Into The Reality...

Kichu piloted his spaceship toward the planet, his eyes fixed on the vast expanse ahead.

"I have to get this message out… About Saas." He muttered, gripping the controls.

A distant celestial body came into view.

"Which planet is that?" he wondered aloud.

Suddenly, a robotic voice rang from the monitor in front of him.

"Ruru... Ruru... That's Kerhi-21, a massive planet with stunning landscapes and advanced technology. The sin rate is 67%. Its time structure is 98% identical to the Universal Time Structure (UTS)."

Kichu's eyes widened. "Whoa... This thing has an AI assistant? That's awesome!"

A holographic image of a woman appeared on the screen. "Yes, sir. My name is Texa. I'll be your personal assistant from now on. Please state your name for my records."

Kichu hesitated for a second. "Uh… Kichu. Just Kichu."

"Rururu... I've stored your name, Sir Kichu. I'm happy to assist you from now on."

"Nice to meet you, Texa. By the way, how far am I from the planet?"

"Approximately 10 lyce away, sir."

"Alright, thanks, Texa."

"My pleasure."

Kichu smirked. "Man, this is seriously cool." He pushed the thrusters forward, speeding toward Kerhi-21.

After a careful landing atop a towering building, Kichu unbuckled his seatbelt and stood up.

"Texa, I'm heading out. Watch the ship while I'm gone."

"Yes, sir. Would you like me to activate the autopilot mode?"

"Autopilot? Like self-driving?"

"Yes, sir. There's a watch in the drawer to your left. If any emergency arises, call me through it, and I'll bring the spaceship to you.

Kichu opened the drawer and took out the watch.

"Now that's handy. But what happens if I lose it?"

"I strongly suggest you keep it safe at all costs," Texa replied. "If any unnatural events occur, I might have to change the spaceship's location. Without the watch, you won't be able to find it."

"Okay," He strapped it on, then carefully stepped off the spaceship.

His eyes scanned the massive city before him. "So this is Kerhi-21..."

Towering skyscrapers stretched into the sky, flying cars zipped through the air, and even some people and their pets were floating. The entire place buzzed with activity, a stark contrast to the loneliness he had felt in deep space.

Kichu grinned. "Finally, some civilization. I should be able to find a place to send my message here."

He jumped down from the building and merged into the crowded streets, fascinated by everything around him. He soon spotted a store and walked inside.

"Hey, anyone here?" He approached the front desk.

A friendly-looking man greeted him. "Welcome! How can I help you?"

"Yeah, I need to send a message. Where can I do that?"

The man smiled. "You're in the right place, sir. We sell transistor mobiles. You can buy one and send your message from here."

Kichu scratched his head. "I just need to send one message. Can I borrow yours?"

The man's smile faded slightly. "I'm sorry, sir, but personal transistors cannot be shared."

Kichu groaned. "Alright then… How much?"

"Just 3,000 Xe."

Kichu's jaw nearly hit the floor. "Three thousand?! What the fu— What are you selling, a Falcon Supernova iPhone?!" He reached into his pocket and pulled out his remaining cash. "I only have 500 Xe."

The man shook his head. "Sorry, sir. We do have a cheaper model for 1,000 Xe."

Kichu sighed. "Damn… Business is business, huh?" Then, he eyed the man closely. "Hey, you're human, right? Can't you cut a fellow Earthling some slack?"

The man tilted his head. "I don't understand. I'm not human."

Kichu blinked. "Don't lie. You look exactly like my old neighbor—the creepy guy who tried to 'rizz' kids at the park."

The man's expression darkened. "I assure you, I am not human."

Kichu glanced down. His stomach turned. Instead of legs, the man had long, slimy tentacles.

"Oh, hell no. Who the fuck pulled an octopus man?!"

The hybrid's eyes narrowed. "Are you insulting my parents? GET OUT!"

Kichu threw up his hands and backed out of the store. "Alright, alright! I'm leaving!"

Back on the street, Kichu sighed. "Damn it, back to square one."

He tapped on his watch. "Hey, Texa. You there?"

"Loud and clear, Kichu. Do you need the spaceship?"

"No, but can you find a place where I can send messages?"

"There is a messaging facility onboard, sir."

Kichu froze. "WHAT?! TEXA, why didn't you tell me that before?!"

"You never asked, sir."

Kichu took a deep breath. "From now on, please tell me about all the spaceship's important features before I waste my time, okay?"

"Understood. Please state the message and recipient."

Kichu sighed. "Send this to Severic Exon on Gagna Planet." He dictated the message, and within seconds, Texa confirmed it had been sent.

As Texa confirmed the transmission, Kichu let out a long breath and leaned against a nearby wall. His chest felt heavy.

He closed his eyes.

Saas…

Images of Saas flooded his mind—his determined gaze, his calm but fierce presence, the way he had carried himself with a weight no one should bear alone. Kichu clenched his fists.

Saas had saved him. Trained him. Made him realize how weak he truly was.

He looked at his hands. They were shaking. "Damn it… I need to get stronger."

His fingers curled into fists. "I will get stronger. I won't let his sacrifice go to waste. I'll save them all… I promise, Saas."

A cold wind brushed past him, sending a shiver down his spine. The city buzzed around him—people laughing, talking, living their lives. It felt so normal.

But for Kichu, normal was long gone.

He took a deep breath, straightened his posture, and stepped forward.

For the next hour, he explored the bustling city, indulging in different foods and marveling at the sights. But soon, his joy turned into horror.

"Oh, crap… I spent almost all my money." He checked his pockets—only 100 Xe remained. "I need to be more careful..."

As he wandered through a busy market area, he accidentally bumped into someone.

"Hey! Watch where you're going, asshole!" The guy snapped.

Kichu scowled. "Huh?! You ran into me, dumbass!"

The man glared at him. "What did you just call me? You wanna die?" He pulled out a gun.

Kichu smirked. "Oh-hoho… You think a little pop gun's gonna scare me? Bring it on, pighead." He cracked his knuckles, ready to fight.

But before they could swing, a loud voice interrupted them.

"Ultra Fix Energy Booster! Only 50 Xe! Get real power when your energy is low! Only One piece left!"

Kichu's head snapped toward the merchant. "One piece?" Kichu thought twice.

"Did I heard wrong Or did he just say One Piece?"

"Energy booster? Did I heard wrong." The stranger was focused on another thing.

Both of them rushed over. "Wait, wait, hold up! You're selling One Piece?!" Kichu asked, eyes wide.

The merchant blinked. "Uh… what?"

The merchant looked confused for a second before shaking his head. "sir, I meant one piece of the Ultra Fix Energy Booster."

Kichu facepalmed. "Damn it! I thought you had the manga bro! It's the only thing I'm missing from my earth."

"Wait. There's only one left?"

Kichu and the guy locked eyes again—then bolted toward the stall.

"I'm taking it!"

"Like hell you are!"

They both slammed their hands on the counter at the same time.

"Only one left, sirs," the merchant said, eyeing them both.

"I got here first, dumbass! Hand it over!" the stranger snapped.

Kichu scoffed. "Tell that to Captain America's statue over there."

The stranger frowned. "That's not Captain America, you genius! That's Nickel Mancher, the hero of Kerhi-21! He doesn't even have a shield!"

Kichu narrowed his eyes. "Wait… how do you know Captain America has a shield? Are you from Earth?"

The guy hesitated. "Earth-199. You?"

Kichu smirked. "Thanks to my great-grandparents, not that one. I forgot the number, though."

The stranger chuckled. "Well, shit. Small universe." He grabbed the energy booster and smirked at Kichu. "Guess I win."

Kichu groaned. "Tch. Typical human behavior—cheating."

"I didn't cheat. You just lost, sucker." The guy shook the booster playfully, grinning.

Kichu sighed and turned away. "Whatever. I didn't even want it that bad."

The stranger followed.

Kichu frowned, noticing him. "Why the hell are you still following me?"

The guy shrugged. "I'm going to the city. This is the only way."

Kichu rolled his eyes. "Great. Just my luck."

They walked in silence for a moment before the stranger asked, "So, you got a captain too?"

"Yeah... I'm also amazed to know that too."

"What's your name, jackass?" The stranger asked.

"It's Kichu. And don't bother telling me your name. I already know—F. Ucker Cunt," Kichu said, laughing.

"Sorry to disappoint you, but it's Roberto Roco."

"Yeah, yeah. Where are you headed, anyway?" Kichu asked.

"Why? None of your business. I bet you're just some homeless sucker who belongs to the streets," Roco said, eyeing him up and down.

"Poor sucker, huh? Let me show you something," Kichu said, smirking as he tapped his watch.

Within seconds, his spaceship came swooping down, landing gracefully in front of them. Roco froze, his mouth slightly open in shock.

"No way... That's yours? Wait, don't tell me you stole it!"

"It's mine, okay?" Kichu said, opening the spaceship doors.

"Yeah, sure. Where'd you buy this?"

"Someone gave it to me," Kichu said, stepping inside. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you who, so I'm not even gonna bother."

Roco hesitated, still looking at the spaceship in awe.

"By the way, you never answered my question. Where do you need to go? I can give you a ride."

"Umm... It's a long journey. I'm just moving from place to place."

"So you're a traveler?" Kichu asked.

"Not exactly. I'm searching for someone. Someone really important to me."

Kichu glanced at Roco's face. His usual cocky expression was gone, replaced by something much deeper—something painful.

"I can see it on your face. This person means a lot to you, huh?"

"Yeah… I've been searching for six years now," Roco said, his voice quiet.

Kichu was silent for a moment. "Hey... Why don't we go for a walk?"

"No one's gonna walk with you, bitch," Roco said, walking beside Kichu.

"But you're already walking with me," Kichu replied with a laugh.

After a moment, Roco spoke.

"It happened ten years ago. My mom and I were having dinner. It was raining. Someone knocked on the door. Mom rushed to open it—she was a doctor, so she always responded to emergencies. There was a man, drenched and panicked. He whispered something to her, and without even looking at me, she grabbed her coat and left.

She came back later, soaking wet, shivering. I handed her a towel and asked her what happened. She didn't say a word. She just... stared at me. Like she was seeing something terrifying. I'll never forget that look.

I kept asking, but she wouldn't speak. She just went to bed.

The next morning, I called for her. No answer. I ran to her room, searched the house. She was gone. Just like that. No letter. No clue. Nothing.

She was the only family I had."

Roco's voice cracked slightly. He quickly looked away, as if ashamed of showing emotion.

Kichu was quiet, letting the words sink in.

"...You'll find her," Kichu finally said. "I know you will."

Roco said nothing.

"Hey… Why don't you come with me?" Kichu continued. "I've got a long journey ahead. We can look for your mom along the way."

Roco didn't answer. He just kept walking.

Kichu sighed, then noticed something ahead—a big crowd gathered in an open plaza.

"Hey, what's going on there?"

They walked closer.

"It's a wedding," Roco said.

"Ohh... I've never seen a wedding on this planet before. Come on, let's check it out!" Kichu grabbed Roco's arm, pulling him along.

The decorations were breathtaking—shimmering lights, floating petals, and elegant architecture that glowed softly under the sky.

"Wow… This is amazing. And just look at the bride! Damn, she's fine as hell," Kichu whispered to Roco with a grin.

Roco glanced at the bride casually.

And then he froze.

His face went pale. His eyes widened in shock.

Kichu was still talking, oblivious. "What do you think, huh? She's so beautiful, it's almost unfair—"

He turned to Roco and finally noticed.

"Hey… what's wrong? I know she's stunning, but are you really gonna stand there looking like a damn statue?"

But Roco didn't move.

His hands trembled slightly.

The wedding ceremony continued. The groom gently took the bride's hand and slid a ring onto her finger. They exchanged vows, smiling at each other as if they were the only two people in the universe.

Then they kissed.

Roco inhaled sharply.

"Kichu… let's go." His voice was soft, but there was something broken in it.

"Wait, what? At least let me eat the food—"

But Roco was already walking away.

Kichu hesitated, glancing back at the wedding couple, then at his new companion.

Without another word, he followed.

-To Be Continued...

*Xe:-it's the name of a currency which is used universally. Mil, dua and vos are also universal currencies.