As a young boy, I often wondered about the afterlife—whether it existed at all.
I think it took me five or six years to finally act on that curiosity.
Climbing an unfinished building was easier than I expected. I remember standing at the edge, lighting a cigarette, the wind brushing past me as if urging me forward. When I jumped, I didn't feel regret. No panic. No second thoughts.
Just peace.
Like a long, joyless journey had finally ended, and it was my turn to rest.
Then—
I woke up.
I was lying in a dark, damp patch of mud and grass. Cold soaked through my clothes as the smell of wet earth filled my nose. I pushed myself up, my heart pounding, and looked around.
Trees. Dense forest. The sounds of wildlife all around me.
The memory of falling was burned into my mind. The height alone had guaranteed death. There was no doubt about that.
But I was still here.
Wherever here was.
I pulled myself to my feet and took a deep breath—
and pain exploded through my body.
It hit all at once, sharp and overwhelming, forcing me to my knees. I barely managed to grab onto a nearby tree to keep from collapsing. My vision blurred as something inside me writhed, like it was trying to claw its way out.
I screamed.
The sensation surged down my arm, concentrating in my hand. It felt alive—like a parasite crawling beneath my skin. Gritting my teeth, I tore the sleeve off my shirt and stared in horror.
Black lines were carving themselves into my flesh.
They twisted and spiraled across my arm, moving with purpose, until they reached the back of my hand. The pain peaked—then stopped.
So did the movement.
What remained was a strange symbol, unfamiliar and unsettling. It looked almost like a hieroglyph—an eye, staring back at me.
Watching me.
Before I could process it, a voice called out from somewhere nearby.
"Hello? Is anyone there?"
Instinctively, I covered my hand with the torn sleeve and forced myself upright. Someone was looking for me.
"I'm over here," I shouted back.
A man stumbled through the trees toward me, breathing heavily. He looked about nineteen—my age. His eyes widened when he saw me.
"I can't believe it," he said between breaths. "I actually found someone. What the fuck happened? How did we get here?"
"You don't remember?" I asked, stunned.
"No. I just—" He paused, rubbing his head. "I wasn't here. Then I woke up in this forest a couple hours ago. You're the first person I've seen. Do you know what's going on?"
"A couple hours?" I muttered. "I woke up a few minutes ago."
He frowned. "So we're in the same boat." Then he raised his hand. "Do you have one of these?"
On the back of his hand was the same symbol.
My stomach sank.
"Yeah," I said quietly, undoing the cloth and showing him mine. "What is it?"
"Well, considering you just woke up, I'm not surprised you don't know." He clenched his fist. "Try this."
He looked a little unhinged, but at that point everything felt unreal. I clenched my hand.
Something appeared above it.
A translucent screen, hovering in the air like a hologram—straight out of a game.
My breath caught.
"This is too much," I thought. "This has to be a dream. I must've died."
"Cool, right?" he said, grinning. "I can't see yours, but I'm guessing you've got one too. Like something from a manhwa or novel."
"…Yeah," I said flatly.
The screen displayed my name. My level. Stats.
This couldn't be real.
"Sorry," he said suddenly, stepping closer. "I'm being rude. My name's Arthur." He held out his hand. "Nice to meet you."
"I'm Sebastian." I shook his hand.
Why is he so calm? I thought. Is he just something my brain made up to help me cope?
"All my stats are at one," Arthur continued. "Oh—what's your class? Mine's Swordsman."
I glanced back at the screen. It took a moment, but I found it.
"Mage," I said.
His eyes lit up. "That's awesome, dude! Oh—and check this out."
A sword appeared in his hand.
I jumped back. "What the fuck?! Where did that come from?"
"My inventory." He blinked. "Oh—right, sorry. Think 'inventory' while clenching your fist."
I did.
Another screen appeared.
It was empty.
"There's nothing here," I said.
"Huh. That's weird. I woke up with a sword—probably because of my class." He chuckled awkwardly. "What about skills? I don't have any yet, but maybe you do."
I stared at my screen.
"…Mana Blast."
"That's sick!" Arthur said. "Try it!"
"What the fuck is wrong with you?" I snapped.
He went quiet.
"This isn't a game," I shouted. "You woke up here just like me! I don't care how it looks—I want to go home!"
The words surprised even me.
Arthur's expression hardened.
"Sebastian," he said slowly, "I searched these woods for hours. I don't know where we are either. But there's one thing I'm certain of."
He looked up.
"We're not anywhere near home. Not yours. Not mine."
"…What?" I whispered.
"Look up."
I did.
At first, I didn't understand what he meant.
Then I saw it.
The sun.
And the other sun