In a distant realm, Atom awoke in an open field, disoriented by the unfamiliar surroundings. As he slowly gained consciousness, he found himself muttering, "What the heck is happening?"
A surge of emotions flooded Atom - anger and sadness intertwined. His mind raced as he recalled the details of his demise. 'I died from a simple high school reaction! How is that even possible?' The realization dawned on him that he had been killed, unable to comprehend how a mere sodium cube could unleash such intense heat. The mystery lingered in his thoughts - how was it possible to generate such extraordinary heat from a seemingly ordinary cube?
As Atom regained his bearings, he noticed that he was not inhabiting a different body, as he initially thought. It was, in fact, his own form, but there was a stark difference in the environment. The surroundings were otherworldly, bathed in an ethereal glow that cast an otherworldly atmosphere. Examining himself, Atom discovered a subtle alteration in his body structure - lean with minimal fat, predominantly composed of sturdy bones.
Attempting to rise, Atom struggled against the unfamiliar physicality, his first attempt resulting in an unexpected tumble back to the ground. The grass beneath him felt strange, and the air carried a hint of exotic scents. As he pushed himself up again, Atom took in the surreal landscape, eager to unravel the mysteries of this new realm.
"How is this possible, how how how," Atom exclaimed inwardly, frustration mounting as he attempted once more to rise, only to meet with failure. After numerous futile attempts, he begrudgingly acknowledged the disparity in gravity between this realm and Earth. It dawned on him that his neuro-muscular coordination needed time to acclimate to this unfamiliar environment.
Reflecting on the events leading up to his arrival, Atom entertained a chilling possibility. "I think I have transmigrated," he whispered to himself, realization settling like a heavy weight upon his shoulders. Judging by his physical form, he deduced that he had reverted to a younger age, perhaps around eight or nine years old. Panic threatened to consume him as he contemplated the uncertain future that lay ahead.
Determined to gather information, Atom embarked on a quest to find someone who could provide answers about his current whereabouts. After walking for some time, he stumbled upon a boy of similar age.
"Hey, what is this place? Can you tell me, please?" Atom inquired, hoping for a coherent response.
To his dismay, the boy's reply was incomprehensible gibberish. "Kajshdlfiha asdjfhaisdhf aosidhfaisoudfh oaisdufaiuosdeh aisdfh," the boy rattled off nonsensically.
Perplexed, Atom sought clarification. "Can you speak again?" he implored.
Once more, the boy responded with unintelligible babble. "Aasidjfg asdif askjldfnajdsfh laksjdf."
The realization that he had indeed transmigrated settled heavily upon Atom. Adding to the complexity of his situation, he discovered the need to grasp the local language. Faced with the communication barrier, Atom resorted to using simple sign language to convey his basic needs, starting with a request for water. The boy, initially hesitant, eventually acquiesced and handed him a container of water.
As Atom took a sip, he couldn't help but notice a subtle difference – a slight saltiness. Pondering this, he concluded, 'Hmm, it's the same taste and color as H2O back on Earth, just with a minor variation.'
Eager to quell his hunger, Atom gestured for food. The boy promptly presented a handful of half-cooked rice. Appreciating the gesture, Atom devoured it in two bites and, still hungry, signaled for more.
The child responded in his native language, leaving Atom perplexed. 'I guess that's what we can expect from a little child,' he mused. Undeterred, Atom continued his attempts at communication as they wandered together, collecting berries along the way.
Their journey led them to an old wooden house where many small children lined up in two orderly queues – one for girls and the other for boys. The scene intrigued Atom, prompting him to wonder about the significance of the arrangement in this unfamiliar world.
Observing the peculiar scene, Atom noted the tense expressions of those entering the room, transforming into joyful looks upon exit. Determined to unravel the mystery, he persisted in questioning the boy, but this time, the boy gestured for silence and beckoned Atom to follow him.
They approached a stern-looking guard at the gate of the wooden house. The boy, named Chotu, spoke to the guard, who regarded Atom with suspicion, firing a cold question in a stern tone. Without hesitation, Chotu responded, seemingly relieving the guard of any concerns.
Following the tense conversation, Chotu called Atom over, and they both joined the line, awaiting their turn. As they stood in line, Atom learned more about Chotu. The boy was not just a companion; he held a position of leadership among the gangs present in this strange place. Chotu orchestrated the boys around them, sharing his berries and receiving different fruits in return. Atom also observed how other boys provided Chotu with a towel and water when they initially arrived.
The dynamics of this society intrigued Atom, leaving him with more questions about the role of the wooden house, the lines, and the significance of the exchanges between the children.
After what felt like an eternity, Atom and Chotu finally entered the house together. The interior was not what Atom anticipated; there was no visible lighting, only the feet of a seated person were discernible, casting shadows that hinted at a man. The man sat on a chair, rhythmically tapping his fingers.
"Asdfasd asdfasdf," the man uttered two words to Chotu, who responded with the same phrase he used with the guard outside. After a brief exchange, the man directed his attention first towards Atom and then back to Chotu.
Chotu proceeded to toss the bag containing fruits and berries onto a small hill, where similar bags with different numbers were scattered. Throughout this process, the man's gaze remained fixed on Atom, studying him intently. Aware that this was some kind of test, Atom kept his eyes downcast, not moving a single strand of hair, determined to pass whatever scrutiny awaited him.
After finishing his task, Chotu returned to his original spot beside Atom, both keeping their gaze lowered. The man spoke to Chotu, who nodded and signaled for Atom to follow him outside. Once out, they both seemed content. Chotu guided Atom to the same guard, who handed him a new bag with a different symbol from the others.
As those who completed their tasks emerged, conversations buzzed with happiness. Chotu's gang members approached, exchanging words with him in their usual manner. Towards evening, the final boy exited, sharing the collective joy. Atom observed that all the children appeared physically well, with no signs of illness or distress.
As time passed, a bell rang, signaling the children to form a line once more. They walked behind a carriage pulled by two humans. After approximately 500 steps, Atom glimpsed a village with small huts, guards at the compound gate, and a central statue of a person holding a sword. Upon handing their bags to the guards, the children entered the village, dispersing in various directions. Chotu grabbed Atom's hand, leading him towards a small hut.
Upon entering the hut, Atom discovered a bed, stove, and a shelf containing old, dusty scrolls. Chotu gestured for Atom to sit on the bed before heading outside to procure some vegetables. While Chotu began cooking, he engaged in conversation with Atom, who struggled to comprehend the unfamiliar language. Atom, in turn, sank into his thoughts, analyzing the day's events from his awakening until now.
In his contemplation, Atom noticed both similarities and differences between this world and Earth. Elements like water and fire seemed identical, as evidenced by the cooking fire Chotu tended. However, disparities in gravity and certain vegetables highlighted the uniqueness of this realm.
Realizing that mastering the local language was crucial, Atom resolved to make it his primary goal. "Hmm, understanding this language is tough, but I can at least make progress within a week if I focus solely on this," he determined, setting his sights on overcoming the communication barrier.
As Atom sat in the hut, he pondered over the peculiar circumstances of the children in this unfamiliar place. "I think the children are all orphans here, of different ages. Is this some kind of school? Nah, I don't think so. It must be that the head man adopted these children. He provides them with food in exchange for their work. But I can't be sure, as the boys seemed tense before entering the room but came out happy."
Contemplating Chotu's character, Atom reflected, "Now about Chotu, hmm, he is a good man, at least that's what I feel from his behavior towards me and his subordinates. I should remain quiet, as he told me, until I learn the language. The girls and boys get the same opportunities. There is no discrimination; they both have to do the same things. Hmm, I don't know if it's good or bad," Atom thought as he lay down for the night.
After a long session of contemplation, Atom realized it was late. He glanced at Chotu, who was already sleeping on the ground, and decided to follow suit, letting sleep take over his musings.
Little did Atom realize that his quiet resolve to adapt and learn the language would set in motion a series of events that would unravel the secrets of the orphaned children, the enigmatic head man, and the purpose behind their peculiar tasks.
As he drifted into a restless sleep, little did he anticipate that the challenges and revelations of this unfamiliar world were only beginning, inviting him into a realm where every discovery brought more questions than answers. The night held the promise of a journey that would test his wits and resilience, setting the stage for the intriguing chapters that lay ahead.
