"What's going on, they're saying it's a national disaster?"
I caught sight of a group of employees gathering right next to me, their conversation drawing my attention.
"Is it just me or is there no signal right now? Can anyone make a call?" "The internet isn't working either."
The malfunction of modern devices was a minor issue if anything. But like ink dissolving in water, people's unease began to spread slowly from that minor variable.
With a sense of foreboding, I checked the internet on my smartphone. But, as someone had pointed out before, the screen merely displayed a message indicating the need for a connection, failing to load the familiar web pages we were used to seeing.
"Could this be part of the interview test?"
At Marcus Hale's words, I looked over at the other staff members preparing for the orientation from a distance. It was possible that there was some kind of test prepared that I, a mere junior employee, wasn't aware of.
However, the sight of several executives scampering on the stage caught my eye. While they frantically ordered their subordinates around with panicked faces, I couldn't immediately grasp the situation, but one thing became crystal clear: this was not part of the company's planned schedule.
'It seems something has happened.'
I stood up to get a grasp of the situation.
Ba-dum.
But that's when a disturbing sensation, as if squeezing my heart, began to envelop me.
"Ugh!" "Huk!" "What's… happening…! Kyaa!"
Sounds of people gasping for air came from the end of the hall.
Ba-dum. Ba-dum. Ba-dum. Ba-dum.
A suffocating pressure whirled through the hall. Everyone collapsed or fell to the ground, with only a few individuals in the corners managing to stand, leaning against the walls.
"Huff. Huff." "Ugh…"
An intangible force, like a sudden downpour, soaked through the people. Then, about ten seconds later, the crushing pressure receded, and the ringing in my ears was replaced by the murmuring of people.
"What the hell was that just now?" "I have no idea. What is even…"
Words failed the people around. Some were pale as ghosts, and others were vomiting from the nauseating experience.
Was it something in the realm of instinct that was hard to describe with words? It felt as if everyone in this place had shared the same sensation at that moment.
A sense of doom.
Suddenly, amidst the silence, a mechanical noise mixed with static filled the air, and people instinctively hushed.
Crack. Crackle.
"Listen, the announcement is coming! Everyone quiet!" "Shh!"
Prompted by someone's urging, people began to listen attentively.
But…
'…it's not an announcement.'
I happened to be standing fairly close to the hall's speakers. That's how I knew.
It was a sound in my head? Was someone talking? No, was this even sound to begin with?
Chills ran over my body, feeling as if the noise was piercing directly through my head instead of traveling through the air.
Then, the noise that had been weaving through my thoughts ceased abruptly.
Ding.
[The test for dimension ■■■ ■■ has now commenced.]
A cold voice that had started in my head brought an end to the suspended silence.
[Total individuals confirmed, 401.]
[Geographical coordinates, (■■■,■■■). Assistant... crack■ crackle… …■■ dispatched.]
Fzzzzt! Whoosh.
Sparks flew in the center of the hall, and in the blink of an eye, a blue flame ignited.
The man who had been seated in the center of the hall since the start was unlucky enough not to react to the sudden flame.
"Aaack!!"
"Fi… Fire extinguisher…! Get the fire extinguisher!"
People who had witnessed the event from the sidelines began to scream. Then, a man hastily brought a fire extinguisher, dousing the flames engulfing the man who was thrashing and yelling on the ground.
Whoosh!
Thankfully, the fire that had latched onto the man was quickly extinguished. However, not all of the flames had been put out.
The tiny flame that had appeared in thin air began to grow steadily. And when it reached about two meters in height, it began to cease its growth.
"Augmented reality?"
Someone stammered in a shaky voice. It was a feasible speculation since this was a game company.
But a person was injured. The threatening flame couldn't possibly be mere graphics like augmented or holographic images.
Crackle.
"Huh?"
Maybe because of the overwhelming silence.
"Look there…"
Someone pointed at the flame and spoke up, their voice piercing the quiet.
"Something is in there…"
The gazes of all present turned towards the blue flame.
The foot of a beast.
Below the twisting flame, what was revealed resembled the foot of a rabbit.
But it was too much of a stretch to call whatever was attached to that foot a mere rabbit. Who would dare to refer to a two-meter-tall bipedal monster's shadow as a rabbit?
Tap tap tap.
A rabbit, dressed as though it were a third-rate magician with a shabby wand in its grasp, walking on two legs and wearing a tuxedo.
A creature with a head at least a size taller than an average adult male put a hand to its mouth.
–Hrmm-ahem!
With a single fake cough, everyone petrified. Yet, the rabbit naturally took off its hat and, like a noble from medieval Europe, graciously bowed.
–Pleased to meet you, everyone.
The March Hare. That beast bore a resemblance to a renowned guide from a famous British tale.
–You've been waiting a long time! At last, the expected ■■ dimension! Now, a round of applause, please.
The rabbit gestured a mock clap.
It might have seemed ridiculous at a glance, but no one here was laughing. Unbeknownst to us, the wand that had left the rabbit's hand was now circling overhead.
–Yes, that's right. Ah, yes. Oh! Instructions for the game? Of course, I must provide them!
For a while, the rabbit mumbled incomprehensible words to thin air. But not long after, it took back the wand from the air and looked at 'us'.
–Players?
Fear of the unknown had taken hold of people's hearts.
–Should we start then?
The audience held their breath, unable to take their eyes off the rabbit, and as soon as the rabbit finished speaking, a small holographic window appeared before my eyes.
Ding.
[Assigning a mission to all players.]
— 『Tutorial #1 – Game Start』
Theme: Survival Difficulty: Tutorial Mission: Survive by any means for 24 hours. Reward: ■■■ Failure Penalty: Death —
"What's this?"
"…Tutorial?"
Murmurs arose from the crowd. It seemed as though the same window had popped up for everyone else, even though I could only see my own.
"Ethan, can you see this too?"
Marcus Hale, who had borrowed my phone earlier, pointed at the thin air and asked me. I simply nodded without turning away.
What mattered wasn't what had happened before, but what would happen next. For now, observing that unidentified rabbit took precedence.
–It's a hassle to repeat myself, so I'll only say this once. Everything you are about to do will be recorded and accounted for! Do your best to survive! Put all your efforts into it, so you won't have any regrets! Your achievements will determine the results you receive!
Regardless of the nonsensical ramblings of the rabbit, people just froze, unable to take any kind of action.
–I trust the beings of this dimension are smart enough to survive on their own!
'Survive?'
From what?
There was no more information given. The rabbit was not particularly helpful, and we were not brave enough to question such a creature.
–Well then, good luck!
With much less fanfare than its arrival, the rabbit strode back into the flame from which it had come. The awe of its entrance was unmatched by the anticlimactic exit.
As the immediate threat vanished, people began to sit, drawing deep breaths to calm themselves.
"Haah… What the hell is all of…"
Marcus Hale, who was standing next to me, rubbed his neck in frustration. However, soon, he waved his hands in the air as if sensing something was off.
"Something's changed."
[00:01:00]…
Another window had appeared.
"Time…?"
[00:00:59]… [00:00:58]… [00:00:57]…
The hologram was counting down by the second. This sequence probably dovetailed with the main point of what the rabbit had been saying.
No matter. Whatever was going on, I couldn't just stand around waiting when such game-like system windows appeared before me.
[Failure Penalty: Death]
It was explicitly stated.
Survive for 24 hours.
"Everyone, please pay attention!"
But just then, a robust voice resonated through the speakers in the hall.
All eyes turned towards the front stage. There, an older man with sporadic white hair held a microphone, poised to make a lengthy speech.
"I am Richard Vaughn, the HR director of Sky Games. We are currently looking into the situation, so please don't worry too much and wait at your seats for now..."
When people encounter something unfamiliar, they typically feel uneasy. In such situations, commands or requests from anyone tend to dominate people's minds like a drug.
In other words.
'He's lost his mind.'
It was dangerous.
My instincts, honed by a life of vigilance and judgment, screamed at me to leave this place immediately.
Given the uncertainty, moving with a group of strangers was tantamount to suicidal madness.
"Where do you think you're going?"
Just as I moved to leave, Marcus Hale grabbed my arm. His eyes were intent. He must've wanted to confirm whether this incident was somehow related to the interview.
"I'm off to the restroom."
"..."
"Follow if you want."
"But didn't that man tell us to stay put..."
"Then stay here."
I replied curtly, to which Marcus's expression hardened. He must have sensed that something about this situation was off.
How foolish and dangerous it would be to just wait here.
Whisk.
He must have made up his mind, because Marcus followed me without a word.
But it seemed there were quite a few others who shared our thoughts because, contrary to my expectations, the flow of people heading towards the exit was increasing.
"Hey! I just said not to leave…!"
Behind, I could hear Richard Vaughn's voice clearly, but I had no time to look back.
[00:00:02]… [00:00:01]…
And right as I almost reached the door, I checked the timer once more.
[00:00:00]
Zero seconds.
Everyone's timer had stopped.
Pop!
[Mission Starts now.]
And then the mission started.