2
"She isn't here..."
"Could she not have been teleported?" Renia's voice was quiet, but the unease in her tone was unmistakable.
During our walk to Renia's house, we'd passed a handful of others wandering the streets. It was safe to assume we weren't the only ones affected.
"It's possible," I replied after a moment. "But she could've also gone looking for you, just like we're doing now."
"That's true..." Renia murmured, her grip tightening on my arm.
"Let's look around," I suggested. That was all we could do anyway. The network was down, leaving us with no way to contact anyone. Hopefully, her sister was still in the real world.
"Okay."
Renia was heading to school before this madness began, so maybe her sister assumed she'd be there. That's what I'd have thought in her shoes at least.
"Let's check the school."
---
We reached the school grounds, and Renia wasted no time shouting her sister's name.
No response.
After combing through the deserted campus, it became painfully clear her sister wasn't here either. Maybe she hadn't been teleported at all.
BOOM!
A thunderous explosion echoed through the air, shaking the ground beneath our feet.
"Ahh!" Renia ducked down, covering her ears as the shockwave passed over us.
Ugh, my ears... Luckily, the explosion was far enough away that my ear wasn't bleeding, but it left my head ringing.
"The preparation time is up," the familiar voice from before announced, sounding disturbingly pleased. "Now, let's see how you all do. Hehe."
The voice paused, as if savoring the moment.
"Ten monsters akin to bosses have also been released. Defeating them will reward abilities, artifacts, and a substantial amount of experience. Good luck, humans."
And just like that, the voice vanished again.
"You alright?" I asked, looking down at Renia, who was still crouched.
She peeked up at me, her expression far from fearful. "No, Renia's not fine! She's scared! So scared!"
She extended her arms toward me. "Carry her."
"You can walk just fine," I deadpanned, brushing her off. "Let's head inside. Staying out here is asking for trouble."
Renia pouted, stomping a foot in frustration. "Ugh, fine!"
---
Once inside, we climbed to our classroom on the second floor.
We hadn't checked the entire school, but the odds of anyone else being here seemed slim cause I'd assume you'd have to be fucking deaf to not hear Renia's shout.
My mind wandered as we sat down. Monsters, huh? What kind? Goblins? Wolves? I'd pray for slimes, but knowing our luck, it wouldn't be that simple.
"You look worried. Are you okay?" Renia asked, her voice gentle but unwavering as she clung to my arm again.
"I should be asking you that. You don't seem worried at all."
"Renia is worried. A little," she said with a dismissive shrug.
"Is that so?" I muttered. She didn't look worried in the slightest.
"Don't worry," she added, letting go of my arm to grab my hand instead. "Renia will protect you."
She lifted my hand to her lips and pressed a kiss to the back of it.
"Uh... Thanks, I guess?" I said, quickly pulling my hand away.
Please be normal.
"Not the greatest time to be fooling around, is it?" A sharp voice interrupted us.
I turned, startled, and found myself face-to-face with a girl standing in the doorway. Jet-black hair framed her face, and her brown eyes glared at us with undisguised disdain.
"What the fuck did you say!?" Renia growled, stepping forward.
The girl crossed her arms, her expression unamused. "I was hoping to find useful company, but instead, I stumble on two lovebirds playing house."
To think my school had people this insufferable. Then again, I only ever talked to a handful of classmates so I wouldn't know.
"Rin, can Renia punch her?" Renia asked casually, her tone innocent.
"No violence," I said quickly. "Let's keep things civil."
I sighed, turning back to the stranger. "I'm Rin, and this is Renia. You are...?"
"Violet," she replied curtly.
"So, what do you want?"
Her scornful gaze narrowed. "Are you serious?"
Did I say something wrong? I am trying my best alright?
"Rin, she's really getting on Renia's nerves," Renia whispered. "Are you sure she can't punch her?"
On second thought...
"What are you two whispering about?" Violet snapped. "Do you think we have time for this?"
She clicked her tongue in irritation. "If you want to survive, follow me." Without waiting for a response, she turned and started walking away.
"Let's follow her for now," I said, glancing at Renia.
"Do we have to?"
"She might be useful."
"If Rin says so..." Renia sighed, grabbing my arm again as we caught up to Violet.
---
"What classes did you pick?" Violet asked over her shoulder.
"I'm a mage, and Renia's a rogue. What about you?"
"Warrior," she said simply.
Convenient.
"Where are we going?" I asked cautiously.
"To kill some monsters, obviously."
"...This isn't a game, you know." We don't have any fighting experience either.
She ignored my protest. "Do you really think the school is safe? You'll just trap yourselves inside. At least outside, you have room to run."
She wasn't wrong. Worst-case scenario, I could use her as bait to escape with Renia.
"There's one," Violet said suddenly, materializing a katana in her hand.
A katana huh? I'd imagine a warrior to be carrying a sword. Intersting.
The "monster" she referred to was a hulking wolf-like creature, its body covered in jagged rocks. It was slightly smaller than a car but no less intimidating.
[Ability activated: Basic Analysis.]
Name: Rock Hound
Level: 1
HP: 100/100
"Rin, stay back and use magic," Violet ordered, raising her blade.
"And you, the bitchy one, try to do some damage from the sides."
Renia bristled. "HUH?! You are the bitch here!!"
"Violet, was it?" I interjected. "Let's focus on the enemy, not each other."
"Whatever," Violet muttered, clicking her tongue in irritation.
This is going to be a long day.
The Rock Hound growled low, its jagged, rock-covered body shifting as it faced us. Its glowing red eyes locked onto Violet, who stood at the front, her katana raised and steady.
"Alright, mage boy, start firing," Violet ordered without sparing a glance back.
My mana wasn't unlimited, I had to make every spell count.
[MP: 50/50]
[Skill activated: Fireball.]
An unfamiliar heat built in my palm as a small orb of flame materialized. With a flick of my wrist, it shot toward the wolf, exploding against its rocky side.
[-10 MP | MP: 40/50]
The wolf staggered but quickly regained its footing, the damage minimal.
"Tch. Aim for the joints!" Violet snapped, dashing forward. Her katana glimmered faintly as she swung it with precision, aiming for the creature's front legs. The blade scraped against its rocky hide, leaving shallow gashes.
"Renia, go for the sides!" Violet barked.
"Don't order Renia around!" she hissed but still obeyed, darting to the wolf's flank. Her dagger flashed as it struck at a softer spot beneath the rocks.
The creature roared in pain, its massive claws swiping toward Renia.
"Watch it!" I shouted, casting Arcane Shield around her just in time. A faint, translucent barrier shimmered into place, deflecting the strike with a crack.
[-15 MP | MP: 25/50]
"Rin is amazing," Renia said with a smirk, retreating to safety. "Renia will reward you later."
"Focus," I muttered, summoning Ice Shards this time. A trio of jagged ice spears materialized above me and shot toward the wolf, embedding themselves in its hind legs.
[-10 MP | MP: 15/50]
The beast howled in fury, its movements now slower and more erratic.
"Nice one," Violet said, slicing through one of the wolf's front legs. The cut was deeper this time, the creature stumbling slightly as blood seeped from the wound.
"We're wearing it down," I said, panting slightly. My mana reserves were running low. I couldn't afford to waste more spells.
Renia darted in again, her dagger finding another weak spot, this time under its throat. She grinned triumphantly as the wolf coughed and staggered back.
"We've almost got it!" Violet said, charging in for another strike.
But just as her blade swung down, the wolf reared back and let out an earsplitting howl.
The sound reverberated through the air, freezing us in place.
"Shit," Violet muttered, her eyes narrowing as three more Rock Hounds emerged from the trees, their glowing eyes locking onto us.
"Rin..." Renia's voice wavered as she instinctively moved closer to me.
I stepped in front of her, my mind racing. I couldn't take another hit like that or spam spells without burning out. Damn it, I should have used my mana sparingly.
"Any ideas, Violet?" I asked, keeping my voice steady.
"Yeah," she said, her grip tightening on her katana. "Don't die."
"Helpful," I muttered, summoning Whirlwind to keep the approaching wolves at bay.
[-15 MP | MP: 0/50]
The swirling wind knocked two of them back, but the effort left me drained.
"No more mana."
"Renia's not scared," she insisted, her hand gripping her dagger tightly. "Renia will protect Rin."
Violet cursed under her breath, engaging the first new wolf. Her katana flashed as she aimed for its legs, her strikes precise but visibly tiring her.
"Take out the weakened one!" she shouted.
I nodded, clutching my staff tighter. No mana left—only physical attacks now.
"Rin, now!" Renia called.
I swung the staff awkwardly at the original wolf, striking its exposed side. The blow wasn't strong, but it distracted the creature long enough for Renia to lunge forward and drive her dagger into its throat.
Blood gushed from the wound, and the wolf collapsed with a final, guttural growl.
"One down," I said, gasping for breath.
"Good," Violet said, parrying a claw strike from the second wolf. "But we're not out of this yet!"
The third and fourth wolves flanked her, their movements faster and more coordinated.
Renia darted toward the second wolf, her dagger slicing into its side. It snarled and turned on her, forcing her to retreat.
"Rin, shield!"
"I'm out of mana!" I shouted, running toward her and swinging my staff, barely managing to knock the wolf back.
[MP: 0/50 | Stamina: 80/100]
Stamina? I guess exterting physical force consumes stamina.
Violet cursed again, slashing at the third wolf. "This isn't sustainable. We need a plan, and we need it now!"
She was right. If we didn't end this fast, we'd be the ones falling next.
The wolves circled us, their low growls sending shivers down my spine. I glanced at the system interface, desperate for any advantage. My eyes landed on the Exp bar.
[EXP: 80/100]
A gamble, but maybe our only shot. Many of the mechanisms gifted to us by those damned gods resembles the game we used to play. So maybe, just maybe.
"If I level up, my mana might replenish," I said quickly.
"You're kidding me," Violet snapped, dodging a claw swipe.
"Well tell me if you have a better plan."
Violet hesitated, her katana raised mid-swing. "Fine. But you'd better make it count!"
"Renia will make sure Rin gets it!" she declared.
The Rock Hounds didn't give us time to strategize further. One lunged at Violet, and she parried with a grunt, sparks flying as her katana clashed against its rocky hide. Another charged at Renia, who deftly dodged to the side, her dagger glinting as she struck its flank.
The third wolf turned its attention to me. Without mana, all I could do was swing my staff defensively, trying to keep it at bay. Its claws raked against the air inches from my face, the sheer force of its attacks sending tremors through my arms.
"Renia's got this one distracted!" she shouted, stabbing her dagger into the wolf's shoulder. "Rin, go for the weak one Violet's fighting!"
I shifted my focus to the wolf Violet had been chipping away at. Its movements were sluggish, blood dripping from several deep gashes.
"Now or never," I muttered, gripping my staff tightly.
"Do it!" Violet yelled, stepping back to give me an opening.
I rushed forward, dodging a half-hearted swipe from the injured wolf. Raising my staff, I swung with all the strength I could muster, aiming for its exposed head. The staff connected with a sickening crack, and the wolf crumpled to the ground, its body dissolving into faint wisps of light.
[EXP: 160/100]
[Level Up! Congratulations, you are now Level 2!]
[HP and MP fully restored.]
[AP: 5 | SP: 15]
A surge of energy coursed through me, washing away the exhaustion. The mana pool within me refilled in an instant, the familiar hum of power returning to my fingertips.
[MP: 50/50]
"It worked," I said, breathing heavily. "I'm back in the fight."
"Good. Now use that magic and finish the rest!" Violet ordered, her katana clashing with another wolf's claws.
I didn't waste any time.
[Skill activated: Ice Shards.]
The three jagged spears materialized again, hurtling toward the wolf Renia was fighting. They struck true, freezing its front legs in place.
[-10 MP | MP: 40/50]
"Renia, now!"
"On it!" She leapt forward, her dagger slashing across the wolf's exposed throat. It yelped before collapsing in a heap.
Three down.
"Rin, some fucking help would be great!" Violet yelled, barely dodging the last wolf's leap.
I nodded and raised my staff, summoning the wind once more.
[Skill activated: Whirlwind.]
[-15 MP | MP: 25/50]
The swirling gust enveloped the remaining wolf, knocking it off balance and exposing its vulnerable underside.
"10 consecutive slashes..." Violet muttered, her katana flashing as she delivered a continuous and focused strike to its chest.
The wolf let out a final howl before crumbling into light.
Silence fell over the battlefield, save for our ragged breathing.
"Well, that gamble paid off," Violet said, sheathing her katana with a smirk.
"Renia knew Rin would win!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms around me.
"Good work, all of you," I said, though my mind was already racing. This was just the beginning.