The tests of death, 1

Yuki was still in shock over what he was being forced into—and the conditions placed on him. The worst part: he didn't know anything about what was going to happen.

Yuki: Okay, okay… Min-Su Ah, how many chapters does this novel have?

He crossed his arms, trying to think more about the situation.

Min-Su Ah: Currently, there are 679. But it's still updating every two weeks, so no one knows how long it'll end up being.

Yuki: So it's one of those massive-ass series… great.

Min-Su Ah just stared at him with a neutral expression. Yuki stared back.

Yuki: How the hell are you so calm…?

Min-Su Ah shrugged with such an emotionless face that the gesture came off kinda funny.

Yuki: Alright, what if we just leave this roo—

System: The first weak one has been killed. Remaining: 49/25.

Yuki felt a chill crawl down his spine at the notification. If that happened… He turned to the rest of the room—and saw a guy with his head crushed against the wall. Blood, bits of skull, and brain matter were splattered all over. Another guy, his fist glowing with a blue aura, stood in front of the body.

???: That's one down… WHO'S NEXT?!

He gave a twisted, bloodthirsty smile. Then activated another skill—unknown to Yuki, since he hadn't read that guy's Reader Profile.

System: Unknown skill hit Reader Yuki. Your stats have been partially reduced.

Yuki didn't even focus on the system message. He wanted to scream. His stomach churned as if he were going to throw up. But then he looked at Min-Su Ah.

Still neutral, but more tense now. Then something clicked—Min-Su Ah's skill, "Apathy." Without thinking, Yuki used "Plagiarize" on him.

System: Skill "Apathy" from Reader Min-Su Ah successfully copied. Since it is a passive skill, usage time is 10 minutes.

Yuki felt his mind calming down, letting out a deep sigh of relief. But right as he exhaled—another loud crash. The guy had missed and only hit the wall. His target had dodged just in time.

Yuki: Let's get outta here, Min-Su Ah!

Min-Su Ah: Yes, Yuki-nim.

The two bolted out of the room—but as they reached the corridor, they saw other readers from other rooms… also fighting each other.

Min-Su Ah: I figured this would happen… Yuki-nim, give me your hand.

Yuki: Huh… okay…?

Yuki didn't question it and took his hand.

System: Reader Min-Su Ah is using the skill "Null Presence" and sharing it with Reader Yuki. Their presence is nearly invisible.

System: Reader Yuki's understanding of Reader Min-Su Ah has deepened. Knowledge added to skill: "Innate Reader."

Yuki watched in awe—it was like they were invisible to everyone else. They moved silently past the chaos. The corridor connected all the rooms with only one exit. Once they got through, they found themselves in an unfamiliar city—at least to Yuki. But Min-Su Ah seemed to recognize it and led him to an abandoned building.

Min-Su Ah: We should be safe here… I think…

System: Skill "Null Presence" has reached its time limit. It will deactivate automatically.

Their presences returned to normal. Yuki sat on the floor, exhausted.

Yuki: What the hell… why are people killing each other…?

Min-Su Ah: Probably some influence-type skill… or humans are just insane.

He sat next to Yuki, hugging his knees.

Yuki: But why did that guy's skill lower my stats? I haven't even seen a status window…

Min-Su Ah: The status window only appears after the "Sacrifice of the Weak." It's like a test to see if we're actually ready for this world…

He said that while staring at the floor, then sighed.

Min-Su Ah: I thought all this was fake. I was sick of my boring life, but I never expected it to actually be real…

As Min-Su Ah spoke, they heard something—like a scream.

Yuki: Someone else is here…

He stood up. Min-Su Ah followed.

They headed toward the noise until they heard a voice—followed by a low growl.

Min-Su Ah: Probably monsters around… we're not in the safe area anymore.

Yuki: Of course this novel had to have monsters…

They picked up the pace and entered one of the rooms in the building. Inside, they saw a girl with long white hair and violet eyes, dressed in casual clothes, cornered and crying. In front of her was a mutated wolf, with massive fangs and a body glowing with a red aura, ready to strike.

Yuki: Crap… do we help her?

Min-Su Ah simply watched, showing no intent to risk his life for a stranger. But Yuki felt like he had to do something.

Yuki: Hey, ugly mutt!

The wolf turned its attention to Yuki. Min-Su Ah looked at him, surprised, and took a step back.

The wolf growled—and charged.

System: Skill "Innate Reader" activated unconsciously. Yuki has seen this scene before. A déjà vu reveals where the wolf will attack.

System: Yuki activated Regalia Skill: "Superhuman Speed." Duration: 10 minutes.

He dodged just barely and tried kicking the wolf in the gut, pushing it back. It growled louder, and when Yuki looked again, Min-Su Ah was sneaking up from behind with a shard of glass.

Yuki: What, can't hit me?! You flea-ridden furball!

The wolf roared and prepared to lunge again—but Min-Su Ah jumped on its back and began slashing at its face with the glass. It worked until the wolf shook him off, throwing him near the girl.

???: Oh my god, are you okay?!

She screamed. Min-Su Ah, face in the dirt, just raised a thumbs-up.

The wolf, a shard of glass in its eye, turned, foaming with rage.

Yuki: I'm your opponent!

Yuki dashed forward. As the wolf turned, Yuki jumped and kicked the shard deeper into its skull. The blow was fatal. The wolf collapsed, twitching.

System: Skill "Plagiarize" has been deactivated.

Yuki stared at the scene. The wolf's dying cries and the blood brought back images from the room earlier. He ran to the side and threw up.

???: Is your friend okay?

Min-Su Ah: Yeah, just puking.

???: Got it…

A few minutes later, Yuki returned. Min-Su Ah sat silently, staring at the girl. She was just as silent, a drop of sweat running down her temple.

Yuki: Why are you two staring at each other…?

???: Your friend's freaking me out… he keeps staring at me…

Min-Su Ah frowned slightly, still expressionless.

System: Reader Min-Su Ah's info has been added to skill "Innate Reader."

Yuki: Don't worry… he's always like that. He doesn't bite.

Yuki patted Min-Su Ah's head.

Yuki: Anyway—hi, I'm Yuki.

???: Oh, uh… I'm Yulia. Nice to meet you.

System: Reader: Yulia Smirnova

Age: 17

Chapters Read: 389

Nationality: Russian

Regalia Skill: "Erlang Shen" – "Third Eye" (Lv. 1)

Attributes: "Inspire" (Lv. 1), "Enhanced Perception" (Lv. 1)

Yulia: Wait… how have you read zero chapters?!

Yulia stared at Yuki, shocked.

Yuki: Don't ask… But you've read almost half the novel… you must know a lot.

Yulia: I do…

She fidgeted nervously and glanced behind Yuki. He turned—and saw Min-Su Ah poking the dead wolf. He sighed and chuckled.

Yuki: Don't mind him… he's harmless… I think.

After poking around, Min-Su Ah stood holding a red stone.

Yuki: What's that, Min-Su?

Min-Su Ah: It's a sto—

Yulia: A mana stone.

Min-Su Ah looked at Yulia. Trying to ease the awkward tension, Yuki kept asking questions.

Yuki: What's it for?

Min-Su Ah still stared. Yulia grew a bit more nervous, remembering this boy had just jumped on a wolf's back and shredded its face.

Yuki: Don't take it personally, Min-Su doesn't mean to scare you.

Min-Su Ah looked at Yuki. He said nothing—but Yuki could tell he wasn't mad anymore.

System: Your knowledge of Readers Min-Su Ah and Yulia has increased. Info added to "Innate Reader."

Yuki: Now that we're cool, can you explain, Yulia?

Yulia: Sure… Mana stones in this world are used to earn coins and upgrade Regalia skills slightly. Since this one's from a low-level monster, it's not worth using to upgrade.

Yuki: Got it.

System:

Warning to all readers:

7 out of 35 rooms have reached the 25-reader quota.

Time remaining: 19 hours.

Yulia: Why are they killing each other? If they read the novel…

Yuki watched her. She knew more than him and Min-Su Ah combined. He figured keeping her nearby might help.

Yuki: Yulia, in the novel… was there a way to survive without being killed?

Yulia: Yes… It's explained how the tests work in Chapter 75, after the protagonist returns.

Yuki scratched his head, starting to get a headache.

Yuki: Is this one of those generic novels…?

Min-Su Ah and Yulia both stared at him like he'd committed a crime. Yuki even flinched.

Yuki: Kidding, kidding… don't take it so seriously.

They kept staring for a few seconds, until Yulia sighed and changed the subject.

Yulia: Well... You two don't seem like bad people, unlike those out there. What do you say we form a party? Yuki, since you don't know—parties are a team system. Everything we earn is split evenly. For example, if we complete a mission, the rewards are divided among us. Some phases even have side quests.

Yuki listened carefully. He looked at Min-Su Ah, who simply shrugged like always. Yulia extended her hand to seal the party. Min-Su Ah took her hand first.

System:

Party between Readers Min-Su Ah and Yulia confirmed:

1 – Yulia Smirnova: 100%

2 – Min-Su Ah: 100%

Party remains active until a member leaves.

Yulia: Your turn, Yuki.

Yuki stepped forward and tried touching her hand—but both were suddenly zapped by a jolt that threw them back.

System:

! ERROR !

Anomaly Yuki cannot join a party with regular readers.

Yuki: AHH, DAMN IT!!

He shook his hand, wincing. Yulia rubbed hers—she seemed less affected.

Yulia: Weird… because you're an anomaly, you can't party with others...

Yuki: But that's not that big of a deal, right? I can still stay with you guys.

Yulia: That's not the problem...

She sighed—clearly holding something back. Then, something unexpected happened:

System:

Reader Min-Su Ah left the party.

With only one member left, the party has been disbanded.

Yulia looked at him, surprised.

Yulia: Why'd you leave?!

Min-Su Ah: If Yuki-nim can't join, I won't either.

Even Yuki looked shocked.

Yuki: You didn't have to do that, Min-Su...

Min-Su Ah: My mind's made up.

Yulia: This guy's insane... even after reading up to Chapter 70, sticking with me is a better choice than siding with that anomaly.

Yuki was caught off guard by her change in tone.

Min-Su Ah: I choose who I stay with. You really think I'd team up with someone who almost died to a wolf and had to be saved by the anomaly?

Yulia fell silent. Min-Su Ah looked at Yuki.

Min-Su Ah: Let's go, Yuki-nim.

After seeing Yulia's sudden shift in behavior, Yuki started getting suspicious too. Then he remembered:

Yuki: You've got "Enhanced Perception" and know the novel. No way you'd get ambushed by a monster like that.

Yulia stared at them, then sighed. Her expression changed—from scared girl to calm and serious.

Yulia: Didn't want my act to get figured out so easily. There's no way I'd be caught off guard by a damn wolf like that.

Min-Su Ah and Yuki narrowed their eyes.

Yulia: But I'm a support type. What could I do?

Yuki: So now you expect us to trust you?

Yulia: And what other choice do you have? If I tell the others you're an anomaly, they'll all come after you.

Min-Su Ah: Tell who? The people out there killing each other?

The tension grew.

Yuki: I don't care if you tell them. But you got the guts to go out there and say it?

Yuki gave a little smirk.

Yuki: That screaming and crying earlier didn't seem fake. You weren't escaping or fighting back.

Yulia glared but said nothing.

Yuki: And since you didn't use your Regalia to escape, it must've been on cooldown—probably used it earlier to run from the rooms. You just got lucky we showed up and tried to manipulate us.

Yulia: You figured everything out, huh? Without any deduction or logic skills… guess you're just naturally clever.

Yuki: Nah, just read a lot of stuff with twists like this.

Min-Su Ah silently admired the deduction, a slight sparkle in his eye.

Yuki: Anyway, we're in dangerous territory, so let's not kill each other... for now. But we're not teammates. Good luck out there. Let's go, Min-Su.

Min-Su Ah nodded and they walked away, leaving Yulia seething in anger.

Yuki: At least I got two skills out of that. Since we introduced ourselves, I saw her abilities. Now that I understand her better, it should be enough to use "Plagiarize."

He followed Min-Su Ah, who was leading the way. Nightfall was close.

Yuki: Is this one of those novels where nighttime gets more dangerous?

Min-Su Ah: Depends on the location. From what I know, in this city things don't change much. We're not officially in the novel world yet.

Yuki: Got it. And where are we sleeping?

Min-Su Ah: Not sure… most good spots are probably taken. That limits us...

He paused, thinking deeper.

Min-Su Ah: It's a gamble, but... what if we return to the rooms? They might be empty now.

Yuki scratched his head, seriously considering it.

Yuki: Can you use your stealth ability again?

Min-Su Ah: 30 minutes left on cooldown… it takes an hour. But we're about 40 minutes away—by the time we get there, it'll be ready.

Yuki: Alright… but let's be careful.

Min-Su Ah nodded. They began the trek back.

---

Note: Walking distances between areas = 30–40 minutes.

With movement or speed abilities = 10–20 minutes.

---

As they got close, the area looked deserted—except for bodies scattered everywhere, all brutally killed. Yuki looked around… but this time, tried to stay mentally strong. He knew he'd be seeing this again.

Yuki: …Wait. I'm gonna make sure the rooms are actually empty.

Yuki headed to the hallway entrance that led to the rooms. "Plagiarize" had finished recharging.

System: Reader Yuki used the skill "Plagiarize" and copied "Enhanced Perception" from Reader Yulia…

Partially copied due to never seeing the skill in action.

Yuki focused, trying to sense anything nearby… but didn't detect a thing.

Yuki: Seems clear… but I shouldn't rely too much on a partially copied skill...

He stared into the corridor.

Min-Su Ah: Well?

Yuki flinched slightly—Min-Su had snuck up quietly. He sighed.

Yuki: Seems safe. Let's head in.

They made their way to the final room. The door was already open. They peeked in—and saw nothing. No one. No corpses.

Yuki: At least nobody died in this one…

Min-Su Ah: That's good. I didn't wanna sleep next to a body.

Yuki chuckled softly, then closed the door once they were inside. He sat on the floor. Min-Su Ah did the same.

Yuki: At least we're safe for now… Wish I knew what time it was...

Min-Su Ah: Me too—

Suddenly, an idol song started playing.

Min-Su Ah looked toward the sound, curious. Yuki fumbled through his jacket pockets until he found his phone and shut it off.

Min-Su Ah: So Yuki-nim likes idols?

Yuki blushed slightly, but nodded.

Yuki: But… how do I still have my phone?...

Then he remembered: back in the white room with the System, his phone had been beside him. That must be why it was still here.

Min-Su Ah: Well, check the time.

Yuki turned on the phone. The time read: 6:01 PM.

Yuki: 6:01…

Min-Su Ah opened his system to check the phase countdown.

System:

Phase 1 – "Sacrifice of the Weak" ongoing.

9 out of 35 rooms have reached the 25-reader goal.

Time left: 14 hours.

Min-Su Ah: Phase 1 ends tomorrow at 8 AM.

Yuki: So we've still got time...

Min-Su Ah laid down on the floor.

Yuki: So… Min-Su, how do you think your family's doing now?

Min-Su Ah glanced over.

Min-Su Ah: Don't have one. I'm an orphan.

Yuki: Oh… sorry. I didn't know.

Min-Su Ah just gave a thumbs-up.

Yuki: But... why'd you choose to stay by my side?

Min-Su Ah stared at the ceiling, thinking.

Min-Su Ah: You were one of the first people to be nice to me… and you remind me of someone I knew as a kid.

Yuki: I see…

A silence settled. Yuki laid down too. They both closed their eyes… and drifted to sleep.

---

Hours passed.

Yuki's phone alarm had been ringing for a while—an anime song, of course.

Still groggy, Yuki stirred awake. But as he opened his eyes and looked toward the door… he noticed something strange. The door was wide open.

Confused, he turned his head—

And saw a fist flying straight toward his face.

System:

Phase 1 – "Sacrifice of the Weak" has ended.

All readers who failed to reach the goal are being teleported to the Testing Area.

System:

Initiating the Death Trials.

Each reader will now face their individual test.