Kaito Ishikawa rubbed his tired eyes and leaned back in his office chair. The hum of fluorescent lights, the endless clatter of keyboards, and the towering piles of paperwork pressed down on him like a mountain.

  “I really… I really want to go camping one day,” he muttered under his breath. “And… forever if it were possible…”

  No one heard him. Not that it mattered. He had been working nonstop for years, sacrificing sleep, weekends, and even his health for a company that barely noticed him. And now, exhaustion had finally caught up to him.

  Then, just like that, everything went black.

  At first, there was only silence. Then, a gentle, melodic voice echoed around him, warm yet distant:

  “If you truly wish it… if you desire a life of freedom and adventure… I will give you a chance. Explore the world, live as you wish, for you shall be reborn.”

  Kaito blinked. A goddess? Reborn? It sounded like a dream—or maybe a trick—but somehow, it didn’t matter. There was only one thought on his mind: freedom. Adventure. Camping.

  When he opened his eyes again, he was no longer in the gray office with the buzzing lights. Towering trees stretched endlessly in every direction, sunlight dancing on leaves high above. Birds he had never seen before sang from hidden branches. The air smelled of earth, moss, and something faintly sweet—wildflowers, maybe.

  He sat up slowly, brushing leaves from his clothes. His body felt lighter… younger. His hands weren’t wrinkled with age—they were smooth and strong. For the first time in decades, he felt alive.

  “W-what…?” he whispered. “I’m… I’m really here?”

  The forest was vast, almost endless. The ground was soft under his feet, and every step seemed to echo in the quiet. Kaito smiled to himself, a rare, genuine smile he hadn’t felt in years.

  Finally… I can go camping. Anywhere I want. Every day. Forever.

  Evening was approaching, and the sunlight filtering through the thick canopy was starting to fade. He knew he needed to find a comfortable place to camp before night fully descended.

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  Walking slowly, he scanned the forest floor, stepping over roots and soft moss. Suddenly, he spotted a vine-covered tree heavy with wild grapes, deep purple and glistening in the sunlight. He plucked a handful, biting into one. Sweet, tart, perfect.

  “If only I could carry these… then I could eat them anytime,” he muttered.

  Then, something extraordinary happened. The grapes in his hand suddenly disappeared, leaving him staring at empty palms. His heart skipped a beat.

  “…Is this… possible?” Kaito whispered, freezing in place. He looked around, then reached into his mind. To his astonishment, the grapes were stored safely inside a glowing compartment—his very own Item Box.

  “Th-this… this is amazing,” he breathed, eyes wide. “Thank you… thank you, Goddess…”

  He carefully pulled a few more grapes and placed them inside, marveling at the convenience. Camping and traveling would be so much easier with this small miracle.

  As the shadows grew longer, Kaito wandered further, searching for a safe spot to set up his first camp. After a while, he spotted a large stone leaning against a massive tree. Perfect. It would act as a natural wall, and the surrounding area seemed flat and safe.

  This will do, he thought. Time to build a shelter.

  He gathered two sturdy fallen logs and set them upright as pillars next to the stone. Then he placed two shorter logs horizontally on top, tying them tightly with thick vines he had collected earlier. The frame was simple but stable. For the roof, he dragged a large branch and layered it with leafy branches, creating a natural canopy.

  Stepping back, he inspected his work. It wasn’t fancy, but it would keep him dry and safe. The forest was slowly swallowed by darkness.

  Kaito rubbed his hands together, eyes narrowing. “It’s already dark… I can’t see anything,” he muttered. He crouched near the shelter and whispered under his breath, almost nervously, “Let’s see… if I can use… Fire Magic.”

  He focused, imagining warmth and light spreading from his hands. Fire! he commanded. Nothing happened.

  He frowned, thinking back to the manga he had read in his previous life. They always said… “Fire Ball” to summon it.

  “Fire Ball!” he shouted this time, and to his amazement, a small flame flickered into existence, hovering in the palm of his hand. A wide smile spread across his face.

  This… this is incredible.

  Carefully, he used the fire ball to ignite some twigs and dry leaves. Soon, a small, cozy campfire crackled in front of his shelter, illuminating the space and giving off warmth. Kaito settled inside, leaning against the stone and staring up at the sky through the tree canopy.

  The stars peeked through the leaves, countless and brilliant. A gentle breeze rustled the branches, carrying the scent of earth and wildflowers.

  “I will enjoy this journey… the one I never fulfilled in my previous life,” he whispered to himself. “I can’t know what’s coming for me, but I’ll face it, step by step.”

  With the fire crackling and the forest alive around him, Kaito Ishikawa finally allowed himself to relax. This was just the beginning of his new life, his adventure, and his camping journey through this vast, mysterious world.