The ground squelched beneath his feet as Rew staggered along the muddy road, clutching his shoulder with a grimace. It had been quite a few hours since the fight, but the incoming rain had made it impossible for the wound to properly coagulate. Though, it was quite shocking even to him that he hadn't passed out yet. He had definitely lost a lot of blood. His body was screaming at him to stop yet he knew he had to continue. If he collapsed right now he would definitely die, especially with the rain eating away at his body temperature.
Rew's heart skipped a beat as he spotted something in the distance. Was it his imagination or was that actually buildings coming into view? His heart began to race as he broke into a run.
Soon, he found himself in the middle of a bustling road. Judging from the paved road, and the building designs this world seemed to be in the medieval age? Wait was that a train? Okay. Industrial age? As he ogled at his surroundings, his passerbys glanced at him with pitying gazes, while they tightened their coats and hurried away. One passerby had even tossed him a cloak to wear. It was only then did he realize how odd he looked, even in this new world, with his half tattered clothes, huge wound on his shoulder, and half a sword by his waist. He probably looked worse than a beggar.
Rubbing his nose in embarrasment he hastily picked up the cloak in grattitude and wrapped it around himself, after which he decided to look for a place to stay since the rain was getting worse.
After wandering down the streets for a while, he spotted an inn and hurriedly slipped in, a warm gust of wind blasting his face as he entered. The inn was not what Rew expected. For some reason, when he thought of an inn, he had pictured a roaring fire, huge jeering crowds, beer but it was quite quiet, actually. There were a few customers quietly eating near the fireplace, and that was it.
Making his way to the front counter he asked in a gruff tone "Could I get a room for one please?". The store clerk wearily rubbed his eyes, not looking up from the book he was reading.
"Sure, our cheapest is 3 coppers."
'Oh shit.' Patting his body up and down, he realized he had no money. Heck, he didn't even know how money worked in this world. Suddenly, he felt something in his pocket. It was a coin. Sliding it onto the table, he had no choice but to hope it was enough. The store clerk looked at the coin, and then looked at him.
"3 coppers sir. That's one".
His heart heart sank.
"WHAT? 3 COPPERS? THAT'S OUTRAGEOUS?!!"
A voice erupted from the counter beside him.
"Ma'am I'm sorry. That's already one of the cheapest in the town."
Rew shook his head. He'd just have to sleep somewhere on the streets today. As he prepared to take the coin, and leave, a hand slammed on the counter, revealing two more copper coins.
"I'll take a room with him!". A lady exclaimed.
Rew's eyes snapped open. Who? Him?
The clerk looked at him inquiringly.
"Y-yeah sure, I'll take one with her." Wait. Now that he thought about it, why did he say yes? Why did he say that without thinking? Shit, nevermind, he couldn't really give a fuck. At least he had a room tonight.
'Tsk'. The clerk clicked his tongue annoyedly and took the coins, and handed over a key.
"Room 7. If you want to extend your stay it's 3 copper per day".
Staring at the woman for a second, Rew decided to make his way into his room first before shooting any questions.
Climbing up the stairs, he made his way down the hallway.
'Where was it... Room 1, 2.... 7'
Entering the door, he collapsed onto the bed, exhausted.
Suddenly remembering that he was sharing the room with a woman he shot up, finding her staring at him, as if she was trying to scrutinize every part of him. Now that he could get a good look at her, he realized that her clothes, similar to his were in tatters. Not to mention... weren't those clothes from Earth?
Her situation seemed oddly similar to his...
'No way... right?' He thought to himself.
Scrutinizing her now, he realized that she was quite pretty... the only reason he hadn't noticed was because she had been covered in mud and dirt like him. Though that wasn't the only thing... The more he looked at her, the more he seemed to feel as if he had seen her before..
"Are... you from Earth?". She asked warily.
"Yeah...I'm guessing you are too?"
She nodded.
"Hah. Not gonna lie, I thought some weirdo girl in this world had just randomly found a room with me. Anyways, do.. uh... do you know where we are?" Rew asked.
She shrugged, hands in her pocket, avoiding his gaze as if she was trying to avoid an embarassing conversation topic.
"You fought a monster too?"
"Yeah... a slime...."
Rew nearly choked.
"You are in THAT condition, from a slime? Like the one's in video games?"
"Yeah...."
Pfffft. Rew couldn't help but let out a smirk.
She broke into a smile too, red with embarassment.
"It was a really big one! It was about this big...." she hurriedly framed a box of around half a meter, trying to justify herself.
Rew let out a laugh.
"I'm Rew by the way, just Rew Asher"
"Lya Henrichs".
"Well, regardless of whats happened, let's figure it out tomorrow, I'm tired. You can take the bed."
"No, no it's oka-" but before she could reply Rew had already passed out on the floor, fast asleep with a slight grin plastered on his face. This was the first time he had truly felt happy in a while.