He tried to stand up, stumbled, and fell back onto a garbage bag that burst with a sickening sound.
Around him, gray stone walls rose like remnants of another age—yet strange glowing screens floated above the streets. Passersby stopped, watching the scene with wary eyes.
"Congratulations, Shinji. First day in a new world, and you're already wanted," Shini said sarcastically.
"What the hell is going on now?!" he muttered in panic.
"This planet is more advanced than your old one. I'd say it's a Type 1.5 civilization."
"Type 1.5? You've completely lost me…"
"Who are you talking to?!" barked the voice of a woman in armor. "Don't forget—you're under arrest!"
"I—I'm sorry! I just appeared in those trash bins, I swear!"
"You dare mock me with such a ridiculous lie?"
"I swear, I'm telling the truth!"
"Fine then. Three years in prison for aggravated lying and illegal intrusion."
"WHAT?! Three years?!"
Before she could react, Shinji's body suddenly launched backward. He leapt over five meters high, clearing the stone wall behind him, and landed clumsily on the other side. His body had moved on its own.
He crashed onto the pavement, legs trembling from the shock. "Ow… ow… what the hell was that?!" he shouted, clutching his shaking leg.
His breathing quickened. His heart pounded at an unnatural speed, as if something was pumping raw energy straight into his veins. A dark glow flickered across his skin—then vanished.
"Your body reacted on its own," Shini explained calmly inside his head.
"The black hole in your stomach doesn't just absorb Astralium—it can also release bursts of energy to protect its host."
"A burst of energy?! I almost broke my leg!"
"Well, think of it as your own version of an enhanced survival reflex," Shini replied, amused.
"You don't have any control over it yet. If you don't want to explode during your next jump, you'd better learn fast."
Shinji groaned, trying to stand.
"Great… first day, first arrest, and now I'm some kind of super freak. Perfect start to a new life…"
In the distance, an alarm blared. Voices shouted: "The delinquent escaped! He's heading toward the East District!"
"Well," Shini said with a smirk in her voice, "looks like your adventure's about to begin."
Shinji sighed, then started running, fear clawing at his chest. Ahead, police officers raced after him on floating bikes, their sirens screaming. Panicking, he pushed himself harder, even as his strength began to fade.
Suddenly, an idea struck him. If he could absorb a little Astralium, he might recover some energy. Without hesitation, he grabbed a small metallic object that had fallen from a crate—it was weak, but enough. To avoid drawing attention, he slipped it discreetly into his pocket.
A strange warmth spread through his body, his veins glowing faintly blue.
"Okay then… let's have some fun," he said with sudden confidence.
His feet began to move faster than ever. Strength surged through him as if his body had finally learned how to use Astralium. The wind whipped his face, the streets blurred past, and the shouts of the officers echoed behind him.
"Catch him!"
"He's not human!"
The hovering bikes sped up, their red lights flashing through the narrow alley Shinji ran into.
He vaulted over a metal barrier, rolled across the ground, and stood up in one smooth motion. His heart pounded wildly, but his legs refused to give in.
"Damn… what is this power?!"
An energy blast shot past him, exploding against a wall. Debris flew everywhere, alarms blaring from a nearby building. Gritting his teeth, Shinji kept running, desperate for an escape.
Ahead, an old rusty hatch caught his eye. Without thinking, he yanked it open and dove inside, vanishing into the darkness of a maintenance tunnel.
He slid down, bouncing off several walls before landing hard in a damp corridor. Gasping, he wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"Damn it… that was too close," he muttered.
But before he could recover, a metallic clang echoed above him. A blue light shone through the hatch he'd come from.
"He went down here!" a voice shouted. Searchlights swept through the tunnel.
"Seriously?! They're not giving up…"
He started running again, his footsteps splashing through ankle-deep water. The sound of boots thundered behind him.
An energy shot ricocheted near him, lighting up the tunnel with a flash of blue. The heat brushed against his back.
"If you keep this up, your body's going to collapse," warned the voice in his head.
"I don't have a choice!" he panted.
A faint light appeared ahead—a way out. But before he could reach it, a police officer stepped from the shadows, blocking his path with a glowing baton.
"End of the line, kid."
Shinji took a step back, his eyes locked on the weapon. His heart pounded so hard he could barely breathe.
If I want to survive… I need to absorb something… anything.
His eyes darted around. A rusted metal pipe hung loosely from the wall nearby. Without thinking, he reached out.
The black hole on his stomach pulsed open, swallowing the metal in a swirl of glowing energy.
The officer's eyes widened. "What the—"
Before he could finish, Shinji felt a surge of raw power rush through his arm. His fist shimmered with a silver glow.
"Sorry… but I'm not going to prison."
He struck.
The impact shook the entire tunnel.
Shinji ran again, lungs burning, heart racing. His footsteps echoed, chased by the pounding of boots.
"He won't last much longer!" shouted one of the officers behind him.
A light ahead drew his gaze. He sped up, his legs moving on their own, fueled by Astralium.
Finally, he burst out into open air.
Before him stretched a maze of narrow alleys lined with tangled wires, flickering neon lights, and rusted rooftops. Drones hovered overhead, while ragged children played near ancient machines.
"Where… am I now?" he muttered.
"In the Lower Circuits District," Shini answered. "A place where technology and poverty coexist."
But before he could ask more, sirens wailed behind him. The officers emerged from the tunnel, weapons raised.
"There! He's right there!"
Shinji backed up, pressing himself against a wall, panic rising in his chest. Then, suddenly, a figure appeared from a side alley and grabbed his arm.
"Hey, kid! If you don't wanna get fried, follow me!"
Before Shinji could respond, the stranger pulled up a metal plate in the ground and dragged him into a hidden passage. The sounds of pursuit faded as the hatch closed above them.
They emerged into an old workshop lit by improvised lamps. Robot parts were scattered everywhere, and a battered radio crackled in the corner.
"Who… are you?" Shinji asked, still panting.
The stranger lowered his hood, revealing a young face with piercing electric-blue eyes. A faint smile curved his lips.
"The name doesn't matter right now. Let's just say… I'm the one who just saved your life."