Johan's head throbbed with a relentless ache as if a steel band wrapped tightly around his temples. He fluttered his eyes open to the sting of blinding light, sending a lance of pain through his skull. The sun had risen, and morning had dawned upon him. Groaning, he raised a hand to shield his eyes, squinting against the harsh brightness.

"Where... where am I?" he mumbled, his voice hoarse and raspy.

As his vision slowly adjusted, he realized he was lying on the forest floor, the soft earth cushioning his body. He blinked several times, trying to make sense of his surroundings. Through the haze of pain, he saw a figure moving near the crackling flames of a fire.

The woman from the stream stood over the fire, her brown skin glowing in the sun as she tended to the flames. The only difference now was that she was fully clothed.

Her tunic skirt, woven from the finest silk spun from spiderwebs, draped gracefully over her slender frame, its earthy tones complementing the rich hues of her brown skin. Intricate patterns of entangled vines and delicate flowers adorned the fabric, their complex details shimmering in the sunlight.

Beneath the skirt, she wore form-fitting leggings crafted from supple leather, dyed a deep mahogany hue that matched the color of her hair. Embroidered along the seams were elaborate designs reminiscent of swirling ivy, their detailed loops and curves adding a touch of whimsy to the otherwise practical garment.

Her boots were black and crafted with precision and elegance, designed to withstand the rigors of the forest while providing comfort and flexibility. The sleek silhouette of the boots hugged the contours of her feet nicely, and the stitching was delicately ornamented with subtle patterns inspired by nature, such as leaves and vines. A series of long laces secured them snugly around her calves, ensuring a perfect fit and easy adjustment, highlighting the slender lines of her legs.

Completing her ensemble was a hooded cloak, woven from the finest wool of mountain goats, providing warmth and protection against the chill of the night air. Embellished along the edges were symbols of a clan or lineage, hinting at her heritage.

As she moved, the fabric of her garments swirled and danced around her, catching Johan's gaze once more. With each breath, she exuded an air of confidence and elegance.

"So, you're finally awake?" the woman said, her tone much different than the night before as she poked at the logs in the blaze with a branch.

A skewer of meat sizzled and crackled above the fire, filling the air with the tantalizing aroma of roasting meat.

Johan struggled to sit up, his body aching with pain. "What happened? Did I seriously pass out from hunger?" he asked, running a hand through his hair. "I didn't think my stomach could pull a stunt like that."

The woman turned to him, her gaze still unreadable, before tightening her lips into a thin line, her expression a mix of irritation and concern.

"You're still in the forest. You passed out," she replied curtly.

"Passed out? Seriously? I thought I just needed a snack," Johan shot back, a confident grin creeping across his face. "But I guess going all drama king on the forest floor isn't the best strategy."

The woman didn't respond, focusing instead on the roasting meat. Johan watched her, trying to decipher her expression, but she revealed nothing.

A faint chime cut through the stillness, causing Johan to glance up as the HUD system materialized before him, its translucent interface hovering like an apparition only he could see.

A notification flashed, alerting him of his critical state levels.

[System Notification] 

[Critical Levels Detected!]
[Hunger: 15%] [Hydration: 26%]

[Attention, Lightbearer. Your hunger and hydration levels have reached critical thresholds. Failure to address these needs may result in adverse effects, including loss of consciousness and decreased performance.]

[You must prioritize acquiring nourishment and hydration to ensure your survival and well-being in this environment.]

[Remember to consume food and water regularly to maintain optimal health and functionality. Ignoring these warnings may jeopardize your ability to navigate this world effectively.]

[Stay vigilant and promptly attend to your basic needs to avoid potential consequences.]

Johan's mind swirled with questions and frustrations.

What the hell was a Lightbearer? Why had he blacked out last night? Was it because of the system's mechanics, as he suspected? It didn't make sense.

Frustration mounted within him as he pondered the absurdity of it all.

Why would the system include something seemingly nonsensical as punishment for lack of nourishment? It went against the very purpose of the system as he understood it. The whole point of the Sanity System was supposed to be to aid him, not hinder him, or so he thought.

Johan shook his head, pushing away the swirling thoughts. It was not the time to dwell on such uncertainties. He needed to focus on survival and the mysterious woman who saved him.

"Did you keep an eye on me all night?" Johan asked, turning to the woman, but again, she remained silent, her gaze fixed on the skewer of meat sizzling above the fire.

Memories flooded back to Johan in fragments, the image of the woman washing herself in the stream burning brightly in his mind. Realization hit him like a punch, and heat rushed to his cheeks as he remembered his inappropriate gaze.

"Look, we might've started on the wrong foot here," he said, rising to his feet with a casual grin. "I'm Johan. Nice to meet you. About last night… I didn't mean to stare, but can you blame me? You put on quite the show."

"...Quite the show...?" Her eyes flashed with indignation, her jaw tightening with barely contained anger. "You pervert!" she spat, her words laced with venom. "Spying on me while I bathed like some common voyeur!"

Johan sat across from the woman and the crackling fire as he pondered. How would she react to his revelation? Taking a deep breath, he began his recoil at the accusation.

"No, you got it all wrong. I got lost in the forest. When I stumbled upon the stream, you just happened to be there. It was tough navigating since I'm not from this world."

His explanation was the truth, for the most part; he left out the details of his time spent in the Raignald Kingdom and his ordeals there.

The woman's eyes widened in surprise, her gaze fixed on Johan intently. "...Not from this world?" she repeated, disbelief lacing her voice.

Johan nodded slowly, choosing his words carefully. "Yeah, I come from a different world altogether. It's complicated."

She leaned in closer toward the fire, her curiosity piqued. "What do you mean, a different world?"

"I'm not really sure, but I guess I was summoned here yesterday with some friends," Johan explained, but his stomach churned with hunger as his mouth watered at the sight of the cooked meat, the aroma wafting through the air like a siren's call.

"It's fine. Go ahead," the woman said, and slowly, Johan reached for the skewer from above the fire.

"Thanks," he replied as he took a bite. Surprisingly, the meat was tender and flavorful, filling his mouth with rich juices.

"If you were summoned here with your friends, that must mean that you're one of the Heroes of Prophecy, right?" she asked, her voice swirling with anticipation and excitement.

"That must explain your odd clothing attire," she continued, and Johan chuckled nervously, looking over his clothes.

"...Odd? I thought this was a good fit when I picked it out," he replied but hesitated, his mind racing through flashbacks of King Audemars and his words. "But, according to some people I've met here..."

Johan paused before continuing, his mind racing back to the thought of his friends. "...My friends are the Heroes of Prophecy," he began cautiously, "but as for me... I'm not so sure."

"Not sure?" she repeated. "But if you were summoned here alongside them, wouldn't that make you one of the heroes, too? That's what the prophecy says."                                                            

"It's not that simple," he explained, trying to convey the complexity of his situation. "I may have been summoned here with them, but I don't know if that necessarily means I walk the same path as them..."

The woman's eyes met Johan's with fascination and sympathy, an expression he had yet to see from her. It was as if she was searching for answers in his eyes. "I see," she murmured, seemingly lost in thought. "Well, whatever the case may be, I'm sure you have your own path to follow here in Eosdadalon."

"Hey, I really appreciate this..." Johan mumbled, his mouth full as he chewed. "This is good! Mind if I have another?"

"...Go ahead..." the woman said, watching Johan go to town on the skewer of cooked meat with newfound awe. "Who are you...?" she uttered softly, causing Johan to slow down his eating.

"I told you already. My name is Johan... Johan Heylel..." he stammered as he extended his hand outward.

"...F-Fayina... Fayina Erebseth..." she stuttered, hesitantly reaching out to shake his hand, her fingers slightly trembling as they advanced to meet his.

"Fayina... I've never met anyone with that name before. It's a pleasure to meet you," Johan spoke, but curiosity took over as Fayina's hair shifted,

 revealing the pointed tips of shorter, elven-like ears.

"Woah, this world has elves?" he asked softly, his voice full of wonder at this new information.

A blush crept across Fayina's cheeks as she quickly withdrew her hand, her gaze darting away shyly.

"...I-I'm half... half-dark elf..." she admitted. 

Johan nodded. "I see," he mumbled, his mind whirling with questions.

He had never met an elf before let alone a half-dark elf like Fayina. The closest he had come to encountering one was through people who cosplayed as them back home.

There was so much he wanted to ask and learn about her mysterious heritage and the world of Eosdadalon, but Fayina cut him off with a nervous laugh before he could voice his inquiries.

"I-I don't like talking about it," she confessed, her cheeks flushing a bright crimson as she brushed her hair to cover her elven ears. "It's... complicated."

Johan sensed her discomfort and quickly backtracked, eager not to pry into her personal affairs. "That's okay," he reassured her gently, offering a warm smile. "You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to."

The air between Johan and Fayina hung heavy with the weight of unspoken words. The silence felt like a lifetime although it lasted no longer than five minutes. After a while, Fayina rose to her feet.

"I should get going," she announced. "The deeper you venture into the forest, the more dangerous it becomes. Stronger creatures and monsters dwell in hiding. And they don't play nice like the ones you've seen around these parts."

Before Johan could respond, Fayina turned to him, her gaze lingering on his face before she spoke.

"Here," she said, handing him a small leather canteen. "Take this. You shouldn't drink from bodies of water without first purifying it."

Johan accepted the canteen with a nod of gratitude, wrapping his fingers around the worn leather. 

Fayina took one last look at Johan, a hint of concern flickering in her eyes. "Be careful out there," she said softly before turning to leave.

Johan watched as she began walking down the dirt road, vanishing into the brush, leaving him alone with the crackling of the fire and the whisper of the wind. Despite their rocky start, she had shown him kindness and concern.

"She was pretty… Damn, I should've asked her for help or directions," Johan muttered to himself, frustration creeping in as he sighed.

But he quickly shook off the thought. He couldn't afford to dwell on what-ifs or regrets, especially not when his survival was on the line. Gripping the canteen tightly in his palm, Johan set off again, a renewed determination fueling his steps. He had a tavern to find and a journey to continue into the unknown.