Jin slowly opened his eyes, feeling the warmth of soft blankets wrapped around his small body. The scent of fresh air mixed with a faint sweetness filled his nose. Sunlight streamed through a window, casting a golden glow over the simple yet cozy room. He blinked a few times, his mind still groggy. The events of before—the truck, the darkness, waking up as a child—flashed through his thoughts like a half-forgotten dream.
He sat up slowly, looking around. The room was small but comfortable, with wooden flooring, neatly arranged books on a shelf, and a small desk in the corner. His eyes landed on a family photo placed beside the bed. He hesitated before picking it up.
In the picture, there was a smiling woman with long, dark brown hair, a tall man with a strong build, and two children—a boy and a little girl. His heart skipped a beat when he realized that the boy in the picture was him, or at least, the body he now inhabited.
Jin Kyoto.
His new name.
A flood of information suddenly rushed into his mind. He clutched his head as memories that weren't his own surfaced—birthday celebrations, school days, family trips. Unlike his past life where he grew up alone in an orphanage, this Jin had a loving family. His mother, Ayaka Kyoto, was a gentle woman who always made sure he and his little sister were well cared for. His father, Kenji Kyoto, was a hardworking salaryman who provided for them. And his sister, Yui Kyoto, was a playful and energetic four-year-old who always followed him around.
Jin took a deep breath, trying to process it all. He had been reincarnated not just into any random world, but into a version of Earth. But was it truly the same Earth, or was it just a parallel world? Everything felt too familiar the language, the buildings, even the calendar dates. However, something in his gut told him that this world was different. He wasn't sure why, but the air itself seemed heavier, as if something unseen lingered just beyond his perception.
As he sat in bed, deep in thought, the door creaked open. A small head peeked inside—his little sister, Yui. Her bright brown eyes sparkled as she grinned widely.
"Big brother! You're awake!" she chirped, running toward him.
Jin barely had time to react before she jumped onto the bed and hugged him tightly. A warm feeling spread through his chest. He wasn't used to this kind of affection, but he found himself smiling as he gently patted her head.
"Morning, Yui," he said softly, his voice unfamiliar yet natural.
Their mother soon walked in, smiling warmly. "Jin, you must have been really tired. You slept longer than usual," she said, sitting beside him. "Your father is off today, so we thought we'd go to the park together. Would you like that?"
Jin hesitated for a moment. It was strange—having a family, living a normal life—but he nodded. "Yeah, that sounds nice."
Even if this wasn't truly his world, even if something felt off, he would play along for now.
The Kyoto family arrived at the park in the late morning. The sun was high, casting warm light over the green grass and towering trees. Children played on swings and slides while parents sat on benches, chatting amongst themselves. It was a peaceful sight, a moment of normalcy that Jin found himself strangely grateful for.
His little sister, Yui, eagerly tugged at his hand. "Come on, big brother! Let's play!" she said, dragging him toward the playground. He let out a small chuckle and followed her, pushing her on the swings and helping her climb the jungle gym. His mother and father watched nearby, smiling warmly at the two siblings.
For a moment, Jin let himself enjoy it. The laughter, the warmth, the feeling of belonging. It was something he never had in his past life, and he wanted to cherish it while he could.
But then, something changed.
A chill ran down his spine. The air around him suddenly felt cold, unnatural. The noise of the park faded, replaced by an eerie silence. His breath hitched as he turned his head.
Near the entrance of the park, by the trees, stood a figure. At first, it looked like a person—a woman with long, dark hair, wearing a tattered white dress. But something was wrong. Her head was tilted at an unnatural angle, her limbs too long, too thin. And her eyes—empty, hollow voids—were staring directly at him.
Jin's body froze. His heart pounded in his chest. This… this wasn't normal. His mind screamed at him to look away, to pretend he didn't see it. He squeezed his eyes shut and slowly backed away, his hands trembling.
He needed to hide.
Without thinking, he turned and ran behind one of the large slides, crouching down and hugging his knees. His breathing was uneven, fear gripping his entire body. He had seen horror movies before, read about ghosts in the past, but experiencing it firsthand was something entirely different.
Then, something inside him clicked.
[System Activation… Detected Host's Fear Response… Initializing System…]
A voice echoed in his head, mechanical yet calm. His vision blurred for a moment before a translucent blue screen appeared in front of him.
[System Initialized. Welcome, Host Jin Kyoto.]
Jin's breath caught in his throat. He had read about things like this before—systems, game-like interfaces that granted abilities. He had always thought it was a fun idea in the novels he loved. But this? This was real.
[Beginning Adaptation. Assigning Necessary Skill: Sixth Sense.]
A sharp pain shot through his head. He clenched his teeth as flashes of information flooded his mind. He could feel it now—an awareness beyond normal human perception. The presence of spirits, their movements, their aura. The ghost was still there, watching, but now he could sense it more clearly. It wasn't just a shadowy figure. It was something… malevolent.
His hands clenched into fists. He didn't understand what was happening, but one thing was clear.
This world was far more dangerous than he had thought.