Klein's pupils tightened the instant Rowan Mercer asked the question.
"You're a transmigrator, aren't you?"
For a heartbeat, his composure nearly cracked.
How did Rowan know that word?
Why did he say it so casually?
Was Rowan like him… or something far more dangerous?
The thoughts slammed into each other. Klein forced himself to breathe, smoothing his expression into practiced confusion.
"I don't follow," he said. "Transmigrator? Is that some kind of ability classification?"
No admission. Not yet.
If this was a test, failing it could cost him everything.
A few months ago, he might have folded. But surviving this world had sharpened him. Caution came easier now.
Rowan studied him in silence, then smiled faintly.
"So you are one. Don't worry. I am too. Let's step outside and talk."
He turned and headed for the exit without waiting.
Klein stood there for half a second, then followed.
This world had given him new connections. New responsibilities. But it still wasn't home.
If Rowan truly shared his origin, then Rowan might also share a path back.
Even if it was dangerous.
They left the Dragon Tavern behind. The docks were quiet, washed in cold moonlight. Water slid past the wooden pylons in slow, dark currents.
Rowan stopped near the river.
"When did you arrive here?" Rowan asked.
"June twenty-eighth. Less than three months ago," Klein replied. "You?"
"Earlier than you. By a few months."
Rowan's gaze sharpened slightly. "Same country?"
"Yes."
Klein didn't dodge the next question.
"Do you want to go back?"
Rowan didn't answer immediately.
Klein continued, voice steady but urgent.
"I do. I miss my family. My friends. I don't care how extraordinary this world is. I don't want to live here forever. So let's stop circling each other. I'll tell you everything about how I got here. In return, I want honesty. If there's a way home, we find it together."
Silence stretched.
Then Rowan nodded.
"I want to go back too. Fair enough. I'll start."
He spoke plainly.
"Before I arrived here, I was a spiritual practitioner. After I crossed over, my body became… abnormal. Stronger than it should be. I assume that's the advantage I brought with me."
Rowan walked to a stone by the riverbank and pressed a finger against it.
The rock collapsed inward as if made of damp clay.
Klein's eyes flickered.
"I spent weeks gathering information at night. Eventually I witnessed your team fighting at that warehouse. I intercepted the masked killer afterward. Interrogated him. Learned how this world's supernatural structure works. After killing him, I took what he left behind. That's how I became what I am now."
Rowan did not elaborate further.
"Once I stabilized, I began refining my abilities. Knowledge from my previous life helped. Some of my techniques are modified versions of things I already knew. Including the method I use to pull unstable people back from the edge."
It was believable.
And carefully incomplete.
Seeing Rowan's openness, Klein exhaled slowly.
"My name before I came here was Miles Reed," he said. "I was an office worker. No special background. One day, I tried a strange ritual I found online…"
He told everything.
The chanting.
The sudden blackout.
Waking up in another body.
The appearance of the gray fog space.
The way it responded whenever he repeated the same ritual.
Rowan listened without interrupting.
But internally, he was dissecting every word.
Some details lined up with his own world.
Others didn't.
The country existed. But the cities Klein mentioned didn't match. Even historical details were subtly off.
Which meant Klein hadn't come from Rowan's original world.
Different origin.
Different system.
Same destination.
Interesting.
"Your gray fog space," Rowan said. "You can pull others into it, correct?"
"Yes."
"Then let's test something. Perform your ritual. See if you can bring me in."
If answers existed, they would be inside that place.
Klein hesitated briefly, then nodded.
"All right. I'll go first."
He stepped back.
Four slow steps in reverse.
He whispered the incantation.
His body went still.
By the river, Rowan watched as Klein's presence vanished.
Inside the gray fog, Klein sensed a familiar response.
A distant star ignited.
Rowan.
Klein reached toward it.
At the same time, Rowan mirrored the steps.
Four backward paces.
The same words.
The air shifted.
Rowan felt something vast extend toward him.
Not violent.
Not gentle.
Simply inevitable.
He didn't resist.