Finding a nearby fountain, he stood still, staring at it—the cold night the only witness to his half-naked state.
"Water..." he whispered, walking towards the fountain. Without thinking twice, he plunged his head in, drinking as much as he could as if someone might take it away. He then surfaced for air, wearing a relieved and happy smile.
"After all this time..." He didn't hold back, knowing this water wasn't the cleanest in the world, but for him, it was like the most expensive drink ever made.
After drinking for a while, he gasped for air. His hunger was still present but somewhat soothed by the water. Seeing his dirty body, he shrugged and got into the fountain, washing the blood and grime off his battered body.
Once he was as clean as he could get, he stepped out, dripping wet, sighing as he looked at the now filthy and bloody fountain water.
"I'm sorry..." he muttered—not that he really meant it—as he sat on the fountain's edge, looking at the box beside him, completely soaked.
"Villain kit? Why 'villain'?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. Shrugging, he opened the box, curiously peering inside.
Right on top were twin 9mm pistols and two extra magazines, each loaded with 33 rounds.
"How convenient." He smiled in satisfaction at the weapons. Though he lacked knowledge about them, it was good to have something to defend himself with in this unknown world.
After pulling out the pistols, he looked to the bottom of the box and let out a small amused chuckle.
"A katana, huh..." he said, drawing the sheathed blade slightly to see his reflection—red eyes and black hair staring back.
"The serum really did give me a glow-up, huh? Not that I mind. Although… that's the least of my worries right now." He sheathed the katana again and set it aside along with the pistols to examine the last item in the box.
"Finally..."
He looked up at the moon, just about to vanish, making way for the first light of dawn behind him.
---
It was morning. People were leaving their homes—some going to work, young ones heading to school, others shopping—but none of that mattered.
Walking among the crowd, receiving glances ranging from nervous, to admiring, to cautious—none of it mattered.
Now dressed in a black combat suit, his katana and pistols hidden beneath his coat, what was he searching for now?
"Where's a place to eat around here?" His stomach growled with hunger as he walked hunched over, frowning. It had been two hours since sunrise, and he wasn't sure if it was his inability to read the language or just plain bad luck.
He kept walking until he finally found something—a decent-looking place to eat. He entered without hesitation, the doorbell chiming softly. His stern face drew nervous stares from the customers.
A brave but visibly nervous waitress with Asian features and round glasses approached, swallowing hard, holding a small notepad.
"E-Excuse me, sir... Are you looking for something?" she asked timidly, looking up at the towering man in front of her.
He glanced down at her sharply, making her more nervous.
"Food..." His voice was weak, causing the waitress to hesitate in confusion.
"Food? O-Oh, right, of course! Please take a seat, hehe..." she laughed nervously, misinterpreting the man's intentions. She guided him to a table, and once calmer, took his order with a polite smile.
The staff and customers collectively sighed in relief and went back to their business.
He looked at the menu and frowned as his stomach roared again.
"Bring me whatever you want. Just make it quadruple," he said, handing back the menu. The waitress, having heard his stomach clearly, nodded and left quickly.
"How long has it been since I had a proper conversation with another human being?" he whispered to himself while rubbing his head.
"I think I forgot how to socialize after all this time..." A joyless smile spread across his face.
"Well, now I just have to wait for the food. Not like I can storm into the kitchen and demand it without twelve heroes showing up to arrest me." He sighed, clutching his aching, hungry stomach—feeling weaker than ever from the hunger endured during his captivity.
"It's time to see how this thing works," he said aloud, focusing and speaking in his mind:
(System)
[Yes, Host?]
(Whoa, seems like some kind of AI. Can I ask a few questions?)
[Affirmative, as long as they are system-related.]
(Alright, first of all, why the hell did you take so long to show up?)
[The system was always present, Host. But due to certain complications, loading was delayed.]
The system explained, making him sigh in frustration. He clenched his fist, tempted to punch the table—but then remembered he now had the strength of a super soldier.
"No point in dwelling on it now. I can't change what happened... but I can make those who did it to me pay."
He muttered with hatred. Despite everything, he hadn't forgotten the reason he hadn't taken his own life. The murderous rage inside him was too strong, demanding blood at any cost. The old hope of revenge was no longer just a dream—it was closer than ever.
Sighing to calm himself, he focused again—centering his thoughts. But then he remembered something he hadn't tried since receiving the system.
"Does this thing have a status?"
[Affirmative]
[Loading status... Error... Missing data]
[Host, a name is required.]
"A name? But it's..."
His eyes widened in shock. He held his head, realizing something he had never considered.
He didn't remember his name.
If he ever even had one to begin with.
"All this time… I never thought about it. They made me believe I was nothing more than a slave... a dog." His black hair shadowed his red eyes, stunned, unsure how to react.
After a moment of silence, he looked up at the window beside him—watching people walk by. Some had strange features: animal traits, different skin colors, long arms, bulging eyes… and others who could still be considered normal.
"I won't die just because I don't have a name but... why do I remember this world—My Hero Academia, One Piece..." he wondered, turning to a small TV showing the news.
"One world is run by a corrupt government, the other by heroes and villains... If I had to choose, I'd stay here a thousand times over. Though… maybe it's possible. System?"
[The host may travel to previously visited worlds. To remain in one permanently, a pass is required.]
"And how do I get that?"
[As the host progresses through the system, that information will become available.]
"I see..." He rubbed his chin, deep in thought, staring at the ceiling.
"I'll keep that in mind. But for now... I want to see my status. System, can I choose my own name?"
[Affirmative.]
"Good. Then... Salazar Walker. Yeah, I like that name." He smiled, satisfied with his new identity, chuckling to himself. Everyone in the restaurant gave him weird looks for muttering and laughing alone.
[Understood, Host. Updating...]
[Status updated. Would you like to view it?]
"Yes."
[Loading status...]
Name: Salazar Walker
Age: 22 years
Enhancement: [Super Soldier Serum]
Skill: [Multiversal Translator]
Companions: [None]
Global Equipment Recognition (G.E.R.): [None]
[Shop] [Inventory]
"..."
"This is gonna give me a headache."