Harry glanced anxiously at his watch, his heart racing as he waited for the train to reach his stop. "Not today," he muttered under his breath, frustration evident in the furrow of his brow. He had been chasing after these elusive clients for months, and today was finally the day he had a chance to seal the deal. But fate seemed determined to throw obstacles in his path. The entire station was plunged into darkness, not even the phones were working. It took the authorities a painstaking 30 minutes to restore power, and even then, the cause remained a mystery. Harry hurriedly tapped out a text to his manager, apologizing for his lateness and pleading for the clients to wait just a bit longer.
Dressed in a sharp grey suit, his tie knotted crisply, and polished shoes clicking against the platform, Harry stepped off the train with purpose. He despised tardiness, but in the chaotic heart of London, delays were an inevitable part of life. As he emerged from the station, a sense of urgency propelled him forward, but his pace faltered when a deafening noise echoed from above. It couldn't be thunder; the sky was clear. People around him froze, their gazes turning skyward as a hairline crack split the heavens, widening with each passing second. Panic rippled through the crowd.
"I can't believe what I'm seeing," someone whispered, their voice trembling with fear. The rumbling grew louder, drowning out all other sounds. Then, without warning, a mysterious screen materialized before them, displaying a single, chilling question that sent shivers down Harry's spine:
"Do you have what it takes to save the world?"
As the timer ticked down, the looming question hung heavy in the air: "Do you have what it takes to save the world?" The options were stark—Yes or No. Amidst the murmurs of confusion, a disbelieving voice rang out, "What kind of prank is this?" followed by a defiant selection of "No." Nearby, a woman, her facade of composure faltering, tentatively pressed "Yes," her relief palpable as a book materialized before her.
But relief soon turned to horror as those who chose "Yes" writhed in pain, their bodies undergoing inexplicable transformations. Swords, daggers, and shields materialized for some, while others found themselves clutching oddly shaped wooden sticks.
Soon again a message appeared for those who were yet to make a choice.
"You have 10 seconds remaining."
Amid the chaos, Harry's panic surged, his trembling hand hovering over the screen until, with a gulp, he selected "Yes." Bracing himself for the unknown, he cautiously opened his eyes to find...nothing. No sensation, no visible change. Only a window displaying his profile details, shrouded in mystery, save for his name and an enigmatic "??".
Harry and Susan, colleagues at the hotel, found themselves thrust into a reality that defied logic and reason. As the countdown timer loomed ominously in the sky, questions swirled in their minds. What did it mean? What awaited them in this strange new world? With each passing moment, the answers remained elusive, obscured by the uncertainty of their circumstances.
Harry and Susan had first met two years ago at the bustling hotel where they both worked. Harry, with his sharp eye for detail and exceptional organizational skills, quickly rose through the ranks to become a key player in the Reservations department. Susan, with her warm demeanor and knack for customer service, was a natural fit for the reception desk.
Their paths crossed during a particularly chaotic holiday season. The hotel was overbooked, guests were irate, and the stress levels among the staff were through the roof. It was during one of these hectic days that Harry noticed Susan, who had just started working at the hotel. Despite the pressure, she managed to stay calm and composed, handling the guests with a grace that impressed Harry.
One evening, after an especially long shift, Harry found Susan in the break room, looking exhausted but still smiling. They struck up a conversation, sharing stories about the day's chaos and their mutual love for anime. That night, they bonded over their favorite series, finding common ground in the vibrant worlds and compelling characters they both adored.
From that day forward, their friendship grew stronger. They often covered shifts for each other, shared lunch breaks, and exchanged inside jokes about the quirks of their demanding job. Outside of work, they explored London together, visiting anime shops, attending conventions, and even hosting anime marathons. Their camaraderie was a source of comfort and stability in the fast-paced world of hospitality.
Susan admired Harry's dedication and attention to detail, while Harry appreciated Susan's empathy and ability to connect with people. They balanced each other out, creating a dynamic that made their workdays not just bearable, but enjoyable. Their friendship provided a sanctuary amidst the hustle and bustle of city life.
Now, standing together under the ominous crack in the sky, their shared history added a layer of unspoken trust and solidarity. As they faced the surreal and frightening new reality, Harry knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, he and Susan would face them together. Their friendship, forged in the trials of everyday life, was now their anchor in a world turned upside down.
Those who opted for "No" received a cryptic warning about the impending changes to their world.
"Try not to wander outside alone as this world is about to change and you won't be able to survive."
Meanwhile, for those who dared to answer "Yes," a transformation unfolded, revealing a world akin to a fantastical game. Status bars, attributes, and classes materialized, signaling a paradigm shift beyond comprehension. And as the crack in the sky counted down, signaling the inexorable passage of time, the true nature of their reality remained tantalizingly out of reach.
The loud rumbling noise finally subsided, leaving an eerie silence in its wake. The crack in the sky now displayed a countdown timer. "Forty-eight hours!" a man exclaimed; his voice tinged with panic. "Why is it counting down? What does this mean?"
"The window says the tutorial will start in 48 hours," Susan said, staring at her screen with a mixture of apprehension and curiosity.
As the initial shock began to wear off, Harry and Susan found themselves surrounded by others who had chosen "Yes." Faces were pale, eyes wide with confusion, but a flicker of determination shone in some eyes.
"We need to figure out what's going on," Susan said, her voice steady despite the turmoil. She held up the book that had appeared before her, its cover embossed with intricate symbols, feeling its weight as a tangible connection to this new reality.
Harry nodded, glancing at his own screen. "This isn't just happening to us. Look around. Everyone who chose 'Yes' is dealing with something similar." He noticed a young woman clutching a glowing staff and an older man examining a shimmering shield.
A man with two daggers strapped to his waist approached them, his expression grim but focused. "Name's Marcus," he said, his voice low but clear. "Looks like we're all in this together. We need to stick together and figure out what this countdown is leading to."
Susan looked at Harry, who gave a small nod of agreement. "Agreed," she said. "But first, we need to understand these new...abilities. And fast."
As they began to exchange information, sharing what they had each experienced and discovered, a sense of camaraderie started to form. The countdown continued to tick away, each second a reminder of their uncertain fate. But for the first time since the crack appeared, Harry felt a glimmer of hope. They had each other, and together, they might just have a chance.