The sky distorted.
A massive screen spread across the entire city.
Every player… everywhere… looked up.
Kay and Khushi stood at the edge of the jungle, staring.
A shadowy figure appeared.
Floating.
Watching.
Then—
A voice echoed across the world.
"Welcome… users."
"This… is my world."
A pause.
"Approximately 50% of your real-world population is now here."
Kushi's eyes widened.
"…What?"
The voice continued.
"To escape… you must clear six stages."
"The moment even one player clears all six…"
"…everyone will be released."
Silence fell.
Hope.
But—
"There is a twist."
The tone changed.
Cold.
"If you die here…"
"…you will be trapped between the real and unreal world."
"Neither alive… nor dead."
"Until either all six stages are cleared…"
"…or every player dies."
A chill ran down Kushi's spine.
Kay remained still.
Observing.
Analyzing.
"And one last thing…"
The voice echoed again.
"Do not make the mistake of thinking this is a game."
The screen glitched.
Then—
New text appeared.
STAGE 1: GAMING STAGE
GRAND CYBER TOURNAMENT
HOST: LIGERON
A new figure appeared on the screen.
A tall humanoid body.
Golden armor.
A lion-like face.
Sharp claws.
"Welcome… players."
His deep voice roared.
"To the Grand Cyber Tournament."
"If you wish to participate…"
"Register your team at the Cyber Arena."
"Minimum requirement: two players."
"Those who do not participate…"
"…will remain trapped in this stage forever."
The screen vanished.
Silence.
Kushi exhaled slowly.
"…Did you understand anything?"
Kay glanced at her.
"You're the top student."
"Explain."
Kushi crossed her arms.
Thinking.
"First—"
"We can see our HP… health points."
"And levels too."
She looked at Kay.
"You're level 5."
"I'm level 4."
Kay nodded slightly.
"Continue."
"To escape, we need to clear all six stages."
"That makes it… like a game."
Kay shook his head.
"Not exactly."
He looked toward the city.
"In games… failure has no real cost."
"Here… death is permanent."
A pause.
"Each stage likely has a boss."
"And clearing it won't be easy."
Kushi's expression turned serious.
"…So every stage is basically a life-or-death battle."
"More than that," Kay added.
"This world feels real."
"If death wasn't a factor…"
"…someone could live here forever."
Kushi looked around.
The wind.
The trees.
The distant city lights.
"…It really does feel real."
Kay continued.
"That's what makes it dangerous."
"We can see our health here."
"But pain… fear…"
"…everything is real."
He paused.
Then spoke slowly—
"This isn't a game world."
"It's an elimination system."
Kushi's eyes widened.
"…So the one behind this…"
"…wants everyone to die?"
Kay nodded.
"Exactly."
Silence.
Heavy.
Then Kushi took a deep breath.
"…So what's the plan?"
Kay looked at the city again.
"First, we register."
"Minimum two players—so we team up."
"Then we gather information."
"Everything."
"Players… system… rules…"
"We absorb it all."
He glanced at her.
"And one more thing."
"Everyone here is from the real world."
"So we avoid killing… unless absolutely necessary."
Kushi nodded.
"…Got it."
Then—
Her stomach growled softly.
She blinked.
"…Also… I'm hungry."
Kay stared at her.
In a world like this… she's thinking about food?
"…Let's go."
They entered the city.
Neon lights flickered everywhere.
Crowds of players moved around.
Some confused.
Some scared.
Some already forming teams.
The Cyber Arena stood at the center.
Massive.
Dominating.
Kay and Kushi walked toward the registration area.
Just as Kay stepped forward—
A hand grabbed his shoulder.
And—
BAM!
A punch landed straight on his face.
Kay staggered slightly.
Then slowly turned back.
His eyes cold.
"…You just made a mistake."
Chapter 8 end