The next world.

Kael leaned against the wall of the Director's cozy living room, arms crossed as the group settled into their temporary quarters. The house was a blend of modern comfort and rustic charm, with shelves packed with books and gadgets. The Director stood at the center, his eyes darting between everyone.

"Well, everybody, I guess you can stay here for a bit until I get something more permanent sorted out for you," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. "I'm not sure what you're planning to do, but make yourselves comfortable."

I grinned. "Of course we are."

The Director raised an eyebrow at me but didn't comment. Instead, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a handful of cotton swabs.

"Oh, before I forget," he added, "I'll need a sample of your DNA to check if any of you are metas." He handed the swabs to each of us.

One by one, we complied. A few moments later, he collected the samples and left the room.

As the door clicked shut, Ametsuchi Tenshihara cleared her throat. Her crimson eyes glimmered with unease as she glanced at Yami, who stood silently beside her.

"Well, since we're all here now," Ametsuchi began, her voice steady but laced with tension, "I should tell you something. I'm a demon. So is my sister, Yami. We ran away from home."

The group fell silent.

"I'm a demon princess," she continued, her gaze dropping to the floor. "My parents… they died. And after that, people started coming after me because of my inherent abilities. I'm sorry if I've caused any of you trouble."

I stepped forward, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry about it. You don't have to carry that alone. I've got your back, no matter who comes after us. Just relax—I'll protect you."

Her eyes softened, a faint smile forming on her lips.

"But let's not dwell on the heavy stuff," I added, grinning. "Let's make the most of this. First order of business—finding some of the Director's cash. We're starving."

The room erupted in laughter as the mood lightened.

Exploring the City

Ren burst into the room a few minutes later, holding up a wad of cash. "Found some outside!"

With that, we set out to explore the city. None of us had any idea where we were, but the vibrant streets were alive with energy. After pooling our resources, it was clear we had enough money to split into two groups.

"Alright," I said, "Ren, Xolotl, Ametsuchi, you're with me. Everyone else, you're in the second group. Let's find a restaurant—and maybe do some sightseeing."

As we wandered, I couldn't help but notice how well everyone cleaned up. The mix of casual and stylish outfits gave us an air of confidence.

"I've always wanted to be super rich," I declared suddenly, arms stretched toward the sky. "I'm going to do whatever it takes to achieve true freedom. Just wait and see."

Ametsuchi raised an eyebrow. "That's random, but sure, go for it. By the way, I've never been here before. This place… it looks like the superhero faction territory."

"Superhero faction?" Ren asked, confused.

"Yeah," she explained. "There are different factions in this world. Think of them like nations. This is Midworld, where humans, demi-humans, and other races coexist. The Underworld is where demons, devils, and vampires live. Contrary to popular belief, not all of us are evil. It's the same for every race—there are good and bad factions everywhere. Then there's the Overworld, where angels and deities reside."

Xolotl shrugged. "Cool story, but I'm starving."

We kept walking until I spotted a modest restaurant tucked into the corner of a bustling plaza. "Found one!" I shouted. "It's nice and not too expensive. Let's eat here."

Ren smirked. "Alright, but let's grab the others first."

While the group left to fetch the others, I stayed near the restaurant, watching the crowds pass by. Suddenly, an elderly woman's cry for help broke through the hum of the plaza.

A thief had snatched her bag and bolted.

Not my problem, I thought, turning away. But before I could take another step, a blur of motion caught my eye.

A man, sleek and striking with jet-black hair, dashed forward. In one fluid motion, he kicked the thief into a water fountain, snatched the bag, and returned it to the old woman. The crowd erupted into applause, but the man looked impatient, as though he had somewhere to be.

I couldn't stop myself. I reached out, grabbing his wrist as he tried to leave.

He turned, puzzled. "Are you okay, sir? Do you want an autograph?"

I scowled. "How arrogant can you be? I just want to ask—why did you help her?"

He blinked, then smiled faintly. "Sorry if I came off as arrogant. It's just that people usually do ask for autographs. But why did I help her? Because… why not?"

I let go of his wrist, annoyed. "Yeah, whatever."

The man took a step back, then paused. "My name's Hiro. You're not from around here, are you? By the look of it, you don't help anyone unless they're close to you."

I stayed silent.

"As a stranger," Hiro continued, "let me give you some advice. Being a villain is hard. Being a hero is hard. But doing what you believe is right? That's just human nature. At your lowest moment, wouldn't you want someone to help you? So why not be that help for someone else?"

Before I could respond, he turned and disappeared into the crowd.

His words echoed in my mind, leaving me dizzy. What am I supposed to take from this?

I stayed by the restaurant, leaning against the wall as Hiro's words spun around in my head. Be the help for someone else? Easier said than done. What did he know about my life? About the choices I'd made? People like him, with their perfect lives and noble ideals, had no idea what it was like to scrape by or fight just to survive.

Still, something about his gaze—so calm, so sure—stuck with me.

Before I could dwell on it further, Ren came jogging back with the others in tow.

"Hey, Kael, you alright?" he asked, tilting his head. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

I forced a grin. "Yeah, just thinking about how hungry I am. Let's get inside before Xolotl starts eating the furniture."

"Hey!" Xolotl protested, crossing his arms. "I'm not that bad."

We stepped into the restaurant, a cozy little place with wooden booths and the smell of sizzling meat wafting through the air. The owner, a plump woman with a kind smile, greeted us warmly and led us to a large table near the window.

"Anything you recommend?" Ametsuchi asked, glancing at the menu.

"The roast beef platter is popular," the owner replied. "Oh, and we have a special on honey-glazed chicken today."

"Sounds perfect," I said. "We'll take a few of each."

As we waited for the food, the conversation turned to Hiro. I described what had happened, leaving out the part where his words had rattled me.

"A guy like that must be from one of the hero factions," Ametsuchi said, twirling a strand of her silver hair around her finger.

"Or he's just another rich kid who thinks he's better than everyone," Xolotl grumbled.

"Maybe," I muttered, my fingers drumming against the table. "But he had a point. Why do people help others? What's the point?"

Ren shrugged. "Because they can. Or because it makes them feel good. Who knows?"

"Does it matter?" Ametsuchi asked, raising an eyebrow. "You don't need a reason to help someone. You just do it."

Her words were simple, but they hit me like a ton of bricks.

The food arrived, breaking the tension. We dug in, the rich flavors and hearty portions lifting everyone's spirits. By the time we left the restaurant, the sun was setting, casting the city in a warm, golden glow.

"What now?" Yuzuki asked, stretching her arms above her head.

"We keep exploring," I said. "If we're going to be stuck here for a while, we might as well learn the lay of the land. Plus, I've got a new goal."

Ren groaned. "Let me guess—something outrageous?"

"Not outrageous," I said with a smirk. "Ambitious. I'm going to build something big. Something that'll give us the freedom to do whatever we want. No more relying on scraps or favors. We're going to make our mark on this world."

Ametsuchi tilted her head. "And how exactly do you plan to do that?"

"One step at a time," I replied. "First, we need to figure out how things work here. Then, we'll start building connections. Allies, resources, information—we'll take it all."

We wandered through the streets, taking in the sights and sounds of the bustling city. It was a mix of old-world charm and futuristic technology, with towering skyscrapers casting shadows over cobblestone streets.

As we turned a corner, I caught sight of a familiar figure—Hiro. He was standing in front of a sleek, black car, talking to a woman dressed in a sharp suit.

"Hey, isn't that—" Ren started.

"Yeah," I said, cutting him off.

Before I could stop myself, I walked over to Hiro. He noticed me immediately, his expression shifting from confusion to mild amusement.

"You again," he said. "What can I do for you this time?"

"I've been thinking about what you said," I began, crossing my arms. "About helping people. About doing what's right. I'm not saying I agree with you, but… you're not wrong."

Hiro smiled faintly. "That's a start."

"I still don't understand why you care so much," I continued. "What's in it for you?"

"Nothing," he replied. "And that's the point. Sometimes, you help because you can. Because you're in a position to make a difference."

His words hung in the air, heavy with meaning.

As we talked, a commotion broke out nearby. A group of armed men in dark uniforms stormed into a nearby building, their faces obscured by masks.

"What's going on?" Yuzuki asked, her voice tinged with alarm.

"Looks like trouble," Hiro said, his gaze narrowing. "Stay here."

Before any of us could react, he dashed toward the building, his movements swift and precise.

"Should we help him?" Ametsuchi asked, her hand hovering near the hilt of her sword.

I hesitated. This wasn't our fight. But something about Hiro's fearless charge stirred something in me.

"Let's go," I said, my voice firm. "We can't just stand here."

The scene inside the building was chaos. The armed men were ransacking the place, shouting orders and threatening the terrified occupants. Hiro was already in the thick of it, taking down one thug after another with a mix of martial arts and quick thinking.

I joined the fray, my fists glowing with Ether as I activated one of my techniques—Dusk Fist. My punch connected with one of the men, sending him crashing into a wall.

Ren and Xolotl weren't far behind, their combined skills overwhelming the attackers.

Ametsuchi and Yuzuki focused on protecting the civilians, guiding them to safety while fending off any threats.

By the time the last thug was subdued, the building was in shambles, but everyone was safe.

Hiro dusted himself off, turning to me with a nod of approval. "Not bad. You're stronger than you look."

"Thanks," I said, though I wasn't sure if it was a compliment or a jab.

As the authorities arrived to clean up the mess, Hiro pulled me aside.

"You've got potential," he said. "And I don't just mean your strength. You've got a spark—something this world needs."

I frowned. "What are you getting at?"

"I'm saying you could be more than just a drifter," he replied. "If you're serious about making your mark, I can help you. But it won't be easy."

I glanced back at my group, their faces filled with determination and curiosity.

"Alright," I said. "We're in."

Hiro smiled. "Good. Welcome to Midworld."