Chapter 10: Real applicability II

After all the preparations were done, we boarded the wagon pulled by horses. It was a terrifying experience. The wagon shook violently with every movement, its wooden wheels scraping against the rocky ground, creating incessant jolts. The creaking of the wood and the snorting of the horses added to the impression of how primitive this vehicle was.

I sat inside the wagon, trying to hold back the increasing nausea. Every jolt churned my stomach, and the smell of sweat and the damp air inside the wagon worsened the situation. Around me, my classmates also appeared uncomfortable, some of them holding their heads or stomachs, trying to suppress the nausea that struck them.

Pale faces and uneasy expressions adorned the wagon. I could see some of us starting to break out in cold sweat, trying to find a more comfortable position but to no avail. The air inside the wagon felt stuffy, as if adding to the physical burden we were feeling.

Unable to bear it any longer, I decided to do something that might be better. With determined steps, I stood up and walked towards the wagon door. I pulled aside the cloth curtain serving as the door and leaped out, feeling the solid ground beneath my feet.

Fresh wind greeted me immediately, dispelling the nausea that had haunted me earlier. The sound of the wagon's creaking, which kept moving farther away, and I felt a different kind of freedom compared to being confined in that primitive vehicle.

I chose to walk alongside the wagon, following the rhythm of the horses' steps. The scenery around me was a vast expanse of green, with tall trees standing majestically in the distance. Birds chirped happily atop the trees, creating a soothing natural melody.

Although this journey was much more exhausting than sitting inside the wagon, I felt better. Every step brought me closer to our destination, and I could enjoy the surrounding scenery, feeling the freedom in the open air.

Before we left the capital, the atmosphere turned festive. There was a commotion similar to a festival parade, with the cheerful voices of people gathered on the roadside. They all came to see the summoned heroes, as rumored. At that moment, I was still inside the wagon, shaking on the smoother cobblestone road of the capital compared to the rough road outside.

Amidst the crowd, Touya, with his flamboyant personality, became the center of attention. He seemed to be showcased to the public to boost their enthusiasm and spirits. However, to me, it looked like a performance exploiting him as a displayed clown. Perhaps Touya enjoyed the attention, feeling proud to be in the spotlight. But if my position were swapped with Touya's, I wouldn't be comfortable with the situation. Even if they forced me, I would still refuse to do it.

At this opportunity, I began to acquaint myself with the warriors walking alongside the several wagons ahead. I inquired about our destination and the nature of the dungeon we would face. I wanted to dig deeper into what awaited us there.

As the footsteps and the movements of the horses pulling our wagon continued, I listened attentively to the stories they shared. They talked about the dangers we might encounter in the dungeon, as well as the strategies we needed to consider. It felt like delving into a world I had never seen before, a world full of secrets and challenges awaiting.

As we continued the journey, the atmosphere became more familiar. I engaged in casual conversation with some of the warriors accompanying us. One of them was Cedric, an experienced warrior who appeared calm and patient in answering all my questions about the dungeon.

"Bro, what are we really going to face inside this dungeon?" I asked, trying to find out more about what awaited us.

Cedric smiled casually, "Oh, in the dungeon, you can encounter all kinds of threats, from strange creatures to cunning traps. We have to stay on guard at all times."

"Alright, thanks for the info," I replied, nodding.

Then, I joined in a conversation with another warrior named Gareth. Although he seemed quieter, his gaze was full of experience.

"Gareth, what do you think I should do when we're inside the dungeon?" I asked, wanting to glean knowledge from his experience.

Gareth smiled kindly and answered, "Weapons and strategy are important, but the most crucial thing is to always be vigilant! We never know what might happen inside the dungeon."

"Hmm, got it. Thanks, bro," I said, feeling relieved by his advice.

Casual conversations like these helped alleviate some of the anxiety and worries. Although we would be faced with serious situations, the warm atmosphere like this made me feel more comfortable.

...

{POV THIRD PERSON}

As the journey to the dungeon unfolded, a visible unease marked the face of Kitahara Nora.

"Seriously, what has Johan been doing over the past week!? Why do I feel like he's changed so much?" she asked, her confusion evident.

Touka Misaki, sitting beside her, nodded in agreement. "It's not just Nora who feels that way, our other friends do too," she said, trying to seek understanding.

Minami Aoi, sitting on the other side, joined the conversation. "I understand his strange job, but to look so modern, that's what I don't get! Also, where did he get all those clothes that seem to come from our world?"

"This is really strange," added Inukai Jun, with a look of astonishment on his face. "I think he's hiding something. We heard about the incident on the train, didn't we? That's what made everyone avoid him."

Meanwhile, Touya, seated in the special horse carriage with them, listened attentively to his friends' concerns. Unlike the others, the four of them were placed in a comfortable carriage and given some special facilities because they were young people with special jobs.

During their journey, they received different treatment from the others, becoming the center of attention because of their special positions and jobs.

Touya looked at his friends firmly, expressing his views firmly. "Whatever it is, we shouldn't worry about it anymore. Besides, he also chose to be alone even after coming to this world. I don't see any problems caused by him, so let him be."

Nora furrowed her brow, not entirely agreeing with Touya's opinion. But because Touya had expressed his opinion so confidently, she felt hesitant to refute it.

Jun, with his sharp gaze, glanced at Touya for a moment before giving his response. "I understand what you mean, Touya. But, he's not normal. Have you ever seen someone lose so much weight in just one week?"

Touya shook his head, trying to alleviate the growing anxiety. "That is strange, but what's the point of discussing it? We're in another world, Jun. Anything can happen here, common sense from our world can't be applied here!"

The sound of horse hooves and the whispering wind added a mystical touch to their conversation. Amidst the clatter of the horse-drawn carriage and the vast sky above them, Touya's firmness created a calming aura of confidence, although uncertainty still lingered in their hearts.

"Tch... Whatever," Jun grumbled discontentedly, feeling the tension in the atmosphere of the carriage that someone had to diffuse.

Aoi sensed the lingering tension in the air of the horse-drawn carriage. Her heart pounded loudly, realizing how important it was to ease the tense situation among her friends. With careful consideration, she took a small step forward, directing her gaze to Jun and Touya, who were still silent in their argument.

With a calm yet firm voice, Aoi spoke, "Um, maybe we should try to calm down for a moment, shouldn't we?"

Touya and Jun turned to her, their expressions still reflecting the tension that hadn't completely dissipated. But there was a touch of curiosity in their eyes as they listened to Aoi's words.

"We're all friends here, not enemies," Aoi continued gently, trying to inject a little warmth into the tense atmosphere. "And I believe we can solve this issue with a clear head and mutual understanding."

Touya nodded in agreement, while Jun looked at Aoi with a slightly softer expression than before. Although it didn't immediately alleviate all the tension, at least the atmosphere in the horse-drawn carriage became a little lighter.