Meeting the Protagonist
The sky was covered in dark clouds, the air thick with tension. Blood still stained the ground from the aftermath of the first scenario, but Ryo didn't have time to dwell on it.
The second scenario was coming.
In two days.
And he was the only one who knew what was coming next.
But there was something even more important right now—something that could change everything.
The novel's protagonist, Kael Draven, was out there.
Ryo knew exactly where he would be.
In the novel, after surviving the first scenario, Kael disappeared for a while—his whereabouts unknown to other survivors. But as the sole reader of the completed story, Ryo knew the truth.
Kael had gone to a hidden location, a place that played a crucial role in his early development. It was where he first started awakening his true power.
"Where are we going?" Haruto asked, struggling to keep up.
Ryo didn't slow down. "We don't have time to waste. If we don't find him now, we'll regret it later."
Shiori frowned. "Who are we even looking for?"
Ryo hesitated. He couldn't tell them the truth.
Instead, he simply said, "Someone important."
With that, they moved through the ruined city, past collapsed buildings and empty streets. Most survivors were still hiding, afraid of what was to come next. The world had changed, and no one knew what to expect.
Except Ryo.
He knew everything.
After nearly an hour of walking, they arrived at a half-destroyed building—a secluded area near an abandoned train station.
Inside, a lone figure sat on the ground, his back facing them.
Even without seeing his face, Ryo already knew who he was.
Kael Draven.
The protagonist of the novel. The man who was supposed to lead this world's story.
He was tall, his black hair slightly disheveled. His aura was overwhelming, something that couldn't be ignored. It was the same presence Ryo had imagined countless times while reading the novel.
Kael slowly turned his head.
His sharp golden eyes locked onto Ryo's.
For a moment, time seemed to stop.
Ryo felt a chill run down his spine.
Kael was exactly as the novel had described—his features, his presence, even the way he gazed at others. But now, seeing him in real life was different. This wasn't a book.
This was real.
"…Who are you?" Kael asked, his voice deep and composed.
Ryo took a slow breath.
And then, without thinking, he spoke.
"Kael Draven."
Kael's eyes widened slightly. His posture stiffened.
He narrowed his gaze. "How do you know my name?"
Ryo froze.
A cold realization hit him like a thunderbolt.
Kael… didn't know.
He wasn't aware that he was the protagonist of a novel.
Which meant…
This world had truly become reality.
Everything he had read, every event he thought was just fiction—it was all real now.
Ryo quickly masked his shock.
If Kael didn't know about the novel, then Ryo had to be careful. He couldn't reveal anything.
"I… heard about you from some survivors," Ryo lied. "They mentioned someone matching your description."
Kael studied him for a long moment before nodding slightly. "I see."
Ryo let out a quiet breath of relief.
But before he could think any further—
Ding!
A familiar sound echoed through the air.
Everyone froze.
The system window appeared before them.
─────── [SYSTEM ANNOUNCEMENT] ───────
⚠ Attention, Survivors! ⚠
The Second Scenario will begin in 2 Days.
Prepare accordingly.
Further details will be provided soon.
──────────────────────────────────
Ryo clenched his fists.
It had begun.
The countdown to the next trial.
He had two days to prepare. Two days before everything spiraled even further into chaos.
And now, with Kael Draven standing in front of him…
The true story was finally beginning.