Chapter Two: The Return

"I need a phone! I need the internet!" Gaige's voice burst with urgency as he scanned the unfamiliar surroundings. He struggled to his feet, determined to seek help from passersby, but an eerie phenomenon unfolded: people actively avoided him.

Puzzled, Gaige questioned, "Why are they avoiding me?" His confusion deepened as he realized he was unarmed, having relinquished his sword while sprinting toward Bettine. Yet, the people around him eyed him with a strange mix of caution and suspicion.

It wasn't until Gaige glanced down at his attire that he discovered the source of their apprehension. He was still clad in his battle-worn armor, stained with green and red blood that emitted a pungent odor. It was a scent he had grown accustomed to, a daily reminder of the countless lives he had taken in the novel world. But to the people in this world, it was undoubtedly repulsive.

"Why am I back in my armor? Did the warp malfunction, causing this error?" Gaige pondered aloud, his brow furrowing. He swiftly shed the armor, leaving only the undergarments that resembled modern casual clothing. The one thing he couldn't rid himself of were his metal shoes, a compromise he was willing to make over walking barefoot.

Although the metal shoes clanged loudly on the paved roads, Gaige continued to stride forward with confidence in his quest for assistance.

As he strolled down the bustling urban street, he couldn't help but marvel at the surroundings. The towering buildings and the cacophony of vehicles were a testament to the world he had yearned to return to.

"Oh, a cake shop!" Gaige's eyes lit up as he gazed at the charming signboard outside a bakery. Sugar had been one of the most precious commodities in the world he had transmigrated to. Gaige's love for sweets had remained unfulfilled for years, as he had to maintain his stoic and imposing image, even if he had the means to indulge himself.

A wide grin stretched across Gaige's face as he contemplated the prospect of enjoying whatever sweets he desired. However, his elation was short-lived as he caught sight of his reflection in the bakery's glass wall.

"What the heck is this? Why do I still look like Gaige? I should have returned to my former self!" Gaige muttered to himself in frustration.

In his original world, he had been known as Kim Nery. A high school student who had once sacrificed sleep and meals to complete a fanfiction based on his favorite novel during exam week. Gaige and Nery were polar opposites in terms of appearance and demeanor.

Where Gaige was strong and imposing, Nery had been meek and timid. Gaige's tall and handsome stature contrasted with Nery's average height and unremarkable features.

Gaige pondered the mystery of why his appearance hadn't reverted to his original self upon returning to his world. He was unable to comprehend how Gaige, with his commanding presence and striking looks, had been relegated to the role of an extra in the original novel.

"There's no way I can face my family like this," Gaige sighed, realizing that his struggles were far from over, even after concluding the novel's story.

"Who are you?" Gaige instinctively took a step back and extended his hand defensively as a stranger attempted to touch his shoulder. The man in the blue shirt exuded an unusual aura, one that Gaige had believed didn't exist in this world.

"I can still use aura? But this world doesn't have such energy!" Gaige marveled, staring at his outstretched hand in disbelief.

The stranger, unfazed by Gaige's guarded reaction, offered a friendly high five. "High five? Is this your country's greeting?" Gaige quirked an eyebrow, gradually lowering his defensive posture.

The man dressed in an oddly familiar yet unfamiliar manner seemed to be trying to communicate with actions. Gaige surmised he might be a police officer. "Police?"

The man nodded in confirmation. "Ah, yes. I am a police officer, sir." He extended his hand for a handshake, which Gaige accepted. "I can help you. Are you not from here? Can you understand me?"

Gaige comprehended the man perfectly, but bizarrely, he found himself unable to articulate his thoughts fluently in his own language.

"Understand – you – yes," Gaige managed to stammer. He was perplexed by his sudden difficulty in speaking his native language, even though he could effortlessly converse in the novel's language.

"What's wrong with me? I'm back in my world! Why can't I speak properly?" Gaige muttered to himself, struggling to find an explanation.

The police officer interpreted Gaige's unfamiliar language as a sign of being a foreigner. "Are you lost? I can give you a ride." He offered his assistance while attempting to communicate through gestures to ease understanding.

"Linda – apartment – third – street – Barlin," Gaige conveyed, albeit awkwardly. He cursed his tongue's inexplicable reluctance to cooperate. "I must sound like a bumbling fool."

"Is that your address? Alright, I'll get my scooter," the police officer responded, leaving Gaige momentarily to retrieve his vehicle.

Gaige gingerly climbed onto the scooter, feeling a bit cramped due to its diminutive size. He couldn't help but wonder if he could run faster than the scooter, but he opted for the vehicle in case the landmarks and locations had changed in his absence.

To his relief, everything appeared unchanged. The convenience store where he had purchased countless meals still had its dirty and foggy window glass. The nearby school's loud announcements reached even the residents outside, just as he remembered. A few blocks away, the arcade and towering buildings remained fixtures of the urban landscape.

Gaige couldn't shake the sense that everything had stayed the same, while he alone had undergone a transformation.

"Is this your apartment?" The police officer escorted Gaige to the provided address. Gaige dismounted the scooter, expressing his gratitude to the officer.

"Thank – you."

"Are you alright here?"

"Yes."

"Alright then. Take care."

"You – too."

Gaige waited for the officer to depart, originally intending to break into his own home since he had no key. However, his plans abruptly changed when he noticed a flickering light inside and pondered, "There's a light. Why?"