1

I don't feel like going to school today.

It's exhausting—waking up early every morning, dragging myself through the same routine. Even worse when sleep refuses to come at night.

I just want to disappear. Turn into dust and be carried away by the wind.

Does it even matter? Studying? As if it'll change anything in my life. I already know how things will end.

Hell, I might not even be alive tomorrow. I should just enjoy today.

Yeah, that sounds right.

A soft knock interrupted my thoughts.

"Rin~?" A familiar voice, sweet and teasing. "Renia's coming in."

Before I could protest, the door swung open, and my childhood friend stepped inside. Petite, with ocean-blue eyes and silver-dyed hair. She wore our standard school uniform: a crisp white shirt, neatly tied ribbon, and a blue skirt that barely swayed as she walked in.

"Don't just barge in."

A man needs his privacy. Especially in the morning, when he's going through a 'hard' time.

Renia ignored my complaint and leaned against the doorframe. "We're going to be late if you just keep lying around."

"I'm not going."

"Why?" She tilted her head, her expression unreadable.

"I don't want to." Simple. No need for elaborate excuses.

"Hehe, Rin is such a baby," she giggled.

Baby? That's a new one. I've been called a lot of things, but never that.

Before I could argue, she strutted over and slipped under my blanket, dragging the cold air in with her.

She smelled of lavender—soft, soothing.

"It can't be helped then. Renia will stay with Rin~"

So beautiful. She understands the true meaning of life: skipping school. I should just marry her.

"Your sister's going to be mad."

"Forget about her." She scooted closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Just look at Renia right now."

She erased the already nonexistent distance between us, her arm lazily wrapping around my back.

I hope she knows I'm not a saint. I can and will try something.

"Hmm, excited?" she asked, a smug grin tugging at her lips.

"Barely."

"Rin isn't being honest, huh?" She leaned in, stopping right before our lips touched. "Can Renia steal your first kiss?"

"No. And what makes you so sure it's my first?"

I regret that question. This is a setup. I know it. I don't even talk to people—of course she knows. Who the hell do I interact with besides her?

"Renia can wait. Wine tastes better with age, after all." She smirked, eyes glinting. "As for Rin's question… let's just say Renia knows you. Very well."

That doesn't make me feel any better.

Ding-dong.

The doorbell rang.

Who the hell would visit this early?

"Renia, can you check who it is?" I asked, far too comfortable to get up.

"Sure, but it better not be a woman," she huffed, standing up and straightening her skirt.

Even I'd be surprised if it was.

As she left the room, I sank deeper into the mattress, staring at the ceiling.

I wish I could talk to people properly. First impressions of me always fall into two categories—shy or rude. No in-between. Give me a break, man. I do my best.

...

Renia returned, holding a letter in her hand.

"Who's it from?" she demanded, arms crossed, foot tapping against the wooden floor.

"Who the hell even sends letters these days? Couldn't be from anyone I know."

If it were my parents, they'd just call.

Wait…

Oh.

I see what this is.

"Must be my secret admirer." I shrugged, grinning. "I can't help it if I'm just that good-looking."

Renia's expression darkened. Without hesitation, she crushed the letter in her grip.

Damn, she really didn't like that joke.

"Hey, be gentle. What if it's just a bill?" I reached out my hand. "Lemme see."

Reluctantly, she handed over the crumpled letter. Poor thing never stood a chance.

I tried to smooth it out and unfolded the paper. Inside was a single sentence, scrawled in sharp, precise handwriting:

"Congratulations. You have been chosen."

I frowned. "Looks like I just won a prize."

Then I blinked.

Once.

Twice.

I was no longer in my room.

I was outside. My neighborhood stretched before me—the same houses, the same streets, the same trees. But the sky… the sky was wrong.

It was red. A deep, bleeding crimson.

I pinched my arm.

Pain.

Not a dream.

"Renia."

I turned frantically and spotted her lying unconscious beside me.

Kneeling, I shook her gently. "Renia, wake up."

She groaned, her eyes fluttering open. "Huh? Where are we…?"

"I know as much as you do," I muttered, scanning the area.

She rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand. "Is Renia dreaming?"

"Doubt it," I replied and pinched the side of her waist.

"Eek!" She yelped, jolting away. "Hey! Don't do that, Rin!"

A voice sliced through our banter like a blade.

"Greetings, humans."

A deep, monotone, and disembodied voice.

I couldn't pinpoint the source but I could discern that it was that of a woman. it was everywhere and nowhere at once.

"I am Gabriel, an archangel sent by the gods."

Archangel, huh? Suuure.

"The space you currently occupy is a replica of your world, created by me."

Now that I think about it, I have my clothes on. I was half naked earlier. She atleast has some decency I guess.

"You have been summoned as candidates for the Almighty God's forces. The Demon God is stirring, and his awakening spells ruin for both your world and ours. You must fight. Fail, and your world will be destroyed."

"You will be tested. Survive, and you will be sent to another world to battle in the invaded lands. Know this—though this is an artificial realm, death here is final. If you die, you die."

Angel my ass.

"However," Gabriel continued, "I will not send you into battle unarmed."

With a snap of her fingers, the air began to hum.

A glowing blue screen hovered in front of me, its text crisp and unnervingly familiar.

[Character Status]

Name: Rin

Level: 1

Class: N/A

Health: 100/100

Mana: 50/50

Stamina: 100/100

[Title: N/A]

[EXP: 0/100]

[AP: 0]

[SP: 20]

[Attributes]

Dexterity: 10

Strength: 10

Agility: 10

Intelligence: 10

Endurance: 10

[Abilities]

[Basic Analysis]

Rarity: F

Type: Active

Description: Allows the user to check a creature's Level and HP.

"Just like a game…" Renia muttered, her gaze locked onto something above her.

Guess gods like games too.

"Hehe, do you think Renia and Rin will be heroes?" she asked, her giggle light and playful.

Heroes. Right. If we ignored the tiny detail about dying horribly, it might even sound fun.

At the bottom of my screen, jagged text caught my attention. The symbols looked unfamiliar, yet I could read them as clearly as my own handwriting.

[Classes Available]

Warrior

Mage

Archer

Rogue

Cleric

Tamer

(Classes can be changed or upgraded later.)

"Choose your class and prepare," Gabriel's monotone voice announced, slicing through the still air. "In the next hour, a wave of monsters will be unleashed to test you humans."

Renia hummed, resting her chin against my shoulder.

"By choosing a class, a corresponding weapon will be added to your inventory. Summon it by visualizing it," Gabriel continued.

Visualize? How do you picture something you've never seen before?

"Ugh, I'm getting impatient. That's all—figure it out yourselves."

And just like that, the voice disappeared, leaving behind an unsettling silence.

Some angel.

Renia latched onto my arm. "What class did Rin choose?"

"I haven't decided yet," I admitted. Picking something carelessly could get me killed. "What about you?"

"Renia will pick whatever Rin picks~" she declared without hesitation.

That might be a problem.

"On second thought, Renia will be a Rogue." Her voice was oddly nonchalant.

Rogue? Didn't know she had an edgelord phase.

She tilted her head, a slow smirk forming on her lips. "Renia has… ideas for this class."

The glint in her eyes unsettled me.

I don't feel safe.

"Why does Rin look so scared? Renia won't do anything bad~" she giggled. "You trust her, right?"

"…Sure."

Clearing my throat, I gently peeled her off me. "Ahem. Anyway, let me figure out my class while you go equip your weapon."

She pouted but didn't argue.

I exhaled, turning back to the interface.

A melee class seemed too dangerous. If I had to fight, I'd rather not be up close.

Archer? Ranged but we'd have two physical.

Cleric? Too dependent on others.

Tamer? Risky without knowing the mechanics. Could be useful if we could summon but who the fuck am I gonna tame?

That left Mage, versatile and ranged. The safest choice.

I focused on the selection.

[Congratulations on acquiring a class!]

[Tier 1 Magic Skills Unlocked]

Fireball

Minor Heal

Arcane Shield

[Mage Skill Tree Unlocked]

(Allocate SP to unlock or upgrade skills.)

[Beginner Staff added to inventory.]

With 20 SP to spend, I decided to spread them out.

Ice Shards - Lvl 1

Minor Earthquake – Lvl 1

Whirlwind – Lvl 1

Each cost 5 SP. The skill tree seemed flexible, but the SP costs made it clear that specializing was necessary to unlock stronger spells.

"Renia got it!"

She suddenly appeared in front of me, her grin wide. In her hand was a sleek dagger, its blade catching the eerie crimson light of the sky.

Deadly. Efficient. Something straight out of a fantasy novel.

"Renia did a good job, right?" she asked, her blue eyes practically sparkling.

"Yeah, you did great," I said, nodding.

She beamed. "So, what did Rin end up picking?"

"Mage."

"Smart choice~" She nodded approvingly. "We'll need range and AOE."

That, and I really don't want to get hit.

But that brought up something more pressing.

"What about your sister?" I asked.

My parents were barely home—I couldn't care less about them. But Renia… she had her elder sister.

She fell silent for a moment before flashing a soft smile. "Renia doesn't know…"

"We should check on her."

Renia nodded, then without warning, hooked her arm through mine again.

"Renia doesn't understand what's happening," she murmured, her grip tightening slightly. "Will Rin stay by Renia's side?"

"That goes without saying."

"Forever?"

"Sure..."

She leaned her head against my shoulder. "Renia loves Rin so much." Her voice was quiet, affectionate—but there was something else beneath it. Something...

Her arms wrapped around me a little too tightly.

"...Always stay with Renia, okay?"

I didn't reply.

Instead, I gently pulled her along the blood-red streets.

"Let's get going."