Unbearable.
This is truly unbearable.
I lay on the beach. Just moments ago, I was overjoyed about pulling Arataki Itto. My takeout was supposed to arrive in five minutes. It was supposed to be a rare, relaxing day home alone.
But now, I could only lie helplessly on some unknown beach, speechless with despair.
I've crossed over, haven't I?
I sighed, feeling the waves wash over my feet, watching the purple and pink crabs scuttle about, the blue mushroom-like plants growing in the water, the clear sky, the distant rumble of thunder over the sea, and the sun shining with an all-too-familiar vibe.
No, don't tell me this is Inazuma.
［This is Inazuma］
A stiff, electronic voice echoed coldly in my head—chillingly impersonal. I shuddered.
［I am the System. From today onward, I am bound to you］
"I don't care who you are—I want to go home."
［Unable to assist with that］
I frowned. "Was it not you who brought me here? Why am I here?"
［To be precise, it was not me］
［Yesterday, while playing that otherworldly simulation game with your friend, you recited a specific activation phrase, triggering the crossover system. Your current body and settings are exactly as you configured at that time］
"Settings?"
I remembered. My friend and I often played games like this—simulating what we'd do if reborn in a world we loved, from avoiding dangers to making money and surviving by any means. We had planned everything down to the smallest detail.
"But that was just a text-based game about allocating talent points for an isekai rebirth!"
［Indeed］
Despite my initial panic at finding myself in a strange place, I felt unexpectedly calm.
"So, you're saying I really can't go back?"
［Unable to assist］
"Then what are you here for?"
［I am responsible for presenting all your stats in a data-based format and providing guidance for your simulation in the world of Teyvat］
"...So, what's the purpose of this simulated otherworld?"
［Insufficient permissions. Unable to disclose］
"Then what is this simulated otherworld?"
［It is a simulation. You may treat this as a real world or a realistic game］
"How do I leave?"
［Complete the simulation］
"How do I complete it?"
［Please explore independently］
I reached down, grabbed a handful of sand, and let the grains trickle through my fingers. The sensation was real. I could smell the saltiness of the sea. And this is just a simulation? Earlier, it said it couldn't help me return, but to leave, I must complete the simulation. I don't know if leaving means returning home or going somewhere else.
I felt like a fish on a chopping block—utterly at the mercy of others. Although the System seemed straightforward, it hadn't actually told me anything important.
"System, show me my data panel."
A medium-sized, deep-blue screen unfolded before me, displaying everything from my name, age, physical strength, and speed to all the elemental powers in this world.
［Based on your previous gameplay settings, you will gain points through leveling up, which can be allocated. You have three opportunities to reset your allocations］
"Ha, should I thank you for not giving me zero chances?" I retorted irritably, but the System, like a true machine, didn't respond.
［——］
"Can I use these three opportunities anytime, no matter how much time passes in between?"
［Yes］
"And after this, will these stats also grow based on how I allocate points?"
［Yes］
"Will the points gained from growth also count toward allocation?"
［Yes］
I examined my stats carefully:
If based on Genshin Impact's initial HP values, I had set my HP relatively high. My friend and I had prepared two plans: one for solo survival and another for duo survival. For duo survival, we even considered whether starting locations would be unified or not. For solo survival, we simulated various scenarios based on current map characteristics.
My level was 10, initial HP was 10,000, stamina 60, attack 700. There was even an appearance stat, labeled: "Unremarkable."
Innate talent: "Minor Luck Aura."
The elemental power section was grayed out, clearly not unlocked yet.
"I remember allocating a large portion of my points to buffs, HP, and attack. Why is my attack so low?"
［You require a Vision to properly harness the power of this simulated world. Your current attack power will vary based on the level of the target—the higher their level, the less damage you deal］
"A Vision? Can I predict what element my Vision will be?"
［Unable to disclose］
Not "unable to predict" but "unable to disclose." I wasn't surprised by this answer. "Someone like me—do I really have such strong desires?"
［——Is your desire to survive not strong enough?］ The System actually retorted, despite its earlier coldness.
"Surviving by any means is more accurate. In that case, maybe it'll be Geo."
I once discussed Genshin lore with my friend—if I were lucky enough to obtain a Vision in Teyvat, she said it would likely be one of three elements: Cryo, Geo, or Dendro. Stunned by her assessment, I quickly brushed it off with a joke.
"What happens if I die here?"
［Start over from the beginning. You can obtain save rewards by leveling up］
"What are save rewards?"
［Save points］
Just like an RPG game. How fitting. The System turned cold again. I touched my head and felt the short, straight-banged hairstyle typical of a female NPC in Inazuma. I was wearing the standard long kimono of a background character.
"Do I have a weapon?"
［Raise your right hand and make a gripping motion］
I followed the System's instructions. It seemed this body was right-handed. As I mimed gripping, a heavy weight suddenly materialized in my hand. I quickly grabbed it with both hands. It was a highly familiar-looking R5 "Debate Club."
"...I actually have to use this thing?"
［Normally, this weapon offers considerable output］
"So, just because I allocated a lot of points to attack, I got assigned as a claymore user?"
"Ah, even so—"
Suddenly, I heard voices in the distance across the beach. I immediately hid. Fortunately, there were a few trees not far from the shore. I stomped on the sand, using my unfamiliar geta shoes to kick up some sand and cover my footprints, then ducked behind a tree.
［Why are you hiding?］
"As you said, this is Inazuma—the danger level is sky-high. Do you want me to die quickly?"
Perhaps because my reasoning was sound, the System responded with silence.
But it wasn't uneventful. A sharp, intense pain shot through my body, so severe my vision went dark—the System's voice rang out again, icily impersonal.
［Predicting the appearance of an important character—Please engage in battle］
The voice was utterly emotionless.
［This is your first battle. Give it your all］
"Fine! I'll go, alright?" I gritted my teeth and replied, watching helplessly as a portion of my green health bar drained away. This machine truly showed no mercy. I had every reason to suspect the System was making an example out of me. It might as well have shot me in the head and lit a fire under me to fight with the desperation of someone facing certain death.
The pain subsided but left my legs weak.
I watched the direction of the voices nervously, the Debate Club gleaming coldly in my hands.
The footsteps were somewhat disorderly.
There was more than one person.
I took a few steps back to get a clearer view of the approaching figures, my sweaty palms struggling to grip the weapon I'd never held before.
—I clenched my teeth, raised my weapon, and charged forward.