He still can't believe it; this should be impossible. He has woken up in another world, in Archie Shellford’s body, the son of Edward L. Shellford and Emeline Shellford.
Not to mention that both of his parents were nobles who ruled over a small area around here.
"Hey, Layla," Archie greeted.
Layla was reading a book on the table near his bed. Archie had tried to approach her secretly to see what book she was reading, but for some reason, he always got caught, and Layla hid the book.
"Mmm?" Layla grumbled in response without looking back at Archie.
For the past two days, he had been trying to find all the information about his new world. Archie mostly uses psychology in communication but realizes he can't do the same thing forever.
“Do you know about the Seven Days Void?”
“Um? Yeah, of course. It's an irregular dungeon with full raid difficulty,” Layla explained without taking her eyes off the book, “it's the dungeon Sir Edward entered to find your cure.”
Up to this point, Archie had known enough about it through the servants. But he deliberately provoked this topic of conversation for more critical details.
As he knew, Edward L. Shellford, his father, was following a full raid in the dungeon called the Seven Days Void. It was named that way because the dungeon gate would appear randomly for seven days, then disappear and reappear randomly within the next twelve months.
"It's a very high-difficulty dungeon, a minimum of twenty-five people with a transcendent class level two are required," Layla added.
He had awakened in a world of dungeons and magic. Each and everyone has a different class and job. Like in fantasy-games worlds, there is also a transcendent class.
"Does that mean I'm dead?" Archie muttered, remembering that he was in a critical condition before. Or did their souls swap? That is a question that is almost impossible to answer. "Looks like this isn't a dream."
Layla stopped reading and moved closer to Archie, sitting on the bed. "Are you okay, Archie? You didn't seem to have fully recovered yet."
It had been two days, but Layla saw Archie often muttering to himself about dreams and reality. It makes her concerned.
“Aaw~,” Layla moaned. This time, Archie pinched her cheek, "shouldn't I be the one pinching you?"
"I'm just making sure you are human or angel," replied Archie trying to tease.
Layla was quite surprised, her face became reddish, and she won’t look directly into Archie's eyes. She tried to look away, but Archie's soft hands forced her to stare at each other.
“Mou.” Layla didn't resist and just let her face become Archie's toy.
The two figures did not realize that a third person was watching them from outside the room, "Is mommy bother your romance?"
Hearing the voice, Layla immediately got up from Archie's bed and returned to her original seat, lowering her face in embarrassment.
"You are here," said the mother. She entered the room and sat down next to Archie, tucking his head into her lap. "Mom already got the news. Mr. Erick will come to pick you up tomorrow, Layla."
"Owh, okay Mrs. Emeline, thank you very much," replied Layla nervously.
“You will marry my son someday, so you can call me mother.”
“Aa–ah, then… Mother Emeline.”
Emeline smiled, hearing her future daughter-in-law calling herself a mother.
"How are you feeling now, honey?"
“Perfect,” Archie replied. His head was in her mother's lap, finding his face stroked by his mother.
The comfort made Archie sleepy. It was a sensation he had never felt before, not even in a dream. The feeling of getting loved by a mother.
In his previous world, it was customary that when he fell asleep earlier, he would wake up earlier too. This habit has carried over to the present day.
In just two days, the view of his room's roof became familiar. Archie wakes up and looks around the room.
Apparently, his mother was also sleeping beside him. Her mature figure looks vulnerable, lying down without a blanket. It was clear that his mother put the blanket on Archie but let herself just fall asleep.
"I have recovered, don't let my mommy get sick later," thought Archie. He pulled the blanket to cover his mother and kissed her forehead warmly.
Archie had never done that in his previous world, but his current body still had the bond between mother and son with the woman—and it should be like that.
As soon as he left the room, to his right was a closed room. It was the room his fiancée, Layla Rose Whitehall, used. Straight from that direction, then he could arrive at the living room.
"I even memorize this house’s layout faster than economic math," he grumbled.
Because he didn't have a definite intention, Archie chose to turn left towards a small garden next to his house. Since waking up in this world, it has been a calming place for him.
The green ornamental vines' layout is interesting, making the atmosphere relaxed and calm. There was a seat in a small hut for shelter from the sun and rain. Apparently, someone was there.
"Okay, okay. Once again." Layla placed her book on the table, then made a pose with her palms, "[Aura of Clarity], [Crystal Clear]."
Layla's figure emitted a soft, bluish, white light among the vine's flowers that were still shy to bloom. Archie couldn't take his eyes off Layla.
“So this is how magic is in this world?”
It wasn't long before the light faded and was completely extinguished.
Even though Layla is his fiancée, Archie still finds it strange to stalk her. Finally, he decided to show himself.
"That was beautiful," said Archie.
“Eh?! Archie?” Layla grabbed the book and tried to hide it behind.
From the start, Archie didn't concern about the book that Layla always carried with her. If she doesn't want to show it, then that's fine.
For now, the more important thing was to gather as much information about his new world as possible. With such a desire, Archie chose to take a humane approach instead of forcing things.
“Wha—since when you were there?”
"Not long ago, I passed by after waking up." Archie approached the hut and sat down on one of the benches. "If you are willing, would you like to accompany me for a while?"
Archie asked Layla to sit down without hinting where she should sit. There were three benches left that were a different distance from where he was currently sitting. Unexpectedly, Layla chose the seat closest to him.
It was a good opportunity for Archie. If he could use the situation well, he might get some knowledge about this world.
The breeze should be cold, but their conversation was warm. Archie and Layla smiled at each other, spreading laughter. Slowly, the bond between them began to intertwine."While we're alone, I want to know what you think about our engagement," Archie asked bluntly.Even though Layla looked a little reluctant, she still answered smoothly. “It is customary for nobles to marry off their sons and daughters. However, our parents' goal was to unite the territories into one…I heard something like that,” she explained.Archie is a young man in his prime. Suddenly having a fiancée like Layla is a dream that is almost impossible to achieve. It's not that he doesn't want to; it's just that Archie won't force it if his partner has a sense of compulsion.He had done that before too.Even so, showing deep interest can repeat the same incident as the bad memory. Conversely, being too ignorant will also bring bad effects. The point is he should not overdo everything.Archie has the ability to speak in
Archie took a trip out for the first time since his awakening. The distance between the Whitehall residence and Shellfrod is not too far, only about an hour away by horse-drawn carriage.One carriage is used to pack their gifts and supplies. In the center of the formation was the carriage he and Layla rode in. In front of it was the carriage used by the bodyguards."I didn't know you were coming, Archie.""Is it? I wanted to thank your families in person. Besides, it wouldn't be strange for your fiancé to visit.”A reason like gratitude was more than enough. For the rest, Archie was teasing Layla a bit."Isn't your horse tired, Uncle? You've just arrived and left immediately,” Archie asked the coachman.“Haha, it's okay, Young Master. We've equipped the horses with magic items. Moreover, a trip like this wouldn't be enough to tire you out, would it, Molly?"The horse neighed and raised its front legs excitedly, hearing its name being called. “Woah, woah, Relax, Molly. I know you enjoy
Everyone's gazes looked strange as if they were smiling at themselves. Layla standing beside him, could only lower her head in shame at what Archie had just said.The laughter from Zachary stopped, but his face seemed satisfied with the words he had just heard."So that's it. It's natural that you two dared to go alone before us," Zachary replied. “You must be tired after the travel. Please rest first. Heather!”A maid stepped forward and nodded in acceptance of her master's order.“Follow me, Young Master,” requested the maid, Heather.When Heather leads the way, Archie feels familiar with everything in the house. It seemed like his body still remembered everything well."Please, Young Master." Heather opened a door and let Archie in.“EH?!” Layla was surprised and accidentally made quite a loud voice. "He’s in my room?""Needless to say, Mr. Zachary ordered me to do so,” Heather replied, hiding a chuckle after seeing Layla's reaction.Archie thought he would receive a private room a
It was a tiring day for Archie. After unknowingly spending time until nightfall reading books in Layla's room, dinner that should be quiet has turned into a party celebrating his engagement to Layla. Nonetheless, he discovered a lot of important knowledge about the injection. It was a drop item from a high-difficulty dungeon, but the person who could answer the question was not around. On their way home, Archie only borrowed a few books from Layla. Even when night fell, Archie was forced to sleep in Layla's room, even though he spent the night reading the books that interested him so much. Erick was riding a horse outside the carriage, observing the situation. "How was the party last night, Young Master?" Archie pulled his book away from his face, “It’s tiring me out. Guests keep asking us endlessly," said Archie. "Layla used up all her energy, and she fell asleep as soon as the party over." "Hahaha, I can even imagine our princess's face clearly," Erick laughed at Archie's words.
Archie tried to stand on his feet, which were still shaking. At least he had to do something. Otherwise, something bad would happen to his mother. She was the one who straight away gave him warmth and affection—something he had never received before."Sotna mamakku," Archie shouted, using his world language spontaneously.The masked figure was surprised and turned its attention to Archie."You?!" Behind his mask, his eyes stared with shock. The language Archie had just spoken was not the language of this world."You are not affected by my magic, huh?" asked the masked figure. "I don't care, my business is not with you, brat."He continued to strangle Emeline's neck while his other hand held Emeline's face tightly.Slowly but surely, Emeline's body became limp and stiff. From between the fingers, the mother's eyes glanced at her son with affection.Archie's spirit flared up, his mixed feelings worsened, and a wave of magic rose within him.The wind ruffled his hair and clothes. Archie'
"Or do you want me to give you an example first?"The masked figure opened his grimoire, nodding as if he understood something. After continuing to read, he let out a dissatisfied sigh.“Ah, forget it. My business here is done.""Done? Did you think I would just leave you alone after all this?”The two stared at each other, and their eyes circled the area, where they only saw a dark area and four humans lying flat on the ground.“I don't know what the first mission is written on your grimoire, but I also have my own interests,” said the masked figure. He was turning his body towards the black spiral.“You are lucky to have met me, the Gatekeeper. I'm just doing my mission and nothing more. If you meet other people, I can be assured they will instantly liquidate you and all the people in this small village," he added.Although it is a reasonable choice for Archie, he knows nothing about this world, and even though the power has just awakened, he has neither the ability nor the knowledg
The village of Alian is located in the southern part of the Literra Empire. Most residents have livelihoods as farmers, fishermen, or hunters in areas with a prosperous greeny.Their region was relatively small compared to the other nobility's territory, so it was common for their village to be quite backward regarding infrastructure and development. Even so, the citizens never complained about it. They were pretty happy with their lives and current situation.Three days ago, the chief's son woke up from a coma. He has an unknown disease. As soon as he came to his senses, it wasn't long before he made a trip to the Town of Krakal to deepen the ties between the two regions.A strange natural disaster occurred in Krakal Town one year ago, where dungeon monsters suddenly spawned. There are also unique monsters, mini-bosses, and mysterious figures. They called that disaster the Inverse Dungeon, where they became the prey.A similar disaster almost happened in the Village of Alian. When it
“It’s here? It turned out to be quite crowded.” “Well, besides getting your ID card, there is a guild office nearby; many adventurers are taking care of their needs.” Archie and Layla had just entered Wellspring town, the closest place they could register for identity cards. The city is bustling with traffic, and the buildings stand majestically. They can see many adventurers wearing various equipment doing their activities, whether just drinking or discussing their strategy to conquer dungeons. That night, Archie had decided to find a cure for his mother. He had to research dungeons, looking for magic items or drop items that could be useful to him. For that, he needs to have an identity card. In this world, identity cards are obtained from a commercial dungeon called “The Given.” Unlike dungeons in general, the size is like an ordinary house door, and this dungeon can be in the college offices or guild agencies. After putting the horse down, Archie walked with Layla to a large