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Chapter Four: A Startling Revelation

"What! I died?" Gaige bellowed in utter shock. His voice resonated loudly, echoing his disbelief. While he had contemplated his own death during his interdimensional journey, hearing the news of his own demise still jolted him.

Mrs. Jean blinked several times before chuckling at Gaige's reaction, tapping his shoulder with the assumption that he had misunderstood her. "Silly, what I mean is the owner's son died a year ago. Lauren dislikes talking about her son, so I don't know his name. Oh, poor Lauren, his son died so young."

"You know – reason - his - death?" Gaige inquired, searching for more details.

"Hmm? I can't tell what's true because Lauren refused to talk about it, but rumor has it that the kid died because he was pressured in his studies."

Gaige cringed inwardly. While Kim Nery's death might sound dramatic – perishing while studying for an exam – Gaige knew the reality was far less noble. He placed his hand on his forehead, feeling a pang of embarrassment.

"Shit, what she said is true, but the last part. I was not studying at all. I died writing fanfic."

Ashamed of his inglorious demise, Gaige bid farewell to Mrs. Jean and embarked on a search for the room she had mentioned. As he explored the building, he pondered the discrepancy between his recollections and the mysterious occupant of the apartment.

The room was tucked beneath a staircase, its entrance almost comically small, a tight fit for Gaige. Upon entering, he was surprised to find it immaculately clean, devoid of any dust or neglect.

"Does this person live here without telling others?" Gaige wondered as he assessed the room's contents. If someone had already claimed the space, he would need to find alternative lodgings. Keeping a low profile was essential for peaceful living on Earth, and Gaige yearned for a quiet existence after his tumultuous experiences in the novel world.

"Wonderful! Food stash! Excuse me, but I'll take this." Gaige seized a bag filled with canned goods and cup noodles. Despite his divine powers granting him robust vitality, he wasn't certain if those powers would function the same way in this world or for how long they would last. Gathering essential supplies was a priority.

He changed into clothes he discovered hidden in a corner of the room, replacing his metal shoes with sneakers that remarkably fit him. Gaige needed to avoid trouble at all costs, plotting a course to establish a new identity and reintroduce himself to his family.

Exiting the room with the pilfered supplies, Gaige headed to a public library to begin his research. He borrowed a computer and initiated his quest by searching for the novel he had been transported into.

Gaige combed the internet for the title of the novel and its author, but his efforts yielded zero results, leaving him increasingly frustrated. "The heck! Don't tell me Bettine's world completely perished after I messed with it?" Guilt washed over Gaige, who felt a growing sense of disappointment in himself. Time was limited at the public library, and he couldn't afford to let his emotions get the better of him.

"Kim Nery." He typed his own name into the search bar, hoping to find some clues or connections. It had been twenty years since he had last accessed social media, and his passwords had long been forgotten. All he could do was search for his name and hope for a revelation.

"What the heck!" Gaige exclaimed in a hushed tone as he glanced at the computer screen. His name was among the top ten trending topics, with various platforms discussing it. "Is this another person?" he wondered, clicking on an article titled "Who is the famous author KimNery?"

As he read the article, Gaige slowly leaned in closer to the monitor, his mouth hanging agape in disbelief. The article featured his high school portrait and posed the question: "Who is the famous author KimNery?"

"Why did I suddenly become the author?" Gaige muttered, overwhelmed by the inexplicable turn of events.