I woke up on a pink-colored ground that I had no idea where it was.
I looked around and saw that I was the only one here.
Suddenly, a large status screen appeared right in front of me.
"Sahiko Yukito, with the approval of Lord Weinz, do you want to play now?" (The text on the screen)
Right at the bottom, there was a green button labeled "yes" and a red button labeled "no".
CLICK
I pressed the "yes" button with full confidence.
This is just a game created by Weinz, right? So, as a player, the only thing I can do is finish this game.
After I clicked the "yes" button, a new text appeared.
"During the game, the »player« may ask this status screen."
"Including if there are obstacles that were not accounted for."
"Is the »player« ready?"
Without thinking twice, I clicked the "yes" button again.
"There are several rules that must be followed while the »player« is playing—"
"1. »Player« must finish the game within the time specified by the Game Master."
"2. The Game Master of this game is Lord Weinz, and the »player« must follow the rules he created."
"3. In every game there will be a "hostage" that the »player« must save."
"4. »Player« may ask for help from the "hostage" if »player« needs direct assistance."
"5. The game ends when the »player« successfully frees the hostage."
——
The rules are almost the same as ordinary games.
But… what's with this "hostage" concept? That's the most confusing part.
I asked the status screen—
"What happens if I can't finish the game on time?" (Me)
I need to understand the consequences first. If the hostage disappears when I can't finish the game… I'll feel guilty.
A text appeared after I asked—
"The hostage will be removed from this game and will never be able to open their eyes ever again."
I was immediately shocked by what was written on the screen.
"Isn't that punishment too harsh!?!" (I said with a slightly annoyed tone)
A new text appeared—
"This is a better punishment, compared to the hostage losing their life."
I lowered my head.
I was confused… what would happen if I failed every game? Does that mean today I'm going to kill other people?
Can I?
——
"Any more questions, »player«?"
I looked at the status screen again.
It's too late to back down, I just need to show my skills to Weinz and those old men.
No option to run away, LET'S START!!
"If »player« fails in one or all games, what happens to the »player«?" (I asked)
If the hostage falls into eternal sleep, shouldn't the same punishment apply to the »player«?
"»Player« will be forced to kiss all hostages regardless of age or gender, to wake them up from their slumber." (Text on the screen)
That text left me frozen.
If I fail, I have to kiss them all!?!?!? And they're not just girls!? It could be guys… and what if they're OLD!?!?!?
How can this game defeat me just by its rules?!?!?!?
——
I walked a little forward, and another text appeared on the screen.
"The first game is a personal test."
"From here, please play this game together with yourself."
The screen immediately turned black and disappeared.
"Personal test, huh…?" (Me)
I still didn't understand the concept of this test, but from the name, maybe it's going to ask about myself.
I tried walking a little forward, and I saw a small child who was injured, holding his leg.
I immediately rushed toward the child.
"Are you okay—" (I asked)
I looked at the little kid. His face looked exactly like Mira, although his body was smaller and his face looked younger.
HWAAHH (He cried louder)
I quickly tore a piece of cloth from my shirt and began tying it around his wound.
Slowly, he stopped crying.
"It's a bit better now, right?" (I asked)
He nodded his head… Why is he so cute like this, damn!?!?
I still couldn't believe that Mira, when small, could look this cute and innocent.
Compared to when she grew up… she wasn't cute at all anymore.
Come on, no boy should look this cute—
——
Little Mira immediately tried to stand up.
But since he looked a little troubled, I decided to help him.
It felt like teaching a baby to walk on their own… (Seriously)
"Who are you, mister?" (Little Mira asked)
I patted his head with my right hand.
"I just happened to pass by, why did you fall?" (I asked)
He pointed at the place where he fell.
"There was a big rock there, so I tripped and fell." (He said)
"But you're fine now, right?" (I said while stroking his head)
*"Mom is waiting…" (He said)
I quickly pulled my hand away from his head and let him go home.
He immediately ran off, but in the distance—
"Thank you!!" (He smiled and waved his little hand at me)
I smiled back and waved at him.
——
I tried to keep walking along this path.
"That screen said this is a game and a test… but why does it feel so boring..??" (I said)
The screen said this was already part of the game.
But instead, little Mira appeared injured.
"Does Weinz even know how to make a game…?" (I asked)
——
From a distance, Weinz was watching one of his players currently playing. (N)
He smiled very widely.
"This is going to get more exciting~" (Weinz)
——
I kept walking until I saw a small shop standing on the right side of the road.
I immediately approached the shop.
"Oh… a customer, huh?"
I looked at the shopkeeper.
A middle-aged man who looked around 40, wearing shabby clothes while holding an old dusty book.
"Sir, what are you selling?" (I asked the man)
The man instead gave me a piece of paper and a feather pen with black ink in a small container.
I stared at the man full of questions.
"This is what I sell here…"
"If you can make a drawing exactly like mine, then I'll give you money." (The man said)
I was still confused about what he meant.
"What do you mean by this?" (I asked)
"I just sit here giving money to people who come here."
"If someone can think critically, I'll pay them." (The man said)
This man is just handing out money?
Is he one of those one-in-a-million good people? I've never met someone who's willing to pay in exchange for brain work.
This old man… rare.
"Sir, why are you doing this?" (I asked him)
He leaned his hands on the table.
"They say if we often share, then one of our wishes will be granted." (The man said)
A wish granted… huh? If we're kind to others, that kindness will come back to us too.
"So what's your wish?" (I asked)
"I just want to someday… become a farmer."
"One day, I want to be a farmer in a field and garden… and the owner is a woman." (He continued)
This man's wish didn't sound unfamiliar to me?
"Why does the owner have to be a woman?" (I asked)
For example, employees don't really care who their boss is, right? They'll just think about how much salary they get, compared to who pays them.
So, this old man's wish also sounded strange to me.
"If the owner is a woman, I guarantee she's a good person."
"Because every woman I've met in my life has always been a good person." (The old man continued)
——
"Are you ready to start?" (The man asked)
I quickly gave him a thumbs up.
"You're a young man full of spirit, huh?"
SRET
He pulled out a piece of paper with a drawing on it.
A square and a circle inside that square.
"Try to make this drawing, but the square and circle lines cannot connect."
I immediately dipped the pen into the ink and started drawing.
On my first try, I drew the circle first then pulled the line below and made the square.
But… this must be wrong.
"The lines are connected, right?" (The man)
The man took the paper I had just drawn and handed me another sheet.
"Try again, this time it's your last chance."
That sentence shocked me.
"Hah?" (Me)
The man smiled, showing his teeth.
"Of course! If I give too many chances, I'll go broke!!" (The man said)
This man is good… but stingy.
I was wrong to think this old man wasn't stingy.
——
"There's no time limit, so just think first."
The man sat on his chair and began reading the book he brought.
Meanwhile, I was still thinking of a way to draw this.
"Sir, no hints at all? You're handsome, so you should have some hints~"
I used my idea to trick this man into giving me a clue to solve the drawing.
"Basically… don't think about 2 days ahead but think about today first and throw away the thought of 2 days later." (The man said, which really confused me)
Don't think about 2 days ahead but think about today? Hah? What the hell does that mean!?
——
Let me switch it into something easier—
For example, in 2 days there's an exam, and today I have to study for it.
I should think about studying first, not the exam??
Well, like it or not, anyone would still think about the exam… unless they can cut off their schedule for the day—
Wait… cut off?
Yukito looked at the paper again and finally found the answer. (N)
"Sir, I know!" (Yukito shouted)
The man closed his book and stood up to look at the paper Yukito was going to draw. (N)
The man thought Yukito would fail, but what Yukito did shocked him.
——
Yukito folded part of the paper, then picked up the pen.
He drew a circle with its top exactly under the fold he made.
He pulled the top line of that circle, and then started making the square on the paper above the fold.
Then, Yukito unfolded it.
—
A circle, and a line outside that circle.
Then Yukito pulled the line and made a square that was exactly outside the circle.
And the result was perfect.
"Well?" (Yukito asked proudly)
HAHAHAHA
The man laughed loudly.
"I lost this time…" (The old man said)
He pulled something out of his pants pocket—
"Here, a little snack." (The man said casually)
Yukito was immediately surprised and looked annoyed at the man.
"S-sir, what's this?" (Yukito)
"Money… in the form of food." (He replied)
Yukito immediately took the snack and began to eat it.
"Safe travels!" (The man said)
—
But instead of feeling tasty in his mouth, he felt dizzy and eventually collapsed to the ground.
"This game doesn't match the rules at all..."
Those were the last words Yukito spoke.