Luna, her new friend Kurenai leading the way, was led deeper into the repurposed shopping mall. The once-bright, cheerful halls were now bathed in the eerie, pulsating glow of holographic screens and glowing auras from various Virtual Hunter powers. The air was a chaotic mix of scents: stale popcorn, rust, and the metallic tang of dried blood.
"This is the Hub," Kurenai said, gesturing to the main atrium. A massive, pixelated screen hung from the ceiling, displaying a live leaderboard of top Virtual Hunters. Names like 'Crimson_Reaper' and 'Shadow_Striker' flickered, each with a staggering kill count next to it. Luna's own name, a simple 'Luna', was nowhere to be found.
"You're not on the board yet," Kurenai explained, noticing her gaze. "To get on the board, you have to complete your Hunter's Trial. It's the first official quest for any new Hunter. We've got a briefing starting in five minutes. Let's get you set up."
As they walked, Kurenai pointed out the different 'guild' territories. The old electronics store was now the armory, filled with Hunters tinkering with futuristic weaponry. The food court was for 'casuals,' a place for low-level Hunters to relax and share information. The department stores were divided into different guild headquarters, each one a fortress of its own design.
"So, what's your specialty?" Kurenai asked. "Magic? Melee? Ranged?"
Luna hesitated. "I... I don't know yet. The system just told me about a 'Kawaii Overload' and something about taming animals."
Kurenai stopped dead in her tracks, a look of pure confusion on her face. "Kawaii... what? Are you serious?"
Luna nodded sheepishly, Cerbie letting out a low whine beside her as if confirming the ridiculousness of the situation. Kurenai burst into laughter, a sound so loud it drew the attention of nearby Hunters.
"That's... that's amazing! I've never heard of anything like that! The system is usually so straightforward. You must be a one-of-a-kind. A true anomaly. This is so cool!"
The sound of a loud gong echoed through the mall. "Showtime!" Kurenai said, grabbing Luna's hand and pulling her towards a stage set up in the center of the atrium.
On the stage, a stoic-looking man in a sleek, black suit with glowing green lines stood before a large screen. This was the Guild Master, known as "The Overseer."
"Welcome, new Hunters," The Overseer's voice boomed, amplified by a magical megaphone. "Your trial is a simple one, but not an easy one. The portals have been fluctuating, and a new threat has emerged from the 'Dimensional Glitch' portal that opened in the old city library. The monsters are known as 'Librarians'. They are not powerful, but they are fast, intelligent, and they've been hoarding ancient artifacts."
A picture of the 'Librarians' appeared on the screen. They were small, grey creatures with multiple spindly arms and a single, large eye. They looked less like monsters and more like something out of a child's nightmare.
"Your mission," The Overseer continued, "is to infiltrate the library, eliminate as many Librarians as you can, and retrieve a 'Tome of Knowledge'. These books contain information from the old world that could give us an edge in this war. The first Hunter to return with a Tome will be given a special prize and a high-ranking position on the leaderboard."
The crowd of new Hunters cheered, a mix of excitement and nervous energy. But Luna felt a cold dread. The old city library. That's where he had spent most of his time as a teenager, hiding from the world in the dusty stacks, lost in fantasy novels and manga. It felt like the universe was mocking him, sending him back to the one place that represented his old, reclusive life, only now he had to fight for it as a catgirl.
"Are you okay?" Kurenai asked, her hand on Luna's shoulder. "You look pale."
"Yeah," Luna mumbled. "It's just... that place. It's a little nostalgic, that's all."
Kurenai's grin returned. "Well, let's go make some new, less dusty memories! My trial is to clear out the bookstore next to it, so we can work together until we split off. What do you say?"
Luna looked at Cerbie, who was wagging his three tails in a bizarrely cheerful rhythm. She looked at Kurenai, who was so full of unbridled enthusiasm. And then she thought about the defeated, worn-out 26-year-old she used to be. The person who would have curled up in a corner and given up.
But that person was gone. He was now Luna. He was a catgirl Vtuber with a ridiculous but powerful skill and a three-headed dog. This wasn't a choice anymore; it was her life.
"Let's go," Luna said, a smile slowly spreading across her face. "Let's go get a book."