Aoto Tsubasa, a 21-year-old college student, was packing his bag. His phone lay right beside him, the news playing on the screen. The broadcast reported that over the past few days, powerful earthquakes had been occurring in various parts of the world. Along with them came violent ocean storms and erupting volcanoes.
Was all of this just coincidence… or was something far more dangerous approaching?
"I will end it when it's cold."
Muttering those words to myself, I slung my bag over my shoulder and quietly stepped out of the house. I closed the door carefully, making sure no sound escaped. As soon as I stepped outside, I ran into our neighbor.
Seeing the bag on my shoulder, she smiled and said,
"Heading to college? That's good. Not everyone gets the chance to study at one of Tokyo's best colleges."
"College? Yes, college," I replied calmly. "Mrs. Mori."
With that, I started walking. I took a taxi and got down near the Tokyo Skytree. A massive screen nearby was showing live news coverage. Suddenly, the broadcast cut off. The screen turned completely black.
Then, in large letters, words appeared:
"Do tasks to survive."
…What? What was that supposed to mean?
All the cars on the road suddenly stopped. Internet connections vanished from everyone's phones. Those holding their phones watched as their screens turned black, displaying the exact same words:
"Do tasks to survive ."
Aoto was completely confused.
An invisible barrier descended from above, covering the entirety of Tokyo. On television screens, another message appeared:
"Various locations around the world have been sealed by barriers. There is no way out unless you follow the system's instructions."
I looked around at the people near me. Panic spread everywhere. Some were crying, some screaming.
"Who are you?!"
"What is happening?!"
Voices overlapped in chaos.
Suddenly, the words on the screen changed again:
"Those who do not wish to take part in this may step forward."
Almost immediately, a man stepped ahead and shouted,
"Come on, everyone! There's nothing to be afraid of! We won't do this, we—"
Before he could finish his sentence, his head exploded.
The sight froze everyone in place.
"No way… damn it," I thought.
The screen lit up again:
"This is the fate of those who do not follow the system. Does anyone else wish to step forward?"
Is this system insane? After seeing something like that, who would dare move? I thought.
Then new text appeared:
| Task 1 |
Every player must obtain at least one Divine Stone within one hour in order to survive.
Below it, another message followed:
"Divine Stones are located at the highest buildings in Tokyo. Good luck."
"Good luck? My ass."
Aoto clenched his teeth. After showing something like that, how could the system casually wish them good luck?
The highest building in Tokyo was—Tokyo Skytree.
And they were already close to it.
"…Bingo."
I looked around me , everyone began running toward Skytree. Aoto dropped his bag on the ground and started running as well and rushed inside.
"Damn it. How am I supposed to find a Divine Stone without any clues?"
I scanned my surroundings desperately. Then I noticed an arrow on the wall, pointing in a certain direction.
"Oh my… did no one notice this?"
I followed the arrow. After walking some distance, I saw several people already gathered there. One of them held a green stone in his hand.
Suddenly, another man snatched the stone away.
—"Hey! Give it back!"
—"Get lost, you punk,"
I watched everything from a distance.
Then, without warning, flames erupted across the man's body. The stone floated back in front of its original owner's eyes. The others around them screamed and ran away. The man burned, screaming in agony. It was terrible sight.
As the owner of the stone touched it, a black screen appeared in front of him.
I wanted to see what happened next but that's when it hit me—there wasn't much time left.
I still didn't have a stone.
I turned back and continued following the arrows.
Aoto reached an empty area. In front of him was a glowing circle on the ground. Inside it were the words:
[STEP IN]
Should I actually step in ? I thought before stepping inside the circle. The moment I stepped inside, a flash of light burst out. My head started spinning, and I instinctively closed my eyes.
When I opened them again, a blue stone was floating before my eyes.
"…So this is a Divine Stone ?"