A Fellow Earthling

“Yes, my lord.” the human murmured, a subtle smirk playing on his lips, hidden beneath his lowered gaze.

He rose to his feet and stepped into the shadows, vanishing without a trace.

Meanwhile, far from the darkness of Demon Kingdom, Kazuki and Elina stood before the Elven Council. Three elder eleves sat gracefully on the branches of ten thousand year old Elven tree. Though their appearance was youthful, each carried the weight of a thousand years.

Among them was a silver-haired woman with piercing purple eyes— Elina's grandmother. With a presence both regal and commanding, she observed Kazuki with an unreadable expression, her gaze sharp enough to pierce through deception itself.

Kazuki's nerves tightened under the three Elder's intimidating gaze. Like they could tear every bit of flesh from the bones of his body in an instant.

Elina standing next to him noticed his face getting pale.

An intimidating voice came from one of the Elders.

“Speak your business.”

“I-I’m here to request some aid for the war against demons…”

“And why should we, the Elves, involve ourselves in a war that doesn't concern us?”

Kazuki swallowed hard, steeling his resolve.

“If we act now, the demons might kill every—”

“You're mistaken.”

The Elder's voice cut through his words like blade.

“We Elves are more than capable of protecting ourselves. As for aiding you in the war, we have no reason to involve ourselves.”

Kazuki clenched his fists, but before he could argue, Elina stepped forward, her voice sharp with frustration.

“Even if the Elden Kingdom remains safe, the other Kingdoms will be wiped out. Do you really want that?”

One of the elders— Elina's grandmother, responded with an unwavering voice.

“You are welcome to stay if you wish, but do not mistake our hospitality for allegiance. Our swords will not be drawn for your cause.”

Her purple eyes locked onto Elina's, a warning not to press further.

“I understand…” Elina muttered in disappointment.

Kazuki and Elina bowed in respect, leaving the Council. They slowly walked through the plane texture wooden floor, returning to Elina's aunt's house.

“Don't worry, we will still be able to defeat them considering the power I wield.”

“You're right… we should be able to.”

— ✦ —

[Your skill: Quantum Manipulation has been temporarily sealed.]

A message popped up in front of my face. It had a transparent screen. I noticed that Elina wasn't able to see it.

[System use unlocked]

[You can now use the skill: Gate to traverse the known worlds]

‘What? Traverse the known worlds? Does that mean I can go back to my world?’

However, no matter how much I tried, I just couldn't bring the screen up again. And I couldn't try calling out some commands since I didn't want to let anyone know about this besides Elina.

“I'll go out to get some fresh air.” I said, pushing myself up from my seat. Elina glanced at me but didn't question it.

“System…”

“System screen…”

+

[User Info: Tenma Kazuki, Strength (lvl 15), Agility (lvl 1), Stamina (lvl 1), Endurance (lvl 1)

User Skill: Quantum Manipulation (Temporarily Sealed), Gate

Skill Potential: Rise of Dead]

+

“Skill, Quantum Manipulation info…”

[Quantum Manipulation (sealed): A powerful skill that can manipulate anything except biological creatures.]

“Information about the seal”

[Quantum Manipulation Status: Temporarily SealedEarly

Reason: Early Excessive Use]

I couldn't say this wasn't expected. Even I was even a bit shocked when I got that kind of power at first.

“Gate info.”

[Gate: A useful skill to travel between worlds that have been already visited before

Daily Limit: 1]

“Use Gate.”

[Select Your Destination

→U7MWE]

There was no other option. It meant this was my world. After all, this was the only wolrd I've been to before. 

“U7MWE”

[Access Denied]

“What— But why?”

I wasn't able to think properly. All of this information was too much with the frustration of not being able to return to my world.

I sat down on top of the grass to rest for a bit. But life had other plans.

“Kazuki!” Elina called out to me while running towards here.

She stood in front of me while taking some breath.

“Kazuki, I sense a powerful presence. Just like yours… or more powerful. It's approaching us fast.”

I had a hunch that this person Elina spoke off might be from the same world as me. As no one else had such a powerful presence in this world according to Elina.

I saw a figure gliding through the air approaching towards the direction I was sitting.

I stood up and waited cautiously till he landed on the ground.

“Who are you?” I asked.

“Me? Oh well, I'm sorry for intruding so rudely. I'm just a hitman hired by the Demon King to kill you.”

“Kill me? A human is working under a demon?”

“I'm sorry but you're mistaken. I'm not working under anybody. I'm just doing them a favor in return for something.”

“Oh? And what is that something?”

“Tenma Kazuki, am I right? Look, I had no plans to interfere with you. But this situation forced me to. So it's better if you don't ask anymore questions and let me just complete my mission.”

That said, the guy immediately leaped towards me with an incredible speed before I could even react.

Elina grabbed my hoodie and pulled me backwards. The guy barely missed the punch he was about to land on my face.

“I'm in a hurry, so please try not to waste my time whoever you are lady.”

“Sorry, but you have to face me first if you want to kill him.”

Elina looked determined. But determination alone couldn't stop this guy. I became sure from his face that this guy was from my world.

“If you're from Earth, then we can talk.”

“Talk? About what? I only need to return back to our world. Even if it means killing a fellow Earthling.”

My attempt to talk the situation through did not work. I was not strong enough to stop him. My only power… or rather skill was sealed due to unknown reasons.

“Kazuki, use your power.”

“Sorry, but I can't.”

“What do you mean you can't.”

“It's sealed for some reason.”

“What?!”

“Stop talking to each other. I'm literally standing here to kill you. Do you not have any fear?”

The guy was pretty annoyed with our conversation. Who wouldn't be if they were ignored like this.

He let out a small sight.

“I'm tired, I'll just finish this quickly.”

He instantly appeared infront of Elina and sent her flying far off with a single punch.

Now he and I were alone. I figured it was probably over for me. He leaped towards me.

Crunch!

I could hear my bones crushing as he landed a punch straight on my face.

That was it, my vision was blur. The pain was intense. And I could barely keep my senses.

Finally I passed out. 

Just then, I heard a familiar voice in my head. Yes, it was the mysterious girl's voice.