“The Modern Traveler from an Unknown World – Jiro” Side Story
The road outside Blackrock City was a place few people ever passed through.
No merchant caravans traveled there, and adventurers rarely used it as a route.
Usually, the only sounds were the wind brushing across the grasslands and the distant calls of birds from the forest.
However—
on one quiet afternoon—
A blinding white light suddenly erupted in the middle of the road.
BOOOOM—!!
The intense radiance illuminated the surrounding forest, startling nearby animals and sending them fleeing in every direction.
A few seconds later, the light slowly faded away.
And standing in the middle of the once-empty road…
was a young man.
He had short black hair.
He wore clothing completely different from anything in this world:
a dark jacket, long pants, and shoes made from strange materials.
The young man looked around in confusion.
“…Where am I?”
His name was—Jiro.
At that same moment, near the Blackrock Forest—
Xiao Hui, who had been resting atop a tree branch, suddenly opened its eyes.
It sensed something unusual.
The next instant, the small bird immediately flew toward Blackrock City.
Not long afterward, Botanuowei was organizing his equipment near the guild when Xiao Hui suddenly returned, flapping its wings anxiously beside him.
“What’s wrong?”
Xiao Hui immediately flew toward the outer forest road, as if trying to guide him somewhere.
Botanuowei frowned slightly before following after it.
Several dozen minutes later—
he arrived at the lonely road.
And there, he saw Jiro.
The young man sat by the roadside, staring at the sky with a bewildered expression.
Soon, Jiro noticed him as well.
After a brief silence, Jiro spoke first.
“Um… could you tell me where this place is?”
Botanuowei glanced at the stranger’s unusual clothes and unfamiliar belongings.
“…You’re not from Blackrock City, are you?”
Jiro gave a helpless smile.
“To be honest… I don’t even know how I got here.”