“Senior, can you help me debug this code? It’s been an hour, and I can’t figure out what’s wrong,” Fael said, looking at the monitor, frustration clear on his face.

I decided to help him since he’s my junior.

“No problem, Fael, I’ll help you out,” I replied, walking over to his desk.

The relief on his face was obvious as I approached.

I glanced at his screen and quickly spotted the issue: he had forgotten to locate the asset files.

“Looks like you missed a step here,” I pointed out. After a few minutes of tweaking the code to secure the file path, the error message disappeared.

Fael looked surprised. “Wow, I can’t believe I overlooked that. I feel a bit embarrassed,” he said bluntly.

“It happens to everyone,” I reassured him. “You’re still getting the hang of things; it’s only been four months.”

He chuckled, trying to brush off his embarrassment. “Yeah, I guess I’m still a newbie here.”

I remembered my early days at EasySoft—how many errors I made, and how my coworkers always helped me out.

“Seriously, if you ever need help, just ask,” I said.

He smiled, a bit more relaxed now. “Thanks, Senior! I owe you one. How about a barbecue after this?”

“There’s no need to pay me back; it was just a small fix. But if you insist, I won’t turn down a free meal,” I replied with a grin.

“Great! It’s on me! Make sure to eat a lot, Senior,” he said enthusiastically.

I smiled as I headed back to my workspace. A few hours later, it was 9:20 PM.

I twisted in my chair to relieve some stiffness and packed up my things, planning to take the elevator down.

As I walked down the hallway, Fael called out to me, rushing to catch up.

“Senior, wait up!”

I looked back and saw him running.

“There’s no need to rush, Fael. I was just going to wait for you at the entrance,” I said.

He stopped in front of me and smiled a little.

“I thought you might forget!” he chuckled.

He was really committed to this barbecue.

We made our way to the restaurant, and within minutes, we were standing in front of the shop, ready to enjoy some good food and unwind after a long day.

A middle-aged lady greeted us with a smile.

“Hello, sir! Welcome to our barbecue eatery. Feel free to order whenever you’re ready,” she said, guiding us to a table and handing us menus.

I looked at the menu and saw a variety of dishes. I ordered a couple, and the lady noted it down with a warm smile before leaving.

While we waited, I talked to Fael about how he got into the company. He shared the pressure he faced just to get a job, being the only one to take care of his grandmother after his parents passed away.

I couldn’t entirely relate, having been born into a wealthy family, but as I looked at him, I could see how long he had struggled. Knowing his situation made me feel a bit guilty since he was the one paying for the food.

Our conversation flowed from his love for books—action and fantasy especially—to his desire to experience magic. Despite how childish it might seem, he was enjoyable to talk to.

After eating, I headed to the counter to pay, but Fael stopped me, insisting that he would cover it since he was the one who invited me.

I eventually gave in.

After that, we decided to part ways.

As I walked further, a loud voice called out to me.

“Senior, watch out!”

I turned and saw a hooded man approaching, holding a knife, as if he wanted to stab me.

My body felt numb as I saw that man looking at me fiercely, his anger so intense that it seemed like he wanted to kill me.

However, before the knife could strike, Fael tackled the man, and the two of them rolled onto the floor.

"Senior, run! I'll handle this!" Fael shouted as he struggled to restrain the attacker.

I stood there, unable to speak or move, stunned by the sudden turn of events. I didn’t know what to do.

I tried to step forward and grab the knife, but my legs were frozen.

While they were wrestling on the floor, the hooded man managed to stab Fael in the stomach twice, forcing him to release his grip. The man then quickly fled.

I stood there with Fael, unable to move, the realization hitting me — that man was my wife’s ex-boyfriend. I never expected him to be involved in this. Shaking my head, I quickly called an ambulance.

**Fael’s POV**

It’s cold. I can’t feel my legs, and the pain is unbearable. It feels like I’m about to die. I hope Senior is okay. I see him standing in front of me, panicking, trying to make a phone call. He looks at me and approaches. It seems like he wants to say something, but I can’t hear him clearly. My eyes feel heavy. I’m about to close them. It sounds like someone is calling my name. Grandma… it seems I’ll be gone for a while. That was my last thought before I blacked out.

“Faaaeeeeeellllllll!!!!!!”

I heard the bustling sound of people chattering and the rhythmic clopping of hooves as horses trotted by. The sun's rays pierced my skin, heating me like a warming flame.

It felt as if I had been thrown into hell, yet all my life, I had only tried to do good things. I struggled to open my eyes slowly; the light blinded me for a second. I instinctively covered my eyes with my hands to ease the brightness. As my vision began to recover, I was left stunned by my surroundings. The place I once knew was gone. It felt as if I had traveled to another dimension, where the people around me wore garments of the medieval era—flowing dresses, tunics, and cloaks that spoke of a time long past.

“Is this the afterlife, or am I still dreaming?” I wondered aloud, disbelief gnawing at me. Pinching my face, I was shocked to feel pain. So, I was alive, but how had I ended up here?

As I stood on the sidewalk, trying to gather my thoughts, I noticed that people passing by were keeping their distance and looking at me with disgust. It didn’t bother me much; my mind was still buzzing with questions.

Suddenly, a forceful shove propelled me into the road.

“Look at that beggar! Pathetic!” a child’s voice rang out, bursting with cruel laughter.

“Who the hell pushed me?” I shouted angrily, glaring back at the culprit.

A young boy, no older than twelve, smirked from where he stood with two other children. They seemed to revel in my humiliation. I felt a surge of frustration and indignation bubbling up inside me. I was not going to let this slide.

Before I could rise, a carriage came barreling down the road, and I barely managed to dodge it, jumping back onto the sidewalk.

“Hey, kid, do you have a death wish?” an old man shouted, wrestling the reins of the agitated horse.

“Who the hell are you calling a kid?” I snapped back, my cheeks heating in embarrassment and anger. “I’m twenty-five, you know!”

The old man’s expression shifted to one of irritation mixed with pity. “Just what’s going on out there?” he shouted to a voice inside the carriage.

“Nothing, my lady. Just some random beggar making a scene,” the old man replied tersely.

“Did you just call me a beggar?” I felt my eyes widen in disbelief.

“Just ignore him. I don’t want any rumors about our household arguing with a beggar,” the soft voice of a young lady floated from within the carriage. She lifted the curtain, and our eyes met.

She was stunning—a vision in a flowing dress, with golden hair and radiant yellow eyes that sparkled with curiosity. I found myself momentarily entranced. But before I could gather my thoughts, she quickly closed the curtain, hiding her beauty from view.

The old man shook his head in disgust, swaying the horse to move forward. I was left standing there, a mere shadow in a world too bright and too bustling for my understanding.

As I wandered along the sidewalk, dazed and disoriented, I stumbled into a clothing store. A glance into the glass revealed my reflection: a twelve-year-old boy with long black hair that partially obscured my face, brown eyes peering back at me from a thin, malnourished frame dressed in torn clothing.

Wait! What?! Is this me?

Shock washed over me as I touched my face, the reality of my situation sinking in. Just then, a shop worker approached, maintaining a safe distance.

“Hey, you! Get away from the front of the store. You’re making our customers uncomfortable,” he barked, waving me away like I was some stray dog.

What the heck? I’m just looking at the mirror!

I couldn't shake the feeling of being treated like trash, the judgmental looks of the passersby stinging like icy needles. It felt like discrimination, but I had to admit—the stench emanating from my own body surely didn't help.

As I turned to leave the store, a sense of helplessness washed over me. After hours of wandering through the unfamiliar city, I finally gathered enough information to understand my predicament: I was in a different era—a kingdom called Verdania, ruled by King Artix. I was nothing more than a beggar now, and not the adventurous type from fables or stories.

But then, my stomach growled in protest, reminding me of my desperate hunger. I checked the pockets of this boy's tattered clothing, but they were empty. I had even tried begging for scraps at nearby stalls, only to be met with harsh refusals. They were so heartless!

I was desperately wishing for some status window or cheat key to assist on my journey. After all, every isekai protagonist had one, right? It had to be different for me.

Taking a deep breath, I raised my right hand and said, “Status.”

Swwoooosh! The wind rushed past, but nothing happened.

Maybe there was a different way to call upon it? I tried again, raising my hand and saying, “Property.” Still, nothing appeared.

“Identity?” Nothing again.

Frustration bubbled up inside me. Perhaps my calculations had been all wrong, or maybe I wasn't the protagonist after all—but then...

“GROWL!”

The sound of my stomach interrupted my thoughts.

“Damn! I haven’t eaten since this afternoon, and it’s getting dark already,” I muttered to myself, feeling the weight of reality bearing down on me.

“Hey! What are you doing here?”

I turned to see a young girl with bright red hair and striking blue eyes. Given her attire, she looked like a commoner.

“Kid,” I chuckled, finding it amusing that a child was calling me that.

“What’s so funny?” she asked, narrowing her eyes, a frown creasing her expression.

“Nothing. I’m just really hungry. I haven’t eaten since earlier,” I replied, my tone a mixture of frustration and desperation.

The girl scrutinized me from head to toe, her gaze intense.

“Okay, you don’t seem like a bad person after all.”

She gestured for me to follow her.

“Why should I?” I shot back, crossing my arms defensively.

“Because if you want to eat, you can either follow me or sit here and starve,” she answered, her tone icy but with a hint of pragmatism.

It seemed I had no other choice. My stomach rumbled again, louder this time, reminding me just how ravenous I was. I looked at her, noticing her determination, and nodded.

“I’m Fael,” I said, extending my hand.

She glanced at my hand and ignored it entirely.

“I’m Mayene,” she said bluntly.

With no idea where this would lead, I followed her through the streets, uncertain but desperate for something—anything—that would lead me back to a sense of belonging and hope.

I encountered a young girl named Mayene. At first, her offer seemed suspicious, but I found myself with no other options; starvation loomed over me. I decided to trust this girl, albeit hesitantly.

We walked through a dimly lit alley, the clock having struck midnight. The glow from the homes around us didn't come from electricity, but rather from flickering candles and oil lamps, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of the Middle Ages.

As we walked, I followed Mayene until we reached a dead end—a wooden wall blocking our path.

"Have you lost your way?" I asked, puzzled.

"No, we're already here," she replied, confidently approaching the wall.

I stood back, watching to see what she would do next.

When Mayene touched the center of the wooden wall, a click echoed through the air, and a small passageway appeared, just wide enough for us to squeeze through.

She flashed me a smile, her expression saying, "You didn’t see that coming, did you?"

She gestured for me to follow her.

Curiosity piqued, I complied.

Stepping through the passage, I found myself in an old chapel, which surprisingly emanated a warm light. It seemed that a few people lived here, and as we stepped inside, a sense of comfort washed over me.

We arrived at the chapel's door, and Mayene gently pushed it open, the hinges creaking in protest.

Inside were two boys and two girls gathered around a table.

A red-haired boy, about my height, perked up at our arrival, clearly Mayene's brother.

“Oh, it’s my sister!” he exclaimed, rushing toward us.

As he approached, his eyes fell on me, and his expression shifted from joy to confusion.

“Sister, who’s this guy? He smells terrible!” he declared, pinching his nose with a grimace. “Please tell me you didn’t bring home a beggar!” His tone was rife with sarcasm.

It stung to hear that word again. While I didn’t consider myself a beggar, my appearance surely reflected a life lived on the streets.

“Steve, that’s not a nice way to greet someone!” a gentle voice chimed in from behind.

A woman stepped forward, emerging from a nearby room, holding a basket filled with bread and water. Dressed in a nun’s attire, she had gray hair, fair skin, and striking green eyes.

She approached us with a warm smile.

“Looks like you brought us some visitors, Mayene,” the nun said.

“Yes, Sister Elizabeth,” Mayene responded with a nod.

Sister Elizabeth scrutinized me for a moment, her smile widening.

“What’s your name, young man?” she asked.

“I’m Fael,” I replied.

“What a lovely name, Fael,” she said warmly. “Now tell me, where are your parents? How did you end up on the streets?” Her concern was palpable.

The truth was, I couldn’t recall anything about this boy’s past, including how he ended up alone. All I had were fragmented memories from my previous life, leading to questions I couldn’t answer. I needed to weave a believable excuse.

Sister Elizabeth waited patiently, tilting her head slightly as she observed me. I noticed the two young girls—twins—who shared the same striking blue hair and clear blue eyes. One seemed shy, while the other radiated a protective aura toward her sister. Meanwhile, the green-haired boy was absorbed in a book, barely acknowledging our presence. Steve continued to eye me with suspicion.

“Actually... I don’t remember anything at all. I just found myself on the street,” I eventually said, forcing a smile. “The more I try to remember, the more it hurts my head,” I added, hoping to defuse the tension.

As silence settled around us, I began to worry if I had said something wrong.

Sister Elizabeth stepped forward, wrapping me in a warm hug.

Steve’s eyes widened in surprise.

Mayene let out a small laugh, while the twins breathed a sigh of relief.

“It’s alright, Fael. You can stay in this chapel while you recover your memories,” Sister Elizabeth said, her voice soothing.

Her embrace was a comforting cocoon. I found myself both grateful and apprehensive. Did she know how dirty I was?

Sister Elizabeth noticed my discomfort and released me from the hug.

“Sorry, Fael. I can’t help being emotional,” she apologized softly.

“It’s alright, Sister. Really,” I assured her.

With a chuckle, she guided me to a room where I could wash up.

Glancing at Steve, I caught an expression that seemed to say, “Lucky guy.”

Ignoring him, I followed Sister Elizabeth.

“This room, Fael, is our bathroom. You can wash up here,” she said, opening the door to reveal a simple space with a bucket of water and a cloth.

I nodded and watched as she placed some clean clothes on a nearby chair.

After a few moments of scrubbing off the grime, I emerged feeling slightly more like a person again, even if it was just a bucket of water and a cloth. It was a stark contrast to the street, but I was still adapting to this era.

“Fael, are you done? I’ve left your clothes at the door,” Sister Elizabeth called out gently from outside.

“I’ll be right out, Sister!” I replied, my voice full of anticipation.

I took a deep breath. I was lucky to have met these people; I hoped nothing bad would happen during my stay with them.

Once dressed in the clean clothes, I ventured back into the room where the others had gathered at the table. The atmosphere was warm, and a small feast awaited us: a plate with a slice of bread and a cup of water.

Sister Elizabeth spotted me and gestured to a vacant seat in the corner.

I nodded gratefully and took my place at the table, catching Steve’s casual gaze once more. Was he still sizing me up?

“Fael, you look much better now,” Sister Elizabeth smiled. “Though it seems you could use a haircut.”

Before I could respond, Mayene interjected, saying we should eat before the food got cold, as we had all been hungry.

Sister Elizabeth nodded in agreement, and we bowed our heads for a brief prayer before feasting on the simple but hearty meal. Between bites, Sister Elizabeth introduced me to her makeshift family.

“Okay, everyone, we have another member now,” Sister Elizabeth smiled at me, encouraging me to introduce myself.

“I’m Fael. Although I can’t say much yet since I haven’t recovered my memories, I truly hope we can all get along,” I announced, trying to project positivity.

Sister Elizabeth smiled brightly.

She turned her gaze to Steve. “This is Steve. He can be a bit difficult, but deep down, he’s a good boy,” she explained with a hint of mischief in her tone.

“Thanks, Sister,” Steve replied, rolling his eyes.

Jade, the boy with green hair, continued reading, not really engaging with the conversation. Sister Elizabeth noticed my gaze and pointed him out.

“That’s Jade. He adores reading and doesn’t talk much,” she said, sighing softly. “I hope you can befriend him, Fael. I worry about him because he hardly ever goes outside.”

Meanwhile, the twins were enjoying their meal peacefully at the table.

“On your left are the twins,” Sister Elizabeth continued. “They look identical, but you can tell them apart by their personalities. The one over there is the shy girl, while the other is more spirited.”

“I’m not that shy! I’m just... cautious,” Lizzy, the quieter one, interjected.

“That’s Lizzy, our shy one,” Sister Elizabeth said with a chuckle. “And the other is Aqua.”

“Hi, Fael! I’m Aqua. It’s great to meet you!” Aqua chimed in, waving her hand excitedly. She had long blue hair and sparkling blue eyes that radiated warmth.

Finally, Sister Elizabeth smiled at me, introducing herself. “I’m Sister Elizabeth. As you can see from my attire, I’m a nun. I hope you feel at home here with us, Fael.”

“I’m truly grateful for your kindness, Sister,” I replied with a sincere smile.

After sharing a meal filled with laughter and stories, Sister Elizabeth led me to my new room. The chapel was surprisingly spacious, with enough rooms to accommodate seven individuals.

Sister opened the door to my room and gestured for me to enter. Inside, I saw a modest bed, a desk, and a small vase adorned with fresh flowers. It was simple but far better than the cold, hard ground of the streets.

“You must be tired. Please rest well,” Sister Elizabeth said gently.

I smiled and thanked her before she left me in the quiet sanctuary of my new room.

Laying on the bed, I pondered the strange turn my life had taken. I thought I had died but somehow ended up as this young boy. As my thoughts wandered, I remembered my grandmother and hoped she was okay. With that comforting thought, I drifted off to sleep, grateful for the unexpected warmth and kindness surrounding me.