Chapter 1  

Episode 1: Rindou Amachi  

Several decades ago, gates connecting Earth to an otherworldly realm suddenly appeared.  

When the gates opened, monsters with grotesque forms poured into Earth. They ravaged humanity and left countless casualties.  

Modern weapons were powerless against the monsters. Humanity was on the brink of annihilation—until it happened.  

“Uooooooohhhhhh!!”  

Humans began to awaken to extraordinary powers known as Skills capable of killing the monsters.  

These individuals came to be called Players. Some fought the monsters back through the gates. Others crafted weapons effective against the creatures.  And still others ventured into the depths of the otherworlds, destroying their cores to seal the gates. They also returned with rare, Earth-unobtainable items, driving humanity’s progress.  

A new era emerged, dominated by Players. Those with power gained wealth and fame. Everyone admired the Players, dreaming of awakening their own skills and joining their ranks.  

◆◇◆◇

Among them was a young man. He was captivated by Players and clinged to the hope that one day he too would awaken as one.  

“Damn it… another long day at work.”  

Stretching his tired body, the young man muttered to himself while walking down a lamplit street, a convenience store bag in hand.  

Not a Player, he juggled multiple part-time jobs just to make ends meet. Though life was tough, he had no other options and couldn’t help envying others his age, who seemed to enjoy life without a care.  

“Hey, check it out! I got something good!”  

“Seriously? My gacha luck’s been awful lately.” 

“Maybe it’s karma, huh?”  

“Shut up! Hahaha!”  

(What a joke… spending money someone else earned while I can’t even afford to have fun myself.)  

He sighed quietly but soon noticed something unusual.  

“…Why are there so many Players out today?”  

As he walked, pondering the scene, he saw a crowd gathered ahead and tried to peek from the back to figure out what was happening.  

“Hey, isn’t that Rindou Amachi?”  

A voice called out to the young man—Rindou Amachi.  

Recognizing the speaker, Rindou sighed inwardly. Ignoring him would be more trouble than dealing with him. So he turned around reluctantly.  

“…Gakuto, huh?”  

“Hey, watch your tone! It’s ‘Gakuto-sama’ to you! Ga-ku-to-sa-ma!”  

The red-haired young man, Gakuto, immediately grabbed Rindou by the collar. He raised his voice.  

“Ugh!”  

“Say it—Gakuto-sama, got it?”  

“…Ga…ku…to…sama… gah! Cough, cough!”  

Satisfied, Gakuto shoved Rindou to the ground, grinning as he looked down on him.  

“You’re just a regular nobody. Who gave you permission to call me by name? Got it?”  

“…Haha, yeah, sure.”  

“Right? Say it louder!”  

“…Right.”  

As Rindou complied, Gakuto’s grin widened. But their exchange was interrupted by Gakuto’s lackeys.  

“Hey, Oze-san! Someone’s calling for you!”  

“Tell ‘em to shove it! We’re just a reserve team anyway. Not like we have anything to do!”  

(Reserve team? That must mean a gate has appeared nearby.)  

Rindou and Gakuto had been classmates. But when Gakuto awakened as a Player at sixteen, he became a bully. He uses his power to vent his frustrations. As a powerless civilian, Rindou often found himself on the receiving end.  

(I’d better get out of here before things escalate.)  

Straightening himself, Rindou prepared to leave without a word.  

“Hey, where do you think you’re going?”  

“…I figured we’re done here, right?”  

“I decide when we’re done. I’ve been pissed off ever since they stuck me in the reserve team. Keep me company for a bit.”  

(Great. Just what I need—a punching bag session.)  

Realizing there was no escape from the enhanced Gakuto, Rindou begrudgingly followed him. He resigned himself to the usual abuse. His thoughts turned to his sister.  

(Kyoka’s going to worry about me again.)  

But before Gakuto could act—  

“AAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!”  

A blood-curdling scream erupted from the crowd ahead. It was followed by a stampede of onlookers fleeing in terror.