" Little guy, what's your name?"
Ares asked.
But I had no idea how to answer.
"I… honestly don't remember anything about myself."
Ares froze.
"Huh? What did you say? You… have amnesia?"
"Yes."
He rubbed his chin, looking slightly troubled.
"Well… that's inconvenient. Then what should I call you…?"
Ares stared at me for a long moment, then suddenly spoke.
"Shin… Shinji. From now on, your name is Shinji."
"Shinji… Shinji…"
I repeated the name softly.
"Alright!"
Ares laughed.
"Oh, Shinji. You want to go to Heavenfield, right? In three days, there'll be a warrior selection trial. You should give it a shot."
"Mm!"
Ares was very tall, while I—Shinji—was much smaller.
He was nearly 6'3 while I was only about 5'4.
Yet he didn't look down on me at all. On the contrary, he treated me seriously.
"Oh, by the way, Shinji. Do you know the way to Heavenfield?"
Before Shinji could answer, Ares burst out laughing.
"Haha, no need to answer. I can tell just by looking at your face."
He took out a few small silver coins and placed them into Shinji's hand.
"Here. Take two coins. Give them to the toll station and leave this place. Heavenfield is above— the selection site is in District 01."
Before Shinji could say anything else, the silver watch on Ares's wrist suddenly vibrated, emitting a hurried voice.
"Ares! Ares! Where are you?! Return to Heavenfield immediately!"
Ares flinched.
"Damn it, I have to go now."
He turned to me and smiled lightly.
"Shinji, see you again."
As soon as he said that, Ares's body began to glow. In the blink of an eye, he vanished.
The next instant, Ares appeared beside the soldiers who had woken Shinji earlier.
"The kid behind me—let him pass."
That speed…
It hadn't even taken a second.
Shinji couldn't hide his shock.
Without hesitation, he approached the soldiers, handed them a silver coin, and nodded. They exchanged glances, then opened the gate.
The massive gray stone door slowly creaked open.
Shinji stepped out of that filthy place.
Toward a destination that would change his fate forever.
Behind him, thugs lurking in the shadows whispered among themselves.
"So that guy got out, huh."
"Damn it… if he ever comes back, I'll kick him straight in the face."
Shinji walked along the stone road. Ahead lay a small market, with a sign hanging at the entrance that read:
"Heavenfield 13"
Shinji entered, following the dusty dirt path inside.
When people saw him emerge from the bottom of society, their wariness was obvious.
"He came from the Underworld…"
"Stay away from him, dear."
"Mom… I'm scared…"
Shinji felt his heart grow heavy.
Without saying a word, he lowered his head and hurried away. He was almost out of the market when he suddenly realized—
He had no idea where to go next.
By the roadside stood a small, old-looking stall. Shinji took a deep breath, gathered his courage, and stepped forward to ask for directions.
Inside the stall sat a small figure, looking like a child. Shinji approached.
"Um… hey, kid, can I ask—"
Before he could finish, a large man suddenly stood up from inside the stall. A cigarette hung from his mouth as he looked Shinji over with sharp eyes.
"What is it?"
Shinji flinched and hurriedly waved his hands.
"Ah— I'm trying to get to the warrior selection site, but I don't know the way…"
The man said nothing more. He simply raised his hand and pointed toward a narrow path along the side of the market.
Shinji bowed slightly in thanks and quickly headed in that direction.
At the end of the path was a small, secluded room. Shinji stepped inside and saw a narrow slot for inserting money.
He took out a silver coin and dropped it in.
Immediately, a keypad popped out from the wall.
"So modern…"
Shinji muttered, then pressed 01.
The entire room suddenly shook. Gears beneath the floor began to turn, producing a heavy mechanical sound.
The ground slowly rose.
Shinji clearly felt his body being lifted upward—
leaving behind the dusty market below,
heading toward a completely different world.