How did i end up like this?

How did I end up like this?

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Endless grasslands stretch out before my eyes. In the distance, majestic mountain ranges—the kind you'd never see in Japan—loom imposingly. It's like staring at the untamed wilderness from one of those fantasy games where you never know what the final boss might be.

O-okay, calm down. First, I'll count prime numbers. 1… 3… 5… 7… Wait, do primes even start with 1? …Eh, whatever. Just focus. Close my eyes, take a deep breath.

Inhale… Exhale… Nope. Still wilderness when I open my eyes.

D-don't panic. High school boys don't panic! Right, time to assess the situation.

…My name is Akira Kitajima. An ordinary high school student in Tokyo. Okay, my mind's clear. Next question: Why am I here? Let's retrace my steps.

I woke up like usual, ate Mom's breakfast, half-assed my hair, left the house at the last possible minute, and started walking to school. Then, without warning—poof—endless prairie. No magical tunnel, no glowing mirror. Since when did my school crossover with a fantasy world? If they're gonna pull this crossover crap, the least they could do is notify the students! Now I'm gonna be late… And here I am, frozen in place, drowning in denial.

…

How did I end up like this?

*

It's been about half a year since I ended up in this… otherworld. Yeah, I've officially decided this isn't the world I came from.

After finally calming down back then, I started walking to find someone, anyone. Scanning the horizon, I spotted smoke rising in the distance. Figured there might be people there, so I trudged toward it. Thankfully, the terrain wasn't steep mountains—just rolling plains—but as a city kid, even that nearly killed me. Two or three hours later, I stumbled into what looked like a town. Seriously wiped out. I'd never walked that long in my life…

The smoke I'd seen earlier? Probably coal or something burning. Thick, pitch-black, and stinging my eyes—kinda like those mining towns you see on TV. Yeah, cliché much? Anyway, here's why I'm sure this is an otherworld: Everyone here looks nothing like Japanese people—total foreigner vibe—but somehow, all their conversations sound like Japanese to me. Oh, and the signs on the shops? Straight-up gibberish. Definitely not Japanese.

What the hell is this?

Seriously, everything feels so off.

First things first - I need to gather intel by talking to people. Sure, I'm kinda socially awkward, but survival trumps social anxiety. Especially when your life's on the line. At least they understand Japanese... wait, why do they understand Japanese? Oh right, plot convenience. If we're doing plot convenience, could've at least given me cheat skills or something.

According to the locals, this town's called Gorshe, mainly surviving on coal mining. When I asked about Japan? "Never heard of it - is that a food?" Same with America, China, Europe... nothing. Apparently we're on the Azian Continent? Never fucking heard of it. Yep, definitely an isekai. Lol.

...How did I end up like this...

Anyway, even if I wanted to survive here, I'm broke. No money means no food, no shelter. My entire savings? 3,652 yen - which turns out to be worthless here. The hell's a "Jenny"?! They speak Japanese, why won't they take yen?! This is why I hate fantasy...

Complaining won't fix being penniless. Gotta find work! ...But manual labor? Ugh.

After asking around, I found live-in work: mining and hauling coal. Super physical labor. Thanks a lot. Whatever - they'll hire a sketchy illiterate guy with no ID. At least I get three meals a day. Can't complain...

And just like that, half a year went by. Honestly, I'm kind of impressed with myself. I want to pat my own back for lasting six months in this dump.

At first, I was utterly useless. A total liability. By the end of day one, my body felt like shattered pottery—couldn't even eat properly. The next day, the muscle pain was so brutal I could barely move. The foreman screamed at me nonstop. Almost got fired, but I clung to him, sobbing, "If you kick me out, I've got nowhere to go!" He finally relented.

…Not before docking my pay, though!

After two or three months, I started getting the hang of this job. Weirdly, I even feel stronger? I mean, sure, manual labor and limited food probably sculpted me, but since when do muscles build this fast? Definitely wasn't possible back home. Maybe this is that "otherworld buff" people talk about. Hell, maybe I'll unlock some god-tier cheat skill soon.

…Still the scrawniest guy in the mines, though.

Another year slipped by after that. By the way, this world shares the same calendar as back home—365 days, 12 months to a year. Not that it helps.

But seriously, how have I lasted over a year in this place? No internet, no TV, no manga. For someone who once proudly called myself an otaku, it's been brutal. But hey, humans adapt. Guess that old saying's true—home is what you make it. At least I can read the local script now. Not that it helps much—everything's written in this hiragana-like jumble. Pain in the ass to parse, but whatever.

My strength plateaued after a certain point. Not that I've hit my limit—more like the work's not challenging enough anymore. Maybe I'd get stronger if I strapped weights to my whole body while working. Not gonna happen, though—too exhausting. Besides, I'm plenty strong enough for this job. Unless I gotta go slay some demon king… which, y'know, doesn't exist here. Monsters, though? Oh yeah. Classic isekai.

I've gotten closer to my coworkers—even have juniors now. These days, my life's joy is grabbing drinks after work with the crew, betting on dumb shit. …Underage? Whatever. Fifteen-year-olds here chug ale like it's juice. Different world, different rules. When in Rome, right? End of self-justification.

One night, while drinking and gambling with the crew, I overheard some sketchy chatter. Apparently, the mayor of this city got whacked by an assassin. Assassins? Okay, sure—they probably exist back home too if you dig deep enough. Fantasy world, fantasy problems. Monsters weren't enough, huh?

Rumor says the assassin might be from the legendary Zoldyck Family. Pfft. The legendary assassin Zoldycks? Chuunibyou-ish much? Heh

…

…Wait. Zoldyck? …For real?

…

Turns out this world might just be the HUNTER×HUNTER universe. Or maybe its very similiar. After digging around, terms like "Hunter" and "Hunter Association" started popping up everywhere. If you think about it, the unit of currency here? Jenny. Same as HxH. Even the writing system's called Hunter Script.

Now the rapid muscle growth makes sense. Should've known—this is the world where the air's basically protein powder. 99.9% confirmed: I'm in HUNTER×HUNTER.

How did I not notice for a year and a half? Am I stupid? … No, I was just trying to survive…I was too busy not dying to overthink it. Happens to the best of us, right?...

Now that I know this is the HUNTER×HUNTER world… what do I do? Let's be real—this place is dangerous. Death flags everywhere.

Sure, maybe you could live a quiet life here… but the second you stick your nose into the main plot, your odds of dying skyrocket. I mean, this is the series where even popular characters get decapitated mid-arc. Getting involved? Guaranteed to end in tears. But not getting involved? Miss out on all the perks—Hunter licenses, Nen training, Overpowered allies. Ugh.

...

Time to list the pros and cons of meddling with the plot.

Pros

① I might get back to my original world.

Yep—if this is HUNTER×HUNTER, Greed Island exists. Use the right card from that game, and boom, home. But getting that card? No way I'm clearing that hellish game solo. My best bet? Piggyback off Gon and the gang. Let them do the heavy lifting, then beg for scraps. Of course, that means convincing Biscuit to hand over her clear reward card… which she'd totally give up for a rando like me. Sure…

② I could witness iconic moments firsthand.

Honestly—I love HUNTER×HUNTER. Especially Nen. I'm obsessed with how you can craft your own unique ability—something that could even take down opponents way out of your league. It's not a world where raw talent always wins (though talent helps). Sure, Nen might've been a late addition, but it doesn't feel shoehorned or full of plot holes. Looking at you, Nar**o and Ble**h. Anyway, being able to experience a work you like for yourself is quite appealing.

③ Meet my favorite characters.

Overlaps with point ②, but still—hell yes. Specifically, the women. Just once, I wanna meet Machi, Shizuku, Biscuit, Ponzu, Neon… y'know, the badass beauties. But here's the kicker: this isn't a manga. Everyone's 3D, not 2D. And no one looks "anime-perfect" here—they're just regular humans, like a live-action HUNTER×HUNTER remake.

Which means the OG characters are also 3D. And they'd absolutely be stunners! Maybe even… ahem… get closer? Not that I'd dare. Try hitting on Machi or Shizuku? Instant death. Unless I'm Hisoka-tier strong, no shot. Biscuit? I'll just… admire from afar. Cute, but, uh, age-wise…? Neon? Nope—mess with her, and you're tangling with the mafia. Too risky.

Only "safe" option? Ponzu. Sigh. And Machi's my favorite…

Cons

① Sky-high risk of death.

Seriously, death flags everywhere. The only arcs without body counts are the Zoldyck Family visit and Heaven's Arena. Everything else? Basically shaking hands with the Grim Reaper. And the Chimera Ant arc? Forget it. How the hell do you even beat Meruem? That guy's in the wrong genre—dude's got S-class demon energy at minimum. Maybe you could take down some B-class scrub like Cowardly R****tz? Someone call a demon Spirit Detective, Yusuke Urameshi style—that's the only shot.

② …None.

What other cons? If you don't die, there are no downsides. Yep.

Intervening in the plot might get me killed… but the rewards are sweet. Especially that shot at going home. Sure, I've adapted to this world, but I still miss my old life. No Japanese food, endless manual labor…

Shit, now that I think I can go back… I really wanna go back. I want rice. I want the internet. I want games. I want manga. I want to shoot the shit with friends… I want to see my family again.

…

…Alright, I'm doing it. Yeah, I might die—but I've got an edge no one else here does: plot knowledge. With that, I can dodge some death flags.

No clue what timeline I'm in, but if it's pre-canon? Train my body, learn Nen, and cruise through the Hunter Exam. After that… wing it. Overly optimistic? Maybe. But I'll manage. Just gotta avoid the Chimera Ant arc entirely. Clear Greed Island, grab that return card, and peace out.

Plus, who knows? Maybe I'll bond with Ponzu by teaching her Nen… or something!

Never thought I'd lose my V-card to a manga character (delusions of grandeur fully intact).

…

Alright, decision made! I'm diving into the plot to lose my V-card!!! (Completely oblivious that his priorities have shifted.)

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Current year: February 7, 1872. 127 years until the original story begins…

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Original plot? What's that—tasty?

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.....................…I'm screwed.