OST
A blue, RPG-like window suddenly appeared with the words:
[Wake up, Player]
The young man opened his eyes, his face full of confusion.
This man's nickname was Shin. Right now, he was utterly disoriented, wondering what had happened. He was just a salaryman who had recently come home from work.
Shin: "Huh? What... where is this place?"
He looked around cautiously. The place was empty—no people, no signs of life. The sky was pitch black, like a heavy rainy season, except there was no rain. Mountains surrounded him, and beneath his feet was a strange black water. He didn't know what kind of water it was, but he felt it was best not to stare too long.
Trying to look elsewhere, he realized everything looked the same. He turned his gaze back to the screen and thought to himself:
Shin: "What is this...?"
Soon after, the blue window displayed more text:
[It's time, Player. Choose your name.]
A list of names appeared for selection:
[Yu Narukami, Makoto Yuki, Akira Kurusu, Ren Amamiya, Tatsuya Suo, Yuya Narumi, Ryujin Kazuma]
[Please select your name within 1 minute]
[Ryujin Kazuma]
[Transferring abilities...]
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[Transfer complete]
At the moment the screen confirmed completion, butterflies began to land on him. A pair of pistols appeared in his hands—twin handguns, sleek and well-crafted. A coffin rested strapped to his back.
Shin: "What the hell?!"
The blue window flashed again with the words:
[Solemn Lament]
[That is now the Player's power.]
Suddenly, a large mirror rose abruptly from the black water beneath him.
He looked into it, but did not see his own face. The reflection was darker than any darkness—only the plain office clothes he was wearing were visible.
The blue window displayed:
[Filling in the Player's face...]
Slowly, Shin's face began to form—a face unfamiliar to him. Pale skin, short black hair with slightly messy tips, and lifeless blue eyes. Dark circles rimmed his eyes, as if he hadn't slept in days.
The blue window displayed another message:
[Activating Training Combat Mode. Location: Smoke War.]
The surroundings shifted—the sky changed from black to a vivid blood-red, like the end of the world. Around him, people were killing each other. Screams echoed across the battlefield, reminding him of friends who had died in war.
Shin's hands trembled. He had been through this before.
Shin: "What the hell is this?!"
Not long after, a flood of his abilities and information poured into his mind so violently that he vomited.
The blue window reappeared with a new message...
PICTURE
Training Combat Mode
Survive for 10 minutes.
The Player must eliminate all 10 Nightmares (0/10).
Failure to meet the requirements will trap the Player in this time loop forever.
OST
Shin: "Damn it... this is crazy."
Soon, his eyes caught sight of a sword rushing toward him.
Young Swordsman: "Die!!"
The blade slashed across Shin's left arm—he felt the sharp sting of pain.
Shin: "Damn... this must be real."
Gripping his arm, he realized the pain was genuine—no illusion.
The same sword swung toward Shin's head, but this time he turned and slammed his coffin into the blade, stopping the attack.
His trembling hand tightened on the gun's trigger... without hesitation, he fired straight at the swordsman's head.
Shin: "Die!"
Moments later, the swordsman's head was severed, butterflies bursting from the barrels of Shin's twin pistols.
Seeing this, Shin thought to himself,
Shin: "Either you kill or get killed."
He glanced around. This place was like a pit of hell—bloodshed everywhere, both sides charging fiercely. Blood splattered across the battlefield. Gunshots echoed periodically, swords clashed violently, and the sickening sound of flesh being cut filled the air.
Looking around again, this time he joined the carnage.
He was once a soldier who had fought before.
His PTSD started to surface violently, driving him into a frenzy.
He lunged at his enemies with terrifying speed, smashing one unlucky victim's head with his pistol. Visions of his past foes overlapped with the living enemy in front of him.
Now, he was fully immersed in this nightmare—fighting with wild abandon.
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Training Combat Mode
Survive for 10 minutes ✓
Player must eliminate all 10 Nightmares (16/10) ✓
Failure to meet the requirements will trap the Player in this time loop forever.
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Soon, the battlefield faded away, replaced by the same desolate place he had first seen.
The blood-red sky returned to the dark, rain-filled gloom.
Shin gasped weakly, breathing heavily. He looked down at his body and saw wounds covering him from head to toe.
At least... he had survived.
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The blue window appeared again, displaying a message:
[Congratulations on passing the training combat.]
Shin furrowed his brow and gritted his teeth. He wanted to shoot whoever sent him here right in the head, but then the message appeared:
[Be proud that you're still alive. Next, you will enter the next world.]
Shin: "Damn it! I don't care who you are — just send me back home right now!!!"
The blue window flashed with another message:
[The answer is: No.]
[Good luck in your new world.]
Soon, the surroundings changed again, this time into a small room—just big enough for one person.
The blue window displayed two different pages of text.
Mandatory Mission
The Player must eliminate 10 High-Level Entities, including:
The Twisted Alchemist ???
The Decayed One ???
The Tyrant Overlord ???
The Crimson Divine Priest ???
The Berserk Sword Demon ???
The Ominous Knight ???
The Enlightened One of the Demonic Path ???
The Master of the Void ???
The Emperor of Time ???
The Cycle of Life and Death ???
This mission is long-term with no time limit.
The world will enter Hardcore Mode after a significant historical event occurs.
Shin could only watch silently and think to himself,
Shin: "What the hell am I doing here?"
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Name: Ryojin Kazuma
Age: 15
Born: 19/11/2049
Level: 4 (15 XP / 45 XP)
Each level-up grants 2 stat points.
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Stats:
Strength: 36
Speed: 40
Endurance: 29
Intelligence: 30
Charisma: 7/10 (Cannot be increased by stat points)
Stat points available: 6
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Currency:
Coins: 1,000
Yen on hand: 200,000
Both currencies are exchangeable at a rate of 100 Coins = 10,000 Yen.
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Passive Skills: (Max 7, can be removed or replaced)
Blinking – 60% chance to activate; when triggered, a blue aura appears granting double speed and evasion for 2 seconds. No cooldown.
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Quirk: (Max 3, cannot be removed or replaced)
Solemn Lament
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Combat Skills:
Melee Combat: 26/100
Firearms Combat: 28/100
Bladed Weapons Combat: 31/100
Blunt/Striking Weapons Combat: 46/100
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English is not my first language. I am from Thailand and some of my words may be confusing. I apologize.