Transmigration: Void Walker's Gambit.

I stand here for a moment, my entire body practically trembling with a mix of confusion and apprehension. My heart races, but not in a good way—it's an erratic, anxious thump that drowns out any rational thought. How am I supposed to accept this bizarre situation?

Sure, I've fantasized about being transported to an Isekai, a fantastical realm full of adventure and mystery, but this feels entirely different. My heart is instinctively rejecting the essence of this world. It feels overwhelmingly foreign, and adding to my disorientation, I'm not even inhabiting my own body. I have no understanding of who this person is or how I came to be in his skin. The only details I possess are his name—William L. Lias—and his age, which barely scratches the surface.

Suddenly, a cold gust of wind whips from the north direction, sending a shiver across my skin and raising goosebumps on my arms. I glance at the wooden door beside me, the one I exited from. its surface delicate and of high quality. After a moment's hesitation, I muster up the courage to open the door firmly and step into the house… again.

As I stand in the dimly lit entryway, I analyze the structure, for like the 100th time now. I look at the closet, deciding to see the contents inside.

When I arrive at the closet, my hand hesitates over the handle—cold metal against my fingertips. After a fleeting moment of contemplation, I grip the handle firmly and pull it open with a swift motion.

Inside the closet is a chaotic array of un-ironed clothes. Shirts in various styles, long trench coats, and an assortment of casual wear hang. The closet is practically overflowing with vibrant fabrics and patterns. Clearly, William had a taste for fashion and an extensive wardrobe.

Yet I can't dwell on that for long. A desire to explore this new world stirs within me like an ember turning to flame. I scan the closet for something practical and stylish, my eyes landing on the neatest-looking trench coat—a deep charcoal gray with subtle textures. Slipping into it, I discover that it drapes comfortably over the white-collared shirt William was wearing just before my unexpected transmigration. I adjust my belt, ensuring my blackish-brown trousers sit just right, and I take a moment to compose myself; external appearances may matter more here than I initially thought.

Just as I'm about to shut the closet door, something glints in the dim light and catches my eye. Driven by curiosity, my hand instinctively reaches out for the object, revealing a beautifully crafted notebook. This isn't just any notebook; the binding is exquisite, leather-bound and soft to the touch, reminiscent of the journal that inadvertently brought me into this world. I gently flip through the pages, noting the careful handwriting that fills them. The language is completely unrecognizable—it's nothing that exists on Earth—but to my surprise, I can read it fluently, as if the knowledge somehow transferred to me with my new identity.

I grab the sturdy chair positioned beside the desk and pull it toward me, settling into the firm seat. As I focus on the text before me, I meticulously dissect each line. My irises move from right to left, slowly reading down the pages. The notebook reveals an abundance of information about William, and what I discover sends chills down my spine: he is a spy for another empire—the Empire of Solaire, to be precise.

"What? I'm in the body of an undercover spy?" I murmur, my voice barely above a whisper as anxiety pulses through me.

According to the notes, this world is still marked by the existence of empires—an intricate geopolitical landscape I had never expected. Well, after all, it's the 1700's. There are currently eleven empires—six minor and five major. Minor empires host five or fewer kingdoms, whereas major empires are home to ten or more. Right now, I, or rather William, am in the Empire of Flores, nestled within the Kingdom of Asylo, residing in the city of Ebili. The names resonate strangely in my ears; they feel like echoes of another reality.

The notebook also reveals the precarious relations between the Solaire Kingdom and the Flores Kingdom. Tensions are high, and the threat of war looms like a dark cloud overhead. William was dispatched to the Flores Empire with a singular mission: to assassinate the Emperor. However, what chills me further is the revelation that kingdoms here aren't governed by traditional monarchs; the Emperor wields power that determines their fate, for reasons that remain shrouded in mystery to me. I can't shake the feeling that I've been thrust into a treacherous game, and I must navigate these dangerous waters with caution.

With this newly acquired information swirling in my mind, a sense of unease settles over me like a heavy fog. I know I will always be on edge from now on because William was a spy—his life is a web of secrets and dangers. I have to be vigilant and try my best not to expose William's cover; blowing it would spell trouble not just for him but for me as well. I hold no bias against the kingdom of Solaire—it's purely self-preservation at this point.

Rising from the creaking wooden chair, I push it aside, the sound resonating softly in the quiet room. I make my way to the closet, sliding open the door. I carefully nestle the worn notebook inside, placing it back in the exact spot where it had rested before, as if sealing away its secrets. With a gentle but determined grip, I close the closet door, feeling the cold metallic handle slip through my fingers one last time.

Approaching the door, my heart races with a mix of anxiety and excitement—there's an entire world waiting for me to explore beyond that threshold. I grasp the ornate door handle, its cool surface a reminder of my resolve, and pull the door open. Instantly, I'm greeted by a bustling street filled with vehicles whizzing by and people weaving through one another. The acrid smell of smoke and petrol hangs thick in the air, a harsh reminder of the industrial advancements this world has made. I marvel at the scene; cars shouldn't have been invented in the 1700s, yet here, the timeline is skewed—this world bursts with future technologies that far outstrip my own home planet from that era.

As I take my first steps onto the cobblestone street, I let my eyes wander, absorbing the architectural marvels around me—some buildings constructed from aged timber, while others showcase sturdy red bricks. My thoughts drift back to the notebook and the precarious situation it outlines. I can't help but ponder, why would the Solarian Authority send only one person, William, to assassinate the Emperor? Either they are incredibly reckless, or William L. Lias is, indeed, a one-man army capable of extraordinary feats.

In truth, I can't shake off the thought that this world might hold supernatural powers. I hope it does! After all, what's an Isekai without some form of magic or fantastical abilities? Regardless, I resolve to keep my bearings and remember the path back to my new home.

Letting out a soft sigh, memories of my former life as Masatoshi begin to resurface. Who would have imagined that an NPC from the real world could morph into the main character of an entirely different story? The nostalgia washes over me, bringing with it vivid recollections—especially of my sister, who always stood by my side, and Sumi, my only friend who ever understood me.

Flashback.. to earth.

I was shoved forcefully to the ground, the rough earth quickly staining my pants with soil and humiliation. As I looked up, I faced Kuroda and Shō, the two boys who had targeted me.

"Will you ever speak back to us again, NPC?" Kuroda sneered as he knelt down, his hands gripping my collar tightly, suffocating me with intimidation.

"Teach this loser a damn lesson!" Shō shouted, his voice echoed around us, amplifying my dread.

I sat defeated on the ground, my fists clenched so hard that my knuckles turned white, the numbness creeping in as I fought to suppress my anger. I gritted my teeth and glared at Kuroda, refusing to back down even as fear coursed through me.

"Look, Shō, he's mad!" Kuroda laughed, the mockery cutting deeper than any physical blow.

Unfortunately, they were right. I felt utterly powerless, trapped in a cycle of fear and frustration. Suddenly, a soft voice pierced the tension, drawing all of our attention. A girl with soft pink hair stood nearby, her presence compelling and radiant, captivating not just me but also Shō and Kuroda. We paused, mesmerized, our previous actions momentarily forgotten.

"Stop, you two!" she exclaimed, addressing Kuroda and Shō with authority.

Surprisingly, the two bullies recoiled, their hostility evaporating as they instinctively retreated, standing side by side in front of her. They bowed their heads and muttered apologies, while I remained on the ground, grappling with a mix of gratitude and disbelief as I witnessed the sudden transformation of my predicament.

"Scramble, you two!" Her voice hit them with the authority of a drill sergeant, prompting them to retreat hastily into the shadows.

Who was this girl? Why was she stepping in to help me? A whirlwind of thoughts raced through my mind as she approached, her confident stride contrasting with the fear that still clung to me. I pushed myself off the ground, brushing the dirt and gravel off my pants.

"Are you okay?" she asked, her voice laced with genuine concern, her almond-shaped eyes studying me intently.

"I'm... alright. Why did you decide to help me?" I replied, curiosity mixing with gratitude.

"I just can't stand to see people getting hurt!" she said, her brow furrowing as if the idea upset her deeply.

Her response left me feeling a bit unsatisfied; I wanted more context but chose not to push her. After all, she had just saved me from a precarious situation.

"Hm... what's your name?" I inquired, wanting to know more about the girl who had just come to my rescue.

"It's Seīko Sumi, but you can call me Sumi if you'd like," she replied with a hint of a smile, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

I felt a flicker of surprise at her casualness; we had just met, and here she was, offering me the privilege of using her given name so soon.

"Oh... well, I'm Masatoshi Kazuta, but you can call me Kazuta to keep things equal, alright?" I managed to say, my cheeks flushing slightly from the awkwardness of the moment.

"No.. I'll call you Masatoshi-kun!" she smiled brightly, her expression instantly lifting my spirits and washing away the negative emotions I had felt just moments before.

Present day.. in the Parrarel world.

As I recalled my first encounter with Sumi, I suddenly collided with someone on the cobblestone street, and we both tumbled to the ground. I stayed on the ground for a moment, blinking in surprise, before shaking off the daze and extending my hand to help the person I had bumped into. He accepted my hand and pulled himself up, brushing off his crisp uniform. I feel a little curious, what is the uniform he's wearing?

"Thanks," he said, his voice firm but friendly.

"It's alright. By the way, what is that uniform?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

"Oh, it's a police uniform. I'm part of the regional police of Ebili. Don't you recognize it?" he asked, his brow raised in mild surprise.

"Wait... wait a minute! He's a police officer? What if he discovers that I—rather, William Lidford Lias—is a spy?! Oh no... asking about his uniform could make me seem more suspicious!" My heart raced as the implications of my curiosity sank in.

"Hmm... you seem new here. Did you migrate to this place?" he asked, his tone becoming more inquisitive.

"Yeah, I did migrate here, into another man's body!" I thought to myself, the sentence carrying a comedic yet angry tone.

"Yes, I'm actually from another place..." I replied with a sheepish smile, hoping to mask my inner turmoil and not arouse his suspicion.

"Oh, well, if you're curious about the city of Ebili, you can always contact the police department," he assured me, his tone friendly.

"What's the police number?" I asked, trying to sound casual.

"It's 7898," he responded without missing a beat.

"Oh, thanks for the information, sir. If you'll excuse me, I'll continue my stroll," I said, eager to create some distance between us.

"That's alright. May I get your name?" he asked, maintaining his friendly demeanor.

"Hm, of course. It's William Lidford Lias," I replied, barely managing to keep my Japanese name from slipping out just in time.

"Hm... alright, I'll see you later!" he said with a wave as we parted ways, watching him fade into the bustling scene of the street, my mind swirling with the unexpected encounter.