Zane had traveled in far more comfortable trains before. This one seemed vintage. The seats were red and the leather covers felt weary and rough and even ripped in some places. But it didn’t bother him that much. He was alone in the first of the four passenger wagons and he liked it that way very much. Leaning back in his seat, he looked through the window as the train started its long voyage.

They passed the “You are now leaving the town of Midville. We hope to see you again!” and a surge of nostalgia swept over Zane’s mind. He had just arrived here and now he was leaving. He really wanted to explore this town in more details, this was, after all, the hometown of his in-game self. But Zane made a promise to himself. After finished the Public Security Competition and earning enough money for him and his mother, he’ll return to his hometown and go through a full tour of Midville. A real homecoming experience.

Traveling through the countryside now, Zane saw vast fields and gardens of crops and vegetables of various sorts, huge plantations of fruits and tobacco, livestocks numbering in the thousands. This part of the country seemed to be mostly agrarian, at least from what Zane had witnessed. Midville itself didn’t have much factories either.

Zane looked at the fingers of his right hand. His right hand trembled slightly, so he grabbed it with his left hand. All that had happened so far, him wanting to take his own life, stopping by and playing this weird game by that strange man and now this, actually getting transported to a whole new world. He didn’t really have time to think about this much until now, when he was sitting alone in this train section. He briefly pinched his left arm and he winced from the pain. This was real, no doubt about it. There wasn’t really any plausible reason to deny this anymore. The sooner he accepts, the sooner he can think about other things. Such as the Competition event.

“Excuse me young man, but may I see your ticket?” The elderly train conductor appeared before Zane, standing right next to the seat where his backpack was located. Zane twitched, as if someone had woken him up from a quick nap.

“Yeah, sure. Just a second.” Zane reached into his pockets and pulled out the ticket. The cost was 50 dollars, which pained him greatly that his mother had to give up so much money for him. The conductor nods as he takes the ticket and rips it in half, giving Zane his part.

“I almost forgot to come here, I was napping a bit. You know how it is, old age and all...” The conductor chuckled to himself as he went to the front again but stopped short and turned around to face Zane.

“By the way, if you don’t mind me asking, where are you headed?” Even though he had just taken his ticket, the old conductor didn’t bother reading the destination. He preferred to hear it straight from the passenger.

“I’m going to Treaburn, for the Public Security Competition. I want to become a Ranger.” Zane replied as he grinned.

The conductor’s face sunk somewhat, causing Zane to squint his eyes. Did he say something wrong?

“Oh, you too... well, good luck son. Take care. I hope you return home safe and in one piece at least.” The conductor meekly nods his head as he dissappears from Zane’s compartment and joins the train driver in his command room.

Zane was left awestruck. What was that all about? The conductor’s mood changed completely when he mentioned that he was going to participate in the Competition. He might have been trying to warn Zane of the dangers, after all, Zane did read the costs and risks of taking part in the Competition. People have died or gotten crippled before due to the Competition, which just adds another clue at how brutal and merciless this whole thing is going to be. What kept Zane sane and level-headed is the belief that, in the end, this is all just a game. If he dies here, he’ll just respawn, since he’s the Player. Right?

The train slowed down for a while as it was passing through a long and dark tunnel. Zane took this time to get up and stretch out his body. He felt some stiffness in his joints from sitting so long. As he sat down again in his seat, he couldn’t help but think of his status here. There was no doubt that he’s a Player but are there any other Players besides him? Was this an MMORPG or a single-player RPG? A small wave of discomfort surged through Zane’s head as a reminder of what comes from overthinking and his recent head injury. This also reminded him to take his antibiotic pill. He reached into his backpack and pulled out the pill and a bottle of water and then took it into his organism. It was a bit sour but nothing too scary. One more pill left to swallow tomorrow and that was it. Zane hoped he wouldn’t have any more problems with his migraines so it doesn’t cause any interferences to his performance level at the Competition.

The dark tunnel went on for kilometers until they emerged into a clearing. Now, they were traveling through a dense oak forest and Zane couldn’t help but admire the gorgeous sight of nature untouched and unsoiled by greedy human hands. Looking at his reflection in the window, he noticed the white streak of his hair which now enveloped the majority of the left side of his head. Back on the real world, this was but a small patch of white hair right above his left ear. Zane was born with this and it was called a ‘lucky streak’ but judging from what he had survived so far in his 18 years of life, it was anything but lucky. Often mocked and ridiculed by his peers for this, Zane went into a deep depression at one point. They called him various words and jokes, saying that he was aging fast and would turn into an old man soon. Zane thought about this a lot last night as he went to sleep. He was glad and even relieved that this small patch of white hair extended to the majority of the left side of his head. He didn’t care what others thought of him anymore. No matter what color it was, his white hair was his and he wasn’t ashamed of it anymore.

Zane enjoyed a long nap until the train stopped at its first major destination. A train station much larger and more modern than the one at his hometown. He didn’t see the name of the city because his eyes were closed and his mind was floating in the clouds. He didn’t bother going outside as he didn’t need to go to the toilet. After a several minutes long pause, more passengers started boarding up the train. They entered the first wagon, where Zane was located but they ignored him and went into the other three. Zane was very relieved as he enjoyed this solo traveling. Just him with his own thoughts.

However, just as he was about to drift to sleep again, the last passenger entered the train and the door closed behind him and the train started to slowly accelerate as it left the train station. Zane’s green eyes went wide open. This latest passenger approached him and stopped near his compartment.

“Hey, mind if I sit near you? I’ve been alone for so long so some company might do me good. No pressure of course.”

A young man of average height with dark-brown skin, a short afro and piercing hazel eyes. His attire consisted of blue knee-length shorts, white basketball shoes and a plain gray hoodie. He only carried a backpack, which was flung over his right shoulder.

“Yeah sure, why not. I have been traveling on my own ever since I boarded this train. Would be nice to have someone to talk to, right?” Zane chuckled as he pointed to the seat right in front of him. The two seats opposite him were turned towards him and the young man nodded as he put his backpack on the seat opposite Zane’s backpack while he himself sat opposite Zane.

“My name is Malik. It’s nice to meet you.” Malik smiled, presenting a genuine smile and extending his hand.

“And my name is Zane, nice to meet you too.” Zane returned the smile, and shook his hand. Malik’s grip was strong but Zane’s was slightly stronger.

“So, Zane, where are you from? Somewhere near?”

“Not really. I have been traveling for like three hours now since I boarded the train from my hometown’s train station. I come from a small town called Midville. What about you?”

Malik nodded as Zane explained where he came from.

“I see. I haven’t heard of your hometown. So you’re from this country?”

“Yeah I am. What about you? You’re a foreigner?”

“You could say that twice. Not only do I come from a different country but also from a different continent. Thousands of kilometers away.”

Zane couldn’t help but gasp at this revelation. To travel so far from one’s home takes guts and determination and this guy seemed very confident and able.

“Wow, that’s amazing. Did you travel that distance all by yourself? Alone?”

Malik let out a small giggle at Zane’s surprised reaction.

“Heh, I really did so. It was scary and intimidating at first but over the time, you simply get used to it. By the way, if you don’t mind me asking, how old are you?”

Zane already knew the answer. His age and birthday stayed the same in the game world too.

“I recently turned 18. My birthday was on April the 10th, six days ago.”

Malik chuckles in amusement.

“There is no way, hah. Mine is one day after, on the 11th. What a coincidence.”

Zane laughed. Truly, what a coincidence. Deep down, Zane thought to himself: Is this guy also a Player like me? This is almost a bit too similar. Born only one day after me... but at the same time, he gives me the same feeling that my mother does. And the train conductor. And all the passengers that boarded up the train recently. They all have one thing in common. They’re not real people. They don’t exist in the real world. They are just NPCs in an RPG game called ‘Reborn Regression’. Then why... do they also feel like actual human beings made from flesh and bones and equipped with their own feelings and desires? Is this a game mechanic? Or have I gone full crazy?

“Yo man, you okay? You kinda just stared through me. It was kinda intimidating.” Malik waved his hand in front of Zane as if trying to check his eyesight.

Zane squinted his eyes as he shook his head.

“Huh? Oh sorry, I must have just thought about something... trivial. Don’t sweat it though, I’m glad I met a guy of my age on this ride. It’ll make this train ride much more enjoyable. We might even become friends.”

Malik clenches his right fist and points it at Zane while letting out a hearty laugh.

“The way I see it, we’re already friends. You’re the first person I have actually talked to since entering this country and we’re the same age. Plus, you seem like a decent guy. We can be friends, of course, if that’s okay with you.”

Zane thought for a few seconds but then clenched his right fist too and gave Malik a fist bump.

“Yeah, I agree, let’s be friends then.” Zane grinned as happiness filled him like never before. He couldn’t recall when was the last time he made a genuine friend, not someone who would just use him and then toss him to the sides like used garbage. The more time he spent here, the more he wished that this wasn’t just a game but a reality too.

* * *

The train ride was going according to plan. No incidents or irregularities were spotted. At every train station they stopped, more passengers entered the train but nobody would sit in the first wagon. Zane and Malik were completely alone in their compartment. They quickly passed the time by talking about various topics and the differences in their respective countries and continents, and their past activities and childhoods. However, it wasn’t until Zane checked the time on his phone and it showed that it was 19:00 now. One more hour left until they reached their destination. But as these thoughts swirled through Zane’s head, he realized one crucial thing. For the past four hours that he had spent talking with Malik and getting to know him better, he didn’t even ask him where he was headed to or what his goals are.

“Heh, you know what? I just realized something very funny, man. Where are you headed? And what for exactly, if it’s not a secret?” Zane opened up the topic as he was eating some snacks his mother had stuffed in his backpack.

“Wait really? Ha-ha! We talked about many things but didn’t even bother talking about the main thing. Well, I’m traveling to a city called Treaburn as I have applied myself for the Public Security Competition. I am aiming to become a Ranger.” Malik giggled as he munched on his own box of snacks that he brought with him.

Zane’s mouth went wide open. Malik was heading to the same city as him and with the same purpose? This couldn’t be any better now. Zane did feel a bit nervous and scared about going alone to this city and entering this Competition on his own but now that he had a friend (granted, he had only met him a few hours ago but Zane still valued him as an honest and good guy), made everything easier. It also increased his own sense of bravery and self-confidence. There was no way they would lose now.

“All right then! This country will get richer with two new Rangers by the end of this week!”

“Wait, are you saying that...”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying... I am also going to participate in the Competition.”

Malik pumped his right fist into the air. Zane could easily tell that he was overjoyed by this.

“This is even better when you realize that together we have a much easier chance at passing this trial than if we went on our own. I can hardly wait, even though we don’t know what the tasks will be. By the way, what is the reason that you want to become a Ranger?” Malik leaned back into his seat, adjusting his body as to combat the stiffness from sitting for too long.

“It’s quite simple, really. My family is in a dire financial situation and we need money so by becoming a Ranger and completing missions, I’ll earn enough money to pay all of our debts and to make sure that we never go broke again in the future.” Zane explains as he looks through the window as they’re currently traveling along a long and timid river.

“That’s... honest and straight to the point. I hope you can earn enough money to help your family. As for me... I hesitated whether I should tell you or not but seeing that you were honest to me, it’s only fair if I also returned the favor.” Malik sighed as he leaned forward and looked Zane straight into his eyes, causing the atmosphere around them to change from goofy and light-hearted to serious and delicate.

“My one and only goal in my life is to find my little sister. Her name is Imani. She had gone missing six years ago. My village is kind of isolated from other places and it’s surrounded by a thick forest. Search parties were sent but not a single trace of her was found. Everyone accepted that she was lost. Or dead. But nobody found her corpse. Nothing. Like she didn’t even exist. And before she dissappeared, she exhibited some strange erratic behaviour. Before that she was a shy and timid 6-year-old girl.” Malik said in an aloof and monotone voice. It was clear from his tone that this was very hard on him but he just needed to share this with someone and who better than his newest friend and upcoming companion for the Competition.

“I see. That’s some really heavy stuff, I hope you’ll be able to find her. So you think that when you become a Ranger, that’ll help you in your search for her? Do you have any other leads on your sister?” Zane asked, making sure to keep his voice low, even though they were alone in this compartment.

Malik took in another deep breath.

“Correct. Becoming a Ranger also brings in many benefits far above the capacity of a regular civilian. This will greatly help in my investigation. As for any leads... there are a few. Shortly before her dissappearance, a black helicopter was seen flying above our village. And in the forests around our village, some villagers reported seeing strange men wearing black suits and sunglasses. What’s even more strange, is that their skin color was fair. And my country and even my entire continent are almost completely dark-skinned. The most logical and blunt explanation is that some spies or agents from another country on another continent arrived and kidnapped my little sister.”

Zane gulped as he stared at Malik. This is by far the wildest and craziest thing he had ever heard in his life, even before he entered this game. Everything that Malik said sounded like it came from a 1000-page conspiracy and mystery novel. It was simply astounding. Zane had to be careful now. This was an extremely sensitive topic and the sheer fact that Malik is willing to give him the whole spill is also a sign that he trusts him so much already.

“Malik, my friend... I feel so bad for you and your little sister. But I promise, I will help you in any way I can. Trust me.”

“Thank you, I appreciate it man. And I’ll help you too with your goal. We can do this together.”

They bumped their fists together again. This was the birth of a great friendship and camaraderie. Each with their own but vastly different goals, there was still a thing that was in common for the both of them. They were doing this for their family. Zane, for his mother and Malik, for his sister.

A new NPC has entered the game!

- Player Information -

First Name – Malik

Middle Name – None

Last Name – ?

Gender - Male

Birthday – April the 11th

Age – 18

Blood Type - B+

Species – Human

Skin Color – Dark-brown

Height – 170 cm

Weight – 60 kg

Hair Color – Black

Hair Style – Small afro

Eye Color – Hazel

Facial Hair – None

Facial Hair Color – None

Clothing Style – Blue knee-length shorts, white basketball shoes and a plain gray hoodie

Unique Body Features – None

Relationships – Imani (younger sister, current status: unknown, officially declared missing), Unknown parents (current status: alive)

- Stats -

Strength – 7

Speed – 10

Dexterity – 8

Agility – 10

Intelligence – 8

Ike Knowledge – 0

Willpower – 10

Endurance – 9

Unarmed Combat – 8

Armed Combat – 8

Aura Color - None