2 Return (1/2)

I dashed out into the streets. I frowned seeing that the place is so desolated. Looks like I made a bad choice of moving out from Tokyo a few years back.

The streets are pretty desolated. Not a single person is around to help me. Even cars are rarely coming this way. I am running around to find anyone else when I heard something while passing an alley.

”Help...me...”

My hearing is much clearer and fine which made me able to hear it. I stopped and checked back the alley where the voice came from. Just as I was peeking, I saw an old man who seemed to be matured enough to be counted as a geezer is raising his bloody hand.

Anyone will get afraid if anyone sees this situation where a bloody man is pleading help in an alley. However, I have seen much horror than what a normal person has seen. That is why I did not retreat or run away and instead rushed to the side of the old man.

Although my situation is bad, it can be solved by expelling the poison. This old man is much in a worse state than me. From the looks of it, he is shot several times in his body. It was already a miracle he is still alive. Even though people made their bodies tougher in the game, they still die when someone used a gun on them. This old man is bleeding a lot and he is clutching his bleeding stomach with his bleeding hands. His forehead is also bleeding, might be a blunt force that made him injured in his head. He will surely die due to blood loss if he can't be treated immediately.

”Old man! What happened! Let me help you go to the hospital! I was also going there anyway!” I said to him and looked at his face. However, I was taken aback when I saw his face. I can't be wrong with it. My Eidetic Memory still did not fail me and I am sure I recognized this person and if I am not wrong, this particular man is pretty famous.

Tojiro Akisame...

He is the creator of the game Alternate World with joint forces of work with Nobuhiko Kasahuchi. He was considered as an enigma because he has hidden until ten years ago as he revealed himself alongside with Nobuhiko Kasaguchi. They were known as the genius who made the game that changed the world and his appearance in the public is marked in history as one of the most historical events in the world. I wanted to meet this old man but I did not expect that I would meet him, however, it was in a very bad way.

”No need kid... I won't live long... however, you can still do it...”Tojiro muttered. I lean him into the wall. He coughed a bit and looked at me.

”I have followed your progress in the game... and if not for those things, you might have already surpassed the pillars of the gamers.”

I can't believe my ears. He followed my journey? Seriously? All of those things that happened to me are all seen by Tojiro?

As soon as he said that, all of the events in the past 25 years passed by in a time-lapse version. All of them are events that I wanted to change but I have no power to do it. Now, Tojiro is giving me a chance. Of course, everything that happened to me will be rewritten. However, I have the chance to redo it all.

”If I have to, I want to return in time and redo all of this stupid sh*t that happened in my life,” I said to him honestly. I wanted to save everyone important to me.

”In that case, are you willing to return in time, 25 years earlier?” Tojiro asked, his eyes glowed. I am still wondering how he can talk while in that situation but I don't pay attention to it.

”I want to if I can...” I said.

”What if I tell you that all your choices might affect the whole world and your future? If you changed a certain event, the future will be not the same future you might know...” Tojiro said but I stopped him midway.

”That is why I am changing the future right? I am a bit afraid but I am willing to take a stake,” I said to him.

”I see, then... accept this,” Tojiro pulled out something in his pocket and suddenly injects my Reality Verse in my hand. I jolted a bit, but it was quick.

”What was that?” I asked.

”A small gift. And a few things that will be unlocked once you reached its hidden perquisites. Those will be useful once you return. Also, choose the Versatile class. That gift will help you in your quest,” Tojiro said.

I mentally take note of that.

”Also, do not take the Alternate World as a mere game. Treat it as another reality. Remember that,” Tojiro said to me before he coughed out blood.

”Akisame-san!” I hold him down.

”Looks like my time is almost up. Young one, use this,” he pulled out a small square device that has a red circle on it.

”Push that button to send you back to the past. It's usable only once and that will be broken once you used it,” Tojiro said and coughed out blood again.

”Looks like its finally my time... kid... remember, change the past. Do not make the same mistakes...” Tojiro said before he took his last breath.

”Akisame-san!” However, he is already turning cold. He died.

Just as I was a bit stunned on all the things, I coughed out blood. This is bad, the poison has spread out to my body! I looked into the device that Tojiro has given to me. If I use this, will I go back?

Before I can push it, I was knocked down hard. I struggled and look at the one who knocked me down. It was Akari, but this time, she is not alone, a familiar person appeared in my view.

”Kazuki!”