The System
In a large, dimly lit conference room, the walls were lined with massive screens displaying live feeds of world leaders, military officials, top scientists, and religious figures from around the globe. Their voices overlapped as they panicked over the sudden phenomenon unfolding worldwide.
The air was suffocating, thick with fear and tension.
On one screen, Dr. Haruto Ishikawa, head of the International Institute for Advanced Scientific Research, glared into the camera. His rumpled and messy appearance showed the exhaustion from continuous research.
He slammed his fist onto the table in front of him, trying to gain attention. The sound echoed ominously across the connection.
"We cannot ignore it any longer!" he barked, the force of his voice startling several participants. "This phenomenon is beyond our understanding."
On another screen, General Elkas Grant, head of Major Military Command, responded in agreement. "Every country is reporting the same phenomenon. This is not isolated. It's global."
On a different screen, Prime Minister Amina al-Fadhil of Egypt leaned forward, her brow furrowed.
"It's probably not just strange dreams or voices," she said, her voice tight with unease. "People are seeing things—floating words, numbers, lights appearing out of nowhere. Entire crowds freezing in place as if in a trance. This isn't hysteria. This is real."
Dr. Marcus Voss, head of the Global Institute of Technological Advancement, sat with his fingers interlocked.
"We've tried to determine if this is some form of digital communication or a distorted signal hacking into people's minds, but this is also beyond our technology," he admitted.
On another screen, Director Elena Ramirez of the United States Space Observation Agency (USSOA) spoke calmly.
"We can also confirm that we haven't detected any signals or terrestrial interference, and we have no evidence suggesting otherwise."
Prime Minester Ji-hoon Park of South Korea leaned forward, his expression hard.
"It might be a terrorist attack from a secretive nation. The fact that they're even willing to participate in this conference raises suspicion."
Some leaders murmured in agreement, speculating that it could be North Korea, Russia, or even China.
The Vatican's feed flickered before stabilizing, revealing Cardinal Rafael Perez. His normally composed face was pale, and his hands trembled slightly as he spoke.
"This presence... it's beyond comprehension. Religious leaders across faiths—priests, imams, monks—they're all receiving the same visions. This is judgmental, as if something divine—or worse—is reaching out to us."
Silence gripped the room as those words sank in.
"Enough superstition," growled General Arthur Kingsley of England, cutting through the tension. His stern face filled one of the screens. "If this is some coordinated psychological attack—or maybe a chemical attack causing mass hallucinations—we must respond accordingly. This could be warfare."
"And how do you propose we fight dreams and hallucinations, General?" snapped Prime Minister Al-Fadhil.
Before the argument could escalate, President Jordan Clark of the United States raised a hand. His face was cold and composed, showing little interest in the situation.
"We don't know what this is," he said. "If it's just hallucinations, it'll pass with some rehab."
He spoke casually, his mouth full as he stuffed himself with burgers and washed them down with soda, clearly thinking they were wasting time on this nonsense.
"We must act," Dr. Haruto Ishikawa said firmly.
"Hallucinations, judgment, extraterrestrial threats, or terrorist attacks—this phenomenon is beyond our understanding. Leaving it unchecked will lead to consequences beyond our control."
Colonel Erik Weiss, Germany's top defense strategist, leaned forward.
"We need to prepare for all scenarios: cyber warfare, biochemical manipulation, mass psychological attacks. The fact that this is affecting everyone cannot be ignored. This is coordinated."
Prime Minister Luis Ortega of Spain nodded in agreement with President Clark.
"I agree with the United States. We're taking this too seriously. It might just be mass hysteria. A bit of rehab and this will pass."
President Dinesh Kapoor of India added, "Yes, we shouldn't jump to conclusions. There's no solid evidence this is anything more than a psychological event."
Secretary-General Amara Okoye of the United Nations leaned forward, her sharp eyes scanning the room.
"Regardless of what this phenomenon is, global coordination is essential. We must establish a unified task force to investigate this, combining scientific, military, and humanitarian efforts. Whether this is a threat or not, we cannot afford disorganized responses."
Dr. Viktor Stein, Director-General of the World Health Organization, adjusted his glasses, his expression grave.
"Our priority must be public health and safety. If this is a psychological event, it could trigger mass panic, mental health crises, or even self-harm on a global scale. We need immediate mental health interventions and clear communication to prevent widespread fear."
Arguments flared across the screens—military officials demanded mobilization, political leaders debated public transparency, and religious figures murmured quiet prayers.
Then Dr. Haruto Ishikawa stared blankly at the notification that had been floating in front of him the whole time.
Tap "Confirm" to become a Player.
[Confirm]
Countdown: 7 Days, 00 Hours, 00 Minutes
Time Remaining: 120:08:09
Two Days Earlier
Everything was normal. Ordinary.
People moved at their own pace, living peacefully in their daily routines.
In the heart of Tokyo, at the famous Shibuya Crossing, crowds gathered at the edge of the street, waiting for the signal to cross. The city buzzed with life—neon lights flickering above, cars honking in the distance, and conversations blending into the rhythm of the city.
Amidst the sea of people, fragments of conversations floated through the air:
"I told you, we should've taken the earlier train!" a man snapped, dragging his luggage behind him.
"Mom! Mom! Look! It's the big screen from my game!" a young boy tugged at his mother's sleeve, eyes wide with excitement.
"Ugh, my boss is going to kill me if I'm late again..." muttered a tired office worker, checking his watch anxiously.
"Hey, after this, let's hit that new ramen spot! I heard it's amazing!" a college student laughed with his friends.
The pedestrian light turned green, and the crowd surged forward in perfect harmony, weaving through the iconic intersection.
---
Elsewhere...
Inside a quiet classroom, students sat hunched over their desks, pencils scribbling as the clock ticked on. The soft drone of the teacher's voice filled the room.
"Remember, your midterm essays are due next week. No excuses," the teacher warned, adjusting his glasses.
"Psst, did you finish question five? I'm stuck," one student whispered, glancing over.
"I stayed up all night for this test, I better pass," another sighed, rubbing his eyes.
"Shh! Sensei's looking this way!" a girl hissed, nudging her friend.
The classroom was filled with quiet focus and soft murmurs as the students buried themselves in their work.
---
Across the city...
A bustling maid café buzzed with activity. The clinking of dishes and cheerful voices blended into the cozy atmosphere.
"Welcome back, Master! Your usual seat is ready!" a maid said, bowing with a bright smile.
"One parfait and a melon soda for table three!" a server called out from behind the counter.
"M-Moe Moe Kyun! Ugh, I can't believe I just said that..." a shy new maid mumbled, blushing.
"Look, they have a special event today! If we order the set menu, we get a photo with the maids!" a customer excitedly told his friend.
Laughter and soft music filled the café as maids charmed their guests, creating a warm, playful environment.
---
Meanwhile...
At a crowded cosplay convention, the air was electric with excitement. Colorful costumes, flashing cameras, and rows of booths stretched as far as the eye could see.
"Limited edition figures! Only a few left!" a vendor shouted over the crowd.
"Can I get a picture with you? Your cosplay is amazing!" a fan asked, holding up their phone.
"Dude, the artist at booth 42 is doing free sketches!" someone exclaimed, tugging at their friend's sleeve.
"I swear, if I don't find that rare manga today, I'm going home empty-handed," a collector grumbled, scanning the tables.
The convention buzzed with life, filled with fans sharing their passion for games, anime, and pop culture.
---
The world moved on as it always had.
Peaceful. Busy. Ordinary.
Until everything stopped.
A sudden, chilling ding echoed in the minds of every person on Earth.
A glowing notification appeared, floating in front of every human being, impossible to ignore.
DING!
---
SYSTEM NOTIFICATION
> Welcome.
You have been selected as a Player.
You are now part of a system designed to enhance your abilities to survive the upcoming challenges.
And in that moment, the world would never be the same.
Everything had begun.
SYSTEM NOTIFICATION
> This is no longer optional.
You must confirm your participation to proceed.
Failure to confirm within the given timeframe will result in immediate consequences.
[Countdown Timer - Floating Above Everyone]
> Countdown: 7 Days, 00 Hours, 00 Minutes
Time Remaining: 168:00:00
---
The message appeared in front of them, visible to everyone, like a banner that couldn't be ignored. A window popped up in the air, offering only one option:
---
SYSTEM NOTIFICATION
> Please confirm your participation by tapping "Confirm" below.
Declining the offer is not an option.
The blaring city noise halted as thousands of people froze mid-step.
"What the hell is this?!" a businessman shouted, frantically swiping at the glowing screen hovering in front of him.
A teenage girl gripped her friend's arm, trembling. "I-It's in my head… I can't make it go away!"
A delivery driver stumbled off his bike, staring wide-eyed. "This... this has to be some kind of VR prank, right?!"
An elderly woman clutched her shopping bag, whispering shakily, "Is this… the end times?"
The classroom erupted into chaos as students stood up in confusion.
"Sensei! What is this floating thing?!" a boy near the window yelled, pointing at the screen.
The teacher paled, dropping the chalk. "E-Everyone stay calm! I... I'm sure this is just some—" she trailed off, unable to look away from her own notification.
A girl nervously laughed, shaking her head. "No way this is real, right? Guys?"
A bustling maid café plates and cups clattered onto tables as maids and customers froze in place.
One maid nervously tugged at her headband. "M-Master, did your order come with… this?"
A customer slowly raised his hand to the screen in front of him. "Wait… I can't touch it? What is this thing?"
A group of friends laughed awkwardly, "Okay, okay, who's streaming this prank? You got us!"
At a crowded cosplay convention, The bustling event fell into an eerie silence as cosplayers and vendors stared at the floating messages.
A man in a mecha suit pounded his chest plate. "Alright, who's running this AR event? Pretty realistic, I'll give you that!"
A vendor holding a stack of manga books whispered, "N-No way… this isn't some event. It's… it's real."
A girl in a magical girl costume began to hyperventilate. "I-I didn't sign up for this! I didn't click anything!"
Someone in the crowd nervously joked, "H-Hey, maybe this is how the apocalypse starts—at a con!"
The sterile halls of the hospital filled with panicked voices as patients, doctors, and nurses stared at the glowing screens in disbelief.
A nurse dropped a tray of medical tools, her hands trembling. "W-What is this? Is it some kind of emergency broadcast?"
A doctor checked the vitals monitor, only to realize the same notification hovered in front of him. "This... this isn't medical equipment. What the hell is going on?"
In the corner of the waiting room, a man in recovery gripped his head, eyes wide. "I-I swear I just quit drugs! I'm clean, man! This can't be real!"