Chapter 7: Smoke and Reflections
Franz came home and unlocked the door with his key. When he had left earlier, he had locked it, and now he found the key resting on the table, exactly where he had placed it. Entering the apartment, he took in his surroundings.
The apartment was spacious but minimally decorated. A modern open-concept design connected the living room and kitchen, with sleek black countertops and high-end appliances. A large glass window offered a view of the city skyline, its lights twinkling against the night sky. Despite its elegance, the space felt untouched, as if its occupant had never truly lived here.
He walked over to the couch and sat down, exhaling deeply. Feeling a bit stuffy, he took off his hoodie and spread his arms along the back of the couch. His magnificent, scarred body was now fully visible under the soft glow of the room’s lighting. His muscles, honed to perfection, carried the weight of countless battles, yet he sat there with an effortless grace, like an emperor surveying his domain. Tilting his head back, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
Now that he had spent some time in this body, he was finally getting used to it. His mind felt clearer. While shopping earlier, he hadn’t just been buying necessities—he had also been carefully observing the world around him. From what he had gathered, this world was nearly identical to the one he came from. The only differences were minor details, like country and state names, but the technology, culture, and daily life remained largely unchanged.
With his thoughts settling, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a cigarette. Lighting it with a flick of his lighter, he took a slow drag, letting the smoke curl around him as he exhaled. The familiar burn in his lungs grounded him. A habit from his past life, something tangible in the midst of all these changes.
He decided to ask the system a few questions that had been bothering him.
"Who were those gangsters earlier? Why were they respectful toward me? This body’s father was a mafia boss in Russia, so why would these people here know me? Didn’t I just arrive in this country the day before yesterday?"