BOOM!
The explosion stopped the Broccoli giant dead in its tracks, even knocking its massive body over. Before the dust could settle, several more fireballs followed.
"[Fire Ball!]"
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The blasts scorched half of the Broccoli giant's body, provoking its furious roar. Its target shifted — from the collapsed boy to the girl with cat ears holding a wooden staff.
"Lucky! I finally found a Broloci adult! I've been searching everywhere!" The cat-eared girl looked delighted, her blue ears twitching excitedly.
Broloci: A giant broccoli-type monster commonly found in grassland regions. They sleep by burying themselves in the ground, making them look like planted broccoli. Because of this, people often mistake them for crops and accidentally disturb them.
GRAAA!!
The green giant rampaged and charged at the cat girl. She braced herself, lifted her wooden staff, and chanted:
"[Fire Ball!]"
Fwoosh!
Her staff spewed a violent stream of flame. It rapidly condensed into a massive fireball that shot straight toward the monster.
BOOM!
The explosion swept across the grassland, scattering flaming debris everywhere as the roaring inferno devoured the vegetable titan. Its howl rattled the air — but soon fell silent as the giant collapsed, motionless, onto the burning grass. The smell of roasted greens filled the air, and thick black smoke curled up toward the sky.
The cat girl brushed her long hair aside and laughed proudly at her direct hit. Her slender legs strode toward the fallen monster.
"It's huge… how am I supposed to haul this back to town?" Her blue tail swayed anxiously.
"Um… excuse me."
A female voice drew her attention. The cat girl's green eyes landed on a white-haired woman — completely naked.
"Could I ask you a few things?" the white-haired woman asked awkwardly.
The cat girl nodded. "Sure. But it's not free."
"What's the price?"
"You haul this broccoli to town and I'll answer everything you want." The cat girl offered, though she seemed uncertain. "But… I doubt you're strong enough."
"Oh don't worry. The boy lying over there will drag it for you." The white-haired woman pointed at the collapsed Budi.
The cat girl's confidence vanished. "You're not joking, are you?"
"You have healing potions?"
"Of course," the cat girl nodded.
"Any items or spells to boost physical strength?"
"Yep. I've got everything. But I have no guarantee you won't run off after I give them to you." She narrowed her eyes.
"Relax. I have a Talent that binds contracts. We physically can't run away once it's set. Sounds safe enough, doesn't it?"
The cat girl considered it for a moment, scanning the naked woman from head to toe. Finally, she nodded — though reluctantly.
"But I'm reducing the number of questions."
The white-haired woman smiled knowingly. "That's fine. I only need three."
SPLASH!
"AGH!!"
Budi convulsed awake in panic, soaking wet. His head pounded while his drenched body trembled. Light came into focus — and memories came flooding back.
"Wh-where's the broccoli?!" he screamed, bolting up like a terrified feral cat.
"There." The white-haired woman pointed to the roasted vegetable mountain.
Confusion struck just as hard as fear. In front of him stood two very non-normal girls:— A white-haired woman with waist-length hair and shimmering rainbow irises, wrapped only in a brown cloak.— And beside her, a blue-haired girl with cat ears, green feline eyes analyzing him curiously.
"W-Who are you people?" Budi asked in disbelief.
"I'm Lilia Adamastia! Nice to meet you!" The cat girl stuck out her hand.
"Lilia?" Budi shook it.
She shook her head. "Just Tia."
"And you? Who are you?" Budi pointed to the white-haired woman.
"Iris," she replied curtly.
Budi was still trying to process everything. He grabbed his cheeks again to check reality.
"Ow—! Yeah, this is real!" he hissed.
"Is that a custom greeting from your clan?" Tia asked innocently.
"No. Just something idiots do," Iris said bluntly.
"Hah! You're that loudmouth sword!" Budi pointed accusingly at Iris.
"Loudmouth?! You're the idiot! What kind of hero uses samurai technique with a Western sword?!" Iris snapped.
"Wait— this guy's a hero?!" Tia gasped, trying to stop them.
"That's what my master said— until he got beaten senseless by a vegetable." Iris scoffed.
"Only in your eyes! That monster almost killed me!" Budi yelled, his expression still traumatized.
"And that only proves how pathetic you are!" Iris insisted.
"Stop it! You two can argue later. We have a job to do. You! Go haul that broccoli." Tia pointed to Budi.
"Eh? What do you mean?" Budi looked lost.
"Check your wounds," Tia pointed to her own face.
Only then did Budi realize every injury on his body was gone. No bruises, no blood, not the slightest pain. His body felt lighter than ever.
"That's the effect of the potion. Sadly, nothing in this world is free." Tia smiled, flashing her little fang.
"Hold on — what happened?" Budi asked.
"Look at your chest," Iris instructed.
Budi looked down and opened the leather chestplate. Under his shirt was a red tattoo of a dog.
"There's no deep bond or friendship. It's just business and a temporary contract between you and Tia. You haul that roasted vegetable to town and I get the information I need. Fair, isn't it?" Iris smirked.
"You sold me out, you damn sword!" Budi protested.
"Consider it payment for being useless earlier." Iris dismissed him without guilt.
"And if I refuse?" Budi turned to Tia.
"Um… then you'll become my full-time slave." Tia smiled sweetly.
Budi sighed long and heavy. Everything — his situation, condition, and fate — happened too fast.
"Can you at least tell me where I am?" Budi asked in defeat.
"Of course. But nothing is free in this world." Tia's tail swayed slyly.
"Crafty cat," Budi cursed silently.
The sun climbed higher, scorching the plains. The wind was strong yet unbearably dry — the season of drought was near. Far to the east, a breathtaking mountain range pierced the horizon, their snow-covered peaks forming a majestic painting.
The mountain feet were covered by forests of gigantic trees, some reaching high enough to challenge the mountains themselves. Between them was mist, cool and mysterious — irritatingly refreshing scenery for someone suffering in the heat.
"Drought always comes from the west. Next month the snow from those peaks will start melting," Tia explained, sitting comfortably atop the giant broccoli with Iris.
"Beyond those mountains is the city we're heading to — Liros. You're lucky to have landed nearby, because Liros is an adventurer city! You can earn money as an adventurer or join a guild for bigger rewards!" Tia continued cheerfully, her tail wagging nonstop.
Meanwhile below, the situation was tragic.
Budi was drenched in sweat, legs wobbling, breath ragged. He finally collapsed into the grass.
"Hey! I paid for this contract!" Iris scolded instead of Tia.
Budi raised a trembling middle finger at Iris. She sighed."Five minutes break. We need to reach the city before nightfall."
Budi stared at the sky, watching a flock of four-winged green birds with tails twice their body length. The sight triggered a question.
"Tia! Where are we?!" Budi shouted.
Tia peeked down. "Ah! We're in the Victoria Kingdom — western region."
"In… England?" Budi guessed.
"Eh? Is England a type of food?" Tia tilted her head.
Budi froze. That confirmed it. There was no way a cat girl existed in his world.
"So... where is Victoria?"
"The western continent!" Tia answered proudly.
Budi hesitated. "Is the western continent on Earth?"
Tia went blank. "Earth is… food?"
Food. Everything is food with her. Budi groaned internally.
Everything was clear now — this was not his world. Giant broccoli, a talking sword, and a cat girl?
"I think five minutes are up. Start walking, you…" Iris paused.
"Budi. Call me Budi." he muttered.
"What a weird name. Now start walking," Iris ordered.
Budi cursed in silence. The white-haired woman was unbelievably annoying. Still, he forced himself to stand, stretched his aching muscles, grabbed the ropes tied to the Broloci — and pulled the six-ton vegetable with all the strength he had.
"Go Yudi!" Tia cheered.
"Budi. Not Yudi," Iris corrected.
Tia made an "oh" face. "Go Budi!"
Dusk fell, the sun disappearing behind the mountains. Orange twilight welcomed the darkness as the city lights awakened like stars. People bustled, horse carts rattled, merchants called out their wares — nighttime did nothing to silence the town.