The lights of Osaka were a dazzling, relentless river.
but for Kenshin Tanaka they offered no warmth.
At seventy three his was running out of time. The world he was born in the one that made sense had vanished fifteen years ago when the first dungeon gate tore a hole in reality.
That event had redrawn the world map wiping away entire countries that failed to combat the horrors spilling from the gates.
Now, only a handful of nations, Japan among them, still stood. In the time of the change
came the "Chosen," people gifted with impossible powers. They were the protectors and rulers of this world by their strength.
For an old, powerless man like Kenshin, the world was something to be survived.
When the sirens wailed, it meant only one thing: find a place to hide and pray the dungeon will be cleared soon
Kenshin's world had shrunk to the size of his son's cramped apartment. He knew Kenichi and his wife, Akari, saw him as a living obligation. They didn't need to say it; the way they spoke around him as if he wasn't there. He felt a deep, shame for being a burden,
Yet, the thought of being homeless on street was a far greater terror, so he accepted their cold tolerance .
His own body had betrayed him. Sleep was a rare visitor chased away by aches that had settled deep into his bones. Worse was the fog that would sometimes descend upon his mind didn't remember names, places, and memories He was wearing away piece by piece.
A simple craving for a hot bowl of ramen had felt like a rebellion tonight. He'd made the short trip to the market the warm container a small in his hands.
But on the return journey The familiar street became a maze for him Panic a cold feeling slithered in his gut.
He was lost. His feet , directionless, until the last of his strength gave out.
He found himself inside a Park He collapsed onto the damp grass, He lay there a discarded thing, and stared up at the few stars.
He remembers he saw the Chosen on the news sometimes, wielding power They were so strong. They must never feel powerless. They must never feel the shame of being a burden.
If I had another chance he thought, the wish a near silent whisper against the vastness of the sky. If I had strength like them... I would be a hero.
The wish was small, born from the simple, desperate hope to be useful
It was his last thought as the heavy cloak of exhaustion pulled him under.
He woke to the startling sensation of warmth. heat of a full sun on his face. He was not tired. Anymore
He sat up with out effort this sent a jolt of shock through his mind. He looked at his hands.
the wrinkles were gone .
He see the hands of a young man.
he scrambled to his feet. His body felt light, powerful, He stumbled toward the park's public toilets, his mind reeling. He pushed the door open, strode to the sink, and braced himself.
When he finally lifted his gaze to the mirror
he saw a boy of sixteen or seventeen
his eyes wide with a mixture of terror and disbelief.
It was him. But it was a him that hadn't existed for nearly sixty years.
He stared at his own impossible reflection,
As he stood there, frozen,
a voice spoke from inside his own head
Now you can see your information. Do you want to see it?
Kenshin flinched, his eyes darting around the empty toilet.
Who is that talking? Where are you?
I am a smart system that will be with you for the rest of your life. My name is Infinit.
Like something from a video game?
After a moment of silence Yes just like a video game
He didn't believe
Ok I want to see the information.
Instantly, white screen shows in his vision. It floated in the air before him, He glanced at the mirror he didn't see the screen on it
On the screen, he saw simple, stark white text.
> Name: Kenshin Tanaka
> Level: 1