Darkness. Then, a sharp, cold jolt, like a tiny version of that lightning bolt that took her. It shot down Layla's spine, shaking her awake. Before her eyes, light blue boxes, looking just like a smartphone screen, popped up with a quick ping sound.
[Ping: System Check: Initiating...]
[Ping: Host Scan: Commencing...]
[Ping: Dimensional Scan: Active...]
[Ping: Compatibility Protocol: Running...]
Layla blinked, trying to make sense of the glowing words. Her head felt foggy, like waking up from a really deep sleep or a bad dream. She was groggy, but she still remembered the wild feeling of pure power rushing through her when that light hit. She felt strangely light, almost floaty, as if everything that happened before – the fight, the banishment, Baba's whip – hadn't been real. But the fresh, burning ache of the whip marks on her body told a different story.
This must be hell. That was Layla's first thought. All those rules Baba had screamed at her, all those "sins" a woman shouldn't do. Don't talk in public. Don't raise your voice. Don't look a man in the eye. All the sexist rubbish he used to control her. Layla had broken so many of them, especially just now, pushing Baba. God was surely punishing her for her indecent outburst. She looked around, genuinely curious about what kind of torment awaited her.
She was in a forest. But not like any forest Layla had ever seen around her small village along the country side of Gabon or even in the stories from travelers. The trees were mostly green, sure, but some had a weird shade of purple and blue in their leaves and bark. Layla didn't know much about trees, but she knew they weren't supposed to be purple. Everything felt too quiet, too still.
Then, a voice. Flat. Monotone. It wasn't a man's voice, not a woman's. Just… a voice.
[Ping: Welcome, Vanguard. You are now in the Isekai World.]
Layla flinched. Isekai World? She just stared. This was definitely part of the punishment. A new kind of torture, perhaps?
[Ping: As a Vanguard, you have been awarded 1000 Isekai Coins. Isekai Coins can be used to summon any and all modern day technology and weaponry. Isekai Points can only be earned at Heim. All your achievements in the Isekai World will be transferred to Heim Coin.]
The voice droned on, explaining something about coins and points and worlds she couldn't even begin to grasp. Layla was so weary, so convinced this was just another layer of divine punishment. What was an Isekai World? And Heim? Was Heim where the real hell was? She was too tired to even question it much. Just another way God was messing with her.
Her eyes landed on a patch of bushes nearby. A single fruit, very red, sat nestled among green leaves. It looked a lot like the wild strawberries she'd sometimes sneak when she was little, though bigger. Layla didn't know why, but she just decided to eat it. In her world, if you saved food, someone bigger always took it. Better to eat it now. She plucked it, felt its smooth, firm skin, and bit into it. The taste was shocking – sweet and tangy like pineapple, not strawberry at all.
Then, her chest started to feel hot. Not a comfortable warmth, but an internal overheating, spreading fast. Her heart hammered. A familiar ping sounded, and new light blue boxes popped up.
[Ping: Congratulations! You are the first Vanguard to eat in the Isekai World! You have been awarded 20 Heim Coins.]
[Ping: Congratulations! You are the first person to be poisoned in the Isekai World! You have been awarded 50 Heim Coins.]
Layla stared at the messages, a surge of agitation replacing her calm. Poisoned? Her chest burned, getting hotter, and her heart sped up, a frantic drum against her ribs. The more she panicked, the more the poison seemed to race through her.
The monotone voice cut in again, calm, detached. [Ping: The poison is an accelerant. It will make you hyper. Stay calm until it passes. You will be okay.]
Stay calm? With her chest burning and her heart threatening to jump out?
Another ping. Another blue box flashed. This time, Layla's heart nearly stopped.
[Ping: PROXIMITY ALERT!]
The voice, still infuriatingly calm, spoke over the new message. [Ping: Hostile intent discovered and closing in. Prepare for battle.]
Layla didn't need the voice to tell her. Through the purple-tinged trees, she saw them. Not normal wolves. These were bigger, their fur a sickly green. Each one had two curving horns like a ram's, and sharp spikes jutted from their backs. They moved with a low growl, their eyes glowing faintly, locking onto her. They were terrifying. Layla wanted to run, to hide, to disappear again. Panic clawed at her throat, making her already overheated chest burn worse.
The AI's voice cut through her fear, sharp and insistent.
[Ping: Immediate purchase of weaponry recommended]