As he stepped outside, the village looked peaceful. People were busy with their daily tasks, children were playing. But everything seemed too orderly. Even the children moved with a strange sense of discipline. Unknowingly, everyone's steps followed the same rhythm.

Elira was waiting a little ways off. Her expression was calm as always—but watchful.

"How about a morning walk?" she asked.

Sefa nodded. "Sounds good."

They walked into the forest together. Elira remained silent throughout the walk. The wind whispered through the trees as if the leaves were sharing secrets. Just as Sefa was about to break the silence, Elira asked:

"How did you come to this world, Sefa?"

Sefa froze in place.

He hadn't expected that question. Nobody... even imagined this world could be connected to another. And if someone did know...

He turned to Elira. Her gaze was serious.

"Why do you ask that?" he asked carefully.

Elira stepped closer. For the first time, a pure curiosity appeared on her face.

"Because... I saw you when you arrived."

Sefa's heart began to race.

"What do you mean?"

"I saw it," she continued without hesitation.

"That night, a flash of lightning crossed the sky. It lasted only a second. Your body... was suspended in the air. As if you were teleporting. You weren't alone."

Sefa's voice tightened. "What do you mean I wasn't alone?"

"Something else came with you. A small, glowing egg. It appeared beside you. And then... everything disappeared. The light vanished. You were left behind—alone."

Sefa looked down. Then, almost instinctively, he glanced at his bag, making sure the egg was still there.

He took a deep breath.

"I... I come from another world. I was just an ordinary man there. Addicted to games. Detached from people. One day, I died in an accident... but when I opened my eyes, I was here. A system screen appeared and said 'Welcome.' The egg appeared at that exact moment."

Elira narrowed her eyes slightly.

"So... you're not from this world."

Sefa felt uneasy about being this open, but nodded.

"Yes."

Elira stayed silent for a moment, then continued walking.

"If you want to stay in this village," she said calmly, "you'll need to be careful."

Sefa tried to understand what she meant, but her face gave away nothing. Just a hollow smile.

When they returned to the village, everything still looked the same. Quiet, orderly, and strangely synchronized. The children were still playing, but on closer inspection, the toys in their hands… resembled weapons. Yet Sefa still hadn't realized. He still believed this was just an ordinary village.

That night, just before falling asleep, the system screen appeared once again:

> [System Notification]

"Main Quest: Ongoing..."

"No decision has been made yet."

"Observation continues."

Observation?

Sefa looked up. For a brief second, a shadow passed outside the window.

But it lasted only a moment.

Sefa walked deeper into the forest. The silence was so intense, it was almost deafening. Each step echoed with crunching sounds; even the birds seemed to have left.

Suddenly, his foot hit a taut string. His eyes widened—but it was too late.

Trigger!"

The rope snapped tight, and his body was yanked upward.

He hung upside down from a tree branch.

> [Trap Activated]

Mind Overload – Escape within 15 seconds or risk losing consciousness.

Sefa tried to focus as the world spun around him.

"Again?!"

He reached to his belt with his left hand and pulled out a small knife.

Swinging in the air, he aimed at the rope and tried to cut it.

Time ticked on. Every second felt like a hammer to his brain.

Six... seven... eight...

On the ninth second, the rope snapped.

Sefa crashed to the ground. His left shoulder throbbed, but he forced himself up.

As he stood, his left foot slipped forward.

"Ah—"

The ground gave way, revealing a pit filled with sharp spikes.

He leapt back instinctively, barely saving himself.

Had he fallen in, his bones would've shattered.

"Two traps in a row? This... isn't normal."

He advanced carefully, but after only a few steps, one of the forest stones clicked.

"Click!"

A sharp arrow flew past his right shoulder, piercing a nearby tree.

"What?!"

Another arrow came from his left, slicing through the air just above his head. He ducked in time.

"Who the hell is targeting me?!"

He spotted movement among the trees—someone or something was watching. His breathing grew heavy, adrenaline surging.

He nearly tripped again but caught himself. Looking down, he realized:

The forest floor was rigged.

Trigger stones were everywhere.

This wasn't random defense.

It was a calculated hunt.

Sefa leaned against a tree, burying his head in his hands.

"What's going on? Three traps in such a short time... Someone's watching me. Someone wants me dead."

His eyes burned with fury.

"But who?!"

Sefa walked silently through the village. Everything was still peaceful. His eyes scanned the area; people moved with an unusual rhythm. The traps still echoed in his mind.

Elira stood in front of the house. A stern-looking man stood beside her. Her father.

The man looked directly at Sefa.

"Come," he said simply.

The three of them stepped into a shaded corner behind the house. No birds, no wind. Just silence. Sefa was tense but didn't show it.

The man spoke directly.

"Elira told me everything. Where you came from, how you fell into this world... and why she's been watching you."

Sefa bowed his head slightly.

"She wanted to kill me. I know."

Elira responded softly.

"I had to. But at some point... I changed my mind."

The man continued.

"This village... is not what it seems. There's another world hidden within this one. Everyone here is an assassin. Women, men, elders, children... all of them. This secret never leaves the village. No one finds this place by accident."

Sefa took a deep breath.

"I didn't come here by accident."

The man narrowed his eyes.

"Then tell me—why are you here, Sefa? What is your purpose in this world?"

Sefa remained silent.

The man stepped forward.

"If your purpose is to threaten this world... I will kill you right here. But if you have a path to walk, perhaps you're worth watching."

At that moment, the system activated once more.

📜 [SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]

Quest: [Fate's Crossroads]

— Your decision in this village will affect all future floors.

— Do you want to continue the quest?

🟩 [Yes] 🟥 [No]

Note: Refusing this quest will halt system progression.

Sefa stared at the screen. "Fate's Crossroads..."

This wasn't just about staying in the village. It was a turning point. He took a deep breath and turned to the man.

"I don't know why I was sent here. But I know this—there's a voice inside me pulling me forward. I won't run. No matter what happens, I will find the truth. And maybe... I'll change this world."

The man stared into Sefa's eyes for a long moment. Then turned away.

"Elira," he said quietly, "don't take your eyes off him."

Elira gave a slight nod.

As the man walked away, Elira stepped closer to Sefa.

"Do you still trust me?" she asked softly.

"I'm learning," he replied. "But be careful. This village... won't hesitate to swallow someone like you whole."

Sefa looked beyond the rooftops. He was no longer alone. But he still couldn't see anyone's true face.

And worst of all…

He still didn't know who was friend—and who was waiting to kill him.

📘 End of Chapter Note:

Sefa faces the truth for the first time. This village is not just a stop along the way—it's a crossroad of fate. And before this knot is untied... much more blood will be shed.