He finished his work overtime and prepared his things to get ready to go home after a whole 9-hour shift. His boss shouted at him for being late, so he was forced to work until 2 in the morning – not midnight as originally planned. After he packed his belongings, he left the office, turning off the lights and closing the door.
He has fluffy grey hair and warm brown eyes. He wears an unbuttoned blue jacket with dark stripes, a cyan scarf, grey jeans, and Nike shoes.
His name is Derima Nakamura, aged 24. He works at a major company and lives a stable, normal life. He does all the household chores because he lives alone, often goes to the gym, and is incredibly athletic and fit.
He walked around the streets of the city. There were very few people there, and it was cold and quiet. The moon lit up the night, and the wind was blowing cold.
As he reached for his phone to check it, a gunshot struck his back – followed by another. He collapsed to the ground, and then a third shot rang out. He cried out in agony, begging them to stop, but the gunmen kept firing. He was ultimately shot twenty times in the back. The five men responsible grabbed his belongings – including his wallet, cash, and ID card – then fled the scene.
[Derima]: What, just happened...?
Derima saw nothing but darkness – no light anywhere. He couldn't feel his body at all, for he had died in his original world.
Then, admidst of the endless void, he saw light deep in the darkness – it was some kind of divine figure, reaching it's hand to him.
[???]: "Take my hand..."
The unknown figure spoke coldly and reached its arms toward Derima. He had no idea what was going on – but if this was resurrection, he knew he needed to keep living. So he took the figure's hand, and a bright light began to pull him in, until he was completely enveloped by the figure's glow.
Derima woke up in a vast, open plain, with trees visible only far in the distance. He raised his arm toward the sky and looked at his hand, deep in thought.
[Derima]: "I'm... alive?"
He pushed himself up and realized this was a brand new world – like the ones in the light novels and fantasy stories he'd read. He had been reincarnated, and his eyes shone with wonder at the world that awaited him. He had no idea yet that he possessed the powers of a Dark Angel.
A system of some sort – absurd and unfamiliar to him, as he was a grown man in his mid-twenties who'd never read manga about such things – decided to integrate with him, so he resolved to play along.
[System]; ``Your [•••• •••••••] a descendant of the [••••••••• •••• •••••••] being, keep your identity hidden at all costs.``
The [System] displayed his new appearance:
He now had thick black-grey hair, a black eye with a diamond-shaped white pupil, feathered black wings, and a dark halo. He wore an all-black business suit – with a standard white dress shirt – paired with black shoes.
He was amazed by his new appearance in this world where he'd been reincarnated. He felt curious about the Dark Angel who had helped him return to life and start fresh in this new realm. A map materialized to his right – generated by the system – showing he was in the Kingdom of Shaul, specifically on the Tyrus Plains. The plains stretched for 70 to 80 miles, and the nearest settlement was Glycerin Town, home to roughly 85,000 people.
He stood up and brushed the dirt off his body. He didn't know how to unfold his wings, so he simply walked casually like a regular human.
[Derima]: "Well i'm still oblivious on how to open my wings yet so, i'll probably figure that out once i do something amazing."
After walking more than ten miles, his legs barely ached – thanks to a skill called "Pain Adaptation and Nullification" that prevented cramps and muscle discomfort. He was already aware he possessed this ability, which is why he could comfortably enjoy such a long trek.
When he entered Glycerin Town, he was immediately shocked – the place was spotlessly clean and well-maintained. The system reappeared to his right, so Derima turned his head to look at it.
[System]; ``The Town of Glycerin is a sparsly populated town, and is nicknamed the Cleanest Town in the World, by how polished the houses are, it's community all connected together, along with the marble streets and roads, and has one of the lowest crime rate of the kingdom.``
He was so shocked he could barely believe it – he could easily live here for months, maybe even a full year. Smiling, he headed into town and was greeted politely by the residents. The roads were slightly slick from being meticulously cleaned, and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves; the community was stable, and people were warmly interacting with one another.
Derima walked around the town for a while, completely amazed by both its cleanliness and the kindness of the people around him. He paused at the town's fountain – topped with a horse statue that sprayed water in all directions – where residents were clapping and having a wonderful time. Smiling with joy, he sat down on a nearby bench to rest for a bit.
Eventually, a girl sat down next to him – though they kept their distance, each wary of the other. She looked at him with a mix of curiosity and suspicion, resting her finger on her chin. Derima did the same, tilting his head as he studied her.
They stared at each other for a full minute before Derima finally broke the silence.
[Derima]: "Uhm... hello?, are we supposed to introduce something or... anyways, what is your name?, kind of curious already."
They stared at each other for a full minute before Derima finally broke the silence.
[Altair]: "The name is Altair Acantha!, the lousy adventurer who never got the chance to be explore as a kid!, sorry!."
He giggled playfully.
[Altair]: "How about you?"
Altair revealed her name, then gestured to Derima, prompting him to do the same. He let out a soft sigh before speaking his true name.
[Derima]: "The name is Derima Nakamura."
Knowingly he cannot say his true name in this new world, he just shoved it off.
Derima extended his hand toward Altair for a handshake. She eyed it cautiously, but took his hand anyway – though she remained suspicious and wanted to learn more about him.
[Altair]: "So, you're kind of new. Are you an adventurer like me... or something different?"
Altair turned to him and asked why he'd come to the town – whether he was an adventurer like her, or perhaps an explorer. Derima smiled as he spoke to her in reply.
[Derima]: "I'm an adventurer also!, a very adventurous one infact!"
He spoke a little louder and pointed at her, making it clear he was an adventurer like her. Her beautiful blue eyes widened, and she found herself growing slightly used to his energetic demeanor.
[Altair]: "Right..."
Derima froze for a second, then scratched the back of his head and broke into a slight sweat, looking nervous.
[Derima]: "Oh!, sorry... i had quite the excitement there."
He found himself drawn to her beautiful eyes and majestic features – he could barely help feeling an instant pull toward her. As she fidgeted nervously, looking almost endearingly shy to him, he wondered if this was the start of a crush or something more.
[Derima]: "Do you want to, go an adventure with me?, if you'd like."
Derima spoke up, breaking the awkward silence between them as he extended his hand toward her. She looked surprised, then met his gaze directly and nodded in acceptance. He smiled and stood up from the bench.
[Derima]: "Alright!, we'll try exploring this new world bits by bits!"
He punched the air in excitement – he was eager to explore everything alongside her. She looked over at him with a sweet smile, then spoke in her soft voice.
[Altair]: "Right, let's go on an adventure!"
She was a beautiful girl with majestic glowing blue eyes – her pupils were white and diamond-shaped, much like Derima's. She wore an adventurer's cloak, having spent months exploring the world before she met him.
Derima and Altair finally rose from the bench, their journey into the world set to begin – though first, rumbling stomachs demanded attention. They headed to a nearby restaurant, where the warm, welcoming chef greeted them with a broad smile and insisted on treating them to a complimentary meal.
The spread was hearty and inviting — tender slices of seasoned beef, crisp roasted vegetables glistening with a light butter glaze, plump grilled hotdogs, fluffy scrambled eggs, and more. Rich, savory aromas wafted up from the plate, mingling with hints of herbs and a subtle tang that made their mouths water instantly. The creamy undertones of the sauce drizzled over the beef and veggies only added to the irresistible scent, sending fresh waves of drool down their chins as they stared eagerly at the food.
Once seated, they dug in immediately – yet even as they took their first bites, the incredible flavor had them drooling all over again. The beef melted on their tongues, the vegetables were perfectly crisp-tender, and a creamy, slightly tangy dressing tied everything together beautifully. Tears welled in their eyes as they savored each forkful, and they both paused to give the chef an enthusiastic thumbs up through their mouthfuls. The chef stood by respectfully, beaming as he returned the gesture
After they finished eating, both were completely full – the meal had been absolutely delicious. They stepped out of the restaurant, patting their stomachs contentedly.
[Derima]: "I can't get over with this wonderful town!"
Derima started to speak, then suddenly let out a burp – he was just that full.
[Altair]: "Yeah, the food was lovely and the chef was kind to us."
Altair burped too – she was just as full from the delicious meal. The chef had been so kind, treating them like valued guests.
Needing a place to stay for the night, they headed to a nearby hotel. The staff were warm and welcoming, offering them complimentary rooms because they were adventurers and honored visitors. They each lay down in their separate beds, feeling like they were resting in heaven.
[Derima]: "This town is beyond the great measurement!"
Derima found himself tearing up again, touched by the pure kindness of the hotel staff – they'd given them complimentary separate rooms.
[Altair]: "Yes, the town is increasingly amazing, as all the townspeople greeted us one by one, that's why their community is the most kindest and composed."
Altair spoke with a smile on her face, gazing up at the ceiling as Derima watched her, admiring her beautiful, majestic features. Almost in perfect sync, they both drifted off to sleep, feeling completely at ease in the town.
[Altair]: "This town just keeps getting more amazing – every single person we've met has greeted us warmly. No wonder their community is so kind and well-knit."
Altair spoke with a soft smile, gazing up at the ceiling. Derima watched her, admiring her beautiful, majestic features – then, almost in sync, they both drifted off to sleep, feeling completely at ease in the town.
The next day, they bowed respectfully to the hotel staff, who returned the gesture with warm smiles. Waving goodbye as they headed out, the pair was eager to explore more of Glycerin. They made their way through every wonder the town had to offer – from its distinctive marble statues and the iconic Great Horse Fountain, to the town's most impressive landmark: a towering structure over 85 meters tall that housed both the largest residence and the renowned Glycerin Museum.
Altair and Derima explored the museum's unique features – the building was filled with a calming silence, and its aesthetic design left them completely amazed. They studied every mysterious artifact on display, from pieces dating back to 500 BJT all the way to 2000 AJT. When Derima looked at one exhibit's origin plaque, it read: "Before (•••••••••) (•••••)"
The System suddenly materialized right in front of his face. He stepped back slightly, then began to read its display.
[System]; ``BJT or Before (••••••••) (•••••) was a powerful figure when the world was being created with fossil ancient magics, before the (•••••••) happened.``
He'd drifted off into a daze while reading, when suddenly Altair gave his back a light smack to bring him out of it.
[Derima]: "Ow!, what the hell?!]
He spoke sharply to her, his back throbbing from how hard she'd smacked him. She puffed out her cheeks and looked away.
[Altair]: "You we're suddenly spacing out of time!, so i kind of figured to smack you just enough to snap you back into pieces!"
Derima and Altair suddenly clashed, exchanging harsh words with each other. But they quickly made up, and their bond grew a little stronger for it. As they continued walking through the museum, Derima found himself lost in thought.
[Derima]: "Who is this unspeakable being?"
Derima found himself wondering aloud in his thoughts about the history of the world he now lived in – he was determined to learn everything there was to know about this new realm. He'd already discovered the System's name was Zarastha, with no defined gender since it was an artificial construct.
After exploring the entire museum, they headed toward the exit. The staff bowed respectfully and bid them farewell – Altair and Derima responded politely, waving goodbye as they made their way out.
Derima went close towards Altair, speaking to her closely.
[Derima]: "By any chance, you know the history of this world?"
Altair turned to face Derima, looking up with her finger resting on her chin as she thought deeply.
[Altair]: "Not quite really, i never studied history in my whole life."
Derima looked disappointed at her words and let out a deep sigh, shoving his hands into his pockets as he did so.
[Derima]: "Right, figures that i shouldn't had said it to you when you're that uneducated."
Altair flinched sharply the moment she heard those harsh words fall from his lips.
[Altair]: "Hey!, look here!, I'm not stupid because i didn't learn some history of this vast known world!, because i was just bored of reading books you know?!"
Derima casually looked away – she had a short temper and was quick to get mad. Puffing out her cheeks and crossing her arms tightly, she turned her gaze from him entirely.
[Derima]: "Whatever you say."
Derima crossed his arms too, looking away as he did so. After a moment, they exchanged glances – then both let out long sighs and began walking peacefully together through the Town of Glycerin.
The next day, they were ready to set off on their adventure. They approached a carriage driver, who looked to be around 19 years old. He wore a blue-and-white striped t-shirt, mostly covered by a black-and-white jacket, paired with blue jeans and slippers. His eyes were green, with pupils shaped like stars.
[Getau]: "Pleasure to meet you sir and ma'am, the name is Getau Sakanti, the number one most famous – carriage driver in the town!" -Wink
Derima and Altair turned their gaze to him. Derima spoke up first, greeting him warmly in return.
[Derima]: "Hello there sir... Getau was it?, the name is Derima Nakamura."
Altair stood up exquisitely, and she spoke with respect.
[Altair]: "My name is Altair Acantha, nice to be meeting you!"
Altair reached out her hand to Getau, who shook it warmly and let out a light chuckle. Derima felt a twinge of jealousy, but quickly brushed it off and turned to ask Getau something.
[Derima]: "I need you to drive us into the capital, if there is..."
Getau nodded and looked ahead as Altair and Derima climbed aboard the carriage. He took the reins and guided the horse forward, while Altair gazed out at the scenery – its beauty perfectly matching her striking eyes and features. Derima also admired the view, but his gaze kept drifting to Altair, whose majestic presence seemed to blend seamlessly with the landscape. He felt a slight blush rise to his cheeks and quickly looked away, as Altair let out a soft chuckle.
Before long, they reached their destination. Getau brought the horse and carriage to a stop at the entrance of Shaul, the large capital city. Ten knights stood guard at the gates, making it clear how heavily protected and secured the city was.
Derima stared up at the 10-meter walls, about to move closer to inspect them when the System suddenly materialized before him.
[System]; ``Capital City of Shaul (Shaul City), a large metropolitan that's home to almost every spices alike and live with freedom and common courtesy – estimated around 25 million people live in Shaul City.``
He was shocked by the population figure the System had provided. Before he could process it, the System appeared again for a second time. Derima felt slightly annoyed, but he brushed it off and began to read.
[System]; ``The city is sized around 5,000 square miles, and is made out of four massive divisions owned by each officials, with the huge population, the city is ranked third in highest population globally.``
Derima was even more surprised this time. "3rd Largest?!" he exclaimed, feeling eager to uncover more about this vast world. Suddenly, Altair gave his back a light pinch, making him flinch sharply.
[Derima]: "Ow!, ow!, what the hell is that for?!"
Altair let out a soft chuckle and a sigh at once, then spoke in a gentle tone.
[Altair]: "You spaced out again, like you did in the museum, whats up?"
Altair crossed her arms and fixed her gaze directly on Derima. He'd been staring at her, but quickly shook his head and began to speak.
[Derima]: "It's quite nothing seriously!"
Derima walked over to Getau and thanked him for bringing them there. Altair rolled her eyes and muttered under her breath, "Yeahh… it's nothing… not." She let out a long sigh.
Getau guided his horse and carriage away as Derima stared at the capital's entrance. Without hesitation, Altair stepped forward first. Derima sighed and followed closely behind her. The city was prosperous and bustling, filled with wonderful sights at every turn. While Glycerin was charming in its own way, the capital had its own appeal – fresh air filled the streets, and magnificent buildings left them in awe. It felt like they'd stepped into a slice of paradise, so they set off to explore.
Suddenly, a powerful gust of air knocked them slightly off balance as a man landed with tremendous force nearby. The wind died down after a moment, revealing the stranger.
He appeared to be around 26 years old and bore the insignia of the city's highest-ranking knights and guards. A red scarf draped around his neck, and his straight blonde hair fell neatly around his face. His most striking feature was a glowing golden eye. He wore an unbuttoned white jacket emblazoned with the capital's banner, paired with crisp white pants, black shoes, and a sword fastened at his right waist.
Altair's eyes widened in shock – she'd known him for years; he was the man who'd saved her long ago. Derima, however, had no idea who he was, and simply admired his commanding presence.
The man bowed respectfully and introduced himself:
[Tzukaga]: "I'm known as the Glorious Light, or the Divine Knight. My name is Tzukaga ven Jaero, and I'll be both of your guides."
The System materialized before Derima. As he read the message, his eyes went wide.
[System]; ``Tzukaga ven Jaero – the Hope of the Capital and the so-called Divine Knight.``
Derima was stunned. The legendary Divine Knight stood right in front of him. Tzukaga spoke calmly and warmly.
[Tzukaga]: "I shall be your guide through this great, and massive city."
Derima and Altair took a deep breath, stood tall, and responded in unison:
"Yes sir!"
Tzukaga smiled, and their trio set off to begin their journey through the city.