The strange pulse that had devoured Renjiro on Earth X231 did not disappear.
It did not weaken.
It did not rest.
It traveled.
It echoed.
It crossed through worlds.
Like an invisible command, it sought out hearts—one by one.
---
EARTH – MAVIS'S HOME
Mavis finally reached home that evening, fatigue weighing down his steps as he pushed the door open and slipped inside. He stretched his arms above his head, releasing a long breath.
"I'm back, Mom!"
From the kitchen, his mother's sharp voice responded instantly.
"Aren't I told you to come home before dark?!"
"Sorry, Mom!" Mavis replied quickly, already halfway toward his room. "It won't happen again!"
"Well then," she called, still clearly annoyed, "come eat! Dinner's ready—it's already late!"
Mavis slowed near his doorway, his hand resting on the frame.
"Sorry, Mom… I already ate outside."
Without waiting for a response, he slipped into his room and gently shut the door behind him.
From the kitchen, his mother muttered under her breath, half irritated, half tired.
"Hah… why can't you say that earlier?"
Mavis never heard it.
Inside his room, the familiar silence wrapped around him. He dropped his bag beside his chair and sat at his study table, staring blankly at his notebook.
And then—
It struck.
A violent jolt tore through his chest, like lightning impaling his heart from the inside.
"Ghh—!"
The air exploded from his lungs. His body jerked forward as pain crushed his chest. His heartbeat went wild, slamming against his ribs as if trying to escape.
"W-what is— ngh…?!"
His hands trembled violently as he clutched his chest, fingers sinking into his shirt. Cold rushed through his veins. His vision blurred at the edges.
And the pulse—
Did not stop.
It leapt away once more.
Racing across existence.
---
EARTH X231 – RENJIRO'S HOUSE
Outside a quiet house on Earth X231, a boy stood at the gate.
Renjiro's classmate.
The school's pupil leader.
Reiman.
"Renjiro! You home?!" he called out.
The pet dog came rushing toward him, tail wagging wildly. It recognized him instantly.
Reiman smiled faintly and knocked on the door.
No answer.
He pushed it gently.
It wasn't locked.
The house greeted him with darkness and silence. Only a faint glow leaked from upstairs.
A strange chill ran along his spine.
"…Renjiro?"
He stepped inside slowly.
The floor creaked under his feet. Each step echoed through the empty hallway as he climbed the stairs toward that lone glowing room.
Renjiro's room.
Reiman knocked hard.
"Hey! Open up!"
No response.
"…Come on, man. This isn't funny."
He pushed the door.
It opened.
And Reiman froze.
Renjiro lay collapsed on the floor, his body completely still.
"Renjiro?!"
He rushed forward, dropping to his knees, grabbing his shoulders. He checked for a pulse.
Nothing.
He pressed his ear against Renjiro's chest.
No heartbeat.
No breath.
No life.
Reiman's breath caught in his throat. His hands trembled violently.
Then he screamed with everything he had—
"DOCTOR!! SOMEBODY GET A DOCTOR—NOW!!"
His voice shattered through the house.
But deep inside…
He already knew.
The world flickered again—
---
ETHOROPIA – THE MEDIEVAL WORLD
A forest of towering ancient trees stretched endlessly beneath the afternoon sun.
A world trapped in the medieval age.
A young man named Roven, twenty-three years old, chopped wood alone in the quiet forest. Sweat streamed down his face as he climbed a massive tree, hacking at its branches.
The wind whispered.
Birds scattered.
Then—
His heart seized.
A brutal jolt ripped through his chest.
His axe slipped from his hands.
His breath vanished.
Roven's eyes widened in silent shock.
And he fell.
The ripple surged onward.
---
UNKNOWN PALACE – UNKNOWN PLANET
Inside a dark palace carved from black stone and glowing sigils, a knight stood polishing his weapon.
The air suddenly shifted.
His pupils shrank.
His breath shattered.
His body spasmed as pain exploded through his heart.
He dropped to his knees—
And collapsed.
The pulse split again.
---
TWO MORE WORLDS
One fragment struck a ruler seated upon an obsidian throne. His fingers twitched violently as the jolt tore into him, his breath hitching as his vision darkened.
The other slammed into a traveler aboard a medieval ship. He clutched the railing in shock—
And fell hard against the deck.
The chain was complete.
---
SIX WORLDS.
SIX HEARTBEATS.
TAKEN.
---
EARTH – MAVIS
The pulse returned.
Back to Earth.
Back to Mavis.
His vision twisted violently. Cold flooded his veins like spreading frost.
His heart—
Stopped.
His body fell from the chair and struck the floor with a dull thud.
The lights inside his room flickered once—
Then everything went silent.
The threads of six worlds had converged.
And one ordinary boy…
Had just been pulled into something far beyond fate.
---
THE GRAND PALACE – UNKNOWN REALM
A lone figure walked slowly through a vast palace corridor.
Each step echoed between towering obsidian pillars carved with glowing ancient patterns. The very air felt alive—heavy with unseen pressure.
Watching.
Waiting.
He entered a colossal hall.
Five massive thrones stood before him.
Two were empty.
One belonged to Makio.
Three figures sat upon the rest, each radiating silent authority.
One leaned forward, voice calm and cold.
"Oh? What an unpleasant day. What brings you here, Makio?"
Makio walked to his throne and sat without hesitation.
"I did not come to join forces," he said quietly.
"I came to deliver a warning… to my former comrades."
Silence swallowed the hall.
Another figure shifted slightly.
"Then speak."
Makio's gaze turned icy.
"Malakar… and the five who stood with him…"
He paused.
"…have been wiped out."
The hall froze.
Even the shadows stopped moving.
----