Chapter 4: Second Jump

Arthur awoke from a deep, peaceful slumber. His eyelids felt heavy as they reluctantly parted, letting in a soft, diffused light that filled the room. He lay still for a moment, simply absorbing the sensations in his body. Every muscle, every cell, seemed to be saturated with a profound sense of tranquility and bliss. He had slept for over sixteen hours—an unthinkable luxury he couldn't allow himself in decades, thanks to the constant noise from the passing trains. Even during the rare moments of rest, tension and fatigue were his constant companions. Now, however, they were utterly gone, leaving him feeling completely refreshed.

Slowly, he sat up, relishing the pleasant lightness in his body. His gaze drifted towards the window, revealing a panoramic view of the city sprawling below. The Center. This place truly seemed like another world. There was no chaos, no grime, only flawless aesthetics. The air carried a faint, almost sterile scent, reminiscent of a laboratory rather than a living space. Everything was impeccably clean and well-maintained, the very picture of perfection.

Arthur closed his eyes, trying to grasp the fleeting fragments of yesterday's events. Traveling to another world . It felt like a dream, vivid yet unbelievable. But the change of scenery, the sensation of being in a foreign, unfamiliar place, served as undeniable proof of the reality of what had occurred.

Credits! The thought ignited in his mind like a bolt of lightning. He abruptly raised his hand, his eyes checking that the bracelet was still in place. Turning his wrist, Arthur activated the display and stared at the glowing digits of his balance: 1,001,998 credits. Two credits for the trip to the Center. A greedy grin spread across his face, twisting his features. A low, muffled chuckle escaped his chest, growing into a satisfied laugh. This amount of money opened doors to a whole new life.

He surveyed his living quarters. Spacious and bright, they were strikingly luxurious, designed in the old style. The dark wood furniture was adorned with intricate carvings and inlays. Plush armchairs and sofas were upholstered in velvet of deep, rich hues. The textiles—heavy drapes, silk bedspreads, and soft rugs underfoot—spoke volumes of wealth and affluence. There was even a private kitchen! Arthur headed there with curiosity, hoping to find at least a can of cold beer in the fridge and some food. He hadn't eaten since yesterday. But before he could take more than a few steps, a knock came at the door.

"Come in," he said, somewhat annoyed at the interruption of his solitude.

The door opened, and one of the assistants from yesterday appeared, polite and obliging. "Mr. Steelhart, the Director is expecting you. Please get ready and follow me."

Well, let's see what kind of Director has this kind of money and resources , Arthur thought, suppressing his irritation. He expected this day to be filled with endless conversations. Still, he wanted to delay that moment a little longer, to enjoy the peace.

After finishing his morning routine and a quick breakfast, Arthur changed into the uniform provided to him the day before. It differed slightly from the staff's attire, with a more formal cut and a darker color, clearly setting him apart. There was no beer in the fridge. Apparently, even a luxury life had its limitations.

The assistant led him through long corridors to a spacious office with a panoramic view, no less impressive than the one from his apartment. Behind a massive polymer desk, similar to the base of the jump capsules, sat an elderly man. He looked a bit older than Arthur but held himself straight and confidently. An expensive black suit fit him perfectly, emphasizing his lean figure. His medium-length gray hair was neatly combed back, and his face was adorned with a short, carefully trimmed beard. His gaze was sharp and lively, full of wisdom and experience. Noticing the guest, the Director rose from his chair and spread his arms wide in a joyful greeting.

"Mr. Steelhart! I am so glad to finally meet you! Please, have a seat. I'm sure you have many questions for me, just as I have for you."

Arthur silently approached the desk and sat in the offered chair. The Director followed suit.

"My name is Victor Albright. You can call me Victor. I believe we are almost the same age," he said with a friendly smile. "Back before martial arts were outlawed, I was a huge fan. And I have to say, I admired your defiance, even if it was considered criminal."

It was a touchy subject for Arthur. He fixed Victor with a gaze that, in modern society, could be considered an act of violence.

"Ahem... anyways, I have already reviewed the report, but please, tell me once more what happened to you, in detail. I want to hear it firsthand."

Arthur appreciated the swift change of the subject. He delved into his memories once more, recounting his story. This time he spoke more thoughtfully, trying to recall and clarify as many details as possible. He described the world he had entered, the strange people with supernatural abilities, the medieval setting, the library, the attack.

"Incredible! Individuals with extraordinary abilities? Most intriguing. And the medieval setting. You're akin to an anime protagonist, finding yourself in a fantasy world!" Victor laughed, appreciating his own analogy. Arthur found it amusing too, but he tried to maintain a serious expression. "Tell me, how were you able to converse with the natives immediately?"

It hadn't crossed Arthur's mind until that very moment. He simply shrugged.

"Fascinating nonetheless, Mr. Steelhart. So, our initial agreement, the test jump, has been fulfilled. One million credits have been transferred to your account, as promised. Now, the crucial question: do you wish to continue? To return to that world and become, in essence, our... explorer?"

Arthur pondered for a moment, but the answer was obvious. Even with a million credits, there was nothing he truly desired on Earth, in a world where martial arts were forbidden, where his skills and abilities were useless. He yearned to once again tread the path of gaining strength, to fight worthy opponents, to feel the thrill of battle and adventure once more. That was only possible in another world. He leaned forward, piercing Victor with a confident, burning gaze.

"I want to go back."

"Excellent!" Victor nearly clapped his hands in delight. "Then let us proceed to the next phase of our endeavor." He moved his tablet closer to check the information. "Most likely, your body there is currently in a coma, without your consciousness. To avoid attracting unnecessary attention, we will connect you to a life support system and send you to that world for a few days. Your mission is to gather intelligence—the more extensive, the better. We are interested in the technologies of that world, its laws of nature, anything that seems unusual or important to you. We will monitor your brain activity and bring you back only when it indicates you are asleep. Try to avoid attracting more attention than you already have. We wouldn't want you to become a target for assassination. Honestly, we are not sure that if you die there, you will return here safe and sound."

Those bastards, so they deceived me then. Well, to hell with them, I'll try not to die, then , flashed through Arthur's mind. The danger only amplified his passion.

"Furthermore, the new contract requires you to remain within Chronos Labs. If you must venture into the city, our staff will accompany you. You are the only one to have made the jump successfully, and we cannot risk your health. You will reside in your new quarters, with a robot assistant to fulfill your needs. All expenses are covered by Chronos Labs; money is no longer a concern. I believe that covers everything. Are you ready to sign?" Victor extended his bracelet.

"Sounds good," Arthur replied, touching his bracelet to the Director's. The contract was sealed.

After the meeting with the Director, Noah, the senior scientist Arthur had met the previous day, entered the office. Together, they headed towards the capsule. As agreed, Arthur was connected to an IV with nutrients. This time the electric shock was very weak, almost imperceptible. Arthur made his second jump.

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Arthur awoke in a room that resembled an infirmary. White curtains separated his bed from the rest of the space. The air was filled with the scent of herbal tea and medicinal concoctions. His body felt alien, numb, his muscles like cotton and unresponsive. With difficulty, he raised his upper body and looked around. Suddenly, the curtain moved, revealing a woman in her fifties, dressed in a long, simple gown made of coarse fabric, resembling a healer's attire. Her face showed surprise.

"My boy, are you alright? You've been in a coma for a whole day!"

Who is she calling a boy? "I'm fine, but my memory is really bad. I barely remember anything," he said, using the pre-planned story of amnesia. It would mean fewer unnecessary questions.

It seems Victor's assumption that my body becomes an empty shell was correct .

"Here, drink this to regain your strength!" The healer handed him a cup of steaming herbal brew. Her gaze was piercing and stern, brooking no argument. It seemed she might even hit him if he refused.

Arthur forced himself to drink the liquid, just to get rid of the persistent woman. But the herbal tea turned out to be surprisingly pleasant, with subtle, unfamiliar notes. He had never encountered such flavors on Earth.

The healer moved away from the bed and shouted into the corridor, announcing that the librarian had awakened. Then she returned to Arthur and sat on a chair beside him. Holding out her palm, she said, "Don't move, I'll check your flows." She placed her warm hand on his chest. Arthur felt a slight tingling, as if from static electricity.

"Hmm. Your flows are disrupted, everything is in complete chaos and disorder. I don't know what happened to you, but you must rest for a couple of days. Don't even think about straining yourself!"

"Alright, will do," Arthur replied submissively, sighing inwardly. Enough with the checks already .

Valerian entered the room, accompanied by two guards in full combat gear. The light armor fit him like a second skin, smoothly hugging his figure without restricting movement. The metal shimmered and flexed as if it were fabric, creating an unsettling impression of something unnatural, something beyond the ordinary.

"Aren, how are you?" Valerian's voice, filled with authority and power, seemed to make the air around him heavy and leaden.

"I'm fine, but my memories have abandoned me," Arthur replied, trying to sound casual. Right, I'm Aren now. I'll have to get used to that name .

"Memories? Tell me more."

"I don't remember anything before the events in the library," Aren blurted out, too quickly, like a rehearsed phrase. He had already replayed this story in his head many times, preparing for interrogation.

Valerian raised an eyebrow but, like Isla, did not insist or ask further questions.

"You fought bravely. Though I only caught a glimpse of your battle before intervening, I must say your fighting style is beyond anything I have ever witnessed. Young Lady Isla mentioned you awoke from the dead, and combined with such extraordinary skills, one might suspect the influence of Ether."

"Ether?" That's interesting.

"So you don't even remember that. Well, let's postpone the talk for now. The Duke wishes to thank you personally for saving his daughter. He has been waiting for you to wake up. If you can walk, follow me."

Aren tried to get out of bed but discovered he was completely without pants. Quickly wrapping himself in the sheet, he shot a withering glare at the healer.

"Oh, it's not like we haven't seen it all before," the woman waved her hand dismissively. "Here." She handed him a new set of simple clothes folded on a chair.

Valerian and the guards behind him simultaneously covered their mouths with their fists, coughing to hide their laughter.

Aren, his eyes flashing with annoyance, demonstratively pulled the curtain closed and began to change.

"Let's go," he said, emerging from behind the curtain, straightening his shoulders in his new clothes, ready to face whatever came next.