Franz came home and unlocked the door with his key. When he had left earlier, he had locked it, and now he found the key resting on the table, exactly where he had placed it. Entering the apartment, he took in his surroundings.
The apartment was spacious but minimally decorated. A modern open-concept design connected the living room and kitchen, with sleek black countertops and high-end appliances. A large glass window offered a view of the city skyline, its lights twinkling against the night sky. Despite its elegance, the space felt untouched, as if its occupant had never truly lived here.
He walked over to the couch and sat down, exhaling deeply. Feeling a bit stuffy, he took off his hoodie and spread his arms along the back of the couch. His magnificent, scarred body was now fully visible under the soft glow of the room’s lighting. His muscles, honed to perfection, carried the weight of countless battles, yet he sat there with an effortless grace, like an emperor surveying his domain. Tilting his head back, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
Now that he had spent some time in this body, he was finally getting used to it. His mind felt clearer. While shopping earlier, he hadn’t just been buying necessities—he had also been carefully observing the world around him. From what he had gathered, this world was nearly identical to the one he came from. The only differences were minor details, like country and state names, but the technology, culture, and daily life remained largely unchanged.
With his thoughts settling, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a cigarette. Lighting it with a flick of his lighter, he took a slow drag, letting the smoke curl around him as he exhaled. The familiar burn in his lungs grounded him. A habit from his past life, something tangible in the midst of all these changes.
He decided to ask the system a few questions that had been bothering him.
"Who were those gangsters earlier? Why were they respectful toward me? This body’s father was a mafia boss in Russia, so why would these people here know me? Didn’t I just arrive in this country the day before yesterday?"
The system responded immediately. "Most of the major gangs in this country operate under the Kafka Group. The men you encountered earlier were members of one of those gangs. Their higher-ups likely have a photo of you and must have realized you were here. That’s why they sent their men to pay their respects."
Franz remained neutral, taking another drag before tapping the ash into a nearby tray. "Then, how did this body’s father die? And who’s controlling the Kafka Group now?"
"Your father died of an illness. He knew his time was limited, so he resolved all conflicts and eliminated any remaining threats to ensure your safety. Before his death, he appointed a successor to lead the Kafka Group. However, he wanted you to live a new life, away from the underworld, which is why most people are unaware of your identity. Even the current head of the Kafka Group only knows that you are an important figure to be protected and respected but not exactly who you are."
Hearing this, Franz remained silent for a moment. In some ways, he and the original Franz were similar. Both had lost everything—family, purpose, and the life they once knew. The story reminded him of his own past, the people he had lost. But he quickly pulled himself together. What was done could not be changed.
He flicked the cigarette into the ashtray, watching the ember fade before leaning back against the couch. "When does the semester start? And what’s my major?"
The system answered, "Your new semester begins in three days. You are enrolled as a special exchange student in Business Administration."
Business, huh? That made sense. It was a practical choice, especially given his background and the influence of the Kafka Group. Not that he had any grand ambitions—he was just going along with the flow. Coincidentally, all the main cast of Requiem of Two Worlds had the same major. That meant his first day in college he would also have interaction with them.
With that, Franz let his head rest against the couch and closed his eyes. For now, he would simply wait and see where this new life would take him.