It happened without warning.
One moment, the world was normal—people going about their lives, busy streets filled with cars, conversations, and routine. Then, in the blink of an eye, everything changed.
A translucent blue screen appeared in front of every person on Earth.
> [Welcome to the System.]
> [Survive.]
No explanation. No prelude. Just those two words.
Most people assumed it was a prank or some kind of mass hallucination. Some laughed, some panicked, and others ignored it entirely.
Then, the first screams rang out.
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### Haruki's POV
"Delivery for Mr. Tanaka," I said, standing in front of an apartment door in downtown Shibuya.
No response.
I knocked again, glancing at the package in my hand. Just a routine delivery—one of hundreds I had done before. The rain had soaked through my jacket, and my motorcycle was probably getting drenched in the parking lot. Three more deliveries after this, and I could finally go home and figure out how to make this month's rent. Dad's medical bills weren't going to pay themselves.
Before I could knock a third time, the screen appeared.
> [Welcome to the System.]
> [Survive.]
I frowned. "The hell?"
I reached out to touch the screen, but my hand passed through it like a hologram. Weird.
A second later, another screen popped up.
> [First Quest Assigned: Kill 5 Goblins.]
> [Time Limit: 24 Hours.]
> [Failure Condition: Erasure.]
> [Note: Tap 'Status' to view your profile.]
A sudden chill ran down my spine. Erasure? What the hell did that mean?
In the distance, sirens wailed. A military helicopter thundered overhead, and I could hear gunfire from several blocks away.
Then I heard it—low, guttural growls coming from the alleyway beside the apartment complex.
I turned my head slowly.
A group of small, twisted creatures crawled out of the shadows. Skinny but muscular, with sharp claws and jagged teeth. Some carried spears, others had rusted daggers, and one—slightly larger than the rest—had a crude wooden shield. Their eyes glowed with a sickly yellow hue as they scanned their surroundings. The stench of rot and wet earth wafted toward me.
Goblins.
The city erupted into chaos.
Screams echoed through the streets as people realized this wasn't a joke. Some ran. Some froze in fear. Others—the desperate or foolish—tried to fight back barehanded.
I watched as one man swung at a goblin with a broken bottle—only for the creature to dodge and stab him in the gut with a dagger.
Blood splattered onto the pavement.
The man crumpled, gasping for air as the goblin stabbed him again and again.
This was real.
My grip on the package tightened. My heart pounded in my ears, but I forced myself to stay calm. Panicking would get me killed. I needed to think. Where was my family right now? Mom would be at home. Dad was at the hospital. And Mei—my little sister—would be at school. God, I hoped they were okay.
The goblins moved in packs, attacking anyone they saw. Their numbers alone made them terrifying, even if they weren't strong individually.
> [Kill 5 Goblins: 0/5]
I needed a weapon.
Quickly scanning my surroundings, my eyes landed on a metal pipe lying near a construction site. That would have to do.
I dashed toward it, narrowly avoiding a goblin's spear as it whistled past my shoulder. Snatching up the pipe, I turned just in time to see a goblin lunging at me.
It was fast—faster than a normal human—but it was relying purely on instinct.
I twisted my body and swung the pipe as hard as I could.
CRACK.
The pipe felt oddly natural in my hand—balanced, like it was meant to be wielded. The goblin's head snapped to the side as the impact sent it sprawling onto the pavement. It screeched in pain, clutching its face, but I didn't hesitate.
One step forward.
Another swing.
CRACK.
The goblin twitched once, then stopped moving.
> [Kill 5 Goblins: 1/5]
> [Experience Gained: 10]
> [Level Up: 0 → 1]
I exhaled sharply as another message appeared.
> [Status Updated. Tap to view.]
Curious, I mentally tapped the notification, and a new screen appeared.
> [STATUS]
> Name: Haruki Nakamura
> Age: 24
> Level: 1
> HP: 100/100
> Stamina: 20/20
> Mana: 20/20
> STR: 11
> DUR: 11
> SPD: 11
> DEX: 11
> INT: 11
> Skills: None
> Inventory Slots: 2/2 [Package, Metal Pipe]
I dismissed the window, momentarily surprised by how the System had accessed my personal information. It didn't matter now. Whatever this was, it had fundamentally changed the world.
The sound of approaching footsteps made me glance to the side.
Mr. Tanaka—the customer I was delivering the package to—had stepped out of his apartment, his face pale with fear. A goblin had locked onto him, ready to strike.
He was unarmed. He wouldn't survive.
I wasn't a hero. I wasn't some warrior.
But leaving him to die… it didn't sit right with me. If Mei were in danger, I'd want someone to help her too.
Gripping the pipe tighter, I sprinted toward them.
The goblin turned its head—too late.
I brought the pipe down on its skull with full force.
Another kill.
> [Kill 5 Goblins: 2/5]
> [Experience Gained: 10]
"T-thank you," Mr. Tanaka stammered, his hands shaking. "What are these things? What's happening?"
"I don't know," I replied, offering him the package almost mechanically. Old habits die hard. "But we need weapons. Do you have anything in your apartment?"
He nodded frantically. "A kitchen knife. Maybe some tools."
"Get them. Lock your door. Don't open it for anyone but the authorities." I paused. "If the authorities are even still functioning."
From several blocks away, I heard the unmistakable sound of automatic gunfire, followed by an explosion. Then silence. Not a good sign.
As Tanaka retreated into his apartment, I spotted a small group of people gathering in the street—three men and a woman, all armed with improvised weapons. They were systematically taking down goblins, covering each other's backs.
Working together. Smart.
One of them—a tall woman with short black hair wielding what looked like a baseball bat—caught my eye. She nodded at me briefly before turning her attention back to the fight. There was a coldness in her eyes that suggested she'd seen combat before.
I didn't have time to join them. Three more goblins had spotted me, and they were approaching cautiously now, having seen what happened to their companions.
I adjusted my grip on the pipe. It wasn't a sword, but it would do for now.
I didn't stop. I couldn't afford to.
The hunt had just begun.
As I prepared to face the approaching goblins, a citywide emergency broadcast crackled through nearby speakers:
"This is the Japan Self-Defense Force. All citizens are ordered to seek shelter immediately. Do not—" The broadcast cut off abruptly, replaced by static.
In the silence that followed, a distant, bone-chilling roar echoed through the city.
Something bigger was coming.
> [System Announcement]
> [All survivors in Shibuya District who complete the First Quest will face the District Boss: Hobgoblin Chieftain]
> [Rewards will be distributed based on contribution]
I tightened my grip on the pipe.
The hunt had just begun, but the real fight was still to come.