Yuzu blinked his eyes open, the sudden light flooding his vision. He found himself sprawled on a cold, metallic floor in a dimly lit room. His heart raced as he sat up, glancing around in confusion. The walls were stark and featureless, save for a single screen glowing in front of him, casting an eerie blue light that illuminated the space.
"Welcome to the Tower!" the screen blared, and Yuzu's breath hitched at the sight of the notification. Below the welcoming message, red letters stood out ominously: "THE FIRST SINGLE TRIAL: EXODUS WILL BEGIN."
"What the hell is this?" he muttered, rubbing his eyes as if he could wipe away the surreal nature of the situation. He leaned closer, reading more. "Exodus is a scenario that operates with a large group of people. It could be PvE or PvP. The SINGLE EXODUS is a scenario that is PvE."
Panic clawed at his throat as he struggled to process the information. Where am I? Why am I here? His mind raced with questions, but just as quickly as they arose, a new notification popped up on the screen:
"World Chat Menu Activated."
Yuzu's heart skipped a beat. He quickly navigated to the chat interface, his fingers trembling. He typed a quick message: "Is anyone out there?"
The silence was deafening. He felt a wave of loneliness wash over him. Is this a game? He hesitated, glancing at the screen. But it feels too real…
Suddenly, the screen flickered again, a loud mechanical whir echoing around him. "The First Trial Begins!" Yuzu felt a strange pulling sensation, and before he could react, the world around him dissolved into a blur of colors and lights.
With a hard thud, he landed on a floor, dust swirling around him as he tried to get his bearings. Looking up, he found himself inside an abandoned building, the air thick with the smell of mildew. Shadows danced on the walls, and the dim light barely illuminated the remnants of what once might have been a vibrant space.
What just happened? Panic set in again, but it was quickly replaced by a growl—a low, rumbling sound that sent chills down his spine.
From the shadows emerged a massive, grotesque creature, a distorted blue blob with multiple eyes blinking menacingly at him. Each eye seemed to gleam with a malevolent intelligence. Yuzu's heart raced, every instinct screaming for him to flee.
"Defeat the creature or survive against it for 1 hour," a voice echoed in his mind, cold and indifferent.
Without thinking, Yuzu turned and sprinted, the creature's sludgy movements gaining on him. I can't die here! Not like this! He dashed through the wreckage, the remnants of furniture and debris blurring past him. A classroom? No, a hallway? The layout was jumbled, like a cruel puzzle designed to disorient him.
He spotted a staircase and bolted down, losing his footing and tumbling hard. Pain shot through his body as he landed awkwardly, but his eyes caught a glimpse of something glimmering—a chest! With a rush of adrenaline, he scrambled to it, fumbling open the lid. Inside, he found a bow, ten arrows, a short sword, and armor padding with a fencing helmet.
This has to be a joke, he thought, half laughing, half panicking. What am I supposed to do with this?
Quickly, he donned the armor and strapped the helmet on, feeling slightly more secure. He needed a plan. Yuzu glanced around the room; it resembled a classroom, filled with old desks and faded posters that hung askew on the walls. Dust motes floated in the slanted light, giving the scene a ghostly quality.
If I want to survive, I need to find an open area. The cafeteria! It's spacious!
He took a deep breath, steeling himself as he burst from the classroom, sprinting toward the cafeteria. The sound of the creature echoed behind him, a reminder of the impending doom. As he ran, Yuzu's mind raced, trying to formulate a strategy. What do I know about fighting?
Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
But he couldn't afford to give in to fear. He had to fight, to survive. The cafeteria door loomed ahead, a beacon of hope amidst the chaos. Just as he reached the entrance, the creature lunged at him, its slimy appendage slamming into his side and flinging him against the wall.
Pain radiated through his body, and for a moment, despair washed over him. Am I really going to die? he thought, groaning. This isn't how it's supposed to go! In anime and manga, this is when the main character gets a power-up, right? He stared at the floor, feeling like a background character in someone else's story.
But then something shifted within him. He pushed himself off the ground, grit replacing fear in his heart. I may be a side character, he told himself, rising to his feet, adrenaline surging, but I have my human pride and indomitable spirit!
With a fierce shout, Yuzu charged at the creature, bow drawn tight. He aimed carefully, feeling the weight of his life hanging in the balance. As he released the first arrow, it flew through the air, striking the creature's hide with a sickening thud. It barely flinched, its multitude of eyes narrowing at him with a predatory gleam.
Okay, that didn't work, he thought, scrambling backward as the creature lunged again. He dodged just in time, feeling the rush of air as it barely missed him. He needed a better plan—a way to outsmart it.
Yuzu glanced around the cafeteria, searching for anything he could use. Tables were overturned, and debris littered the floor. A half-empty soda can caught his eye. What if I can distract it?
With a quick motion, he grabbed the can, flinging it across the room. The loud clatter echoed, drawing the creature's attention. As it turned, Yuzu seized the opportunity to sprint past it, heading for the nearest exit.
He burst through a door, finding himself in a vast hallway that stretched endlessly. This was his chance to regroup. He could hear the creature behind him, its sludgy movements crashing against the walls as it gave chase.
I need to find a weapon, he thought desperately, his heart pounding. The hallway branched into several doors, each leading to unknown dangers. He chose the nearest one, bursting into what looked like a science lab.
Inside, beakers and equipment lay shattered on the floor, a testament to the chaos that had consumed this place. Yuzu searched frantically, his hands shaking as he rummaged through the remnants. Finally, he found something—a heavy metal wrench, perfect for swinging.
This will have to do, he thought, gripping the makeshift weapon tightly.
Just as he turned to leave, the creature crashed through the doorway, its multiple eyes fixated on him, hunger radiating from its grotesque form. Yuzu swung the wrench with all his might, connecting with the creature's side. It let out a chilling screech, and for a brief moment, he felt a rush of triumph. But that feeling was short-lived as the creature retaliated, lunging forward with renewed fury.
Focus, Yuzu! You can't give up now! he urged himself, dodging another attack. He had to keep moving. The creature may have size and strength, but he had agility and determination on his side. He sprinted out of the lab, leading the monster further into the maze of the tower.
His mind raced as he plotted his next moves. He could feel the seconds ticking away; time was running out. As he rounded another corner, he spotted a large set of double doors ahead. If he could just make it through there...
Yuzu pushed himself to run faster, the sound of the creature's pursuit echoing behind him. He grasped the doorknob and flung the doors open, bursting into a massive auditorium. The sheer size of the room was overwhelming, and he quickly scanned for an escape route.
In the center of the room stood a stage, and behind it, curtains billowed ominously. Yuzu made a beeline for the stage, hoping to use the elevation to his advantage. He climbed up the steps, adrenaline surging as he glanced back. The creature was not far behind.
With no time to lose, he grabbed a nearby microphone stand, its weight feeling reassuring in his hands. As the creature entered the auditorium, its many eyes fixed on him with predatory intent, Yuzu prepared himself for the final confrontation.
I may not be the hero of this story, he thought, but I will not go down without a fight!