My Otherworldly Experience.

Anastasia and I gathered in the reception hall of the Adventurer's guild preparing for our new quest. It was early in the morning, and it was before the sun rose.

As for the Adventurer's guild, it was filled with Adventurers either filing for their quests, or people sitting around the tables eating their breakfast... there were lots of people here for a guild in a small town. 

This place is filled with people... I wonder what the guilds look like in the big cities. I thought to myself, gazing upon the bulletin board, Anastasia standing beside me, eager to venture out. 

The bulletin board had a diverse quests printed on it: from Goblin extermination, to minor quests like picking rare plants.

"Which quests to pick, which quests to pick, " I pondered, observing the different quests and their rewards. The air was thick with the fresh smell of food, mostly chicken. The receptionists was working, trying to give the Adventurers their quests. 

"What are you doing, Mr. Kyle?" Anastasia asked, her eyes gleamed with eagerness. "You don't know which quest to choose?"

A grin appeared on her face, a stark contrast to when we met. "What about that one?" She pointed her small fingers to a quest to take out a group of Goblins in a small village. 

"Are you sure about this?" I asked, eying the quest. "It's too dangerous for us," I continued, about to turn away from the bulletin board. "Plus, we're not Adventurers, they wouldn't give it to us."

"Yes! I'm 100% sure!" She smiled, giving me a thumbs up. 

"I don't feel safe taking on a quest like this."

It's only been a month since I've been sent to this world, and a quest like this will only put me in danger. Plus, I have Anastasia, a Literal child with me.... so that might be a no-go. 

"I want to level up, and so does you," her voice raised, not out of anger but a feeling to prove herself. "I haven't had the chance to show off my skills yet, so please let's choose the Goblin slaying quest!" Her voice carried the confidence of someone who knew what she wanted. 

My memory recalled the man who brought me to this world, the hologram he sent to me about my purpose. But then I realized, I had none. I'd only received a vague explanation at day 1 of me being summoned. 

What's the reason of me being summoned to this world? Is it just an experiment or something greater...

But it wouldn't hurt to level up my Mimicry and Elemental skills, just in case of an emergency...

"What do you say we go on an adventure, Anastasia?" I said, as I placed a hand on her head. 

"Yay!" she squealed, her face lighting up with pure joy. "We're going on a que-st, we're going on a que-st!" She spun around, clapping her hands as if the words themselves were a song.

"You're really excited, huh?" I said, taking the quest off of the board, and walked to the line that seemed to went on forever. 

The atmosphere was lively, as the laughters and chattering echoed throughout the reception hall. The staffs and Adventurers catting as if they were family.... well, that's a close-knit small town for ya.

We waited, for what felt like an eternity, as the line slowly moved forward. The hall cleared out, some at the front of the line filling the seats after they were done, while others remained seated. 

"Good morning, Mr. Kyle!" The receptionist greeted me, as I stood in front of her. "I can see you and your little companion have already chosen a quest," she laughed playfully, as she collected the quest. 

Her eyes narrowed as she read it. "So, you guys want to take the Goblin extermination quest?" She asked, her face slightly pale. 

"Yes, a quick and easy quest to exterminate some Goblins in a nearby village, right?" I answered the receptionist, my voice filled with confidence. 

"Yes!"

The receptionist's face went ghostly pale, her eyes widening as they darted between the paper and us—mostly me. Her expression twisted into one of fear, her lips trembling as she muttered under her breath, "Not another one... not another adventure filled with potential." She kept repeating the phrase, her voice barely above a whisper, as if the words themselves carried a curse.

"What's wrong?" Anastasia asked, concern in her eyes. "Is everything alright with our quest?"

"Is everything alright?" I asked, trying to understand. 

Her lips trembled profusely, as if she was speaking but no words came out. The guild fell into a deep silence, the remaining Adventurer's attentions on us.

"They're really going to take on that quest?"

"Especially with a child? He looks like a reckless guardian for her."

The Adventurer's eyes kept glancing at me, their eyes filled with judgment for me and concern for Anastasia. Even the other receptionists couldn't hide their judgmental glares. 

"Well, y-you see," she stammered, her voice trembling as she hesitated. Her eyes darted around the room, silently pleading for someone to back her up, but no one came forward.

My stomach churned as the weight of the room's stares bore down on me. Hopefully, we didn't mess something up earlier. Why is everyone looking at me like I'm some kind of criminal?

What's going on…?

She cleared her throat, trying to steady herself before continuing. "The quest you chose... it's a dangerous one," she said carefully, her voice carrying a somber weight. She paused, letting the words hang in the air like an ominous cloud. "Many powerful Adventurers and well-prepared parties have set out to take this quest... but none of them ever returned."

A heavy silence fell over the room. Even the distant clinking of tankards and shuffling of feet seemed to stop. The gravity of her words was undeniable, and the unease in the air thickened.

"What happened?" I asked, my voice soft. 

"What?" Anastasia looked up at the receptionist.

"The details of the quest are to defeat a herd of goblins terrorizing a nearby village," she began, her voice strained. "But... there's something the villagers conveniently failed to mention." She hesitated, her gaze flickering to the paper in her hands before locking onto me.

"This herd isn't made up of ordinary goblins," she said, her voice dropping to a near whisper. "They're Hobgoblins."

A collective gasp rippled through the Adventurers. Whispers spread like wildfire, and the tension in the room grew heavier. Hobgoblins—larger, smarter, and far more brutal than their lesser kin. They weren't just pests to be exterminated; they were organized killers, capable of laying waste to entire towns.

"That explains why none of the others came back," someone muttered.

I felt my throat tighten. This wasn't going to be as simple as I thought. The simple quest Anastasia and thought would be a great way to level up turned into something unexpected. 

I'm begging you," she said, bowing her head deeply, her voice trembling. "Please... don't take this quest!"

Her words came out in a desperate plea, each syllable carrying the weight of fear and sorrow. Her voice cracked, and for a moment, it sounded like she was on the verge of tears. The room fell silent, the other Adventurers watching the scene unfold with a mix of pity and unease.

Her hands clenched the edge of the counter, her knuckles white. "You don't understand... No one has ever returned. Not one. This isn't just a quest—it's a death sentence."

Her words hung in the air, heavy and suffocating, but I couldn't back down now. I glanced at Anastasia beside me, her eyes filled with trust. No matter how dangerous it was, I had already made my choice. But a lingering doubt reminded: Am I endangering Anastasia if I take the quest?

But I've already made up my mind to take the quest. 

"I'm sorry, but no, " I said, a newfound determination within me. "Anastasia and I have already made up our mind to complete this quest!"

No matter how dangerous it is, I won't back down. Anastasia and I will be safe, I'll use my skills to protect her!

The receptionist reluctantly stamp the quest, and went left the guild triumphantly . But first we paid the weapons shop a visit to stock up on more weapons. 

My new life in another world has begun, and we'll be heading out on our dangerous quest. 

After that, we boarded a carriage and set off, the town quickly fading into the distance. The rhythmic clatter of wheels against the cobblestone road filled the air, accompanied by the occasional creak of the wooden frame. It would take a full day to reach the village by carriage—a slow, bumpy journey compared to what I had expected when I first arrived in this world.

Though this world boasts technological marvels like airships soaring through the skies, its transport system remains rooted in a Medieval-style charm, much like the Isekai manga and light novels I used to read back home. There's a certain rustic simplicity to it all: the earthy scent of hay, the sound of horses' hooves striking the road, and the wide-open countryside rolling by.

Despite the quaint scenery, unease gnawed at the edges of my thoughts. The receptionist's desperate plea echoed in my mind. Hobgoblins. What had I gotten us into?