Resurgence of the Fallen Commander

Chapter One: Snowy Paths "Be careful, sir, the path can be slippery with snow." The gentle reminder accompanied the soft sound of an opening umbrella. Adam turned back, catching a glimpse of the bookstore staff gazing warmly at him, their diverse eyes sparkling like polished stones. "Have a delightful evening!" they chimed. Their greetings were as routine as ever. Adam offered them a courteous smile, unfurling his umbrella and stepping out into the snowy streets. A breath of mist escaped his lips, vanishing into the frigid air. It was twilight, and the colossal billboards and neon lights began to flicker on, tracing the contours of this high-tech city's stunning yet stark landscape. Even after three years, the view was still alien and bewildering. Three years since he had traversed worlds. One moment, he was collapsing after an all-night experiment, and the next, he awoke in this place—a society of technology and uniformity, where gender distinctions were blurred, and the societal fabric resembled a hierarchical hive. Fortune had smiled upon him somewhat. Crossing over into the guise of a respected researcher, he received timely aid, narrowly evading disaster. To blend in better, he had adopted the name Adam. A year ago, he resettled in Seattle, securing a job as a librarian, ideal for learning and maintaining his sustenance, amidst a welcoming group of coworkers. Yet every evening resembled a performance, with himself as the star attraction. As Adam stepped out of the library, a wave of eager greetings surged toward him, as if he were an exotic rarity in a monochrome crowd, inducing excitement and awe. He resisted the urge to sigh, managing polite nods while gracefully declining every dinner invitation. "Yes, thank you." "I'm sorry." His responses tried to keep pace with the flurry of queries, but ultimately, he could only keep moving, hoping to conclude the spectacle swiftly. Unknown to him, his gentle warmth and composure were captivating. People surged forward, their eyes alight, wishing fervently they could simply whisk him away. A mere few hundred meters took Adam nearly twenty minutes to navigate. Finally reaching the end of the street, two figures suddenly tumbled into view, locked in a heated scuffle. "I’ll show you—!" They stopped mid-sentence, eyes widening in surprise at his presence, their intent to pummel him forgotten in an instant. "Please, move aside," Adam requested with mild exasperation, eyebrows knitting together. "Mr. Adam, forgive us..." They scrambled to their feet, hurriedly brushing off dirt and smoothing disheveled hair. To the bystanders, scenes like this were routine—a source of amusement. "You two brutes will never win his favor acting like this," someone jeered. Flushed with embarrassment, they turned once more to the precious newcomer—a respected and untagged individual, whose beauty was near legendary since his arrival a year prior. The question on everyone's mind was whether he would stay. Their conjectures sparked enthusiasm, but Adam kept a polite distance, rarely engaging beyond necessities. Cool yet approachable, unfettered yet reserved—that was the city's collective view of him. He stood there, umbrella extended, his fingers pale as porcelain, his soft black hair framing a face of refined elegance. Even his lashes, lightly dusted with snowflakes, seemed part of the scenery. The urge to protect him was almost instinctual to those who gazed long enough. "Excuse me," Adam reminded them once more, breaking the spell. The crowd parted as if cutting through water, admiring him yet too timid to act, stuck in their pattern of watching, greeting, and reluctantly watching him leave. Once Adam vanished down the street, the gathering slowly dissipated. "Unbelievable—someone so handsome and kind really exists! It feels like a dream concocted by our lonely hearts..." A young man mused, nudging his friend for emphasis. "But doesn’t he get lonely with no friends here? Living independently must be quite isolating," his friend quipped, teasingly. "Why don’t you sneak in at night during New Year and warm him up a bit?" "Get lost!" --- Chapter Two: The Day's Harvest "Finally out of there..." Winding through the paths, Adam eventually relaxed his pace, the tension in his expression easing as he exhaled. He hadn't anticipated his ordinary persona would draw such attention, especially without any noteworthy claim to fame or status. "Shopping for ingredients again, sir?" A casual inquiry broke his contemplation, the supermarket owner lounging behind the register. Spotting Adam, he quickly straightened up. Recalling the reminder from his small home assistant, Adam heeded the invitation and stepped into the supermarket. "Yes, picking up some vegetables and bread." "Perfect timing, sir! We just received fresh tomatoes and corn," the owner offered, guiding him. "All the produce today is fresh. Feel free to take your pick." Glancing around, Adam's eye caught an oddly familiar signboard. He was about to take a closer look when the owner blocked his view. "It's just a marketing gimmick," the owner explained awkwardly, his gaze wandering. "If it bothers you, I'll take it down immediately!" Adam had managed to glimpse it—a cartoon depiction of himself, umbrella in hand, dressed in a white down coat. It was his likeness in miniature, rendered with meticulous charm. Despite the complex mix of feelings, he quietly resumed shopping, leaving the signboard untouched. Miniature star beast drumsticks, reminiscent of dinosaur legs—seemed tender enough to try. A variety of colorful tomatoes—ripe, presumably. Charred long bread resembling oversized cockroaches—better put that back. Though centuries ahead in technology, this society hadn't discarded traditional foods in favor of nutrient solutions. While selecting items, a floating screen activated nearby, updating residents on the city's safety status. "Recent conflicts have quieted," the announcer reported, "peace and stability are on the horizon... Losses from last engagements are still recovering..." "Today, we also honor a late hero, whose valor and brilliance remain unmatched since his sacrifice... our city's luminary..." The broadcast continued. Adam paused, looking up at the screen. Conflict updates had dwindled, yet each was coupled with memorials to this esteemed hero. The image on screen, deliberately obscured, barely hinted at a proud figure bathed in sunlight, a vivid red cloak billowing—an embodiment of valor and singular talent. To be heralded as the "City's Light," they must have had an unblemished record, both formidable and honorable. In this stratified society, most aspired to achievements, success being the gateway to a life of personal choice. But Adam felt somewhat detached, aware that beneath the formalities lay a persistent hierarchy—a system where high ranks often exploited those below, under the guise of noble ceremonies. He knew better than to claim any significance. In truth, he wore only the guise of another, an ordinary man wary of mistakes, mindful that to show vulnerability could invite his undoing. Catching sight of his purchased tomatoes, Adam pondered his fortune at having inhabited a mundane existence—distant from power, living quietly but safely. --- As Adam left the supermarket, he caught sight of the owner chuckling, pulling out a stack of small signboards featuring his caricature, promptly attaching them near his purchased goods, set to standout like store mascots. Adam could only sigh, heading once more into the snow, umbrella in hand. --- Returning home, Adam was met by 015, his chubby assistant, rolling over to extend a mechanical arm and relieve him of his groceries. As he moved to shut the door, an unusual sight caught his eye. A small chip, stealthily affixed to the upper hinge—an eavesdropping device? His expression darkened slightly as he reached to remove it, only for the chip to sense his approach, projecting a holographic display. "Flash Sale! Mega Discounts! Join us on the third for our store-opening specials!" Adam blinked, momentarily taken aback—a sophisticated advertisement chip? It was his first encounter with such a high-tech promotional method.