Somewhere on a world called Earth, nestled in a quiet city, stood an ordinary high school. Or at least, it seemed ordinary. Inside a classroom on the third floor, the teacher's voice droned on about equations and historical dates. Students half-listened, scribbling notes or doodling in notebooks—except for one.
At the back of the room sat Wes Walker, a boy with raven-black hair and sharp brown eyes. He leaned back lazily in his chair, a smirk playing on his lips as his fingers danced rapidly over his handheld game console. The screen flashed with gunfire and explosions from the video shooting game he was fully immersed in.
"Take that! Eat lasers, alien scum!" Wes whispered, his eyes locked on the screen.
"Boom! Headshot! Triple kill! Haha, I'm unstoppable!" he continued, voice rising with excitement.
The game showed his character sprinting through a digital warzone, blasting away at grotesque monsters. He rolled, ducked behind cover, and launched grenades.
"Oh man, boss fight already? Let's gooo!"
Other students glanced over their shoulders.
"Is he seriously playing during class again?" one girl whispered.
"I swear, he's addicted," said a boy with glasses.
"Honestly? It's kind of impressive how into it he gets," another said.
"Impressive? It's annoying. We're trying to learn!" a top student muttered.
"Yeah, but it's Wes. What do you expect?" someone snorted.
"Ten bucks says the teacher explodes in three... two... one..."
"WES WALKER!"
The teacher's yell snapped through the classroom like a whip. Students jumped, but Wes didn't flinch. He simply blinked, then sighed.
"Five more minutes," Wes said casually, not looking up. "I'm at the boss fight. This is life or death."
"Put that thing away and listen! This is your education!" the teacher barked, voice rising with frustration.
The class erupted in snickers and whispers.
"Dude's got guts."
"Or no brain cells."
"He's hilarious, though!"
Two rows behind him sat Scarlett Hayes, his childhood best friend. Her long crimson-red hair was tied into a high ponytail with a black ribbon, and her sharp emerald-green eyes flashed with irritation.
"Idiot," she muttered, rolling her eyes.
The teacher drew in a breath, clearly ready to unleash another storm of fury—
RRRRIIIIIIIIIIINGGGG!
The school bell blared. The teacher let out a defeated sigh.
"All right, students. Time to go home. See you tomorrow."
Chairs scraped back as students stood and began filing out, chatting among themselves.
"Gonna hit the arcade."
"Homework can wait."
"Streaming tonight!"
Wes? Still seated. Still playing.
"Boom! Another one down! Man, these monsters don't stand a chance!" he laughed, completely in his own world.
Then came a shout: "YOU IDIOT!!"
Pain exploded on the top of his head.
"OUCH! WHAT THE HELL?!" Wes shouted, clutching his head. He turned to see Scarlett towering over him, eyes narrowed and fist clenched.
"Idiot," she snapped again, delivering another whack.
"OW! What was that for?!"
"Stop being an idiot and pay attention in class!" she growled.
Wes groaned dramatically. "Video games are more important! Saving the world from monsters, you know?"
Scarlett's aura darkened. Her knuckles cracked ominously. Wes's face paled.
"U-Uh… You're so beautiful, Scarlett. Like a queen! Don't hurt me!"
"Don't EMBARRASS ME, YOU IDIOT!!" She smacked him again.
Wes collapsed to the floor, groaning. "It hurts… You're a monster…"
Scarlett narrowed her eyes. "What did you just call me?"
"N-No! I meant beautiful! Like, super queen-level beautiful!"
"That's what I thought. Idiot." She turned away.
Wes slowly got up, rubbing his head. "You've been working out or something? That hit felt like a sledgehammer…"
"Let's go home, idiot."
"Yeah, yeah…"
They walked together through the city streets, the sky glowing orange from the setting sun. Wes stretched, breathing in the air.
"Man, fresh air beats classroom oxygen any day," Wes said, arms behind his head.
Scarlett glanced at him. "You seriously need to get your act together."
"I'll have you know I'm saving humanity, one boss fight at a time."
"From your handheld console," she said flatly.
"Exactly. You never know when the skills I'm developing could save us all from an alien invasion."
"You're hopeless."
"But charming!" he said with a wink.
"You're lucky I don't throw you in a dumpster."
They laughed together. A few moments of peace passed.
Scarlett looked ahead. "Still, today was kind of fun."
"Because you got to hit me three times?"
"Exactly."
Then, without warning, a roar echoed—
VROOOOM! A speeding truck tore through the street, heading straight for them.
They didn't notice.
"…And then, I told the boss—if you're going to throw twenty monsters at me, at least give me more ammo!" Wes joked.
Scarlett laughed. "You're such a—"
Screech!
Time slowed.
Wes saw the headlights.
(If I die… I hope I get reborn in a new world… Maybe Scarlett will be there too…)
Everything went black.
...
A soft breeze brushed his face.
Wes opened his eyes.
Above him was a breathtaking starlit sky, stretching endlessly.
"…Am I dead?"
He sat up groggily. "This… isn't the city."
Beside him, Scarlett lay unconscious. "Scarlett…?"
She stirred, groaned, and slowly opened her eyes. "Wes? What happened?"
"I think… we got hit."
She blinked, then sat up quickly. "The truck! Are you okay?!"
"Yeah… I think so. Do you feel hurt?"
She flexed her arms, touched her head. "No injuries. But… where are we?"
They stood up, looking around. Glowing plants surrounded them, with strange trees that shimmered under the starry sky. A pair of moons hovered overhead.
"This place is… beautiful," Scarlett whispered.
Wes rubbed his eyes. "I've never seen anything like it. This isn't Earth."
Scarlett narrowed her eyes. "Then where are we?"
"Maybe… another world?"
She looked at him. "Are you saying we got isekai'd?"
"I always joked about that… but I didn't think it'd actually happen," Wes muttered.
Before they could process it, a gentle voice echoed.
"You two have finally awakened."
They turned around.
A stunning woman sat on a throne, surrounded by ethereal light and floating crystals. Her eyes glowed with calm power.
Wes blinked. "Who… are you?"
The woman smiled. "Welcome, brave souls. You have been summoned to a world in need."
Scarlett grabbed Wes's sleeve. "This is not a dream, is it?"
"I don't think so," he whispered.
The woman stood. "Your destiny begins now."
Wes and Scarlett stood frozen, stunned by the radiant presence before them.
She was unlike anything they had ever seen—an ethereal beauty with long, flowing silver-white hair that shimmered like moonlight. Her eyes glowed softly, a mesmerizing swirl of gold and violet that seemed to hold galaxies within them. A pristine white and gold gown draped her form, floating and shimmering like celestial silk. Behind her, a halo of shifting light circled gently, casting an almost divine radiance around her.
Her expression was warm, graceful, and mysterious, her voice carrying a melodic gentleness as she giggled lightly and said, "Me? I am Lady Seraphina Lumeria, the Goddess of Light and Rebirth."
The words struck like lightning.
"G-Goddess?!" Wes choked.
Scarlett's eyes widened, her jaw hanging slightly open. "We're talking to a goddess?"
They both turned to each other at the same time.
"We're actually talking to a goddess," Wes muttered.
"This… this has to be a dream," Scarlett whispered.
"No way. This is real. I knew it! This is totally an isekai scenario!" Wes declared dramatically, hands raised toward the sky. "This really is anime life!"
Scarlett stammered, "W-Why are we here? What happened to us?"
"Yeah!" Wes followed, then pointed dramatically at Scarlett. "Was it because Scarlett is a violent monster?! Did we get punished for her sins?!"
"SHUT THE HELL UP!" Scarlett screamed, her face burning with fury. She brought her balled fist down on Wes's head with bone-shaking force.
"AAAAAUGH!!!" Wes howled, rolling on the ground. "Why me?! My poor skull! This fist was forged by demons!"
Scarlett, still fuming, shouted, "Stop embarrassing me in front of a literal goddess, you idiot!"
"Ow ow ow! You're the embarrassing one!" Wes groaned.
"You want another one?!"
They stood nose to nose, locked in an immature back-and-forth shouting match.
Lady Seraphina giggled softly to herself, speaking in her thoughts: Ah, such energy… such a strange bond. These two… are delightful.
Scarlett grabbed Wes in a sudden headlock, pulling him down.
"Okay! OKAY! I'M SORRY! I WAS WRONG!" Wes squealed.
Scarlett released him with a huff. "Idiot."
Rubbing his neck, Wes coughed. "Where were we again?"
Ahem.
They both froze and turned.
Seraphina smiled gently. "Are you two finished?"
Wes scratched the back of his head. "Oh right. The whole 'goddess' thing."
They both went pale.
"I-I'm so sorry for disrespecting you!" Scarlett blurted.
"Please don't smite us!" Wes added, bowing dramatically.
Seraphina giggled again. "Don't worry. I'm not here to hurt you. In fact, I brought you here myself."
Scarlett frowned, still confused. "But… why us?"
"Yeah," Wes said. "We're not exactly heroes. We didn't do anything special."
The goddess tilted her head and smiled knowingly. "First, I brought you here because I'm offering you both a second chance at life… in another world."
Wes's mouth dropped. "Second chance… in a new world…? This is totally isekai…"
Scarlett's gaze sharpened. "What kind of world are you sending us to? And what do you mean by 'potential'?"
Seraphina nodded slowly. "The world is called Elyndor. It's filled with magic, swords, mystical races, and dangerous monsters. As for your potential…" She paused. "Even I cannot see what lies dormant in you. But something… powerful is there."
Wes blinked. "Wait, even a goddess can't tell what's in us?"
Scarlett's tone turned cautious. "Then… how are we supposed to unlock it?"
Seraphina smiled mysteriously, then raised her hand and snapped her fingers.
Fwoosh!
A massive, glowing violet screen appeared in the air before them.
"What the—WOAH!" Wes stepped back, eyes wide. "It's like a giant game menu!"
Names and symbols filled the screen, glowing softly.
He leaned in, reading aloud. "Warrior… Mage… Rogue… Beastkin… Elementalist… Dragonborn… Summoner… Holy Knight… Whoa, these are all classes?"
Scarlett stepped closer, eyes narrowing. "Is this how we choose our powers?"
Seraphina nodded. "Yes. This will help you begin your journey."
Wes reached toward the glowing icon on the class screen—Magic Gunslinger. As his hand connected, the entire screen pulsed with violet light.
In that instant, a ripple of energy surged through his body. His clothes shifted to a sleeker, darker style, laced with subtle runic patterns. His hands sparked with the faint tingle of mana.
"I feel... lighter," Wes said, blinking. "Faster. This is perfect. Magic Gunslinger—it's exactly my style."
Scarlett crossed her arms and smirked. "Of course you'd pick that. It's like your favorite game character."
Wes grinned. "Exactly. Stylish, explosive, a little unpredictable. Just like me."
Seraphina giggled, her radiant presence glowing ever so slightly brighter. "I must admit, I expected you both to choose these classes. It was written into your potential."
Wes tilted his head. "Wait—what's funny, Goddess?"
"I simply knew what your hearts would decide," she said with a knowing smile.
Scarlett blinked. "You knew we'd pick these classes?"
"How?" Wes added. "Was it destiny? Magic future vision? Or are you just good at reading people?"
The goddess only smiled wider. "Let's just say… when you've watched as many souls as I have, you begin to recognize certain patterns."
She raised a hand, her voice warm. "And now, I have gifts for you both."
Wes and Scarlett gasped in unison.
"Gifts? For real?!" Wes beamed.
Scarlett's eyes narrowed in awe. "What kind of gifts?"
Seraphina snapped her fingers.
Two radiant lights formed before them, swirling into shape.
The first took form before Scarlett—a sleek, double-edged longsword. The blade shimmered with crimson-tinted silver, its guard shaped like twin wings—one feathered, one aflame. Elegant engravings of Seraphina's sigil decorated the steel. The grip was wrapped in red dragon-hide leather, fitted for a warrior's firm hand.
Scarlett stared, wide-eyed. "It's… incredible."
"This sword," Seraphina explained, "was forged from Embersteel, a mythical ore that can only be shaped in the presence of a warrior's unspoken resolve."
Wes whistled. "That sounds like the final upgrade weapon in a fantasy RPG…"
Scarlett stepped closer to the blade, reverent. "To think something like this exists… And it's mine?"
"Yes," the goddess said softly. "Because it recognized your resolve."
Then she turned to Wes.
"And for the Magic Gunslinger…"
The second light shifted, forming into a breathtaking weapon—a six-shot revolver, sleek in silver and midnight black. Its frame glowed faintly, etched with celestial runes. The barrel was slightly extended, engraved with arcane markings resembling dragon wings and elemental sigils. The grip was obsidian, wrapped in soft, fire-dyed leather. In the center of the cylinder, a gem-like core shimmered a muted blue.
Wes stepped back slightly. "Whoa…"
Seraphina smiled. "Her name is Reveria. The first and only of her kind. Crafted not by hands… but by divinity and desire."
Wes looked up, confused. "Wait—'her'?"
"She is your partner, Wes. A weapon. A soul. A judge. Speak to her. Respect her. And she will answer with power the world has never seen."
Scarlett narrowed her eyes. "That's… intense."
But Seraphina's expression turned serious. "There's more. Reveria is not just a tool. She was once… a goddess."
Wes and Scarlett froze.
"WHAT?!" they both shouted.
"A goddess?!" Wes echoed. "As in, like… you?"
Scarlett went pale. "You gave him a sealed goddess as a weapon?!"
Seraphina nodded solemnly. "Long ago, before kings, before monsters… there was Reveria, the Goddess of Judgment and Balance. Her decisions were final. Her bullets ended wars. She was not cruel, nor kind—just exact. Order incarnate."
Wes stared at the revolver. "You're telling me I'm holding… the Final Word of an ancient goddess?"
"Not holding. Chosen by." Seraphina said. "The other gods feared her. They sealed her—not in chains, but into form. Her divinity compressed into a vessel. A revolver forged by divine fear and truth."
Scarlett's voice was quiet. "So she's been trapped in that gun… watching history pass… for eons?"
"Yes," the goddess confirmed. "And now, she stirs. Not because you summoned her… but because she chose you."
Wes gulped. "That's… that's a lot of pressure."
"She will not tolerate weakness of will. If you falter—if you lose your heart—she will fire without you."
Wes looked at Reveria with new respect—and a hint of fear. "No pressure. Just wield a sealed divine judgment being. Easy."
"And," Seraphina added with a smile, "You also now hold the elemental spirit within. As Magic Gunslinger, you will manifest elemental bullets—fire, ice, lightning, and more."
Wes's eyes sparkled. "Elemental bullets and a divine partner? I'm going to be unstoppable!"
Scarlett smirked. "Don't let it go to your head, cowboy."
Suddenly, both weapons pulsed brightly.
The lights condensed and shot into their chests.
"GAH!"
"WHOA!"
They staggered slightly as the weapons disappeared into them.
"What was that?!" Wes gasped.
"They are bonded to you now," Seraphina said. "To your spirit. Your heart."
Wes grinned. "Sweet."
Scarlett steadied herself. "What now?"
Seraphina's voice softened. "Now… you go. To the new world. Your second life begins."
Wes and Scarlett looked at each other and nodded.
"Okay," Wes said. "Let's do this."
"I'm ready," Scarlett echoed.
Seraphina beamed. "Good. I hope to see you again, someday."
Wes waved. "We'll miss you, Lady Seraphina."
Scarlett smiled. "Thank you… truly."
"Good luck, my Wes… my Scarlett."
She snapped her fingers.
FLASH!
In a heartbeat, they vanished.
...
FWOOOOOSH...
They landed in a vibrant forest, full of glowing flowers, crystal-clear rivers, and towering trees unlike any on Earth.
Birds chirped in harmony. The sky above was golden with streaks of lavender.
Wes spun around. "Whoa… this place is gorgeous!"
Scarlett nodded. "We're not on Earth anymore."
She turned to him. "Are you ready?"
Wes inhaled the fresh, magical air. His smile grew wide.
"Yeah," he said. "Let's start this adventure."
Just as they were about to begin walking through the forest, Wes paused. A curious thought crept into his mind.
Wait a minute… if this is a true isekai world… then that means…
He smirked and muttered, "I wonder if a status screen is a real thing here…"
Scarlett blinked. "What are you mumbling about now?"
Wes grinned and held up his hand. "Status!"
DING!
A shimmering violet screen popped into the air in front of him, hovering with magical energy and shining text.
Wes's jaw dropped. "No way… It worked. IT ACTUALLY WORKED!"
Scarlett's eyes widened. "You've got to be kidding me… You're telling me the whole isekai thing is real real?"
"I told you! This is the real deal! I'm not just some otaku dork anymore—I'm the protagonist!"
He read the screen aloud, eyes glowing with excitement.
Name: Wes Walker
Age: 17
Race: Human (Reincarnated)
Level: 1
Class: Magic Gunslinger
Titles: Otherworlder, Goddess's Chosen Gun, The First Gunslinger, Scarlett's Problem
Blessing: Blessing of Lady Seraphina – Divine Protection from the Goddess of Rebirth
HP: 120/120
MP: 250/250
Strength: 14
Agility: 19
Endurance: 15
Mana: 28
Luck: 22
Charm: 16
Affinity: Fire, Wind, Ice, Lightning, Water, Earth, Light, Dark, Void, Gravity, Sound
Normal Skills:
Appraisal – Instantly assess information about people, items, monsters, and abilities.
Quick Draw – Significantly increases weapon draw speed for lightning-fast surprise attacks.
Danger Sense – Heightened awareness that alerts the user to incoming threats or ambushes.
Perfect Aim – Automatically adjusts trajectory for ranged attacks, drastically improving accuracy.
Night Vision – Allows clear vision in low-light or complete darkness.
Basic Cooking – Enables preparation of simple, energy-boosting meals.
Enhanced Reflexes – Greatly improves response time to physical stimuli.
Acrobatics – Boosts flexibility, balance, and parkour-like movement.
Ability Skills:
Battle Focus – Sharpened senses and thought clarity during combat situations.
Gun Kata Stance – A unique fighting technique blending martial arts and gunplay.
Flashstep – Short-range teleport-like movement for dodging or repositioning.
Eagle Sight – Enhances long-distance visual perception and tracking.
Battle Calm – Reduces panic and fear in high-pressure scenarios.
Pain Resistance – Lowers pain received from physical injuries.
Mana Sense – Detects magical energy sources in the surrounding area.
Deadeye Focus – Slows perception of time when aiming a shot, increasing precision.
Magic Bullet Skills:
Mana Bullet – Basic magical energy shot. Low cost, fast fire rate.
Fire Bullet – Ignites target on impact. Causes burn damage over time.
Ice Bullet – Slows and chills enemies. Chance to freeze weaker foes.
Lightning Bullet – Causes stun and electrical burst in small area.
Wind Bullet – High-speed projectile with piercing effects. Can deflect small projectiles.
Earth Bullet – Causes impact shockwaves. Strong knockback.
Water Bullet – Blunt force damage with added hydro-pressure effect.
Light Bullet – Blinds and burns unholy creatures.
Dark Bullet – Life-leeching effect. Slightly heals user on hit.
Void Bullet – Disrupts space on impact. May cause small-scale disintegration.
Gravity Bullet – Briefly increases target's weight. Slows movement drastically.
Crystal Bullet – Shards on impact, causing multi-hit damage.
Bullet Barrier – Creates temporary magical shield of rotating bullets.
Unique Skills:
Gunslinger's Instinct – Grants predictive combat awareness. Wes subconsciously reacts to threats before recognizing them consciously.
Bullet Fusion – Twin Element Shell – Allows fusion of two elemental bullets to form a new hybrid attack (e.g., Fire + Lightning = Plasma Shot).
Elemental Overdrive – Prism Breaker(Locked – Unlock at Level 15) – Condenses the full power of all elemental affinities into a single glowing bullet, capable of devastating effects.
Arcane Ricochet(Locked – Unlock at Level 10) – Bullets rebound off surfaces to strike hidden or unreachable targets.
Reveria Synchronization(Locked – Unlock at Level 20) – Temporarily merges Wes's consciousness with Reveria's, unlocking god-tier accuracy and judgment.
Weapon: Reveria – Sentient Goddess Revolver
Items: 10,000 Gold Coins
Wes leaned back with a grin. "This… is awesome! I'm stacked! Elemental bullets, cool combat skills, and I even got cooking? I'm a complete RPG party in one dude!"
Scarlett stepped forward, eyes narrowed. "Let me try. Status!"
A pale red screen shimmered into existence in front of her.
She read it silently at first, then blinked in surprise. "Whoa… I've got a blessing, titles, sword skills… and even a passive called 'Wes Suppression Aura'? What the hell?!"
Wes cackled. "You already had that in real life!"
"Shut up," she snapped, though a smile played on her lips.
He looked over to her. "You seeing what I'm seeing, partner? We're ready."
Scarlett rolled her eyes but nodded. "Yeah. We've got weapons, skills, protection from a literal goddess, and each other."
Wes struck a pose. "Time to start our new lives in style."
Scarlett sighed but smiled. "Let's go, Gunslinger."
The two of them stepped forward, the sun shining through the vibrant forest canopy, birds singing above.
Their journey was about to begin.
Wes and Scarlett strolled side by side beneath the towering canopy of a beautiful forest. The air was fresh and clean, filled with the scent of wildflowers and moss. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting shimmering patterns on the forest floor as the breeze brushed gently against their faces.
"Man… I don't think I've ever breathed air this clean before," Wes said, stretching with a relaxed grin.
"It's kind of peaceful here," Scarlett admitted, brushing a strand of red hair behind her ear. "For now."
"Y'know," Wes added, hands behind his head, "in every isekai anime, the hero either joins a guild, hunts monsters, or ends up in a party with cute girls. I'm calling it now—this is our guild arc."
Scarlett rolled her eyes. "You're hopeless. But… traveling, finding work, seeing the world? That doesn't sound too bad."
They laughed, nudging each other, occasionally teasing and annoying one another as they followed the dirt trail deeper into the trees.
But suddenly—
Rustle... rustle... rustle...
They froze.
The trees around them shifted. Something—or somethings—were moving.
"You hear that?" Wes whispered.
"Yeah," Scarlett said, eyes narrowing. "Get ready."
They scanned the treetops, their muscles tensed. More rustling echoed.
Wes muttered, "Don't tell me we're about to get ambushed already…"
From the shadows, ten dark winged shapes emerged—glowing red eyes, glinting stingers, and buzzing wings.
"WHAT—" Wes choked. "Killer Wasps?! Are you kidding me?!"
"Ten of them?" Scarlett hissed. "That's not fair!"
They both stared, startled.
Wes quickly called out, "Appraisal!"
A glowing screen appeared in front of him:
MONSTER STATUS
Name: Killer Wasp
Rank: F
Level: 3
HP: 45/45
MP: 15/15
Strength: 8
Agility: 21
Endurance: 6
Magic Resistance: Low
Skills:
Sting Barrage: Rapid multi-hit needle thrust attack with a high chance of poison.
Aerial Dash: Executes a quick zig-zag aerial movement to dodge or flank.
Frenzy Mode: When HP drops below 30%, attack speed increases by 50%.
Threat Level: Low (Single) / Moderate (Swarm)
Weaknesses: Fire, Wind
Wes grinned. "Perfect chance to try out my new skills."
Scarlett smirked. "Let's go. First one to clear their group wins."
Wes pointed. "I take the five on the left—you get the right."
"Deal."
Suddenly, one wasp charged straight at them.
"Move!" Wes shouted.
They both rolled just as the giant insect zipped between them, its stinger missing by inches.
Wes rose and opened his hand. "Come to me… Reveria."
In a swirl of light and runes, the revolver materialized in his hand with a satisfying click.
Scarlett smirked and opened her hand. "Crimsonsteel Longsword—let's dance."
A flash of red energy lit up as her blade formed.
Wes nodded toward the group. "Let's split 'em!"
"Right!" Scarlett replied.
Wes aimed at the cluster. "Wind Bullet!"
BOOM! A gust shot from the barrel, blasting the center wasps apart in a shockwave of air.
The swarm split, disoriented but far from down.
Suddenly, two wasps rushed Wes from the side. He ducked just in time as one zipped overhead.
"Whoa! These things are fast!"
Scarlett deflected a charge with her blade but stumbled. Another stinger grazed her arm.
"Tch—!"
"You okay?" Wes shouted.
"Just a scratch! Keep fighting!"
Wes focused. Battle Focus... activate. His breathing steadied. He locked onto one incoming wasp.
"Fire Bullet!"
BOOM! The shot exploded, sending the wasp spiraling into a tree—but another one clipped his shoulder.
"Argh! Okay—now I'm mad!"
Scarlett twisted through the air, slashing mid-spin. "Arc Slash!" Her blade nicked one, but it didn't fall.
"They're tough for F-rank!" she yelled.
"They're fast and fight dirty!" Wes replied, dodging a Sting Barrage.
He backflipped, took aim. "Quick Draw... Lightning Bullet!"
A flash of blue crackled and zapped another wasp out of the air.
Scarlett's blade glowed. "Flame Cutter!" she yelled, slashing through two with a burning arc.
Both sides panted, bruised and scuffed.
Wes smirked. "Down to the final five."
"Let's finish this," Scarlett said.
Wes fired rapidly. "Fire Bullet—x3!"
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! Three more exploded into flame.
Scarlett leapt into the air. "Crimson Burst!"
With a fiery spin, she slashed the last two out of the sky.
The clearing fell silent.
Wes and Scarlett stood amidst smoking wings and scorched leaves.
They looked at each other.
"…We did it," Wes breathed.
"Our first real fight," Scarlett nodded, brushing her singed ponytail back.
DING! DING!
Two translucent screens popped up before them:
LEVEL UP!
Name: Wes Walker
Current Level: 1 → 3
Skill Points Earned: +4
New Skills Available: Flame Burst Shot (Unlocked), Acrobatics Lv. 2 (Upgraded)
Name: Scarlett Hayes
Current Level: 1 → 3
Skill Points Earned: +4
New Skills Available: Flame Blade (Unlocked), Parry Counter (Unlocked)
Wes beamed. "We leveled up already? And I got new stuff!"
Scarlett smiled faintly. "Guess it's not all fantasy. This is our life now."
They turned to each other.
"High five," Wes said.
SLAP!
Their hands met in midair.
Their weapons dissolved into shimmering light, returning to their spiritual bond.
Scarlett smirked. "Not bad, Gunslinger."
Wes raised a brow. "I mean, clearly I did better."
Scarlett glared. "Please. I actually used technique. You just blew everything up."
"Explosion is a technique!" Wes argued.
They laughed, their voices echoing through the trees as they walked forward into the unknown.
Wes and Scarlett walked side by side again, still catching their breath after the intense battle with the Killer Wasps. Though victorious, the adrenaline had begun to fade, and a creeping fatigue settled in.
"Man, those bees really gave us a workout," Wes muttered, wiping his brow.
Scarlett nodded. "For F-rank monsters, they hit harder than I expected."
"But still," Wes said with a grin, "we handled it. First fight in a new world? Pretty epic."
"True," she agreed, though her tone was more tired than thrilled. "So… what now?"
Wes tilted his head, thinking aloud. "Maybe we find a town or city. Get our bearings, grab a map, eat something that isn't wasp venom."
Scarlett cracked a faint smile. "You really want to roleplay your anime fantasy, don't you?"
He shrugged. "When in fantasy world…"
Just then—
BOOM! A deep rumble echoed through the forest, followed by the crack of splitting wood and a shockwave of air.
The two froze.
Scarlett's eyes widened. "What was that?"
"I don't know," Wes said, his grin replaced by wary curiosity. "But it sounded close."
They looked at each other.
"Should we check it out?" Wes asked.
Scarlett hesitated, sighing. "We just fought giant wasps, and now we're going toward an explosion?"
Wes nodded seriously. "Exactly."
Scarlett narrowed her eyes. "You're not normal."
Still, she nodded. "Fine. But if it's a dragon, I'm blaming you."
"Deal," Wes grinned, and they both dashed toward the sound.
As they ran, Wes muttered dramatically, "It could be a clash of powerful warriors and a massive beast… or two terrifying monsters fighting each other like some anime boss battle!"
Scarlett groaned. "You sound like a walking light novel."
Wes laughed, then got an idea. "Wait… Let me try something." He opened his skill list in his mind and activated one.
"Eagle Sight."
His eyes shimmered violet as his vision sharpened. Trees, branches, and terrain ahead came into crystal-clear focus—even through the forest canopy.
"What do you see?" Scarlett asked.
"…Whoa," Wes said, jaw dropping slightly.
He zoomed in mentally on the clearing ahead.
"There's a group of people… looks like seven. They're fighting a giant… snake? No, a massive serpent."
Scarlett raised an eyebrow. "A snake? How big are we talking?"
"Like… bus-sized. Scales, fangs, the works. Looks pissed too."
Scarlett's expression tensed. "And these people—are they adventurers?"
"They look like knights. Armor, swords, banners. Definitely organized."
Scarlett sighed. "Great. From wasps to warfare."
Wes grinned. "Yeah, but come on—how cool is this? Giant serpent? Epic fight? We have to see it."
Scarlett rolled her eyes. "Idiot. You're too excited."
Wes chuckled and activated Acrobatics, bounding up onto a low branch.
"Let's go, Red Blaze!"
"Stop calling me that!" she snapped, but followed quickly behind him.
They zipped through the trees, jumping branch to branch, the sounds of clashing steel and shouting growing louder.
Then—
They stopped at the edge of a clearing.
Peering behind a thick trunk, they finally saw it.
A monstrous snake, at least thirty feet long, writhed and coiled violently. Its scales were deep green with streaks of black, its golden eyes glowing with fury. Fangs the size of swords snapped at a group of armored fighters—seven knights, forming a semi-circle, blades glowing with enchantments.
"Holy crap," Wes whispered. "It's like a mini-boss fight in real time."
Scarlett's eyes widened. "That thing… It's no wasp. That's a real monster."
They stayed hidden, watching.
"We should wait and see how this plays out," Wes said quietly.
Scarlett looked at him, then nodded. "Right. Let's observe first."
Wes crouched, watching the battle unfold with awe.
Let's see what people in this world can really do… he thought.
To be continued…