A Walk into the Future

The Carrion stood motionless in the middle of the park, his many eyes flickering as they absorbed the scene before him.

The air smelled of trimmed grass and faint mana particles. The park was eerily empty, save for a few stray cats that seemed completely uninterested in the fact that a long-sealed calamity had just punched his way out of the abyss.

He exhaled slowly.

Assessment: The world has changed drastically. Probability of encountering immediate hostility: Low. Probability of encountering absolute confusion: Extremely high.

His armored hands flexed. His body, though humanoid in shape, was still covered in bony plates, his fingers thick and hammer-like. He realized this might not be the most… subtle form for blending in.

His flesh rippled. His bony exterior smoothed, reshaping into something more natural. His hands became more human-like—still powerful, but no longer resembling weapons of mass destruction. His exposed armor darkened, taking the shape of a long coat that concealed his form.

Perfect.

Now he simply looked like a very tall man in a cool jacket.

He took his first step forward. Then another.

Walking felt… strange. It had been a long time since he had last walked freely. Every movement felt both foreign and familiar, like remembering the steps to an old dance.

He passed by a lamppost, its artificial glow buzzing softly. He paused.

His many eyes studied it.

“…A controlled flame?” he muttered.

He reached out a hand and poked the lamp. Nothing happened. He poked it again, this time with a little more force.

BZZZT. The light flickered.

He recoiled slightly, all his eyes widening.

The flame reacts to touch?!

He stared at his hand, then back at the lamppost, as if it had just personally challenged him to a duel. After a moment, he scoffed and walked away.

Strange artifacts… This era is unsettling.

As he made his way out of the park, the true scope of the world unfolded before him. The city was massive—skyscrapers stretched into the heavens, their neon lights glowing like artificial stars. Flying ships soared through the night, some small enough for a single rider, others large and brimming with passengers.

The roads bustled with activity. Carriages without beasts—strange metallic vehicles—glided smoothly across black stone roads, their lights flashing as they followed an unseen order.

But what stood out the most was the magic.

It was everywhere. In the air, in the streets, in the very foundations of the city. And yet, it was different. The raw, wild mana he once knew had been shaped, refined, bent to an almost unnatural precision.

What kind of age have I awakened in?

His many eyes darted around, scanning the streets.

Beastfolk, elves, humans, and even lesser demons walked side by side, completely unbothered by each other’s presence.

A wolf beastman in a business suit was arguing with a floating crystal drone.

A high elf in streetwear casually scrolled through a glowing tablet, sipping from a metal cup labeled "Starbrew."

A giant, over two meters tall, walked past while listening to music through strange devices plugged into his ears.

The Carrion slowed his pace. His countless eyes blinked.

“…This is not what I expected.”

The last time he had walked the world, races were at war. Empires clashed over mana-rich lands, kings waged battles for dominance, and sorcerers hunted anything they deemed a threat.

But now… they had casual coffee dates?!

Unbelievable.

He continued walking, cautiously stepping onto the bustling sidewalk. The people around him barely gave him a passing glance—after all, in a city filled with bizarre creatures, one more "tall guy in a dark coat" wasn’t worth a second look.

But then—

BEEEEEP!

A strange, loud noise blared from his left.

He turned just in time to see a massive vehicle speeding toward him.

The Carrion didn't flinch. His brain rapidly calculated his options:

He chose option 3.

The vehicle, a sleek, futuristic magic-powered car, screeched as it attempted to stop. The driver—a panicked dwarf in sunglasses—slammed the brakes, but it was too late.

CRASH!

The front of the car slammed into the Carrion’s body.

A deep silence followed.

The car… had stopped. Completely.

The front was slightly dented, the impact having done little more than annoy him. The dwarf inside was staring, mouth agape.

The Carrion turned his head slightly.

“…You should be more careful,” he said, his voice deep and calm.

The dwarf blinked.

Then screamed.

“WH-WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU MADE OF?!”

The Carrion tilted his head. “Flesh. Bone.” He paused, then added, “…And some adamantium slime skin, I suppose.”

The dwarf looked like he was about to pass out.

Before things could escalate, a whistle blew. A uniformed mana officer floated toward them, riding a hovering enforcement disc. He was an avian beastman, his feathery features twitching with irritation.

“Alright, what’s going on here?” the officer demanded.

The dwarf, still pale, pointed at the Carrion. “H-HIM! HE JUST—JUST TANKED MY CAR LIKE IT WAS NOTHING!”

The officer turned to the Carrion, his avian eyes narrowing.

“…Sir, are you injured?”

The Carrion blinked. “…No.”

“…Would you like to file a complaint against the driver?”

The Carrion glanced at the now visibly shaking dwarf. “No.”

The officer sighed, rubbing his temples. “Alright, then. Move along.”

And just like that, the incident was over.

The Carrion blinked again.

“…That’s it?”

The officer raised a brow. “What, did you want to be arrested?”

“…No, I just expected more hostility.”

The officer gave him a long, tired look. “Buddy, I deal with fireball-induced parking violations and werewolf street races on a daily basis. You getting hit by a car and being fine is, like, maybe the fifth weirdest thing I’ve seen this week.”

And with that, he floated away.

The Carrion stood there, processing this information.

He slowly turned his gaze back toward the city, where magic, technology, and civilization had intertwined into something utterly foreign to him.

This was not the world he had left behind.

This was something new.

He exhaled.

Very well. Let’s see where this era takes me.

And with that, he continued his walk, vanishing into the neon-lit streets of a world that had long forgotten him.