Chapter 2
Chapter 2
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: Avatar (1)
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The awakened gain abilities and are sent to another world, from which they can return to Earth only after fulfilling certain conditions.
This was a succinct summary of the current era.
And the root cause of the chaos gripping modern society.
-A massive fire has broken 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, they've been getting really extreme."
I turned away from the TV blaring today's news.
These days, incidents and accidents seem endless no matter where you go.
It had nothing to do with me, holed up in my room like always.
Desperate crimes committed by those facing otherworld transfer due to low survival rates upon return... and the chaos caused by those who do come back...
Just like the doomsday prophecies of the year 2000 that came and went, more than twenty years later, 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 to adapt to a radical new change.
And I was a victim of that turbulent transition period.
"......"
It had been almost two years since I lost my family to an awakener's terrorist attack and became a shut-in.
Ding-dong—
The sudden chime of the doorbell snapped me out of it.
I limped toward the intercom, my injured leg still aching from the trauma.
It's that day already...
A familiar face stood at the door, expression all business.
"Hello. I'm from the Ability Management Bureau's Transfer Investigation Division. Are you Han Seonghyeon?"
The formal voice greeted me as soon as I opened the door.
Even after meeting a few times, the guy always said the same thing.
"Yeah... as you can see."
Ignoring my curt reply, the investigator glanced between his electronic pad and my face before bidding farewell.
"Yes, identity confirmed. If you awaken, please report to the Ability Management Bureau. Have a good day."
Clunk—
My half-yearly interaction with the outside world ended in under a minute.
-The problem is, 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 more systemic solutions!
I left the noisy TV panel debate behind and headed to the kitchen.
Oh right, I'm out of food.
I checked the pantry just in case, but it was as empty as ever.
I grabbed my smartphone to order groceries, then set it down.
...Forget it. I'll just get delivery later.
The accident hadn't just taken my family and my leg—it stole my courage too.
Ever since, trauma kept me locked in this house, communicating with the world only through the internet and my one remaining friend.
That's why I got monthly calls and half-yearly visits. Had to deal with it.
-That's why these 'transfer investigations' are pointless! It's 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 room held all sorts of exercise equipment.
Setup for leg rehab, used daily without fail.
...Not that it did any good.
My body got healthier, sure. But that was it.
No progress on my leg, my original goal.
I knew it was pointless but couldn't let go—habit kept me going.
If I could overcome my disability, maybe I'd beat the trauma too.
Because if I gave this up, I'd have nothing left.
"Huuu..."
A wave of self-loathing hit me. I set down the dumbbell 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 can't I pull through?
Why do I tremble and drown in fear 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's when I sank into the swamp of self-pity.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Dimensional inflection point detected. Connecting to the Akasha System. Awakening unique skill. I jolted up from the chair at the text floating before my eyes.
"Huh? Suddenly? Me?"
And promptly panicked.
Awakening meant otherworld transfer.
Someone who couldn't even leave the house—how could I survive in another world?
But ignoring my plight, more text appeared.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Awakening complete. Unique Skill 「Avatar」 acquired. 24 hours until transfer. With that final line, I blacked out.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Ugh... my head..."
My head throbbed painfully.
When I came to, night had fallen.
Throat parched, body aching, I dragged myself to the kitchen and gulped down water. Then it hit me.
Huh? My leg's better?
I slowly tested it, moving it this way and that.
Not fully healed, but way more comfortable than before.
Physical enhancement post-awakening? If it keeps growing, maybe full recovery's possible?
I shut down the happy thoughts and faced reality.
Even without the leg issue, survival odds in another world for a shut-in were slim. Dragging this leg along? Forget it.
Odds? I'd drop dead somewhere before long.
Even athletes and special forces guys didn't always return. What could I do?
Still, I couldn't just give up.
"「Avatar」..."
Thinking of my ability brought up the imprinted info.
⚔ STATUS ⚔ Unique Skill 「Avatar」 – Creates a duplicate. "Way too bare-bones..."
I'd heard about it, but still.
No game-like status window or detailed explanations.
Physical stats? Feel it out yourself. Skills? Minimal imprinted info, that's it.
Growth was all on me.
"Might as well test it. No clue what the duplicate can do or how many."
Using the ability was easy.
Closed my eyes, followed the imprint—and felt it activate.
I slowly opened my eyes.
There I was, right in front of me.
Shabby tracksuit, messy hair, half-lidded observant eyes.
I inspected it closely for flaws.
No matter the angle, it was me.
Even the way it tilted its head felt like looking in a mirror.
We shook right hands—warmth confirmed. Solid proof it was real.
Then, a weird visual overlap hit me.
Focused on each other like mirrors, I hadn't noticed—our visions overlapped.
Facing away made it clear.
Now I could see front and back at once!
But controlling separate bodies was harder.
Limbs tangled, expanded vision spun me dizzy.
Like sharing a brain with extra limbs—deeply alien.
The brain doubled too—why?!
No choice but to adapt.
This was my only shot at survival.
Grrrrowl—
...I'd passed out without eating all day.
Chicken first, think later. Gotta eat to live.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Hours later.
"Ah, this won't work."
Too much.
I'd gotten somewhat used to it.
Summoning and dismissing was smooth now. One body still? Other moved normally.
Both moving at once? Jerky at best, slow as molasses.
Wonder if I can even move properly out there...
More time might've helped, but I was almost out.
"Time to prep for transfer..."
I gathered house items and pre-ordered supplies.
Stuffed a big bag: fire starter, multitool, survival gear, pocket knife, preserved food, water bottle.
No real weapons.
They were restricted for otherworld transfer.
Attempts with guns failed abroad. Best was cold weapons like knives.
Open-face motorcycle helmet for unobstructed view, shin guards, bracers, stab vest.
Stuff my parents prepped before passing, stored in the warehouse room.
Never thought I'd actually use them...
Realized I hadn't told my friend—called, no answer.
Right, he said he'd be busy, no contact for a while.
Regretfully, I texted thanks and set the phone down.
Finally, skimmed otherworld info sites to calm my nerves.
Random worlds—hundreds known, no telling where. Better than blind.
Anxiety over the underdeveloped ability.
Worries about adapting to another dimension, not just outside.
Desperate resolve to survive anyway—churning my mind and body.
As I deep-breathed to settle...
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ 10 minutes until transfer. A blue-glowing Otherworld Teleportation Circle shimmered at my feet.
I stared down at it.
Stand here, wait ten minutes—off to another world to struggle for survival.
Body aging follows Earth time while away? Survive, and it's a win.
Time flows differ, but average 1:10 Earth to otherworld.
...Usually one year Earth, ten there to return. Ha, ten years. No joke.
Backing away, I unwittingly stepped off.
The blue circle shifted to red.
Red meant warning.
Time up in that state? Forced transfer, gearless.
Reality crashing down, my heart raced again.
Oh right—forgot to report awakening. Whatever now.
I shoved the thought aside.
Man, if only someone could go in my place...
Pointless fancy.
Twenty years of this—humanity tried everything.
Anyone else on it? Stays red, ignores them, sends the awakener anyway.
Recognizes only the awakener.
Then, a thought flashed.
What if... no way. Or maybe?
I activated 「Avatar」.
The duplicate spawned in shabby tracksuit, unlike my geared-up self.
Recalling practice feel, I moved it—it waddled onto the circle.
The color shifted.
"It works! It... works?"
Blue, then stalled midway.
Purple glow. I sighed in disappointment.
Figures. Too easy.
Curious what red + time would do, but no test run.
Screw up survival odds? Zero.
Tried casually, but hoped too much.
Deflated, legs gave out—I plopped down. Clock: five minutes left.
Real time now.
Harden resolve, step up.
Eyes shut, final deep breath.
And in my 'vision'...
I saw myself—geared up, eyes closed, slumped.
One view limited, focus shifted naturally to the avatar.
Mind mostly there, unaware.
And the circle glowed blue.