Leon took a deep breath, his heart still racing from the unexpected battle. He turned to the man who had just saved him, eyes filled with confusion and curiosity.
"Who... who are you?" Leon asked, still trying to process everything.
The man, now standing with his sword sheathed, glanced at him with a hint of annoyance. "I already told you. I'm Ricardo." He crossed his arms. "And you? What's your deal? You don't look like you belong here."
Leon hesitated. "I'm Leon. And honestly... I have no idea how I got here. One moment I was—" He stopped himself. Would Ricardo even believe him if he said he was from another world?
Ricardo raised an eyebrow but didn't push further. Instead, he unsheathed his weapon and held it up. The silver blade gleamed under the light, but there was something eerie about it. The air around it seemed heavier, almost cursed.
"This is my sword. A silver-cursed blade," Ricardo said, his voice steady. "It's both a blessing and a burden."
Leon gulped. "Cursed?"
Ricardo smirked. "Let's just say it has a will of its own. But that's not important right now. Come with me. I'll take you to the city."
Leon followed Ricardo through the dense forest, stepping carefully over the twisted roots and fallen leaves. After a while, the trees gave way to a breathtaking sight.
A magnificent city stretched before them, bathed in the golden glow of the setting sun. Towering spires, bustling streets, and floating lanterns created an almost dreamlike atmosphere. The roads were lined with merchants, knights, and adventurers, each one carrying an air of purpose and excitement.
Leon's jaw dropped. "This place is... incredible."
Ricardo chuckled. "Welcome to Eldoria. If you're planning to survive in this world, you'll need to learn how things work. First stop—The Hunter's Guild."
They navigated through the crowded streets until they reached a grand stone building with a massive wooden sign that read: Monster Hunter's Guild. The entrance was lively, filled with warriors boasting of their conquests and rookies nervously glancing at quest boards.
"This is where adventurers take on monster-hunting jobs," Ricardo explained. "If you need money, protection, or just a purpose, this is where you start."
Leon's mind buzzed with questions, but exhaustion weighed on him. That night, as he lay on a soft bed in an inn Ricardo had taken him to, he stared at the ceiling, lost in thought.
"Is it really possible... for me to have a peaceful life in this world?"
The night breeze whispered through the window, but no answer came.