Chapter 3: Dark Continent × Criminals

The Dark Continent.

This was the explanation that Ging gave for the phenomenon before him—a man resurrected from the dead, as if his body had been possessed by another soul.

It was the world beyond this world, a place someone like him had always dreamed of reaching.

The ultimate destination.

A place teeming with things that don't exist here.

As for other possibilities, he had already ruled them out one by one the moment he witnessed this man's resurrection.

He longed for the Dark Continent, for everything unknown that resided there.

Naturally, he also wanted to understand the man before him—someone whose soul very likely originated from that very place.

This world is vast. Worlds like this, resembling islands in a lake, likely exist elsewhere.

Yes, the world as most people know it—what's generally called the "known world"—is actually just an island cluster in the middle of a lake.

And beyond this known world lies a continent, the true world.

In comparison, the human world is barely worth mentioning.

In this vast "lake," the human world is slightly removed from the real world.

It's like the distance between an island and the lakeshore—seemingly small on a global scale, yet for the human world, it's a distance that feels unreachable.

Even unimaginably so.

Far across the endless sea of the human world lies a realm shrouded in the unknown.

Its name: the Dark Continent.

Some humans have set foot on it. Some of its artifacts have even drifted across the ocean to this side.

According to information Ging unearthed from ancient ruins, humanity's ancestors might have once fled from there to here.

He wanted to go there, but due to special circumstances, he couldn't—for now.

Still, he was making preparations. And the man in front of him might become part of those plans.

Even if his guess was completely wrong, turning the unknown into the known would still be a gain.

Ging looked at him, smiling confidently, and said, "You can tell me anything you feel like saying. Even if you mix in some lies, I won't mind."

But you'll still try to read me with your so-called mind-reading "observation," Kevin thought, nodding silently as he started to organize his thoughts.

Lying wasn't an option. The only choice was what to say.

The man had already laid out the best path for him.

Even if doing anything might reveal valuable information, doing nothing would be worse.

"…Alright. This body isn't originally mine. In my last memory, I died in a car accident.

I was run over head-on by a truck. I'm pretty sure I didn't survive."

At some point, Ging had already sat down cross-legged in front of Kevin, one hand resting on his leg, the other propping up his chin.

A car accident. A truck. He extracted the keywords, analyzing the details.

"Words and language… when you speak, it's like you awaken this body's memories. Other fragments are scattered, like a patient with amnesia who needs stimulation to remember."

"Hmm…" Ging nodded. That made a lot of sense.

Then he suddenly asked, "Where are you originally from?"

"Originally? I… maybe another world. I'm not sure."

Kevin's answer was a bit stiff.

Ging looked at him. "Got it. Let's leave it at that. Seems like we haven't built up enough trust yet."

He stood up and dusted himself off. He had already gotten the information he wanted most.

Even if he could later determine the truth or falsehood of Kevin's words, that wouldn't matter. Some things can't be judged purely on true or false.

Drawing conclusions too early might interfere with future judgment.

This was enough. More information would come gradually.

He picked up a specialized computer from a nearby table and handed it to Kevin. "You probably have a lot of questions. Do you know how to use a computer?"

Kevin nodded and took the machine.

Ging sat back down on a nearby chair and pulled out a magazine from his backpack, flipping through it.

Without looking up, he said, "If there's anything you don't understand, just ask me. Consider it your reward."

Kevin didn't decline—he really needed to understand this world.

He opened the computer.

It was a thick notebook-style machine, like a satellite computer. Its structure wasn't too different from what he was used to, aside from the language.

He quickly figured out how to operate it and began looking up information.

First was the map—this world had five continents, and its boundaries had yet to be fully explored, let alone circumnavigated.

The more he learned, the more Kevin realized how different this world was from his own.

And yet, the current era strangely resembled the era he came from.

Even the technology was oddly similar.

"Why did you kill me? I mean, the original owner of this body," Kevin suddenly asked.

Ging didn't even lift his head as he answered, "Because you were a poacher. This area used to be a special species reserve set up by me and my companions."

Got it. "I" was a criminal.

That thought made Kevin's expression change drastically. He tensed and asked, "Then I'm a criminal now? This identity belongs to a criminal?!"

That finally made Ging look up. He studied Kevin, as if contemplating something.

"Not exactly. You were a poacher, but very discreet. You preferred spending money to solve problems rather than getting your hands dirty. At least on paper, your identity is that of a well-known pharmacist."

"Oh, I see." Kevin nodded. That was a relief.

He couldn't accept waking up in the body of a wanted criminal. That would've made his already bad situation even worse.

"So, where am I now?"

"The Biskan Forest Park, a nature reserve in the Kingdom of Guganyu. We're likely near the border. This reserve spans several environmental regions and crosses multiple national borders."

Kingdom of Guganyu? He had just seen that on some ID. Also found it in the computer—it was one of the nations that made up what they called the 'V5'.

The V5 seemed to be this world's version of the United Nations, resembling permanent Security Council members.

Oddly fitting, really.

And since he was still inside the protected zone, getting out on his own might actually be impossible.

He was confident in his skills, but still.

Just then—

Ging pulled something out of his pocket that looked like a cellphone.

Kevin observed it. It resembled a phone from that era. Not as bulky as a brick phone, but its heavy, rugged look fit the time perfectly.

Ging glanced at the message on the screen and then turned his eyes to Kevin.

"Your companions are here. Want to meet them?"

"What? Companions? Poachers?"

Ging nodded.

Kevin instinctively wanted to refuse, but before he could say anything, Ging added, "Seeing them might help jog your memory. One way or another, it'll benefit you.

As for your safety… don't underestimate me."

Since he put it like that—and Kevin did want to know more about those fragmented battle memories he had…

"…Alright. But I'm saying this now—I'm not much of a fighter. I can handle street brawls at best."

Then, a handgun was tossed his way.