We passed through the gate without issue. This was the first place that reeked of a mix of shit and death. There were people dressed in gowns and suits. Guards paced throughout the streets. They were armed with long swords and fully armored. I asked for the directions to the library and where Thorin was.

  “The library is in the northwest, next to the magic school. Thorin is straight ahead, right before the castle steps,” one of the soldiers told us.

  “Thank you.”

  When we made it to Thorin’s shop, it looked abandoned. I knocked on the door. No answer. I opened the door, and the inside was empty. Fucking vacant. Where is he?

  “What type of person walks into another’s residence without being let in?” A small, hairy man walks into the room that smells of booze and smoke.

  “I didn’t think anyone was here.”

  “Well, there is someone here who wants you to get the hell out,” said the hairy man.

  “Do you know a man named Sir Albert?“

  “Yeah, what is it to you?” said Thorin.

  “He told me I could find a dwarf named Thorin in this city. I believe you are that man.”

  “I am, but how do you know Sir Albert?”

  “We killed a bunch of goblins and saved a bunch of people. The kid riding the dog was one of them.” I said. The kid nodded.

  “Well, I can trust you for now. What do you want, kid?” he said.

  “I need as many of these as you can make.” I passed him a bullet, and I checked through my pocket, finding a motorcycle manual for the cruisers I own.

  “And if possible, could you take a look at creating something like this?”

  “Well, kid, these are some of the oddest things I've seen—but I try,”

  “Oh, can you also make some of these?” I passed him a magazine.

  “Yeah, sure, but all these will be expensive and take a long time,” he said.

  “That's ok, we have a few things here we need to do,”

  The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  Celeste said she wants to check the job board at the Adventure Guide. Miyamoto said he wanted to go get drinks and something to eat. I need to hit the books as always. The three of us went our separate ways.

  The kid, the dog, and I entered this old stone building that was about three floors full of shelves of books. I walked up to the librarian's desk. She was a young lady, most likely from the school next door, or maybe she just likes books.

  “Hi, I am looking for a book that explains travel through different dimensions. I’m writing a paper on the possibility of such things.”

  “There must be a written contest about that topic because three different people have asked me for that same thing,” she said.

  “Do you have any history books about this country or the world?”

  She said, “Same thing as the first time.” I swear, if she says “Harry the Eighth.” I’m going to blow my fucking brains out.

  “Hey, librarian, I'm here to return the books I borrowed about history and dimensional theory/travel.”

  A young man's voice came from behind me.

  “Well, it's your lucky day, sir,” she said.

  “Yeah, guess I am,” I said

  I moved out of the way of the desk so the kid behind me could return his books. There were three girls behind him.

  I chuckle and say, “Have you ever heard of an isekai kid?”

  I wasn’t sure how the kid would react, but I had a feeling.

  “How do you know about isekais?” he said.

  I leaned over and said, “I’m an American and am a stranger in a strange land.”

  “Miss Librarian, is there a private room here?” I asked

  “Yeah, there's one upstairs,” said the librarian.

  The two of us walked upstairs. I told the other kid to stay safe. We walked into the room.

  “I asked a friend of mine to do some research on this kingdom when I first came here. He brought up how three people were summoned here to do something. I can’t remember what.” I said

  “We were summoned here to defend the demon lord.” He said

  “Of course you’re here to do that because, god forbid, the person writing this come up with something fucking original,”

  “What?”

  “Nothing, kid,” I said. “Have you found a way to get out of this world and back to Earth?”

  “No, the only way I hear of getting back is killing the demon lord,” he said.

  “Oh.” That response felt like a sucker punch to the gut. I felt the bitter realization of knowing that the likelihood of making it back home may very well be slim to none.

  “How old are you, kid?”

  “16, about to turn 17,”

  “Of course, you are. First slavery, now child soldiers. This country has broken two different human rights. So have you ever killed a man, kid?”

  “No, I only killed monsters,”

  I took a swig from my flask.

  “Well, kid, remember if you want to go back home, try not to kill anyone. It changes you, and if you have to kill, remember that on the battlefield, there is no honor. Don’t be a desperado under the eaves, my friend.”

  The kid left the room after I finished my little speech, and I took a seat. I started to fiddle around with my piece. The smell of old books and the cool stone made me reminisce about my past and spending all my time in old libraries. Those old carpet floorings with those brick computers. Oh, how the times have changed since the 80s. I was drinking when the kid opened the door. The kid with her dog wandered over to me, and the dog slumped down. We sat down next to each other and listened to the sound of silence.

  I told the librarian I no longer needed the books. The kid and I left the library. Leaving behind bitter memories. We wandered around aimlessly, waiting for the other to return. Smelling the warm air and watching the beautiful sunset. The sky bled purple, orange, and red.

  Miyamoto didn’t get food and only walked around, and the mage found us jobs to do. But before we did anything, we all went to get dinner. Funnily enough, there was a place that felt a bit like a Korean BBQ place, and we decided to eat there. I wonder if something bad is going to happen every time I go to a Korean BBQ place. Was that a one-time thing? We eat like fat cats, and Miyamoto and I drank some great sake.

  A few weeks passed. We picked up jobs at the guild to pay for stuff. Thorin made more bullets and built two bikes, one with and one without a sidecar, and the sidecar was able to detach. We decided to leave in 3 days so I could teach Miyamoto how to cycle. I bought two pairs of gloves, 3 sunglasses, and four helmets. Safety first, they say. I now have 170 rounds and 10 magazines. It feels good not needing to constantly worry about my bullet count. With the wind at our backs and able to move much faster than fucking walking, we leave the royal capital.