Na-Isekai Ako-Chapter 1: Wansapanataym

Nora walked down the plane's stairs with her LV trolley bag in hand, wearing her Prada shoes, when her cellphone suddenly rang.

"Hello, Mamshy."

"Anak, did you arrive?" It was the voice of her loving mother.

"Yes, I did."

"Why did you decide to go alone? You should've brought your father and your sibling along. We also want to travel abroad with you."

Nora felt a slight disappointment in her mother's voice for not bringing the family along with her. She had wanted to go on this vacation alone—she had been so focused on her career that she hadn't done anything for herself. This time, she was on her own.

She knew her family would have wanted to join her if she had told them about her plan to tour. That's why she decided to let them know when she was already boarding the plane.

She had three months all to herself.

But now that she had said it, there was a sharp pang in her heart when she heard her mother's voice.

"Mama, we're always together. Next time, I'll bring all of you. For now, I just want to be alone."

"I wish you had at least informed us," her mother replied.

"Oh, Mama, you're something. Well, I'm heading to Immigration now. No phones allowed there. I'll call you again."

Click.

Nora heard her mother trying to say something more, but she knew it would be more drama, so she decided to end the call.

Since childhood, Nora had always been ambitious. She dreamed of lifting her family out of poverty, so she worked tirelessly, juggling her studies with part-time jobs. Determined to succeed, she earned a scholarship, graduated with honors, and quickly secured a job. Her dedication paid off when her employer transferred her abroad, marking the beginning of her meteoric rise. One achievement led to another, and with each success, she ensured her family's well-being—paying for her younger sibling's education, securing a better home, and providing them with a life they had only dreamed of.

As she stood in quiet reflection, her fingers brushed against the delicate "N" pendant resting against her collarbone. It was a gift from her parents—a keepsake they had saved for, presented to her on her college graduation day. Though simple, it was priceless to her, a tangible reminder of how far they had come.

Nora smiled. Now in her thirties, still unmarried, she had never regretted putting her family first. But with the family business now stable and thriving, she had finally made a decision—for once, she would prioritize herself.

There was supposed to be two of them shouldering the responsibility, she and her brother, lifting the family together. But her brother... well. Some dreams didn't unfold the way they were meant to.

"New adventure... or not?" she whispered to herself as she stretched after clearing Immigration. She was starting to get bored with her life. She had almost done everything she wanted, but it felt like something was missing.

Hopefully, this trip would change that.

With a bright step, Nora walked out of the airport, thinking of all the possible new opportunities—

BANG!

A gunshot.

BANG!

Not one, but two. Chaos erupted among the crowd. She turned toward the source of the shouting.

"NOBODY MOVE, OR I'LL BLOW THIS PLACE UP!" the man screamed, gripping a gun.

Dressed like an airport security officer, he might have passed as one—if not for the wild look in his eyes. The terminal fell silent, fear gripping every passenger in its wake.

Nora didn't move and quickly assessed the situation. Several armed men appeared and blocked the civilians from running.

They looked just like the terrorists from yesterday's news. What great timing.

Nora sighed. Her long-awaited solo vacation, and now this? Was she really that unlucky?

"I wish they'd waited until I was out before starting this mayhem. My goodness."

As she was about to step onto the floor, she noticed a crying child calling for its mother. The child had been left in the middle of the chaos.

Nora glanced at the leader of the terrorists. There was no trace of compassion in his face.

He was about to raise his gun toward the child—

Something tugged at Nora's foot.

Before she could process her fear, she ran toward the child and embraced it.

BANG.

Hot. Painful.

Nora felt a sharp pain in her back. The child stopped crying, but Nora could hardly hold back her tears from the intense pain.

"Ugh... I came here for a vacation... but this is the vacation I'm going to..."

She stroked the child's head, forcing a smile despite the searing pain in her body.

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She didn't let go of the child.

Her eyelids began to feel heavy. In her final moments, she thought of her family.

"I should've done a despedida before leaving."

What a waste.

Not because she wouldn't see her family and friends again, but because of the life she never truly lived.

What a waste...

...giving her youth to others, leaving nothing for herself

...chasing success every waking second yet never learning how to love

...achieving almost everything she dreamed of, yet never knowing true happiness.

A single, warm tear traced down her cheek.

She closed her eyes—her final surrender.

In her last moments, sirens wailed, voices cried out... then came the void.