Episode 2

Project Nexus: Beyond Reality

Episode 2 – First Steps into the Unknown

Midnight – The Beginning of a New Life

The moment the game launched, millions of players were already deep in exploration, but for Renji Kisaragi, this was only the start.

Lying in his dimly lit room, he stared at the ceiling for a moment before muttering the words that would change his life.

"Activate Nexus."

A sudden wave of warmth spread through his body, like slipping into a comforting dream. His vision blurred, replaced by an endless tunnel of flowing blue light. Data swirled around him, numbers shifting and rearranging.

Then—light.

A breath of fresh air.

His new reality had begun.

Overworld – The World Before Him

Renji opened his eyes.

He stood in a vast, rolling field bathed in golden sunlight. A warm breeze carried the scent of fresh earth and wildflowers, the sensation so real it was almost overwhelming.

"…Damn."

He stretched his hands, feeling every fiber of movement as if it were his own body. His reflection hovered in the air—a transparent interface menu displaying his status.

[Name: Renji]

[Level: 1]

[Class: None]

[Title: None]

No flashy introduction, no guided tutorial.

This was no ordinary game—it simply existed.

He glanced around at the countless players appearing in waves, their excitement filling the air. Some were already testing their abilities—swords flashing, magic crackling. Others stood in awe, unable to process the sheer realism before them.

And then—

BAM!

Something heavy crashed into Renji from the side, sending him stumbling forward.

"Whoa, sorry!"

Renji turned, rubbing his shoulder. A boy his age stood before him, grinning sheepishly. He had shaggy blond hair, mismatched armor, and carried a massive greatsword on his back.

"Didn't see you there. I got a little excited," the boy laughed, offering his hand. "Name's Kai."

Renji sighed, taking his hand.

"Renji. You always charge at people like that?"

"Only when I'm excited! Can you blame me? Look at this place!" Kai gestured around them. "It's not just a game anymore—it's a world."

Renji had to admit—he wasn't wrong.

And before long, they weren't alone.

The First Party – A New Brotherhood

Within an hour, Renji and Kai had gathered a small group.

Airi, a quiet but sharp-eyed archer who observed everything from a distance before speaking.

Leon, a former pro-gamer who analyzed the game mechanics with a strategist's mind.

And Eve, a rogue who had already figured out how to steal from NPCs.

The five of them wandered through the Overworld, testing their abilities, engaging in their first battles, and exchanging what little knowledge they had.

Combat was flawless.

No input lag. No artificial movements. Every attack, every dodge, every moment felt as real as breathing.

"This is beyond anything I imagined…" Leon muttered, adjusting his sword's grip. "The combat system doesn't hold your hand. It's completely physics-based."

Renji watched as Kai sparred against an NPC soldier, their swords clashing with weight and resistance. No health bars above their heads—only real, physical combat.

"You could live here," Airi said quietly, watching the horizon. "This world… it feels like it's waiting for us to make it our own."

But then, something changed.

A Voice from Nowhere

Renji's vision flickered—for the briefest moment, the sky darkened, the fields dimming into shadow. A strange static hummed in the air, like an old television trying to tune in.

Then, a voice spoke.

Deep, smooth, and familiar.

"Welcome, travelers."

The entire world froze.

NPCs stopped moving. The wind halted. Even the light itself seemed to dim as that single voice echoed through the sky.

"You who have chosen to enter my world… I have been waiting."

Renji's breath hitched.

Kai's face paled. "That voice…"

The world glitched for a moment, warping as if reality itself was unstable. Then, in the sky above, a name appeared in glowing red letters.

AKANE.

The creator of the game. The man who had disappeared six months ago.

And he was speaking to them from inside Nexus.

"Find me."

Then, as quickly as it had begun, the world snapped back to normal.

The sun returned, the wind resumed, and NPCs carried on as if nothing had happened.

But the players had all heard it.

And deep in his gut, Renji knew—this game was more than just an escape.

It was a challenge.

A challenge from the very man who had built this world.

And if they wanted to know the truth, they had to play.

To Be Continued…