I jumped off the carriage and gave a wave to Ross and Ann.
"See you around, Mister Troy!" Ross shouted as their carriage rolled down the road.
I nodded and watched them disappear into the distance. Once they were out of sight, I took a deep breath and looked around.
Now… where the hell do I start?
Behind me stood a grand white fountain, its waters sparkling in the sunlight as it sat proudly in the middle of a large roundabout. Carriages bustled past, some stacked with crates, others filled with passengers. Based on what the adventurers and merchants had told me during the ride, this place was called Korra—a free kingdom where anyone was welcome to trade, live, or simply pass through.
Sounded like the perfect place to begin my new life.
I was still confused about a lot of things, but hopefully, I'd get a better grasp of how this world worked soon enough. Should I become a merchant or an adventurer? Just like in those games I used to play, survival meant one thing: make money.
As I crossed the street, the sounds of wooden wheels grinding over cobblestone, merchants shouting their wares, and people chatting filled the air. The people around me were dressed in woolen tunics and kirtles—simple, practical clothing fit for a medieval setting.
Naturally, I stood out like a sore thumb.
A few passersby stared at my bizarre office-cosplay-hybrid outfit. I suddenly became very aware of the foam horns still hanging from my belt. Great. Nothing says "totally normal local" like fake demon horns.
Then a man walked up to me, smiling warmly. He looked to be in his late twenties and wore a turban wrapped neatly around his head—something I recognized as being commonly worn by merchants. Judging by the way a few others were dressed, that fashion seemed popular here too.
"Excuse me, young man," he said, his tone friendly. "Are you looking to trade that outfit of yours? You're... standing out quite a bit. I deal in unusual items—especially ones from, let's say, other worlds."
"Otherworlder?" I asked, raising a brow.
He chuckled. "Of course I know. If you'd like, we can talk in my shop. Better not to draw attention out here. Too many ears."
I hesitated for a second, but his demeanor didn't set off any red flags. So, I followed him.
We took a few turns through narrow streets until we stopped in front of a small, odd-looking building nestled between more polished stone shops. It looked... out of place. The walls were made from sliced bamboo, and the roof was thatched with nipa grass. It looked like something out of a tropical village, not the middle of a fantasy kingdom.
The man opened the bamboo door, and I was immediately hit with a sense of surprise.
Inside, the shop was nothing like its outside. Neatly arranged merchandise lined the shelves—satchels, backpacks, potions, trinkets, and a bunch of stuff I couldn't even begin to identify. It was like stepping into an RPG vendor's menu screen.
"Wow," I said, blinking. "The inside doesn't match the outside at all."
"That's the idea," the man said with a chuckle. "Keeps the nosy knights away. They're not big fans of… unconventional business."
"You sell a lot of interesting stuff," I commented as I wandered the shop.
"Yes," he said proudly. "And where are my manners? The name's Rudolph. And I'm an otherworlder too—just like you."
I blinked in surprise. "Wait—really? Someone from Earth?"
Rudolph nodded. "Born and raised in Morocco. Got summoned here a few years ago."
"Finally!" I let out a sigh of relief. "Please, explain what's going on. I was yanked here by a bunch of creepy old guys in robes chanting some ritual. It was like the worst company meeting ever."
Rudolph frowned. "Ah… those men again. Let me guess—they called themselves The Sharqiaa?"
My blood ran cold. "Yeah. Do you know them?"
"Oh, very well," he said bitterly. "They're infamous across multiple kingdoms. Fanatics. Cultists. Dangerous people who worship the old tyrant king, Daimon. He vanished ages ago, but these lunatics are trying to bring back his rule through twisted magic—and by summoning otherworlders like us."
"Wait—so this happens often?"
Rudolph nodded grimly. "They've been summoning people for years. Some say they're building an army. Others think they're experimenting with forbidden magic. Either way… they're bad news. Really bad."
I swallowed hard. "So if I hadn't escaped that night…"
"You'd be dead," he said bluntly. "The knights raid their summoning sites often, and any otherworlder caught in the mix is executed on the spot. No trial. No questions. Just gone. The kingdoms are paranoid about people like us—especially after what happened with the last summoned army."
I suddenly felt cold.
"That's why," Rudolph continued, "you need to keep your identity hidden. Don't trust anyone. Not yet. And definitely don't go around announcing that you're from another world."
I nodded, the weight of his words settling in my chest.
"Let's get you some clothes," he said, walking toward the back. "Lila, bring a chair!"
I waited, expecting a human assistant or maybe a kid.
What came out nearly made me scream.
Lila was a Lamia—upper half human woman, lower half a massive red-scaled snake. She slithered out with an eerie grace, a chair in one hand and a small child trailing behind her. The kid looked like a mix between Rudolph and Lila. I wisely said nothing.
Lila offered me a kind smile as she placed the chair behind me. "Please, sit."
"Thanks. Uh… Troy. Troy Hercules," I said, sliding into the seat.
"Troy," Rudolph nodded, heading to the counter as Lila and the child disappeared into the back room.
"I'm still not sure why I was summoned," I admitted. "The whole thing was chaos. Dozens of men in cloaks, candles everywhere, and then—boom—I was standing on a magic circle like some discount anime protagonist."
Rudolph laughed darkly. "Yeah, that sounds about right. The Sharqiaa always did have a flair for drama."
After a bit of chatting, he handed me a change of clothes—black harem pants with wide legs, a simple white shirt, and a pair of comfy-looking gladiator sandals. He also gave me a magical hooded cloak that, according to him, would automatically adjust to any climate.
I changed behind a screen and stepped out, feeling ten times more comfortable—and way less conspicuous.
"There. Much better," Rudolph said, giving me a thumbs-up. "You'll blend in just fine now. But remember: trust no one. Keep your identity secret."
I thanked him and stepped outside, the door closing quietly behind me.
I'd gained new knowledge—and new clothes—and a much clearer understanding of just how dangerous this world could be.
Rudolph said he wouldn't tell me more. Said the best way to understand this world was to live in it. Experience it. Discover its beauty and its dangers firsthand.
So, I did just that.
I wandered.
The buildings around me had a familiar look—classic medieval design like in fantasy books or the anime I used to watch. Knights patrolled the streets in groups, their armor clinking with every step.
After a few minutes of exploring, I found the marketplace.
Stalls lined the road, filled with exotic goods, colorful fruits, sizzling meats, and strange gadgets that sparkled under the sun. I used the silver coin Ross had given me to buy a skewer of roasted meat and a warm loaf of bread.
As I chewed on my meal, I looked around.
This world was weird.
Dangerous.
And totally unfair.
But at least I had food.
And for now…
That was enough.