I was on my way to work when I was suddenly transported to another world.

I was on my way to work when I was suddenly transported to another world.

At 6:30 AM sharp, my alarm clock and smartphone start ringing loudly.
I didn't feel like getting up, but now my head hurts.
Today, there was a meeting scheduled from the morning, so I had set the alarms 30 minutes earlier than usual. Half-asleep, I rummage through my pillowcase. When I press the switch of the alarm clock that I grabbed, the bell stops. I bought one with a loud sound to force myself awake, but it's probably annoying the neighbors.
I also stop the alarm on my phone, which I found. Then, I open the screen and call up my emails.

No alerts about any issues came through. That's a relief.
Just as I exhale in relief, the alarm clock starts ringing again. Ah, I must have pressed the wrong switch while half-asleep.
I flip over the alarm clock and press another switch to turn it off.

"Ugh... I'm so sleepy."

With my slightly potbellied stomach shaking, I crawl out of bed. The warmth of the blankets is so inviting.
Until two years ago, my wife used to wake me up, but after our divorce, I had to do everything on my own.
A sense of emptiness rises up inside me.

"I'll just take a quick shower and eat breakfast at work..."

Exposed to the cold winter air, I shiver in the bathroom while waiting for the water to heat up. It takes about five minutes for hot water to come out in this old apartment.

"Today's meeting is about the annual system update for phone systems across the company. I wonder if he prepared all the materials."

I think of my subordinate's face.

"Aah, it's been a while since the divorce, and I've been talking to myself more and more every day."

Finally confirming that hot water has started, I take off my pajamas, fold them, and lightly place them on top of the blanket. I throw my underwear into the laundry basket and enter the bathroom.
I stand under the showerhead as hot water pours down on me. The numbing heat travels up from my cold feet after getting out of bed.

"It's nearing the end of the year, but my days are still so monotonous."

With a self-deprecating smile, I roughly dry my body with a towel. My hair is cut short like a sports buzz cut (sports-style haircut), so there's no need to style it.

Putting on underwear and a shirt, I sit down in the computer chair.
I check today's news and the stock prices of my holdings on my smartphone.

"It seems like another ordinary day. There aren't any major news stories or significant fluctuations yesterday. It'll probably stay the same for a while longer. Selling or buying doesn't seem worth the hassle."

My morning routine is done, and it's almost time to leave the house.

"Alright, let's give today our best shot."

I didn't know yet that the monotonous days I thought were "just ordinary" would soon change dramatically.

Putting on my suit, grabbing my briefcase, and slipping into my leather shoes, as I opened the door of the apartment...
The space in front of me was completely white.

"What?"

Instead of the narrow hallway leading to the stairs on the first floor, there was just a vast white space in front of the door.
Turning around, I noticed that the apartment door I had just closed was gone as well.

"Wait, what's going on? Can someone explain this to me?"

Half dazed, I voice my unanswered questions into the void.

<You requested recognition and a response. The skill '識者' (Shiksha) is being granted.>
A clear, neutral voice with a childlike tone echoes, though it's hard and mechanical without any sweetness.

"Shiksha?"

Shiksha... conductor? Expert? I have no idea what that means.
I just wanted to understand the situation and get an explanation, but this only added to my confusion.

"I don't understand. What is happening? Can you tell me where I am right now?"

<You requested clarification of the current situation. The skill '認識' (Kunochi) is being derived from '識者' and granted.>
My questions are met with meaningless answers. It feels like I'm talking to a malfunctioning AI. Maybe it's better to just state my needs directly.

"I want all available information about the current situation. Can you provide that?"
I decided to ask for as much information as possible so I could make a decision afterward. Then, I could break free from this situation and go back to work, returning to normal life.

<You requested the acquisition of all information and experiences. The skill '獲得' (Kakutoku) is being granted.>
The answer was completely off the mark. It's frustrating not getting any useful information.
It's clear that continuing this back-and-forth won't lead anywhere.

"Can you just send me back to where I was? Is that possible?"
I threw out what seemed like the simplest and most straightforward question and request.

<I am an interface. I will send you from here to there.>
Here? There? All I wanted was to go back to my apartment, go to work, and return to normal life.

<Then, have a good journey.>
The entity that called itself an "interface" left me with those final words. Immediately, the white space began to glow brighter, making it difficult to keep my eyes open.

"Hey! That's all I asked for—just send me back! Hey!!"
The brightness kept increasing, and along with it, I felt a sense of floating, as if by magic. Not knowing what would happen next filled me with dread.

When I came to, I was lying in an open area deep within a forest.