The Name of the King
* * *
Po floated in front of the class, its small, elephant-shaped figure hovering with an eerie stillness.
The room was filled with a tense quiet, broken only by the occasional shuffling of feet or nervous whispers. Po's glossy surface reflected the dim, flickering light from the emergency lights, casting an unsettling sheen.
"Are you the king of this group?" Po's voice was smooth but carried an authoritative edge.
"Yes," I answered, my voice steady despite the flutter of nerves in my stomach.
Po's gaze seemed to pierce through me, as if weighing my words. "Then, what is your name?"
A moment of introspection followed. I recalled the stats window that had appeared earlier, where my name was listed as "???".
The ambiguity had lingered in my mind. Now, as I faced Po, I felt a surge of clarity and purpose. I took a deep breath and declared, "Erebus."
The moment the name escaped my lips, a new window materialized in front of me with a soft, azure glow. The edges of the window crackled slightly, as if it were struggling to stabilize:
---
[King]
Name: Erebus
Number of Subjects: 28
Current Territory: Class 2-4 of Server 05-a3
---
The text was succinct but loaded with implications.
I had been officially designated as the king of the territory named Class 2-4 of Server 05-a3.
Class 2-4 was obviously our class, and the server was probably where we were located right now.
Po's voice resonated once more, now with a tone of formality. "King Erebus, you have become the king of territory [Class 2-4 of Server 05-a3]. The domination game will begin in 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, the doors will open, and Round 1 will commence."
I scanned the room, taking in the expressions of my classmates. Their faces ranged from shock to confusion, their earlier panic replaced by an ominous silence. The gravity of the situation was palpable, and the atmosphere was thick with tension.
Po's final announcement was delivered with a gravity that underscored the seriousness of the game. "Now, the domination game will commence."
As the final words faded, the air around Po began to ripple and tear open once more. A swirling vortex of light and darkness formed, drawing Po's figure into it. The doll twisted and spiraled within the rift, gradually vanishing into the chaotic expanse. The rip in the air closed with a sudden snap, leaving behind a profound stillness.
Yunji, her eyes wide with a mix of concern and frustration, rushed up to me. Her footsteps echoed sharply in the suddenly quiet classroom.
"What do you think you're doing?" she demanded, her voice rising in urgency. "Did you not listen? The king is the number one target. You've just painted a target on your back!"
I met her gaze calmly, feeling a twinge of satisfaction at the chaos unfolding.
"It looked like everyone wanted you to take the role," I said, smirking slightly. "And it seemed pretty clear you didn't want it."
Yunji's expression softened a fraction, though she still looked troubled. "Yes, that's true. I didn't want the responsibility. But you don't understand—being a king is dangerous. You're putting yourself at risk for everyone's sake."
I shrugged. "Someone had to do it, and you wouldn't have been happy with the role anyway. Might as well let someone who knows what they're doing take it."
Yunji sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. "I suppose you're right. But be careful, okay? This isn't a game. We need to think about how we're going to survive this."
With a final nod, I watched as Yunji retreated to her group, still looking worried. I took a deep breath, trying to center myself as I prepared for the next step.
Walking to the front of the classroom, I gathered the remaining students, who were now staring at me with a mix of fear and curiosity. I raised my voice, making sure everyone could hear me clearly.
"I'm sure you all understand by now, but this world is no longer what you knew. Everything has changed. Our past lives, our past world—it's all gone. We need to forget what we once knew and adapt to this new reality."
My voice grew stronger as I spoke, trying to instill some semblance of hope and determination in the faces around me.
"We are no longer just students; we are players in a game where survival is key. It's us against the world, and we need to be ready for whatever comes next."
A student, his face pale and eyes wide, raised a trembling hand. "Do you think we have to follow all these rules? Isn't there any way to avoid them?"
"Of course, we have to follow the rules. This isn't just about playing by the book; it's about survival. These rules are here for a reason. They dictate the framework of our new reality, and if we want to navigate it successfully, we need to respect them. But that doesn't mean we can't find ways to use them to our advantage."
I took a deep breath, trying to channel the gravity of the situation into a motivational tone. "Remember, the most important thing now is to stay united and think strategically. Every challenge we face is an opportunity to grow stronger, to adapt, and to overcome. We are all in this together, and if we approach this with determination and teamwork, we can turn this dire situation into our greatest triumph."
The students seemed to absorb my words, their expressions shifting from panic to resolve. There was still a palpable tension in the room, but the atmosphere felt slightly lighter, as if the weight of uncertainty had been lifted just a bit.
"Now, let's focus on the immediate future," I continued, my voice steady and firm. "We have ten minutes before the game begins. Use this time to prepare yourselves, gather any supplies you have, and get ready for what's to come. Our survival depends on how well we can adapt and work together."
As the room buzzed with renewed energy, I stepped back, allowing the students to begin their preparations. My mind raced with strategies and possibilities, knowing that this was just the beginning of a long and unpredictable journey.
* * *
A man who had just arrived in Japan sat quietly at the back of a bustling cafeteria, observing the scene unfolding before him.
He looked intently at a student who was standing at the center of the room, clearly taking charge and leading the group.
'I'm finally here,' the man thought as he observed the scene. 'I won't let you get betrayed. I'll help you get stronger.'
His resolve was clear.
He had come with the purpose of aiding this student, ensuring that he avoided the pitfalls that could lead to their downfall. The man was determined to see this mission through, focused intently on the student's actions.
But little did he know, everything was about to change
All because of one man.