[137] Able to reconnect, after so long

Upon reaching Tsubasa's shop, Kaoru quickly picked up his phone and paid for the repair, making sure to commend Tsubasa's skill in restoring such a rare device with components that had all but disappeared from the market.

"By the way, Kaoru-san," Tsubasa began cautiously, glancing at the now-pristine phone, "Is this phone really that important to you? No offense, but it seems incredibly outdated, especially since some of its parts are almost impossible to find these days."

Kaoru gave a faint smile, though there was a glint of something deeper in his gaze—something he preferred to keep hidden. The phone was indeed important to him—not merely as a personal item, but as a bridge to the Outer-God, the mysterious entity that had supported him through countless challenges in the supernatural realm.

"Of course," Kaoru replied, keeping his tone neutral. "It was a gift from my father." He avoided delving further, even though that was only partly true—the phone was far more than a memento. It was an irreplaceable means of communication with the Outer-God.

"I see…" Tsubasa looked slightly puzzled, trying to wrap his head around why someone would gift an antique device like that. Still, he chose not to pry further and simply nodded. "Thank you for trusting me with this, Kaoru-san."

With the conversation wrapped up, Kaoru quickly exited the shop and returned to his car. Once inside, he powered on his phone and noticed a backlog of messages waiting for him. The sender was clear—Outer-God, who was undoubtedly awaiting an update.

Without hesitation, Kaoru called back, waiting a few seconds as the line connected.

"Hello?" Kaoru greeted, his tone calm despite the tension he could sense on the other end.

[Finally, I got through! Man, why haven't you been reachable? I tried so many times!]

Kaoru sighed, trying to keep his tone level. "It's been… complicated. My phone got damaged, and I have no idea how it happened. For some reason, my supernatural abilities couldn't stop it from breaking."

He recounted the odd incident from the previous week—a strange moment when, after a minor car accident, he'd felt a peculiar force preventing him from catching his phone in time, almost as if his supernatural powers had halted for just long enough for it to fall and break.

[Hmm… strange, that shouldn't have happened so easily. Anyway, could you tell me more about what's been going on since we lost contact?] Outer-God's voice sounded serious, curiosity and concern mixed within it.

Kaoru nodded, though he knew Outer-God couldn't see it. He proceeded to explain the week's events in detail, from the strange breakdown of his phone to the series of supernatural occurrences he'd faced, including his recent battles against the fox demon and the dark deity.

"And last, I fought a demon fox and a god of calamity," Kaoru added, his voice carrying the weight of the ordeal.

[All right, I'm starting to see the bigger picture…] Outer-God's voice fell silent for a moment, as if deep in thought. After a lengthy pause, it continued. [Listen, there's something important I need to tell you. I can no longer transport you back to your original world, and I don't know why. The misaligned coordinates that brought you here were fixed last week, but for some reason, I can't send you back.]

"What…?" Kaoru felt a pang of unease. If the Outer-God couldn't help him return, then what options did he have?

[This is just a theory, but from what you've told me… this could be linked to something called the will of the world.] Outer-God's voice carried a heavy emphasis.

"What exactly do you mean by that?" Kaoru asked, his curiosity mingling with a sense of caution.

[You're familiar with the concept of a Chosen One, aren't you?] Outer-God's tone seemed loaded, as though it were about to reveal a significant truth.

"Of course. What's that got to do with this?"

[The term 'Chosen One' refers to someone selected to confront a great evil that threatens the world's survival. The world's own will decides who is worthy. Since you were once the Chosen One in my world, it seems the powers in this world have chosen you as well. The selection process isn't always obvious—often, it goes unnoticed. But to be chosen as a Chosen One, certain qualifications are required, and you, Kaoru, meet all of them. You're a recognized hero, even in my world.]

Kaoru was silent for a moment, then let out a long sigh. "So, fate is repeating itself. I thought I was done with all of this."

[Exactly, Kaoru. It seems there's already an unbreakable bond tying you here. No matter how hard I try to return you, this bond prevents it. You've felt the effects too—whenever there's a significant supernatural event, you're inevitably drawn in. If there's no Chosen One to handle these threats, it would disrupt the world's balance, potentially leading to disaster.]

Kaoru rubbed his temples, feeling a headache beginning to set in. This enormous responsibility had weighed heavily on him before, and he had hoped never to face it again. "So… do you have any solution for me?" he asked, his voice weary.

[Unfortunately, the only solution is for you to continue in this role. Remember, a Chosen One is always caught up in significant events—like a magnet. You might seek guidance from prominent figures here, like deities or the protectors of this world. They may be able to offer you help.]

Kaoru sighed heavily. "So, I don't have any other choice but to accept this? Damn, life just keeps getting harder every day."

[Kaoru-san, I know this isn't easy. This duty is a burden, something you might even despise. But… because of your role as a hero, my world was saved.]

Kaoru fell silent, letting the Outer-God's words resonate in his mind. His past as a hero was filled with heavy memories, yet the realization that this world might also be relying on him pressed down on him like a weight he couldn't avoid.

[I'll try to support you as best I can from here. Reach out to me whenever you need help.]

The call ended. Kaoru stared at his phone screen, his thoughts a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. Part of him wanted to be angry, to blame the Outer-God for pulling him into such a convoluted situation. But as he thought back on the people he had met and the bonds he was beginning to form in this world, his resolve wavered. He realized that leaving now, abandoning these connections, would feel wrong.

With a blank gaze fixed on the sky, Kaoru pondered, "Do I really want to leave? Or… maybe this is where I'm meant to be now?"