I'm in a new world but I'm purposefully trying to be a side character

Chapter 2: The Anomaly and the Time Traveler

'Eighteen... No, it's impossible. It must be a coincidence. But why that number? Unless... he knows too. Could he be like me? Does he foresee the events of the coming years?' A torrent of thoughts and questions flooded the man's mind, pondering how Yūki could possibly know he was a regressor.

'Oh no, I've let it slip without thinking. His expression... he's suspicious now. I need to get out of here before this escalates,' Yūki realized, bolting away without a word.

The man, now aware of Yūki's knowledge, gave chase. Despite understanding that Yūki knew of his regression, the man's intentions—whether benevolent or malevolent—remained unclear, making it imperative not to let Yūki escape.

Yūki sprinted with all his might, but the man, surprisingly athletic, was gaining on him, the distance between them narrowing with each passing second.

'This guy's fast. He's going to catch up. I didn't want to reveal my abilities, but he's leaving me no choice,' Yūki thought, preparing to act.

Turning to face his pursuer, Yūki extended his hand, pointing a finger at the man who approached warily, uncertain of Yūki's intent.

With a swift flick of his index finger to the left, the man was suddenly hurled sideways at breakneck speed, crashing into a wall with such force that it crumbled upon impact.

Yūki, having sent the man flying, ceased his flight and gasped for air. Despite his superhuman status, his physical stamina was not his forte, and he tired more quickly than his peers.

He watched the dust settle around the demolished wall, no sign of movement from the man. Believing his countermeasure successful, Yūki sighed in relief. But as he turned to leave, a voice stopped him cold.

"Where do you think you're going? I still want to talk to you," the man called out, emerging unscathed from the debris, his clothes tattered but his demeanor calm.

"Is this real?" Yūki asked incredulously.

"Oh, it's very real. You caught me off guard; I wasn't expecting that," the man replied, brushing off the dust.

"No, no, no, that's not possible. You should be injured, at least disoriented. I made sure the kinetic energy would affect your internal organs, especially your brain. I didn't intend to kill, just incapacitate," Yūki retorted, frustrated that his calculated strike had failed to subdue the man.

"Indeed, that precision was unexpected. It confirmed some of my suspicions. You don't know me, or you'd realize such tactics are futile. Yet, your abilities are extraordinary, unlike anything I've encountered. This leads me to two conclusions: either you're a regressor like me, or you've gained foreknowledge of future events. Which is it?" the man inquired, seeking confirmation from Yūki's gaze.

Certainly, let's refine the passage further while ensuring all the important details are included:

Yūki's silence lingered, a testament to the turmoil within. 'He's figured out that I'm aware of his secret. Without knowing the full scope of his experiences, any misstep could land me in deep trouble,' he thought, wary of the unknown man's next move.

The man, met with Yūki's quietude, chose not to pursue the conversation. 'Strategize carefully, seek a peaceful resolution, avoid conflict at all costs,' he mused, hoping to engage Yūki in a non-confrontational dialogue.

Meanwhile, Yūki grappled with the man's inexplicable resilience. 'There's a mechanism at play here, a secret to his recovery. I must uncover it without revealing too much of my own capabilities,' he contemplated, desperate to maintain the upper hand.

In a bid for insight, Yūki tapped into his 'cosmic awareness' once more, scanning for an advantage. That's when he detected an anomaly: 'psychic energy' radiating from the man—energy characteristic of mentally awakened superhumans.

Superhumans are defined by their 'meta-genes,' which bestow upon them their extraordinary powers. These powers are ranked and leveled, with levels 1 through 10 indicating the strength of a power within its rank. The ranks themselves—white star, advanced, exclusive, maximum, and ultimate—denote the sheer potency of a superhuman's abilities.

Moreover, superpowers are categorized into types: physical, mental, and ethereal. Physical powers conform to natural laws, enhancing abilities like speed and strength. Mental powers are psychic, linked to the mind, encompassing telekinesis, telepathy, and psychic barriers. Ethereal powers defy categorization, neither physical nor mental, and include abilities like duplication, summoning, and creation.

As Yūki observed the man with his 'cosmic awareness,' he noted the 'psychic energy' was unlike any he had encountered. 'His proficiency is off the charts. Even for a regressor, this level of control is unprecedented,' Yūki analyzed.

'The precision of his 'psychic energy' manipulation is unparalleled. No amount of training could account for this mastery,' he reasoned, the pieces of the puzzle falling into place.

"Wait a second, don't tell me this guy is a..." A realization struck Yūki like lightning.

Meta-genes are inherent, pre-programmed into the gene-chain from birth. Every human has a gene-chain, but not all are awakened superhumans; the meta-genes remain dormant until activated.

Typically, a human possesses one gene-chain type—physical, mental, or ethereal. On rare occasions, a person may have dual types, though mastering both is a formidable challenge, and compatibility isn't always given. In even rarer cases, two gene-chains can merge, creating a hybrid type where abilities from both chains complement each other, synchronizing into a singular, potent force.

"Hybrid," Yūki exclaimed, his voice betraying a mix of astonishment and vexation at the discovery.