Chapter 4: Taking Stock of the Situation

And so—on the night of the day I woke up, having returned to my own room, I spent my time scouring the internet to figure out what kind of world I’d landed in.

"Let’s see... fifty years ago, [Dungeons] appeared, and monsters flooded the world... Humanity supposedly developed through the 'blessings' of the [Dungeons]?"

That was the gist of what a cursory search told me.

The moment I read those words, my bad premonition shifted into high gear. I pulled out a diary that had been tucked away in my desk—or rather, the desk that belonged to the 'me' of this world—and that premonition hardened into cold certainty.

The diary provided the evidence for the persistent sense of wrongness I’d been feeling.

It was filled with a longing to become an [Adventurer] who delved into [Dungeons]—memories and aspirations I didn't share. When I factored in the events I’d witnessed, the scenery of this city, and the information on the screen, the conclusion was unavoidable.

Is this what they call a parallel world?

In my original world, monsters didn't exist. There was no such thing as magic, and fantasy hadn't encroached upon daily life. Yet everything else was identical—my family structure, the era, and above all, my one and only childhood friend. Everything.

"Heh... so I didn't actually make it back after all."

This world was a mirror image of my own, save for the fantasy elements. Which meant... there was a high probability that this body belonged to the Reima of this world, and I had effectively hijacked the shell of a version of myself who had lost consciousness in an accident.

Stop. There’s no point in spiraling into dark thoughts.

For now, I understood the basics: this was a parallel world, an [Earth] that had been transformed by fantasy.

"Luna. You’re there, aren't you?"

Having gathered enough information, I called out to the companion I knew was likely using [Stealth].

A presence flickered into existence where there had been nothing before. She appeared... but not exactly how I expected.

"What are you doing...?"

"Just a safety check, Master."

She had revealed herself inside my bed, looking entirely too relaxed. In fact, she was currently burying her face in my pillow.

"Master looked anxious, so I performed a confirmation. Result: this bed is safe."

"Right... thanks, I guess?"

"It is only natural. After all, I am the smartest."

She didn't sound particularly 'smart' saying that, but her usual antics were enough to make me feel a flicker of genuine relief.

"By the way, Master, where are we?"

Finally voicing the obvious question, she climbed out of the bed and sat on the edge. She was a girl with blue hair, wearing little more than a thin, translucent scrap of cloth. She was strikingly beautiful, but she possessed a pair of wolf ears that no human should have, and a tail that swayed behind her as I shifted my gaze.

"It’s hard to explain, but... it’s the world I was originally from. Sort of."

"The one you mentioned before?"

"Close enough."

"That explains why the bed smells like Master... I understand now."

She nodded sagely. This was [Luna Managarm]. She could be a bit of a space cadet, but she was the first companion I’d met—a reliable ally who had traveled by my side for three years.

"Hey, Master. I’ve been hiding all this time. I think I deserve a reward. Pet me."

"I don't mind petting you, but why so sudden?"

"Because I’ve been in hiding for six hours since you summoned me... and it’s been so long since I’ve had my Master."

"Fine. Just wait a second, Luna."

I reached out and stroked her head. The familiar, nostalgic texture of her hair hit me harder than I expected. Without realizing it, tears began to blur my vision.

"Master? Why are you crying?"

"It’s nothing... I just... I realized this isn't a dream."

The gnawing fear I’d felt until she appeared—the terror that my entire life in that other world had been a hallucination—evaporated the moment I touched her. My friends from that world were real. They were here. The dam inside me finally broke.

"Master is a crybaby as always. It’s okay... I’m right here."

"Sorry. Just... let me stay like this for a bit longer."

"Mhm. As long as you want. You can cry."

I stayed there until the tears stopped, stroking her hair to anchor myself to reality. To prove to myself that she was truly there.

"Sorry you had to see that, Luna."

"Not at all. If anything, I’m happy because now I have a story I can brag about to the others."

"Don't you dare. Keep this a secret."

"Hehe. Understood. It’s a secret between the two of us, Master."

She gave me a meaningful look. I really hoped she meant it. If the others found out, they’d tease me relentlessly, and it was embarrassing enough as it was.

"Anyway, Luna... are the others okay?"

"Ah... yes. They’re safe. Everyone is inside Master."

"Good. That’s a relief."

My companions, the [Summoned Beasts], reside within the [Soul World] of a [Summoner]. I’d feared that my death meant losing them forever, but if I could call Luna, the rest were likely safe as well.

"Anyway, it’s been a long day. I’m going to sleep. What about you, Luna?"

"I... think I’ll stay out a bit longer. I’m still worried about you."

"Thanks. Goodnight, then."

"Goodnight, Master."

I watched Master sleep.

He looked a bit younger than I remembered, but his soul was the same. My precious person, sleeping with such an innocent expression. I had been suppressing the sheer joy of reuniting with the lord I thought I’d lost forever, but I was at my limit.

"Thank god... I’m so glad you’re alive, Master..."

I remembered everything from our old world. The way it ended after he defeated the [Demon King] and saved everyone. The moment he, the kindest man I knew, was betrayed. The hollow void when our connection snapped. The despair of believing I’d never see him again.

But we were together again. He had petted me, just like he used to. That warmth wasn't a dream. It was the one thing I had craved above all else.

"This unknown world... I won't let them kill you again. Never."

We didn't destroy that world only because he didn't wish for it. But we had learned the price of that mercy... and I refused to lose this warmth a second time.

I slipped into the bed beside him. As I clung to him, feeling his heat, my resolve hardened.

"If this world tries to hurt Master again, I’ll become whatever I need to be to stop it. I’m sure the others feel the same."

The companions resting within him... they surely shared my conviction. Even if this entire world turned against us, I would protect this man to the very end.

"Sorry... everyone..." Master murmured in his sleep.

He was still blaming himself. I whispered back to him.

"It’s okay... Everything is going to be okay, Master."