Chapitre 3: [2] Earth Year 2082 (II)

It had been a day since Kaoru Rasputin was thrust into a new world that still bewildered him. He walked with heavy steps along the pavement, his shoulders slightly slumped as if bearing an invisible weight. Thanks to his ability to remain calm and focused, he had managed to resolve several pressing issues that had troubled his mind since his arrival. In a short time, he had found a place to stay, secured some money, and even established a legitimate new identity.

Kaoru's appearance was a perfect blend of Japanese charm and broader Asian assertiveness. From his mother, he inherited a captivating face that could mesmerise anyone, while from his father, he gained a stern expression that exuded authority. His silver-white hair, a legacy from his father, added an exotic touch that was seldom seen. His physique was athletic and tall, around 190 cm, with perfectly sculpted muscles. Despite being in a different world now, the scars from his battles as a hero in the other realm remained, like wine aged over years, adding to his already captivating allure.

One day was enough for Kaoru to get a handle on the situation. With the powers he had acquired from the other world, particularly illusion magic, he managed to handle administrative matters without raising suspicion. While at the public service office, he used his magic to ensure everything went smoothly, making those around him perceive him as an ordinary local.

He was still in Japan, though Kaoru was uncertain of the exact location. It was clear, however, that he was in a prefecture that had not changed its name despite being in a different world. His accidental proximity to a prestigious academy called Miboribashi Academy, renowned for its achievements in non-academic fields like sports, arts, and music, piqued his interest. As he created his new identity at the public service office, Kaoru's gaze fell upon the academy, and his curiosity led him to seek more information using his new smartphone while waiting for the administrative process to complete.

Now, with all administrative matters settled, Kaoru felt a slight sense of relief. He had time to breathe and adjust to this strange world. However, amid the relief, there was confusion clouding his thoughts. "What should I do now?" he pondered. The clothes he had bought on the street upon his arrival were not to his taste—he had chosen them out of necessity. Perhaps it was time to buy new clothes that better suited his style and preferences.

That evening, as Kaoru relaxed in a small café by the street, enjoying the simple fare served there, his thoughts drifted back to the past. Seated on the café's terrace, under the dim glow of street lamps, he fiddled with his old smartphone, opening the photo gallery. There, he found a photo of himself with his father, a man he deeply admired. The pang of longing hit him mercilessly, making his heart feel heavy.

Kaoru stared at the photo in silence, allowing memories of the past to flow through his mind. He recalled the precious moments spent with his father—the times they had shared, laughed, and talked about a future that now felt so distant. "Father… Do you miss me as much as I miss you now?" he murmured softly, his voice almost drowned out by the bustling night of the city.

In the not-quite-silent night, Kaoru sighed deeply. The longing

he felt was profound, gnawing at his heart bit by bit. Yet, beneath that longing, a strength began to blaze within him. He knew that despite the twists of fate, he had to endure. No matter how long he had to wait before the outer god fulfilled its promise to return him to his original world, for now, he had to stay strong and persevere in this unfamiliar world.

Unfortunately, fate often does not go according to plan.

"Damned outer god," he muttered under his breath, frustration lacing his words. He took a sip from his drink, hoping that something could make him feel better tonight. However, it seemed that this troublesome fate had only just begun.

As Kaoru was about to put his old smartphone back into his pocket, something suddenly flew towards him. From the reflection in the window of a passing car, he saw a large shadow slam into the café's glass. Instinctively, Kaoru jumped aside to avoid the sudden danger. However, in the swift movement, the crucial smartphone he held suddenly felt slippery, slipping from his grasp. It was as if time slowed down, and Kaoru's face twisted into horror as he watched the smartphone fall, floating as if in slow motion towards destruction.

"No, not!" Kaoru exclaimed, his eyes wide, his hand reaching out but too late.

-CRASH!-

The loud bang echoed in his ears, reverberating around him. A car, out of control, smashed into the small café where Kaoru had been sitting, demolishing everything in its path. Smoke and dust billowed, engulfing the area in chaos. In one motion, Kaoru's world seemed to shatter along with the impact.

When Kaoru was finally able to move again, his mind immediately focused on one thing—the fallen smartphone. With his heart pounding, he searched through the scattered debris for the device. What he found made his chest tighten. In his hand lay the smartphone with a severely cracked screen, unresponsive despite his repeated attempts to turn it on. The screen remained dark, as if refusing to come back to life, taking with it Kaoru's last hope for communicating with the outer god who might return him home.

"Damn it… Damn it all!" he snarled, his voice filled with anger and frustration.

Kaoru, usually calm and composed, was now overwhelmed by deep rage. The feelings of irritation and anger burned in his chest, transforming him into someone almost unrecognisable. The people who had survived the chaos and witnessed him standing still looked on in both astonishment and fear. They saw a terrifying illusion appear above Kaoru's head—a wrathful deity of Ashura, with a gaze that seemed capable of burning the sky.

However, Kaoru's attention quickly shifted as he realised what had caused the chaos. In front of him, amid the debris-strewn street, stood a strange, biologically mechanised creature. Its form resembled a ghoul but with additional mechanical elements, making it look like a cyborg. The creature moved with unnatural ferocity, tearing and destroying everything in its path. Its presence in the city, on what should have been a peaceful night, spread terror among the populace.

Panic began to spread. People scattered like disturbed ants, fleeing in fear, while screams and confusion filled the air. Until then, military and police forces had yet to appear, leaving the citizens in escalating disorder. Amid the chaos, Kaoru spotted a group of people in distinctive outfits—clearly not ordinary citizens. They moved swiftly against the terrifying creature, demonstrating courageous resistance.

Kaoru observed them with sharp eyes, still filled with anger. "What kind of world is this? And what sort of creature is this?" he muttered sharply, his hands still clenched, feeling the magic within him stir beneath the surface.

But none of that mattered. What was important was that he needed to unleash his fury on that damned creature.