Sai's body, reconstructed through the planet's energy, was seamlessly accepted as part of this world. The very essence of the planet had been woven into his form, making him an undeniable part of its existence.
Suspended in stillness, his soul rested deeply within the secret realm, floating in a space untouched by time. Yet, the energy required to sustain him was insufficient, and the realm itself grew restless, sensing that his presence could no longer be contained.
After what felt like an eternity, faint traces of life stirred within him. His eyelids fluttered weakly before slowly opening, revealing eyes that shimmered with an unfamiliar brilliance.
Sai's gaze wandered, met only by the vast emptiness of the secret realm—a stillness both comforting and ominous.
He tried to observe his body, curiosity clawing at him, but the oppressive darkness revealed nothing. What he didn't yet realize was that his form, though created from godly energies, hid its true nature.
It was neither mortal nor divine, yet held the potential to surpass both. For now, however, it remained dormant, veiled in the illusion of an ordinary man.
Just as he was beginning to grasp the gravity of his transformation, the realm trembled violently. The energies sustaining him faltered, unable to hold him any longer. A sudden force surged through the void, propelling him out of the hidden sanctuary.
Sai barely had time to react before his body was hurled through the cosmic currents. The sheer force of his ejection sent him spiraling through the fabric of existence, his screams lost in the vast nothingness.
Then, in an instant, he crashed through the atmosphere of the planet, descending toward an unknown land.
His body struck the earth, tearing through dense foliage before landing in a secluded grove. Leaves scattered around him, the scent of damp earth filling his lungs as he lay motionless for a moment, dazed. When he finally pushed himself up, his first realization sent a wave of exasperation through him.
"...Seriously? I'm naked?"
He groaned, running a hand over his face. Of all the ways to begin his new existence, this had to be one of the worst. No grand armor, no mystical robes—just bare skin and a whole lot of confusion.
"Great. Just great," he muttered, glancing around. Towering trees surrounded him, their canopies casting shifting patterns of light across the forest floor. The air was thick with energy, a sensation both foreign and oddly familiar.
With an exhausted sigh, he forced himself to stand. "Alright. First things first—clothes. Can't exactly start my grand adventure looking like a wild hermit." He glanced at the surrounding greenery. "Maybe some enchanted bushes around here are feeling generous?"
He let out a weak chuckle, mostly to keep himself from dwelling on the sheer absurdity of his situation. As much as he wanted to panic, he knew it wouldn't help. He had read enough stories to recognize the pattern—ordinary person gets thrown into a fantastical world, gains immense power, and embarks on an epic journey. Simple, right?
Except... it didn't feel that simple.
Something about his arrival unsettled him. It wasn't just the strangeness of his new body or the vast knowledge crammed into his mind. There was something deeper, something just out of reach. Like an echo of a forgotten truth, whispering at the edges of his consciousness.
As he steadied himself, a sudden influx of knowledge surfaced in his mind. It wasn't overwhelming like before, but more like a natural understanding awakening within him. Basic information about this world—the names of the lands, the presence of magic, the beings that ruled them—filtered into his awareness. He now understood the language he would speak, the general customs of civilization, and just enough to keep himself from appearing completely lost.
His mundane days, his regrets, his long-forgotten dreams—all of it surged forth, clashing with the knowledge of this new existence. He was no longer just the sleepy, disillusioned young man from Earth. He was something... different. Something reborn. The weight of the unknown pressed against him, urging him to step forward, even as uncertainty clouded his thoughts.
He took a deep breath, steadying himself. "No use overthinking. One step at a time."
But even as he spoke, he couldn't shake the feeling that his journey had already begun long before he arrived. That his presence in this world was not just coincidence, but something far greater.
He just didn't know what it was yet.
Sai had been poking, stretching, and flexing his new body for the past half-hour, shouting like an idiot with each strange discovery. "Damn, my muscles feel unreal!" He twisted his arms, marveling at how effortlessly they moved.
Realizing he had been making quite a scene, he suddenly froze. His eyes darted around the dense forest, ears straining for any sign of movement. Silence.
A deep sigh escaped him as he ran a hand through his messy hair. "Lucky no beast has noticed me yet..." he muttered.
Calming himself, he sat down on a nearby rock, letting his mind settle. "No starter bonus, huh?" he mused aloud.
"Or maybe there's a condition I need to fulfill..." His brows furrowed. He didn't know. But something told him that whatever power lay dormant inside him, it wouldn't come easy.
The trees swayed gently, and a distant rustling broke the silence. Instinctively, he tensed, his mind already racing. Was it the wind? Or had something finally taken notice of him?
Taking a deep breath, Sai steeled himself. This was only the beginning.
Sai ventured cautiously into the surrounding areas, his senses heightened and his guard up for any lurking dangers.
He needed a safe spot to stay the night, but the unfamiliar environment kept him on edge. As he moved through the dense greenery, he stumbled upon a patch of large leaves. Without a second thought, he crafted a makeshift skirt to cover up his... well, modesty. The absurdity of the situation made him smirk despite himself.