November 12th.
Noon.
Tokyo — at the edge of the colony barrier.
A massive, semi-transparent wall of cursed energy rose before them, stretching into the sky like a curtain separating two worlds.
It pulsed slowly.
Alive.
This was one of the Culling Game colonies created by Kenjaku.
A battlefield disguised as a ritual.
Yagami Sora stood alone before the barrier.
Wind rustled the broken streets behind him.
A voice came through the communicator.
It was Yuta Okkotsu.
"Everyone remember the rules?"
"Once we enter the colony, the barrier will randomly drop us somewhere inside."
"So we'll be separated immediately."
Yagami Sora replied calmly.
"That's fine."
"Splitting up is more efficient."
He raised his hand.
His fingers touched the surface of the barrier.
The sensation was unsettling.
Cold.
Elastic.
Almost organic.
Like touching the inside of a living creature.
Cursed energy pulsed through it like a heartbeat.
Megumi's voice came through next.
Megumi Fushiguro.
"Yuji and I are entering the Tokyo No.1 Colony."
"We'll track down Hiromi Higuruma first."
"He has over a hundred points. If we convince him to cooperate, we can add new rules."
Another voice cut in.
Loud.
Excited.
"That's great!"
It was Kinji Hakari.
"Panda and I are heading to the Tokyo No.2 Colony."
"I heard there's a monster player there."
"My luck says there's a jackpot waiting!"
Yagami Sora exhaled slowly.
Cold air filled his lungs.
"Alright."
"Everyone."
"Come back alive."
A brief silence followed.
Then Maki's calm voice answered.
Maki Zenin.
"Obviously."
Yagami Sora smiled faintly.
Then stepped forward.
Into the barrier.
Into hell.
[High cursed energy density detected.]
[Barrier rule analysis in progress.]
[Analysis complete.]
[Culling Game — Tokyo Colony No.1]
[Player Registration Successful]
[Current Player Count: 108]
[Current Points: 0]
The world twisted violently.
Up became down.
Light blurred.
Colors warped.
For a moment it felt like being thrown inside a washing machine.
Then—
Everything stopped.
Yagami Sora opened his eyes.
He was standing on the rooftop of an abandoned building.
Below him—
Tokyo.
Or what remained of it.
The streets were shattered.
Collapsed buildings leaned against each other like broken bones.
Smoke drifted through the air.
Occasional explosions echoed from distant districts.
Screams followed.
Short.
Violent.
Then silence.
"This is the Culling Game…"
Yagami Sora stepped to the edge of the roof.
Looking down at the ruined city.
This place was no longer civilization.
It was a jungle.
A hunting ground.
Every building was a tree.
Every street was a predator's path.
Inside this barrier—
Everyone had been granted the same right.
And the same obligation.
Kill.
Or be killed.
"What a twisted ritual."
Yagami Sora muttered.
"That bastard Kenjaku is probably watching everything."
"Like this is some kind of gladiator arena."
He closed his eyes briefly.
Sensing the cursed energy around him.
The air itself felt heavy.
Thick with hostility.
Resentment lingered everywhere.
Left behind by the countless sorcerers already fighting inside this colony.
Every alley carried killing intent.
Every rooftop could hide a predator.
It felt like standing inside a giant meat grinder.
And he was the stone thrown into the gears.
Just then—
A sharp notification sounded.
Beep.
[Hostile presence detected.]
[Number of targets: 12]
[Threat level: C–B]
[Distance: 18 meters]
Yagami Sora slightly turned his head.
From the shadows behind him—
Twelve figures emerged.
Their appearances varied wildly.
Ancient samurai armor.
Street gang clothing.
Ordinary civilians twisted by newly awakened cursed techniques.
But their eyes were identical.
Hungry.
Greedy.
Predatory.
Like hyenas that had smelled blood.
One man stepped forward.
A rusty iron pipe rested on his shoulder.
His grin revealed yellow teeth.
"Hey."
"A newcomer?"
He looked Sora up and down.
Like inspecting livestock.
"You look pretty soft."
"Should be easy points."
Another man raised his hand.
A fireball ignited above his palm.
He had awakened a cursed technique.
"Only one person?"
He licked his lips.
"Perfect."
"Free points."
The group slowly surrounded Yagami Sora.
Cutting off every escape route.
Yagami Sora turned to face them.
His expression didn't change.
Calm.
Indifferent.
Like someone watching insects.
"Twelve?"
He tilted his head slightly.
"…That's it?"
He sighed.
"Well."
"Points are points."
He raised a single finger.
"Three seconds."
"Disappear."
"Or die."
For a moment—
The group froze.
Then they burst into laughter.
"Hahaha!"
"Did this idiot lose his mind?"
"Stop talking!"
Another man shouted.
"Kill him before anyone else shows up!"
The one holding the iron pipe charged first.
"Die!!"
Yagami Sora sighed again.
"If you're that eager to reincarnate…"
"Then I'll help you."
He flicked his finger.
Buzz—
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