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The boys summoned from Earth were meant to be heroes. Instead, they became slaves. Branded as expendable weapons by the empire that summoned them, the group later known as the Strays survives through rebellion, escape, and bloodshed. Freedom comes at a cost—and now powerful nobles, mercenary orders, and kingdoms hunt the runaway summons who were never meant to live. Armed with stolen magic and hard-earned scars, the Strays travel a continent consumed by war, searching for one impossible prize: a way back to Earth. But in a world that profits from their existence, escaping may mean tearing down the very empires that control it.

The Isekai genre often highlights the fantastical adventures of male protagonists endowed with superhuman strength and surrounded by adoring companions. However, an alternative narrative focuses on the plight of "strays"—individuals transported from Earth who struggle to survive in a hostile environment where they are regarded as mere commodities, goods, or even trash. This perspective challenges the traditional heroic framework by emphasizing themes of vulnerability, exploitation, and resilience. Unlike the empowered heroes who dominate conventional Isekai tales, these strays navigate a world that is indifferent or outright antagonistic to their existence, thereby offering a critical commentary on issues of marginalization and the human condition. This nuanced portrayal underscores the harsh realities and ethical dilemmas faced by those who find themselves displaced and devalued in an unfamiliar and often unforgiving realm.

Aldo and Joon-soo, two members of the Strays from The Isekai Journey of the Strays, discover a powerful magic-tech device capable of traveling between dimensions—a potential shortcut back to Earth. Their first attempt, however, lands them in the mysterious world of Zenless Zone Zero. At first, the towering skyscrapers and urban landscape fool them into thinking they’ve arrived home. But when the device malfunctions due to the Ether’s corrupting influence, their only link back snaps. Trapped in this strange and dangerous world, Aldo and Joon-soo must navigate unfamiliar dangers, unravel the secrets of this realm, and find a way to survive… before their hope of returning home slips away forever.