Chapter 2
Inside the plane, a man gazed out the window with nostalgic eyes.
"Ah, finally, I'm home..." Alex murmured, tinged with melancholy.
Countless memories of his hometown flooded his mind. Despite visiting every year, a peculiar sense of longing always welled up within him.
After savoring the aerial view of his hometown, Alex decided to take a short nap. The journey had left him a bit fatigued, especially considering his recent lack of outings and strenuous activities.
...
Meanwhile, in Alex's rented room, something peculiar was unfolding.
The chest, which lay quietly in the corner, suddenly trembled violently, as though the island of Java itself had been struck by an earthquake.
However, it was peculiar that only the chest shook while everything else in the room remained silent. This indicated that the issue wasn't an earthquake but something related to the chest itself.
This phenomenon continued, accompanied by other unusual occurrences.
The lights and electronics in the room seemed to be affected as if some strange wave was interfering with them.
If this scene were to be shown to others, they might be frightened, as it bore a striking resemblance to a horror movie set.
The vibrations within the chest persisted, intensifying from sporadic tremors to a full-fledged upheaval. Eventually, the lid of the not-too-large chest swung open!
Swoosh!
Instead of a decaying hand or any horror clichés, a plain black ring emerged. Yet, an inexplicable mystical imprint adorned the surface of the ring.
Though it appeared to be a ring, it wasn't tangible. It existed merely as a projection!
In the next moment, the chest shook even more violently before being lifted into the black ring projection.
As the chest approached the ring projection, it disintegrated into fine fragments, which eventually reformed according to the image displayed by the black ring projection.
A considerable amount of time was required for the chest to fully transform. It first decomposed into powder, then reshaped itself into a coin-sized ring.
Once the minuscule matter coalesced into a brand-new ring, it briefly vibrated before emanating a familiar, dazzling white light.
The initially diffused white light was then drawn towards the ring as if the ring could absorb and bend the light itself.
After the light dissipated completely, only an ordinary black ring hovered in the air.
Appearing incomplete, the ring suddenly transformed into a round, egg-sized ball of light before swiftly hurtling toward the glass window.
Crackle!
The impact of the ring shattered the window pane, yet the ring continued its swift trajectory, soaring through the air without pausing.
At the airport, Alex awaited the retrieval of his suitcase from the trunk. After a brief moment, a moderately sized suitcase appeared, which Alex swiftly claimed as his own.
Carrying only a small amount of luggage, Alex didn't feel burdened. Moreover, the airport atmosphere wasn't as bustling as during peak travel periods, making it more comfortable to navigate.
After completing a few tasks, Alex eventually made his way outside the airport to locate the driver.
Shortly thereafter, the driver arrived, and Alex settled into the car, promptly dozing off during the journey.
Traveling through West Sumatra province proved somewhat uncomfortable, not due to road potholes or other factors, but because of the steep terrain. The presence of large trucks further heightened the risk for road users, as these vehicles could pose a danger to others.
While Alex slept, a beam of light illuminated the car. Fortunately, the driver remained alert and avoided a potential traffic accident, though they couldn't help but feel perplexed by the sudden light. Various horror stories began to flicker in the driver's imagination.
Meanwhile, Alex briefly stirred awake before returning to slumber.
After several hours, Alex was dropped off at a roadside location, as the driver was unable to reach his exact destination. Due to the earlier open car window, Alex felt slightly unwell as he embarked on the journey towards his village.
During the walk, Alex encountered a steep road. It was a familiar path, as it led to his house.
After a while of walking, Alex couldn't help but complain.
"Sigh, I used to be able to walk this route without breaking a sweat, but now I'm already tired before even reaching halfway!"
Alex sat by the side of the road, sipping on a beverage purchased along the way.
While sitting, Alex noticed a group of young boys excitedly shouting at a passing large truck.
"Uncle, honk the horn, uncle!"
"Uncle, honk the horn, uncle!"
In response, the truck emitted a loud, rhythmic sound from its modified horn.
The boys above gleefully exclaimed, "Wow, that's cool!"
"Hahahah, great job, uncle!"
Witnessing this scene, Alex faintly smiled before resuming his walk.
As Alex continued walking, he suddenly discovered something peculiar in his hand.
Upon closer inspection, he asked himself curiously, "Where did this ring come from?" Alex felt confused when he noticed the ordinary-looking black ring adorning his finger.
Fashion had never been his strong suit, and he rarely wore accessories, not even a watch!
Riddled with doubts, Alex searched through his memories but found no recollection of the ring.
"If I can't remember, then how did this thing end up on my finger?" Alex became even more perplexed, as he had never seen the ring before.
Feeling confused and unsure of what to do, Alex could only touch the ring, attempting to confirm its presence.
"Ah, this is so peculiar!"
Alex marveled at the ring's rough exterior, which felt unexpectedly smooth and comfortable to wear. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been oblivious to its presence.
Holding the ring tightly, Alex yearned to uncover its secrets.
In the distance, children continued their enthusiastic calls for the peculiar and distinct sounds of truck horns, while Alex was lost in his world.
Suddenly, Alex found himself in a strange place. It was a lush, green area, reminiscent of an untouched virgin forest, untouched by human exploration.
What astonished Alex, even more, was the refreshing and pleasant sensation of the air in this place.
While Alex reveled in the wonders of this beautiful realm, a series of memories flooded into his mind.
As he processed these memories, Alex's eyes lit up with sheer delight. He was overjoyed, so much so that he wanted to scream. However, fearing the presence of ferocious animals in his current surroundings, he remained silent.
With newfound knowledge of this place, Alex eagerly embarked on his exploration.
...
Meanwhile, in the real world, groups of children continued their clamor, urging for the horns to be sounded.
"Uncle, honk the horn, uncle!"
"Uncle, honk the horn, uncle!"
The truck driver, observing the children's persistent enthusiasm, couldn't help but feel a sense of pride.
"Hehehe, watch this! The master will create a resounding blast!"
With that, the middle-aged driver pressed the horn button several times at rhythmic intervals.
The resulting sound, though not perfect, resonated as the truck ascended the road.
While the driver focused on playing with the horn, an unsettling sensation of the car losing traction emerged.
Brom!
The thunderous roar of a massive truck filled the air, yet the car remained motionless.
Gradually, the car began to reverse before sliding backward.
Sensing the impending crisis, the truck driver shouted out of the window.
"Promise! Fetch a chock!"
Understanding the situation, the group of children who had earlier cheered for the horn sound suddenly became stricken with panic.
In unison, they rushed to retrieve a large wooden block and hurried toward the car, which threatened to slide backward.
As the truck slid, the driver made efforts to regain control, slowing its momentum. The children positioned themselves beside the truck, their wooden blocks aligning with the rear tires.
Together, they threw the blocks, preventing the truck's tires from moving forward.
For a brief moment, the truck came to a halt before the tires, supported by the wooden blocks, leaped and slid back down.
Witnessing this, the group of children swiftly retrieved additional blocks to secure the truck in place.
Alex, who had just returned from his exploration, snapped back to reality, beaming with satisfaction.
"Hahahaha, I've been fortunate! I've obtained the legendary farming space ring, just like those in the novels!"
Caught up in his euphoric laughter, Alex failed to notice the commotion calling his name.
It was only after a while that his surroundings became clear, and he could hear the sounds around him.
At that moment, regret and annoyance washed over Alex.
The reason was, he had just obtained a valuable treasure, yet he found himself facing imminent death.
Alex glimpsed a large truck hurtling backward toward him at an alarming speed. He had no time to react.
With a resounding thud, an uncomfortable pain surged through Alex's mind. Death didn't claim him immediately, as the truck wasn't traveling at a high speed, allowing him to experience the grievous pain before it was too late.
Moaning in agony for a brief moment, Alex's vision blurred and faded into darkness.
The onlookers panicked, rushing towards the truck in a state of alarm.
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Chapter 3
Inside a chaotic apartment room, a man in his thirties was suspended in mid-air. A chair lay on the ground, with a rope tightly wrapped around the man's neck, revealing that he had just taken his own life. The man, overweight and lifeless, had bloodshot eyes that reflected profound sadness and frustration. Evidence of an overdose was present as white foam collected around his mouth and dripped, indicating the cause of death was not solely from hanging.
In a sudden twist of events, the man's desolate eyes jolted in shock, followed by a wave of hysterical fear. Panic gripped him as the suffocating sensation in his neck and the struggle to breathe overwhelmed his consciousness. Frantically, the man attempted to reach for the rope that bound him, only to realize with heightened distress that his right hand was missing entirely. In desperation, he extended his left hand, desperately grasping at the hope of untying the knots around his neck.
Despite his efforts, the fat man found himself unable to pull himself up or loosen the restraints. Growing increasingly frustrated, he felt a glimmer of hope when a part of his finger grazed against the rough surface of the rope. With newfound determination, he immediately acted upon his thoughts, and a machete materialized in his hand. He weakly swung the blade at the rope, the motion lacking strength but sufficient enough to sever it.
As the rope snapped and something fell with a resounding thud, the fat man winced in pain, but he lacked the strength to voice his complaints. Overwhelmed with fear yet grateful to have survived the ordeal, he gasped for breath, his heart pounding in his chest. For a long while, he remained on the floor, breathing heavily, before summoning the strength to rise and sit, albeit with great difficulty. Once settled, the fat man cast inquisitive glances around the room, his mind swirling with questions.
"Where am I? Huh... shouldn't I be in the hospital now if I survived? But why did I hang myself?" The confused and dazed figure of the fat man resembled that of a madman unable to accept his circumstances. After a few moments of gathering himself, he finally had the presence of mind to look around and realized that he had memories that didn't belong to him. With this realization, one thing became clear to him. "Did I transfer like in those novels?" he uttered, his disbelief evident.
In the novels that Alex had read, most people would experience a transfer after being hit by a truck—and he had indeed been hit. Recalling the children who had shouted at him, he couldn't help but feel a helpless sigh escape his lips. Although those children who had called out for the truck's honking seemed like ordinary kids, they were heroes. It wasn't uncommon for children in the West Sumatra region, with its steep highways, to save people by blocking tires and preventing accidents. Reflecting on the memory of being hit, Alex found it hard to believe that he was experiencing something akin to what he had read in the novels.
Yet, as he remembered the extraordinary realm within the legendary farming ring, a bitter smile formed on his lips. While Alex bemoaned his peculiar situation, a gurgling sound emanated from his stomach, reminding him of his hunger. Reacting swiftly, he attempted to rise and head to the kitchen. However, as he tried to stand, a sharp pain shot through his left leg, causing him to collapse helplessly.
As he fell, his instinct was to brace himself with his right hand, but to his dismay, his right hand failed to make contact with the floor. It was a devastating realization—he had no right hand!
With his right cheek hitting the ground first, Alex let out a pained cry. Tears welled up in his eyes as he grappled with the harsh reality of his situation. Unprepared for the challenges he now faced, Alex couldn't help but feel overwhelmed. In this unfamiliar world, not only was he burdened with a limp, but he was also missing a right hand. The weight of his despair settled upon him as he mourned his lost abilities.
After a moment of grief, Alex mustered the strength to rise slowly and survey his surroundings. His gaze settled on a crutch, and with painstaking effort, he crawled towards it before finally reaching out to grasp it. With the aid of the crutch, he managed to stand, albeit with great difficulty and clumsiness.
Carefully, Alex made his way toward the narrow and unkempt kitchen. Each step felt heavy, his unaccustomed body and limitations weighing him down. The thought of giving up crossed his mind, but when he arrived at the refrigerator, all negative thoughts dissipated.
Opening the refrigerator, Alex found some cold, less-than-fresh food. Undeterred, he proceeded to cook, taking solace in the fact that he had a passion for cooking after leaving his job. After twenty minutes of diligent effort, a fragrant plate of egg-fried rice was ready. Eating with the challenge of using only his left hand proved difficult, but his hunger compelled him to persevere.
Once he had eaten his fill, Alex took a brief respite, acknowledging that he still had much to adapt to in this new world. Amidst the jumble of memories from his life on Earth, he wiped away the tears that had gathered at the corners of his eyes.
Fortunately, before his return, Alex had provided his father with a dozen bottles of nutritional supplements, easing the family's worries about future finances. He hoped that his father would find the research papers he had stored on a flash drive in his bag.
"Mom... Dad... I'm sorry for leaving so suddenly. I always wish the best for both of you and for my younger siblings," Alex's voice trembled with discomfort as he uttered his heartfelt apology.
Afterward, Alex unconsciously raised his left hand and gazed at the ring adorning his little finger. Mixed feelings welled up within him. He couldn't decide whether to feel annoyed or fortunate. Without this ring, he would never have entered the adventure and consequently wouldn't have been struck by the truck. On the other hand, if he hadn't obtained the ring and still been hit, perhaps he would have become a wandering spirit, waiting in limbo instead of transmigrating into parallel worlds as he had done now. With a meaningful sigh, Alex pondered over the whims of destiny.
Taking the machete he had used to sever the rope around his neck, Alex contemplated its significance. During his exploration in the ring space, he discovered that the ring contained the contents of the chest he had found earlier. However, he never anticipated that the items stored within the ring would transform. The machete was no longer a plain, straight-bladed tool like a typical Indonesian machete. Instead, it possessed an elegant curvature with a slightly bulging tip, resembling the graceful plume of a bird's feather. Though not excessively ornate, the sight captivated Alex's eyes.
As Alex lifted the machete, he sensed its increased weight compared to its previous form. Although the length of the machete had diminished from 45 centimeters to 30 centimeters, it felt more substantial. Curiosity piqued, Alex playfully swung the machete in various directions until he felt satisfied.
Placing an iron spatula in front of him, Alex skillfully wielded the machete, slashing through the air with a resounding whir. The spatula, upon contact, split apart effortlessly as if butter were being sliced with a hot knife. Excitement sparked in Alex's eyes.
"Is it true? Is it really that sharp?"
Eager to test its sharpness further, Alex continued to cut through the handle of the spatula multiple times, consistently achieving the same impressive result.
"Hahaha, this is amazing!" Alex exclaimed with delight. Who says boys only like sports cars? In reality, boys have a genuine fascination for firearms and cold weapons.
Closing his eyes, Alex accessed the items stored within his storage ring. Among the various objects that emerged, he quickly retrieved a machete sheath to complement the one he had previously wielded. Through his previous interactions with the machete, he had acquired its memories and knowledge of its usage, which led to his peculiar experiments.
Struggling to replace the machete, Alex eventually managed to position it on the table nearby. He then shifted his attention to the other items he had retrieved. To his surprise, the three yellowed, tattered books had vanished, replaced by three stacks of square palm leaves. These palm-leaf manuscripts were remnants of ancient books.
Filled with curiosity, Alex couldn't help but wonder about the remarkable contents concealed within these ancient manuscripts, especially considering the magical properties exhibited by the machete. With eager anticipation, he selected one of the stacks of palm leaves closest to him.
However, as soon as Alex's hand made contact with the papyrus, his eyes widened in shock, and his body involuntarily jolted, freezing in place as if he had entered a vegetative state, his soul momentarily detached.
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