「Entering entry 27, Code name- …」
A robotic voice is heard echoing throughout the room, it has been repeating the same message ever since I entered.
…
"Hah- hah…", I looked behind to see a figure walking in blowing air into their hands, huffs can be visibly seen throughout the icy cold environment.
It was hard to pay attention to anything else besides my survival.
All to be heard was silence. Looking around, everyone else in sight seemed to be shivering as violently as I was.
"I t-truly can't, I need to close my e-e... eyes for a m-moment.", The figure sitting in front of me said as their consciousness was fleeing on the spot.
They never uttered a word ever since.
「Entering entry 43, Code name- …」
They certainly made it difficult to sit still. Having the urge to puke, throw up, and die as they continued; I desperately prayed for the bitter torture to end as frostbite has already sat in to most, nearing the end of me.
It was hard to not give up. How I even was living till now?
The robotic voice continued its spur of entries, not stopping its momentum for even the slightest moment. However, every entry took at least more than a minute. The waiting room's environment was no less different either.
「Entering entry 65, Code name-..., There are no more entries, commencing announcement...」
Everyone who was on the edge of living perked their heads up ever so slightly, looking for a sliver of hope for this misery to end soon.
「Ending simulation. Entering Unity's Head Council. We welcome the universe's guide.」
Suddenly in the spur of the moment, the people awoke.
The people who were grueling to keep their eyes open, the people who were on the verge of death appeared lively, and those who were thought to be sleeping forever were awake.
Of course, I know the difference between them and I. Those weren't real. A figment of imagination that everybody was okay. Back then, I tried to hope everything would be fine, but everything has changed since then.
[The scenery changes.]
The speakers play the casual robotic voice you hear everyday. Another regular day in the office.
[The environment changes.]
The humid air caused me to shiver out of fear, even occasional slight blows of dust being stifling. The drowning voices still haunt me.
The stark difference from missions and office days is truly striking.
[Your mind changes.]
Opening up my eyes; just the other daily dream occurred in my thoughts. Only this time, it was the annual entrance ceremony to tell me what I was in store for in the organization. It should've been the least of my worries.
I should've known ever since they commenced that announcement, and I can only curse myself for getting involved in the fiasco. What can I do but continue? I don't have a home to go to.
Even then, the memories will never leave my mind from the day I started.
- Entry 19, Code name: Reiki.