HideLand

🟠 Chapter 18 :

POV Ren :

At night, after everyone had gone to sleep, I sat alone on the wooden rooftop above our dormitory, staring at the stars scattered across the sky above the city.

It's been a long time since I came to this world… How long exactly? I don't remember. Maybe five months. Maybe more.

I was summoned here, just like in the stories... but the story didn't unfold the way I expected.

At first, I tried to adapt to the people of this city.

But I failed—miserably.

I was thrown into prison because of my own naivety.

That's not something a leader does.

My chances of getting out were slim. Sure, I could've broken out by force… but then I would've become a wanted criminal.

That's when I met Takeru-dono.

The first time I saw him was inside the cell…

He looked lost, sarcastic, maybe even helpless.

But in his eyes, there was something different.

Something that said:

"I don't belong here—but I'll figure this place out in my own way."

He was unlike anyone I had ever met.

Not just because he was Japanese… but because, for the first time in a long while, I felt I could trust someone.

I saw a special companion in him.

In fact... I imagined him as my leader.

Yes... Takeru-dono... my leader.

But…

Every time I think about that, something stirs inside me.

I've… always wanted to be the leader.

Back in Japan in school, in clubs, in camps I always tried.

And I always failed.

They laughed at my plans. Ignored my ideas. Overlooked me completely.

And now… it's the same story, even in this world.

I don't hate Takeru—on the contrary. I respect him.

I think he's clever in his own way…

But the idea of standing behind him?

I can't accept it.

I want to be the leader—just once.

And not let down those who put their faith in me.

Is that too much to ask?

I let out a long sigh and headed back to sleep.

Maybe tomorrow would bring a new chance to prove myself.

Days passed hammers striking, sweat dripping, wood creaking as it was cut and fastened.

As usual, I moved between work sites carrying stones, adjusting angles, lifting boards, keeping an eye on the details.

Some people smiled at me. Some called my name. Others asked silly questions like,

"Ren, can you count how many nails we have left?"

or

"Ren, can you tell me if this iron bar's any good?"

I smiled.

Yes—this is my burden now.

And in the middle of all that… I overheard something:

"Did you hear? The bank's almost finished!

Next week, they're starting the Hunter Test in Osmara!"

The beginning of adventure—the beginning of the life I've been searching for.

I looked at Takeru-dono from afar…

He was struggling to nail down a wooden plank—in the wrong place, no less.

I smiled.

He doesn't care. He never cared about adventure.

But he has something in him that makes me want to compete… despite everything.

Maybe someday, we'll stand on the same ground and compare how far we've come.

And I… I'll be the leader then.

Not behind him—but in front.

I won't be the shadow anymore.

I returned to work, fire burning quietly in my chest.

POV Takero :

Back to work at the site again…

Same planks, same stones, same tired commands repeated like they've forgotten how to say anything else.

Me? I was doing what needed to be done. Nothing more.

I lifted. I moved. I smiled when I felt eyes on me.

Sometimes, I'd sneak behind the wooden barrier just to breathe in peace.

And of course, I collected EXP points.

Yes—every task, every stone I lifted, every sack of cement I dragged… gave me one point. Two. Sometimes three, if it nearly broke my back.

Sounds small—but it adds up.

I haven't spent a single point yet.

Not because I'm stingy or cautious...

But simply because I have no idea how I'm supposed to use them.

The "Factory" skill lets me create anything—yeah, I've heard that.

But "anything" is a vague word.

Should I make tools? A weapon? A more comfortable bed?

Should I make… bread? A shield? A coffee machine?

[Suggestion: Build a flying broomstick and ride away on it.]

"Thanks. That's incredibly helpful."

For now, I'd rather just collect the points quietly.

Not because I'm planning something big…

But because I'm not planning anything at all.

I'm just… waiting for something to happen. Anything.

Something that'll make me need those points—something that'll force me to choose.

Until then? I'll carry stones, gather points… and pretend to be a diligent worker.

[+2 EXP Points]

The construction was nearing its end, and the atmosphere had begun to change.

Less noise. More fatigue.

And more talk about "what comes next."

Some planned to return to their cities.

Some would look for other jobs.

Others… didn't know what to do.

That night, while I was stargazing by the dorm, Ren came over.

"Takeru-dono… care to walk with me for a bit?"

His voice was different—less energetic, more… grounded.

We walked to the edge of the site, where the only sounds were the creaking wood and the soft wind.

He stayed silent for a while. Then he spoke:

"Have I ever told you… about my family?"

I shook my head. He never had.

"I lived with my grandfather. I don't remember my parents—they died young.

And my grandfather… passed away shortly before I was summoned to this world."

His eyes were fixed on the ground, his hands behind his back like he always did when he was nervous.

"Six years ago, I was twelve—in middle school.

I always tried to be the leader—in activities, field trips, anything.

But no one ever trusted me. They said I lacked charisma. That I was too intense.

That I was… a failure."

He paused. Then smiled—one of those smiles you can't tell if it's pain or sarcasm.

"But… there was one girl who believed in me."

He looked up.

"She was a classmate of mine. She had 'eighth-grade syndrome'—believed she was a sorceress.

She talked about fantasy worlds and gave me titles like 'Commander of the Sixth Division.'

Everyone laughed at her… except me.

I saw something in her—something pure. Something genuine.

And she… was the only one who truly believed I could be a leader."

This time, he looked to the sky. He sighed and said:

"She had a chronic illness… and passed away."

He stopped walking.

"After she died… I didn't want to forget her.

So I started imitating her.

I started acting like her.

And I became… the person you see today."

I looked at him.

In that moment, he wasn't the noble fighter, or the fast-punching martial artist, or the overly dramatic oddball.

He was just a boy… who lost the one person who believed in him.

I whispered softly:

"I see now…"

He smiled again—more genuinely than ever before:

"I'm not saying this so you'll pity me. I just… wanted you to know.

Maybe because… you're the first person I've felt could understand me, without laughing."

He fell silent.

Then I said:

"I don't laugh at people, Ren… only at their attempts to escape reality.

And you… you didn't run away. You were just honest with yourself."

He lowered his head slightly, then said:

"Thank you, Takeru-dono."

We walked back to the dorm without saying much more.

But in his silence, he said a lot.

And within me… I felt I was finally starting to understand Ren Kurosawa for the first time.