i see it was guess 2 time travel
well i guess 1 (alternate world) as well as guess 3 (simulation of a sort) are still possible but with the future tech time travel is looking very soild right now
Not really "time travel" per se, if someone is only going
forward that doesn't require any magic physics. Cryogenic capsule would be sufficient, a relativistic loop, or given that level of technology recording someone's mind and DNA then reinstantiating them into a new body. Technically yeah "simulation" can cover anything at all including a pretend post-apoc scifi setting, but doesn't feel like enough chapters left for twisting the twist
. Though that still leaves the question of how/why.
Funny to be reading this chapter right after finishing the delightful little game Stray.