It was another quiet day at ANHS, everything was happening just like any other day—students talking, eating, laughing, and so on. Amidst that everyday chaos, my eyes locked onto a strange anomaly: a white door with red engraved letters that read
Ayanokouji Kiyotaka - Alpha System.
People walked past it as if it didn't exist, even Horikita, who was right beside me, seemed oblivious to its presence.
Could Horikita see it? I doubted it—the chances were low—but the question was a necessary protocol.
"Horikita-san," I said without tearing my gaze from the door. "Do you see a white door with red inscriptions?"
She kept walking, not even turning her head.
"All I see are students and empty walls. Have you been sleeping well, Ayanokoji-kun?"
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It seems we've already reached the special building. Let's wrap this up quickly. I need to investigate that door I saw—I don't think my mind was playing tricks on me.
"What do you think we should do, Ayanokoji-kun?" Horikita asked.
"I think we should set up fake security cameras and pressure them at the right moment to admit it's a scam. To make it easier, we should record the entire conversation. With Ichinose's help, we could easily lure them into the trap," I replied, wanting to finish this quickly.
"Thaaat... is a good idea, Ayanokoji-kun. How did you come up with it so fast?" Horikita said.
"It struck me when I noticed the lack of cameras in this place," I answered. "Tomorrow, we'll summon them here. Since it's already late, try to find a witness on your own—other than Sakura—or try to convince her."
"Alright, Ayanokoji-kun. See you tomorrow morning," Horikita said as she left, to which I nodded in response.
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As I walked away, I headed as fast as I could to the spot where I'd seen that strange door... When I arrived, it was exactly as I'd seen it. People passed through it like ghosts. It existed only for me.
Seems like there's no other choice—I'll have to try opening it...
My fingers brushed against the cold metal. No vibration, no energy, just silence. As I pushed it, a white light blinded me.
When my pupils readjusted, I was in an endless void. White. Absolute silence. I turned around, and the door had vanished. There was no exit. No sound. Just me and nothingness.
Then, an ownerless voice echoed in my skull, cold as metal.
*Participant 01 - Kiyotaka Ayanokouji. Welcome to the Alpha System.*
*Primary Objective: Eliminate the 3 Kings who rule over the chaos in the designated world.*
*Secondary Objective: Guide the other three.*
*Failure = Face your worst fear.*
The echo faded. No explanation about the kings. No map. Just orders.
I sat in the white nothingness, legs crossed... My worst fear? What would it be—not being able to attain the freedom I desire? The other three?
The game had begun.