Katsuo Delgado felt the life draining from his body. The sharp pain in his side was unbearable, yet the darkness enveloping him was strangely calming. His eyes flickered as he gazed up at the ceiling of the bank, his mind drifting back to the slum streets of Manila, where he had grown up dreaming of something more.
"I'll make it next time... If there is a next time," Katsuo whispered, the cold metal of his security badge pressing against his chest. The last thing he remembered was the sound of footsteps fading as the robbers fled the scene.
When Katsuo opened his eyes again, he wasn't staring at the bank ceiling. Instead, the sky above him was an endless canvas of blue. He gasped, bolting upright.
"Where am I? What happened to the bank?" His voice came out rough, like he hadn't spoken in years.
As he looked around, Katsuo realized he was no longer in Manila. He was lying on a bed of straw inside a simple wooden house. Outside, the sounds of chickens clucking and the faint murmur of people working filled the air.
A woman entered the room, smiling warmly. "Katsuo, you're finally awake. You gave us quite the scare."
Katsuo blinked. "Who… Who are you?"
The woman's smile faded. "Katsuo, it's me, your mother, Lara Dimayuga. Don't you remember?"
Katsuo's mind raced. Mother? Dimayuga? Nothing about this felt real. His hands trembled as he touched his face. He wasn't in Manila anymore. He wasn't even in the same world.
Days passed as Katsuo adjusted to the strange new life he had been thrust into. His new "mother," Lara, explained that they lived in the village of Landor, a small community nestled at the edge of the Eirlandor Kingdom. Katsuo's father, a merchant peddler, had passed away years ago, leaving their family with little but the old cart he once used to sell goods. It was a modest life, one far removed from the chaos of Manila's streets.
As Katsuo wandered through the village, he took note of its residents. The humans were not alone—there were elves, dwarves, demons, and even beastfolk, living side by side. It was a bustling hub of trade, but also filled with hardship.
In the marketplace, he met Yumi Lakandula, an elf from the nearby village of Yggdrassil. She was graceful, her dark hair cascading over her pointed ears, but her eyes were sharp. She noticed him watching and smirked.
"You're Katsuo, right? The boy who collapsed after getting lost in the forest. I heard you were recovering."
"Yeah, I guess that's me," Katsuo replied, still feeling out of place. "I'm still getting used to this place."
Yumi's smirk softened. "Landor's a strange village. But it's home." She handed him a small basket of herbs. "Take these to your mother. She'll know what to do with them."
As Katsuo headed back to his home, his mind wandered to the life he once knew. His past dreams—the life he had wanted so badly to change—still tugged at him. He had sworn to himself, with his dying breath, that if given a second chance, he would live without regrets.
"Maybe this is that second chance," he muttered.
Later that evening, as the sun set over Landor, Katsuo sat on a small hill overlooking the village. His mother's words echoed in his head.
"Your father always said that success wasn't just about what you sold, but who you helped along the way."
Katsuo clenched his fists. This world wasn't what he expected, but it was an opportunity. He wasn't just Katsuo Delgado, the slum kid from Manila anymore. He was Katsuo Dimayuga, a merchant's son. He could still fulfill his dream—one way or another.
The next morning, Katsuo set out with the old cart his father had left behind. It was rickety, worn by years of use, but it represented more than just a tool for trade. It was the first step toward his new life.
Taka Luntayao, a beastmaster with long brown hair tied back in a braid, approached him at the village gate.
"You sure about this?" Taka asked, eyeing the cart. "You're still recovering. And the roads are dangerous—there are monsters in the forest."
"I'm sure," Katsuo replied, determination clear in his eyes. "I've faced worse before. I can handle this."
Taka chuckled. "Well, if you're that confident, maybe I'll come along. Could use the excitement."
Katsuo smiled. "I could use the help."
With Taka by his side, and the faint support of his new friends, Katsuo set out from Landor, ready to face the challenges that awaited him. He didn't know where this journey would lead, but he was certain of one thing—he wouldn't waste this second chance.