Izumi hadn't expected his world to shake.
Just moments ago, everything had been proceeding exactly as planned. The newly implemented system—status panels, leveling mechanics, monster spawning—was functioning perfectly. Across the world, people were already rushing into the wilderness, blades in hand, eager to test their newfound strength.
Slimes, goblins, low-tier beasts… even ordinary civilians could now fight, grow, and evolve.
A self-sustaining cycle had begun.
And yet—
Something disturbed it.
A subtle tremor rippled through the very fabric of the world.
Izumi's expression stiffened.
"…That's not part of the system."
Without hesitation, his figure vanished.
...
When Izumi reappeared, he was no longer within the boundaries of his world—but outside it.
The vast, chaotic expanse of the dimensional void stretched endlessly in all directions.
Beside him, two figures materialized as well—
Alaya
Gaia
Both had sensed the disturbance.
But the moment the three of them looked ahead—
They froze.
"…A dragon?" Izumi muttered.
There, just beyond the boundary of his world, a white dragon was repeatedly ramming into the dimensional barrier.
Boom—!
It bounced back.
Boom—!
Again.
Over and over, like a lost creature trying desperately to get inside.
Yet every attempt ended the same way—the world rejected it.
Alaya frowned slightly.
"…Did it get lost?"
Gaia tilted her head.
"And… isn't that a young dragon?"
Indeed.
Despite its massive form, the dragon lacked the overwhelming presence of an ancient being. If anything, it felt… immature.
Izumi narrowed his eyes.
"Leave this to me."
Without waiting for a response, he stepped forward.
Alaya and Gaia exchanged glances—then quietly disappeared, leaving the matter in his hands.
Izumi approached the dragon.
Up close, it stopped its reckless attempts and simply stared at him.
Its eyes were—
innocent.
"…Strange," Izumi murmured.
He was just about to analyze it—
When suddenly—
The dragon shrank.
Its massive body compressed, condensed—
And transformed.
Into a small girl.
White hair.
Tiny horns.
A tail swaying gently behind her.
Deadpan, sleepy eyes.
Izumi blinked once.
"…Ah."
No need to analyze anymore.
This was unmistakable.
Kanna Kamui
Kanna looked up at him and spoke in a soft, matter-of-fact tone.
"Can I go inside?"
She placed a hand on her stomach.
"I'm hungry."
Izumi chuckled lightly.
"You're Kanna, right?"
"…Why do you know me?" she asked, tilting her head.
"More importantly," Izumi continued, ignoring the question for now, "why are you drifting through the dimensional void?"
Kanna blinked.
"I don't know."
"I was flying… and then I ended up here."
"…I see."
That explained very little.
But it was very Kanna.
Izumi sighed faintly, then gestured.
"Come with me. I'll let you in."
Kanna hesitated for only a second before walking over.
For some reason—
She felt safe around him.
Maybe it was the faint dragon aura emanating from Izumi.
Or maybe she simply trusted her instincts.
Either way, she followed.
With a wave of his hand, Izumi opened a passage through the outer barrier.
Kanna stepped inside.
The moment she did—
Her eyes widened.
"…Isn't that seriously crazy?…"
Her signature murmur slipped out unconsciously.
"This world… is amazing."
She could feel it immediately.
The density of rules.
The layered systems.
The overwhelming strength of its foundation.
It was far beyond her original world.
Izumi smiled slightly.
"Welcome. I'm Izumi. Nice to meet you, Kanna-chan."
Kanna looked at him with pure, unfiltered curiosity.
"Nice to meet you, Izumi-sama."
Then, without missing a beat—
"Are you taking me to eat now?"
"I'm hungry."
Izumi laughed.
"Of course."
"Food comes first."
Taking her small hand, he teleported once more.
...
They arrived in the bustling streets of the Dimensional City.
People from countless worlds walked side by side. Voices overlapped. Energy filled the air.
Kanna looked around, quietly observing everything.
Izumi, meanwhile, handed her a card.
"Here."
Kanna accepted it.
"…What's this?"
"A points card. There are 10,000 points inside."
"That should be enough for you to eat as much as you want for a while."
Kanna stared at it.
Then—
She bit it.
Hard.
"…?"
Izumi froze for a second.
Kanna frowned slightly.
"…Can't bite through it."
Only then did she nod and put it away.
Izumi couldn't help but laugh awkwardly.
"…You really do put everything in your mouth, huh…"
Good thing the card was reinforced.
Otherwise, it might've been reduced to scrap in seconds.
"Come on," Izumi said, guiding her forward.
"I'll take you somewhere good."
Their destination—
The restaurant run by:
Nakiri Erina
As they walked, Izumi casually explained the basics of his world—points, monsters, systems, and opportunities.
"And if you ever need more points," he added, "you can earn them yourself."
"With your strength, it shouldn't be difficult."
Kanna nodded slowly.
"…As long as there's food."
Izumi smirked.
"Then you'll fit right in here."
And just like that—
A lost dragon found a new world.
And perhaps—
A new place to belong.