There stood a single entity at the end of everything and anything. Amongst the countless realities, timelines, universes and worlds nothing would be spared and nothing would be left nor would anything be spared. Every concept will be erased as they are infinitely transcended and destroyed in their entirety. Yet despite the true end soon becoming a reality there stood a single entity. That person had no definite form or body. If someone were to ask every lifeform what they saw there would never be answers that matched. The formless figure inserted a container that they felt was appropriate for death. Despite having never seen it for themselves after light blinding enough to cover the universe in its entirety once it dissipated there stood the container.
It took the form of a human young man for the nameless observer. With no life in the golden eyes of that container yet the dark "hair" that the container had atop it's head seemed to be nearly perfect, that body was something that transcended the beast that will erase and spare nothing. It bore a black kimono without patterns the same shade as the container's "hair". In its hand there was something that was there but could not be seen.
The container looked upwards and it saw the thing that would bring the end to everything. The nameless entity had been born for the sake of doing this, and maybe then they could disappear. It doesn't know yet even so it points the thing in its hand up to the sky.
In a dull voice that carried no tone it called a name that was lost in time and history. Yet the invisible thing and this name together could do anything whether it be creation or destruction countless times.
"——————"
In under a second everything in creation was enveloped in light just and just as quickly as it was enveloped it dissipated. In the end of everything and anything there only stood the container of the strongest being in creation. It had no expression on its face, the eyes shone not even for a moment nor did the face twist and contort at the expected outcome. This had happened again and again, it was simply a matter of fact for the entity.
It moved its body and looked around to see nothing, yet it didn't need to see anything to know that the correct outcome had come to fruition. With almost a look of sadness it returned to the place only that single entity could reach.
A young man woke up as if it were any other day. His dark hair was messy and he was sweating. Yet despite that his sleep was nothing less than comfortable and peaceful it wasn't reasonable but he put that feeling away.
"I'm already awake damnit."
A white haired young man slammed his alarm clock and pressed the stop on his phone to stop the blaring sound from both devices. He looked up to the bland ceiling and couldn't help but sigh.
'Another day huh?'
He dryly thought to himself and he couldn't help but let out a small chuckle.
The dark haired young man sat up from his bed as he looked around his room, he saw a computer and a bookshelf stuffed to the brim with textbooks. He eventually took a shower and got ready for his day with his work attire. The average suit for a salaryman that works at black company. With a shoulder bag containing documents and his thermos containing black coffee he left his apartment with a large sigh.
As he walked to the train station a wide array of people crossed his path. However not one of them showed enough that was worth remembering. As he boarded the train he had finished his coffee and at this point was listening to music most wouldn't expect in this day and age.
The song of a symphony played through the young man's earbuds as he looked at the others who were inside the train, there were various people aboard yet none were people he had seen before. Just as he was going to gaze out the window to see the buildings that disappeared and were forgotten repeatedly a hand touched his shoulder.
"Hey, Mr. Katsumi I didn't know we rode the same train. I guess it's a coincidence huh?"
After waiting a moment I turned to look at the person who desired my attention. I took out my left earbud as I looked at the new hire who had recently been hired to the office job I'm employed at. Despite job seniority we were the same age, both twenty one. I simply decided to work as soon as I graduated from high school while she attended university.
"Ah. Hello there, it seems it is a coincidence. This is the first time a coworker has ridden this train. Did you need something Shiina?"
I calmly replied to the blonde haired woman named Shiina, I didn't know her first name nor did I desire to know it. I stood a head taller than the young woman who was dressed in a tan office suit lighter than her hair yet they went together perfectly.
"You're always like that. This is why people talk poorly about you, since you're so unsociable. I just wanted to talk to you, is that something so bad?"
"No I suppose not. Plus I already know the things they say about me, I just don't care since it's not a new thing. But surely you're aware I won't talk to you any differently?"
"Yeah but I'd rather be treated like this than you force a personality to be social. Not like you would do that anyway."
I paused the music that was playing and took out my last earbud and put it back into the pocket of my suit. I looked down to the young woman who had a slight smile of satisfaction from my simple gesture.
She continued to talk to me for the duration of the train ride and followed me constantly talking to me as we walked to the same office. Although at least, she didn't force conversation that much I was thankful for.
When we did reach the office it was another day of overwork without rest. It was simply another part of life for the young man known as Yoshida Katsumi. Nothing more and nothing less.
Constantly staying until the late of night despite coming in an hour before noon and after everyone would leave. Something most people wouldn't be able to forgive, something that would be met with complaints. Yet not even a complaint would come out from the lips of the young man with eyes that were without light or passion.
As he left the office the streets were still alive, lights shone indicating bars and motels that people frequented. I was unaware of those kinds of joys, things that I never experienced however I can't say that I wish I did experience those things.
As I was lost in my own thoughts a bright light engulfed the street that had my place of work and the many places for the night. It was a light that felt like it was an eternity yet it was under five seconds, once that light had disappeared and I was in a different place entirely.
When my eyes had become adjusted I noticed that I was in the middle of a forest. My bag was gone and I was left with just my clothes and cell phone. I looked around to get a closer idea of my surroundings.
It was night, it was obvious from the stars in the sky and the deep color that enveloped it. The forest was dense, extremely dense to the point that it won't be easy to navigate my way around. Considering my lack of equipment this wouldn't be any easier with or without it.
Nonetheless I began to walk as I checked my cell phone. There was no reception but it was in working condition with around eighty percent of its life still. For now that's good enough.
I'm unsure of how long I had been walking but at some point there was a bright light to my left, and without any other real options besides walking in the darkness I approached it.
Once I reached the light it revealed itself to be a flame and around it were a group of people. At first they hadn't noticed me however when they did their faces were a mixed bunch however no one denied or affirmed my existence.
"Mr. Katsumi you're here!? It's me Ayano Shiina, is it really you?"
'Ah I guess that was her first name.'
While I put it in my mind to remember the girl's name she ran up to me and hugged me tightly. Despite our interactions previously none of them were even close to this intimate. We haven't even really touched each other yet right now it skipped to a heartwarming reunion.
I stood there for a moment and awkwardly patted her back until she let go and then I took in her appearance along with the other people. They looked tired, worn out, dirty and as if they had given up hope.
"Shiina there's no need to call me Mr. Katsumi, we aren't really in the best position for formalities so just forget it. But tell me what happened, I only just woke up in the forest so I don't get what's going on."
I spoke with an emotionless tone as I looked at the familiar young woman in front of me. She was surprised for a moment but softly smiled as if she had experienced a good thing. She sat around the fire and patted the dirt inviting me to sit next to her. Truth be told I didn't want to get dirty but I didn't have a choice. Especially in this situation.
"Before I explain what's going on, can I ask you something Katsumi?"
She looked at me from the side while the others who sat around the flame seemed to still be out of it from whatever they may be distracted with.
"What do you mean you just got here? We all have been here for at least a month now."
She asked curiously looking me in the eye while the others who were seemingly losing themselves in silence suddenly snapped to attention. A girl in highschool uniform grabbed my shirt and blazer.
"Hey what do you mean you only just got here!? Does that mean you know how to get out of here? Anything!?" The highschool girl screamed into my face while I hadn't lost my composure in the face of this.
"I meant what I said. I only appeared here tonight. At most it has been a few hours since I appeared in the forest. I have no clue how I can leave but at the very least I do remember how I got here. Now let me go highschooler."
I moved her hands off of me while she looked like she wanted to say more. I began speaking again.
"Now then, explain what happened to the three of you and don't leave anything out."
They both flinched before Shiina began to speak and explain that they had been here for around a month. Yet the only survivors were Shiina, the highschool girl and the sleeping child near us. There were nearly a hundred survivors but they had all died in various ways. Whether it be starvation, murder or from whatever is in the forest. The three of them had been waiting for anything while they had begun to run out of rations and hope.
"I see. I guess I'll explain my side now."
I told them about how I left until the deep of the night and about the bright light that brought me here. I walked in the forest and arrived here after walking long enough.
"That doesn't help us with jack shit! …I just want to go home. Go out with my friends again, see a movie, hell even go to school. Just let me go home…"
The highschool girl's body collapsed and her head landed on my chest as she began to cry. I looked over at Shiina who looked like she wanted to cry herself but motioned for me to wrap my arms around her.
I awkwardly hugged her and she only started to cry more, I guess she has been through a lot. I can allow her this much I guess.
When she had finished over a few minutes she stopped and had let go, going down to sniffles and wiping her face with her sleeves and didn't say anything but definitely avoided my gaze perhaps from embarrassment.
"If you're finished then show me everything that you have left plus there is still something weird—"
A clap of thunder cut off my words as it struck the fire and it began to swirl into a small tornado like flame. The two girls instantly ran behind me as if I could do anything. Meanwhile the sleeping child stood up to attention and darted over behind me aswell, damnit.
Once the flame vanished as if it had never been there a figure took the place of the fire and it was something that was see through yet bore the figure of a child. Its height and body structure was one of a young child yet even so it was see through, it disgusted me from my core the more I looked at it.
In a high pitched voice yet one that would be fitting for a little boy came from the thing that gave me disgust.
"Well now that the last has arrived we can begin. Oh my~ it seems some of you just couldn't make it huh? Although that just makes my job easier, now it's time to begin."
The figure snapped its "fingers" and there was a hollow glass window in front of every person alive. Myself, Shiina, the highschool girl, the man and the young child who was now awake. After looking at the two menu-like panels they had I was able to confirm that they read the same thing.
[Quest No.1]
Escape the Death Forest.
[Quest Requirements]
Defeat the Beast of the Forest.
Two or More Party Members Survive.
Awaken your hidden potential.
Clear the Hall of Memories.
[Quest Rewards]
400 QP.
Unlocking Skill Tree.
Leave the Death Forest.
After examining the requirements and rewards I pressed the accept button without hesitation. I mean I did not have much of a choice in this scenario did I?