---
Wait, isn't this where—
Growl
My thoughts were interrupted by the growl of my stomach. Right. I hadn't eaten a proper meal in three days—unless you count chewing hardtack and pretending it's steak.
"Are you okay? You look pale," one of the guards said. "There's a shelter near the southern gate. It's for people like you—lost, injured, or those with memory loss."
Memory loss? That sounds oddly specific.
"Thanks," I replied, nodding with the kind of polite awkwardness you only get from not knowing the social rules of a new world.
As I walked away, I opened my character sheet mentally—just to check if anything had changed.
---
[Character Assimilation]
[Do Janggon – 20%]
[Lee Joohee – 11%]
---
Okay, Janggon's sync rate is climbing fast. Spy training really does mess with your mindset. Joohee's growing too—slow but steady. Maybe I'll be able to use basic healing spells soon. That'll come in handy if more surprise beasts show up.
I made my way to the shelter. The streets were bustling, but not chaotic. Merchants yelled prices in a language I now understood thanks to the Universal Translator. A few kids darted past me, laughing. Smiths pounded metal at their forges, and mages casually floated crates like it was no big deal.
Yeah. Definitely not Earth.
The shelter was a modest building made of stone and wood, with a small emblem of an open hand carved above the door. Inside, it was warmer, cozier. A few cots lined the walls. A woman in simple robes approached me.
"New arrival?" she asked gently.
"Yeah. From the forest," I replied.
Her eyes widened slightly, but she said nothing. "You must be hungry. Sit. I'll get you something."
I sat, letting my muscles finally rest. As she returned with a bowl of stew, I asked, "Do people… often come through the portal from that forest?"
She shook her head. "Rarely. And when they do, they're never the same."
Now what's that supposed to mean?
...
Cool. That's comforting.
"Do you… know anything about a place called 'Xyrus Academy'?" I asked cautiously.
She paused, giving me a look that screamed, are you an idiot?
"Everyone knows Xyrus Academy. It's the top magical institution in the kingdom. Why do you ask?"
Bingo.
So I was right. This is the world of The Beginning After the End. Arthur Leywin. Mana beasts. Nobles. Power politics.
That means…
I was in the Beast Glades for a whole month.
Damn.
Okay… okay, calm down. I'm out of the Glades. I'm safe… for now. I quickly calmed myself down as the mentality of two spies kicked into full throttle.
Now that I know the world I'm in, I need a plan.
And a plan I created:
---
PLAN: OPERATION SURVIVE-AND-THRIVE
Step One – Gather Information:
Blend in. Visit libraries. Ask questions like an innocent traveler. Smile. Nod. Spy.
Find out which arc this is. Is Arthur still a kid? A teen? Is Sylvia still alive?
If I run into the Lances too early, I'll probably just die on the spot. No thanks.
Step Two – Get Stronger & Build a Team:
Gacha System = My main weapon.
Conventional power system? Meh. I'll cherry-pick.
Assimilation gives me skills and mindsets—good.
Gacha summons = loyal (hopefully), OP (probably), and customizable (eventually).
Bonus: I don't have to worry about betrayal.
Downside: Trust issues intensifying. Spy brain + trauma = paranoid protagonist energy.
Step Three – Don't Die. Have Fun:
Because if I die again, I am going to punch fate in the face.
Because fun is a good distraction from existential dread.
Because if I'm stuck in a magical anime world, I might as well enjoy it.
---
I finished the stew, wiped my mouth, and stood.
The world of The Beginning After the End was vast, cruel, and beautiful. I'd read the story before—loved it even—but being inside it? Living it?
That was different.
I wasn't Arthur. I wasn't reincarnated royalty with a dragon guardian.
But I had a plan.
Let's see, I know the story up to the hiatus of the manhwa. I haven't read the novel, but I know bits of what will happen... thanks to YouTube shorts and fanfiction. A war is coming. I have to prepare. Well, that's the whole reason I made the flipping plan. And I chose gacha as my cheat because of its versatility and OP-ness, so maybe I don't need to be that anxious about the war.
As for the timeline—I could just join the Academy or the Adventurer's Guild. I don't think the manhwa ever mentioned any dates for the events, right? I know Arthur Leywin's birthday is May 29th, but I don't know the year. I just hope I'm before the canon, so I can properly adapt to this world and its rules.
Now the dilemma is whether I should join the Academy or become an adventurer—
My musing was cut short as I heard the sound of approaching footsteps—the lady who gave me the stew.
"How are you feeling?" she asked gently.
"Not hungry!" I replied, and that got a small chuckle from her.
"Now that I realize, we haven't even introduced ourselves," I mentioned, analyzing her body language for any kind of deception... What? I'm not paranoid. I'm just being careful.
"Oh… I totally forgot! My name is Celine, but everyone calls me Sister Celine," she said. She was being truthful.
"Sister Celine," I repeated, filing the name away. She didn't flinch under my gaze. Either she was genuinely kind-hearted, or very good at lying. Still, there was a softness to her expression, a patience in her posture. My gut told me she was safe.
"For now," I muttered under my breath.
"Pardon?" she asked, tilting her head.
"Ah—just thinking out loud," I said quickly, faking a sheepish smile. "My name is…"
I hesitated.
Crap. Spy brain activated again. Do I give my real name? Make one up?
"Jin," I said finally. "You can call me Jin."
"Well, Jin," she smiled warmly, "the shelter's open to you for as long as you need it. Beds are first come, first served, but we make do. There's a bathhouse two buildings down if you want to wash up."
I nodded, gratitude in my expression, even if part of me still scanned the room like a nervous cat.
"And if you're looking for work or direction, you can go to the Adventurer's Guild.I could introduce you, if you'd like."
Bingo.
"That'd be helpful," I said. "Thanks, Sister Celine."
She excused herself to tend to another newcomer—a ragged-looking teenager who looked more beast than human—and I took the chance to stand and step outside. The air was cooler now. Evening.
I needed solitude. A quiet place.
Now… how do I know which timeline I'm in?
…Maybe I should take the adventurer route first. Build strength, gain coin, gather intel. No classroom drama. No risking running into Arthur or his crew prematurely.
But on the other hand, Xyrus Academy might give me access to books, mana research, teleportation arrays—even political connections.
Two paths. One choice.
But that could wait until morning.
For now, my immediate need is money and shelter. How does a person without any kind of identification in a new world earn money?
Simple: by stealing.
.
.
.
…I mean, stealing from thugs and bad guys.
Now how do I find them? Maybe I should pretend to be weak—or maybe walk in shady alleys.
That could work.
Five hours later
Damn it. I didn't think it would take this much time. At least I got the money.
Heh.
I jingled the coin pouch in my hand with a smug smile. About seven gold, twelve silver, and a few copper—enough for a few days of food, maybe a better change of clothes, or even to bribe someone for information.
Note to self: baiting drunk thugs in a shady alley and then mugging them? Not ethical. But effective.
With this, I can at least rent a room in a decent inn.
I turned a corner, slipping out of the alley with a slight limp for added effect—never show full strength in public. Lesson one from Janggon: Let them underestimate you.
The city's night glow reflected off damp cobblestones, and the warmth of lantern-lit windows beckoned like sirens. I scanned the buildings until I spotted a quaint little place tucked between a potion shop and a tailor's: The Velvet Antler.
Subtle. Clean. Definitely not cheap, but not noble-exclusive either. Just the right kind of middle ground.
I pushed the door open, greeted by the soft jingle of a bell and the gentle hum of conversation. A bard strummed a lazy tune in the corner, and the smell of roast meat and spiced cider hit me like a racing train. My stomach tried to rebel again. I calmly told it to shut up.
A bored-looking innkeeper raised an eyebrow from behind the counter. "Room or drink?"
"Room. With food," I said, placing four silver coins down like they didn't mean much. Bluff. Always bluff wealth.
He eyed the coins, then me, then shrugged. "Second floor, last door on the left. Comes with stew and bread. Bath's in the back courtyard. No funny business."
"I don't do funny," I replied.
He snorted. "That makes two of us."
I climbed the stairs and unlocked the door with the iron key he tossed me. Inside: simple bed, desk, candlelight crystal, and clean sheets. It might as well have been a palace after the forest.
I shut the door, slid the lock into place, and finally let out a long breath.
Step One: Shelter. Achieved.
---------------------------
CHAPTER END
A.N.
So how's the chapter, do you like the pacing or should I give a time skip.
And should the MC join the academy or become an adventurer. Vote Below:
Academy:
Adventurer:
Also my update schedule is messed up, so I will try to correct it. And maybe there will be a next chapter in the evening, I don't know.
Anyways, Thank you.