Chapter 3: Player?

The aftermath of the battle against the high-class spirit left a strange tension in the air. Something still felt off. The oppressive weight of an unseen force pressed down on them, an instinctive dread creeping into their bones.

Yuri, sensing the unease, closed her eyes and extended her hand, summoning the winds to scan the area. But before she could complete the search—

THUD!

A heavy impact shook the ground in front of them. Dust exploded into the air, momentarily blinding their vision. As it cleared, a massive figure emerged.

It was hunched forward, its body thick with grotesque muscle, its grayish skin layered with cracks like dry stone. A long, snake-like tongue lolled out of its jagged-toothed mouth, swaying as it breathed. But what stood out the most was the sheer pressure it exuded—far beyond what they had faced before.

This wasn't just a high-class spirit.

It was high-class 2.

Takami's chest tightened. His body screamed in protest from the wounds he had already suffered, but something deeper within him—the primal fear of death—urged him to run.

His voice cracked as he shouted, "RUN!"

But it was too late.

The spirit vanished from sight.

A blur—then a shadow loomed over Yuri.

Its massive fist was already descending.

"YURI, MOVE!"

Jimin lunged forward, shoving her out of the way. The spirit's punch connected with his side instead. BOOM! The impact sent Jimin crashing into the rubble like a ragdoll.

Yuri gasped, summoning razor-sharp wind to strike back, but—nothing.

The spirit didn't flinch.

Instead, it shot forward, grabbing Yuri by the leg and slamming her into the ground with a sickening CRACK.

Jimin coughed up blood, forcing himself to his feet. His three-pronged spear, a Trident of Will, materialized in his grasp. His stance was shaky, but his eyes burned with determination.

"Bastard…" he spat, wiping blood from his mouth.

The spirit sneered, its tongue flicking in amusement.

Jimin charged.

His trident gleamed as he thrust forward—only for the spirit to catch it mid-air.

A sickening crunch echoed as the spirit's grip bent the weapon slightly before it lifted Jimin off the ground—its fingers tightening around his torso like a vice.

"TAKAMI, RUN!!" Jimin's scream was raw, desperate.

Takami froze, his heart pounding like a war drum.

Jimin was lifted higher—then tossed like trash. His body smashed against a crumbling wall before he collapsed, unmoving.

Yuri, through sheer will, summoned a wind chain around the spirit's leg—a last attempt to buy time. The spirit paused, glancing down at the glowing restraints.

Then, without hesitation, it yanked the chain and swung Yuri into the ground. Again. And again. And again.

Takami watched in horror as blood splattered the dirt.

His body moved on its own.

He grabbed his dagger and hurled it straight at the spirit's head.

The blade connected—but barely left a scratch.

The spirit caught the dagger, tilting its head in amusement before hurling it back.

Takami barely had time to react as the weapon stabbed into his shoulder.

"GAAH—!" His vision blurred from the pain.

Then the spirit was in front of him.

Its fist drove into his stomach with monstrous force continuously.

The air in his lungs vanished. His body was flung like a broken doll, smashing through a concrete wall. He crashed onto the other side, landing in a sitting posture, his head bowed.

His body was failing him.

He was covered in his own blood.

And the spirit was approaching, its glowing eyes cutting through the dust.

Death was knocking.

Takami's breath came in ragged gasps. His fingers twitched weakly.

"This… is it… the end?"

Tears slipped down his face.

"Why are the weak always treated this way?"

His voice trembled, thick with grief and anger.

"We're nothing but stepping stones for the strong. Just lab rats for their evolution."

His fists clenched.

"I… don't want to be weak.

I don't want to leave my family behind.

I just watched helplessly… as my only friends were nearly wiped out.

I… don't want to die."

The spirit raised its foot, aiming to crush his skull.

Takami's voice cracked.

"Forgive me, Yuri… Jimin…"

"Forgive me, Yosuke… Tomoe…"

"Forgive me, Mom…"

"I couldn't keep my promise… as a son… or a big brother…"

The spirit's fist came down for the final blow.

But—

SLASH!

The spirit's arm was severed.

It stumbled back, its grotesque mouth widening in shock.

Takami's blurry vision barely registered the figure standing before him.

A hooded individual, their tattered coat swaying in the moonlight.

The spirit lunged at them.

But before it could land a hit—

It burst into pieces.

Silence followed.

The hooded figure stepped closer, crouching in front of Takami.

Their voice was calm, almost amused.

"You don't have much time left."

A small, glowing orb appeared between their fingers.

"Here's a gift from me."

They slipped the orb into Takami's pocket.

His consciousness was slipping, but he heard them whisper—

"That gift is called growth."

The figure stood up, walking away.

Takami tried to move, to speak—but his body refused.

The figure glanced back, their face hidden by the hood.

"But beware… a second chance always comes with consequences."

They took another step, their form fading into the moonlit night.

"This never happened. When you've learned enough, we shall meet again."

Then they were gone.

—

Takami's eyes snapped open.

He was in his room.

The morning sun shone through the window.

His body—unharmed.

His mind raced. Was it a dream? A hallucination?

The door burst open, and his siblings rushed in.

"BIG BROTHER!" His little sister, Tomoe, jumped onto his bed, wrapping her arms around him. "You're awake!"

Yosuke stood by the door, watching .

"Tch, finally thought you were poisoned." chuckles 

Takami blinked. "How…?"

"You were found unconscious in a village," Yosuke said. "Some people brought you and your friends back."

Tomoe pulled away, tilting her head. "Are you okay, Nii-san?"

Takami forced a smile, ruffling her hair.

"Yeah… I'm okay."

As she ran off to play, Takami sat up, exhaling.

"It was all a—"

His hand brushed his pocket.

His heartbeat spiked.

Slowly, he pulled out the orb.

"Dream?..."

His breath hitched.

Then—

A translucent screen appeared before him.

—

[Become a Player?]

[YES] | [NO]

—Takami's hands trembled.

His lips parted as he whispered—

"…What the hell?".

 -CHAPTER 4 : I GET IT NOW-

END OF CHAPTER NOTES✍️:

1. What is Grant? , Grant is the life energy that determines a person's ability to see and interact with spirits. Everyone has it, but only those with a high enough level can use it to fight or form contracts with spirits. It also influences spirit affinity, which decides how well someone can connect with or control spirits. The stronger the Grant, the greater the power—but without it, a person is defenseless against the spirit world.

2. What are guilds? , Guilds are powerful organizations formed to combat spirits and maintain balance between the human and spirit worlds. They recruit individuals based on their Grant Level and combat abilities, providing training, resources, and missions to eliminate dangerous spirits. Some guilds work closely with spirits, while others view them purely as threats. Guilds also offer financial rewards, making them a major career path for Spirit Keepers and high Grant level humans.

Japan's Top 4 Guilds:

* Shurin Guild – The most prestigious and oldest guild in Japan, known for its elite warriors and strict code of discipline. They prioritize order and balance, often working alongside the government.

* The Phang – A ruthless guild that values strength above all else. They believe only the strong should survive and often take on the most dangerous missions. They have a reputation for being brutal but effective.

* Phantom Order – A mysterious guild specializing in stealth and assassination. Their members are highly skilled in exorcising spirits without leaving a trace. They rarely appear in public, and their true numbers are unknown.

* Azure Dawn – A guild that embraces cooperation between humans and spirits. They focus on research, spiritual contracts, and alternative methods to control or

purify spirits instead of outright destruction.

3. Yosuke and Tomoe are Takami's younger siblings. Yosuke is 14 while Tomoe 10