The bell rang sharply through the classroom, signaling the end of yet another tedious lecture. Chairs scraped against the floor as students rushed to escape the monotony of History class. The dull murmur of the lesson was quickly replaced by the lively buzz of conversation, the usual clamor of the break beginning.
In the back row, Harry stretched with a dramatic groan, raising his arms above his head. His unruly brown hair flopped into his face, and he pushed it back with exaggerated flair.
"Finally! I swear that class was trying to kill me."
A few students chuckled, used to Harry's over-the-top reactions. He had a knack for making even the dullest moments entertaining.
"Come on, Harry," one of his classmates said with a grin. "It wasn't that bad."
"Not bad?" Harry scoffed, placing a hand over his chest like a wounded soldier. "History is a weapon of mass destruction. My brain is halfway to the afterlife you know."
More laughter followed, but Harry wasn't paying attention anymore. His gaze drifted toward Max, the quiet kid sitting ahead of him.
Max had always been the serious type, the kind of guy who actually paid attention in class and kept to himself. But today… something was off.
He sat frozen, staring ahead with unfocused eyes. His hands lay limp on the desk, motionless.
'This feels familiar...' Harry frowned.
"Hey, Max. Earth to Max? Did the lecture fry your brain too?"
No response.
"Hello? Max, you in there?"
Slowly, Max turned his head, blinking as if waking from a deep trance. His gaze locked onto Harry, but there was no recognition in his expression.
And then—
"Who are you?"
The question was quiet. Flat. Empty.
Harry blinked. Then he chuckled, thinking Max was messing with him. He couldn't have already forgotten their recent encounter, right?
"Are you trying to copy me now? Come on, dude, don't mess with me."
But Max's confused stare didn't waver.
"Do I… know you?"
The grin faded from Harry's face. He leaned in, studying Max's expression. No trace of amusement. No hint of a joke. Just genuine bewilderment.
"You're serious, huh?" Harry muttered. He reached out, half-expecting to feel a fever. "Did you hit your head or something—?"
Just before he could touch him, Max's hand shot up, gripping his wrist with an unexpected force.
In a swift motion, Max twisted his arm behind his back.
"Ah! Ow, ow, ow—let go!" Harry yelped, struggling against the sudden grip.
The classroom fell into stunned silence. Heads turned, eyes widening as students took in the strange scene unfolding before them.
"What's going on?" someone whispered.
"Did Max just—?"
Max released Harry's arm, turning away as if nothing had happened. Harry staggered back, rubbing his wrist and shooting Max an incredulous glare.
"What the hell was that for?"
But Max wasn't even looking at him. His eyes were locked on something in the air.
"Are you seeing this too?" he asked, voice quiet yet urgent.
Harry hesitated. "Seeing what?"
"The screen," Max said, pointing at thin air. "It's floating right here."
'S-Screen-!' Harry's stomach dropped. His voice, usually full of sarcasm, came out quieter. "You're messing with me, right?"
Max ignored him. His eyes flicked back and forth as if reading something invisible.
"It says something about… entering the tutorial."
Silence stretched between them.
'Is this really happening?' Harry's pulse quickened. 'Is it really a system window?'
He searched Max's face, looking for any hint of deception, but all he found was confusion—maybe even suspicion.
'No way… He's not joking.'
Taking a deep breath, Harry asked carefully, "Is there a yes and no option?"
Max looked at him, surprised. Then he turned back to the invisible screen. "Yeah."
Harry leaned in. "Tap 'Yes'."
Max hesitated, studying Harry as if trying to decide whether to trust him. After a moment, he nodded.
"Alright."
He mimicked tapping the air.
A heartbeat passed.
Nothing happened.
The classroom remained unchanged. Students continued whispering, confused by the strange interaction but not yet concerned.
Harry let out an awkward laugh. "Hah! See? I knew—"
And then—
A faint shimmer surrounded Max, like sunlight reflecting off water. The glow intensified, tracing the outline of his body.
"!" Max's breath hitched. His fingers twitched. His pupils shrank.
"Wait… what's happening?"
Harry's instincts screamed at him. Without thinking, he reached out.
Too late.
The light enveloped Max completely. His body broke apart—dissolving into tiny particles of light that scattered into the air.
And then—
He was gone.
The silence that followed was deafening.
"W-Woah!"
"Shoot!"
Gasps and screams erupted.
Chairs scraped back. Some students bolted for the door. Others stood frozen, staring at the empty spot where Max had been.
"What the hell just happened?!" someone shouted.
"D-Did he just d-disappear?" another stammered, her voice shaking.
The panic spread like wildfire.
And then—
The ground trembled.
The desks rattled. Overhead lights flickered wildly. A strange pressure filled the air, pressing down on their chests.
Then, a voice.
Deep. Resonant. Not coming from any direction—because it was coming from everywhere.
[The final chapter of humanity begins now.]
[Welcome to The End.]