That night, just after Hans returned from his tutoring session.
An utterly shocking event suddenly happened to him.
While he was fast asleep, he abruptly woke up in a strange world he had never been to before.
"EHHH… WHAT IS THIS PLACE?!"
His body instantly froze when he saw that the interior of his bedroom had completely changed.
The walls and ceiling were covered in thick dust, along with several abstract scribbles etched across them.
Several old bookshelves and a medium-sized wooden table occupied the corner of the room.
Atop the table stood a large painting depicting a young woman wearing a beautiful blue dress.
The room felt extremely damp and carried a sharp, sulfur-like stench.
Damn… what is actually happening right now? Am I dreaming?
Not long after that, a violent ringing suddenly surged through Hans's head.
His vision blurred, and his body trembled uncontrollably.
He quickly clutched his head tightly, enduring the pain that began to overwhelm him.
"ARRRGGHHH… EARGGHHH…!"
Strange memories began to surface in his mind, one after another.
My name is Johan Mexes. Nice to meet you.
No, you can't do that.
Johan, can you promise me to keep what you just saw a secret?
Johan, what do you think the future is?
Don't think too much about it. You know what kind of person Mahon is.
Johan, don't ever end up like me.
What are these memories…? It feels like I'm being flooded with events I've never experienced.
Johan Mexes… who is that person?
A few moments later, the intense ringing slowly faded away.
"Haaah… haaah… haaaah…"
His body returned to normal, and his vision cleared.
However, Hans felt that something strange had happened to him.
He got out of bed and walked toward the mirror in front of him to examine his current appearance.
Hmm… for some reason, this appearance feels oddly familiar.
With a slightly pale face, sharp eyes, a thin body, and jet-black hair covering my forehead, honestly, I feel like I don't look much different from how I used to.
The only difference seems to be the burn scar on my neck, which has now disappeared.
If that's the case, does this body belong to Johan Mexes?
Or… does it not?
Haah… I'm completely confused.
With a restless heart, Hans tried to think about his situation once more.
At first, I thought this was just a dream or a hallucination.
But the sensations I've been feeling are far too real.
Those strange memories keep making me realize that this world is real.
If that's the case, am I transmigrating right now?
No… is something like that even possible?
Thinking about something so absurd happening to me feels like too much.
But if it's true, does that mean I have to live as Johan Mexes from now on?
Krrrttt…
Moments later, the sound of a creaking door came from behind Hans.
"Hey, Johan, are you in there?"
"Ahhhh…"
A young man with brown hair entered and approached Hans from behind the door.
"What's wrong with you? It's not like you to stare at a mirror."
"Ah… no. You know, I was just fixing my hair."
"Oh, I see…"
Honestly, this is the first time I've seen that man in person.
But thanks to those memories earlier, I can recognize him clearly now.
His name is Jonathan Bartos. He is Johan's closest friend, who has been by his side since childhood.
"By the way, Johan, today I'm planning to visit the main storage to retrieve some holy chalices and a gadha jug. Do you want to come with me?"
"Ah… um… I don't know… I don't think so."
"Hey… come on. How can you spend your morning just staying here? Wouldn't it be more fun if we went together?"
"Uh… well…"
"Come on, please. I'm doing all of this for the welcoming ceremony of the Ordo Ordonez tomorrow."
Damn… what should I do?
Do I really have to go with him?
"Ehh… fine. I'll go with you."
Reluctantly, Hans agreed to his request.
"Good. I'll wait for you at the main entrance, so prepare yourself first."
"Ahh…"
"And don't take too long, you hear me…"
Jonathan then left the room, leaving Hans alone.
Haah… damn it, I feel like I've gotten myself into something troublesome.
By the way, did I look suspicious earlier?
No… right?
Without wasting any time, Hans began preparing himself.
He took a thick brown coat hanging beside him and put it on.
"Hm… this coat looks rather worn and dusty. Does Johan rarely wear it?"
He also wrapped a soft scarf around his neck and put on a black Panama hat resting on the table.
"Alright… I think I'm ready."
Hans left his room and hurried outside.
---
"Finally, Johan. I'm exhausted from waiting for you."
"Ah… sorry. The cold weather makes it hard for me to move."
"I see. Looks like a snowstorm will arrive tonight."
After walking for several minutes, Hans arrived at the main entrance of St. Elden Orphanage, the place where he currently lived.
St. Elden Orphanage was located on the continent of Heisenhem and was founded by an old man named Edgard Fright.
He was a former imperial soldier who chose early retirement and opened an orphanage.
"By the way, Johan, we should hurry. I'm worried the warehouse door might freeze over."
"Uh… alright."
Under the snowfall that began to cover his hat, Hans slowly followed Jonathan.
The journey to the main storage wasn't very long.
They only needed to pass through several old corridors within the orphanage and turn right upon reaching the central tower area.
Johan often went there to search for relics left behind by Mahon.
A few moments later, they finally arrived at the main storage, where the holy chalices and the gadha jug were kept.
"Ah… good. Looks like the cold hasn't frozen this place yet."
Jonathan approached the door and pulled out a small set of keys from his pocket.
"Alright, here we go…"
Slowly, he unlocked the door and pulled the handle open.
Whoooooosh…!
A strong gust of wind and a strange odor burst out from inside.
"Ugh… what is that smell…?"
"Ukh… cough… cough… I don't know…"
Ignoring it, they stepped inside.
"Eh… this place…"
A large, dark, and dusty room spread out before them.
"Hm, why is the lighting out? Is the warehouse lamp broken?"
"Wait here for a moment. I'll go check."
"Uh… alright. I'll wait."
While waiting for Jonathan, Hans sat down in the corner of the room to rest.
In the darkness, he stared at the ceiling while muttering in his thoughts.
Damn… I can't see anything at all.
This place feels incredibly dark and oppressive.
Damn it… honestly, I'm really scared right now…
Why isn't Jonathan coming back yet…?
Did he get lost…?
A blinding light suddenly appeared above Hans's head.
It was a large red lamp illuminating the entire room.
"Haah… good. It's not very bright, but at least it works."
Relieved, Hans stood up and began walking through the warehouse.
As he moved, he occasionally glanced at rows of ancient weapons and holy artifacts neatly arranged beside him.
They were wrapped in thick red cloth and bound with gold-trimmed ribbons.
Honestly, this place feels more like a museum than a warehouse.
But with how terrifying the atmosphere is, I can't really say that out loud.
Hans stopped in front of a wooden rack carved with silver, supported by golden braces on both sides.
Inside were several holy chalices, with a medium-sized gadha jug beside them.
So these are the holy chalices and the gadha jug Jonathan was looking for?
Even at a glance, I can feel a strange energy coming from them.
How can objects like these exist?
Should I take them now, or wait for Jonathan to return?
Hmm… after thinking about it, it's probably better if I take them first.
I just want to leave this creepy place as soon as possible.
Hans extended his right hand toward one of the chalices.
But before he could grab it, several loud gunshots suddenly rang out from behind the wooden rack.
Bang… bang… bang…
"ARGHHHHHHH… ERGHHHHH…!"
He collapsed onto the floor, blood rapidly soaking beneath him.
Damn… damn… damn… what is happening right now?!
Heavy footsteps echoed from behind him.
Tap… tap… tap…
"YOU—"
A terrifying man holding a black Glock stood before Hans.
That man was Jonathan Bartos.
"HEY, JONATHAN, WHAT ARE YOU ACTUA— ARGGHHH…!"
Before he could finish speaking, Jonathan shot Hans in the left shoulder, knocking him down again.
"DIDN'T I TELL YOU TO WAIT THERE? ARE YOU DEAF?!"
The warm face and friendly words he had shown earlier were completely gone.
Right now, it feels like I'm facing a completely different person.
Was he really that angry just because I ignored him?
Isn't that too much…?
With a sharp, horrifying gaze, he spoke again.
"BY THE WAY, JOHAN, HOW ARE YOU STILL ALIVE? DIDN'T I KILL YOU LAST NIGHT…?"
Those words made Hans's body tremble violently.
His breathing grew ragged, and his chest tightened with overwhelming fear.
He couldn't believe what Jonathan had just said.
What is he talking about? I don't understand anything.
In the midst of his confusion, Jonathan stepped right in front of him and aimed the Glock at him.
"HEY, CAN YOU EXPLAIN THIS TO ME, JO… HANN…"
Death slowly crept closer to him.