Alone

"So, you understood what you have to do?" Xavier asked me, as he walked in front of me. I was still unsure how to terminate the dangerous creatures, especially those that can single-handedly vaporize villages.

Despite feeling reassured about completing the task, my mind was still preoccupied with the question of the promised reward. Was it enough? Would it be worth the effort? Perhaps it would be wise to bring up the topic with him.

"Ask me anyway," he said with a smile. He stood still and looked at me.

"The reward," I said in a low voice.

"What reward?" he lifted up his eyebrows.

"Before I met you, I was told that after finishing up, I will get rewarded. If I'm dead in my world, how would any reward be of any good use for me?"

"It's true you are dead in your world, but that doesn't mean you have nothing to fear after dying," he said.

"What would that be? I mean, the worst has already been done, right?" I asked.

"Worst?" he said, "You remember going through somewhat 'flashbacks' of your accident. It was just the surface of it."

"Surface?!" I exclaimed, "You don't know how much pain it was for me!"

"I know, Alex, I know," his voice went down. "But you understand your situation now, yes?"

"Partially," I replied.

...

{10 Minutes Earlier}

"And that is what you have to kill," he said sternly, glaring at it.

I had no idea what he was talking about, but I knew that we were in trouble. Something was happening, but I now know for sure that I am not fit to be here!

Clap

"What?! Where are we now?" I exclaimed as I saw myself in another random place.

"Your new home," he said.

"Yeah, my home," I said, "My HOME?!"

"When will you stop overreacting?" he sighed.

"Umm, never! You don't know what it's like being killed and sent to do something impossible and expected to wrap my head around it quickly too!" I yelled a bit.

"Fair enough, I suppose, but you need to get that down a notch or two," he said. "It's not good for you to be so concerned all the time. Let it flow and see where it takes you."

"Huh?" I was perplexed.

"Follow me," he said and started walking.

This time, before I was moved against my will, I tried to move myself.

As I followed him, I noticed we weren't alone this time. Also, it didn't seem deserted at all; it was more like a small village that I saw earlier. "Don't think of it," I muttered to myself as I felt a chill again when I thought of that village burning.

Xavier was moving towards a two-story house. Was it his?

"No, it's not mine," he said.

"Are you able to read my mind or what?" I asked, "It's creepy."

"Yeah, you can say that," he said.

Creak

The door made a sound as he opened it. He stepped in, but I wasn't so sure if I should go in or not. I mean, I can just run away now, maybe towards that forest and try to find my way back. But before I could think of anything more, that horrifying creature's image spawned. That's when all of my plans to escape vanished into thin air, and I also stepped in.

"The usual room, Elsi," I heard Xavier talk with a woman whose figure was hidden with the darkness in the room. It looks so shady.

"Here," she handed him a bunch of keys and looked at me, "New?"

"I-I am sorry, what?"

"Are you new here?" she asked.

"He is," he answered for me.

We walked upstairs and he unlocked a furthest room. And I should say, from the condition of the building and the floor, stairs, and overall outlook, you wouldn't believe that the room we are entering now. It was a pleasant surprise to find that the room we were staying in was luxurious and grand.

"Surprised?" he said.

"Who wouldn't be?" I replied as I was still looking around in surprise. "What is this? This doesn't seem practically possible for this type of room to be here."

"Not just a room, it's more like a floor," he said as I looked towards the left.

Huh? When I stepped further, I noticed not just one but multiple rooms were present here. But how!?

"You will get used to these types of things eventually," he said as if this is the most common thing. "For now, sit down." His tone changed.

"Wh-What?" I hesitantly asked.

"Since you already know that you have died in your world, so no-"

"What have we been talking about since earlier? 'My world'?"

"Alex, listen carefully. As of now, you don't continue to live in your world. You have been transmigrated to this world."

"..."

"Before you could go on with your life of the dead, you need to finish off the wishes of him. If not, you might never be able to leave here and possibly be reborn ever again."

"... But how? I don't know any of the stuff 'Magnus' you have been talking about," I replied.

"You don't need that," he said, "You just need to form an alliance to fulfill your mission."

"Form an alliance? Y-You realize right I could be killed in one single strike if that creature comes!" I exclaimed.

"You won't."

"I-I won't? That doesn't make any sense..!" I said.

"You will eventually," he said. "But for now, you need to get used to this new world."

"..." I couldn't reply back now.

"Take as much time as you need here, talk with people. Know about this world. Especially read. You need to know about those creatures too," he said.

"But weren't you supposed to be my guide?" I asked.

"Of course, I'm happy to serve as your guide," he replied with a warm smile. "However, it's important to note that my guidance is only effective when you're actively moving forward. If you find yourself feeling lost or unsure of which direction to take, don't hesitate to ask for assistance. I sure can navigate you through any challenges that may arise on your journey."

"..."

{Present}

"And most of all, get it in your head that you NEED to fulfill his wishes," Xavier said. "With that, I'll take my leave."

"Hu-huh?! Leave?" I was taken aback.

"Don't worry, I will swing by from time to time," he said reassuringly, "But try not to die in between."

Zoop

After saying that, he walked away without looking back, leaving me standing in the middle of the giant room feeling small and alone. The room itself was overwhelming, with high ceilings, towering walls, and an eerie silence that only made my solitude more pronounced. I couldn't help but wonder how long I would be trapped there, with no one to talk to and nothing to do but wait for my fate to be decided.