Reincarnated in Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint

Recap

The previous events still echoed in Rodrigo's mind like distant reverberations, hard to ignore. He had faced Arthur in a distorted reality within his own consciousness, where old truths and painful secrets were revealed. The sarcastic and enigmatic being reminded Rodrigo of a past he would rather forget, mentioning his questionable choices and the dark pact that connected them.

After this intense interaction, Rodrigo awoke in a familiar yet unsettling environment: Ichigo Kurosaki's inner world. There, he encountered Zangetsu — both his Quincy side, the old man with the penetrating gaze, and his Hollow side, the chaotic and irreverent White. Still adjusting to the strangeness of his situation, Rodrigo wondered if they hated him for stealing Ichigo's body.

Zangetsu revealed disturbing details: Ichigo had been transformed into the new Soul King after the Thousand-Year Blood War to stabilize the three worlds, but somehow, his essence was removed, leaving the body at Rodrigo's mercy. Even so, Yhwach and White showed no resentment, only an unexpected strangeness and acceptance of the situation.

Finally, White and Yhwach understood that they were no longer in the Soul Society or Karakura. They now inhabited a completely different world.

---

Kim Dok-ja

The darkness around us was almost tangible, suffocating, as if the very environment was conspiring to swallow us whole. We moved cautiously, keeping the formation that had saved us countless times. Jung Heewon led the way with her sword, Lee Hyun-Sung at her side, always ready with his brute strength, Lee Gilyoung observing with keen eyes as the insects around him moved restlessly, Yoo Sangah, the moral compass of the group, and... Han Myungoh. A dead weight I tolerated only for future use.

I knew where we were headed. The secondary secret scenario, a place few could reach and even fewer survive. My heart raced, not out of fear, but anticipation. I knew what awaited us. Or at least, I thought I did.

As we advanced, my mind wandered back to the spiky-haired redhead. That man... or perhaps something more than that. My Omniscient Reader ability had failed to read his profile. It wasn't just unusual, it was impossible. The system always provided some information, even if minimal. But with him, all I received was "Data nonexistent."

Not even Yoo Sangah, who was clearly different from the system, caused such an error. Who was that man? Or rather, what was he?

Suddenly, loud bangs interrupted my thoughts. The ground trembled beneath our feet, and the darkness was torn apart by flashes of light. In the next moment, we stood before the crack marking the entrance to the secret location.

And that was when I saw him again.

My mind froze. Not because it was difficult to understand what was happening, but because it was impossible to process.

The redhead was in the midst of the battlefield, but he wasn't fighting like an ordinary human. No, he was an embodiment of a hurricane. The way he moved... Each step, each strike with that colossal sword that spun like a living scourge, seemed predetermined, perfect.

His figure was a blur of speed and violence. He leapt between the wreckage, slashing at the immense creature in front of him — the Dark Keeper, a rank 7 monster. Something that, in theory, should have been an unstoppable force, but now seemed... desperate.

I had seen high-level rankers fight. I had read about legendary figures facing impossible monsters. But this? This was something entirely different.

His sword... It wasn't just a weapon. It seemed alive. Every movement of the blade was accompanied by a white ribbon that twisted through the air like serpents, tearing apart the environment around them. The redhead spun, cut, and dodged with a precision that made the Dark Keeper look like a beginner in a cruel game.

I couldn't hear anything except the booming sounds. It was as if the battle itself was absorbing all the sound, leaving only the visual impact of a titanic duel.

And then it happened.

One of the monster's strikes managed to land, throwing him in our direction. "Fall back!" I shouted to the group.

We all jumped backward, falling into defensive positions, but it wasn't necessary. The redhead didn't notice us. He got up as if nothing had happened, blood dripping from a deep cut on his shoulder.

And he smiled.

It wasn't a human smile. There was no humanity in that look. It was something pure and wild, something that said, "Fighting is my life, and this is far from over."

He returned to the Dark Keeper before we could react, attacking with even more ferocity.

"Dok-ja-ssi," I heard Yoo Sangah whisper beside me, "Who... what is he?"

I didn't know how to respond. There was no logical explanation for what we were witnessing.

"I don't know," I murmured. "But he's no ordinary person."

Meanwhile, the Dark Keeper let out a high-pitched scream, a sound that seemed to come from the depths of its existence. The monster was in a panic, and all I could think was: This man is something even the system can't explain.

I needed to know more. I needed to understand who he was and why he was here. And, more importantly, what he would do when he was done with the monster.

And then, the redhead leaped, swinging his sword in a destructive arc that descended upon the Dark Keeper like a divine lightning strike. The fissure around us trembled.

And I knew, at that moment, that this encounter would change everything.

The Dark Keeper's roar echoed through the fissure, reverberating like thunder in a narrow valley. The redhead, however, remained unshaken, almost... indifferent. Every strike he landed was accompanied by precise and brutal movements, as if every part of his body had been forged for combat.

That was when he began to speak.

"This kid had the decency to tell me not to kill you," his voice sliced through the air, dripping with a mocking and disdainful tone. He swung the colossal sword once more, almost casually, as the monster howled in desperation. "But... he never said anything about leaving you in one piece."

My eyes widened. He was enjoying this. This man wasn't just fighting — he was savoring every moment, every scream of pain he tore from the monster, every drop of blood that hit the ground.

The monster tried to counterattack, a desperate blow that seemed to gather the little energy it had left. But the redhead laughed, dodging with a leap that made him appear to float in the air for a moment.

"And is that all? What a disappointment..." He raised his sword, and what happened next was nothing short of terrifying.

He shouted: "Getsuga Tenshou!"

A wave of black energy sliced through space, tearing the air like an invisible blade. The impact was devastating, pulverizing the ground beneath the Dark Keeper and sending fragments of stone and dust flying in all directions. My heart nearly stopped at the sheer raw power of that technique.

When the dust began to settle, the monster was still there — alive, but only because the redhead had decided so. The Dark Keeper was on his knees, blood spilling from multiple wounds as he let out a low, rasping groan. He was on the verge of death, humiliated and completely subdued.

The redhead landed softly on the ground, as if he hadn't just used a technique capable of breaking mountains. His sword, now resting on his shoulder, looked as light as a toy in his hands.

Then, he did something that left me bewildered. He reached for his face and began to peel off what seemed like a mask.

The sound was horrible — like glass shattering mixed with something organic being torn. He pulled hard, and the white mask finally gave way, revealing a face identical to Ichigo Kurosaki's, but with an undeniable malice in the smile.

"That was fun," he said aloud, his voice echoing through the fissure. His eyes gleamed with an insane light, as if he were speaking directly to us, though I knew he wasn't. "Ah, that was fun... But you know what's frustrating?"

He spun the sword again, almost absentmindedly, as he looked at the Dark Keeper, now just a mere spectator of his own defeat.

"I wanted to use all my strength."

My hands were sweaty, my heart pounding in my chest. The air around me felt heavier, as if his very presence was altering the atmosphere.

"Dok-ja-ssi," Yoo Sangah whispered beside me again, her voice laced with concern.

I had no answers for her. This man, whoever or whatever he was, wasn't someone we could face. Not now. Maybe never.

He looked up at the sky, completely ignoring the group watching him from a distance, and let out a low laugh. It was a sound that seemed to mix pleasure and dissatisfaction.

"Maybe next time."

I knew we had to move on, but one thing was certain: whatever that man was, he was not something that this world — or any other — could contain easily.

He looked at the sword in his hands, now covered by a black, pulsating aura, as if the power there was a living entity. But then, without warning, he stumbled slightly and fell to his knees.

I was surprised. That man — or thing — who had seemed invincible now appeared... mortal? He leaned on the sword for support and let out a heavy breath, almost like a frustrated sigh.

"Dok-ja-ssi..." Yoo Sangah began, but I raised my hand, interrupting her.

"Stay here."

"Are you crazy?!" Jung Heewon whispered firmly, pulling my arm. "Look at what he just did!"

She wasn't wrong, of course. But there was something in me that told me I needed to go. Maybe it was curiosity, or maybe it was the feeling that if we didn't approach him now, we'd lose the chance to understand what the hell was happening.

Without responding, I started walking.

Each step felt heavier than the last. The ground was still warm and smoking from the battle, and the oppressive energy emanating from that man made my skin tingle. But I kept walking.

As I got closer, I heard his voice, a low, hoarse murmur.

"I didn't think... I'd fall. This is embarrassing."

He chuckled softly, but didn't get up. When I got even closer, I noticed his hand was bleeding, with fine cracks in his skin, as if he were... breaking?

"Who are you?" My voice came out firmer than I expected.

He slowly raised his head, and for the first time, his eyes met mine.

They were terrifying. A mix of insanity, exhaustion, and something I couldn't identify. His mouth curled into a slow smile, but without humor.

"You're brave, kid. Or stupid."

"Maybe a bit of both."

He laughed, and the sound was strange, as if it didn't belong to him.

"Kim Dok-ja." He said my name with familiarity, as if it were natural. "Interesting... I figured this scenario would attract you."

My hands grew sweaty. He knew my name? How? Before I could ask, he continued:

"I'm not at my best, if that's what you want to know." He held his chest, as if feeling something that bothered him. "The kid doesn't let me use everything I've got... He's that annoying."

"Kid?" I frowned. "Are you talking about the man we saw before? The redhead?"

His smile grew.

"He's... complicated. Let's just say he prefers playing the hero."

"Aren't you him?"

"I am and I am not." He pointed to himself with the sword. "But what difference does that make to you? Are you here to try to kill me too?"

I swallowed hard, but kept my composure.

"No." I replied honestly. "I'm here to understand."

His smile faded, and for a moment, something passed over his face — something that looked like... respect?

"Understand, huh?" He sighed and looked up at the sky, still glowing with the remnants of the battle. "You humans are always like this. Trying to understand what you can't. But..." He turned his gaze back to me, and his smile returned. "You have courage. I like that."

He tried to stand up, but his legs gave out. Instinctively, I moved closer, but he raised a hand, stopping me.

"Don't get too close, kid. I'm still dangerous, even like this."

"You seem more human now." I responded without thinking, and he laughed again.

"Maybe I am. Maybe I'm not."

A silence hung between us for a moment. Behind me, I could feel the concerned gaze of my group, but I continued staring at that man — or thing — trying to decipher him.

"If you're trying to understand me, Kim Dok-ja..." He finally said, his voice softer. "Good luck. Because I don't even fully understand myself."

With that, he collapsed backward, lying on the ground as if he were exhausted. His breathing was heavy, but he still smiled, as if he found humor in his own situation.

I didn't know what to do, but one thing was certain: that man was a mystery that couldn't be ignored.

And this was just the beginning.

The figure of the redhead lay before me, breathing heavily like a warrior worn out after a prolonged battle. His body was covered in wounds, but there was something about the way he remained there, motionless, that indicated he had probably faced the Dark Keeper alone for a long time before we arrived.

I looked around, analyzing the destruction. It was clear that the fight hadn't just started. Deep cuts marred the ground and walls of the cave, alongside traces of energy I had never seen before.

The battle had been intense, and he had still emerged victorious. But at what cost?

"Hyunsung." I called in a firm tone, turning to the large man in the group, Lee Hyunsung. He, always obedient and ready, responded immediately.

"Yes, Dok-ja-ssi."

"Can you carry him? He's exhausted, but we can't leave him here."

Without hesitation, Hyunsung nodded. "Of course."

He walked over to the redhead, carefully lifting him. I watched as he positioned the man on his back, also holding the unusual sword he used. Hyunsung seemed uncomfortable with the combined weight, but, as always, he didn't complain.

Meanwhile, a scenario window appeared before us:

---

[Secret Secondary Scenario Completed!]

The participants of the scenario fulfilled the conditions to finish the secret level.

---

Before I could process what this meant, a figure appeared floating in front of us.

It was a dokkaebi, but different from any other I had seen. His skin was completely black, but he had golden horns that gleamed intensely, as if made of precious metal. The dokkaebi seemed... nervous. No, not nervous. He was panicking.

"This is impossible!" He shouted, his sharp voice echoing off the walls. "How... How did he do this?! The incarnation Rodrigo destroyed the Dark Keeper alone! This should be impossible for someone at this stage!"

Rodrigo.

I mentally noted the name. So, that was his name. Apparently, even the dokkaebi knew who he was. But why was he so desperate? The constellations should have been watching, and something about this situation seemed to have attracted a lot of attention.

The dokkaebi, still floating, noticed that Rodrigo was unconscious. His glowing eyes turned to me and my group.

"You!" He pointed a thin, trembling finger at us. "Aren't you going to finish the job? The Dark Keeper is still alive, technically. The first to kill him will get a reward of 7,000 coins!"

My mind began to work immediately. It was a trap, obviously. The dokkaebi wanted to create some kind of conflict between us. Maybe the constellations were waiting for us to fight over the prize.

My companions looked at me, waiting for a decision. I just shook my head, signaling that we wouldn't do anything.

We wouldn't be pawns in this game.

Frustrated by our lack of reaction, the dokkaebi huffed and vanished, muttering something about how "this won't end like this."

Back in reality, my eyes fell on a glowing chest in the center of the cave. It emitted a pulsating light, and I knew what it was: the reward for the secret scenario.

"Dok-ja-ssi..." Yoo Sangah started, hesitantly.

I raised a hand to interrupt her. "I know."

My mind was conflicted. Should I open it? Rodrigo did all the hard work. He killed the Dark Keeper while we just watched. If I took the rewards now, it would be like stealing someone else's credit.

But at the same time, leaving it here would be a monumental waste.

"When he wakes up, I'll tell him everything." I said, more to myself than to the others. "I'll be honest about what we took."

I approached the chest and, carefully, opened the lid.

---

[You have acquired the Mana Brazier!]

Note: Max 1 per incarnation.

---

An involuntary smile appeared on my face. Such a rare item could be extremely useful.

"Hyunsung, Yoo Sangah, Jung Heewon," I called, pointing to the brazier. "Let's use it now. Put the rat meat you've hunted in it. We need energy, and this will help."

As we began to organize ourselves, a question arose in my mind, and my expression hardened.

"Wait." I looked around, counting the group members.

"Where's Han Myungoh?"

Before I could process Han Myungoh's absence, a system message appeared before me, interrupting my thoughts:

---

[The rank 7 demon species DARK KEEPER has been slain.]

---

The silence in the cave was broken by loud, uncontrollable laughter. I turned, along with the others, only to witness a scene that bordered on grotesque. Han Myungoh, the one who normally just caused trouble, was standing next to the body of the Dark Keeper, a knife deeply embedded in the skeletal skull of the creature.

He was laughing. Laughing.

For a moment, he looked almost... triumphant, as if he had finally proven himself useful. But the celebration didn't last long. Before anyone could react, the body of the Dark Keeper, even in death, moved one last time. One of its monstrous tentacles whipped through the air, lightning-fast, and pierced Han Myungoh's mouth.

His laughter immediately ceased, replaced by a horrible gurgling as blood poured from his mouth. He dropped to his knees, eyes wide with terror, while the tentacle remained lodged in his face.

The Dark Keeper finally died, its massive body hitting the ground with a heavy thud. But not before the system sent more messages:

---

[You have achieved the impossible.]

[You have earned a total of 8,000 coins.]

[Contributors: Rodrigo Raphael, Han Myungoh.]

---

But the worst was yet to come.

---

[The demon king God of Wrath and Lust has been notified of your existence for killing the rank 7 demon species DARK KEEPER.]

[The demon king God of Wrath and Lust will hunt the incarnation that delivered the final blow until they die.]

[The demon king God of Wrath and Lust has placed a terrible curse on the incarnation who delivered the final blow.]

---

And then came the final message:

---

[Final Attack: Han Myungoh.]

---

Han Myungoh was pale now. His eyes frantically scanned the space around him, as if looking for some way out. Then, he began to panic.

"No... No, no, no!" He screamed, pulling the knife from his hands and stumbling backward. "No one warned me about this! This wasn't in the scenario! I... I didn't know!"

He collapsed to the ground, hands clutching his head as tremors ran through his body.

I sighed deeply, running my hand over my face.

"You didn't do this on purpose, did you?" I said loudly, my tone thick with sarcasm but with a clear intention for everyone to hear.

The others gave me strange looks. Yoo Sangah seemed confused, while Jung Heewon looked ready to stab Han Myungoh where he lay. Lee Hyunsung just kept his gaze fixed on the fallen man.

But internally, my mind was working at full speed.

Demonic species are closely tied to demon kings through the [Black Root], I thought. This connection grants them part of their masters' power. And, by extension, eliminating such creatures directly catches the attention of these kings.

Killing a rank 7 demon like the Dark Keeper meant Han Myungoh had, unintentionally, drawn the wrath of the Demon King God of Wrath and Lust.

The curse of this king is cruel.

It turns the victim's greatest nightmare into reality. I don't know exactly what Han Myungoh fears most, but whatever it is, it's coming for him.

"Dok-ja-ssi..." Yoo Sangah started, but I cut her off with a gesture.

"He'll suffer." I said simply, without emotion, as I looked at the man trembling on the ground.

This wasn't my problem. Han Myungoh had always been a problem for the group. He followed us more like a parasite than a true member, and now he was reaping what he sowed.

My attention turned back to the Mana Brazier, ignoring Han Myungoh for now. The others followed suit, trying to avoid looking at the fallen man while letting him deal with his situation alone.

As we began to cook the meat, a new question arose in my mind.

What will we do when Rodrigo wakes up?

After we finished eating, the atmosphere was calmer, but Han Myungoh couldn't hide his discomfort. His movements were jittery as he slowly approached to grab a portion of the meat we had roasted in the Mana Brazier.

I looked at him and spoke directly:

"Eat up, Han Myungoh. You're going to need energy to deal with the wrath of a demon king."

He froze in place, his hands trembling slightly, but he didn't say anything. He just nodded awkwardly before taking a piece and sitting down in silence, muttering disconnected words to himself. Yoo Sangah gave me a concerned look, but I ignored her. There wasn't much we could do for someone who had already sealed their own fate.

My attention returned to the chest. There was something I still needed to do. I grabbed my sword and a core I had collected during the battle, placing them together in the chest. The system would activate as soon as the chest was closed again, allowing items to be combined or enhanced.

Meanwhile, an inexperienced-looking dokkaebi appeared, seeming lost and still in a panic about the recent fight. It muttered something about broadcasts and announcements before disappearing suddenly, making it clear the broadcast had been cut off.

A familiar sound echoed in my mind:

---

[A high-rank item has appeared!]

---

I held my breath and opened the chest again. My sword was there, but something had changed.

---

『Item Information』

[Name: Indestructible Faith]

[Rank: Stellar Relic]

[Description: Once the sword of the Hero 'Kaizenix,' who led Grusiad during the Era of the Great Demons. Kaizenix's mastery of Ether allowed him to create the 'Blade of Faith,' which contained the powers of fire, darkness, and divine energy.]

[As an additional option, increases strength and physical stats by 2.]

---

I was speechless.

A Stellar Relic... Was this real? In the world of Ways of Survival, items like this were so rare they didn't even have a numerical rank. They contained the power of a living Constellation and were so valuable that even Yoo Jonghyuk, in his hundreds of regressions, rarely obtained one.

I scanned the description again, noticing the added bonuses for strength and physique. This already made the sword as powerful as an S-Class item, but the fact that it was a Stellar Relic made it unique.

"This is incredible, Dok-ja!" Yoo Sangah exclaimed, her eyes shining with curiosity.

Lee Gilyoung also seemed impressed, though he kept his serious expression. Only Han Myungoh remained silent, chewing slowly while avoiding eye contact with anyone.

"Can I really keep this?" I asked, just to confirm.

Yoo Sangah nodded firmly. "Of course. You deserve it. You're the one who brought us here."

Relief washed over me. Despite everything, I was still concerned about how the group would react to such a powerful relic.

---

『You have acquired a Stellar Relic.』

『The owner of the Stellar Relic is curious about you.』

---

An additional message caught my attention. The owner of the relic... Kaizenix. This meant that this Constellation still existed somewhere. Later, I would need to review Ways of Survival to find more information about him.

"Then, we should head back now," I said, breaking the silence. "There are still plenty of earth rats out there, but we can leave with what we have."

Lee Gilyoung closed his eyes, activating his Diverse Communication ability to call for a nearby insect that could help us. However, his expression soon darkened.

"Dok-ja... I can't find any."

"What do you mean?" My voice was filled with disbelief.

"The insects around here... they all died from the pressure of the battle."

I looked at him, trying to stay calm. It was obvious that such a destructive impact as the battle against the Dark Keeper would have wiped out the more fragile life forms, but it was a detail I hadn't considered.

"Not even one?" I asked.

"Maybe one... But I'll need to focus more." He closed his eyes again.

I hesitated. Something felt off, but time was against us. If we walked a bit more, perhaps we'd find something. Before I could speak, his ability activated again, and Gilyoung let out a low cry.

Blood started to drip from his nose.

"Gilyoung! Stop now!"

He snapped back to reality, surprised, and stopped the ability. The vibrations that had been growing began to subside slowly.

I sighed, feeling the weight of the situation.

Extremely dangerous monsters were still lurking on the surface.

"Sorry, Dok-ja..." Gilyoung murmured, visibly shaken.

I placed my hand on his shoulder, trying to ease the tension. "It's fine. We can't take any risks."

But something was clear. Amid that deadly silence, there was a presence. Something had been summoned. And it was close.

I called the others, momentarily breaking the unsettling silence that had settled after Lee Gilyoung's ability almost attracted something even more dangerous.

"We've done enough here," I said firmly. "We completed the secret secondary scenario, collected the rewards... There's no reason for us to stay."

Yoo Sangah looked at me, nodding with determination. Lee Gilyoung was still visibly shaken, but he gathered his courage upon hearing my voice. Han Myungoh, on the other hand, seemed lost in thought, chewing the meat with a distracted air.

"Han Myungoh!" My voice cut through the silence. He snapped his head up abruptly, as if pulled from a trance. "Let's go. You've still got a long road ahead."

He muttered something inaudible before standing up with difficulty, the tension in his shoulders evident. I didn't press him. He knew what he had done, and now he would have to face the consequences.

---

We started the walk back to the train station.

The path was long and silent, with only the sounds of our footsteps and the wind echoing through the tunnel accompanying our march. Despite our victory, the weight of the battle still hung over us.

Lee Gilyoung held the Mana Brazier firmly, while Yoo Sangah maintained a constant vigil. Han Myungoh's face was pale, as if he could already feel the Demon King's curse slowly infiltrating his being.

My mind, however, was occupied with thoughts of the Stellar Relic. What did the former owner's interest in me mean? The system hadn't provided more information, but I knew this could be both a blessing and a curse.

---

We crossed the tunnel in silence for a long time until finally, the light from the train station appeared in the distance.

"We're here," I announced, more to myself than to the others.

The survivors still at the station looked exhausted but alive. They watched us with curiosity and reverence as we entered, probably noticing the Mana Brazier in Gilyoung's hands and the sword hanging from my belt.

"Finally back," Yoo Sangah murmured, visibly relieved.

"Yes, but the scenario isn't over yet," I reminded everyone. "We need to prepare. The next challenge could be right ahead."

I looked at the group. We had overcome the impossible, but the road ahead would be even harder. The shadow of the Demon King's curse hung over Han Myungoh, and I needed to plan our next steps carefully.

This was just the beginning.

Rodrigo

When I woke up, a strange sensation enveloped me, as if the weight of what had happened was holding me in place. I opened my eyes slowly, feeling the environment around me. The train station appeared before me, familiar, yet carrying an oppressive weight that seemed to reflect the desperation of everyone present. I took a deep breath, trying to gather strength, but my body still felt heavy, as if every muscle was screaming in protest at the simple act of moving.

I raised my head, my eyes scanning the space. Dok-ja was a few meters away, talking to his group. Yoo Sangah and Lee Gilyoung seemed relieved, while Han Myungoh, isolated, wore that defeated expression that now seemed to be his trademark. Dok-ja saw me wake up. He didn't show surprise, but the analytical gaze he directed at me made it clear he was evaluating something. As always.

Bracing one hand against the cold floor, I forced myself to stand. My muscles protested, but giving up wasn't an option. "So, this is it... what happened?" I thought, trying to organize the chaotic memories that were flooding my mind. An uncomfortable feeling grew in my chest, as if something was wrong. Before I could speak to Dok-ja, a system message interrupted my thoughts.

『20 minutes remaining until the established payment begins.』

『Prepare the survival fee.』

Chaos immediately broke out. People started shouting, running, and begging. I saw a mother holding her child, screaming that she didn't have enough coins. Others, in desperation, offered absurd amounts in won, as if money still held any meaning. It was all pitiful. I watched in silence, without emotion. I had seen this before. This desperation, this fight for survival, was nothing new to me.

Chaos immediately broke out. People started shouting, running, and begging. I saw a mother holding her child, screaming that she didn't have enough coins. Others, in desperation, offered absurd amounts in won, as if money still held any meaning. It was all pitiful. I watched in silence, without emotion. I had seen this before. This desperation, this fight for survival, was nothing new to me.

『After a while, the survival fee will begin.』

The desperation only increased. Screams, pleas, threats. It was a cycle I knew well. "Some things never change." People who never lifted a finger to change their lives were suddenly humbling themselves, begging, as if they deserved to be saved by right. I felt nothing for them. Maybe I should, but I couldn't.

『Several Constellations with scenario recommendations have been added to the channel.』

This game... this spectacle... They were just entertainment for the Constellations. Deep down, it wasn't much different from the world I came from. Before, it was the powerful who delighted in the suffering of the weak; now, it was gods playing that role.

As these thoughts consumed me, I was snapped out of my reverie by a loud, sarcastic voice.

— Ah, Dok-ja! Right on time. — Cheon Inho, with that disgusting smile, seemed to be enjoying himself. — Dok-ja has a lot of coins! How many? You're probably the richest of us, huh?

I knew where this was going. I didn't need to look to know that all eyes were now on Dok-ja. The already chaotic atmosphere began to bubble with the idea that he had something to offer.

— Mo-coins?

— Who has a lot of coins?

The crowd started to move toward him, shouting and pleading.

— Save me!

— Please, help me!

The tension grew with every passing second, and Cheon Inho, the provocateur that he was, continued to stoke the fire.

— Haha, Dok-ja! I don't have enough coins to help all these people, but... you do, right? Are you just going to sit back and watch?

I sighed quietly. I was already familiar with this cheap trick, this veiled manipulation. Desperate people began to surround Dok-ja, clutching his clothes, begging as if he were a savior.

『Hahaha! This story is getting really fun. For reference, there are 10 minutes left!』

As the scene unfolded, a burly man in the crowd seemed to notice me. Maybe my calm demeanor was perceived as weakness. He held a wooden bat and charged toward me.

I didn't move. The blow came fast, but as soon as the bat hit me, it snapped in two with a loud crack, the pieces falling to the ground. The impact was so insignificant that my body didn't even react.

Silence overtook the environment. Everyone, even Dok-ja, stopped to look in my direction. The man stepped back, his eyes wide, as if he had seen something impossible.

I stared at him, my expression unchanged. "Idiots..." I thought. These people, in their cowardice and desperation, were no different from those I had known before. The chaos continued, but now, the gazes were split between Dok-ja and me. And frankly, I'd rather they weren't.

Arthur's words echoed in my mind, like a curse repeated endlessly: "You're a hypocrite pretending to care about others." Maybe he wasn't entirely wrong. It wasn't as if I truly cared about all these people around me. I watched their desperation, their pathetic pleas, and their desperate attempts to survive, but it all felt distant. A part of me wanted to shout that I had no obligation to save anyone, but the truth was even more uncomfortable: maybe I just didn't want to.

That thought irritated me deeply. It irritated me because, deep down, Arthur was right. I was someone pretending to be better than I was. And now, here I was, in this new world, where my actions proved the exact opposite.

I clenched my fists as a growing anger consumed me. Not against Arthur, not against these people, but against myself. In the end, what was I really?

"Nothing..."

That word echoed inside me like a blow. I had been ripped from my world, thrown into this chaotic place, living in the body of another man—Ichigo Kurosaki. I had taken something that wasn't mine, carrying an Omnitrix that shouldn't even be in my hands. I was an aberration. And now, as if that wasn't enough, I had to deal with a past I had sealed myself, chasing some dream or goal that didn't even make sense.

As I sank deeper into these thoughts, I noticed a group approaching. Armed men, their eyes filled with greed and desperation. Maybe they thought they could take me down, that my words or actions would make me an easy target.

Idiots.

My patience was already at its limit. Their pathetic attempt only fueled my irritation even more.

They advanced, but before they could reach me, something inside me exploded. An overwhelming energy flooded the atmosphere, and I released it without restraint.

The air grew heavy. Too heavy. The walls around us began to crack, the ground beneath my feet split into fissures, and the ceiling creaked ominously. People started to fall to the ground, suffocated, unable to move. It was raw, crushing energy, and I knew exactly what it was.

Spiritual pressure.

I remained standing, at the center of that chaos, my hair falling over my face, obscuring my expression. I didn't move. I didn't need to. I simply looked at them—the men who had tried to attack me. They were worms. Nothing more.

— You're nothing but trash. — My voice came out low, but full of contempt. — You've become so dependent on others that you can't even secure your own life.

They tried to fight, but it was useless. The spiritual pressure crushed them before they could do anything. Their lives vanished like dry leaves being shredded by a storm.

Silence reigned for a moment, broken only by the sound of labored breaths from the few still conscious.

— You killed something to move to the second stage... So, what's the damn difference now?! — My words sliced through the air like a blade.

The pressure intensified, almost as if reflecting the rage burning inside me. The people around me bent under the weight, unable to move, fighting just to breathe. Some passed out, unable to withstand the crushing energy.

At that moment, the station seemed on the verge of collapse. The cracks in the walls and ceiling spread rapidly, and the atmosphere was filled with unbearable tension.

And I? I stood there, motionless, a whirlwind of emotions growing within me. Anger, frustration, contempt... and maybe, just maybe, a twinge of something deeper that I didn't want to acknowledge.

As I stood there, engulfed in the intensity of my own energy, a flood of messages began appearing in my vision. The system windows glowed incessantly, each one bringing messages from the constellations. Words of excitement, surprise, and admiration filled my field of view, but I had no interest in them at that moment.

『The Constellation 'Unyielding Fire Judge' is intrigued by your outburst of power.』

『The Constellation 'Wise of the Shadowed Mountains' sends 200 coins as support.』

『The Constellation 'Claw of Crimson Justice' is enjoying the spectacle.』

『Several constellations are interested in you.』

The system seemed to vibrate with the frantic activity of the constellations, like vultures circling a carcass. It didn't surprise me; after all, this world was, above all, a show for these entities. But for some reason, it only made me angrier.

It was ironic because, in the end, it wasn't so different from what the powerful did in my previous world. Only the "audience" had changed.

The messages kept coming, and some constellations began sending sponsorships. Coins. Items. Even small abilities. All of it thrown in my direction as if I were some kind of circus animal.

『The Constellation 'God of the Empty Horizon' sends a sponsorship of 500 coins!』

『The Constellation 'Prince of the Wandering Winds' offers a rare item as an incentive.』

I didn't move. I didn't say anything. I remained still, fists clenched, face partially hidden by my hair falling in front of me. The atmosphere was still heavy with my spiritual pressure, and the chaos in the station was palpable.

When I glanced to the side, I saw something that made me pause for a moment. Dok-ja was there, struggling to breathe. Even he, who always seemed to have everything under control, who always had a plan, was being affected. His posture was slumped, and beads of sweat ran down his forehead as he did his best to remain standing.

Something inside me wavered when I saw him like that. Dok-ja was... different from the others. He wasn't one of those worms who took advantage of others to survive. No, he was someone who understood the game and knew how to play. And yet, he was being crushed by my energy, just like the rest.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm the fury still burning inside me. The last thing I wanted was to hurt someone like Dok-ja, someone who, despite everything, had shown more determination than most people I had known.

But still, the irritation didn't fully disappear. Arthur's words continued to echo in my mind, like a wound that wouldn't heal. And the constellations kept watching, laughing, applauding, sending their gifts as if I were some new and fascinating toy.

I wanted to scream at them, at everyone. At the constellations, at these pathetic people around me, at the entire world.

But instead, I remained silent. The weight of the spiritual pressure still filled the air, and I knew that, for now, it was enough.

The spiritual pressure emanating from me continued to suffocate the environment, and even the dokkaebi observing with its cynical smile retreated. Its floating form vanished, perhaps by instinct, realizing that this atmosphere wasn't something it could control or manipulate. It only reinforced the weight of what was happening—and who I was becoming.

However, before I could process the impact of this, a sharp pain hit my eyes, as if something were piercing straight into my skull.

"Argh!" The pain was so intense that it made me stagger, my hands instinctively reaching up to cover my eyes. The spiritual pressure I had been releasing ceased instantly, as if a chain had been cut.

The crowd around me began to catch their breath, collapsing to the ground in relief, but I could barely register it. My vision was flooded with flashes so quick that it was impossible to grasp anything clearly. It felt as if something were being forced into my mind—distorted images coming and going at a frantic pace.

Amid the blurs, one scene finally became clear for a brief moment: I was in a place that seemed above the sky, vast and endless. The atmosphere around me was heavy and divine, almost suffocating.

And then, before me, was him.

A colossal being trapped within a shining crystal, its presence radiating absolute power. Even confined, its existence seemed to dominate the entire space around it. Its eyes were closed, but I could feel that, somehow, it was aware of me.

"This... can't be..." I murmured to myself, the pain still pulsing in my eyes. That figure, that being trapped in the crystal... I knew who it was. The King of Souls.

But this didn't make sense. Nothing made sense.

I was in the world of Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint, a universe that, as far as I knew, had absolutely no connection to the world of Bleach or the King of Souls. So how... how could this be possible?

My heart raced as the image vanished as quickly as it had appeared, replaced again by chaotic, indistinct flashes. But doubt had already settled in my mind.

"Could... he have some influence here? Or is this something completely different?"

My breathing was heavy, my hands still pressed against my eyes. I didn't know what to think, but one thing was certain: something was terribly wrong. Whatever it was, it was beyond my control, and that made me even angrier.

What was really happening to me?

Suddenly, the pain in my eyes became unbearable, as if it were pulling me somewhere. An instant later, I found myself in a completely different place. I was no longer in my body, not even in the universe I knew.

I was in his place.

I couldn't feel my arms, my legs, my heart, my lungs, not even the flow of my blood or the activity of my brain. It was as if my existence had been reduced to a mere point of consciousness.

There was no light, no darkness—only an empty, oppressive feeling. I could only see and feel.

And what I felt was indescribable suffering.

This wasn't a prison. Prisons can be endured, they can hold some hope for release. This was something much worse. It was as if my entire being was being slowly consumed, moment by moment, without respite. It was the weight of eternity, of Hellsing, of absolute despair.

I was trapped, without a body, without a voice, without a complete soul. Just a consciousness suffocated by an infinite void.

If this was what the King of Souls had to face, then he wasn't just a being imprisoned. He was a vessel of suffering in its purest form.

Suddenly, the vision changed.

Now I was Ichigo. I could feel the weight of his body, the tension in his muscles, the exhaustion in his bones. Before me stood Yhwach, imposing, his power overflowing like an infinite black ocean.

The battle was fierce, but it was already nearing its end. I knew that.

At my side, Aizen was mortally wounded, his body torn apart as he tried to hold back the enemy. He could barely stand, yet he still faced Yhwach with a defiant look.

"This... isn't enough," I thought—or rather, Ichigo thought.

My gaze fixed on Zangetsu, shattered in my hands. The blade that had always supported me, that had always been my strength, was now a powerless fragment.

Around us, the three worlds began to collapse. The sky seemed to shatter into pieces, like glass breaking apart. The ground trembled, and a dark energy leaked from Yhwach, contaminating everything around it.

Then, he spoke.

His lips moved, but I couldn't understand. The words were a distant echo, muffled by the relentless pain still pounding in my mind.

I felt Ichigo's despair.

The helplessness.

The anger.

The guilt.

Everything was collapsing around us, and I, or rather Ichigo, was completely powerless.

The scene seemed to freeze for a moment, as if time had stopped just for me to feel the weight of defeat.

The collapse of the worlds.

Aizen's death.

The imminent destruction of everything Ichigo had tried to protect.

And in that moment, as everything fell apart around me, the only thing I could think was:

"Is... is this my fault too?"

The visions vanished, and suddenly, I was back. The train station, the muffled sounds, the people around me, still trying to recover from the pressure I had just released. Everything seemed normal, but I couldn't feel that way. I stood still for a moment, the silence inside me weighing more than the chaos around me. My mind was completely stunned, too confused to make sense of everything that had just happened.

I still felt a deep emptiness within me, as if something in me had been touched, something that shouldn't have been touched. What was that? What was it? The King of Souls trapped, Ichigo fighting and failing, the world crumbling... And me, in the middle of it all, not knowing who I was, not knowing why I was here.

The pain, the pressure, the suffering... I could still feel it all on my skin, in my soul. Arthur's words came back to me, like a punch to the stomach. Hypocrite. I was left with the feeling that he wasn't wrong, that there was a part of me that, in some way, was taking advantage of this situation. I was here, pretending to care about others, but deep down... What did I really do for them? Nothing. Nothing but trying to save myself. Trying to find my place in this world I shouldn't be in.

"I'm a burden." I don't know where this came from, but it's the only clear thing I feel.

I stole Ichigo's body. I stole the Omnitrix's power. I was put here without even asking, and now I'm seeing worlds collapse, people suffering, all for a cause I don't even know. No matter how hard I try, no matter how much I try to do something good... I'm lost. And the worst part is that, deep down, I know I couldn't care less about any of it.

I look at the people around me, still recovering, trying to understand what happened, trying to process the spiritual pressure that escaped from me. Dok-ja, wide-eyed, still trying to breathe, not knowing what to do. They were afraid of me, but they also needed me. And me? I didn't know what to do with them, or with this whole situation.

"I'm a ghost." I barely exist in this place. What do I have to offer? A borrowed body, a power I don't deserve, and a past I can't even remember properly. There's nothing in me that's real. No clear purpose. Just a constant feeling of being trapped in something I don't understand.

Then, suddenly, everything goes silent again. The noise from the station seems too far away, and I feel... empty. Just staring ahead, not knowing what to do. The truth is, I don't know who I am anymore. I'm not Ichigo, I'm not Rodrigo, I'm nobody.

And that frustrates me. I get so pissed at myself that I feel the anger rising again. But it's an anger without direction, an anger without an answer. What can I do now, except wait for an explanation that will never come? I'm not a hero. I'm not a villain. I'm... nothing. And maybe, in the end, that's what defines me.

A part of me still wonders why I even care about any of this. Why the pain, the suffering, the people around me, make me feel something? Something still pulls me back, something that still makes me want to understand, to fight, maybe... But the other part of me doesn't care. It just wants to disappear. It just wants to stop feeling. Because, deep down, what does all of this change for me? Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

I wonder if all of this is just an automatic reaction. Maybe a remnant of who I used to be, someone who still tried to care. A part that still believed it could change something. But, man, now... I don't know. I look at myself and see someone who doesn't belong here, who's playing a game they don't even know the rules of and, in the end, can't do anything with them.

My mind keeps oscillating between these two parts. One part wants to act, to connect with others, maybe even save someone. But the other part... It just wants peace, away from all this. Away from this confusion, away from this emptiness. Because, honestly, what's all this going to bring me? The truth is, no matter how much I try to deny it, I'm just trying to find a way out of this shit. I don't care if I have to destroy the world or save someone, I just want... to know what to do. And maybe, in a selfish way, I just want to get out of this mental prison my life has become.

And why, then, do I still fight? Why do I still feel some responsibility for these people here? I know nothing will change, no matter what I do. They'll keep suffering, the world will keep falling apart, and I... I'll just keep sinking into it.

It's like I'm standing in the middle of a battlefield, watching others engage, fight, while I just stand there, watching. Not because I want to, but because... I can't move. I don't know what to do with the choices I've made. Because, in the end, the only thing that's left is this internal struggle. What's right? What's wrong? I don't know anymore. I have no answers, no heroes, no villains. All I have is this damn feeling that nothing will change, no matter how much I try to do something different.

I look at the train station, at the people around me, trying to understand why a part of me still cares about all of this. And, at the same time, why another part just wants to give up, leave everything behind, distance myself from anything that connects me to this world that, clearly, was never mine.

I feel the anger building up again. It's not anger towards an enemy, it's not anger that I can direct at anyone. It's anger at myself. At this part of me that still tries to find meaning in a world that no longer makes sense. I wonder if I'll ever understand what's real, what's valid. If I'll ever stop being this nothingness I see in myself now.

I close my eyes for a moment, trying to breathe deeply, but a strange feeling begins to consume me. Arthur talked about a contract. About an agreement I must have made, about my mother, about how all of this – this suffering, this emptiness – was meant to be a way for me to save her. I can't believe it. I don't remember any of this. Nothing that made sense before this, nothing beyond a normal life, a teenager just trying to keep afloat in a world that doesn't care about people like me.

I remember a time when my only concern was learning, trying to understand how the world worked, how to escape what they call the "system," an endless cycle that consumes us until there's nothing left. I never saw myself as someone who could, I don't know, live a fairytale, have a romance, or anything else that would make me feel... more human, maybe. I was just me. Someone trying to survive and do the bare minimum not to be another pawn in this game of interests.

But now... now I'm trapped in this other reality, and I wonder why the hell I would do something like that. Why would I make a contract? Why erase my memories? I feel like an idiot trying to remember something that doesn't exist, and the worst part is, no matter how hard I try, it makes no sense at all.

Arthur said I did this. That I sacrificed my memories for some greater purpose, to save my mother. But, damn, where does that fit into the equation? Where was my need for power or for making such a choice? I was just a regular teenager. No power, no desire for more than a simple life. So why the hell would I do that? If he's not lying, then what was the point of all this? Why erase my own memories? This messes with me in a way I can't understand.

And now, I find myself in this strange world, stuck with a body that's not mine, powers I foolishly wished for, and a mission that, clearly, I'm not capable of understanding. I didn't want to be part of this, but something, at some point, made me make a decision. A decision I don't remember, but whose consequences continue to haunt me.

I look around, at the people around me, and I wonder what would have happened if I hadn't made that damn contract. Would my mother still be alive now? Or would she still be lost in the same cycle of despair that I never wanted to be a part of? And, more importantly, why give me the chance to fight for her if, in the end, it just led me to more pain and confusion?

I can't deny that something inside me, a very hidden part, feels like all of this must have been necessary in some way. But what's the point of erasing my own memories? Of distancing myself from everything that was me? I was just someone trying to understand myself, not someone who would make that kind of sacrifice. Or maybe, somewhere deep down, I knew I had to do it? Maybe, at some point, I believed it would be worth it.

The feeling of confusion and anger grows inside me. So why can't I remember? Why is this part of me disappearing? What am I now? Who am I, if I don't even know what I did to get here?

These damn questions keep eating at me, but the answers seem further away than ever.

Shit, this is all a nightmare. I don't even know where to begin anymore. I'm here, thinking about that damn voice that gave me Ichigo's body, shoved me into this cursed universe, and then pushed me with an Omnitrix. What the hell is that? What the hell does some random teenager like me have that's so special? What's so unique about me that this thing chose me to have all this power?

Seriously, there are billions of better options than me. I'm just some guy with serious issues. I didn't ask for this. What kind of grand dream is this? Give me the body of some hero, which, in reality, wasn't even his? I barely know what to do with it, and this voice, this damn being that chose me, must have millions of better options out there. But no, it chose me, a guy who can barely understand himself, with erased memories and no idea what the hell I'm doing here. What was the plan behind all of this? I'm just a random piece in a game I don't understand, and it makes no sense!

And then there's Arthur, goddammit. He shows up, tells me a bunch of nonsense that makes no sense, and then throws me into this mess about making a contract, being part of something bigger. But I don't remember signing up for any of that shit. He's like a shadow in my mind. Something tells me I know him, that there's something connecting me to this Arthur, but I don't have anything in my memories that explains any of this. It's like everything's hidden, blocked, and it just fuels my anger. Why the hell didn't he tell me everything?

Then comes the reveal with Zangetsu. I'm in Ichigo's body, a guy who was the damn Soul King, and now I'm in the middle of this mess, trying to find answers. Fuck, even the information about the Bleach universe is all distorted in my head. I should know more, I should be more, but all I find are vague answers and a growing emptiness. What's happening to me? What am I, if not a mix of all this?

Goddammit, I just want to know what the hell I am now because everything's turning into a snowball. With every second, every thought, I feel more lost. How is anyone supposed to live like this? It's impossible. I just want to breathe for a bit. Relax. But no, I've got to carry this weight, this damn responsibility someone threw on my shoulders without even warning me it was going to be this fucked up.

I just want someone to help me with all this shit. Someone who understands what's going on. Because, honestly, I'm starting to think I'm the only one who has no idea what's happening around me. I see myself in a story I didn't choose, and no matter how much I try, I can't find a damn way out.

The scene around me looked like shit. People were starting to kill each other, desperate, just to grab the damn coins from others. I knew this kind of thing would happen, but seeing it live... Damn, it was almost like everyone had turned into animals, and I, well, I was just watching. None of those bastards had the guts to even look at me. Not that I was an easy target, but still, they were all so desperate with that stupid competition, no one seemed to have the courage to come close. Maybe it was better this way, after all, no one dared to mess with the "big power" I had now. They knew it'd be a terrible idea.

I just watched. They were so blind, so focused on themselves, they could hardly see they were all dying for nothing. Just for some coins. Fuck, I've seen this before. This is just another version of that shit back in school, where adults pretend everything is beautiful and wonderful, but deep down, everyone's just trying to kill each other for a little attention, a little power, a little recognition. And here, it seemed like the only difference was that people were literally killing each other to get a worthless prize. In the end, it's all the same garbage.

I thought about whether I should do something, but the answer was quick and simple: No. It wasn't worth it. Not right now. Staying out of it seemed more beneficial. What would I do with another coin? I didn't know. What would I do with more power? Another good question. These coins were just an excuse for people to destroy each other. But what really mattered was what I would do with everything I had now. What the hell did I really need?

The anger boiled inside me, mixed with a feeling of emptiness. I was in the middle of this whole mess, and all I could do was watch. And then, for a moment, an idea popped up: Maybe I needed an ally. Someone who could support me. I could unload everything I was feeling, all this anger and confusion, onto someone. But, as much as the idea seemed good, I knew it was fucked up, wrong, and, well, pretty messed up. Using someone just to relieve my own emotional shit? It was like I was creating another victim for myself. But it would be useful, right? If there was someone who could understand or at least listen to me, I wouldn't have to carry all this alone.

Reality hit me hard when I realized I might not have a choice. I wasn't in a story with heroes or villains, where things were black and white. I was in something much dirtier, more complicated. And, if I'm being honest with myself, an ally could be exactly what I needed to not fall apart in all this. Even if it was a mistake. Even if it was an even bigger burden.

I decided to open the system. The screen appeared in front of me, like a portal to a sea of possibilities, but honestly, it just gave me more of a headache. There were options for allies, a bunch of characters and abilities, but I had zero desire to get involved with those options from the novel. That could wait for another time, when I had a little more patience and wasn't in this damn chaos.

The focus now was on something more direct. I had to take a deep breath before focusing on the original options, the ones that might, in some way, help me. I knew that, at this moment, choosing an ally was almost like taking a blind step, but maybe that's what I needed. Someone I could unload on, someone who could help me understand what I had to do next.

My hands were shaking slightly, and my eyes quickly skimmed through the options. Several names, powerful entities and historical figures... Damn, even Yhwach was there, that damned Quincy King. I thought about how great it would be to have that guy on my side, but the price... Fuck, the price was ridiculous. I had no idea where to start. Not only that, but I knew that somehow, me and Yhwach wouldn't get along. The bastard had an ego the size of the world, and I wasn't going to put up with him trying to take control of everything. No matter how strong he was, he wouldn't be the type of ally I needed.

I looked at Ichibe Hyosube too. He was badass, with an ability more broken than anything, but his price? Damn, it was almost the same as Yhwach's. And on top of that, with his temperament... I could already imagine him looking at me with that expression of disdain, like he was the only one with any value in this world. And I, clearly, wasn't ready to deal with more of that superiority bullshit. That's not what I wanted.

So, I took a deep breath and looked at the other options. I needed someone who was more... useful. Someone I could have by my side without that kind of rivalry or arrogance. The idea of having someone strong, someone from another universe or maybe even an ally more focused on abilities I didn't have yet, seemed more interesting now.

I thought about how easy it would be to pick something low-cost, something more accessible. But I knew that those cheaper options were usually a trap. I didn't want some random crap that could just be discarded. I needed someone who could support me, but wouldn't be dead weight. Someone who could walk beside me without holding me back from growing, someone who knew their place but was also a real ally.

I closed my eyes for a second, trying to decide. Maybe the answer was in a simpler ally, something less impressive, but still useful. I just wanted to stop overthinking and pick something that made me feel like I wasn't doing all this alone. But that, of course, meant I had to make a choice, and choices, as simple as they seemed, were never my strong suit.

I paused for a moment, thinking about the options that had crossed my mind so far. Orihime, Masaki... These two were standing out, but damn, choosing one of them wasn't a simple decision. Each of them had something unique to offer, but they also came with their own complications.

Orihime was an enticing option. Her ability to "deny" reality, to reject events, and even heal wounds... Damn, that was insanely useful. Just think about it, not having to worry about severe physical damage, especially considering what I was getting myself into in this world. She could be a strong ally, a key piece to my survival. And beyond that, Orihime was genuinely a good person. Kind, caring, concerned about others... maybe she was the type of person I needed by my side. The problem was: how would she react if she knew she was dealing with someone who looked like Ichigo? Would she be scared, confused, or just try to help without asking questions? I wasn't sure, and honestly, I didn't know if I was ready to deal with that. The last thing I wanted was to complicate things further with people who might get uncomfortable because of me. Shit, this was already getting way too complicated.

Then there was Masaki Kurosaki, Ichigo's mother. A pure Quincy, incredibly powerful. The woman who defeated a Hollow with multiple souls with a single strike. Damn, she was strong as hell. Not only that, she was one of the most powerful figures I could have by my side, and that's exactly what I needed right now. Masaki could teach me Quincy skills, maybe even more. She had raw power that I could learn to master and use to my advantage. But damn... She was Ichigo's mom. The body I was using. I kept imagining what it would be like interacting with her. Okay, she was beautiful, really beautiful, for an older woman. Which, technically, shouldn't be a problem, but the thought of dealing with the guy's mom, especially someone so strong, so powerful, gave me a lump in my throat.

Was it the right choice? Was it right to choose Masaki? Ichigo's mom? As much as she seemed like the perfect ally, the dynamic of having her by my side, maybe even teaching me, felt strange. I knew things wouldn't be simple. I wasn't Ichigo. I didn't have the right to interfere in her life. But, damn, what was I supposed to do? Ignore an opportunity like that? Learn to use Quincy skills directly from one of the most powerful people in the field?

I rubbed my hand across my face, trying to shake off the doubt. Damn, what was I thinking? This shit was getting more and more complicated. I needed someone strong, someone capable of helping me. And these two were definitely the best options. But each of them brought along a bunch of issues and dilemmas that I had no idea how to deal with.

What was I going to do? Should I choose Orihime's kindness and healing abilities, or should I choose Masaki's unquestionable power, even with the weight of her being Ichigo's mother? I was stuck in the middle of a sea of decisions and had no idea where to start.

I leaned back, pressing my temples with my fingers, the weight of my doubts starting to intensify. Masaki... Masaki Kurosaki. Ichigo's mom. I was thinking about bringing her into this crazy game, but was that the right thing to do? She wouldn't hate me for "stealing" her son's body, would she? Damn, I barely knew what I was doing and was already getting into situations I had no idea how to control. But, hell, I needed allies, and she was a strong option.

"So how does this buying thing actually work?" I asked, almost without thinking, staring at the screen while the shop's information was still there. I had already learned to hate the crazy systems that people like me were trapped in. But all of this was still new. I needed to understand the rules before making an impulsive decision.

The response appeared immediately, as if the interface itself knew I was questioning everything around me.

[The Masaki you can buy will be the version of her before Ichigo and before she was infected by the Hollow created by Aizen.]

Okay, this was starting to make more sense. This Masaki wouldn't be Ichigo's mother from my reality, but a version of her before everything started. Which, in a way, made everything... safer? Or less problematic? I wasn't sure if that was an advantage or just another layer of crap on an already complicated situation.

But I still had doubts. What worried me most was the relationship with her. I had seen enough of how this world worked, and I knew it wasn't just about picking someone and that's it. Having an ally, especially someone as important as Ichigo's mother, would be a challenge.

I almost spoke out loud: "Would she hate me for being in Ichigo's body? Would she try to kill me, even if she was just... a copy? What if I mess up? What if she sees me as a threat? Damn..." I was starting to feel like this was the beginning of a hole I didn't know how to get out of.

The interface's response hit me like a punch, pulling me back to reality.

[Regarding relationships, allies are copies of the original characters. You don't get the original character as your ally. You actually get a version of them, and they may like you or not, but they can't kill you unless you're weaker than them.]

I took a deep breath, processing the words. Copies. So it wasn't like I was bringing the original Masaki into this crazy world. I'd be hiring a version of her, a copy. That meant she could... "like me," as it said, or not. And the most important thing: she couldn't kill me, unless I was weak enough for that to happen.

"Damn..." I muttered to myself, wondering what the hell I was doing. After all, even though it was a copy, she was still Ichigo's mother. I was playing a power game with something I didn't fully understand. It didn't feel right to get involved with her. Or did it?

I felt like an idiot. Was this the solution to the mess around me? Trying to form a relationship with a copy of Masaki, when the real one had been the mother of a guy who wasn't even here anymore? I already felt guilty just thinking about the possibility, but damn it, I needed power, I needed an advantage. This could help me, but I couldn't stop wondering: was I just doing the wrong thing?

Then again, the other voice, the colder, more rational one, answered me. And who else could help me? I wasn't just thinking about myself. I was trying to survive in this world. It wasn't just about morality anymore. It was about being strong enough to deal with whatever came my way.

I looked at the prices for the two. Masaki Kurosaki... the version of her before her son, before everything happened, was priced exorbitantly. I might try to save up, but the truth was, deep down, I knew that amount of coins was beyond my reach for now. So, I glanced at the other option, Orihime Inoue. The girl had some interesting abilities, like rejecting events... but her price was also far from something I could afford. Damn, I was stuck in some kind of bubble where I couldn't do anything, and everything I wanted seemed to require more than I already had.

"Damn." I grumbled, closing the ally store. Neither of them were within my reach right now, and the truth was I didn't know how long this would take. When I had more coins... then I'd make a decision. At least for now, it was clear I had to make do with what I had.

I stayed silent for a moment, processing everything that was happening. The massacre around me, people killing each other for power, for coins. I'd seen it before, this madness. In places like this, in schools, where everything came down to who was stronger and who could destroy the others. These people were like animals in a cage, and the only difference was they weren't confined to a small space—they could destroy anything, and morality, if it existed, was completely lost.

My eyes turned to what was happening ahead. Cheon Inho... dead. Dok-jan and his group were standing, unscathed. The guy who seemed to be the leader was there, watching with an unreadable expression, but one that hinted at something else. Something calculating, probably. He wasn't even remotely surprised by Inho's death. The situation itself didn't seem to surprise anyone there. It was just another step in the game. I wondered if they felt anything about it—if any of these people around me felt the same way I did.

But the truth was, I couldn't care about them. I was more concerned about what I had to do, the choices piling up in my head, how lost I was in this world. I looked at my hands, as if that would give me some answer. There was nothing. All that was left was to take one step at a time, make decisions based on the mess happening around me.

I was still wondering about that voice that gave me Ichigo's body, that gave me the Omnitrix. What did it want from me? Why pick someone like me? But at that moment, it seemed that, in the end, all those answers were distorting in my mind, as if the questions were more important than the answers.