"Am I Riku, or...?" In the dim light of a cramped room, a teenager with short white hair and piercing purple pupils murmured in confusion. His handsome, indifferent face was clouded with uncertainty, and his once-deep golden eyes now shimmered with a mixture of sadness and bewilderment.

Moments passed, and slowly, clarity returned to him. The shock settled in, flooding his mind with complexity as he realized the truth: he had traveled across time and space, occupying the body of a boy named Riku. This Riku, crushed by the weight of self-blame, regret, and despair, had succumbed to the darkness within him.

The world around him was chaotic and unforgiving.

On this planet known as Disboard, gods and fantasy races—each birthed from the whims of these deities—waged endless wars. The sky, once blue and vibrant, was now choked with dust and darkness, a testament to the relentless battles that had scarred the land. Massive pits and burn marks marred the earth, a cruel reminder of the devastation wrought by powers beyond human comprehension.

In the shadow of these formidable beings, human civilization lay in ruins, obliterated as easily as an insect beneath a boot. In the eyes of the fantasy races, humans were less than livestock—truly weak and pitiful.

Humanity could do little more than flee, constantly searching for a place to hide. But even in their desperate attempts to survive, they were often caught in the collateral damage of the conflicts around them. The aftermath of these wars was merciless, treating humans like mere ants. Only the mindless demon species occasionally hunted them, but to the other races, humans were insignificant. They were mere playthings—easily crushed and forgotten.

This was the grim reality for humans on Disboard: a life marked by vulnerability and humiliation.

Yet, to endure, humans had learned to stifle their negative emotions, suppressing their fear and despair. They made horrific choices in the name of survival. One life sacrificed for two; two lives given up for four. In encounters with more powerful races, humans often resorted to the desperate tactic of offering up their own as bait, sacrificing companions to draw attention away from the majority.

As the leader of such a harrowing operation, Riku had carried an unbearable weight. The psychological strain had ultimately led to his soul's collapse.

"I never thought I'd arrive in this world like this," he thought bitterly.

Familiar with both the world and the boy whose identity he now inhabited, Riku recalled the anime No Game No Life and its film adaptation. "Reality is far crueler than the fiction," he muttered. In the anime, Riku had faced tremendous pressure but had triumphed, using his intellect to end the wars that plagued Disboard. But this world had crushed its Riku, leaving behind only remnants of despair.

"I will be Riku from now on," he resolved silently, determination taking root within him. "I will do everything I can to fulfill your last wish."

In his previous life, he had felt like a ghost, devoid of connections, friends, or family. If he had vanished, few would have noticed—perhaps even celebrated his absence. Society often fears what it cannot understand, and he had been labeled a monster for his intellect.

Shaking his head, Riku dismissed the memory. His past no longer mattered. He was Riku now, and he would carve out a new path in this unforgiving world.

[Ding]

Suddenly, a mechanical voice echoed in his mind, interrupting his thoughts.

[The Divine-level treasure chest system is activating and loading.]

Riku's golden eyes narrowed in curiosity. Although he had anticipated something like this, he felt a strange mixture of excitement and caution. Maintaining his calm demeanor was essential—another reason people often called him a monster.

[Ding, Divine-level treasure chest system, loading… 1%... 10%... 78%... 99%... 100%.]

[Loaded and officially launched.]

[Dear master, the Divine-treasure chest system is now at your service.]

[The treasure chest system categorizes chests into five grades: bronze, silver, gold, platinum, and diamond. These are only the most basic types; further exploration is encouraged.]

[Note: Although the bronze treasure chest is the lowest tier, it can still yield powerful items. Its chances of producing something remarkable, however, are comparatively lower.]

As the emotionless voice faded, a map materialized before Riku's eyes.

"It's straightforward enough, but it will do," he remarked, a slight smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. His gaze scanned the map, taking in the red dots scattered across it—indications of various treasure chests.

"Is this the world map?" he asked, though it was more of a statement than a question. It was clear these dots represented the random locations of treasure chests scattered throughout the land.

[Yes.]

"Can you create a more detailed map? Something that shows the distribution of various forces?" Riku asked, his expression shifting to one of seriousness.

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