I heard the explosion around me and waited for it to engulf me.

One second has passed…

Two seconds have passed…

Five seconds have passed…

Ten seconds have passed…

Thirty sec—you get the point! Nothing has happened.

I abruptly opened my eyes, and an unfamiliar white ceiling came into view.

What's more, is the comfortable and fluffy sensation on my back. I slowly sat up, assessing what was currently happening.

I was at the center of an eggshell white room with nothing but a dresser, closet, mirror, and bed.

That's not just it… no, there was something even more unexplainable happening to me right now.

"Ha… haha…" I awkwardly laughed as I stared into my reflection in the mirror. "Why the hell am I back to being a kid?!"

*****
***
*

"Alright, what the hell's happening?" I said as I paced back and forth in the room.

"Let's reiterate what happened. First, I was ambushed, then I definitely did not get my ass kicked by that bastard, then I killed him by blowing up my house, which I also was in. So, how the hell am I still alive and as a kid, no less?!" I scratched my head in frustration.

I looked back at my reflection. Although I was now back to being a kid, probably when I was around 15 years old, there is a notable difference in my appearance. My black eyes were now green, but honestly, compared to what I'm experiencing right now, it's such a small matter.

Sigh, I don't even know where I am. I then jerked my head to my back. How could I forget? There was a balcony behind me!

The stress is making me dumber, it seems.

I rushed through the door and into the balcony. It was currently high noon, and the sun shone brightly into my eyes, momentarily blinding me.

Then, when my eyes adjusted, I was greeted with a bird's eye view of a bustling city, beautiful one at that.

The vast expanse of buildings and streets stretched out as far as my eye could see, each one bustling with life and activity. The atmosphere was different from what I was used to, and the sunny sky added to the beauty of the scene, with vibrant colors and dazzling lights that illuminated the cityscape.

My eyesight was strangely excellent, and as I gazed down at the people below, I noticed something odd.

Many of them were carrying weapons like guns and swords, which were either sheathed or holstered at their waist or backs. Their clothing was also peculiar, making me wonder if there was a live-action role-playing event taking place nearby. It was strange to see people dressed like that in the middle of the day unless they were part of some kind of event or gathering.

"Kyaah! Pervert!"

"Pervert! Call the police!"

Hmm? Pervert? Where?

A few of my neighbors who also went out to the balcony started screaming. I looked from left to right for the pervert, but I saw none.

Until I felt a cool breeze on my lower body, and it was when I realized…

"Ohh… damn, I'm the pervert."

*****
***
*

Nothing is going my way. Luckily, there were fitting black pants and slightly oversized matching shirts in the closet and dresser. And let's not forget the underwear this time.

Although I'm fairly proud of my little general, I'm no exhibitionist, nor will I go commando. After wearing the clothes, I went out.

As I left my bedroom and stepped into the loft, I couldn't help but notice how sparse it was. Aside from a few essential pieces of furniture like a couch, TV, and table, there was not much else in the room. However, the design and aesthetic of the space were absolutely stunning and pleasing to the eye, making me whistle in admiration. Every detail was deliberate, from the clean lines of the furniture to the neutral color palette that created a sense of calm and tranquility. It was truly a sight to behold.

I walked down the stairs and went to turn on the TV, hoping to get an idea of where I was, but it showed nothing but static.

Scratching the back of my head, I turned it off and was about to move to the next area until I noticed a slim, transparent panel that showed the time and date, which confused me.

It read: [12:14 p.m. | March 4, 2545].

"…2545? What the actual fuck?" I couldn't help but curse. It was probably changed on purpose just to mess with me since how could a few centuries have passed? I mean, look, there are barely any differences in infrastructure or technology.

Sure, the alarm clock was different in design, but that could be done in a few years' time at most.

But… what about my current condition? I'm sure I was about to die, but yet I'm still here and as a child, no less.

Sighhh, there should be a logical explanation for all this. I just need to find it.

I turned my attention to the door on my right, suspecting that it led outside. Upon approaching it, I noticed that it was secured with a keycard lock instead of a conventional one. Unfortunately, I had no idea where the keycard was located, and I obviously couldn't leave without it unless I wanted to stay locked outside.

I went to the obvious place to place a card, which is the drawer, and, lo and behold; it was there.

It had a simple yet sleek design featuring a black background with a white border and a white circle in the center, which displayed what I presume is the room number.

Beneath the keycard, I noticed a large brown envelope. Curious, I opened it up and discovered that it contained several important documents, including my citizenship and birth certificates, identification card, and bank card. There was also a brand-new smartphone, which was great for me.
However, what caught my attention the most was the letter tucked inside the envelope.

I picked it up, and it read, "Arthur Bennett, if you're reading this, then that means you've awoken, alive and well, I presume.
You may have hundreds, if not thousands, of questions in your mind right now, but right now, I want you to remain calm about what's about to happen.

Welcome to Vanteer, the world that you should know very well.

This is not a drill, a joke, nor is it a dream. It is reality. A reality that you have to live in if you want to know the truth.

You may be asking who I am, and I could tell you, but I won't. It wouldn't benefit you in any way if I told you right now. You're not ready for it.

If you truly wish to know who I am or why you're here, become stronger and survive until the end!

The real ending.

Become strong enough to rival the 'protagonist' and his friends, and do it soon because, right now, you're nothing more than a mob in your novel!"

"Haha… Excuse me? You're fucking with me, right?" I cursed under my breath.

I'm in Vanteer? The world where my piece of shit story took place in? That Vanteer?!

I scoffed at the letter. Yeah, right, as if I'd believe it just because it's in a letter. I'm more inclined to believe that I time-traveled to the future and my condition was a side-effect of that, but me actually in a different world? A world I created on a whim just because I was bored, no less? Who the hell would believe that?

I grabbed the keycard and unlocked the door, peeking out into the hallway. While there was nothing particularly remarkable about the hallway's design, it still exuded an air of elegance and sophistication that left me feeling impressed.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped out of my room and made my way down the hallway toward the elevator. I pressed the button and waited patiently for the elevator to arrive. To my surprise, it didn't take long, considering how high up I was.

As the doors opened, I couldn't help but marvel at the view of the city that was visible through the glass walls of the elevator shaft. However, I didn't have time to admire it just yet. I stepped inside the elevator and pressed the button for the ground floor.

I anticipated that it would take a few minutes for the elevator to reach the ground floor, but I was wrong. Within seconds, I found myself arriving at the lobby, still feeling as though I had traveled at a leisurely pace. The doors opened, and I was greeted by the sight of a luxurious and sparkling lobby that took my breath away.

This kind of setting might intimidate the average person, but for someone like me who had attended countless events of a similar class, it was nothing out of the ordinary.

Upon exiting the elevator, I made my way over to the desk, where the lobby attendant was stationed.

The simplest way to know my current location is to ask directly.

Wanting to avoid any awkwardness or suspicion, I approached the attendant and politely inquired, "Excuse me, could you please tell me the address of my unit, 20114? I need to have a package delivered, but I keep forgetting the address to it."

The attendant behind the desk was a stunning blonde woman in her early 30s. Despite her youth and beauty, she maintained a friendly and professional demeanor as she fulfilled my request with a smile. "Sure thing," she replied.

Normally, I might have flirted with someone as attractive and composed as her, but I was too preoccupied with that at the moment.

She jotted down the address to my unit on a piece of paper and handed it to me. "Here you go, sir."

I thanked her and inspected the address, feeling my heart sink as I recognized it. Not because it was a location familiar to me on Earth but because it was a place that should only exist in my novel.

I doubt anyone would go through the trouble and expense of setting up such an elaborate practical joke. While it was possible that the attendant had been instructed to write down that address, the unfamiliar surroundings and overall strange experience led me to believe that I was no longer on Earth.

Besides, aren't I the proof that things are different? After all, not only am I not dead, but I'm back to being a 15-year-old again.

As I stepped outside, there was a topiary sign that read 'Chambre Condominium,' which was the name of the condo building. I recognized the name from my novel as one of the best and most expensive condominiums in Dublin City, with excellent security and breathtaking views. Seeing the name on the sign made me realize that I might actually be in the world I had created in my book, which was a strange and unsettling feeling.

The cheapest room here costs 7,000,000 creds. The equivalent from creds to dollars was exactly the same, so you could imagine how expensive it truly was.

However, that is if we're on Earth. For the most common people here, it really is expensive. However, for the more… unique people, it's fairly priced.

Why was this the case, you may ask?

The reason is simple actually: inflation.

In my story, Vanteer is an unexplored land with plenty of treasures waiting to be discovered. However, because these treasures are so valuable and rare, the market supply quickly diminishes, causing prices to skyrocket in order to counteract it.

However, my concern right now is not the economics of my story but rather its darker aspects. Due to my own personal issues, I may have made some parts of the story needlessly difficult and dangerous for the characters, resulting in unnecessary casualties.

With the way I am right now, my death is more or less guaranteed.

Moreover, if I'm at this point in time, the story shouldn't have started yet, which gives me an advantage and a disadvantage.

There are still about five years before my novel starts, but I actually only have two years of peacefulness since there was a background event that kickstarted the novel's plot—the Cleansing.

The event where the main antagonistic force, the Pandora, led by the Devil King Nadier, made their debut to the world by massacring countless civilians worldwide.

Currently, aside from the higher-ups, people have yet to learn about the existence of the Pandora. As far as the general public knows, their only enemy is a race of dark monsters called the Jinns, which originates from Pandora.

So, you could expect just how unprepared everyone was when they made their debut and wreaked havoc everywhere.

Crap. Seriously, what have I done to myself?

My head throbbed with pain, causing me to wince in discomfort. So, I walked with no actual destination in mind, hoping that the pain would subside.

I let my feet guide me as I moved through the crowded sidewalks, past shops, restaurants, and towering buildings.

Despite the noise and commotion of the city around me, the fresh air and exercise helped to soothe my aching head.

I eventually stumbled upon the city's park, and instantly, a feeling of tranquility washed over me. It was a vibrant display of nature with lush green trees towering above me, their leaves rustling softly in the wind. The grass was a vivid shade of green, and the flowers of various colors bloomed brilliantly, adding to the lively atmosphere. The sun's rays shone through the branches, creating a dappled effect on the ground. The sound of birds chirping and water trickling from a nearby fountain created a peaceful symphony, and the occasional jogger or cyclist passing by added to the park's liveliness.

As I sat on the nearby bench, I could feel my headache slowly subside. It's been a while since I've felt this, so I decided to just sit back and enjoy this while I still could.

Unfortunately, this small window of peace I had didn't last long.