Chapter 8

Genji couldn't comprehend how he had returned. He found himself standing in the same scene he had witnessed when he was first brought into this world. However, this time, something was different. As he looked at his arms, he noticed they were trembling uncontrollably. *I ca-can't stop shaking,* he thought, the memories of his brutal attack flooding back to him—the pain of death, the agony he had experienced as his skull was caved in, lying on the ground paralyzed and helpless.

Genji's panic intensified as he struggled to catch his breath. The weight of his existence felt unbearable, as if he shouldn't be alive. The overwhelming feeling of wrongness consumed him. Suddenly, a surge of nausea washed over him, and he couldn't hold it back any longer. Vomiting uncontrollably in the middle of the bustling market, he became the center of attention.

Passersby glanced at him with disdain, their eyes filled with disgust, but none offered any help or concern. In his own world, even if he had no friends or family, he knew that someone would have cared, someone would have offered a helping hand. But here, in this new world, all he received were cold and indifferent stares, further deepening his sense of isolation and despair.

Genji wiped his mouth with the back of his trembling hand, his fragile state evident to anyone who looked at him. Despite the disheveled appearance, he continued to walk aimlessly, driven by a desperate need to feel alive, to escape the suffocating grip of death's memory.

People stared at him, some pointing and whispering, their judgment and mockery like piercing daggers. But Genji was oblivious to their gazes, their words fading into the background. In this moment, he couldn't afford to care about how others viewed him. All he could do was put one foot in front of the other, to keep moving, to remind himself that he was still alive, even if the pain of existence seemed unbearable.

One of the persistent voices in the crowd soon materialized in front of Genji, causing him to bump into what felt like a solid metal object. Looking up, he found himself face-to-face with a towering humanoid automaton, approximately six feet tall. Its mechanical voice reverberated as it spoke, "You have ignored an officer's warning five times now." Genji's confusion and fear lingered, leaving him only able to mutter, "What?"

The automaton stared at Genji intently, its gaze feeling penetrating as if it were scanning him. After a momentary pause, it asked, "What is your name, citizen?" Genji, still gripped by fear, managed to whisper, "Genji Takeshi." There was a brief pause from the automaton, as if processing the information, before it stated, "That name is not in the HIVE system. You will now come with me." As the automaton reached out to grab him, Genji's instinctual fear of touch, stemming from his recent encounter with death, kicked in, causing him to instinctively move back, evading the automaton's grasp.

The automaton swiftly extended a steam-powered energy baton, crackling with a powerful electrical charge. It declared, "You have resisted arrest. Deploying non-lethal force." With a forceful thrust, the baton was aimed at Genji, intended to incapacitate him. However, these batons were designed to subdue individuals native to this world, who possessed greater strength and resilience than Genji, a frail and weak 17-year-old boy.

As the baton made contact, a surge of electricity coursed through Genji's body, causing him to writhe in pain. It felt as though his entire being was engulfed in flames, his heart threatening to burst from his chest. And in that agonizing moment, he once again experienced the cold embrace of death, succumbing to its grip for the second time.

Genji's vision blurred as he weakly opened his eyes, finding himself back in the market place once again. However, the pain of death that lingered within him was overwhelming, rendering him unable to stay conscious any longer.

With a heavy sway, he collapsed to the ground, unconsciousness engulfing him. Passersby glanced at him briefly, some showing curiosity or concern, but none offered any assistance. Genji lay there, vulnerable and helpless, as the world continued on around him.

In his unconsciousness, Genji experienced a series of dreams that painted vivid pictures of the life he longed for. These dreams were filled with the hopes and desires he held deep within his heart. He dreamed of having a second chance at life, a chance to escape the pain and loneliness that had plagued him in his previous world. In these dreams, he imagined a life filled with joy, where happiness was not an elusive concept but a tangible reality.

He dreamed of having friends who would stand by his side, supporting and understanding him. These dreams showed him laughter and companionship, a sense of belonging that he had yearned for throughout his life. In these dreams, he found solace in the company of others, forming bonds that surpassed mere acquaintance.

His dreams extended further, delving into the realm of family. He envisioned the warmth of a loving family, where he was surrounded by people who cared deeply for him. These dreams painted scenes of familial love, of shared moments and unconditional support. He imagined himself not as a solitary figure, but as an integral part of a family unit.

Yet, these dreams were quickly transformed into nightmares, haunted by the laughter of cruel individuals and the pain of the automaton's electrical assault. The dreams seemed endless, filled with despair and hopelessness.

However, as Genji reluctantly opened his eyes, expecting to find himself back in the market place, he was met with a different reality. He found himself in a dimly lit room, its walls cracked and worn, and an old, dilapidated bed serving as his resting place. The sight of his surroundings only further deepened his confusion and unease.

Suddenly, a gruff voice broke the silence, cutting through the air like a blade. "You're finally bloody awake," it said. Genji turned his head towards the source of the voice, his eyes meeting the gaze of a rough-looking man in the room with him.

Genji, after enduring a series of traumatic experiences, gazed at the man before him with fear etched on his face. Sensing Genji's apprehension, the man raised his hand in a reassuring gesture and spoke with a soothing tone, "Hey, don't worry, I won't do anything to ya, mate. Calm down."

Genji, gradually eased his tense muscles and began to regain a semblance of composure. With a mixture of curiosity and lingering fear, he mustered the courage to ask, "Who are you?"

The man let out a relaxed chuckle and replied, "Oh yeah, probably should have introduced myself first. Anyway, the name's Ripper."