Cold moonlight poured over the earth.
In the tranquil forest, frogs croaked and insects chirped. Fireflies drifted through the air, painting a scene of natural harmony.
Roy leaned against a large tree.
When the effect of the Level 7 Experience Card faded, it felt as though his entire body were falling apart. He cursed under his breath.
That damned pig—Ottar—was truly tough.
No wonder he had grown under the fists of the Zeus and Hera Familias.
Just as the Freya Familia had guessed, Roy was not Level 8.
Though his parameters had exceeded Ottar's, they were still within the same level.
Clashing head-on against a fully unleashed Ottar had dealt him considerable damage.
Of course—
Not as severe as Ottar's.
There was no way the Freya Familia could find him.
The moment the clash ended, using the dust that blotted out the sky as cover, Roy had already retreated.
As long as he did not enter the Dungeon, he could transfer to another world at any time.
That—
Was his true trump card.
If he had relied solely on a single Level 7 Experience Card to challenge Orario's strongest familia, that would have been suicide.
As the overwhelming power of Level 7 drained away, an endless sense of emptiness followed.
Like falling from the clouds into a valley.
Roy smacked his lips but felt little regret.
A temporary experience was only that—temporary.
To grow attached to borrowed strength would be foolish.
Using that card to slap the Freya Familia hard across the face, vent his anger, and glimpse the peak of Orario's "strongest"—
That was enough.
One day, he would reach that level himself.
And defeat "King" Ottar in an open and honorable battle.
Instance Name:Inuyasha
Level Range: LV.2–LV.6
Description: Japan's Warring States period five hundred years ago—a land where demons and monsters lurk everywhere.
Main Quest: Slay the Centipede Demon Woman. Reward: 50 attribute points.
Additional Quest: Slay Naraku and his incarnations. Reward: ——
Roy opened the instance panel.
Killing the Centipede Demon Woman would not be difficult.
He had chosen this world before confronting the Freya Familia.
There were still many unresolved matters in Orario.
Freya would not let this go so easily.
He needed to complete the main quest quickly and return.
The Centipede Demon Woman was not particularly powerful.
Even exorcists and mages of this world could handle her with ease.
"Granny Kaede, I really saw a boy lying beneath that tree!"
"Other than demons, who would appear in the forest at night?"
Several figures pushed through the grass and approached Roy.
A few farmers.
And an elderly shrine maiden wearing traditional robes, an eyepatch covering her right eye.
When they saw Roy beneath the tree, they froze, expressions wary.
Kaede approached cautiously.
She took a pouch and sprinkled coarse salt over him.
Seeing no reaction, she nodded.
"He's human. No need to worry."
Roy brushed the salt from his clothes.
An old method for distinguishing demons.
"How did you end up in a place like this?" Kaede asked.
"Got into a fight with a wild boar—"
They exchanged simple answers.
Kaede studied him with a meaningful gaze before sighing.
"If you have nowhere to stay, you may lodge with me."
"Thank you. I'll accept your kindness."
Roy smiled.
After being rammed by that damned pig—Ottar—his entire body ached and his head still spun.
It would take at least a day or two to fully recover.
Though he had food and a tent in his spatial ring, he had no desire to camp in the forest.
Especially not in a world filled with demons.
Roy followed them back to the village and stayed in Kaede's modest wooden hut.
"Drink. We don't have much in a place like this," Kaede said, handing him a bowl of hot soup.
Roy looked down.
A few carrot pieces sank at the bottom, unknown wild greens floating on the surface.
He took a sip.
Barely any flavor beyond a hint of salt.
After months of hearty meals in Orario, his palate had grown accustomed to rich food.
Still, he said nothing and finished the warm soup.
"In these chaotic times, I will not ask about your origins," Kaede said, stirring the fire with a stick.
During their walk back, she had already noticed—
His bearing and speech were nothing like those of a rural villager.
He must have come from a great city.
But their poor village had nothing worth coveting.
"Thank you," Roy replied sincerely.
Kaede was, in every sense, a good person.
After resting one night, Roy cast several healing spells—Noah's Heal.
The recovery was slow but effective.
In the forest, the magic was even enhanced.
Praise Lady Ryuu.
The next day—
Roy was preparing to search for the Centipede Demon Woman when he saw villagers gathered nearby.
Pushing through the crowd, he found what he expected.
A girl in a sailor uniform lay bound on the ground.
Her appearance and attire were entirely out of place in this era.
Kagome Higurashi.
The reincarnation of the shrine maiden Kikyo.
Because of the Shikon Jewel within her body, she had fallen through the Bone-Eater's Well and traveled five hundred years into the past.
Now she had been captured and tied up by the villagers.
Roy stepped forward with a smile.
"You're from the modern era, right? It might sound strange, but this is five hundred years before your time. You came through the well at your family shrine."
Kagome's eyes widened.
Understanding dawned instantly.
"You too?!"
Roy shook his head lightly.
"I'm just someone who arrived a day earlier."
He turned to Kaede.
"Look carefully. Doesn't her face resemble someone?"
Kaede leaned closer.
Her expression changed.
"Lift your expression—make it more intelligent."
Kagome rolled her eyes.
She was already intelligent!
As her familiar features became clearer, Kaede looked at Roy in disbelief.
He smiled.
"Yes. Just as you think. She is the reincarnation of the shrine maiden Kikyo."
Kaede's eyes grew moist.
The misunderstanding was resolved.
The villagers dispersed.
Roy and Kagome returned to Kaede's hut.
"Thank you. Otherwise, I don't know how long they would've kept me tied up," Kagome said, rubbing her sore wrists and ankles.
After Roy's explanation, she finally understood what kind of era she had fallen into—
Lawless.
Chaotic.
Bandits abducting and killing people was common.
Demons roamed freely.
She broke out in a cold sweat.
"I'm only temporarily staying here too," Roy said with a smile.
His gaze subtly shifted toward Kagome's side abdomen.
He could faintly sense a ripple of energy there.
The Shikon Jewel.
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