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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: Avatar (1)
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Awakened individuals are transferred to another world, and they can return to Earth only by fulfilling specific conditions.
This was the most succinct way to describe the current era.
And the root cause of why society had fallen into such chaos.
-A massive fire broke out in a commercial building in South Jeolla Province, and firefighters are currently working to extinguish it.
-The arsonist fled the scene and vanished. The Ability Management Bureau suspects it was a random crime committed by an Awakener just before their Otherworld transfer...
"Lately, these extremists have been getting way out of hand."
I turned my head away from the TV blaring today's news.
These days, incidents and accidents never seemed to stop, no matter where you went.
It had nothing to do with me, holed up in my room like always.
'Desperate crimes right before Otherworld transfer due to the low survival rate. And the chaos caused by those who do return...'
Just like how the doomsday prophecies of the year 2000 came and went without the world ending, over twenty years had passed since then, and the world was still standing.
'No, calling it "standing" is too generous. It's a total mess.'
The world hadn't ended, but humanity had been forced to adapt to a radical new change.
And I was a victim of that transitional period.
"..."
It had been almost two full years since I lost my family to an Awakener's terrorist attack and became a shut-in, confined to this room.
Ding-dong—
The sudden chime of the doorbell snapped me out of my thoughts.
I limped toward the intercom, my injured leg still aching from the trauma.
'Has it been six months already...?'
A familiar face stood at the door, expression as businesslike as ever.
"Hello. I'm from the Ability Management Bureau's Transfer Investigation Division. Are you Han Seonghyeon?"
The curt voice greeted me the moment I opened the door.
Even after seeing him several times, the guy always said the exact same thing.
"Yeah... as you can see."
Ignoring my sullen reply, the investigator glanced back and forth between his electronic pad and my face before immediately bidding farewell.
"Yes, identity confirmed. If you awaken, please report it to the Ability Management Bureau. Have a good day."
Clunk—
My interaction with the outside world—once every six months—ended in less than a minute.
-The problem is that awakenings and transfers happen randomly, so there's no way to know who awakened and vanished when.
-Legally, reporting after awakening is the rule, but does the world always follow rules? We need a more systemic solution!
I left the TV panelists' noisy debate behind and headed to the kitchen.
'Oh right, I think I'm out of food.'
I checked the pantry just in case, but as expected, it was empty.
I grabbed my smartphone to order groceries but set it back down.
'...Whatever. I'll just get delivery later.'
The accident hadn't just taken my family and my leg—it had stolen my courage too.
Ever since that day, trauma kept me locked in this house. I only connected with the world—and my one remaining friend—through the internet.
That was why I got these monthly check-in calls and semiannual visits. Had to put up with it.
-That's why these transfer investigations are pointless! They're just desk-jockey bureaucracy...
-But we can't just sit on our hands...
Back in the living room, I used the TV as background noise and began my two-year routine.
"Hoo, ha!"
A corner of the living room held all sorts of exercise equipment.
I'd set them up for leg rehab and hadn't skipped a day since.
'...Not that they've done any good.'
My body had gotten healthier overall, but that was it.
No progress on my leg, my original goal.
I knew it was pointless, but I couldn't let go. It had become habit.
If I could overcome this disability, maybe I'd conquer my trauma too.
If I gave this up, I'd have nothing left.
"Hoo... "
A wave of self-loathing hit me. I set down the dumbbells and stared blankly at the ceiling, lost in thought.
How did it come to this?
I'm not the only unhappy person in the world, so why couldn't I push through?
Why did my body tremble and panic at the mere thought of stepping outside?
If I'd had more courage, would things be different?
If I could escape this room and go anywhere...
That was when I sank into the swamp of self-pity.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Dimensional inflection point detected. Connecting to Akasha System.Awakening Unique Skill.
I jolted up from the chair at the text floating before my eyes.
"Huh? Suddenly? Me?"
Panic set in immediately.
Awakening meant Otherworld transfer.
How could someone like me—who couldn't even leave the house—survive in another world?
But my circumstances didn't matter. More text kept appearing.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Awakening complete. Unique Skill 「Avatar」 acquired.24 hours until transfer.
That final line was the last thing I saw before blacking out.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Ugh... my head..."
My skull throbbed painfully.
When I came to, it was already dark outside.
Throat parched, body aching, I dragged myself to the kitchen and chugged water. Then it hit me.
'Huh? My leg... it's better?'
I slowly tested it, flexing this way and that.
Not fully healed, but way more comfortable than before.
'Physical enhancement after awakening? If it keeps growing, maybe full recovery is possible?'
I halted my hopeful spiral and faced reality.
I already couldn't go outside. Dragging this leg along, what were my odds of surviving, growing, and returning from another world?
'Odds? I'd drop dead somewhere before long.'
Even athletes and special forces guys didn't always make it back. What could I do?
Of course, I couldn't just give up either.
"「Avatar」..."
Thinking about my ability brought up the info imprinted in my mind during awakening.
[Unique Skill 「Avatar」 – Creates a clone.]
"That's way too vague..."
No, I'd heard about it before.
This awakening system wasn't like a game—no intuitive status screen or detailed skill breakdowns.
You had to gauge physical stats through trial and error. Skills? Just the bare minimum info imprinted in your head.
Your growth path was entirely up to you.
"Might as well test it. No clue what the clone can do or how far."
Using the ability was simple.
Close my eyes, follow the imprinted method.
I instantly knew the Unique Skill had activated properly.
I slowly opened my eyes.
There I was, right in front of me.
Shabby tracksuit, messy hair, half-lidded eyes observing me.
I checked every inch for anything off.
No matter the angle, it was me.
Even the way it tilted its head felt like looking in a mirror.
We extended right hands and shook—warmth confirmed it was real, not an illusion.
Then a strange sensation in my vision.
Focused on each other like mirrors, I hadn't noticed, but our visions overlapped.
Standing back-to-back made it crystal clear.
Now I could see front and back at the same time!
But recognizing two separate bodies made controlling them harder.
Limbs tangled, expanded vision dizzied me.
It felt like sharing a brain with entirely new body parts—deeply alien.
'The brain doubled too—why?!'
No choice but to adapt.
This was my only shot at survival.
Gurgle—
...Come to think of it, I'd passed out without eating all day.
Chicken first, think later. Gotta eat to live.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
A few hours later.
"Ah, this isn't working."
As expected, it was too much.
I'd gotten somewhat used to it.
Summoning and dismissing was smooth now. With one body stationary, the other moved normally.
But both moving at once? Hesitations everywhere, and only slowly at that.
'Can I even function out there like this...?'
With more time, maybe I'd master it. But I had almost none left.
"Time to prep for transfer..."
I gathered household items and pre-ordered supplies.
Into a big bag: fire starter, multitool, survival gear, pocket knife, preserved foods, water bottle.
No real weapons.
Somehow, weapons were restricted for Otherworld transfer.
Attempts with guns abroad failed. Best they figured was cold weapons like knives as the limit.
Open-face motorcycle helmet for unobstructed vision, shin guards, bracers, stab vest—safety gear.
Stuff my parents prepared before they passed, stored in the shed just in case.
'Never thought I'd actually use it...'
I realized I hadn't told my one friend. Called, but no answer.
Right—he said he'd be busy and out of touch for a while.
Regretfully, I sent a thank-you text and set the phone down.
Finally, I reviewed info from a site compiling Otherworld knowledge to calm my nerves.
Transfer destinations were random—hundreds known so far, no way to predict. Better than nothing.
Anxiety over my underdeveloped ability.
Worries about adapting to another dimension, not just the outside world.
Desperate resolve to survive anyway—it all churned my mind and body.
As I deep-breathed to settle down,
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ 10 minutes until transfer.
A glowing blue Otherworld Transfer Circle appeared beneath my feet.
I stared down at it blankly.
Stand there, wait ten minutes, get sent to another world. Struggle to survive wherever it drops me.
'They say physical aging follows Earth time while you're there? If I survive, it's a huge win.'
Time flow varied by world, but averaged 1:10 Earth to Otherworld.
'...Usually takes a year on Earth, about ten years there to qualify for return. Ha... ten years. No joke.'
Backing away absentmindedly, I stepped off the circle.
The blue glow shifted to red.
Red meant warning.
Time up in that state? Forced transfer—naked, no gear.
As reality loomed, my heart raced again.
I suddenly remembered not reporting my awakening to the Bureau. Whatever, too late now.
I shoved the thought aside.
'Ah... if only someone could go in my place...'
Pointless fantasy.
Twenty years of this—humanity had tried everything.
Anyone else on it? Still red. Ignores them, sends the Awakener anyway.
The circle only recognized the Awakener.
Then, a wild idea struck.
'No way... impossible. Or maybe?'
I activated 「Avatar」 immediately.
The summoned clone was in my original shabby tracksuit—unlike my geared-up self.
Recalling practice sensations, I maneuvered it clumsily onto the circle.
The color began to change.
"It works! It... works?"
Blue at first, then it stalled midway.
Purple glow now. I sighed in disappointment.
'Of course. Too easy.'
Curious what would happen if time ran out like that, but no way I'd test it.
Mess up, and my survival odds hit zero.
I'd tried casually, but apparently hoped too much.
Deflated, my legs gave out. I plopped down—five minutes left on the clock.
No time left for real.
Harden my resolve, step up.
I squeezed my eyes shut for one last deep breath.
And in my 'vision'...
There I was—geared up, eyes closed, slumped.
One view restricted, focus naturally shifted to the other.
My mind poured into the avatar without realizing.
And the circle glowed blue again.