Suzy Nakanama, 24 years old, Death in 59 minutes, Cause: Truck Accident. Prevent this death.
Ren Takahara shot up from his bed, the system's message flashing before him. Panic gripped him, his mind racing with questions. How was he supposed to find this person? Where could she be? The question echoed in his mind, more pressing than any other, as he tried to grasp the reality of his situation.
The dim room seemed to close in on him, shadows playing tricks on his eyes. Suddenly, a woman's voice, calm and mechanical, filled the air: "If you encounter difficulties during your mission, please enter the tutorial section."
Ren froze. "Whose voice was that?" he whispered, heart pounding as he scanned the room. He spun around, eyes wide, but found nothing. His gaze fell once more on the holographic screen, still suspended in the air, the message clear: "If you encounter difficulties during your mission, please enter the tutorial section."
His eyes darted to the countdown timer: 52 minutes remaining. Prevent this death.
Should I enter the tutorial? Ren wondered, doubt creeping in alongside his fear. Was this really happening? Before he could make a decision, the system's voice returned, cold and unyielding: "Entering tutorial in 3, 2, 1..."
Ren lunged towards the screen, but before he could reach it, everything around him warped and twisted. The room vanished, and in the blink of an eye, he found himself elsewhere.
When he opened his eyes, he was standing in the middle of a wooden cabin, the smell of pine and earth thick in the air. Through the small, grimy window, he could see towering trees surrounding the cabin, their branches swaying gently in the wind. A letter lay on the table beside him, old and weathered. Hesitant, he picked it up and unfolded it.
"Welcome to the training zone. Here, you will learn how to carry out your missions. Time remaining: 30 days. During this period, familiarize yourself with the time cracks and prevent entry into the 'Endless Hour."
The more Ren read, the more his anxiety grew. Thirty days? I don't have thirty days! As he finished the letter, the edges of the paper began to smolder. He watched in shock as it suddenly burst into flames, disintegrating into ashes within moments. He stepped back, startled, and when he looked again, a dagger lay where the letter had been.
Ren picked up the dagger, its cold steel sending a shiver up his spine. The blade gleamed, reflecting the dim light of the cabin. As he held it, the ashes of the previous letter flared up once more, forming a new message. Ren quickly grabbed the fresh letter, his hands trembling.
"Use this dagger to advance in your mission."
Ren tucked the letter into his pocket, his mind spinning with questions. He stepped outside the cabin, squinting as the sunlight broke through the dense forest canopy. What greeted him was a sight straight out of an ancient history book—a sprawling land filled with old villages, stone paths, and dense forests. The air was thick with the scent of moss and earth, and the distant sounds of village life drifted through the trees. He couldn't believe his eyes.
A village girl carrying a basket of fruit approached him, her dress simple but neatly woven. Her eyes were sharp, observant. "Hello," she greeted warmly, though there was a hint of caution in her voice.
Ren, still wary, nodded in return. "Hello."
"I'm Yara," she said, studying him closely. "You're new here, aren't you?"
Ren hesitated, glancing around. "Yes, I just arrived."
Yara raised an eyebrow, her suspicion evident. "Great! What's your royal rank?"
"Rank? What rank?"
Yara's gaze hardened slightly. "Didn't you say you're new here? The king usually assigns ranks to newcomers. What's yours? Don't tell me you're..." Her voice trailed off as if something dark had crossed her mind.
Before she could finish, a soldier marched up to them, his armor clinking as he moved. His gaze locked onto Ren, stern and unyielding. "You! Identify yourself! What's your royal rank?"
Ren's heart raced, his mind blank as he struggled to find an answer. The soldier's hand moved towards his sword, ready to draw it. Just as panic threatened to overwhelm Ren, Yara stepped in between them, her voice firm. "He's my fiancé!"
Both Ren and the soldier stared at her in shock. Yara quickly continued, "He came from outside to marry me. He's not familiar with our customs yet."
The soldier, apparently recognizing Yara, hesitated before nodding in acceptance. "Fine," he grumbled, turning away. "But make sure he learns quickly."
As the soldier walked away, Yara turned to Ren, her expression unreadable. "There's a lot you need to learn. Follow me."
She led him through the village, the narrow paths lined with cottages and small shops. The villagers went about their business, casting curious glances at the newcomer. Ren could feel their eyes on him, the weight of their scrutiny adding to his unease. Yara didn't speak until they reached a small tavern at the edge of the village.
Inside, the air was thick with the scent of ale and smoke. Yara ordered two mugs of ale and gestured for Ren to sit. They drank in silence for a moment, the tension between them palpable.
"Why did you help me?" Ren finally asked, his voice low.
Yara looked at him, her eyes narrowing. "Because I can tell you're not from here. And because you looked like you were about to get yourself killed."
Ren nodded slowly, unsure of how much he could trust her. Before he could say more, a sudden crash shattered the tavern's window, and a decayed hand reached inside—a zombie's hand. The room erupted into chaos as patrons leapt from their seats, grabbing anything they could to defend themselves.
Ren stood frozen, his mind reeling. He had never seen anything like this before. As the undead began to crawl through the window, the system's holographic screen appeared before him, displaying a new message:
Side Mission: Kill ten zombies. Penalty for failure: Poisoning. Reward: Unknown.
Ren's grip tightened on the dagger at his side, his heart pounding as the first zombie lunged at him.