✦ Prologue ✦
"...You again."
Three weeks. It had been exactly three weeks since this object forced its way into his life.
No matter how many times he threw it away, burned it, or buried it—it always returned to his pocket.
But it wasn't the real problem.
Buzz.
The air in front of his face distorted.
Suddenly, a translucent, blood-red holographic interface materialized in midair. Striking black and white text flickered violently across the screen.
The System was waiting for his response.
[THE xxxx HAS DRAWN A PATH]
[CONDITION LOCKED]
Next Activation: Pending
Timeframe: Unstable
Failure Penalty: [ xxxx xx xxx xxxx xxxx xxxx ]
[FINAL WARNING]
— DO OR DIE —
The crimson screen hovered inches from his face, an ominous reminder of his reality. It appeared dozens of times a day, as if it took twisted pleasure in mocking him. It wanted him to tremble. It wanted him to submit to the fear of death.
Zekai's lips curled into a cold, irritated smirk.
"...How pathetic."
This damn system had completely obliterated his peaceful days.
He closed his eyes for a brief second, calculating the risks. The countdown was ticking. Time was running out.
"Fine."
He still didn't have a clue what this holographic anomaly actually was, or what kind of twisted game it was playing.
'Let's see just how far this thing can push me.'
Marcus's parting words flashed through his mind one last time.
'Alright, old man.'
'I'll experience it.'
But Zekai had absolutely no intention of becoming a casualty in this game.
His grip tightened, nearly snapping the object in half. His eyes shone with a dangerous, sharp light.
"I'm going to save him."
It didn't matter what the System demanded. It didn't matter what kind of god or monster created it.
In the end, the outcome would be exactly the same.
'The world doesn't need to understand what I'm doing.'
'As long as I eliminate every single obstacle in my way.'
✦ End of Prologue ✦