Yusko wakes up again, but this time, something feels different. In front of him stand two figures, each gripping red guns in their hands. They stare at him with piercing eyes and say in unison, "Welcome! Welcome to the Soul World."
Confusion floods Yusko's mind. Soul World? What did that even mean? And now that he thinks about it—was he even alive? Or... was he dead? His memories blur, chaotic and fragmented. First, his uncle had tried to kill him. Then something happened—something he couldn't recall—and suddenly, he was in another world. He had believed it was a fanfiction-like scenario, where he would become an overpowered character, but he was wrong. Hikaru had been the true regressor, and Yusko had simply been swept along by fate. Just when he thought things were finally stabilizing, he had learned about the meteoroid. But that wasn't the end. His life had reset once again, spiraling into another mystery he could not comprehend. He had been thrown into an old world—one where Hikaru, Aoi, and Rin did not exist. He had thought he was free from the anime world, that he could finally live a normal life. Yet even in this world, power lurked in the shadows. He had tried to avoid it, to carve out a peaceful existence. But no—nothing in this cursed reality ever went according to his plan.
If only he could control his destiny. If only he could alter his fate...
Yusko clenched his fists in frustration, his voice erupting into the silence. "If I could change fate, the first thing I'd do is make myself immortal!"
The two men exchanged glances before one of them chuckled.
"Lad, what are you talking about? You're already immortal."
Yusko's eyes widened. "Huh? What do you mean?"
The second man stepped forward. "You can only enter this world when you're caught between life and death. Right now, your soul is here, but your body isn't. The Council decides whether you return to the living or not."
The first man nodded. "And since you're a soul now, technically, that makes you immortal—at least for the time being."
Yusko's heart pounded. "So you're saying... I haven't died yet? That means I still have a chance to live, right?"
The first man shrugged. "Maybe. That depends on whether you pass the exam given by the Council. Fail, and well... you'll find out what happens."
The second man clapped his hands. "Alright, no more questions. We're running late. Let's go."
Before Yusko could react, the first man grabbed him by the collar and leaped into the air. They soared above the vast landscape, passing over a dense jungle.
Screeech!
A piercing cry jolted Yusko out of his thoughts. His eyes darted forward—there, looming in front of them, was a massive red bird with glowing eyes. Its wings stretched wide, casting a menacing shadow over them. Before Yusko could even process what was happening, the first man aimed his gun at the creature and barked, "TROWSER!"
The weapon shifted into a sleek, white handgun. With a single shot, a glowing bullet streaked through the air, striking the bird dead-center. The creature let out a final screech before plummeting to the ground.
Yusko gaped. "What was that?!"
"A monster," the first man replied. "A Soul Monster."
"And what exactly is that?"
The second man sighed impatiently. "We don't have time for explanations. If you pass the exam, you'll learn everything you need to know."
Before they could move forward, another screech echoed through the air—then another, and another. The sky darkened as thousands of winged beasts emerged from the jungle, their eyes gleaming with predatory hunger.
Yusko's stomach twisted. "What's going on?!"
The second man hissed. "Tsk! A Seed Eater swarm!"
Yusko wanted to ask more, but he instinctively knew this was not the time.
Suddenly, one of the creatures swooped down, claws extended. Yusko barely had time to react before he felt the grip on his collar loosen.
He was falling.
"AHHHHHH!"
Wind roared past his ears. His heart pounded against his ribs as he spiraled downward. Just as he braced for impact, something snatched him mid-air. Talons dug into his clothes, lifting him swiftly away.
It was one of the birds.
Yusko struggled, but its grip was too strong. Within minutes, he found himself deposited in a massive nest, surrounded by five large eggs, each trembling as if about to hatch.
Realization dawned on him.
This bird had brought him here—to feed him to its young.
Anger flared in Yusko's chest. Was he seriously about to become a meal for a bunch of baby birds? Of all the ways to die in this insane world, this had to be the most humiliating.
He clenched his fists, determination burning in his eyes.
No. He wasn't going to let it end like this.
The true battle for his survival had just begun.