Deep within the primordial forest, an ecosystem where mercy was an unknown concept, two figures moved at an unnatural speed, breaking the sound barrier with every movement.
One of them was small, almost insignificant compared to the other. The second rose like a mountain of scaled flesh, dense muscle, and fangs the size of swords. They clashed again and again, generating shockwaves that made the ground tremble and toppled ancient trees as if they were nothing more than matchsticks.
The smaller figure looked like a young teenager.
A teenager fighting to the death against a Tyrannosaurus Rex.
But he was no ordinary adolescent. He was a being that defied all evolutionary logic. His bare fists, as hard as steel, struck the beast's jaw with primitive fury, tearing away scales and teeth with every blow. Ten solid gold rings gleamed on his fingers—the only adornments on a body completely exposed to danger, a body built for absolute domination.
Both fought with savage ferocity.
So absorbed were they in their battle that they failed to notice the disaster approaching.
Suddenly, the air distorted.
A strange turbulence appeared out of nowhere… and the world seemed to stop.
Both creatures froze in time.
And then, the anomaly swallowed the boy.
...
In the middle of a forest, a young man walked casually.
His appearance was strange—he was completely naked. If one looked closely, they would notice the claws on his hands and feet, as well as his sharp fangs.
Reik's Point of View
"Damn it… wasn't I supposed to be frozen much later? Why did it happen so early?" Reik muttered irritably as he looked around.
Not long ago, he had been hunting for food when a strange storm suddenly engulfed him. The next thing he knew, he woke up in an unfamiliar forest, shivering from the cold, surrounded by blocks of ice.
It wasn't hard to figure it out.
He had thawed out… on his own.
No researchers. No laboratory. No explanations.
"Where am I?" he murmured.
"Well… at least those guys didn't find me. I'd rather keep my original name than be called Pickle."
Reik had reincarnated as Pickle, the prehistoric monster from Baki. At first, everything had been confusion. Disorientation. Pure instinct.
But when he realized the truth… he felt exhilarated.
Power.
Combat.
The possibility of facing someone like Yujiro Hanma.
'But seriously… I'm barely ten years old. I returned to the modern era way too early… or did I really return?' he wondered.
Ever since he woke up, he had seen nothing but trees.
Then—
"Ahhh!"
A woman's scream shattered the silence.
Reik tensed instantly and dashed toward the sound.
When he arrived, he froze.
In front of him stood a tall, bald man dressed like a monk… trying to assault a young woman.
'Well… at least that looks like modern clothing,' Reik thought briefly.
But he immediately shook his head.
It didn't matter.
His instincts… and his morals… were still intact.
He couldn't just stand there and watch.
Without hesitation, he attacked.
His first punch was light, just an attempt to stop him. Even so, it was enough to knock out an ordinary human.
But when it landed…
The result was not what he expected.
The monk was merely pushed back several meters.
Reik narrowed his eyes.
'Strong…'
He wasn't too surprised. If this was a world like Baki, encountering powerful individuals wasn't strange.
Without giving him time to react, Reik attacked again.
But this time, the monk was ready.
He blocked every strike with ease.
Reik frowned.
He wasn't even using his full strength… yet this man was far from normal.
'First… the girl.'
However—
The supposed victim opened her mouth unnaturally wide… and lunged at him, trying to bite him.
Reik reacted instantly.
Before the attack could connect, the monk chanted a strange spell.
The young woman froze in place.
Reik stood there in shock.
His mind… went blank.
The monk looked at him calmly and spoke:
"Young man, I won't say anything about your attack. I know you acted with justice in your heart. But it would be better if you let me finish my work… and exorcise this evil spirit."
Reik stared at him.
But before he could respond—
The monk began taking off his pants… and approached the "woman."
And then…
Reik looked away.
'Damn it… where the hell am I? This definitely isn't Baki…' he thought uncomfortably.
He had no interest in watching something like that.
Time passed.
Minutes… maybe hours.
When it was over, the woman lay motionless on the ground.
The monk turned toward him, completely calm.
"Young man, despite your initial confusion, I can see that you have a just heart. I can also see your strength… and a solid foundation. Would you like to become my disciple and train as an exorcist?"
Reik looked at him blankly.
Then he replied:
"Old man… before I decide something like that… could you put your pants on first?"
The monk looked down, as if just noticing.
"I don't see the problem. You're naked too."
Even so, he got dressed.
Reik sighed, veins faintly bulging on his forehead.
He decided not to argue.
Instead, he changed the subject.
"What is all this exorcism stuff?"
"Hehehe… young man, my name is Kongou Masurao. I am a professional exorcist."
Reik's lips twitched slightly upon hearing that.
His gaze inevitably drifted toward the woman.
'Professional…?'
"At first glance, I can tell you have great talent for this."
Reik wanted to complain… but held himself back.
'Talent? Just because of physical strength? What does that have to do with exorcising spirits?'
"SO, WHAT DO YOU SAY, YOUNG MAN?" the monk asked expectantly.
Reik didn't answer immediately.
'Thinking about it… even if this guy is weird… he might be strong. And I'm definitely not in the world of Baki. Having someone like him as a guide… isn't a bad idea… even if his methods are… questionable.'
After a few seconds of thought, he made his decision.
He gave a slight bow.
"Master."
The monk smiled widely.
"Good, good, good! You will become an excellent exorcist. I'll make sure to train you properly."
He patted Reik on the shoulder.
Reik frowned.
For a moment… he almost punched him.
'…This old man didn't even wash his hands.'