Chapter Text
Chapter 1 - The World of The Eminence in Shadow
"I've transmigrated!"
"Ten minutes ago, I crossed into the world of The Eminence in Shadow. Now my name is Sora Kagenou."
A distant cousin of Minoru Kagenou, the protagonist of this world.
Sora Kagenou knew the plot inside and out. He understood one thing clearly: he had to cross over alongside Minoru Kagenou. Otherwise, this world would face its end in just a few years.
So Sora Kagenou begged. Pleaded. Did everything he could to transfer into Minoru Kagenou's school.
After relentless pestering, his parents finally gave in. He also used a bit of money power to secure a spot in Minoru Kagenou's class.
"Today we have a transfer student named Sora Kagenou. Everyone, welcome him!"
The homeroom teacher announced from the podium.
Every student in the class turned to look at him.
"Hello everyone, I'm Sora Kagenou!"
Short and simple. No extra words.
Sora Kagenou scanned the room and spotted Minoru Kagenou in the corner. He wasn't looking at him — he was staring out the window.
The guy wanted to keep a low profile. Sora Kagenou got it. He decided not to bother him.
During class, he glanced at Minoru Kagenou several times. Even in class, the guy was training his body.
After class ended, Minoru Kagenou packed his oversized backpack and left alone.
Sora Kagenou knew he wanted to stay under the radar, so he didn't try to talk to him at school.
Late that night, motorcycle delinquents revved their bikes through the city, spreading noise pollution.
The residents were sick of them. Calling the police was useless — the guys on their modified bikes would just speed away, and even if caught, the worst they'd get was a few days in jail.
Sora Kagenou tracked the delinquents' trail and headed toward the area.
At a corner, he ran right into Minoru Kagenou.
"Yo, cousin! Long time no see!"
"Yeah, long time no see." Minoru Kagenou's reply was flat.
"What are you doing around here so late?"
"What about you? What are you doing?"
"I'm waiting for these motorcycle punks to get their asses kicked. Making all that noise — they've got it coming, don't you think, cousin?"
"Makes sense. I'll be going then."
"OK!"
Sora Kagenou watched him walk away, then pulled out his phone. When they'd passed each other, he'd slipped a tracker onto Minoru Kagenou's backpack.
Following him directly would get noticed. A tracker was the only option.
Vroom! Vroom!
Motorcycles roared through the quiet night.
Several bikes were drifting wildly across the road.
A stone suddenly flew out of the shadows. It hit one of the delinquents dead-on.
The motorcycle spun out of control. The rider crashed hard, tumbling across the asphalt in a miserable heap.
"Hey, what the hell?!"
"Idiot, you fell while drifting? Useless!"
"Look at this clown!"
"What a dumbass! Hahaha!"
The other delinquents laughed at their fallen comrade.
The one laughing loudest felt something coming at him. He turned, and a stone flew straight into his open mouth.
"Cough! Cough! Cough! Bleh!"
He spat out the rock and glared into the darkness.
"You bastard! You looking to die?!"
The others followed his gaze into the alley.
A figure stepped out. Hat. Gloves. A crowbar in hand.
"This guy threw a rock at me! Everyone, run him over!"
Vroom! Vroom!
The delinquents gunned their engines and charged.
They looked ready to flatten him.
Minoru Kagenou didn't rush. He gripped his crowbar. The moment they were about to hit him, he sidestepped and swung. The crowbar connected with their heads, one after another.
He repeated the motion. Knocked every single one off their bikes.
"Dammit! Grab your weapons!"
They pulled out bats, stun batons, knives, collapsible sticks. Seven or eight of them charged at once.
The one with a knife threw it, hoping for a cheap shot.
Minoru Kagenou dodged. Then threw his own knife in return. It struck the man's shoulder with perfect accuracy.
The group swarmed him. Not one of them lasted a single move.
Minoru Kagenou knocked them down one by one with his crowbar.
Soon, every delinquent was on the ground, groaning in pain.
The first guy who crashed stood up and looked around. All his buddies were down.
"Who the hell are you?!"
"A stylish thug killer."
Minoru Kagenou threw his crowbar. It hit the man square in the head.
He dropped like a stone.
Minoru Kagenou looked around. Everyone was down. Not a single person left standing.
He turned and walked away.