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Matthew Peterson, a wiry eighteen-year-old with a mop of dark hair and a perpetual slouch, blinked as he came into existence… or at least, that’s what it felt like.
One moment, he’d been trudging across a dimly lit street toward his night classes, earbuds blasting some lo-fi beats. And then a truck horn blared, headlights flared, and a sharp, fleeting pain knocked the wind out of him.
Then… nothing.
Now, he stood in a vast, blindingly white void, a featureless expanse stretching endlessly in every direction. There was a ground beneath his sneakers… sort of. It held his weight, but when he crouched and swiped a hand across it, his fingers passed through like it was made of fog.
“What the actual…” he muttered, standing up and brushing his hands on his jeans, though there was nothing to brush off.
Matthew’s voice echoed faintly, swallowed by the emptiness. He squinted, trying to piece together what had happened. Truck. Pain. Here.
His stomach churned. “Oh no. Oh no, no, no. Am I… dead?”
Before he could spiral further, a deafening POP shattered the silence, followed by a blinding flash of light and a ridiculous burst of multicolored confetti raining down around him.
Matthew yelped, flailing backward and landing hard on his backside with a startled, “WHOA!”
When the glitter settled, a figure hovered before him. A small man, no taller than a middle-schooler, with a child-like face, pointed ears, and flowing white hair cascading over equally pristine robes.
He floated a foot off the ground, arms outstretched like a game show host, beaming with unhinged enthusiasm.
“Congraaaaaaaaatulations!” the little man bellowed, his voice chipper enough to make Matthew’s teeth ache. “You, Matthew, have been selected for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!”
Matthew scrambled to his feet, heart hammering. “Who – what – are you some kind of hallucination? Where am I?!”
The man’s grin didn’t falter. “I am Admin,” he declared, giving a theatrical little bow midair. “And you, my friend, are about to embark on an extraordinary adventure!”
“Admin?” Matthew echoed, brushing confetti out of his hair. “You mean like… tech support? And how do you know my name?”
Admin waved a hand dismissively, as if swatting away a fly. “Oh, I know a lot about you Matthew James Peterson, born on September 12th, age 19, resident of Springfield, Massachusetts, avid gamer, and recent high school graduate. But that’s not important. What is important is that I need your help.”
Matthew narrowed his eyes, suspicion creeping in over the shock. “My help? For what? And can you stop floating? It’s freaking me out.”
Admin smirked, descending slightly but still hovering like a smug helium balloon.
“I’m the general overseer of a fantastical world. Think magic, monsters, epic quests, the works. I’ve been running the show for centuries, keeping everything ticking along nicely. But here’s the thing…” He leaned in conspiratorially, cupping a hand around his mouth. “It’s gotten boring. Same old heroes, same old dragons, etc. I need someone to spice it up.”
Matthew stared, trying to process this absurdity. “And you picked me? Why?”
Admin straightened up, clasping his hands behind his back. “Well, you were… let’s say, conveniently available. That truck incident? Not exactly survivable. But!” He clapped his hands, the sound sharp in the empty space. “I’m offering you a chance to live again, in my world. A fresh start, with all the bells and whistles!”
Matthew’s jaw dropped. “Wait, wait, wait—so I did die? And now you’re, what, recruiting me for some fantasy LARP because you’re bored?”
He pinched his arm, wincing at the sting, a sure sign that he wasn’t dreaming. This was insane. Matthew blamed Hank, he’d been the one who introduced him to anime and manga of a similar nature.
Admin tilted his head, smirking again. “Reading your thoughts is delightful, you know. And no, this isn’t a dream, or one of those ‘an-eh-may’ things. It’s all real. Cross my heart.” He drew an exaggerated X over his chest.
Matthew glanced around the white void, then back at Admin. No exits, no options, just this pint-sized weirdo and his confetti cannon.
He sighed, shoulders slumping. “Fine. I’ll bite. What’s the deal?”
Admin’s eyes lit up like a kid on Christmas morning. “Splendid! Now, let’s get you set up. Tell me—what kind of adventure do you fancy?”
With a snap of his fingers, a massive, translucent screen flickered into existence behind him, glowing with rows of text and icons.
Matthew jumped, nearly tripping over his own feet. “Holy – ! Warn me before you do that!”
Steading himself, he peered at the screen. It looked like a character creation menu straight out of a video game: classes, stats, abilities, the whole deal. His nerd instincts kicked in, tempered by a healthy dose of skepticism.
“Okay… uh, I guess I wouldn’t mind being a ranger. You know, bows, knives, that sort of thing. But I’m not big on fighting unless I have to.”
Admin nodded sagely, stroking a nonexistent beard. “A ranger, hmm? Excellent choice. And – oh! This is interesting.” He tapped the air, and the screen scrolled. “Your files show a real affinity for animals. Ever thought about a tamer subclass?”
Matthew’s eyes narrowed to slits as he stared at the little man. “Files? What files? Where did you get a dossier on me?”
Admin shrugged, all innocence. “Just some light background reading. Nothing invasive! Well… mostly not. Point is, you’d be great with critters. Picture it: you, roaming the wilds, a loyal wolf or hawk at your side.”
“Uh-huh,” Matthew said, unconvinced but intrigued despite himself. “Ranger-tamer combo does sound pretty cool. Let’s see the stats.”
Another snap, and the screen updated. Matthew leaned in, scanning the details:
- Health: Decent, not tank-level, but survivable.
- Magic: Surprisingly high for a newbie.
- Physical Traits: Agile, decent stamina, “scrappy build.”
- Abilities: Infinite storage space, high taming capability, advanced magic aptitude, auto-attunement to powerfully magic weapons and gear.
He paused, frowning. “Hold up. Isn’t this a bit… much?”
Admin gave him a surprised look. “What do you mean? It’s all standard protagonist fare.”
“Yeah… for an anime,” Matthew stated. “I mean, don’t get me wrong. Infinite storage? Sure, that sounds useful. High taming, I’m fine with. But ‘advanced magic aptitude’ and auto-tuning to powerful magic weapons and gear? What does that even mean?”
“Oh!” Admin’s face brightened up as he launched into an explanation. “There are certain items – weapons, armor, and the like – that have high magical properties, so much so that they take on a life of their own. Normally, not just anyone can use them, but this ability should allow you to wield them, no problem!”
Matthew glared at the little man. “No. That’s way too overpowered.”
Admin pouted, crossing his arms. “What’s wrong with that?”
“I’m not looking to be some god-mode Gary Stu who one-shots everything!” Matthew shot back. “That's a surefire method to get unwanted
attention."
Admin huffed, floating closer. “You mortals and your concepts of ‘balance.’ Fine, we can tweak it. What do you suggest, oh wise one?”
After a long discussion, they finally came to some reasonable limits.
The infinite storage thing was useful, and Matthew was fine with the taming ability – he liked animals. His magic could be high… but not enough to make a volcano erupt if he sneezes. Auto-attuning was likewise toned down to where it would work only if Matthew held onto the item for an extended length of time – the more powerful the item, the longer the wait period.
“You’re no fun,” Admin grumbled as he waved a hand, adjusting the information on the screen. “There. Happy now?”
Matthew skimmed the revised list. “Yeah, that’s better. Feels more like… me.”
“Wonderful!” Admin clapped, his cheer returning full force. “Then we’re done stalling. Time for your grand debut!”
“Wait, what?” Matthew’s voice cracked. “Now? But I don’t even know what I’m—”
The ground – or whatever it was – vanished beneath his feet. Matthew’s stomach lurched as he plummeted, a scream ripping from his throat. “WHAT THE HELL?!”
Admin’s voice echoed around him, sheepish. “Oopsie! Slight miscalculation on my part there… Don’t worry, though - you’ve got crazy high damage resistance!”
“YOU SON OF A – ”
Matthew’s profanity-laced tirade was swallowed by the wind as he spun wildly through the air. Below, flashes of green and brown resolved into a sprawling forest, treetops rushing up to meet him.
This is not what he signed up for.
“Just enjoy the ride!” Admin called faintly. “Welcome to your new home, Matthew!”
Branches snapped and splintered as Matthew crashed through the canopy, each impact punctuated by a grunt or a curse. He hit the ground with a bone-rattling thud, dirt and leaves exploding around him.
For a moment, he lay there, dazed, staring up at the jagged hole he’d torn through the trees. Pain throbbed faintly, dulled thankfully by whatever “damage resistance” Admin had saddled him with.
But his pride? That was in tatters.
“Stupid… floaty… jerk,” he wheezed, before the world faded to black.
Matthew slowly returned to consciousness, his mind still clinging to the hazy edges of sleep.
He didn’t open his eyes right away. Why rush it? He’d had a rough night, probably up late cramming for some pointless exam or binge-watching anime with Hank.
Soon, he thought, I’ll drag myself out of bed, stumble downstairs, and help myself to Mom’s pancakes. He’d trade some sleepy banter with his family over breakfast, maybe rib his little sister about her latest crush, then call Hank later to chew him out for getting him hooked on those dumb isekai shows. Stupid fantasy worlds. Probably why I’m dreaming about knights and dragons again.
But as he lay there, eyes still stubbornly shut, something nagged at him.
This didn’t feel like his bed. His mattress was lumpy, sure, but not this lumpy – hard, uneven, with something poking into his back like roots or rocks.
And the air… it didn’t smell like his room’s usual mix of dirty socks and yesterday’s pizza. It was crisp, cool, with a whiff of damp earth and leaves, like the woods behind his house in early autumn.
Weird dream, he mused. Pretty detailed.
Then came the sniffing. Something was hovering over him, close to his face – loud, wet snuffles that sounded way too real. At first, he pictured Sandy, his family’s golden retriever, nosing him awake for a walk.
But this wasn’t Sandy.
The sniffing was too big, too forceful – and wait, was that two somethings?
His brain jolted. Two?
Matthew’s eyes snapped open.
Above him, a forest canopy stretched high, leaves rustling in a soft breeze, patches of blue sky and white clouds peeking through the branches. Okay, cool dream visuals, he thought - until his gaze dropped to the two things right in front of him. They had skull-like faces, bony and eerie, with dark antlers jutting out and yellow pinpricks of light blinking curiously from their shadowy eye sockets.
Matthew stared for a split second, brain buffering, before primal instinct kicked in.
“AAAGH!” he yelped, a full-on yell of terror bursting from his throat as he scrambled backward, limbs flailing.
The creatures shrieked in unison, their own fear mirroring his as they bolted away, darting behind nearby trees with startling speed for their size.
Matthew’s back slammed against the rough bark of a massive tree trunk, his chest heaving as he sucked in ragged breaths.
His wide eyes locked onto the creatures, now peeking out from behind trees that barely concealed their hulking forms.
They were huge – easily more than twice his height if they stood upright. Their bodies were a bizarre mashup of wolf and deer: antlers and the hooved feet of a deer, but with bushy, wagging tails that screamed canine. Their fur was a mottled greyish brown, blending in with the forest, though the colors of their manes and tails stood out – one a rusty brown, the other a deep, glossy black.
But those faces… those skeletal, skull-like faces with glowing yellow eyes sent a shiver down Matthew’s spine.
They’re like… wendigos, his mind supplied, dredging up half-remembered folklore from late-night gaming sessions.
Except… these didn’t quite match the flesh-eating horrors he knew. They were… different. Less monstrous, more animalistic, despite their intimidating vibe… less “I’ll eat your soul” and more “please don’t hurt me.”
The creatures watched him warily, heads tilted as they assessed him from their makeshift cover. The rusty-maned one seemed braver, its glowing eyes fixed on him with cautious curiosity, while the black-maned one looked ready to vanish into the underbrush at the slightest provocation.
“Okay, okay, breathe,” Matthew muttered to himself, pressing a hand to his chest to steady his racing heart. They’re scared of me too. That’s… good? Probably? He forced himself to calm down, taking stock of the situation. That’s when he noticed something else: his clothes were all wrong.
Gone were his faded jeans, hoodie, and scuffed sneakers – the uniform of a high school senior surviving on caffeine and grit.
Instead, he wore a rough-spun tunic, breeches tucked into sturdy leather travel boots, and a dark green cloak draped over his shoulders. A belt cinched his waist, weighed down by a sheathed short sword and dagger, while a bow and quiver of arrows rested against his back. A leather satchel hung from one shoulder, bumping against his hip as he shifted.
“What the—?” Matthew blinked, running his hands over the unfamiliar gear.
Memory hit him like a dodgeball to the face. He remembered Admin – that quirky little man in the white void who’d babbled about dropping him into a fantasy world for some grand adventure. Was that even real? It had to be, because this sure wasn’t his suburban bedroom.
“Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me,” he grumbled. “Admin, if this is your idea of a good time, we’re going to have words…”
His eyes flicked back to the creatures. They hadn’t budged, still watching him suspiciously from behind their trees.
Matthew hesitated, then decided to take a chance. If this was a fantasy world, maybe he could… what, befriend them? At least show them he wasn’t here to pick a fight.
Summoning a flicker of courage – or maybe just reckless stupidity – he took a few tentative steps forward. The creatures tensed, ears twitching, but didn’t flee. He stopped a safe distance away, then slowly extended his hand, palm up, like he was coaxing Sandy after she’d chewed his sneakers.
“Uh, hi there,” he said, voice shaking a little. “I’m Matthew... I don’t know if you can understand me or not but, uh, I’m not going to hurt you. Promise.”
For a long, tense moment, nothing happened. The creatures stared, unblinking, their glowing eyes boring into him.
Then the rusty-maned one moved. It crept forward, keeping low to the ground, its movements deliberate and cautious.
The black-maned one reached out to grab at its friend, letting out a low, rumbling growl, clearly trying to dissuade the other. Its expression practically screamed, Are you nuts?
The rusty one shook it off, pulling free and continued forward.
Up close, the creature was even more imposing. It loomed over Matthew, its skeletal face hovering just above his outstretched hand.
Warm breath puffed against his palm as it sniffed, and despite its terrifying appearance, that warmth eased his nerves a fraction.
Okay… so not undead, then, he reasoned. That’s a plus.
He held still, barely breathing, as the creature inspected him. After what felt like an eternity, it seemed to make up its mind. Its jaws parted, revealing a maw of razor-sharp teeth, and Matthew’s heart leaped into his throat… only for the creature to lick his hand, its rough tongue scraping like sandpaper.
A shaky laugh escaped Matthew, relief washing over him.
“Okay, not so bad,” he muttered, lifting his other hand to gingerly touch its head.
Its fur was surprisingly soft under his touch, like velvet. The creature leaned into his touch as he scratched it behind the ear, emitting a low, contented rumble that almost sounded like a purr.
The black-maned creature, who’d been watching this exchange with wide-eyed skepticism, finally risked creeping forward. It sidled up beside its friend, still wary but curious. The two exchanged a series of rumbling, guttural sounds – some kind of language Matthew couldn’t decipher – before the black-furred one dipped its head toward him.
Matthew grinned. “Oh, so you’re jealous. Don’t worry, there’s plenty to go around.”
He reached out to pet it. The beast flinched at first, but after a moment it relaxed, its glowing eyes softening as it accepted the gesture.
“Well, look at that,” he chuckled. “Guess you guys aren’t so scary after all.”
Just as he said that, a loud POP split the air, followed by a shower of confetti and a party horn’s obnoxious blare.
“GAH!” Matthew yelped, trying to jump back, slipped, and landed on his butt.
Both creatures leapt back with matching surprised shrieks.
In the air where they had been standing, a glowing screen materialized in midair.
“Darn it, Admin!” Matthew shouted, brushing glitter off his tunic. “Can you not with the jump scares? I nearly peed myself!”
The screen flashed a message:
Matthew blinked at the screen, eyes wide with disbelief.
“Wait, wait, wait a minute. I… tamed them? Just like that? I wasn’t even trying to do anything! Just what are you playing at, Admin? And what’s this “special reward” you’re talking about?”
The screen didn’t respond to his question. Instead, it shifted, displaying profiles:
- Description: A rare species with strong natural magic akin to druids. They guard their forest homes, rarely seen by humans but known to aid those in need.
- Creature Level: Medium-high.
- Names: The rusty brown one is called Copper, and the ebony one is called Shadow.
- Abilities: Stealth, nature-based magic, enhanced senses.
- Loyalty Level: Moderate.
Matthew read it over, then sighed. It seemed as though he had indeed just tamed his first creatures; and some pretty rare specimens at that. He didn’t know what “medium-high” translated to in this world, but he couldn’t help but think of the various anime he’d seen where – upon becoming acquainted with some powerful creature – the protagonist always managed to draw stares from passersby.
Like it or not, it seemed as though Matthew was starting down that very same path.
“Looks like it can’t be helped,” he muttered with a shake of his head. He looked over the details. “Shadow and Copper, huh? Cool names. And I guess moderate loyalty makes sense, since we basically just met. Thanks for the rundown, Admin… assuming you’re listening, you little gremlin.”
Matthew looked over at the two creatures – the deerwolves – who were sitting on their haunches and looking baffled by this whole situation.
“So, uh… what now?” he asked.” You guys wanna stick with me?”
They exchanged a look, then stood, tails wagging slightly.
Matthew smirked. “Guess that’s a yes. Alright, team, let’s figure out where we are.”
He adjusted his satchel and started walking, Shadow and Copper falling in step on either side of him like oversized guard dogs.
The forest stretched on, endless and quiet save for the rustle of leaves and the occasional bird chirp.
Matthew’s mind raced. “Okay, so I’m in some fantasy world with magic pets and a pop-up system. This really is straight out of an anime. I bet Hank would be jealous… right up until the monsters show up, anyway.”
The thought made him wearily look around at his surroundings. No signs of other creatures and only the distant sings of birds could be heard.
He patted Copper’s flank. “You guys have my back, right? Because I’m not exactly Aragorn here… more like Frodo… only taller and probably a lot worse with a sword.”
While he doubted either of them understood the reference, the deerwolves exchanged a look before nodding at him. Copper let out a reassuring rumble and he leaned over to nudge him on the shoulder.
Matthew grinned. “Thanks for that. Let’s just take it easy, maybe find a town. I could really go for a cheeseburger… or whatever passes for fast food here.”
The sun was just starting to disappear behind the trees, leaving the forest bathed in twilight.
Matthew trudged through the undergrowth, his two deerwolf companions padding silently beside him. He’d spent the day searching for any hint of civilization: a road, a village, even a lost shoe.
Nothing. Just trees, birds, and the occasional rustle that made him twitch.
“I guess we’re roughing it tonight,” he muttered, scanning the woods. “You two okay with camping out?”
Shadow tilted his head, yellow eyes glinting, while Copper’s tail gave a lazy swish.
Matthew decided that was a yes.
They found a small clearing ringed by ancient oaks, its mossy ground soft enough to almost be a carpet.
“Home sweet home,” Matthew said, sitting with his back against a tree.
He picked his satchel up and rested it on his lap, wondering if there was any food inside.
… now that it crossed his mind, he hadn’t actually checked to see if there was anything inside when he first discovered it.
“Guess that’s my fault for not thinking things through,” he sighed.
Copper and Shadow plopped onto the ground a little way before him, heads raised, and ears perked in interest at what he was doing.
“Here’s hoping Admin at least put something edible in here,” Matthew said and opened the bag.
Vaporous, mist-like darkness greeted him as he peered inside, the bottom of the bag appearing to have dropped into a seemingly endless abyss.
Matthew blinked, then slowly reached a cautious hand down into the depths; his arm disappeared right up to the elbow as he felt around.
One by one, he started to pull things out of the bag, eventually unclasping his cloak to lay down and set items on it.
There were five crystal vials of a shimmering green liquid. They had to be healing potions, right? That seemed to be a universal law when it came to most fantasies. He lined them up carefully before delving back into the bag.
Next was a wooden walking stick, nearly as long as Matthew was tall. It was smooth and etched with faint rune-like symbols. It might have been magic, or just a stick someone carved up to give some attitude.
Matthew then pulled out a bedroll, slightly worn, but still in good condition, and a waterskin that sloshed reassuringly. “Huh, looks like the basic needs are covered.”
Next came a long coil of rope, a flint and steel, a handful of torches, a mess kit, and a small cooking pot. All in all, classic adventuring stuff one would be a fool to leave without.
Then came several tins whose contents rattled when shook. Curiously, Matthew opened a few, finding they contained dried meat and fruits.
Last came a small sack filled with coins – bronze, silver, gold, and a few that were pale yellow in color. “Huh, looks like the currency for this world… not that I know how much any of it is worth, but I can figure it out as I go along.”
Matthew next inspected his weapons.
The short sword was a decent length of about two feet long, perfect for him to wield without trouble; better still, when he unsheathed it, there were no ancient runes or other markings that declared the holder as “king of the land” or anything like that.
He just hoped he hadn’t inadvertently been given the Master Sword… or some equally powerful blade.
The dagger likewise was fairly simple… though Matthew couldn’t help but feel that its vaguely leaf-shape and gently curling edges seemed familiar…
The bow was a beautifully crafted, with a leather grip and twisting silvery designs along its limbs – while Matthew wasn’t an expert, he guessed it was a recurved bow… not that it would make using it any easier seeing that he hadn’t even touched one before now.
He counted a dozen arrows in the quiver – with any luck, he could be able to make them last for a while.
Matthew looked at his supplies spread out over his cloak. All in all, it seemed as though he had been given a good starter-kit – which was at least one thing to be thankful to Admin for.
Looking up, he noticed Shadow and Copper were staring intently at the tins of food, nostrils twitching.
He picked up a couple of the tins that held jerky and held them out. “Hungry?”
The deerwolves sniffed the meat eagerly before each grabbed a tin and began to devour their contents with eager chomps.
Matthew opened a few more and passed them over, chuckling lightly. “Wow, you guys were starving. When was the last time you ate?”
Nether responded as they were too busy eating.
Leaning back against his tree, Matthew popped some dried fruit into his mouth and began to chew thoughtfully. It wasn’t bad, though hopefully he’d soon be able to get his hands on some real food.
This still feels more than a little crazy, he mused. One second, I’m roadkill, the next, I’m in a forest with magic pets and a bad of holding. It’s just like an isekai.
Matthew sat up as the thought crossed his mind. Wait… does that mean I’ve got powers now?
Admin had mentioned abilities. If it all works like a video game, then there has to be a trick to it.
Having seen more than enough animes and read countless manga, he had a pretty good enough of what he had to do.
Clearing his throat, Matthew spoke. “Status.”
A transparent screen flickered into existence before him, glowing faintly in the dim light.
“No freaking way,” he breathed, leaning forward to look it over.
The display was just like a video game menu: tabs for Inventory, Spells, Map, and more.
“I’ll admit, this is pretty cool.”
Matthew tapped Map with a finger, and it expanded into a detailed view of the Faewild Woods. A dot marked his spot, surrounded by endless forest. Icons dotted the map, showing the locations of villages, forts, and other settlements.
“Why didn’t I try this earlier? Let’s see, let’s see… the nearest village is Bracken Hollow, and it’s… ten miles north? Ugh. No inn for me tonight.”
Next, he opened Spells. A list appeared, most of which were practical, low-key, perfect for everyday survival:
- Light Orb: Creates a floating light source that will follow the castor around.
- Minor Heal: Restores minor wounds and inflictions.
- Fireball: Launches a small fireball
- Thunderbolt: Launches a small bolt of lightning.
- Speak with Beasts: When active, allows the castor to understand any creature.
But then there came the ones that stood out:
- Beastmaster’s Roar: The castor boosts the strength of any creature they’ve tamed.
- Storm Caller: Will summon a powerful thunderstorm, effective for large area use.
- Meteor Swarm: Summons several destructive orbs of fire, also effective in large areas.
- Revivify: Will fully heal or even bring back a fallen ally.
“Good grief,” Matthew muttered, eyes narrowing as he took these. “Those are definitely overpowered. Why didn’t I look at them before being sent here?”
It was a good guess Admin had sent him off before it could cross his mind.
“That cheeky little… fine, I’ll address them later…”
Matthew’s attention shifted to the Database tab. Selecting it, he was presenting with more options: Locations, Items, Food, and Creatures.
When he tried selecting them, Matthew was surprised to find many things locked with the message “Discover to Unlock.”
“Hmph, kinda annoying… but I guess it makes sense.”
As it was, he was only able to pull up two pages from the Database: Deerwolves, and the Faewild Woods.
“I guess that’s because it’s the first place I showed up in when I arrived here? Same thing with you guys,” Matthew mused, glancing up at Shadow and Copper… and then he froze.
A third deerwolf had appeared behind them, silent as a shadow. It towered over Shadow and Copper, its silver and white fur almost glowing in the dusk, its antlers sprawling like a king’s crown.
Its arms were crossed and it had a stern, almost parental expression on its face.
Neither Shadow nor Copper noticed the new arrival until it let out a low grunt, almost like a cough.
Both deerwolves stiffened, terror flashing across their faces before they spun around, dropping onto their kneed with heads bowed.
The newcomer rumbled in that same deep, growly language Matthew still couldn’t decipher.
Wait a minute, he realized, I’ve got a spell that should help.
He quickly pulled up Spells and quickl cycled through until he found Speak with Beasts and tapped it.
The screen displayed a message:
With barely a thought, Matthew tapped Yes.
A warm buzz filled his head, and the growls turned to words.
“ – and here I find that you’ve not only let a human tame you, but you’re lazing about while the tribe goes hungry!” the white deerwolf barked, fury gleaming in its eyes.
Shadow pulled back slightly, whimpering. “We’re sorry, Arnak. We tried tracking the dire elk, but they’ve moved on, and... well, tracking’s been a nightmare.”
“Especially with Shadow’s sense of navigation,” Copper muttered.
“Hey! Don’t pin this on me!” Shadow snarled back.
The white deerwolf, Arnak, silenced them both with a growl and a snap of his jaws.
“None of that changes that our tribe is suffering,” he rumbled. “There have been too many harsh winters that have left many of us either weak or sick. With the young not able to hunt, there are very few who are able to bring back food. If we’re unable to rectify this, the tribe won’t survive the season.”
Arnak sighed and shook his majestic antlers.
“Return to your hunt, just remember what’s at stake,” he growled before he turned and vanished into the trees as quietly as he’d come.
Shadow and Copper exchanged dejected looks, their ears and tails drooping.
As he was still taking this in, Matthew’s screen flickered with a new message:
Even Quest: Aid the Deerwolves
- Objective: Help secure enough food for the tribe.
- Reward: A stronger bond with Shadow and Copper, tribe reputation, bonus XP, special item.
Huh. Now that’s… convenient, Matthew thought.
This had to be Admin’s doing, the little floating freak was probably pulling strings from behind the scenes.
All the same, he felt for the deerwolves. They had stuck with him, a complete stranger. Helping him was the least he could do for them.
He cleared his throat.
“Hey, guys… I’d like to help you with hunting… for your tribe, I mean.”
Both deerwolves turned to give him surprised looks.
“Wait,” Shadow said, “you heard that?”
“You… understand us?” Copper added, looking surprised.
“Yeah, I heard,” Matthew replied, “It’s a spell I have, let’s me understand what you’re saying.”
Shadow tilted his head curiously. “And… you want to help us?”
“Y – yeah,” Matthew nodded his head, “I probably can’t do much, but I want to do what I can to help your tribe.”
Both deerwolves stared at him for a long moment.
“I don’t know…” Shadow stated with a nervous look in his eyes, “Arnak won’t like outsiders meddling with tribe matters.”
Copper nudged his friend. “But, if we bring back enough food, the tribe will be eternally greatful. Even Arnak won’t be able to argue with that.”
“Besides,” the rusty deerwolf added with a sideways glance, “the human’s tracking skills couldn’t be any worse than yours…”
Shadow turned and angrily shoved Copper over. “Like yours are any better?! What was it you told me when we first started? ‘Turn left at the pine,’ and now look where we are!”
Matthew watched the two deerwolves as they grappled with each other, rolling around the clearing like a pair of bickering brothers. The sight was enough to make him laugh as he reached over and selected Yes on his screen.
Some minutes later, once the two had calmed down enough, they reconvened with Matthew.
“It’ll be too dark to do any proper tracking,” Shadow said before shooting a glare at Copper. “Even I can tell that much. We’ll start tomorrow, so we should get some sleep in the meantime.”
The sun had set, stars peeking through the canopy.
Matthew unrolled his bedroll and draped his cloak over himself – it wasn’t the same as being in an actual bed, but it would do for the night.
Just as he was making himself comfortable, he was startled as Shadow and Copper flopped down on either side of him. They curled up, their warm fur pressing against him.
Within second, they were snoring softly.
Huh, just like a couple of dogs, Matthew mused. Well… really big dogs, but it’s the same idea.
He reach over and ran his hand over Copper’s side. The deerwolf hummed in his sleep and shuffled a little closer.
Once he was comfortable, Matthew stared up at the sky, mind racing.
Today was crazy. And somehow, I have a feeling that tomorrow’s going to be even crazier.
He nestled against the deerwolves, their presence oddly comforting.
Magic, monsters, epic quests… not a bad deal I guess.
With that, he closed his eyes and drifted off, ready – or not – for what lay ahead
For context - "Isekai" (異世界, meaning "different world" or "another world" in Japanese) is a sub-genre of fantasy fiction where a character is transported or reincarnated into a new, often unfamiliar, world.
This had been a concept I've been playing around with for a while... not the whole "into another world" part, that's a theme in a lot of my stories. The concept of someone being overpowered and not being thrilled about it at all.
Admin was inspired by Mr. Myxlplyx as he appears in My Adventures With Superman: https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/m.....20230805150406 And yes, he will be a common occurrence throughout the series XD
Copper and Shadow were originally going to just be wendigos, but then I decided to actually come up with an original species that's similar... but different.
And yes, by the end of the book, Matthew will have unlocked the "special reward" for taming more creatures.
Like most of the previews I've written, this is another back-burner project that I sped-typed to get it out in a hurry. Everything is also subject to change.
Read and enjoy ^_^
~ Aaron
One moment, he’d been trudging across a dimly lit street toward his night classes, earbuds blasting some lo-fi beats. And then a truck horn blared, headlights flared, and a sharp, fleeting pain knocked the wind out of him.
Then… nothing.
Now, he stood in a vast, blindingly white void, a featureless expanse stretching endlessly in every direction. There was a ground beneath his sneakers… sort of. It held his weight, but when he crouched and swiped a hand across it, his fingers passed through like it was made of fog.
“What the actual…” he muttered, standing up and brushing his hands on his jeans, though there was nothing to brush off.
Matthew’s voice echoed faintly, swallowed by the emptiness. He squinted, trying to piece together what had happened. Truck. Pain. Here.
His stomach churned. “Oh no. Oh no, no, no. Am I… dead?”
Before he could spiral further, a deafening POP shattered the silence, followed by a blinding flash of light and a ridiculous burst of multicolored confetti raining down around him.
Matthew yelped, flailing backward and landing hard on his backside with a startled, “WHOA!”
When the glitter settled, a figure hovered before him. A small man, no taller than a middle-schooler, with a child-like face, pointed ears, and flowing white hair cascading over equally pristine robes.
He floated a foot off the ground, arms outstretched like a game show host, beaming with unhinged enthusiasm.
“Congraaaaaaaaatulations!” the little man bellowed, his voice chipper enough to make Matthew’s teeth ache. “You, Matthew, have been selected for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!”
Matthew scrambled to his feet, heart hammering. “Who – what – are you some kind of hallucination? Where am I?!”
The man’s grin didn’t falter. “I am Admin,” he declared, giving a theatrical little bow midair. “And you, my friend, are about to embark on an extraordinary adventure!”
“Admin?” Matthew echoed, brushing confetti out of his hair. “You mean like… tech support? And how do you know my name?”
Admin waved a hand dismissively, as if swatting away a fly. “Oh, I know a lot about you Matthew James Peterson, born on September 12th, age 19, resident of Springfield, Massachusetts, avid gamer, and recent high school graduate. But that’s not important. What is important is that I need your help.”
Matthew narrowed his eyes, suspicion creeping in over the shock. “My help? For what? And can you stop floating? It’s freaking me out.”
Admin smirked, descending slightly but still hovering like a smug helium balloon.
“I’m the general overseer of a fantastical world. Think magic, monsters, epic quests, the works. I’ve been running the show for centuries, keeping everything ticking along nicely. But here’s the thing…” He leaned in conspiratorially, cupping a hand around his mouth. “It’s gotten boring. Same old heroes, same old dragons, etc. I need someone to spice it up.”
Matthew stared, trying to process this absurdity. “And you picked me? Why?”
Admin straightened up, clasping his hands behind his back. “Well, you were… let’s say, conveniently available. That truck incident? Not exactly survivable. But!” He clapped his hands, the sound sharp in the empty space. “I’m offering you a chance to live again, in my world. A fresh start, with all the bells and whistles!”
Matthew’s jaw dropped. “Wait, wait, wait—so I did die? And now you’re, what, recruiting me for some fantasy LARP because you’re bored?”
He pinched his arm, wincing at the sting, a sure sign that he wasn’t dreaming. This was insane. Matthew blamed Hank, he’d been the one who introduced him to anime and manga of a similar nature.
Admin tilted his head, smirking again. “Reading your thoughts is delightful, you know. And no, this isn’t a dream, or one of those ‘an-eh-may’ things. It’s all real. Cross my heart.” He drew an exaggerated X over his chest.
Matthew glanced around the white void, then back at Admin. No exits, no options, just this pint-sized weirdo and his confetti cannon.
He sighed, shoulders slumping. “Fine. I’ll bite. What’s the deal?”
Admin’s eyes lit up like a kid on Christmas morning. “Splendid! Now, let’s get you set up. Tell me—what kind of adventure do you fancy?”
With a snap of his fingers, a massive, translucent screen flickered into existence behind him, glowing with rows of text and icons.
Matthew jumped, nearly tripping over his own feet. “Holy – ! Warn me before you do that!”
Steading himself, he peered at the screen. It looked like a character creation menu straight out of a video game: classes, stats, abilities, the whole deal. His nerd instincts kicked in, tempered by a healthy dose of skepticism.
“Okay… uh, I guess I wouldn’t mind being a ranger. You know, bows, knives, that sort of thing. But I’m not big on fighting unless I have to.”
Admin nodded sagely, stroking a nonexistent beard. “A ranger, hmm? Excellent choice. And – oh! This is interesting.” He tapped the air, and the screen scrolled. “Your files show a real affinity for animals. Ever thought about a tamer subclass?”
Matthew’s eyes narrowed to slits as he stared at the little man. “Files? What files? Where did you get a dossier on me?”
Admin shrugged, all innocence. “Just some light background reading. Nothing invasive! Well… mostly not. Point is, you’d be great with critters. Picture it: you, roaming the wilds, a loyal wolf or hawk at your side.”
“Uh-huh,” Matthew said, unconvinced but intrigued despite himself. “Ranger-tamer combo does sound pretty cool. Let’s see the stats.”
Another snap, and the screen updated. Matthew leaned in, scanning the details:
- Health: Decent, not tank-level, but survivable.
- Magic: Surprisingly high for a newbie.
- Physical Traits: Agile, decent stamina, “scrappy build.”
- Abilities: Infinite storage space, high taming capability, advanced magic aptitude, auto-attunement to powerfully magic weapons and gear.
He paused, frowning. “Hold up. Isn’t this a bit… much?”
Admin gave him a surprised look. “What do you mean? It’s all standard protagonist fare.”
“Yeah… for an anime,” Matthew stated. “I mean, don’t get me wrong. Infinite storage? Sure, that sounds useful. High taming, I’m fine with. But ‘advanced magic aptitude’ and auto-tuning to powerful magic weapons and gear? What does that even mean?”
“Oh!” Admin’s face brightened up as he launched into an explanation. “There are certain items – weapons, armor, and the like – that have high magical properties, so much so that they take on a life of their own. Normally, not just anyone can use them, but this ability should allow you to wield them, no problem!”
Matthew glared at the little man. “No. That’s way too overpowered.”
Admin pouted, crossing his arms. “What’s wrong with that?”
“I’m not looking to be some god-mode Gary Stu who one-shots everything!” Matthew shot back. “That's a surefire method to get unwanted
attention."
Admin huffed, floating closer. “You mortals and your concepts of ‘balance.’ Fine, we can tweak it. What do you suggest, oh wise one?”
After a long discussion, they finally came to some reasonable limits.
The infinite storage thing was useful, and Matthew was fine with the taming ability – he liked animals. His magic could be high… but not enough to make a volcano erupt if he sneezes. Auto-attuning was likewise toned down to where it would work only if Matthew held onto the item for an extended length of time – the more powerful the item, the longer the wait period.
“You’re no fun,” Admin grumbled as he waved a hand, adjusting the information on the screen. “There. Happy now?”
Matthew skimmed the revised list. “Yeah, that’s better. Feels more like… me.”
“Wonderful!” Admin clapped, his cheer returning full force. “Then we’re done stalling. Time for your grand debut!”
“Wait, what?” Matthew’s voice cracked. “Now? But I don’t even know what I’m—”
The ground – or whatever it was – vanished beneath his feet. Matthew’s stomach lurched as he plummeted, a scream ripping from his throat. “WHAT THE HELL?!”
Admin’s voice echoed around him, sheepish. “Oopsie! Slight miscalculation on my part there… Don’t worry, though - you’ve got crazy high damage resistance!”
“YOU SON OF A – ”
Matthew’s profanity-laced tirade was swallowed by the wind as he spun wildly through the air. Below, flashes of green and brown resolved into a sprawling forest, treetops rushing up to meet him.
This is not what he signed up for.
“Just enjoy the ride!” Admin called faintly. “Welcome to your new home, Matthew!”
Branches snapped and splintered as Matthew crashed through the canopy, each impact punctuated by a grunt or a curse. He hit the ground with a bone-rattling thud, dirt and leaves exploding around him.
For a moment, he lay there, dazed, staring up at the jagged hole he’d torn through the trees. Pain throbbed faintly, dulled thankfully by whatever “damage resistance” Admin had saddled him with.
But his pride? That was in tatters.
“Stupid… floaty… jerk,” he wheezed, before the world faded to black.
~Matthew slowly returned to consciousness, his mind still clinging to the hazy edges of sleep.
He didn’t open his eyes right away. Why rush it? He’d had a rough night, probably up late cramming for some pointless exam or binge-watching anime with Hank.
Soon, he thought, I’ll drag myself out of bed, stumble downstairs, and help myself to Mom’s pancakes. He’d trade some sleepy banter with his family over breakfast, maybe rib his little sister about her latest crush, then call Hank later to chew him out for getting him hooked on those dumb isekai shows. Stupid fantasy worlds. Probably why I’m dreaming about knights and dragons again.
But as he lay there, eyes still stubbornly shut, something nagged at him.
This didn’t feel like his bed. His mattress was lumpy, sure, but not this lumpy – hard, uneven, with something poking into his back like roots or rocks.
And the air… it didn’t smell like his room’s usual mix of dirty socks and yesterday’s pizza. It was crisp, cool, with a whiff of damp earth and leaves, like the woods behind his house in early autumn.
Weird dream, he mused. Pretty detailed.
Then came the sniffing. Something was hovering over him, close to his face – loud, wet snuffles that sounded way too real. At first, he pictured Sandy, his family’s golden retriever, nosing him awake for a walk.
But this wasn’t Sandy.
The sniffing was too big, too forceful – and wait, was that two somethings?
His brain jolted. Two?
Matthew’s eyes snapped open.
Above him, a forest canopy stretched high, leaves rustling in a soft breeze, patches of blue sky and white clouds peeking through the branches. Okay, cool dream visuals, he thought - until his gaze dropped to the two things right in front of him. They had skull-like faces, bony and eerie, with dark antlers jutting out and yellow pinpricks of light blinking curiously from their shadowy eye sockets.
Matthew stared for a split second, brain buffering, before primal instinct kicked in.
“AAAGH!” he yelped, a full-on yell of terror bursting from his throat as he scrambled backward, limbs flailing.
The creatures shrieked in unison, their own fear mirroring his as they bolted away, darting behind nearby trees with startling speed for their size.
Matthew’s back slammed against the rough bark of a massive tree trunk, his chest heaving as he sucked in ragged breaths.
His wide eyes locked onto the creatures, now peeking out from behind trees that barely concealed their hulking forms.
They were huge – easily more than twice his height if they stood upright. Their bodies were a bizarre mashup of wolf and deer: antlers and the hooved feet of a deer, but with bushy, wagging tails that screamed canine. Their fur was a mottled greyish brown, blending in with the forest, though the colors of their manes and tails stood out – one a rusty brown, the other a deep, glossy black.
But those faces… those skeletal, skull-like faces with glowing yellow eyes sent a shiver down Matthew’s spine.
They’re like… wendigos, his mind supplied, dredging up half-remembered folklore from late-night gaming sessions.
Except… these didn’t quite match the flesh-eating horrors he knew. They were… different. Less monstrous, more animalistic, despite their intimidating vibe… less “I’ll eat your soul” and more “please don’t hurt me.”
The creatures watched him warily, heads tilted as they assessed him from their makeshift cover. The rusty-maned one seemed braver, its glowing eyes fixed on him with cautious curiosity, while the black-maned one looked ready to vanish into the underbrush at the slightest provocation.
“Okay, okay, breathe,” Matthew muttered to himself, pressing a hand to his chest to steady his racing heart. They’re scared of me too. That’s… good? Probably? He forced himself to calm down, taking stock of the situation. That’s when he noticed something else: his clothes were all wrong.
Gone were his faded jeans, hoodie, and scuffed sneakers – the uniform of a high school senior surviving on caffeine and grit.
Instead, he wore a rough-spun tunic, breeches tucked into sturdy leather travel boots, and a dark green cloak draped over his shoulders. A belt cinched his waist, weighed down by a sheathed short sword and dagger, while a bow and quiver of arrows rested against his back. A leather satchel hung from one shoulder, bumping against his hip as he shifted.
“What the—?” Matthew blinked, running his hands over the unfamiliar gear.
Memory hit him like a dodgeball to the face. He remembered Admin – that quirky little man in the white void who’d babbled about dropping him into a fantasy world for some grand adventure. Was that even real? It had to be, because this sure wasn’t his suburban bedroom.
“Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me,” he grumbled. “Admin, if this is your idea of a good time, we’re going to have words…”
His eyes flicked back to the creatures. They hadn’t budged, still watching him suspiciously from behind their trees.
Matthew hesitated, then decided to take a chance. If this was a fantasy world, maybe he could… what, befriend them? At least show them he wasn’t here to pick a fight.
Summoning a flicker of courage – or maybe just reckless stupidity – he took a few tentative steps forward. The creatures tensed, ears twitching, but didn’t flee. He stopped a safe distance away, then slowly extended his hand, palm up, like he was coaxing Sandy after she’d chewed his sneakers.
“Uh, hi there,” he said, voice shaking a little. “I’m Matthew... I don’t know if you can understand me or not but, uh, I’m not going to hurt you. Promise.”
For a long, tense moment, nothing happened. The creatures stared, unblinking, their glowing eyes boring into him.
Then the rusty-maned one moved. It crept forward, keeping low to the ground, its movements deliberate and cautious.
The black-maned one reached out to grab at its friend, letting out a low, rumbling growl, clearly trying to dissuade the other. Its expression practically screamed, Are you nuts?
The rusty one shook it off, pulling free and continued forward.
Up close, the creature was even more imposing. It loomed over Matthew, its skeletal face hovering just above his outstretched hand.
Warm breath puffed against his palm as it sniffed, and despite its terrifying appearance, that warmth eased his nerves a fraction.
Okay… so not undead, then, he reasoned. That’s a plus.
He held still, barely breathing, as the creature inspected him. After what felt like an eternity, it seemed to make up its mind. Its jaws parted, revealing a maw of razor-sharp teeth, and Matthew’s heart leaped into his throat… only for the creature to lick his hand, its rough tongue scraping like sandpaper.
A shaky laugh escaped Matthew, relief washing over him.
“Okay, not so bad,” he muttered, lifting his other hand to gingerly touch its head.
Its fur was surprisingly soft under his touch, like velvet. The creature leaned into his touch as he scratched it behind the ear, emitting a low, contented rumble that almost sounded like a purr.
The black-maned creature, who’d been watching this exchange with wide-eyed skepticism, finally risked creeping forward. It sidled up beside its friend, still wary but curious. The two exchanged a series of rumbling, guttural sounds – some kind of language Matthew couldn’t decipher – before the black-furred one dipped its head toward him.
Matthew grinned. “Oh, so you’re jealous. Don’t worry, there’s plenty to go around.”
He reached out to pet it. The beast flinched at first, but after a moment it relaxed, its glowing eyes softening as it accepted the gesture.
“Well, look at that,” he chuckled. “Guess you guys aren’t so scary after all.”
Just as he said that, a loud POP split the air, followed by a shower of confetti and a party horn’s obnoxious blare.
“GAH!” Matthew yelped, trying to jump back, slipped, and landed on his butt.
Both creatures leapt back with matching surprised shrieks.
In the air where they had been standing, a glowing screen materialized in midair.
“Darn it, Admin!” Matthew shouted, brushing glitter off his tunic. “Can you not with the jump scares? I nearly peed myself!”
The screen flashed a message:
[Taming successful: First time bonus: Two tamed at the same time: 400 XP (400/1000 until next level)]
[Tame three more creatures to earn a special reward!]Matthew blinked at the screen, eyes wide with disbelief.
“Wait, wait, wait a minute. I… tamed them? Just like that? I wasn’t even trying to do anything! Just what are you playing at, Admin? And what’s this “special reward” you’re talking about?”
The screen didn’t respond to his question. Instead, it shifted, displaying profiles:
Deerwolves- Description: A rare species with strong natural magic akin to druids. They guard their forest homes, rarely seen by humans but known to aid those in need.
- Creature Level: Medium-high.
- Names: The rusty brown one is called Copper, and the ebony one is called Shadow.
- Abilities: Stealth, nature-based magic, enhanced senses.
- Loyalty Level: Moderate.
Matthew read it over, then sighed. It seemed as though he had indeed just tamed his first creatures; and some pretty rare specimens at that. He didn’t know what “medium-high” translated to in this world, but he couldn’t help but think of the various anime he’d seen where – upon becoming acquainted with some powerful creature – the protagonist always managed to draw stares from passersby.
Like it or not, it seemed as though Matthew was starting down that very same path.
“Looks like it can’t be helped,” he muttered with a shake of his head. He looked over the details. “Shadow and Copper, huh? Cool names. And I guess moderate loyalty makes sense, since we basically just met. Thanks for the rundown, Admin… assuming you’re listening, you little gremlin.”
Matthew looked over at the two creatures – the deerwolves – who were sitting on their haunches and looking baffled by this whole situation.
“So, uh… what now?” he asked.” You guys wanna stick with me?”
They exchanged a look, then stood, tails wagging slightly.
Matthew smirked. “Guess that’s a yes. Alright, team, let’s figure out where we are.”
He adjusted his satchel and started walking, Shadow and Copper falling in step on either side of him like oversized guard dogs.
The forest stretched on, endless and quiet save for the rustle of leaves and the occasional bird chirp.
Matthew’s mind raced. “Okay, so I’m in some fantasy world with magic pets and a pop-up system. This really is straight out of an anime. I bet Hank would be jealous… right up until the monsters show up, anyway.”
The thought made him wearily look around at his surroundings. No signs of other creatures and only the distant sings of birds could be heard.
He patted Copper’s flank. “You guys have my back, right? Because I’m not exactly Aragorn here… more like Frodo… only taller and probably a lot worse with a sword.”
While he doubted either of them understood the reference, the deerwolves exchanged a look before nodding at him. Copper let out a reassuring rumble and he leaned over to nudge him on the shoulder.
Matthew grinned. “Thanks for that. Let’s just take it easy, maybe find a town. I could really go for a cheeseburger… or whatever passes for fast food here.”
~The sun was just starting to disappear behind the trees, leaving the forest bathed in twilight.
Matthew trudged through the undergrowth, his two deerwolf companions padding silently beside him. He’d spent the day searching for any hint of civilization: a road, a village, even a lost shoe.
Nothing. Just trees, birds, and the occasional rustle that made him twitch.
“I guess we’re roughing it tonight,” he muttered, scanning the woods. “You two okay with camping out?”
Shadow tilted his head, yellow eyes glinting, while Copper’s tail gave a lazy swish.
Matthew decided that was a yes.
They found a small clearing ringed by ancient oaks, its mossy ground soft enough to almost be a carpet.
“Home sweet home,” Matthew said, sitting with his back against a tree.
He picked his satchel up and rested it on his lap, wondering if there was any food inside.
… now that it crossed his mind, he hadn’t actually checked to see if there was anything inside when he first discovered it.
“Guess that’s my fault for not thinking things through,” he sighed.
Copper and Shadow plopped onto the ground a little way before him, heads raised, and ears perked in interest at what he was doing.
“Here’s hoping Admin at least put something edible in here,” Matthew said and opened the bag.
Vaporous, mist-like darkness greeted him as he peered inside, the bottom of the bag appearing to have dropped into a seemingly endless abyss.
Matthew blinked, then slowly reached a cautious hand down into the depths; his arm disappeared right up to the elbow as he felt around.
One by one, he started to pull things out of the bag, eventually unclasping his cloak to lay down and set items on it.
There were five crystal vials of a shimmering green liquid. They had to be healing potions, right? That seemed to be a universal law when it came to most fantasies. He lined them up carefully before delving back into the bag.
Next was a wooden walking stick, nearly as long as Matthew was tall. It was smooth and etched with faint rune-like symbols. It might have been magic, or just a stick someone carved up to give some attitude.
Matthew then pulled out a bedroll, slightly worn, but still in good condition, and a waterskin that sloshed reassuringly. “Huh, looks like the basic needs are covered.”
Next came a long coil of rope, a flint and steel, a handful of torches, a mess kit, and a small cooking pot. All in all, classic adventuring stuff one would be a fool to leave without.
Then came several tins whose contents rattled when shook. Curiously, Matthew opened a few, finding they contained dried meat and fruits.
Last came a small sack filled with coins – bronze, silver, gold, and a few that were pale yellow in color. “Huh, looks like the currency for this world… not that I know how much any of it is worth, but I can figure it out as I go along.”
Matthew next inspected his weapons.
The short sword was a decent length of about two feet long, perfect for him to wield without trouble; better still, when he unsheathed it, there were no ancient runes or other markings that declared the holder as “king of the land” or anything like that.
He just hoped he hadn’t inadvertently been given the Master Sword… or some equally powerful blade.
The dagger likewise was fairly simple… though Matthew couldn’t help but feel that its vaguely leaf-shape and gently curling edges seemed familiar…
The bow was a beautifully crafted, with a leather grip and twisting silvery designs along its limbs – while Matthew wasn’t an expert, he guessed it was a recurved bow… not that it would make using it any easier seeing that he hadn’t even touched one before now.
He counted a dozen arrows in the quiver – with any luck, he could be able to make them last for a while.
Matthew looked at his supplies spread out over his cloak. All in all, it seemed as though he had been given a good starter-kit – which was at least one thing to be thankful to Admin for.
Looking up, he noticed Shadow and Copper were staring intently at the tins of food, nostrils twitching.
He picked up a couple of the tins that held jerky and held them out. “Hungry?”
The deerwolves sniffed the meat eagerly before each grabbed a tin and began to devour their contents with eager chomps.
Matthew opened a few more and passed them over, chuckling lightly. “Wow, you guys were starving. When was the last time you ate?”
Nether responded as they were too busy eating.
Leaning back against his tree, Matthew popped some dried fruit into his mouth and began to chew thoughtfully. It wasn’t bad, though hopefully he’d soon be able to get his hands on some real food.
This still feels more than a little crazy, he mused. One second, I’m roadkill, the next, I’m in a forest with magic pets and a bad of holding. It’s just like an isekai.
Matthew sat up as the thought crossed his mind. Wait… does that mean I’ve got powers now?
Admin had mentioned abilities. If it all works like a video game, then there has to be a trick to it.
Having seen more than enough animes and read countless manga, he had a pretty good enough of what he had to do.
Clearing his throat, Matthew spoke. “Status.”
A transparent screen flickered into existence before him, glowing faintly in the dim light.
“No freaking way,” he breathed, leaning forward to look it over.
The display was just like a video game menu: tabs for Inventory, Spells, Map, and more.
“I’ll admit, this is pretty cool.”
Matthew tapped Map with a finger, and it expanded into a detailed view of the Faewild Woods. A dot marked his spot, surrounded by endless forest. Icons dotted the map, showing the locations of villages, forts, and other settlements.
“Why didn’t I try this earlier? Let’s see, let’s see… the nearest village is Bracken Hollow, and it’s… ten miles north? Ugh. No inn for me tonight.”
Next, he opened Spells. A list appeared, most of which were practical, low-key, perfect for everyday survival:
- Light Orb: Creates a floating light source that will follow the castor around.
- Minor Heal: Restores minor wounds and inflictions.
- Fireball: Launches a small fireball
- Thunderbolt: Launches a small bolt of lightning.
- Speak with Beasts: When active, allows the castor to understand any creature.
But then there came the ones that stood out:
- Beastmaster’s Roar: The castor boosts the strength of any creature they’ve tamed.
- Storm Caller: Will summon a powerful thunderstorm, effective for large area use.
- Meteor Swarm: Summons several destructive orbs of fire, also effective in large areas.
- Revivify: Will fully heal or even bring back a fallen ally.
“Good grief,” Matthew muttered, eyes narrowing as he took these. “Those are definitely overpowered. Why didn’t I look at them before being sent here?”
It was a good guess Admin had sent him off before it could cross his mind.
“That cheeky little… fine, I’ll address them later…”
Matthew’s attention shifted to the Database tab. Selecting it, he was presenting with more options: Locations, Items, Food, and Creatures.
When he tried selecting them, Matthew was surprised to find many things locked with the message “Discover to Unlock.”
“Hmph, kinda annoying… but I guess it makes sense.”
As it was, he was only able to pull up two pages from the Database: Deerwolves, and the Faewild Woods.
“I guess that’s because it’s the first place I showed up in when I arrived here? Same thing with you guys,” Matthew mused, glancing up at Shadow and Copper… and then he froze.
A third deerwolf had appeared behind them, silent as a shadow. It towered over Shadow and Copper, its silver and white fur almost glowing in the dusk, its antlers sprawling like a king’s crown.
Its arms were crossed and it had a stern, almost parental expression on its face.
Neither Shadow nor Copper noticed the new arrival until it let out a low grunt, almost like a cough.
Both deerwolves stiffened, terror flashing across their faces before they spun around, dropping onto their kneed with heads bowed.
The newcomer rumbled in that same deep, growly language Matthew still couldn’t decipher.
Wait a minute, he realized, I’ve got a spell that should help.
He quickly pulled up Spells and quickl cycled through until he found Speak with Beasts and tapped it.
The screen displayed a message:
Activate Speak with Beasts?
[Yes] [No]With barely a thought, Matthew tapped Yes.
A warm buzz filled his head, and the growls turned to words.
“ – and here I find that you’ve not only let a human tame you, but you’re lazing about while the tribe goes hungry!” the white deerwolf barked, fury gleaming in its eyes.
Shadow pulled back slightly, whimpering. “We’re sorry, Arnak. We tried tracking the dire elk, but they’ve moved on, and... well, tracking’s been a nightmare.”
“Especially with Shadow’s sense of navigation,” Copper muttered.
“Hey! Don’t pin this on me!” Shadow snarled back.
The white deerwolf, Arnak, silenced them both with a growl and a snap of his jaws.
“None of that changes that our tribe is suffering,” he rumbled. “There have been too many harsh winters that have left many of us either weak or sick. With the young not able to hunt, there are very few who are able to bring back food. If we’re unable to rectify this, the tribe won’t survive the season.”
Arnak sighed and shook his majestic antlers.
“Return to your hunt, just remember what’s at stake,” he growled before he turned and vanished into the trees as quietly as he’d come.
Shadow and Copper exchanged dejected looks, their ears and tails drooping.
As he was still taking this in, Matthew’s screen flickered with a new message:
Even Quest: Aid the Deerwolves
- Objective: Help secure enough food for the tribe.
- Reward: A stronger bond with Shadow and Copper, tribe reputation, bonus XP, special item.
Accept? [Yes] [No]Huh. Now that’s… convenient, Matthew thought.
This had to be Admin’s doing, the little floating freak was probably pulling strings from behind the scenes.
All the same, he felt for the deerwolves. They had stuck with him, a complete stranger. Helping him was the least he could do for them.
He cleared his throat.
“Hey, guys… I’d like to help you with hunting… for your tribe, I mean.”
Both deerwolves turned to give him surprised looks.
“Wait,” Shadow said, “you heard that?”
“You… understand us?” Copper added, looking surprised.
“Yeah, I heard,” Matthew replied, “It’s a spell I have, let’s me understand what you’re saying.”
Shadow tilted his head curiously. “And… you want to help us?”
“Y – yeah,” Matthew nodded his head, “I probably can’t do much, but I want to do what I can to help your tribe.”
Both deerwolves stared at him for a long moment.
“I don’t know…” Shadow stated with a nervous look in his eyes, “Arnak won’t like outsiders meddling with tribe matters.”
Copper nudged his friend. “But, if we bring back enough food, the tribe will be eternally greatful. Even Arnak won’t be able to argue with that.”
“Besides,” the rusty deerwolf added with a sideways glance, “the human’s tracking skills couldn’t be any worse than yours…”
Shadow turned and angrily shoved Copper over. “Like yours are any better?! What was it you told me when we first started? ‘Turn left at the pine,’ and now look where we are!”
Matthew watched the two deerwolves as they grappled with each other, rolling around the clearing like a pair of bickering brothers. The sight was enough to make him laugh as he reached over and selected Yes on his screen.
Some minutes later, once the two had calmed down enough, they reconvened with Matthew.
“It’ll be too dark to do any proper tracking,” Shadow said before shooting a glare at Copper. “Even I can tell that much. We’ll start tomorrow, so we should get some sleep in the meantime.”
The sun had set, stars peeking through the canopy.
Matthew unrolled his bedroll and draped his cloak over himself – it wasn’t the same as being in an actual bed, but it would do for the night.
Just as he was making himself comfortable, he was startled as Shadow and Copper flopped down on either side of him. They curled up, their warm fur pressing against him.
Within second, they were snoring softly.
Huh, just like a couple of dogs, Matthew mused. Well… really big dogs, but it’s the same idea.
He reach over and ran his hand over Copper’s side. The deerwolf hummed in his sleep and shuffled a little closer.
Once he was comfortable, Matthew stared up at the sky, mind racing.
Today was crazy. And somehow, I have a feeling that tomorrow’s going to be even crazier.
He nestled against the deerwolves, their presence oddly comforting.
Magic, monsters, epic quests… not a bad deal I guess.
With that, he closed his eyes and drifted off, ready – or not – for what lay ahead
For context - "Isekai" (異世界, meaning "different world" or "another world" in Japanese) is a sub-genre of fantasy fiction where a character is transported or reincarnated into a new, often unfamiliar, world.
This had been a concept I've been playing around with for a while... not the whole "into another world" part, that's a theme in a lot of my stories. The concept of someone being overpowered and not being thrilled about it at all.
Admin was inspired by Mr. Myxlplyx as he appears in My Adventures With Superman: https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/m.....20230805150406 And yes, he will be a common occurrence throughout the series XD
Copper and Shadow were originally going to just be wendigos, but then I decided to actually come up with an original species that's similar... but different.
And yes, by the end of the book, Matthew will have unlocked the "special reward" for taming more creatures.
Like most of the previews I've written, this is another back-burner project that I sped-typed to get it out in a hurry. Everything is also subject to change.
Read and enjoy ^_^
~ Aaron
Category Story / Fantasy
Species Unspecified / Any
Size 120 x 120px
File Size 180 kB
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