Hello. My name is Sylvan Cruz.
An ordinary twenty-five-year-old from Earth.
And for some unknown reason… Truck-kun chose me.
Of all people.
Of all days.
Of all places.
I used to think getting isekai'd meant instant power, cheat skills, legendary weapons, beautiful companions, and a life handed to you on a silver platter.
Apparently, that memo never reached my truck.
For the past few days, I've struggled with the most basic things: language barriers, suspicious guards, and the painful realization that survival here wasn't scripted for my convenience.
"Truck-kun," I muttered under my breath, rubbing my temple, "what did I do to deserve this?"
Life really was unfair.
Still… complaining wouldn't earn me dinner.
It was only noon. I still had time to go out, scout a bit, and return before nightfall. No heroics. Just cautious steps are my specialty.
My first official quest was simple enough: gather Blue Water Lilies.
Three copper coins per flower.
Cheap. Safe. Boring.
Exactly my kind of quest.
According to the guild notes, Blue Water Lilies were an ingredient for lesser mana regeneration potions. Not exactly valuable on their own, but useful and useful things always sell.
More importantly, I needed money.
I needed a weapon.
As a mage, a wand would've been ideal. Unfortunately, the cheapest one costs five gold coins.
I checked my pouch again, just in case money had magically multiplied.
Ten silver.
…Yeah. Still broke.
"For now," I sighed, "a dagger will have to do."
I wandered through the market, eyes lingering on polished blades and sturdy gear I couldn't afford. Eventually, I found myself staring at the worn items section.
There it was.
An old dagger. Five silver.
The blade was nicked. The handle was worn smooth by countless hands. But it had a scabbard, and the durability looked acceptable.
"Temporary," I murmured. "Just like everything else in my life."
I knew how to sharpen a knife. At least that skill carried over from Earth.
After paying, I headed to the food stalls and bought a few fruits for another silver. Emergency rations. Nothing fancy.
I secured the dagger at my waist and placed the fruits in my bag.
Okay. Armed. Fed. Poor.
Time to go.
The town gates were as imposing as ever, thick stone walls, guards stationed at intervals, and adventurers moving in and out in small groups.
This place really was fortified.
I couldn't help but imagine what it must look like during a monster surge.
Judging by the patrols outside the walls and along the forest outskirts, monsters were a constant threat. And yet…
"This town's been here for thirty years," I muttered as I walked. "And the monsters still haven't thinned out."
Unsettling.
It meant the forest wasn't running out of teeth anytime soon.
I followed the outskirts until I spotted the river. Guards patrolled nearby in groups of five, their presence reassuring, but I knew better than to rely on them.
Once outside the walls, you were on your own.
The river sparkled under the sunlight, clear water flowing steadily downstream. Fish swam against the current, stubbornly pushing forward as if challenging the river itself.
"…No lilies," I sighed after a quick look.
Figures.
I followed the stream instead, carefully scanning the bushes along the bank.
As I walked, something caught my attention.
A horned rabbit.
My stomach growled.
Those things were surprisingly good when cooked properly. I hadn't eaten meat in days, just fish and vegetables. I missed real protein.
"If I can take one…" I whispered, crouching low.
Eight meters.
That should be safe.
Any closer and it might bolt.
I lowered my voice and began chanting.
"O Lady of Steadfast Ground,
Goddess who bears mountains and soil,
Grant me a grain of your strength.
Gather, harden, and take form.
By your blessing, Earth Bullet."
A small stone formed in my palm.
I aimed.
The bullet shot forward.
Thud.
The rabbit shrieked, tumbling onto its side alive but badly injured.
I didn't hesitate.
I rushed forward and drove my dagger down.
One clean stab.
…Done.
I exhaled shakily.
"One down."
I placed the rabbit into my sack, the one the guild had given me for free. Apparently, they liked giving newbies a small advantage.
I appreciated that.
After checking the area for danger, I continued following the stream.
A few moments later, I reached the forest entrance.
And there they were.
Blue Water Lilies.
Five of them.
I glanced around quickly, then gathered them and tucked them into my bag.
I could head back now and claim the reward…
Or …
"I should at least memorize the terrain," I muttered.
Future Sylvan would thank me.
I moved deeper into the forest, staying close to the river.
I wouldn't go far.
That was my rule.
Soon enough, I spotted another cluster.
"…Ten," I whispered.
Fifty meters ahead.
My fingers twitched.
Then I forced myself to breathe.
"Calm down. Don't be greedy."
I scanned the surroundings carefully and crouched into a bush.
That's when I heard it.
Crack.
Footsteps.
Something small.
I peered through the leaves.
Green skin. Long ears. A crude dagger.
"…Goblin."
It was alone.
My heart pounded.
I could do this.
I crept closer, keeping low.
"This is close enough."
I began chanting again.
"O Lady of Steadfast Ground"
I aimed for its head.
The goblin wasn't moving.
The stone flew.
Thud.
Direct hit.
The goblin collapsed.
I rushed forward.
It was still alive but confused, flailing.
I stabbed for its heart.
It blocked with its hand.
The blade pierced flesh, but not deep enough.
The goblin screeched and swung wildly.
I grabbed its other arm, gritted my teeth, and stabbed again.
Once.
Twice.
Stab.
Blood spilled.
The goblin went limp.
Silence.
Then..
Shouts.
"…Shit."
I quickly sliced off its left ear and took its dagger. Proof. Loot.
Then I ran.
I followed the river to avoid getting lost.
But when I glanced back
Three goblins.
Charging.
Daggers raised.
"…Why does it always escalate?"
I tightened my grip on my dagger.
And ran.