Inosuke awoke, his body feeling fresh and healthier than it had in years. The wounds from yesterday's fight were completely gone, as if they had never existed. He didn't dwell on it. He rose from bed, crossed the creaky floorboards to his old wardrobe, and pulled out one of the few clean outfits he had left.
He headed to the bathroom. Though he kept it relatively clean, the dirt stained into the once-white tiles told a different story.
"Time I get on with it," he muttered.
He took a cold shower. The only kind he could afford. After drying off and dressing, he went straight to his sister's room. She sat motionless in her wheelchair, a drip attached to her frail arm. Her expression was vacant, eyes dull from illness and time.
"Morning, little one," he said gently, kissing her forehead.
There was no response.
"I'll get you some new clothes today."
He stood up, paused at the door to take one more look at her, then stepped out.
The city buzzed with life. Inosuke walked among the crowds, his mind weighing his options: buy new clothes for his sister, get her the syringe that kept her stable, or look for a job. But being someone without Raylor blood came with harsh realities.
Last time, the syringe cost me 500 yen... it's probably more now.
He checked his money.
Decision made. Syringe first.
He entered a pharmacy that sold nearly every kind of medicine. At the counter stood a tall, muscular man with a thick white beard.
"Greetings, sir," Inosuke said politely.
"1,500 yen," the man replied flatly, already knowing what Inosuke was there for.
Inosuke didn't argue. He handed over the money, expecting one syringe but the man gave him two.
Inosuke blinked, surprised. He knew how expensive syringes were for someone of his status. To receive two at such a low price was... unusual.
He took them quietly.
"Next time, I won't be this kind," the man added gruffly.
Inosuke bowed in thanks and exited the shop. He checked his remaining funds 4,000 yen. It was enough to get food and maybe even some clothes.
He entered a nearby clothing store, but the prices stunned him.
"3,000 yen for a small dress?!" he screamed internally.
High City prices were brutal. He rarely shopped here only in the poorer districts where everything was cheaper, albeit lower quality.
Defeated, he turned to leave.
"I know... I just want to be a Raylor warrior and make this world free."
That voice. His heart skipped a beat. He looked up, eyes wide.
Chloe.
His childhood friend. They'd been separated six years ago during one of the planetary wars. They used to live in the same sector those born without or with diluted Raylor blood.
He looked down at himself. His clothes weren't exactly rags, but they didn't compare to the sleek fashion of High City dwellers. Nearby, he spotted a rack of bandanas.
He checked the price. 800 yen.
Too much for a piece of cloth. But the thought of facing Chloe like this? Not an option.
He bought it and quickly wrapped it around his lower face, covering his nose and mouth.
He walked past two girls chatting. One had long blonde hair, red eyes, and glossed lips. The other had flowing blue hair, warm brown eyes, and cherry-red lips.
The blonde—Chloe—felt something stir as Inosuke passed.
"Earth to Chloe!" the blue-haired girl said.
"Huh? Sorry, what were you saying?" Chloe replied, eyes still tracking the man walking away.
The blue-haired girl smirked. "That your type?"
"What? No!" Chloe blushed. "It's just... I felt something familiar about him."
"A love connection?" her friend teased.
"Let's just get what we came for. We've got a big event today," Chloe said, changing the subject.
Inosuke fled the store and rounded the corner behind the mall. He bent over and vomited violently. His body felt like it was burning from the inside out—like his blood had turned to fire.
"What's happening to me?" he gasped, vision flickering. Everything around him looked warped and stretched.
"Hey kid... you good?" came a voice.
Two boys stood nearby. One had long blue hair, red eyes, and a cigarette hanging from his mouth. Both looked around sixteen, dressed in worn, rebellious streetwear.
"He looks like he's carrying some cash," the second boy said. "Let's take it."
Inosuke grunted. "Great... another one of you guys."
The first boy stalked toward him, irritated.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
He grabbed Inosuke's shoulder and slammed him against the wall. "Listen. Hand over everything you've got. Now."
From Inosuke's perspective, the boy's voice was unnaturally loud, like it was being screamed into his skull. His eardrums throbbed.
Desperate, he pushed the boy off with what little strength he had just a light shove to him since he still believed to be weak.
The boy went flying.
He crashed into the mall wall, breaking through it and smashing into ten consecutive storefronts before coming to a stop.
The second boy froze in horror, then bolted without a second thought.
Inosuke staggered, his body feeling like it was tearing itself apart from the inside. His vision inverted—colors negative, sounds distant.
"What's going on with me..." he whispered, barely able to form words.
♧ System ♧
☆ [LINKING POWER WITH NEW HOST...] ☆
The voice echoed in his mind.
His body floated slightly above the ground as people gathered around the chaos.
☆ [LINKING AT 50%...] ☆
He could no longer feel, hear, or speak. Only blurry shapes danced before his eyes.
What is this voice inside my head...? Why does my body feel numb...?
And with that final thought, he lost consciousness.
His body, now glowing faintly, rose into the air and disappeared into the blue sky, vanishing through the clouds above.
To be continued...