In the World of Dominance

Ping!

The sound jolts me from my momentary daze. It's almost the end of the month, but the money I'm expecting still hasn't arrived. Did I get scammed? I reach for my phone, uninterested—until my eyes widen at the notification.

[[Payment has been sent.]]

"Yes!" A wide smile spreads across my face. 

He's a legit client!

I retract my earlier doubts, and excitement starts bubbling up licking the leftover cheese powder from my fingers—every bit of my late-night cheesy curls today is worth it! I quickly clean my hands with a wet wipe and open my banking app to confirm. There's nothing more excites me than a number figure in my account.

It's midnight, and there I am, sprawled in front of my computer, the screen's still glow illuminating my workspace. The snack crumbs are scattered on my desk table and my fizzy soft drink lies empty in my hand drained to the last drop. 

I flick the can into the trash with a triumphant wrist flick. 'Finally, I can buy my dream shoes!' I exclaim, twirling in my office chair.

For six long months, I've been stashing spare change and savings into a time-deposit account to take advantage of compounding interest. I am not rich so I have to be smart and careful about where I put my money but today, the wait is over—all for this moment. 

[[Congratulation! You have reached your goal of buying shoes earning boosted interest based on the selected due date of your Time Deposit Plus account. Your accumulated amount will automatically credited to your savings.]]

My eyes shine the brightest after I check my account. I've been counting down to this month, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they still have my size in stock. After wrapping up my latest project, I shut down my computer and stretch my hands before sinking into bed. 

Satisfaction washes over me—nothing beats waking up to see my bank account glimmer with cash!

After a refreshing four-hour nap and a quick shower, I pull on the first outfit I find in my closet, a playful ensemble that matches my buoyant mood. I twist my hair into a messy bun and put on a little make-up to match my simple attire.

"You're so pretty!" I mumble after checking myself for the last time in my body mirror. It was a mantra I always used to lift my spirit.

Before I left my house, I glanced at it for the last time. My new home still holds that delightful fresh scent, it's only been four months since I bought it, but it already feels like a dream come true. No one knows how many tears and shit I had to endure to finally made it this far but I am truly proud of myself for not giving up. Sure, I don't have a car yet, but that can wait—today is all about one thing…

"My dream shoes!!"

Walking through the massive entrance of the popular mall, I'm nearly overwhelmed by its sheer size, my excitement pulling me in every direction as I look around at a large shopping mall in the Ph. As soon as I grasp the shopping bag with my new shoes—on sale, no less—it feels like I've hit the jackpot. I can almost hear celebratory cheers in my mind: a new home, a thriving career, and now, the shoes I've dreamed of for ages. And what's a celebration without a drink? This is living!

I checked my phone, and it seemed I enjoyed myself too much. I didn't even know the sun was about to go down. I don't have a car so it's not good to travel at night. "Time to go home!"

As I push open the mall's glass door, a gust of air from the entrance sweeps past, startling me. My shopping bag slips from my hand, which I immediately lunge forward to catch but as I grab hold of the bag, the world around me lurches, a jolt that leaves me stumbling. I shake my head, thinking it's just a lack of sleep. But when I regain my balance, I'm confronted by a sight that stops me cold.

What the… hell?

The bustling mall is gone, replaced by a nightmarish battlefield where armored warriors on horseback clash in a frenzied battle. The clash of swords, the snorts of war horses, and fierce war cries fill the air, drowning out all rational thought. It's like I've stepped straight into a scene from 300—but more vivid, more real, more terrifying.

Frozen in place, my mind scrambles to process the chaos before me. My cranberry drink trembles in my hand as I avert my gaze toward the brutal clash, where the thunder of hooves and warriors' roars drown out my thoughts, overwhelming my senses.

I try to step back, but I collide with someone, losing my grip on the drink. Sticky, bright liquid splashes across my shirt, its absurd normalcy jarring against the horrific scene unfolding around me. I stumble backward, panic flaring as I mutter frantic curses under my breath.

Shit! Shit! What the hell is happening?!

"This must be a dream. It has to be." The words slip out like a desperate prayer, every syllable tinged with disbelief. I scan the chaos around me, catching glimpses of the endless desert stretching beyond the battlefield. "There's no way this is real."

Then, something heavy crashes to the ground in front of me—a severed head rolls to my feet, blood still streaming from its neck. Its lifeless eyes twitch as if they're about to open, and for one horrifying moment, they lock onto mine.

A wave of nausea hits me. I stagger down and crawl backward in terror, away from it. My hands dug deeper into the scorching sand as I pushed myself further. My head hurts and my vision is starting to blur, I clutch my shopping bag as if it's my last link to sanity. As darkness closes in, I can't muster a protest. I know I shouldn't sleep here but I'm slipping under, and feel powerless to resist.

You know how it goes in those fantasy stories: one minute, you're lounging in your newly purchased house, planning your future—and the next, bam! You're transported to another world. But instead of a magical princess, a cunning villainess, or a super-powered hero, you're just… you.

No royal bloodline, no epic abilities, and definitely no mystical creature sidekick. Just a regular person with no money, no connections, and, oh yeah—no idea how to get home. Perfect!

You'd think I'd at least get some cool perks out of this. Maybe a wise old mentor to give me cryptic advice? Nope. A magical artifact I could use to get back home? ha, I wish! 

I once dreamed of a princess lift, but instead, I'm dragged around like a sack of potatoes, barely conscious and soaked in what's probably an absurd amount of cranberry juice… mixed with something far more disturbing.

Ugh, the smell! 

And to top it off? I find myself tossed into a pile of burning bodies, almost getting cremated alive. Yup, definitely the dream escape I was hoping for.

Now, instead of wondering what's for dinner, I'm focused on survival in a place where people casually chop off heads and ride into battle like it's just another day at the spa. Whoever thought getting isekai'd was a good idea? Let me find them and give them a hard slap.

But hey, maybe I'll figure out a way out of this mess. Or at least get a refund on those shoes I never got to wear.

Welcome to my life—or whatever this is now. Can I at least get a guideline or a warning sign?!