My ears are still ringing from the explosion as I glance outside. No matter the direction, countless lifeless people can be seen within my sight. The surrounding buildings are falling apart, but I'm protected, unknown even to myself inside this messy hypermarket.
What was that thing again? I'm sure it was human but they are looking crude with unusual clothes and unknown gear, as if that person came right out of a fiction novel.
I looked inside the building, leaning on the side of the broken glass door. The cashier is dead, the customer looks frightened and runs aimlessly. There was just so much information that I couldn't process. I tried to recall what just happened.
It wasn't that long ago.
My parents contacted me today that they are coming to my home, and on the way. I hurried myself to the hypermarket to buy ingredients for dinner and the new year's party. Although, it's only for three people including me.
I'm was thinking what should I buy in this meat section, or maybe these corn in the trolley are already enough?
Before that, this digital blue looking screen in front of me is still bugging me, it's been there for almost a week. But what does it mean? I still can't understand the motive behind these messages.
|[ Your world will undergo significant changes for the reason of preserving your Earth from destruction. ]|
|[ You are playing as an important character, your response will determine the outcome. Would you like to initiate the collision now? ]|
That day I was training as usual with another student, or kendoka in my father's dojo. The screen suddenly appeared in front of me while we were in a duel. I don't know what it was but it's similar to something in an RPG game and I've heard about it as a genre in fiction novels. I didn't have time to read because of the strict training.
I just ignored it for the time being, but the other kendoka seemed surprised because I flinched a bit.
Moreover, what is this destruction? I couldn't agree more that this world is already screwed up. What bothers me the most is this collision word, it does sound dramatic, as if they are trying to end the world.
I hesitated to decide, so I just left it unanswered. I can't ask for help either, I worry if people would just say 'yes' to this message. Come to think of it, can they even see this screen? If that is the case, the people here should've been asking me. Well I'll just leave it be, then.
In the end, I took wagyu beef and corn. I walked towards the long line of customers, this will take some time.
Suddenly, my ears started ringing. Not just me, but the other customers were also trying to cover their ears. I instinctively look at the screen.
|[ The collision will start in 9 seconds ]|
What!? But, I didn't say yes or no!
|[ The collision will start in 7 seconds ]|
Are you freaking kidding me!?
|[ The collision will start in 5 seconds ]|
I tried to look for the 'no' button, and at the same time, saying 'no' in my mind but it doesn't even work anymore.
|[ The collision will starts in 2 seconds ]|
"Fuck, no"
|[ Thank you for your answer, your ability will be awakened soon. ]|
A sudden explosion can be heard and seen outside of the building, the glass door shattered all across the entrance floor. I can't tell what is in front of me, my vision becomes blurry. I have to go home, this place isn't safe, that's what my instincts told me.
I attempted to reach the door by following the brightest light, a sudden and fast black figure just went past me.
"Eh?"
And pursued by two humans with odd clothes, they seem like in chase. Well now I arrived at the door, my vision is much clearer than before, but my left arm feels warm and light.
I tried to push the door when I noticed half of my left arm was no longer there. The red soft-looking meat is accompanied by white bones and the red liquid flowing nonstop. Why doesn't it hurt? Ah, I shouldn't have said that, now it hurts. Not just my arm but my entire body. I screamed in agony in hope of lessening the pain, instinctively ripping apart the clothes behind my jacket.
I endured the excruciating pain while wrapping my left arm using my torn clothes to prevent the blood from flowing out. The dropping sweats from my face, it's more than what I usually had in training.
I glanced outside the door, the surrounding buildings were falling apart, and what was that before? Are they even human? That black figure must be the one who did this to me. This building is too huge, I can't track them.
Shit! What should I do now? Should I go back home? At least I can be at ease that father is with mother.
I began to calm myself and my breath, I took out a fifty centimeter sword with one sharp edge—kodachi, from the back of my jacket, and ran outside. Father will get angry if he finds out about this weapon, but what is important now I should go to the dojo to get my equipment.
The city is ruined and the stench of blood is everywhere, but I didn't see any corpses. My goal is still far, it will at least take around thirteen minutes to get there by foot. But it seems like it will take longer because I got some people who don't like me here.
Three humans, at least what I call them, came from the right in this t-junction street. They all wield longswords but hardly any armor to protect them.
One is a girl around seventeen, in the middle is an old man and on the most right side is an adult around twenty years old, but I'm taller than him despite being one year old younger.
Not even talking, the man around my age rushing towards me with the length of the sword covered by his body. This guy ain't an idiot, he knows a thing or two about swordsmanship.
I grip and hold the sheath using my teeth, and take out the kodachi from her home, revealing a refined blade. I loosen my jaw.
Taking a breath, I slightly stride forward my right foot, slightly raising my left foot heel. My hips are straight forward, I stand up straight and move my kodachi to the front of my waist. The surrounding was bleak as my senses were focused on attempting to take down my enemies as effectively as possible.
Chūdan-no-kamae: a basic stance in kendo which provides a balance between attacking and defensive techniques.
The attacker is only halfway until reaching my range, with high momentum, I should avoid the sword to prevent a risk.
Halfway to my striking reach, the attacker swung the blade on my left side horizontally. I step back with my right first, then left foot by two steps whilst moving my kodachi to my left waist. The sword missed, giving my opponent an awkward position, leaving an opening for the abdomen and neck.
I step forward by one step, gaining the ground and the momentum—I swung the kodachi to the right and cut his guts. I quickly moved to my left side, raising my kodachi above my head, I swung it down and opened up a deep cut wound on his neck.
The man laid lifelessly on the street stared by his two companions from a distance. They didn't even react when their comrade just died!? Well, it's good for me. I am already exhausted just from that due to not having a left arm to wield the pummel, and my stamina has drained a lot just to endure it. It was nonetheless lucky to get a kill with the kendo technique.
|[ Congratulations on your first hunt! You've unlocked the betting system, with this we can help with your growth. ]|
What!? This fucker just appeared after causing so much problem!?
|[ How lovely! Someone just put a bet, do you want to see it now? ]|
Well shit, it can't be helped "Yeah I want to see it, and do it quickly."
|[ The world is in chaos, or apocalypse to be precise! haha! And someone bet on you! ]|
"Give me the details already goddammit!"
|[ You are an impatient one, aren't you? well, the bet is,
Can you save your parents? or will they die by the otherworlders? ]|