[Synchronization rate has been set to 0%. Warning: Death is now permanent. The tutorial will begin.]
...
What the hell is this?
A blue glowing screen was floating in front of me, like a pop-up out of a game. A few lines of white text and a warning written in red was displayed on it.
A strange feeling welled up within me. It felt oddly familiar, despite being one of the most inconceivable things to see out of the blue.
Hm. Come to think of it, I was getting a bit too into video games during the semester. That was probably why.
An additional window appeared above the one I was already looking at.
[Synchronization rate: 1%]
What does that even mean?
I dismissed the question. I had more pressing matters to be concerned about, such as:
Where the hell am I?
What the hell happened to the city?
How the hell did I get here?
And who the hell was that kid... or woman? Whichever it is?
When I tried to think about that last part, my mind became foggy, which made me even more frustrated. All of my pent-up emotions leading up to the moments just before suddenly hit a cliffhanger and I have no clue what to do with them.
I waved my hand at the floating screens, hoping they would disappear along with their annoying brightness. Thankfully, they vanished. I crouched and laid down on my back, taking some time to recuperate.
I need to organize my thoughts, starting with the event that caused everything that led up to this point.
First, there was the sudden outbreak of monsters that appeared out of nowhere. They wreaked my city of Astris, and likely other regions around the world.
Second, in the chaos, I met a peculiar little girl who I thought was separated from her parents. I then decided to help her look for them after she said they were in the Arrie's Analog.
Third, in the process of doing so, I was devoured by a horrible monster. Or at least, I was supposed to be.
Fourth, I somehow found myself in the Arrie's Analog of the past. I had a... conversation? With her.
No matter how much I think about it, I can hardly remember anything about that time. What was it that she said? I only remember her asking me if I wanted to protect something.
Protect...
Fifth. My current location, and the screen that said something about a tutorial.
When she asked me if I wanted to protect something, is that supposed to be related to this? If this is a tutorial, is this supposed to be some kind of training to become stronger?
It sounds ridiculous if you ask me. But then again, monsters I've only seen in movies and video games coming to life and threatening humanity is also quite ridiculous. Then the setting would be something like divine guardians guiding humanity to fight against the sudden appearance of evils, that kind of thing.
I chuckled to myself. I'm coping. I'm really, really coping. And I think I might be going crazy because of it.
But I find it hard to think of any other way to explain the current situation.
The small window from before popped up again.
[Synchronization rate: 2%]
I frowned. I tapped on the screen to see if something would pop up, and a follow-up message appeared before me.
[Insufficient permission. The 'status window' is currently locked. Please progress through the tutorial to gain access.]
Status window.
For better or for worse, it was definitely something that seemed out of a game. But if it's like the kind of status window I'm thinking about, then my theory about the tutorial might be true. And if it is, I might end up having to fight monsters when I get out of here.
I shuddered at the thought. The monster that nearly ate me came to mind. To be honest, I don't know if I can come face to face with it again. At the time, I was being driven by adrenaline, but if it wasn't for that, I'd probably have soiled myself and cried.
...And there's no way I'm the only one who feels that way.
I pulled myself to my feet as a newfound (though admittedly weak) resolve motivated me to act. Out there, more and more people are falling victim to the monsters taking over the world. My friends and family are in danger. I can't stay still here, even if I'm lost and confused.
Compared to what's going on out there, a tutorial sounds like heaven.
I narrowed my eyes, scanning the path before me. A thin red carpet stretched out from my feet to a large set of studded double doors, which was the only object of interest in the room. With careful steps, I made my way towards the doors.
I pressed my hands against the cold metal surface. There are no words to describe this level of discomfort, but I can't let that stop me. I'll beat this tutorial and get out as fast as possible.
Light work.
I pushed the double doors open, feeling a gust of cold air flow through. The room was almost completely dark, even darker than the room behind me. I couldn't see further than a few steps in front of me. Cautiously, I stepped into the room.
My heart almost leapt out of my chest after I heard a loud bang come from behind. I turned my head. Both the doors had shut on their own.
"Hahaha..." I chuckled weakly.
I'll admit it. I'm just pretending to be strong and confident. To be fair, I don't have much else going for me right now.
Lights flickered to life, momentarily blinding me. While my eyes adjusted to the light, I tried to look around the room.
It was one big space, a large cube of a room. In front of me was a sword embedded in a pedestal, and further behind it...
Was my older sister.
My heart froze. What was she doing here?
And why was she holding a sword?
A screen appeared before me.
[The Ark of Passion demands your fervor. Complete the following objective to earn your 'right'.]
— Defeat 'Isana Gray' (0/1)