The sun was dipping toward the horizon. The day was coming to an end. Akito was finishing his shift at the construction site—he was gathering tools when his supervisor called out:
"Akito! You've got the day off tomorrow. Take a break."
The young man nodded in response. It was 6:27 p.m., and after changing, he left the site. One thought spun in his head: Just a little more—and I'll be home.
He walked along a narrow sidewalk. Evening was slowly settling in, streetlights turning on one by one. There weren't many cars—the area where Akito lived, although part of Tokyo, was unusually quiet.
I should stop by the store, he thought. Still have time before it closes.
Inside the store, he exchanged a brief "Good evening" with the cashier and headed to the shelves. He picked up two packs of noodles, frozen fish, and an onion.
"That'll be 850 yen," said the cashier.
Everything keeps getting more expensive, but salaries don't… Akito thought grimly. He packed the groceries into his backpack and headed home. About 500 meters left to go.
Climbing the stairs and entering his small two-room apartment, he called out loudly:
"I'm home."
His backpack landed on a kitchen chair. He changed clothes, tossed his workwear into the washing machine, and went for a shower.
Ten minutes later, he was standing by the stove. It was 9:14 p.m. He boiled the noodles, added the fish and onion.
After eating, the washing machine beeped. Night had fallen. Lying in bed, he stared at the ceiling.
Why is life so unfair…?
He remembered the tragedy from three years ago—a car accident that had taken his family.
Rent's due again soon… Great…
He hit the pillow in frustration.
With those thoughts, he fell asleep.
Morning.
Akito woke up before his alarm. And suddenly—a translucent blue screen appeared before his eyes:
Welcome, Player.
Would you like to begin?
[Yes] [Later]
This again… Akito thought with annoyance. How many years has this thing been popping up? I always chose "Later." I've got enough problems already.
He reached for the usual "Later" button—but stopped.
What if this is a chance?
What if I could actually earn something?
He tapped [Yes].
Welcome, Player.
Your Stats:
Name: Akito Kurosawa
Level: 1
Rank: D
Role: Warden of the Guardians
[First Mission:]
[Eliminate 5 Mutated Rats (0/5)]
[Time Limit: 24 hours]
"What the heck…?" Akito muttered.
"How am I supposed to kill them? With what? Where?"
No answer came.
Relax… he told himself. I'll go tonight when there are fewer people. But where do I even find them…?
A map appeared on the screen. The marker pointed to an alley—just 25 meters from his apartment.
Time to prepare.
He grabbed his smartphone and searched NeoTube for "self-defense for beginners." He started mimicking the moves. At one point, he accidentally kicked a vase—it shattered loudly.
"Seriously?!" his voice echoed through the apartment.
Akito covered his mouth, but it was too late.
He looked down at his foot—blood was trickling from a cut. The edge of the vase had caught him perfectly, and now shards and crimson drops lay scattered on the floor.
[–10 XP], flashed before his eyes.
"Oh, fantastic…" he muttered and limped toward the bathroom. The wound stung under the water, but he endured it, bandaged his foot, and started cleaning up the mess.
"And I still have to go out tonight… This just keeps getting better…"
He had just finished cleaning when the doorbell rang. His best friend Kaito and Kaito's girlfriend Yumi stood in the hallway.
"Yo!" Kaito waved.
"Hi, Akito," Yumi added with a smile.
"Come in, take a seat," Akito said. "Totally forgot you were coming today. I'll make some tea."
He turned on the kettle, took a cake out of the fridge, and gently set it on the table. Yumi sat down, then noticed:
"What happened to your foot?"
"Oh, nothing much. I was practicing self-defense," Akito said with a sheepish smile.
"Yeah. First lesson went great," Kaito laughed and winked.
Akito chuckled. The kettle boiled, and he poured tea into the cups.
"Here you go."
But then Kaito turned serious.
"You remember why we came, right?"
"I do." Akito lowered his eyes. "I'll pay you back soon. Just give me a little more time. Things are… rough right now."
Yumi stood up sharply.
"How much longer is this going to drag on? We're not a bank. No more loans."
"Let's go, Kaito."
Before he could say anything, they were gone—without touching the tea.
Perfect timing, Akito thought, putting away the cups.
Then, a new message appeared before his eyes:
[Wound will heal in: 8h]
When the sun had fully set, Akito dressed in lightweight dark clothes. He grabbed an old baseball bat from the closet—it was the only weapon he had.
Time to go.
He stepped outside and made his way through the alleyways toward the marker. The system remained silent, but the closer he got, the heavier the air became.
[You are near the target.]
The alley reeked of rot. He looked around—trash bins, piles of garbage bags, grease stains on the asphalt. Empty.
But then, out of the darkness, ten violet eyes lit up.
Oh no…