After sitting for some time, Franz lit another cigarette and exhaled a slow stream of smoke into the dimly lit room. His eyes drifted to the kitchen. With nothing better to do, he decided to cook himself a proper meal. Following the system’s instructions, he gathered the ingredients and began working. He moved methodically, his hands steady, his expression calm. The system guided him through every step, compensating for his lack of culinary experience. Soon, the rich aroma of a well-cooked meal filled the apartment.
Just as he was about to finish, the phone he had picked up earlier buzzed on the nightstand. He wiped his hands on a towel, walked over, and picked it up. The number was unknown.
A respectful voice spoke on the other end. "All procedures related to your college enrollment have been completed. We’ve also set up a new bank account in your name. The details, including the password, will be sent via text shortly. There’s a balance of $100,000 in the account. After noting down the details, destroy this phone. A new phone has already been placed in the bag with the other items. In it, you’ll find the number of one of our trusted men in this country. Should you need anything, contact him."
The call ended. A moment later, a text arrived with the bank details. Franz memorized the information before gripping the phone in his hand. With a simple squeeze, the plastic and circuitry cracked and shattered, reduced to useless fragments. He tossed the remains into the trash without a second thought.
He sat down on the edge of his bed, lighting another cigarette. The embers flared as he took a slow drag, his thoughts drifting.
’Maybe I really can live a quiet life here. Just go to college, learn something new, make a few normal friends... maybe even find a woman, settle down, have kids. Retire in the countryside of another world.’
He let out a slow exhale, watching the smoke curl toward the ceiling. ’Not that it matters. I’m definitely going to another world. The system confirmed it.’
A smirk tugged at his lips. ’Maybe I can do it. Just maybe.’
With that final thought, he lay down, letting sleep claim him.
Zane sat alone on a bench, staring at the ground, lost in thought. The memory of that moment played over and over in his head—the instant he felt something unfamiliar, something uncomfortable. It wasn’t fear. It wasn’t admiration. It was a feeling he had never experienced before.
No matter how dire things had been in his life, he had never truly felt that possibility before. He had always found a way out, always managed to scrape by through sheer will, luck, or force of personality. But this time? Against him? It was different.
The air was cool, the streets quiet except for the occasional rustle of leaves. He clenched his fists. ’It was just a one-time thing. I was caught off guard. That’s all.’
His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps. Celeste and Lena had returned from their short stroll. Celeste sat down beside him, her usual confident aura subdued as she glanced at him from the corner of her eye. He noticed but said nothing.
Celeste crossed her arms, leaning back slightly on the bench. She didn’t understand why, but she felt drawn to Zane, despite him being the complete opposite of her usual type. Maybe it was his confidence, the way he never seemed to doubt himself. Even now, with that troubled look on his face, there was something about him that pulled at her.
Lena walked up with three bottled drinks, a teasing smile playing on her lips. "What’s with the atmosphere here? You two look like you’re in the middle of a tragic love story."
Celeste’s head snapped toward her, an indignant frown forming. "Hah?! What the hell are you saying?!"
Zane blinked, looking up at Lena’s grin, then at Celeste’s reaction. He exhaled, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. ’Yeah... it was just a one-time thing.’
He felt his confidence settle back in place. Whatever that feeling had been, it was in the past. And he never looked back.