi. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't even know my own age.'
Suddenly, Lu Cang's ears twitched, and he turned to look toward the Dungeon entrance.
A red-haired man with an absurdly large Heavy Sword on his back was at the entrance, waving in their direction.
"Yo!"
"Iz!"
"The haul was better than we could've hoped for! We even found that Lost Magic Book you were looking for!"
Iz exclaimed, "Whoa! You really found the Lost Magic Book? We really scored this time!"
"We also got the Ancient Seed that Kumironi wanted."
Next to the red-haired man stood a dark, hard stone.
But this was no ordinary stone.
This stone had limbs, and it could move.
Seeing the stone person, Lu Cang's eyes lit up.
'So this is an Otherworld!'
'Is this one of the legendary non-human species?'
'This is a real eye-opener!'
For a Transmigrator, all of these things were incredibly novel.
Just as Chi Cheng was sharing the loot with Iz and the others, he suddenly noticed Lu Cang.
"Wait, who's this kid?"
Chi Cheng's expression suddenly turned serious as he looked gravely at Izparut and Kumironi.
"You two..."
"Did you have a baby?!"
Kumironi blushed and shouted, "Of course not!"
Iz also pressed a hand to his forehead and shook his head, looking as if Chi Cheng were a lost cause.
"We met this boy on our way back from our expedition."
"It seems he was randomly teleported into the Dungeon."
"His home..."
Kumironi's voice trailed off.
'Is she being considerate of my feelings?'
'She's such a kind and gentle person. Maybe this Otherworld isn't so bad after all.'
Iz said, "So, I plan on bringing him along with us on our travels."
Chi Cheng tilted his head. "But we're setting out on a long adventure. Are you sure it's a good idea to bring along dead weight?"
The atmosphere instantly tensed.
BAM!
A black fist suddenly slammed into Chi Cheng's head. The silent stone person had walked over and punched him.
"Hiss—Ow, ow, ow, ow."
Iz laughed heartily. "It's fine. We're strong enough."
"Besides, I'll teach him how to defend himself."
"I'll be his Magic mentor."
Chi Cheng shrugged. "Well, if you put it that way, I've got no objections."
He grinned and clapped Lu Cang on the shoulder. "Kid, you'd better cherish this opportunity. Not everyone gets to have Iz as their mentor."
Kumironi interjected, "Actually, that's not quite true..."
"This guy is willing to teach anyone who asks."
Chi Cheng retorted, "As a long-term mentor?"
Kumironi conceded, "Okay, that part is true. Not many."
Chi Cheng asked, "We still don't know your name, kid."
Lu Cang replied, "Lu Cang."
"Oh, nice name. Feels like you're destined for great things."
"To celebrate our victorious return from the Dungeon and to welcome our fifth member, let's have a celebratory feast!"
-----------------
Lu Cang never would have imagined that he'd spend his first day in an Otherworld at a celebratory feast.
'What kind of people say, "It's fine, it's fine, Kumironi's here anyway," while plying a child with alcohol?'
'I was completely powerless against them.'
He couldn't remember what exactly had happened last night.
Lu Cang woke up, pressing a hand to his throbbing head.
He saw the room in complete disarray, with Chi Cheng passed out on the floor and Izparut snoring away.
At least he knew that everything that had happened yesterday wasn't a dream.
"Oh, you're awake."
Kumironi offered him a gentle smile.
Unlike the other two, she hadn't gotten completely drunk.
She came up behind Lu Cang, and a gentle Life Force flowed through his body, instantly sweeping away his hangover headache.
Then, she started to chat with him.
"China... what kind of country is that?"
Lu Cang jolted when he heard the name.
Kumironi said, a hint of apology in her voice, "I heard you mention it yesterday when you were drunk."
"It's a country I've never heard of."
There were too many countries in this world.
It wasn't unheard of for a single large-scale disaster to wipe out dozens of nations at once.
Lu Cang answered evasively, a touch of sadness in his voice, "It's... my homeland."
"I can't go back anymore."
Kumironi said, "Hmm... let's change the subject, then."
"Iz said he's going to teach you Magic."
"But before that, we have to awaken your power for the Mage Class."
"Otherwise, you can't control Magic without the Mage Class."
Kumironi's Ring began to glow faintly.
A Scroll appeared in her hand.
"A Portable Job Change Scroll."
"I never expected I'd have to use this under circumstances like these."
HUMMM!
With a faint flash of light, magical lines began to etch themselves across the previously bare ground.
"Let me guide you through your first job change."
"After all, I am a High Priest of the Divine Hall of Life."
'Huh...'
'A High Priest of the Divine Hall of Life?'
'That sounds really impressive. But wait, can someone become a High Priest at just Level 5?'
"While the Mage Profession might not be the most suitable for you, it'll be a real headache if you have no way to protect yourself on our journey."
"If you're not satisfied with the Mage Profession, you can always try others later."
"Though it would be a bit of a waste..."
"Lu Cang, stand in the center of the Array."
Lu Cang did as Kumironi said, walking to the very center of the Array.
WHOOSH—
As the Array was engraved upon the ground, Lu Cang's eyes opened to countless things he couldn't see before.
Countless specks of colorful light.
'Are these... the so-called Elements?'
And just then, Kumironi's soft yet impassioned voice rang out. "Elements, surge!"
"Oh, Arcane Magic, reflect the image from the Root Source."
"A seeker wishes to embark on the path to the Root Source."
"I shall be his guide, his initiator!"