Everything was black.
Kazunori felt something cold beneath him. Sticky. Heavy.
He opened his eyes.
The ground shimmered like water—but when he focused, his breath caught.
"…Blood?"
He shot up with a scream.
"HEY. Be quiet."
Kazunori froze.
A man stood in front of him, arms crossed, white hair glowing faintly in the darkness. His coat was black, his presence crushing. One eye burned red, the other blue.
"You just woke up and you're already shouting," the man said, sighing. "Annoying."
Kazunori swallowed. "Uh… who are you?"
The man laughed. "You seriously don't know?"
He stepped closer.
"I am the Demon King. The God of Destruction."
He pointed at Kazunori.
"Yamoru."
"…O-kay," Kazunori replied flatly.
Yamoru blinked. "Why aren't you scared?"
"…Am I supposed to be?"
Yamoru stared at him, then sighed deeply. "Haven't you ever heard the story of the Seven Gods?"
"Nope."
Kazunori said it like he truly didn't care.
Yamoru smacked his own forehead. "Unbelievable. Of all humans… why did it have to be you?"
Kazunori tilted his head. "Be with me?"
"Don't overthink it," Yamoru muttered. "Just get out of my sight."
A black portal opened beneath Kazunori's feet.
"WAIT—!"
Kazunori fell.
He gasped and sat up.
"…My room?"
He stared at the ceiling, rubbing his head.
"What the hell just happened…?"
Images flashed in his mind—Reika, the demon, blood, power.
"…Was that a dream?"
He sighed, got up, and went to the bathroom. He splashed water on his face and stared into the mirror.
Same messy black hair. Same brown eyes.
"…Yeah. Just a dream."
He brushed his teeth and walked into the living room to grab his uniform.
Then—
"Oh. You're awake."
Kazunori froze.
Sitting on his couch was Reika, calmly reading a book.
And beside her—
The blonde man with sunglasses.
Kazunori slowly turned around.
"…WHY ARE YOU IN MY HOUSE?!"
The man smiled casually. "You were unconscious. We couldn't exactly leave you bleeding in the street. Reika was worried."
Kazunori pointed. "HOW DO YOU EVEN KNOW WHERE I LIVE?!"
"Easy," the man shrugged. "We asked around."
Kazunori's eyebrow twitched. "…Seriously?"
The man laughed. "Ah, right. I forgot to introduce myself."
He stood and bowed slightly.
"My name is Ryden Blake. I'm from America."
"…America?"
"Yep. I moved to Japan after hearing about the God Game."
Kazunori frowned. "God… game?"
Ryden gestured to the couch. "Sit. I'll explain."
Kazunori hesitated, then sat. Reika continued reading silently.
Ryden reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, glowing red object.
"This is an Ord."
Kazunori's eyes widened. "Whoa…"
"You earned this one," Ryden said, handing it over. "You defeated the demon."
"…I did?"
"You don't remember. Makes sense."
Ryden smiled. "The gods created a game. Kill demons. Defeat gods. Collect 100 Ords."
"And if you do?" Kazunori asked.
Ryden's eyes gleamed. "You get any wish your heart desires."
Kazunori stared at the Ord.
"…That's insane."
"It is."
"Then why tell me?" Kazunori asked. "I'm not playing. I'm not fighting demons for wishes."
Ryden laughed. "You don't have a choice."
Kazunori stiffened.
"The gods chose you. Not just any gods—"
He looked at Reika.
"—the two strongest."
Reika finally closed her book.
"And one more thing," Ryden added. "Anyone with an ability can fight you… and steal your Ord."
"…WHAT?"
Ryden smiled. "Oh, and Reika isn't just any god."
Kazunori turned slowly toward her.
"She is the God of Creation."
"…Akira?"
Reika nodded.
"In the legends," Ryden continued, "the God of Creation and the God of Destruction never get along."
The room fell silent.
"One day," Ryden said softly, "you'll have to fight each other."
He turned toward the door. "I'll see you around."
"WAIT!" Kazunori shouted. "How many Ords did you say?!"
Ryden smiled.
"One hundred."
He vanished.
"ONE HUNDRED?!"
Later that day, Kazunori and Reika walked to school together.
"Remind me again," Kazunori muttered, "why are we walking together?"
"I'm watching you," Reika replied. "You're the God of Destruction."
"…Lucky me."
Whispers followed them.
"Isn't that Aokari?"
"Does that guy have a death wish?"
Kazunori sighed.
Class began.
The teacher walked in.
"Hello~ I'm your new teacher. Mrs. Blake—but call me Ryden."
Kazunori's eyes widened.
WHY HIM?!
IS MY NORMAL LIFE ALREADY DEAD?!
History class began.
"The battles between Yamoru and Akira—"
Kazunori fell asleep.
Ryden smacked his desk.
Time passed.
When the bell rang, Kazunori stretched. "Was that even necessary…?"
Reika closed her book.
"Aren't you curious about your ability?"
"…Huh?"
"My ability is Creation," she said. "I can create anything by touching an object."
She picked up a pen.
It turned into a gun.
Kazunori's jaw dropped. "That's awesome."
"It lasts five seconds," she said. The gun turned back into a pen. "Only one at a time."
"…Still strong."
"Now yours," she said coldly.
She turned the pen into a massive axe.
"…WAIT—"
She swung.
Kazunori flew across the room, pain tearing through his stomach.
"ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL ME?!"
He looked down.
The wound was closing.
"…It's healing?"
Reika nodded. "Immortality."
"…I still felt that," Kazunori growled.
"Your weakness," she said calmly. "You feel pain."
Suddenly—
The ground shook.
Kazunori froze. "Please don't tell me…"
Reika looked out the window.
A massive demon stood in the city.
She turned to Kazunori.
"…You've got to be kidding me."
Next Chapter:
The First Hunt Begins
Next time on battle between gods