Rookie

The Corvette C5 shot out of the Death Curve, its rear tires barely clearing the guardrail before gripping the road again.

Kai's breathing was steady. His heartbeat, however, was a different story.

He had just done something insane.

Something that should've killed him.

And yet, it felt effortless.

Like his body already knew what to do before his mind could process it.

Like he had been training for this moment his whole life.

But there was no time to reflect.

The Supra was still behind him.

And the race wasn't over yet.

Then, out of nowhere—

A digital notification flashed in front of his eyes.

---

[New Skill Acquired: Bronze – Adrenaline Rush]

Effect: When executing a high-risk maneuver at extreme speeds, gain temporary reaction time boost and car control enhancement.

Activation Duration: 5 Seconds

---

Kai blinked.

"What the hell?"

The words hovered in his vision like a HUD display, slightly transparent but crystal clear.

A system message?

Before he could question it, the world around him sharpened.

The headlights of the Supra behind him became clearer. The road ahead felt wider. His hands on the steering wheel seemed more responsive.

Everything slowed down.

Not in a dreamlike way, but in a hyper-focused, precision-enhanced way.

As if every tiny movement, every micro-adjustment, was being processed at lightning speed.

It lasted only a moment—five seconds, just like the notification said.

Then, just as quickly as it had activated, the feeling faded.

Kai exhaled sharply.

He didn't know what had just happened.

But he knew one thing for sure.

This wasn't just a game anymore.

---

The Supra driver had seen a lot of things in street racing.

Close calls, near misses, and even some straight-up miracles.

But what he had just witnessed?

That was inhuman.

His hands were still gripping the wheel, knuckles white, as his foot pressed down hard on the gas. His Supra was giving him everything it had—but it wasn't enough.

That move back there, the way Kai took that turn without braking, without hesitation, without fear—

It wasn't luck.

It wasn't reckless driving.

It was calculated. Perfect.

And now?

Now he was losing.

For the first time in years, the Supra driver felt something he hadn't experienced in a long time.

Doubt.

"Who the hell are you…?" he muttered under his breath.

Because Kai Damons wasn't just some random racer.

He was something far more dangerous.

Someone who had no business being this good.

The Corvette C5 thundered down the mountain road, the scent of burning rubber and gasoline thick in the air.

Kai's mind was racing just as fast as his car.

That notification—it wasn't just in his head.

It had happened.

For a brief moment, he had felt it. His body had moved faster, his reflexes had sharpened, and the car had responded like it was an extension of him.

This wasn't just a simulation.

It wasn't just an ultra-realistic dream.

Something bigger was at play.

And then, right on cue—

[New Message Received]

A holographic display flickered in front of his eyes, semi-transparent and glowing with a soft blue hue.

---

[System Notification: Welcome, Racer Kai Damons.]

You have entered the world of Need for Gran Touring Horizon 5.

Your current status: Participant. SC

Your objective: Win. Survive. Progress.

Rules of the System:

Main Quests Must Be Completed.

Failing to Complete a Race = Termination.

System Rewards and Upgrades Will Be Given Based on Performance.

Next System Unlock: Level Up to Access Garage and Customization.

---

Kai felt his blood turn ice-cold.

He wasn't crazy.

He wasn't dreaming.

This was real.

His hands tightened on the wheel.

"Terminate…?" His voice came out in a whisper.

It didn't take a genius to figure out what that meant.

If he lost a race…

He wouldn't just lose the game.

He'd die.

The gravity of the situation hit him like a freight train.

This wasn't just about racing.

This was about survival.

---

Ryo Kisaragi had been in hundreds of races.

He had faced some of the best, had fought for every win, and had always come out on top.

But this time…

Something felt off.

The way Kai was driving—the sudden precision, the unnatural reaction time, the flawless execution of every turn…

That wasn't normal.

And right now, his gut was telling him something was seriously wrong.

Up ahead, the next major turn was coming fast—a long, sweeping right-hander with a blind exit.

Ryo gritted his teeth.

Time to test him.

---

Kai's Realization: No Turning Back

Kai's focus honed in on the road ahead, but his mind was still spinning.

If this was real…

If the system was real…

Then what happened if he kept winning?

What happens when I beat the game?

Does he wake up? Escape? Or does this world keep going?

There was only one way to find out.

The next turn was coming.

Kai slammed the clutch, downshifted, and prepared to push his limits even further.

Because now?

Now, he wasn't just racing to win.

He was racing to stay alive.

The roar of engines faded as Kai crossed the finish line, his knuckles white against the steering wheel. His heartbeat pounded in his ears, but he had done it—

He had won.

The crowd erupted, some cheering, some stunned into silence. A few people exchanged cash, clearly having placed bets on the race.

Kai barely heard them. His mind was still processing everything.

The system, the race, the fact that losing meant death—

He exhaled sharply, his fingers finally loosening their grip.

This wasn't just some game anymore.

This was his reality.

---

The black Supra rolled to a stop beside him, its engine cooling down with a few sharp ticks. The driver's side window lowered, revealing Ryo Kisaragi's intense gaze.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then Ryo smirked.

"Alright, spill it," he said, crossing his arms. "No way a guy driving a half-rusted C5 pulls off that kind of run. Who the hell are you?"

Kai met his gaze, but he had no answer.

Because honestly?

He had no idea.

---

Before Ryo could press further, a deep, gravelly voice cut through the noise.

"You're gonna blow your damn engine racing like that, kid."

Kai turned to see a broad-shouldered man with grease-stained hands walking toward him. He had salt-and-pepper hair, a five o'clock shadow, and wore a well-worn jumpsuit.

A mechanic.

The man leaned down, tapping the C5's hood with a knowing smirk.

"This old girl's tough, but she ain't invincible," he said. "Push her too hard, and she'll fall apart on you."

Kai hesitated. "Uh… thanks?"

The mechanic straightened. "Name's Daisuke Hoshino, but just call me Dai." He tilted his head toward a nearby garage. "You need a place to keep this thing running? My shop's open."

Before Kai could respond, another voice joined in—this one softer, but no less confident.

"If he's staying, he'll need more than just a mechanic."

Kai turned—and for a moment, everything else blurred.

A girl stood just outside the crowd, arms crossed, head tilted slightly as she studied him.

She was gorgeous, but not in the flashy way most street racers tried to be.

Long dark hair tied back in a loose ponytail, striking hazel eyes that gleamed under the streetlights, and a leather racing jacket that looked just slightly too big for her.

Something about her gaze was calculating—like she was trying to figure him out.

"Kai, right?" she said, stepping closer. "I'm Ami Sato."

Kai nodded cautiously. "Yeah… how do you know my name?"

She smirked. "People talk."

Her eyes flicked to the C5, then back to him.

"That race was insane," she admitted. "But I've seen enough idiots with fast hands and no brain crash out in a week." She leaned in slightly. "So tell me, Kai—are you just another reckless rookie?"

Or are you something else?

Kai met her gaze.

For the first time since arriving in this world, he felt grounded.

He wasn't alone in this.

And maybe… just maybe…

He could survive.