Lost, Found, and Unknowingly Headed for Trouble!

01

While still unconscious, I was led into a dream state. At first, everything was foggy, a whirl of dark colors and sounds, as if trying to focus on a blurry picture. Gradually, however, the images began to form and solidify, gaining sharpness and depth. It was as if my mind was adjusting to a new reality, a new perspective.

And then, in the dream fog, a figure began to take shape. At first indistinct and vague, it became sharper with each passing second. The female form, the black-haired head, the red eyes... it took a while to recognize who it was. As if my mind was reluctant to accept the reality of the figure present there…

-

It was…Yunyun…?

But why?

-

In that dream, I saw Yunyun in the Crimson Demons Village, always on the margin, watching others while she remained distant. She seemed so lonely, so out of place amidst the joy and excitement of the others, just as I felt, as I always felt. The feeling of loneliness was something I understood well, something that was commonplace in my own life.

Next, the dream shifted, and I saw myself in my small hometown, walking through the streets I knew so well. But, like Yunyun, I was so alone. The people around me were just distant shadows. I could see them, hear them, but I couldn't touch them. I couldn't connect. I felt as distant from them as Yunyun felt from her fellow crimson demons. A wave of sadness enveloped me, a deep feeling of desolation and abandonment.

The sense of isolation, the distance between the outside world and my own inner world, all of this was something I shared with Yunyun. We were two loners, each in our own way, trying to find our place in a world that seemed to have no room for us.

I saw myself in Yunyun and in her desire to connect with others, to be accepted and understood. Her longing for friendship and companionship and her desire to prove her worth resonated with me. I could feel her fear, her uncertainty, her hope. And although our circumstances were different, there was a fundamental similarity in our experiences, a connection that made me feel less alone.

The dream, which unfolded so gradually and subtly, ended abruptly. It was like a cord had been cut, dropping the illusion and pulling me back to life. The images and sensations of the dream suddenly disappeared as if torn from my mind. But the memory of the shared loneliness that seemed to exist between Yunyun and I remained. A persistent echo in my own reflection.

02

I was in limbo between dream and reality, lulled by the voices that hummed softly around me. I wasn't sure yet where I was, only that the darkness had been replaced by a gray fog. Slowly, the fog began to dissipate, and the harsh light began to fill my vision. With considerable effort, I managed to open my eyes.

What I saw left me in shock. A figure loomed over me, emitting a bright green aura that moved around its form. A scream escaped my throat, loud and full of dread:

-"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

My mind was spinning, adrenaline rushing through my veins, and my heart pounding against my chest.

The figure reacted to my scream with an equally intense start.

-"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEH!??"

Came a high-pitched scream in response. The figure also jumping back in alarm. In my agitation, I forgot the world around me, flinging myself back without thinking. My head hit hard against the wall behind me.

Now I realized: I was inside a carriage. The intricate wooden structure beneath my body, the soft noise of the wheels against the ground. I looked again at the silhouette, my eyes now adjusting to the light. Fear still vibrated through me, a residual sensation from the terror I had felt upon waking.

The figure, however, seemed more puzzled than scared now. She looked at me with wide eyes, clearly as surprised as I was by the situation. And I, still frightened and struggling to understand what was happening, could only stare back at her with a mix of fear and distress, waiting for the next move with my heart pounding hard in my chest.

The silhouette in front of me gradually became more evident, outlining a person I could finally recognize. It was a girl, probably a bit older than me, dressed in a light blue outfit that contrasted with the shadows of the carriage. She had brown eyes that seemed to shine with an inner light and medium-length dark hair that fell messily around her face.

Another girl, much like the first but older, stood a little further back, dressed similarly and with an alert expression. Her short brown hair and also brown eyes, with a long sword in a sheath at her side, made her somewhat intimidating. She observed the scene, attentive, but remained silent.

Swallowing the wave of panic, I gathered my courage to ask, "WHO ARE YOU?" The girl in front of me opened her mouth to answer, but the other spoke first, her voice firm, almost hostile.

"Hey, chill out, man. You were passed out in the middle of the road with a One-Punch-Bear on top of you. I don't even know how you're still alive," she explained, crossing her arms over her chest. "My sister here insisted on helping you, lucky for you her heart is good and naive, so you better behave."

"W-were you helping me? Did you help me? What do you mean?" I stammered, still processing the information. My heart was still pounding in my chest, but now it was mixed with a dash of gratitude and the pain of the hit I took to the head against the wall.

"You hit your head hard, didn't you? Our carriage was passing through the road when we started hearing screams coming from the path ahead. When we arrived, we found you," the older girl answered with a hint of indifference.

"And what was that green aura coming out of her hand?" I asked, remembering the strange glow that had scared me so much.

"That's healing magic," the younger sister explained softly. "I was healing your injuries. You were in bad shape."

Finally, I noticed that the sharp pain that previously consumed my body had largely dissipated. Looking down, I saw that the cuts and scratches that covered my skin had healed, although some scars still remained. Moreover, the extreme hunger and thirst had subsided.

The surprise must have been evident on my face, for the younger girl offered a small reassuring smile, the gesture softening the lines of her face. The other still sat watching, her expression cautious and severe. I wasn't sure how or why, but somehow, I had been saved.

"I told you he was a bum, sis," the intimidating sister broke the silence, her narrow eyes fixed on me. The accusation was blunt and sharp, catching me off guard.

"H-hey! I'm not a bum," I protested, trying to keep my voice steady, despite my growing uncertainty.

"Oh yeah?" she retorted, an eyebrow arched in a challenge. "So what's a guy doing without any belongings passed out in the forest and all wrecked? My sister even had to give you water and food by mouth while you were passed out because it seems like you haven't eaten or drank for a long time." Her words were harsh but not unjustified. It had been a long time since I had eaten that old bread, and I hadn't had a drop of water since I arrived.

"And you stink," she added with a nose wrinkle, the indifference in her expression contrasting with the accusation. I felt heat rise in my face. The humiliation made my head spin, even though I knew her words were true.

"Hey, sis! You don't have to be so hard on him!!" the younger girl intervened, her scolding tone aimed at her older sister. The age difference between them was evident; the older one carried a more mature air, and she looked about 25 years old despite her harshness. The younger one, with her voice as soft as honey and brown eyes full of worry, had the innocence of someone who had barely passed 18 years.

I had found myself in a very unusual situation. Still, I was grateful even in the face of the older sister's harsh words. Grateful they saw me, grateful they helped me. Now all I could do was try to understand where I was and how I could reciprocate their kindness.

Still flushed with embarrassment, I forced myself to lift my head and face the sisters. "Look, I'm not a bum," I began, my words ringing with sincerity, "I'm heading towards the village of the crimson demons, but I got lost and ended up using all my provisions."

After a pause, the sisters' gaze on me felt heavy and evaluative. I swallowed hard; I knew I wasn't being entirely honest, but it wasn't completely a lie. "I know I must have been a burden, and you have every right to have suspicions about me, but I swear I don't want to harm anyone, and I'm very grateful that you saved me. When I get money, I'll pay you back, I promise. I know you must have spent quite a bit on me already. I don't even know how long I was unconscious."

The younger sister smiled, her expression softening slightly. "You were unconscious for about a day," she said. The shock washed over me like a wave. An entire day. I couldn't believe it.

"The village of the crimson demons?" The older sister asked, her voice laden with disbelief. "That village is full of crazies, why would anyone want to go there on purpose?!" She seemed genuinely perplexed by my intention, which only made me more intrigued.

"It's a long story…" I murmured, rubbing my nape. I could see the older sister lower her guard a little, although there was still suspicion in her eyes.

"Either way, you have my temporary vote of confidence, but," she warned, her intense gaze fixed on mine, "if you try anything, I will behead you before you even blink." The threatening tone in her voice made my stomach churn, but I could only nod in understanding. I was, after all, in debt to them.

03

The older sister's words of warning were still echoing in my ears when I was about to inquire about the proximity of our route to the Village of the crimson demons. But my thoughts were interrupted by the piercing sound of a door opening and a man entering the carriage. He seemed to be in his mid-50s, with a prominent belly and a broad smile on his face. He didn't seem like an adventurer, more like a merchant. At least, that was the impression I had.

"I heard quite a chatter down here, so it could only be our guest who woke up! Hello, friend!! How are you? By the way, my name is Stephane. Nice to meet you!" He exclaimed, addressing me. His voice echoed through the carriage, full of animation and enthusiasm, filling the once-silent space with an almost palpable vibration.

"I-I'm fine. Nice to meet you, sir," I replied hesitantly.

"With that fear in your voice, I bet my daughter here has been threatening you, right?" He nodded at the older girl and continued, "She always does that. But damn, you slept for a long time, huh? I thought you had died; it seems my youngest did an outstanding job of bringing you back to life hahaha." He winked at the younger sister, who blushed slightly.

So they were his daughters.

"Yes sir, I woke up without any injuries and I'm feeling very well."

"Yeah, she is a very talented archmage!" He continued, his voice sounding proud. I looked at the younger sister, who seemed slightly embarrassed by her father's compliment.

"I was listening to your conversation," he continued, "good to know you're not a bad one. From time to time, some crazy person falls around here because they drank too much or because they're a wanderer, but it seems you're a good guy!"

He laughed, a contagious laugh that filled the carriage. It was hard not to smile along.

"So, if I heard right, you're heading to the village of those crazy demons?" Stephane arched an eyebrow, his face breaking into a playful smile. Hahaha, good luck there. Those people are weirder than a dragon with two tails!

"Yes, that's where I'm heading," I replied to Stephane, forcing a weak smile. He managed to coax a soft laugh from me, despite everything. Encouraged by the friendly atmosphere, I decided to risk a question. "But Mr. Stephane, may I ask... If the Village has such a strange reputation, and the road here seems so deserted... What brings you to these parts? You are the first people I've met so far."

"Clever question! Well, I'm a supply trader, I have a shipment to deliver near the Village to an old customer, we're going to pass in front of the main entrance." He explained, with a casual wave of his thick hand. "I think in about 4 hours we should arrive at your destination if all goes well, by the way."

I widened my eyes, surprised. This was a relief. Even with the unexpected interruption, I was on the right path.

"Is it morning already, sir?" I asked, noticing the light outside the window. Stephane laughed.

"Oh yes!! I'm sorry, everything is closed with curtains here, you can't see outside. It's almost morning. It's 5 o'clock now! We'll stop at a river nearby in about an hour to have breakfast and take a bath... since you need one, right? Hahaha!!!!" He laughed again, so loud I couldn't help but smile.

With the promise of just a few more hours of travel and the prospect of a bath and breakfast, I felt a spark of energy coursing through my body, which was now rested. Despite the fright, I had fallen into good hands. And as strange as the situation might seem, I was beginning to regain hope…

"But after all, what's your name, boy?!" Stephane asked, looking at me expectantly. He was curious; And I was ready to say:

"My name is Vi-" I stopped in mid-sentence. There was something stopping me from continuing. A feeling, an instinct that told me that giving my real name might not be a good idea. I didn't know why, but I trusted this feeling. So, without thinking, I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.

"Vitor Satou."

That's when I felt it. An abrupt silence, heavy as lead, fell over the carriage. The expressions of the sisters changed. The older one furrowed her brow, looking surprised, and the younger one had wide eyes, staring at me as though I were a ghost. In turn, Stephane choked on his saliva, his eyes bulging as he looked at me.

"Satou?" He repeated, his voice wavering. "As in... Kazuma Satou?"

I froze. They knew that surname. Why did mentioning the name 'Kazuma Satou' affect them so much?

It was then that I realized perhaps I had made a big mistake.