{372 days before the start of the tournament}
Two people were traveling through the Forest of Doom.
The one in the back was wearing a blue T-shirt and black trousers.
At the moment, his black hair was drenched in sweat, and his expression was one of confusion.
Normally, when you enter a forest, you could hear birds chirping, insects buzzing, and animals making noise, but he couldn’t hear anything like that.
Well, he did hear some scary noises, but he couldn’t identify what they were, nor did he know what could make such noises.
It felt like something was scrutinizing him from head to toe, but he couldn’t pinpoint where that something was.
The blonde-haired one was wearing an animal-furred cloak, under which he had gray pants and a white-yellowish shirt.
He also had other things, like a sword strapped to his waist and belts holding different items.
If he were on Earth, people would probably mistake him for a cosplayer.
The one at the back, seemingly hesitating, spoke.
“Mr.
Alvin, are you sure we’re going on the right path and haven’t lost our way?” Pointing to a tree covered in thorns, he continued, “I feel like we have seen and passed by this tree three times already.
Also, are you sure we’re safe?
I feel like I heard some scary growls, and I have a feeling something is watching us.”
Mr.
Alvin turned around and gave a gentle smile.
“Don’t worry, Mr.
Joshua.” Pointing to the compass-like object he was holding, he said, “As long as we have this device, nothing will happen to us.
As long as we follow the directions on this device, we’ll be safe and reach our destination with no problem.”
Not knowing what to say to the golden retriever, Joshua shut up and followed the man.
After some time, however, he saw the same thorn-covered tree again.
His eye twitched before he could say anything.
However, the compass-like object in Alvin’s hand started beeping.
Alvin exclaimed, “We’re close.”
He started walking faster, and as he did, the beeping grew louder and faster.
Joshua hurriedly followed, thinking,
That thing sounds like a timer for a bomb.
Alvin stopped as the beeping stopped.
The space in front of them rippled like water, and then two doors came into view.
A voice spoke in a somber tone,
“What’s the password?”
The voice came from the compass in Alvin’s hand.
“Ahem, ahem.”
Clearing his throat, Alvin’s expression turned serious as he said into the device,
“Open Sesame.”
“What!” Joshua, who was behind him, was dumbfounded.
“Isn’t that…..”
“Correct answer,” came the voice from the compass as the door in front of them slowly opened.
Alvin turned around and said, “Let’s go in.”
As they walked in, Joshua was surprised again.
In front of them was a plain filled with grass.
If he had to guess, the grass spread across an area the size of two football fields.
The only thing that was there was a two-story hut.
It was like something out of a children’s book a witch’s hut in the middle of the forest.
Pointing to the hut, Alvin exclaimed, “That is Mr.
Atom’s house and our destination.
Let’s go.”
Knock, knock.
Knocking on the door, they both waited.
Ten seconds later, a voice came from the other side.
“Who is it?”
The tone was a little annoyed, as if the person was not pleased with the visitors.
Well, Joshua could totally understand that.
He wouldn’t be pleased with sudden visitors either.
Plus, he had a feeling whoever this guy was, he might not be someone who liked socializing.
Otherwise, why would he live in the middle of nowhere like this?
“Mr.
Atom, I am Alvin, the head knight of Crown Princess Sofia.”
“Why are you here and not protecting Sofi like you’re supposed to do?” came a harsh remark from inside.
Alvin stiffened for a moment, but then, exhaling, he continued,
“Well, I was given an important job by the queen herself.”
“What is it?”
“Before that, can we come inside?”
“No.”
Damn.
This guy really doesn’t care, huh?
thought Joshua.
“Please, Mr.
Atom, my queen told me to tell you this in person and also give you something important.”
Joshua averted his eyes.
This was really awkward.
The guy was almost begging now.
“Fine,” came a reluctant voice as the door in front of them opened.
No one was behind the door; however, the voice came from inside.
Alvin entered first as Joshua followed.
Contrary to his expectations, Joshua found the inside of the house very clean and organized.
Also, there was a familiar feeling about it.
It looked like any other house back on Earth normal, everyday furniture.
There was a bookshelf filled with books and a round clock hanging on the wall.
As his eyes moved about, they fell upon a man sitting on the sofa, looking at them.
For a moment, he was stunned.
The man had black hair and brown eyes just like himself, but… Joshua couldn’t take his eyes off him.
The guy looked really handsome.
Incredibly handsome.
His black hair was disheveled, and his brown eyes looking at him were mildly curious but also annoyed.
The man’s mouth opened.
“Stop staring at me like that.
I don’t swing that way, and you’re a minor.”
Before Joshua could understand what he said, however, Alvin pulled his hand.
Standing before him, he said in a normal voice,
“I think he was more surprised looking at your hair.
After all, we suspect you two are from the same world.”
“…”
The black-haired man narrowed his eyes, looking at Joshua.
He asked, “Is it true?
Are you really from Earth?”
The man spoke in perfect English.
Joshua’s eyes widened.
Ever since these guys found him, they had cast some kind of magic on him that let him understand and speak their language, but the man in front of him had spoken a language that was very familiar to him.
For a moment, he didn’t know what to do.
Various emotions were rampaging in his heart, but slowly, he somehow calmed down enough to answer the man’s question.
“Yes, I am from Earth,” replied Joshua in perfect English.
For a moment, the man gave Joshua a deep look.
Then, exhaling, he looked away.
His eyes had turned unfocused, and his face had a thoughtful expression.
Pointing to the couch in front of him, he nodded.
“Take a seat.”