The road crunched underfoot as Izuma and Rinji walked side by side through the outskirts of the city.
The air was crisp with the aftertaste of morning, the sun lazily crawling up behind the sky like it hadn't quite committed to being awake. Trees swayed gently along the dirt trail, a chorus of rustling leaves humming above. Izuma had one hand in his pocket, the other dangling at his side, fingers brushing the fabric of his shirt.
Rinji walked ahead slightly, arms folded behind his back, his helmet glinting under the light.
Neither spoke at first.
Izuma didn't want to break the silence. Not yet. His brain was still swirling from the bombshell Rinji dropped earlier about his Respawn. About how much he saw. And worse—how little he probably didn't.
He thought back to the face behind the helmet. How Rinji had gagged but still held himself together. How he said nothing about it afterward. Just walked.
And now they were doing that again.
Izuma kept glancing at the side of Rinji's faceplate, searching for an expression he'd never see.
Finally, Rinji cleared his throat.
"So," he began, voice casual.
"I'm guessing you've figured out by now that we're both not from around here."
Izuma blinked. That much was obvious.
"You mean the reincarnation thing?"
he asked.
Rinji chuckled softly.
"Yeah. That. You probably remembered I told you not to ask about it."
Izuma's lips curled.
Rinji stopped walking, turned his head slightly as if to catch Izuma's expression.
"Don't worry," he said.
"I get it. Curiosity's a bitch."
He paused. His face turning serious.
"I'll tell you more another time. I just have to make sure I can trust you first."
That line sank into Izuma's chest like a stone.
Trust.
It made sense. Of course it did. But hearing it still stung. Like a reminder that, despite everything, he was still a stranger.
"Yeah," Izuma murmured, forcing a nod.
"I get it."
They walked a bit further. Grass crunching under their boots.
Rinji kept his hands behind his back, posture loose.
"You've been cautious," he said.
"About Earth-related stuff. I noticed. Always side-eyeing familiar things like they shouldn't exist."
Izuma shrugged.
"I mean, yeah. Why wouldn't I? It's weird. There's too much overlap. Gabbits? Melons? Doors that creak?"
Rinji chuckled.
"Well, here's the thing: most stuff from Earth exists here. In one way or another. Some are exact copies. Others are... variants. Like rabbits and Gabbits. Chickens and Chakkens."
Izuma furrowed his brows. That... did explain a lot.
"So you're saying I can stop trying to make sense of the weirdness?"
"I'm saying," Rinji said,
"don't be surprised if you see a vending machine next to a magic crystal."
Izuma opened his mouth. Then closed it.
He gave up.
"Okay. Fine. I accept this fever dream."
Rinji laughed. The sound was strange coming from someone in a helmet.
Then his tone shifted.
"Let me give you a little rundown,man to man. " he said, voice low.
"Magic, money, systems, all that. Might help you survive longer."
Izuma nodded.
Rinji held up a finger.
"Magic isn't illegal. Not by default. It's more like... regulated. Kinda like how you need a license to drive back on Earth. Certain spells are restricted. Big stuff like spatial manipulation, necromancy, death curses, you know."
Izuma squinted.
"Wait. Lira made it sound like magic was dangerous as hell."
Rinji snorted.
"She was protecting you. Figured if she scared you, you wouldn't try to cast anything and blow yourself up."
Izuma felt his chest lighten a bit. That... was actually kind of sweet.
"So it's not dangerous?"
"It is. But so is fire. Magic's a tool. Depends on the idiot using it."
They continued walking. The path curved slightly.
Rinji's voice dropped to a serious note again.
"And one more thing... probably the most important."
Izuma glanced up.
Rinji turned to look at him, fully this time.
"Humans... are the strongest beings in this world."
Izuma froze.
"Eh?"
Rinji sighed.
"Yeah. Weird, right? But it's true. At least, that's what the records say. Most humans here weren't born in this world. They were summoned. Chosen. Given blessings. And those blessings make them freakishly strong."
Izuma swallowed.
"So... we're like... cheat codes?"
Rinji chuckled. "Exactly."
He stretched his arms behind his head.
"I trained like a maniac for two years. Got this body. Learned to use my blessing. Survived a dozen assassination attempts. And here I am."
Izuma looked at him, stunned.
Rinji nodded slowly.
"I know you're wondering about my past life. And maybe one day I'll tell you. But all you need to know right now is: I died. I came here. I was blessed. And I used the hell out of it."
He turned back around, walking forward again.
"You should do the same. Abuse the gift. Get as strong as you can."
Izuma stared at the ground, thoughts swimming. He wanted to believe it was that simple. That power could fill in the holes in his soul.
But something still sat heavy in his chest.
He monologued silently.
/Monologue Begin/
Blessings, huh...
So I'm not just some unlucky kid who respawned here.
I was chosen.
Given something.
But what was it?
What does it mean to Respawn? To Leap? To go back?
If I'm a cheat code... who put me in the game?
And what's the cost of using it?
Not it mention the thing about humans "being the strongest".
If that's the case, Why are most of our species being sold as slaves?
Sigh....
I just don't get it.
/Monologue End/
Suddenly, Rinji stopped.
"We're here."He announced.
Izuma looked up.
The cabin.
The same damn cabin.
They'd made a full loop.
Izuma blinked.
"Wait... was that whole thing just a walk to drop lore on me?"
Rinji smirked. "Yup."
They stepped inside.
Adia and Lira looked up from the couch.
"You two didn't take long," Adia said, stretching.
"Back already?" Lira asked, tilting her head.
Rinji unhooked his helmet, leaned against the wall, and grinned.
"We were spying on underaged girls."
Silence.
Everyone slowly turned to Izuma.
Then to Rinji.
Stared.
Horror. Disgust. Betrayal.
Izuma raised both hands. "Wha—No! What the hell is wrong with you?!"
Rinji shrugged.
"Don't look at me like that. He did too!"
They slowly turned back to Izuma.
"I DID NOT!"
Adia stood, eyes narrowed. "You absolute creep."
Lira crossed her arms. "You had potential, Izuma. Real potential."
"I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW WHAT WE WERE DOING!"
They both turned away.
"Not even a valid excuse, pfft." Adia muttered.
"At least lie a bit", lira whispered, turning away.
Izuma dropped to his knees.
"Goddammit, Rinji..."
"Heh." Rinji chuckled darkly.
"Comedy gold."
Before anyone could pile on more verbal abuse, a knock came from the door.
Except—it wasn't a knock.
It was a peck.
Soft, rhythmic.
Izuma turned.
A pigeon stood at the doorframe, chest puffed, glaring at him like it had business.
It held a rolled scroll tied with crimson string.
"I'll get it," Izuma muttered.
Quickly standing up, he walked over, knelt, and took the letter.
The pigeon gave one final judgmental coo before flying off.
He unrolled the parchment.
His eyes widened.
His mouth opened slightly. All the color drained from his face.
Adia noticed.
"What's wrong?"
Izuma held up the letter. Voice dry.
"It's from the Council."
They all turned.
The room quieted.
He read the bold, inky letters at the top.
"You've been invited for another meeting."