ã€ŠHollowã€‹


 Where am I?

    A 20 year old Japanese man, named Hayate sato, leaned back in his chair and let out a weary breath. He had been playing his favourite game late into the night, and his eyes were heavy with fatigue. Despite the excitement of the game, Hayate decided it was time to get some rest.

    Hayate was playing a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) that had just released just a year ago back in July of 2023 and had become a global hit almost instantly. The game was an open-world fantasy set in a vast and immersive world, filled with magic, monsters, and adventure.

    Hayate had purchased the game the moment it was released, being an avid lover of video games. He had spent countless hours grinding to reach the maximum level cap of 100, and was currently preparing to take on a special event dungeon. However, feeling weary and tired, he decided to save the dungeon raid for tomorrow.

    Hayate¡¯s PvP (player vs player) skills were decent, and he considered himself to be quite skilled in combat. However, his build was focused on spell casting rather than being a front-line fighter, so he decided it would be best to wait until tomorrow and team up with his friends to tackle the dungeon raid together. The special event dungeon was mid-tier in difficulty, but it had a unique and powerful reward that made it worth tackling. The dungeon was not particularly challenging for experienced players, but the reward at the end made it a highly sought-after event. Hayate knew that he needed to team up with his friends to have the best chances of completing the dungeon and claiming the special reward.

    Hayate was determined to obtain the special reward from the event dungeon, as it was only available for a limited time. He was a collector at heart, and he wanted to add it to his collection before the event ended and the opportunity was lost forever.

    Hayate stretched out his limbs, feeling the tension release from his muscles after being hunched over his computer for so long. He glanced around his dark room, the soft glow of the screen on his computer being the only source of light. He squinted at the clock on his desk and saw that it was nearing midnight.

    With a weary sigh, Hayate reached out and turned off his computer, the soft hum of the machine fading into silence. He leaned back in his gaming chair, adjusting his position until he was comfortable. As he settled in, he closed his eyes and allowed his body to relax, preparing himself for a much-needed rest.

    After a minute Hayate slowly opened his eyes, expecting to see the familiar surroundings of his room. But instead, he found himself in a completely different place. Confusion and disbelief washed over him, and he quickly sat up, taking in his surroundings.

    Hayate found himself standing in an endless wasteland, devoid of any signs of life. There were no trees, water, animals, or other humans in sight. The ground beneath his feet was dry and parched, and it was currently snowing, but instead of the familiar white snowflakes, the snow was a dark brown colour. The sky was obscured by a thick layer of what appeared to be ash and smog, making it difficult to tell the time. The air felt heavy and polluted, and Hayate could distinctly smell the foul stench of pollution and decay.

    Hayate¡¯s mind was swimming with confusion and disbelief as he tried to make sense of his situation. ¡°What had happened? Where was he? Was this some kind of dream, or was he actually in this strange and desolate place?¡± He took a step forward, his feet crunching on the dry ground beneath him, and looked around, trying to find some clue as to where he was or how he had gotten there.

    Taking a tentative step forward, Hayate felt the dry, crunchy ground beneath his feet. It was so unlike the soft soil he was used to, and every step he took sent up a cloud of pale brown dust. The sky, or what could be seen of it through the blanket of smog, was an eerie grayish-brown color, and the air was thick with the scent of decay. He shuddered, feeling a sudden sense of unease. This place was just...wrong.

    Hayate looked down at his hands, his eyes widened as he realised something impossible. The items that adorned his hands, the legendary glove called the ¡°glove of the All Seeing Eye¡± on his left hand and the 5 legendary rings he wore in each of his fingers in his right hand with their passive skills, were all taken straight out of his game. How could they be here, in this strange place with him?

    He took a moment to process this bizarre sight, his mind struggling to come to terms with the unexplainable.

    Hayate stared at the items on his hands, completely dumbfounded. This couldn¡¯t be happening, it had to be a dream or some kind of hallucination. He spoke out loud, his voice filled with disbelief.

    ¡°What the hell...? How do I have these items from the game on me right now? Am I going insane?¡±

    He pinched himself, hoping that the pain would wake him up from whatever strange nightmare he was in. But the sharp sting of his pinched skin only confirmed that he was wide awake. The items on his hands remained, the ¡°glove of the All Seeing Eye¡± and the five legendary rings, all as real as they were in the game.

    Hayate finally looked down at his body and arms, realizing that he was clothed in the same robes and clothes he had last worn in the game. The fine, silk-like fabric of the robes felt smooth and cool against his skin, a stark contrast to the dry and dusty air surrounding him. He examined the intricate designs and patterns on the cloth, all faithfully reproduced from the in-game appearances of each piece. It was as if he had been literally transported into the game itself.

    He was clad in a set of richly layered silken robes, the fabric a deep jet black with silver threading that wove its way through the fabric in intricate patterns. His boots were made of soft leather, dyed a dark grey to match the robes, and fit perfectly, as if they had been made for him specifically. In addition, all of these items were either legendary rank or lesser- legendary rank items.

    Hayate couldn¡¯t believe his eyes. These were items he had spent countless hours grinding and raiding dungeons to obtain in-game, and yet here they were, adorning his body as if they had always been a part of him. The whole situation felt surreal, as if he had stepped into a nightmare.

    ¡°I must be losing my mind,¡± he muttered to himself, running a hand through his hair but he felt something hard brush his hand.

    His hands reached up to his head, and he gasped in surprise as his fingers brushed against hard, curving surfaces on either side of his forehead. Horns. He had horns.

    Hayate¡¯s mind reeled in disbelief. In the game, he had chosen to play as a demon character, and thus had customized his character so he always had horns. But now, it seemed that he too had the same pair of horns adorning his own head.

    He gingerly traced his fingers along the smooth, hard surface of the horns, feeling the ridges and curving shapes beneath his touch. The sensation was uncanny, and he quickly pulled his hand away, as if touching the horns would make this all seem more real.

    But there was no denying it. He wasn¡¯t just wearing the same clothes and gear as his game character. He had become his game character, down to the very last detail.

    Hayate¡¯s heart thudded in his chest as the reality sunk in. The horns, the clothes, the gauntlet, the rings it was all too much to dismiss as a coincidence. He was the spitting image of his game character, in both appearance and equipment.Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

    He stumbled backward, his mind racing as he tried to understand what had happened. Was this some sort of freak accident? Had he somehow been magically transported into the game? But there wasn¡¯t any location like this in the game as far as he remembered.

    Hayate took a deep breath, shaking his head, trying to concentrate. ¡°Okay, so I was playing the game, about to raid a special event dungeon with my friends. I logged off, and then... I woke up here.¡±

    He looked around at the bleak, empty wasteland around him. There were no signs of life, no buildings, nothing but dead and decayed ground and dark, dark sky.

    ¡°What the hell happened to me?¡±

    Hayate took a deep breath, to calm his racing mind. He needed to know if this was truly real or just a hallucination. The only way to find out was a test. He curled his hand into a fist and aimed an punch straight at his own stomach.

    The impact was instant, and a sharp pain shot through his abdomen. He gasped in shock, doubled over from the sudden surge of pain.

    ¡°Yep, that hurts like hell,¡± he gritted out.

    Hayate clutched his stomach, the ache from the punch slowly fading into a dull throb. But the pain was confirmation enough that he wasn¡¯t hallucinating or dreaming. He definitely wasn¡¯t imagining this entire thing.

    He slowly straightened upright, wincing as the movement reignited the pain in his stomach. ¡°Well, that¡¯s one theory disproved,¡± he muttered.

    Hayate looked up and noticed that the snowfall had increased, the dark brown snow starting to pile up around him. It should¡¯ve been a frigid, freezing hellscape, but he didn¡¯t feel a thing.

    He thought back to the unique properties of the items he was wearing. One of his rings, a legendary rank item, it had a passive ability that granted him immunity to all temperatures, both cold and hot.

    In game, this meant that he would be unaffected by hypothermia or freezing or heatstroke status effects in extreme cold or hot environments.

    Now, as he felt not a single shiver or chill in spite of the snow piling up around him, it felt strange to be room temperature or normal temperature when it was snowing and supposed to be cold. He couldn¡¯t help but marvel at the fact that the game¡¯s properties had somehow carried over into reality. The ring¡¯s passive ability to grant immunity to temperature had, for some reason, become a real-life effect.

    With that realization, another question popped into his mind ¨C just how many of the game¡¯s properties had transferred over into the real world?

    He reached up a hand, idly rubbing his chin as he pondered just how many more abilities might have become real. Could he fire off magic spells, or regenerate health by simply sitting still for a moment?

    The thought was exciting. He had no idea to what extent the game¡¯s characteristics had been brought into reality. He thought about the spells he had learned in game. He had mastered the maximum number of spells ¨C 500 to be exact, which a player could learn. In the game "hollow" there were a total of 5000 spells, of which any max level mage had the capability to learn 500 of. This included powerful offensive spells, defensive spells, and support spells.

    But now that he was in this strange world, he wondered if he still possessed the knowledge of those spells. Could he cast them with the same ease and precision as in the game?

    Hayate pondered over the question. In game, He had assigned the main spells to hotkeys, making it easier to quickly cast them in battle. For other spells, he would simply click on their icons. But now that he was in this world, how would he perform the spells? There were no icons to click on, no hotkeys he could easily press.

    He tried imagining casting a fireball spell, picturing it in his mind, But nothing happened. He felt a little silly standing there, making silent hand motions, but he was determined to figure out how to cast his spell.

    Hayate focused his mind, he shouted put the name of the spell ¨C [Fireball] while He imagined a ball of fire in his mind, thinking about the heat of the flames and the bright orange and red colors.

    [Fireball] was a straightforward and beginner-friendly tier 1 spell within the magical arsenal of mages. It is typically learned by beginner spellcasters when the game, usually falling within the range of level 5 to 10. Utilizing this spell requires expending 1mp, making it relatively inexpensive in terms of mana consumption. When cast successfully, it deals a modest yet useful 2 hp of damage, which can be supplemented with a 5% chance of inflicting the ¡°burned¡± status effect upon the enemy.

    A surge of energy coursed through him, and suddenly a ball of fire materialised in his hand. It hovered above his skin, the flames flickering and casting a warm glow on his face.

    He was in awe at the fact that simply speaking the spell name had made it happen. It was incredible, and he tried to tamp down his excitement so he could continue his experiments.

    As Hayate stared at the fireball in his hand, he realized the small problem. He had no idea how to extinguish it.

    He began to panic, waving his hand wildly in an attempt to dispel the flames. But no matter what he tried, the fireball didn¡¯t go away.

    ¡°Crap, crap, crap,¡± he muttered under his breath, trying to remain calm. ¡°How the hell do I put it out?¡±

    He took a deep breath, trying to collect his thoughts. He had to stay focused if he was going to put out the fire. He remembered reading somewhere that fire couldn¡¯t burn without oxygen. If he could take away the oxygen, the fire should go out, right?

    With this idea in mind, he began to fan his other hand over the fireball, trying to blow away the oxygen around the flame.

    Hayate realized how silly he looked, fanning his hand frantically over the fireball like a madman. He quickly stopped, feeling foolish. No, he had to be more practical about this.

    He took a moment to focus, trying to feel the energy in his hand. It was like a current of electricity, coursing through his veins and powering the fireball. He tried to shut off that energy flow, severing its connection to the fireball.

    With a burst of effort, he managed to halt the flow of energy. The fireball slowly fizzled out, leaving his hand empty and unscathed.

    Hayate breathed a sigh of relief, glad that he had managed to extinguish the fireball without harming himself. As it dissipated, he was left with the stark realization that the energy needed to cast spells was his own.

    ¡°So, that was my mana,¡± he muttered, looking down at his hands.

    He had never had to think about it in the game, as it regenerated quickly and automatically, but here it may be a limited resource. Just how much mana did he have? How many spells could he cast before he ran out?

    These were important questions, but he shelved them for now. Right now, he needed to focus on more pressing matters. There was still so much about this strange new world that he didn¡¯t understand.

    Anyways, he was still relieved to remember that the game¡¯s rule applied here as well, meaning he didn¡¯t need food, water, or sleep which is due to the fact that since he is a higher demon and it¡¯s one of his racial benefits he got after he upgraded his race. He also enjoyed the benefits of his afore-mentioned legendary ring who¡¯s passive abilities have him immunity to the temperature. That gave him at least one less thing to worry about.

    But as he scanned the bleak, empty surroundings, he realized that staying here indefinitely was not an option either. He had no idea how he got here, or how to get back home. That, he knew, had to be his top priority.

    But where would he even begin? He had no idea where he was, no map or guide to show him the way. He was completely alone in this desolate place, with no sign of civilization or help in sight.

    Hayate tried to remember any event that could¡¯ve led to this, but nothing came to mind. One moment, he was playing the game, and the next he opened his eyes to wake up here. Something had clearly gone wrong, but he had no idea what it was.

    As he racked his brain for clues, he noticed something strange. Off in the distance, there seemed to be a faint glow on the horizon, barely visible against the dark sky. He squinted, trying to make it out. Without any other clues or leads, he decided to head towards that faint glow. Maybe it would lead him somewhere, or give him some answers.

    He started walking, each step kicking up brown snow beneath his feet. The dry, frozen wasteland was devoid of any life, and the only sounds were the crunch of the snow and the whistle of the cold wind.

    As he walked, he kept his eye on the faint light on the horizon, trying to make out what it could be. Was it some kind of structure, or a natural formation? He had no idea, but it was the only landmark he had seen so far.

    As Hayate continued walking, a thought struck him. He had wings! Why was he trudging through the snow when he could just fly?

    He stopped in his tracks, looking at his own back. Yes, there they were, a pair of dark, leathery wings, folded neatly against his back. How could he have forgotten about them?

    With a surge of excitement, Hayate unfurled his wings. The feeling was unfamiliar but also somehow natural, like he had always had these wings.

    He gave a few experimental flaps, lifting himself a few feet off the ground. He wobbled a bit, but quickly gained balance.

    As Hayate flew, he felt a bit unsteady, like he was going to crash into the ground at any moment. But he quickly found out that it was all about balance.

    He lowered his altitude, preferring not to risk a crash and learning the skill properly. It was almost like learning how to ride a bicycle, balancing and maneuvering his body to maintain stability.

    As Hayate flew, memories of his childhood came rushing back. He remembered the time when he was a young boy, learning how to ride a bicycle. It had been a challenging endeavor, with a few falls and scraped knees.

    But his dad had been there, helping him and encouraging him. He remembered the feeling of pride when he finally managed to keep his balance and ride the bike without any help.

    Now, as he tried to keep his balance in the air, it was like a flashback to that time. The feeling of uncertainty, the wobbly balance, the fear of crashing, he felt it all again.

    But there was no dad guiding him this time, no one to catch him if he fell. He was now alone, all alone. earning how to fly like he had once learnt how to ride a bicycle ¨C all by himself.

    ¡°What did you once say to me, dad. Oh yeah..just close my eyes and have faith in myself.¡±

    Hayate whispered the words to himself, remembering the advice his father had given him. With a deep breath, he closed his eyes and focused on the sensations around him. The feel of the wind against his skin, the sound of his wings flapping, the feeling of his balance slowly improving.

    He didn¡¯t need a dad to hold his hand this time. He had faith in himself.

    As he opened his eyes again, Hayate was pleasantly surprised to find that he was flying perfectly now. The balance he had struggled with before was now natural, and he was maneuvering in the air with ease. The sensation of flying was nothing short of exhilarating. It was like a rollercoaster ride, with the wind rushing past him and the feeling of weightlessness as he soared. He found himself grinning like an idiot, enjoying this more than he thought he would.

    He decided to test his limits, swooping lower to the ground before pulling up suddenly and shooting back up into the sky.

    The feeling of adrenaline was incredible. He could get used to this, he thought to himself

 The futuristic city

    Hayate spent the next hour flying towards the distant light he had seen earlier. As he neared it, he realized that what he was seeing was not a natural formation, but an artificial one.

    As he got closer, the magnitude of the thing in front of him became clear. It was a massive city, encased in a clear glass dome. The size of the place was incredible, almost overwhelming. The wall surrounding the city was at least twenty meters tall, made of some unknown metal.

    Hayate circled above the city, trying to take in everything he was seeing. The place was like something out of a futuristic sci-fi film, except it was right here, in front of him.

    The city was alive with lights and activity, but it was all contained within the confines of the glass dome. He could see people moving around, their forms appearing tiny from his vantage point.

    He descended, his feathery wings fluttering as he aimed for a spot near the city wall to land.

    Hayate decided to land a couple hundred meters from the city. He found a withered tree off to the side and touched down quietly behind it.

    He tucked his wings close to his body, the feathery surface folding neatly. He wanted to observe the city for a moment. He glanced around, noting the lack of coverage here. He leaned back against the bark of the tree, taking a moment to steady his rapid heartbeat. From this distance, the city seemed even more imposing. The glass dome sparkled in the artificial light, contrasting to the it¡¯s dark surroundings.

    As he looked closer at the city wall, something caught his eye. Mounted at regular intervals along the wall were what appeared to be automatic turrets. They were small, sleek, and looked deadly.

    Each turret was equipped with a rotating barrel, presumably loaded with some kind of ammunition. All of them were unmanned, possibly fully automatic.

    The sight of the turrets made him feel a bit un-safe. They seemed very advanced and looked like they could do a lot of damage.

    He wondered why a city would be heavily fortified like this, with unmanned turrets guarding the outskirts. It almost made the place seem like a prison.

    Hayate spoke to himself quietly, thinking aloud. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s to protect the city from bandits? Criminals probably run freely in a wasteland like this, so the fortifications could be to kill them.¡±

    He wasn¡¯t sure if that theory was correct, but it was all he could come up with.

    Hayate then thought, would bullets harm him? In the game, his character was immune to any physical damage; bullets did piercing damage, so he theorized they wouldn¡¯t hurt him. But he wasn¡¯t sure and definitely didn¡¯t want to test it.

    The last thing he wanted to do was find out the hard way that bullets could indeed hurt him. And even if they didn¡¯t, he didn¡¯t want to give the people any reason to shoot at him.

    If he tried to waltz into the city right now, he would definitely attract some unwanted attention since Hayate stood tall, his stature imposing. Standing at 7 feet (210 cm) with a broad frame, one could immediately tell that he wasn¡¯t fully human. His wings extended from his back, the feathery membranes spanning a good six feet (180 cm) on either side of him. They were black as night, shimmering with an otherworldly sheen.

    His eyes were a deep blue, but they were slitted like that of a reptile. His face was menace, the horns protruding from his silken pitch black hair adding to his fearsome appearance.

    He mumbled to himself, thinking aloud. ¡°I can¡¯t just go in there like this. They¡¯ll question my identity, my appearance, everything. I need to figure out a way to get inside without drawing too much attention.¡±

    As Hayate was contemplating his options, a thought struck him. He remembered one of the spells at his disposal: true invisibility.

    [True Invisibility] was a spell of Grandmaster-tier (Tier 5), capable of rendering the caster completely invisible. It hid the caster¡¯s appearance, any sound they made, their heat signature, and even their mana presence. It was a powerful spell that had saved him more than once in the game.

    It had a cost of 5 mana points (mp) per 30 seconds, and its counter was another spell, [True Sight], which could detect anyone hidden by [True Invisibility] or any other invisibility spell but he didn¡¯t need to worry about it right now.

    With this spell, he wouldn¡¯t have to worry about attracting unwanted attention. He could move around incognito, observing the city without being detected.

    Focusing his mind on the spell. ¡°[True invisibility]¡± he said, and a thin veil of magic washed over him.

    The air around him shimmered for a moment and then he was completely invisible, even to himself. The spell had worked.

    Standing now behind the withered tree, he knew that no one would see or hear him unless they also had the ability to see through magical concealment.

    With a burst of confidence, Hayate stepped out from behind the tree and began walking towards the massive city wall. He was now completely invisible, his presence masked by the spell.

    As he walked, he glanced down at his feet, noticing that even his shadow had disappeared. The spell was more thorough than he had expected. He also noticed that he wasn¡¯t leaving any footprints. The lesser legendary ranked boots he was wearing, the ¡°Boots of the Wanderer,¡± had the passive effect of not leaving any footprints along with giving him the ability to walk on both water and lava in game.

    Along with being completely invisible, he now also had the added advantage of being untraceable by footprints in the snow.

    He approached the exterior city wall, taking in his surroundings. The wall was massive, rising at least 20 meters into the air. It stretched as far as he could see in both directions, entirely circling the city and from the wall rose up the glass dome.

    Hayate looked up at the wall, he realized it was no ordinary barrier. It was the foundation for the massive dome that covered the entire city. It was essentially a wall and a foundation for the dome, all in one.

    The wall was not just tall but also thick, made of some material he couldn¡¯t identify. It looked as solid as it was formidable. It would be difficult to scale or penetrate this barrier from the outside.

    He sighed and walked alongside the wall, he finally reached the entrance to the city, a large gate that allowed entrance onto a road. The road was made of asphalt, but time had taken its toll on it. The pavement was rough and bumpy, showing signs of wear and tear from years of use.

    The road was clearly man-made, standing out in contrast to the wasteland around it. It stretched out leading towards the city inside the dome and further away from the city to other area¡¯s.

    He then turned his attention to the gate. The gate, standing at an imposing 10 meters tall, was made of smooth, black metal. There were no obvious openings or handles on it, making it seem almost seamless. Looking at it, Hayate had the distinct feeling it could take a direct hit from a tank and still stand without a scratch.

    He stood there, staring at the gate. His face a mixture of awe and slight irritation.

    ¡°Damn, talk about overkill,¡± he grumbled to himself, eyeing the colossal gate.

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    From where he stood, he was unable to see any hint of a control mechanism or a way to open the gate. The black, smooth metal surface seemed to mock him, daring him to try to breach it.

    He let out a frustrated sound. There was a spell back in the game that would allow him to move through solid objects, but he hadn¡¯t learned it. He kicked a pebble at his feet in annoyance.

    ¡°Idiot,¡± he cursed at himself under his breath. ¡°Why didn¡¯t I learn that spell?¡±

    He took a step closer, inspecting the gate closely. There had to be some way to open it, right? Just his luck that it was a solid slab of metal without any visible seams or handles.

    Hayate considered his options. He could use a legendary or mythical rank spell (tier 6-7) like [Dragon god¡¯s wrath] to blast his way through, but that would definitely not be low profile. The sound alone would likely alert everyone within the city to his presence.

    He shook his head at the thought. As much as he didn¡¯t like it, he needed to find a more discreet way in.

    Hayate¡¯s ears perked up as he felt the ground shake beneath him. He turned back to look at the road and saw nothing, but then a moment later, the air shimmered, and what appeared to be tanks materialized in front of him. Tanks, 4-5 of them, materialized out of thin air. Their forms shimmered for a moment, before becoming fully visible.

    The tanks were large and menacing. Each one stood tall at around 10 feet, their width reaching 14 feet. Their gun was a massive 36 feet long, and the hull stretched to 30 feet. Their sharp yet sleek form was accentuated by the thick metal armor that covered them, paint in a dull grey, almost blending into the ashen grey snowy environment surrounding them.

    Each tank had rounded corners and smooth lines, giving it a sleek, aerodynamic look. On the front section, Instead of the expected massive gun, each tank was equipped with a colossal railgun, topped with an automatic machine gun.

    What struck Hayate the most was the lack of windows on the tanks. They were completely opaque, their thick metal hulls hiding away their internal mechanisms, meaning anyone looking at the vehicle head on would only see an impenetrable wall of metal.

    The only protrusions visible were small road lights, currently turned off, embedded into the tank¡¯s frame.

    It was clear that these were not ordinary tanks. Their design, combined with their size and weaponry, hinted at a level of technology and functionality far beyond what he was familiar with.

    As the tanks moved forward on the road, they left deep tracks in the old asphalt and snow beneath them.

    Hayate stood there speechless as he looked the tanks over, his heart thudded in his chest.

    ¡°These aren¡¯t just normal tanks,¡± he mumbled to himself. ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure humans live around here, but these things...¡±

    He paused, studying the metal hulls more closely. ¡°No windows...no visible crew...are they using hidden cameras or...are they unmanned?¡±

    As Hayate observed the tanks, a thought crept into his mind. He recalled reading somewhere that they were working on making things as unmanned as possible.

    His mind then latched onto a fragment of a memory, some old quote that he couldn¡¯t quite place. ¡°With the power of a bow and arrow, you could kill without even being there.¡± He recalled the line faintly, ¡°and the conclusion was That this is the end of bravery.¡¯¡¯

    It wouldn¡¯t be too much of a surprise to him if these were truly fully unmanned.

    To satisfy his curiosity he decided to check if they really un-manned or not, Hayate whispered the words of the spell. [Detect]

    The spell, a master rank (4th tier), allowed him to detect mana signatures or hear signatures of anyone within a 100 meter radius. It costed 10 m.p. and lasted for 2 minutes.

    As he cast the spell, he watched closely. But there was no change in his surroundings. No mana or heat signatures, no sounds. Just silent, cold air.

    He looked at the tanks again. Still, no mana/heat signatures.

    They really were unmanned.

    Hayate was a bit fascinated. These tanks were operating without any human presence, either remote or direct control.

    ¡°Autonomous war machines...¡± he murmured to himself.

    The tanks¡¯ autonomous nature reminded Hayate of golems he had encountered in the game.

    Golems, back in the game, were versatile creatures made from various materials. Whether it was clay, stone, or metal, the quality of the material used directly influenced a golem¡¯s strength. To create a golem, you needed to first gather the necessary materials, and of course, a core.

    There were four different tiers of monster cores, ranging in rarity. These cores were the key to making a golem truly come to life. While temporary golems could be summoned, they were inherently weaker than their crafted counterparts. The crafted golems, unlike the summoned ones, were permanent until they were destroyed.

    Hayate¡¯s thoughts were interrupted as the tanks rolled closer to the gate, stopping right in front of it. The gate trembled briefly, and then slowly began to open. The sound of metal scraping against metal filled the air, the gate slowly sliding open to reveal a massive opening into the city. The tanks rolled in first, their hulking forms gliding through the opening like they were made for this.

    Hayate, still invisible, began to carefully follow the tanks as they moved inside the city. He kept a safe distance, ensuring that he wasn¡¯t too close to any of the tank¡¯s.

    As they crossed over the threshold into the city, his heart hammered in his chest. He was now inside the confines of the dome. Now inside the dome, his eyes widened in awe at the sight before him.

    A wide road ran straight ahead Directly from the gate before branching out into four different directions, marking the beginning of the city itself. The area was a condensed urban jungle, with tall, high-rise buildings stretching up towards the domed sky.

    Hundreds of lights illuminated the area, bouncing off the tall buildings and creating a glittering, artificial night. Flying cars buzzed through the air above, barely making a sound, while hovering vehicles silently glided along the roads, carrying people to various destinations.

    But what truly drew Hayate¡¯s focus was the sight of humans, going about their business.

    The people bustling around were a mix of different ages, races, and genders. Some were dressed in simple clothes while others wore more futuristic-looking outfits. Their looks accentuated by various modifications. A few even had what looked to be cybernetic enhancements.

    A glance around the corner showed a plethora of small shops and businesses, with lights and holographic signs advertising goods and services that seemed straight out of a sci-fi novel.

    Despite the cold temperature outside, the area within the glass dome seemed warmer, the city¡¯s own microclimate working to maintain a comfortable temperature

    The air within the dome city was not only warmer but breathable, too. The reason was twofold: the heavy smog that blanketed the outside world prevented any sunlight from reaching the surface for the past 20 years, keeping temperatures consistently low. In winter, they dropped even to 0¡ãC.

    To counteract this, the city was littered with heaters, and the dome itself was equipped with air filtration systems. Though they hadn¡¯t been cleaned in the last two years, they still ensured breathable air, making it unnecessary for people to wear masks.

    Feeling no change in temperature due to his supernatural immunity, Hayate paid no mind to the city¡¯s internal heating. His body, as usual, maintained a consistent 35¡ãC, unaffected by the external environment.

    But he did register the difference in air quality, breathing in and feeling the air clearer and fresher than it had been outside. This minor comfort was a welcomed relief.

    Hayate¡¯s heart leapt for a moment as he observed the humans walking past. The realization that this city was likely on Earth confirmed his suspicions, and for a split second, he felt a flicker of relief. But just as soon, he reminded himself not to let his guard down. Yes, he was on Earth again. But in what era? What year was it? And what kind of circumstances had led to this urban hellscape? Even if this was Earth, the implications were huge. The technology, the city itself, and the seemingly ordinary people going about their lives ¨C it all pointed to some major event or development that he was clearly missing.

    Had a war happened? Some kind of global catastrophe? Or was the world simply in the midst of a technological revolution he had yet to witness? He thought

    He turned his head and in the corner of his vision saw an advertisement. The first thing he noticed was the holographic 3D ad that hovered in mid-air. It was a level of technology he had only seen in fiction. But then he noticed something else, something that made his heart skip a beat.

    The ad was in Japanese. Japanese script and language filled the screen.

    The holographic ad was a sight to behold, hayate¡¯s eyes winded as he read what was written on the screen. The words ¡°Model 6 super lung pack¡± were plastered across the screen, accompanied by a picture of a metallic lung embedded in a mechanical rib cage.

    ¡°Tired of feeling winded?¡± the ad asked, ¡°Struggling with smog and pollutants?¡±

    ¡°Introducing the 17L super lung pack,¡± it continued, ¡°With 2 hours of onboard stored oxygen, perfect for a contained or low oxygen environment.

    The ad then proudly boasted ¡°Introductory price: £¤191,270,636¡± and promised an easy payment option.

    To top it off, the tagline in the bottom read ¡°Take a breath of fresh air whenever you want ¡ª live longer, live stronger.¡±

    The price listed took his breath away.

    £¤191,270,636!

    And that was an ¡°introductory price¡±

    Hayate couldn¡¯t help but shudder. The value of money seemed to have inflated to astronomical heights. The cost of a ¡°Model 17L sup..whatever it was¡± was nearly two hundred million yen, as an introductory price. What did that say about the rest of the city¡¯s economy? Did people really have that kind of money to spare? Or was this a symbol of wealth disparity, with the rich able to spare astronomical sums on luxury items while the rest had to survive in a smog-filled world.

    Inflation aside, the price being in yen and the ad being in Japanese solidified Hayate¡¯s thoughts. The city, the people, the language ¨C it all seemed pointed towards one conclusion. He was in Japan.

    But the thought brought with it more than relief. He frowned, looking around at the futuristic city once more. Yes, he was home. But what had happened to his home? What had transformed it into this wasteland.

    Meanwhile the tanks rumbled forward, the crowd parted quickly to let them pass. However, one elderly man was not quite quick enough to get out of the way. Caught in the path of the tank, he was knocked to the ground with a sickening crunch.

    His body fell to the ground, his bones clearly shattered. The tanks trundled on indifferently, and strangely, not a single person paid any attention to the old man who was now writhing on the ...ground in agony. They merely continued on with their day.

    This was not the Japan he remembered.

    The apathy and indifference of the people towards the suffering of another was mind-boggling to him. He remembered a time when people would rush to help the elderly, to assist those in need. But here...it was as if lives didn¡¯t matter. He wanted to reach out and help, wanted to offer the man some sort of comfort or aide. But something held him back. Perhaps it was the fear of drawing unwelcome attention to himself at a time like this. To reveal his concern, to help, would risk putting him in danger. After all, who was he but a stranger in a land which is now foreign to him.

    Hayate, after letting out a silent sigh, continued onwards along with the crowd. He watched as the tanks lumbered to the intersection, the massive vehicles turning right as they rumbled forward. He walked up to the same intersection, following the tanks¡¯ path. But he turned left instead, wanting to explore the area that the tanks were not going into.

    He took in the sights of the city. Despite his initial surprise at the change in his surroundings, he was starting to adapt. The city was alive with activity. There were no trees or greenery that he could see, just concrete and metal. Everything seemed geared towards efficiency. There were no parks, no open spaces. Just building after building, and people moving about quickly and efficiently.

    There were no trees, no plants, no wildlife.

    No birds, no insects. Nothing to break the monotony of the endless metal structures. It was as if nature itself had been banished and replaced with cold, hard steel and machinery.

    He thought about the smog, the contaminated air, and how it could have killed off all the plants and animals outside the city dome. Perhaps it was due to a pandemic, a biological weapon that had destroyed all life in the world. Or maybe it was a war, a war gone horribly wrong, resulting in a nuclear wasteland.

    But as he walked, he realized that speculating on the cause was almost as futile as trying to count the numerous holographic ads that surrounded him. What he needed was information. Real information about what had happened in the world, not wild theories based on personal observations and guesses. He realized that speculating on the cause was almost as futile as trying to count the numerous holographic ads that surrounded him. What he needed was information. Real information about what had happened in the world, not wild theories based on personal observations and guesses.

    Hayate paused, his footsteps faltering as a thought occurred to him. He had been walking blindly, taking in the sights and sounds of the city. He needed information. The kind that only someone local would have. He needed to find someone and talk to them, ask questions, gather information. The problem was, finding the right person to talk to. Who could he trust? Who would have the answers he needed?

    An idea suddenly came into his mind. Mind control magic.

 Mind control

    Satoshi Takano, a lean and slender man in his mid-20s, walked through the streets of the city with a weary gait. His pale complexion and messy black hair gave him a somewhat disheveled appearance, but his sharp eyes betrayed an intense focus that hinted at a mind always working overtime.

    The uniform he wore ¨C the standard black outfit of a salaryman ¨C did nothing to hide his obvious fatigue. The long hours at the office had taken their toll, leaving him drained. Despite the late hour, the streets were quite busy. People hurried about, each engrossed in their own thoughts and concerns. But Takano hardly paid any attention to the lively activity around him. His mind was occupied with the day¡¯s work, the endless hours spent at the office, and the mountain of pending tasks that waited for him back at his desk.

    He pulled out a small electric ciggerate from his pocket, flipping open the top and pushing a button next to his finger on the bottom to make it live, he drew deeply on it, letting the vapour inside to fill his lungs.

    Takano worked at a so-called ¡°black company¡±. These kinds of companies were known for their exploitative practices. Overworking employees, paying less than minimum wage, long hours, no overtime pay, and very little to no annual leave. It was a far-too-common practice, but Takano¡¯s company was among the relatively ¡°better¡± ones. Better in the sense that they didn¡¯t force him to work for more than 12 to 14 hours a day.

    However, that didn¡¯t mean his job was any less taxing. The workload was always insane. Deadlines were impossible. And the stress was always at an all-time high.

    He often worked overtime, without pay, just to meet those damn targets. He didn¡¯t have a choice, it¡¯s not like switching companies would help. All companies were more or less the same. Black companies were the norm, not the exception.

    There were however 2...no..3 so-called ¡°good¡± companies, the ones whose names were constantly floating around when people talked about finding a stable job.

    But applying to those companies was like trying to find a needle in a haystack. They were always filled, and when a vacancy did occur, the competition was so fierce that even your education and qualifications barely mattered. Thousands, sometimes tens of thousands, would apply to a single position. The perks, of course, were worth the effort. Working for one of those companies would give you a chance to live in the city of paradise for the wealthy, an arcology.

    An arcology where all your needs were met. Where crime was almost non-existent. Where pollution was a thing of the past. But those companies were more like an exclusive club. Only the best of the best got in, and even then, it was more about who you knew rather than what you knew.

    Takano, like most people, had applied to these companies numerous times. But every application was met with the same, disheartening reply ¨C ¡°We regret to inform you...¡±

    Working there was like a dream, a dream which was as attainable as breathing in space. He was stuck in this corporate hellhole, like many others, just trying to make ends meet and survive one day at a time.

    Takano muttered to himself as he walked, his voice filled with annoyance and exhaustion

    ¡±Unpaid overtime. Again.¡±

    He grumbled under his breath, the anger boiling within him. Today marked the 10th day in a row where his boss had forced him to stay back late without extra pay. The long hours, the stress, and the lack of recognition were starting to wear him down. The thought of yet another night spent at the office, just to meet his boss¡¯s unreasonable demands, filled him with a sense of frustration.

    ¡°I swear, if this keeps up, I¡¯m gonna quit,¡± he mumbled, half to himself and half out of sheer irritation. The thought of quitting was quickly dismissed as takano¡¯s face turned into a grimace.

    He took another long draw of his electric cigarette, the vapour filling his lungs. The nicotine provided a small but temporary sense of relief, numbing the frustration and anger that bubbled within him.

    ¡°Yeah, right,¡± he muttered to himself, ¡°like quitting is even an option.¡±

    Takano knew how life was like for the poor and homeless from stories he¡¯d heard, the images he¡¯d seen, all pointed to one reality: the third-tier cities were a living nightmare for the poor.

    Crime was rampant, law enforcement was a joke, and poverty was the norm. Those who ended up there were more often than not, doomed to a life of misery and despair. The thought of that hell-hole was enough to make him stay in his crappy office job. Sure, the unpaid overtime sucked, the stress was unbearable, but the alternative was just too terrifying.

    Takano glanced up at the sky, or atleast what should have been the sky but it was blocked by the dome surrounding the city, a pang of annoyance washing over him. The sky was filled with 3D advertisements, ranging from formal-looking to downright anime girls. He couldn¡¯t stand the sight of them, the endless ads playing throughout the night and into the morning. The day sky was always hazy at best. He¡¯d never seen, let alone remembered, what blue sky or the sun looked like. He had only seen it in old videos or video games.

    The concept of sunshine and the open sky was as foreign to him as life outside the city domed cities. He had never known what it was like to breathe fresh, untainted air.

    Takano¡¯s thoughts shifted to the one thing that gave him solace after a grueling day at work, his ¡°girlfriend¡±. But she wasn¡¯t your typical partner. She was a robot designed to mimic humans down to the last detail. She had internal organs and an artificial intelligence that was so advanced, it was nearly indistinguishable from a real person. Such robots were a common sight these days. With the population declining rapidly, the demand for artificial companionship was on the rise.

    People no longer had the time to build relationships, to fall in love. They preferred the convenience and reliability of robots. Takano was no different. Sure, his relationship with the android wasn¡¯t real in the conventional sense, but she provided him with comfort and company, much like a real girlfriend would. And as for children, Takano knew the drill. If he ever wanted a child, all he had to do was visit a lab and give his sperm. It would be then placed in an artificial womb, and after nine months, a healthy baby would be born. The whole process was automated and quite simple.

    There was no need for a partner, no need for the messy complications of a real relationship that could end in disaster. He could have a biological child, a piece of himself, and not have to worry about the other aspect of relationships.

    And as for a mother figure in the child¡¯s life his girlfriend could exactly be that. Takano¡¯s ¡°girlfriend¡± wasn¡¯t just any ordinary robot. She had access to a vast database of information, including millions of videos and documents about how to be the perfect mother. She could easily be that ideal mother figure, a loving and caring woman who knew exactly what a child needed and how to provide it.

    It was a dream come true for many, to have a ¡®partner¡¯ who could fill the role of a mother so flawlessly. Takano counted himself lucky to have such an advanced companion.

    Takano thoughts were interrupted as he felt a sudden sensation of being watched, a feeling of unease washed over him as he glanced around, but he saw no one. The road he was walking on was nearly deserted, and the eerie silence only amplified his sense of solitude. He quickened his pace, wanting to reach his home in the downtown area. The rent there was cheap, but the downside was the constant fear of crime.

    He often heard stories of muggings and assaults happening at night, even in the relatively safe areas. He just wanted to reach home, to feel the safety and security of his apartment walls. Takano power-walked, instead of sprinting to not be suspicious. But as the hair on the back of his neck stood on end, a strange wave of dizziness overcame him.

    His mind began to fog, and he felt himself slipping into unconsciousness. No matter how hard he fought to stay awake, the lost his consciousness and everything went to black.

    ______________________________________

    Hayate was stationed in an alley, keeping an eye on the road. He had casted the [detect] spell, monitoring the heat signatures of the people passing by. He had used it to check if anyone else had any m.p too but no one seemed to have it so he was just stuck using it for its body heat detection function for now. He was waiting for a lone person to pass by, someone easy to target without any suspicion. His plan was to mind control them, extracting the information he needed. It wasn¡¯t the most ethical method, but he saw it as a necessary means to an end even though it went against his moral compass.The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

    Hayate took a deep breath, steeling himself for what he was about to do. His mind was filled with guilt and unease, knowing he was about to intrude into someone¡¯s mind and control them against their will. But he pushed those feelings aside,

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± he whispered to the universe, apologizing to the person he was about to control. ¡°I hope you forgive me for doing this.¡±

    The apology did little to soothe his conscience, but Hayate steeled himself, knowing he had a job to do. He watched as a lone figure approached, their heat signature being visible to him through the walls.

    Before the actual person came in front of his view, he casted two more spells just to be on the safe side. The two spells Hayate casted for additional layers of protection were [Emergency translocation] and [Magic Nullification Field].

    [Emergency translocation] was a mythical rank/7th tier spell, it¡¯s effect was that it automatically teleported the caster 100m away from their current location if they took any damage be it magical or physical within 150 seconds of the spell being cast. [Magic nullification field] was a 6th tier/legendary rank, small AOE spell with an area of 10m, it formed a barrier around the caster which extended to 10m from the caster in all 4 directions, it nullified any magic below 6th tier/legendary rank for 60 seconds.

    Upon casting both spells, Hayate¡¯s body was momentarily enveloped in a red glow, indicating the success of the spells. Following this, a green circular barrier materialized around him, extending 10 metres in all directions. The barrier was translucent and served as a visible indication of the spell¡¯s activation. Hayate smiled, feeling relieved that he had successfully cast both the 6th and 7th tier spells, which served as fail-safes for him. He had also noticed a slight feeling of tiredness setting in, and he attributed it to the high mana cost of the spells. The [Emergency Translocation] had cost him 30 MP and the [Magic Nullification Field] had used up 25 MP.

    Hayate mused to himself, realizing that the amount of magic power he used directly correlated to his exhaustion level. He noted that he¡¯d have to be cautious about casting too many high-tier spells, considering the fatigue that came with them.

    Fortunately, he had two passive abilities from his items, ¡°The Ring of Envy¡± and ¡°Supreme Sorcerer¡¯s Ring,¡± which reduced his magic power consumption by a combined total of 40%. But back in the game any passive buff or any buff spells that stacked was Halved, so for the first one you will get the original amount and then for the second one it will be ¡°X% of buff/2¡± so instead of a 40% reduction in total he only got a 30% reduction. So, instead of the original cost of 30 MP and 25 MP, the spells only used up  21MP and 17MP respectively, a significant reduction.

    In the game, the buff stacking division mechanism applied ONLY to buffs of the same kind, not the first buffs.

    For example, if you casted three buffs that all increased your Strength, then the stacking division mechanism would kick in and the buffs would be halved. But if the buffs were all different ¨C say, one increased Strength, one increased health points and one increased mana points- then the stacking division mechanism wouldn¡¯t apply, and the buffs would be full power.

    The stacking division mechanism worked by dividing the effectiveness of buffs of the same type. For example, if a player casts multiple buffs that each increase their strength by 20%, the buff stacking division mechanism would take effect and divide the effectiveness of each buff by 2. This means that instead of receiving a combined total buff of 60% (20% + 20% + 20%), the player would only receive a buff of 36% (20% + 10% + 6 %). This mechanism is designed to prevent players from stacking too many powerful buffs at once.

    Back to hayate, he observed his target, a lone man in his mid-twenties with a pale complexion, a typical Japanese face, and a lean frame. The man was hurrying down the street, dressed in the standard outfit of an office worker. There was no one else nearby, the perfect victim.

    Utilizing his [Detect] spell once again, Hayate confirmed that there was no sign of any magical abilities present in the man. Perfect.

    Hayate¡¯s mind was made up. He was going to cast a [Dominate] spell on this lone, unassuming office worker. The spell¡¯s purpose was to enable him to control the man¡¯s mind, thus allowing him to extract all the information he needed. However, Hayate harbored some doubts about how effectively the spell would function in this real world setting.

    The [Dominate] spell was categorized as a Master-rank, or more specifically, a 4th tier spell. It worked in the game world thusly; when cast on an adversary, they had the ability to resist the domination effects if they had a counter-spell, a magical item that granted resistance to mind magic, or if they were innately immune.

    It consumed 8 points of MP while in its operational state. Upon successful utilization, the target individual would lose all ability to counteract or move, while the caster would be empowered to access the target¡¯s stats, possessions, and inventory.

    On monsters, the spell¡¯s implementation was slightly different. Once employed on a monster, it would result in the monster succumbing to the player¡¯s control, thereby permitting the player to utilize the subjugated entity in combat against other adversaries.

    The spell itself operated with a time limit of about 2 minutes, making it ineffective against opponents with superior levels. Consequently, it was more commonly employed during the late-early to middle stages of play. The only reliable methods for negating its effects were through possession of specific Items or knowledge of counter-spells. Alternatively, raising one¡¯s ¡°int¡± stat significantly could reduce the spell¡¯s success rate or even render the target immune to its effects.

    Hayate focused his gaze towards the man in the standard office worker attire he had identified as his target for the [Dominate] spell. Knowing the spell¡¯s parameters, he considered the possible counter-measures and realized that the man would most likely have nothing to counter it. Having confirmed the man¡¯s status with the [Detect] spell and established the absence of any magical abilities or mana, Hayate was confident that the likelihood of the man possessing any counter-measures was low to none.

    The coast was clear, and he had made his decision.

    Hayate focused his entire attention on the unassuming office worker and said the activation phrase of his spell, [Dominate]. Instantly, the man froze in his tracks, succumbing to the effects of the spell. Hayate could feel a connection between himself and the man, as well as a small depletion of his MP.

    A satisfied smile tugged at the corners of Hayate¡¯s lips.

    ¡°it worked...¡±

    Hayate couldn¡¯t help the sense of accomplishment welling up within him. Despite his doubts a moment ago, the spell had worked flawlessly. He observed the now controlled office worker. The man stood motionless, expressionless. The spell would keep him frozen in place until Hayate released it or the spell duration wore off. Time to question him.

    Hayate focused his mental command over the controlled office worker, silently commanding him to enter the dark alley where he was stationed. As Hayate¡¯s thought projected into the man¡¯s mind, he obediently shuffled towards the mouth of the dimly lit alley.

    As the man stepped through the transparent green barrier, Hayate felt a wave of reassurance. He was now truly safe from any attacks. Hayate took a moment to observe the man, sizing him up. His gaze was penetrating, and then, without any preamble, he started firing questions at the man.

    ¡°What year is it?¡±

    The controlled man¡¯s voice replied, his tone flat and devoid of emotion.

    ¡°It¡¯s 2109¡±

    Hayate¡¯s eyes widened imperceptibly. The year was 2109, a whopping 85 years into the future. Though he had anticipated a possibility like this, the reality of it still caught him off guard. Hayate took a moment to process this information before continuing his questioning, wanting to get a clearer picture of his surroundings, he asked.

    ¡°What country and city are we in?¡±

    ¡°we are currently in Japan, in the capital city called new-tokyo¡±

    As the man confirmed that they were in Japan, specifically Neo-Tokyo, Hayate felt a mix of emotions. He was excited that he was still on earth in his homeland but time difference sunk in. The realization that it had been 85 years since he left his time..and his parents, who were in their 40s when he left, would likely have passed away by now.

    Hayate¡¯s eyes darted back and forth, his usual composure slipping from his grasp. As he sat on top of a pile of trash, he felt the rough texture underneath him. The dirt and grime of his once-pristine robes were the last thing on his mind now. His breath hitched in his throat. His parents were most likely dead.

    He clutched his head with one hand, fingers digging into his scalp and the base of his horn¡¯s. He expected something akin to this but still to think everyone he knew would be and probably is gone hit him hard. Parents, friends, colleagues..all of them would be long dead by now.

    ¡°Dad was 43, and mom was 41,¡± he thought. ¡°They¡¯d be 128 and 126 now. That¡¯s nearly impossible. They¡¯re ...dead.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll most likely never see my mom and dad again..¡± he thought, his chest feeling heavy with grief and loss. ¡°They¡¯ll never know what happened to me. They¡¯ll never know I¡¯m here..in the future.¡±

    Then Hayate thought about the fate of his original body. There were several possibilities. Perhaps his body had died or succumbed to a coma. Alternatively, his consciousness might have seamlessly replicated into this body. The idea that he might be a clone, but with the original still lingering in the past, left him feeling cold.

    In his heart, he hoped to the gods that such a scenario was not true. To think that his body, his real self, might still be existing in the past, while he was here, just an almost perfect clone..it was a thought he couldn¡¯t bear to entertain...he..was not a copy..he was himself..he was hayate sato.

    He shook his head to dispel these thoughts, trying to regain his composure. He knew he had to focus on the task at hand, he couldn¡¯t let his emotions get the better of him. ¡°Mom..dad..I¡¯ll try my best..no..i will come back to you.¡±

    No matter what he said deep down, Hayate recognized the lies he was telling himself. He was being a hypocrite...a weak, hypocritical liar. And yet, for now, he ignored that fact. As he stood up, he brushed off the dirt and dust from his now stained robes. Then, with a deep sigh, he turned his attention back to the controlled man in front of him. The questions continued...

 Trouble in Yokohama

    Hayate stood in an old, crumbling room, the air around him thick with tension. Ten men, their faces obscured by black suits that covered them from head to toe, were aiming their guns directly at him. The men¡¯s grips on their guns tightened as they took in Hayate¡¯s appearance. He was a towering figure, easily 7ft tall, while they were small by comparison.

    His eyes, deep blue with vertical, silted pupils that seemed to glow with a reddish hue, pierced through the darkness. Sitting atop his head were two black horns, and his ears were pointed. He was clad in richly layered silken robes of dark jet black, threaded with intricate silver patterns, his entire appearance exuded power and wealth. His black boots, made of soft leather dyed in a dark grey match, fit him perfectly, as if tailored specifically for him. Rounding off his appearance were the five rings glinting on his right hand and the shining silver glove of his left hand, featuring an eye on it. He also had black feathery wings.

    The men¡¯s nerves were on end, and their natural instincts were screaming at them. All their basic instincts were telling them the same thing ¡°Run! Get out of here!¡±

    They weren¡¯t just intimidated; they were utterly terrified by the overpowering aura of the demon-like creature standing before them. It was unnatural and dangerous on every level. They couldn¡¯t explain why, but every fiber of their being cried out ¡°RUN!¡±, it was like standing in the presence of a deity. The primal fear of facing a superior being was overpowering, their bodies tensed, and their faces paled. They tried to keep their fingers steady on the triggers of their guns, but the tremors betrayed their terror. Before the men¡¯s shaking fingers could make a move, Hayate¡¯s deep, sonorous voice cut through the air.

    ¡°If you want to leave this place alive, I suggest you answer my questions,¡± he intoned, his voice heavy with authority.

    ?

    [A few hours ago]

    Hayate had finished his interrogation of the man, the spell [Dominate] expiring. He now had a general understanding of the current world.

    Hayate had discovered that some 75 years ago, a third world war had torn through the planet. The war, which had run from 2030 to 2050 and was fought with nuclear weapons, had left the world in chaos and famine due to blocking of the sun rays by radioactive fallout. He had learned that the Japanese people, suffering from a largely inactive government during this period, had been saved by three companies that had extended significant aid to the people, thereby gaining complete control over the country. They were known as the Kusonoki conglomerate, Ishimaru industries and the nagata technologies. It was thanks to these companies that the Japanese people had been able to survive and rebuild in the aftermath of the devastating war. As a result, these company had come to gain significant influence and power within the country, to the point where they were practically the ones running it.

    The Japanese authorities had apparently become more a facade than anything, with the true power being concentrated in the hands of these three corporate giants. The companies provided the infrastructure, resources, and means of production, thus effectively ruling over the populace in all but name. As Hayate leaned back against the cold alley wall, he remembered a novel he had read in his teenage years. The plot of the book was eerily similar to the current situation in Japan, where corporations had practically taken over the country.

    ¡°This is just like that book,¡± he thought, a frown on his face, ¡°Companies controlling the government and everything. What a mess...¡± his frown deepened as he once again thought about the current state of Japan. It was absolutely astonishing to him that the Japanese government had become so incompetent that three corporations were basically running the country. It was almost as if they had simply given up on trying to control their own affairs and had simply given over the reins to the corporate world. He shook his head on disbelief.

    ¡°How the fuck did the government become so incompetent that companies managed to take over the country like this?¡± he felt irritation and anger at the incompetence and lack of leadership that had allowed this situation to occur. Hayate was sure that had he been in control, he would never have allowed such a situation to happen. Hayate then reprimanded himself as he felt he was getting a little too side-tracked.

    ¡°Focus, idiot¡± he muttered to himself.

    Why did he have to start thinking about running a country now of all times? It was the farthest thing from a priority at the moment. he mentally repeated the priority goal in his head over and over ¨C ¡°Find his parents¡±.

    ¡°No....i really should stop lying to myself...My parents... are dead¡± he thought forcefully to himself. There was no point in fooling himself into thinking otherwise. They were gone, and no amount of wishful thinking would change that fact. He took in a deep breath, his shoulders slightly sagged as the realization fully sunk in. The pain was sharp and raw, but facing the truth was better than living in a false hope. He was now fully aware that looking for his parents would only lead to disappointment. Well there was one way though.

    Hayate knew of the [True Revival] spell, a mythical rank (7th tier) spell that could revive any being that had died and also negate any detrimental effects. However it cost 40MP to use and required a fresh corpse. Hayate knew that by this time his parents¡¯ corpses had decomposed. Even if that wasn¡¯t the case, it was also impossible to know exactly where they were buried. It was a hopeless endeavor to even think of such a plan.

    [True Revival] was an extremely powerful spell, ranked at the mythical level (7th tier), possessing the ability to resurrect any individual, irrespective of the circumstances of their passing. However, the spell¡¯s capabilities didn¡¯t end there. It didn¡¯t just revive the person, it also completely negated any negative effects such as curses or stat reductions. In terms of cost, the spell consumed a significant amount of mana, at 40MP per use. In hollow, the penalty for death was significant. Not only would all items be lost, but players also received a 10-level reduction. However, the spell could negate these losses if used correctly. If a player was dead and their body was still present within 10 minutes, casting [True Revival] could completely remove the penalty. However, this would still result in them dropping all their items. It was important to note that the spell could still be effective even after the 10-minute window. However, under this circumstance, the spell only mitigated a portion of the penalty, resulting in a 2-level reduction instead of a full negation and all of their items would still be lost and were free-for-the-taking by anyone who stumbled upon them.

    Hayate also considered the fact that this plan was inherently selfish. It was a good outcome for him, but did his parents even want to be revived? After all, they had most likely lived full and happy lives and passed away in peace. He knew it was wrong to subject them to such an ordeal simply for his own gain. He had to respect their passing and move on.

    Hayate sighed deeply, his eyes feeling a little numb from the weight of his sorrow. He wiped away the tears with the sleeve of his robe, and leaned back against the cold hard wall. ¡°What now..¡± he pondered the question out loud, feeling a sense of helplessness. He had no idea where to go or what to do next.

    Hayate considered the idea of finding his extended family but quickly dismissed it. They wouldn¡¯t recognize him even if he did managed to track them down. He wasn¡¯t in his original body and he had never been particularly close to them.

    Even when he was alive, he had barely spoken to his extended family. They had always been embroiled in petty feuds and disputes. It was unlikely that they would provide any comfort or support for him in his current situation.

    Hayate then thought about the possibility of reuniting with his childhood friends. Though it was a long shot, they had a better chance of being alive than his parents since they were all around 18-19 years old. Even if he did manage to find them alive, what the hell would he tell them?

    ¡±Hey guys, remember me? We used to play games together 85+ years ago, but then I was playing the game and woke up in my in-game body 85+ years into the future...¡±

    It was just too ludicrous. The mere thought of trying to explain that to his friends was almost laughable. It was highly unlikely that they would believe such an absurd story. They would probably just think he was delusional or crazy. And even if they did manage to believe him, what then? What could he hope to accomplish by reconnecting with them?

    It was just a pointless endeavor. No matter how he looked at it, there was no point in reconnecting with friends from 80+ years ago. Hayate had been gone so long that any connection he had once had with his friends was most likely gone. Even if he were to track any of them down, the relationship they once had would not be the same. 85 years was an incredibly long time and it would be foolish to think that he could just waltz back into their lives like nothing had happened .

    Hayate sat back and exhaled deeply, feeling frustrated.

    ¡°What am I even doing here, thinking about all this crap..?¡± he muttered to himself

    Hayate realized that he couldn¡¯t really lead a normal life like this. First and foremost, he was completely clueless about the current Japan. All he had were basic facts about the events of the past decades. Secondly, he had no documents to prove his identity to the government. And let¡¯s not forget his appearance, which needed to be concealed constantly using [True Invisibilty] and that wouldn¡¯t last forever. Even if people initially mistook him for a cosplayer, the truth would soon become evident. Hayate sighed once again laid down on the cold ground, he felt a wave of sadness wash over him. He attempted to maintain his composure but tears began to roll down his face. Despite not feeling the cold through his passive l ability, the emotional chill he felt was overwhelming.Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

    He had been desperately repressing his emotions since the moment he was transmigrated, trying to stay strong and rational in the face of countless surprises. But now, he could finally let go. Hayate let the tears flow freely as he lay there. He didn¡¯t care about looking strong or composed anymore. Right now, all he felt was a deep sense of loneliness and despair. No one was around to see him anyway, except for the cold, uncaring night. And so he cried, for the entire night.

    ______________________________________

    [A few hour''s ago]

    Two men were talking in an office. The office was a study in luxury. It was painted completely in white, with a soft red carpet covering the floor. Soft white lights were embedded in the ceiling, casting a warm glow across the room. In the middle of the room sat a large table made of oak. A blue chair was pulled up behind it, facing a massive ceiling-to-floor window. Multiple holographic screens hovered just above the table, illuminating the area. There was also a tiger skin hung on the wall. Whoever owned this place clearly wanted everyone to know they had money, lots of it. And the extravagance of the room made it very clear that they spared no expenses.

    Sitting in the chair was a very corpulent individual, sporting a massive double chin and a stomach that appeared ready to burst at the seams. He was dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit. Standing on the other side of the table was a much leaner man, dressed in a blue suit. Both men were clearly Japanese.

    The old man leaned back in his chair and spoke in a dismissive tone. ¡°There have been some unwanted individuals causing damage to our facilities in Yokohama¡±.

    He rolled his eyes and let out an exasperated sigh, clearly annoyed by the situation. He took a sip from a tall glass of water on the table. ¡°thus they need to be eliminated,¡± he said bluntly.

    The younger man listened quietly, his face betraying no emotion.

    ¡°I understand..we.. could increase security presence...,¡± he began calmly.

    The old man cut him off impatiently, ¡°No, no. I don¡¯t want more armed men strutting around and causing more headaches. I¡¯ve had enough of this already¡± he gestured dismissively. ¡°Get rid of them permanently and just give the media some money to spread some fake-stories about their disappearance¡± he continued angrily.

    The younger man nodded, his expression still neutral. He knew better than to argue with the old man, especially when he seemed so angered.

    ¡°As you wish,¡± he replied, ¡°I will make the necessary arrangements.¡±

    The old man grunted in agreement, his anger slowly subsiding. He leaned back in his chair, letting out a satisfied breath.

    ¡°Good. See to it that it¡¯s done soon. I don¡¯t need anymore problems like this¡± he said coldly, waving the younger man off with a dismissive wave of his hand.

    As the younger man turned to leave, the old man suddenly spoke up:

    ¡°Wait,¡± he said, his tone harsh, ¡°before you go, bring me some pizza from downstairs. Mushrooms, pepperoni, extra cheese¡± he ordered.

    The young man paused for a moment, caught off guard by the sudden request. But he just nodded obediently. ¡°Of course, sir ¡° he replied, bowing his head slightly.

    He then turned and left the room.

    The young man¡¯s name was Suzuki Ishikawa. He was a calm and composed individual, known for his unflappable demeanor and professional attitude. Ishikawa was born into a moderately wealthy family and his father was a powerful businessman, giving him access to several connections in the corporate world.. He was the type who knew how to get things done efficiently and without argument. He was often the go-to person for the old man, handling his every command with a calm and steady demeanor.

    Suzuki Ishikawa sighed as he hurried down the flights of stairs, grumbling under his breath.

    ¡°Damn that bastard..¡± he muttered angrily.

    He worked for the Kusonoki Conglomerate, specifically in the transportation sector. The old man who just gave him orders was his boss, the head of the Transportation department. Suzuki usually had no issues working on his instructions, but sometimes he just couldn¡¯t stand the way he talked to him and other employees. His boss was a gluttonous buffoon, always demanding things to be done his way and never listening to any suggestions from the employees.

    Ishikawa reached the employee cafeteria and placed an order for two large pizzas ¨Cmushrooms, pepperoni with extra cheese for the old man and a simple cheese pizza for himself. As Hiroshi waited for the pizza, he activated the neural interface in his brain by saying ¡°power on.¡±. The digital interface was only visible to him, and thanks to the neuro-chip implanted in his brain, he was able to connect to the internet instantaneously.

    A pair of smart contact lenses, projected the digital interface right in front of his eyes. Through these lenses, he could access information from the internet without the need for physical devices like phones or tablets. The technology was compact, convenient, and had practically made traditional phones obsolete. Thee lenses also allowed him to see various information such as files, emails, memos and much more. Hiroshi began looking through some reports on the conglomerate¡¯s activities. There were several files on the recent issues in Yokohama. They also contained several reports on the individuals that the old man had ordered him to dispose of.

    ¡°Those are the targets..¡± he whispered quietly to himself, as he perused the information.

    As Hiroshi perused the information on the files, he realized that the individuals they had to ¡®take care¡¯ of were just ordinary people. They were likely petty criminals, not even worth looking into.

    ¡°Tch, I don¡¯t even need to look at this...¡± he muttered under his breath, shutting the files closed.

    He then proceeded to check some e-mails, waiting for the pizza to arrive.

    Among several e-mails were some reports on the damage caused to Kusonoki¡¯s equipment in Yokohama. The damage had been significant. With a frustrated sigh, Hiroshi read through the reports. The damage to the equipment¡¯s was quite significant, and would require a good amount of time to repair and replace. On top of that, they would have to pay the media to cover up the news and make sure it didn¡¯t go public and then arrange some people to make fake-news about the disappearance of these people he was gonna order the killing of.

    As Hiroshi considered the logistics, he remembered that the underground supersonic rail was under construction, so they would have to use the road to reach Yokohama. The road passed through the ruins of the old-tokyo ¡°Damn, they¡¯ll have to go through the ruins..not only will it be more vulnerable that way but it will also take much longer,¡± he muttered to himself.

    The supersonic train line was a massive project funded by all three megacorporation¡¯s for a very fast means of transportation throughout Japan. Most parts of it were already operational, except for the section leading to Yokohama, which was under construction. The line was composed of sleek passenger capsules or cargo capsules, which were housed within an underground vacuum tube on a cushion of air. These capsules would travel at top speeds of over 1236 km/h, powered by nuclear fusion batteries. When complete, the line would allow quick and efficient travel across the entirety of Japan, making it an incredibly reliable mode of transport.

    It was a marvel of technology, but the current issue was that until the construction was completed, people had to use the old roads to reach Yokohama. These roads went through the ruins of old-tokyo, which was still very much unsafe to travel through, it wasn¡¯t because of the remaining radiation there was another reason. Slums. Old Tokyo was home to a massive slum, which now resembled a third tier city. Although the radiation levels had long since returned to normal, the main problem was the presence of gangs and violence in the area.

    However, the mega-corps were fully prepared to deal with any potential issues. High ranking officials had been kidnapped in the past, prompting the hiring of a private military group. The group had made quick work of the gangs there, eliminating almost half of them. Since then nothing of sorts had happened. The gang leaders had realized the futility of getting into skirmishes with the companies, and a sort of truce had been established. It was still a seedy, crime-ridden area but not as dangerous as it had been before. At least, not for important company representatives.

    Hiroshi closed the e-mail just as the pizza was delivered. A robotic waiter, a humanoid with a smiling plastic face and a black uniform, placed the pizza on the table. ¡°There you go, sir,¡± the waiter robot said with a mechanical voice, its plastic face still smiling.

    Hiroshi thanked the waiter-robot as it placed the pizza down. He took the two boxed pizzas, one cheese and one pepperoni.

    ¡°Thanks, that should be all,¡± he said, waving the waiter off. It bowed slightly, ¡°Of course, enjoy your meal sir,¡± it replied before leaving. As Hiroshi waited for the pizzas to cool off, he considered his next task: calling the cleanup team to send to Yokohama. To do so, he mentally initiated a call, connecting through the neurochip in his frontal lobe, which he had installed a few months ago. He heard a soft beep in his earpiece, signaling the connection.

    On the other side, he heard the voice of a man answering. ¡°Hello, this is Kazu hiroga¡±

    ¡°Hey, Kazu, it¡¯s Hiroshi. I have a job for you,¡± Hiroshi spoke inside his mind, his inner voice converting into sound and then traveling through his earpiece to the other man¡¯s ear

    Kazu replied, ¡°Sure, what¡¯s the job?¡±

    ¡°We need some...ah... cleaning up in Yokohama,¡± Hiroshi answered casually, as if discussing the most normal thing in the world.

    There was a moment of silence from Kazu¡¯s side. ¡°I see,¡± he said, his tone calm and composed. ¡°What kind of cleanup are we talking about here, Hiroshi-san? Kidnapping, murder?¡±

    ¡°Murder,¡± Hiroshi replied bluntly. ¡°A group of people. They¡¯ve been causing us problems.¡±

    There was a brief pause from Kazu, but his tone remained the same. ¡°Got it. I can take care of it. I¡¯ll come to your office within the next hour and we should be able to reach tokyo an hour before dawn, from then it will only take ten minutes or so to go to Yokohama.¡±

    Hiroshi agreed, ¡°Sounds good. See you then.¡± He then ended the call and picked up the two boxes full of piping hot pizza, the smell of melted cheese and pepperoni reaching his nostrils.

    He then walked through the luxurious corridors and reached the door to his boss¡¯s office. Hiroshi knocked on the door twice before pushing it open. He immediately found himself staring at that fat-old man, who was eating some ice-cream. ¡°Ah, I¡¯ve been waiting,¡± the old man said, eyeing the pizza hungrily. ¡°Is that my pepperoni pizza?¡±

    ¡°Yes, sir. Here you go,¡± Hiroshi said as he walked over and placed the box on the table before him. He then opened it, revealing the steaming pepperoni pizza.

    As the old man inhaled the smell of the pizza, he asked, ¡°Have you ordered the clean-up?¡± His voice was casual, as if asking about the weather.

    Hiroshi nodded slightly. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ve talked to Kazu. He¡¯ll be here within the hour and we¡¯ll reach Yokohama just before dawn.¡±

    ¡°Good,¡± the old man said, grabbing a slice of the pizza and shoving it into his mouth. ¡°I don¡¯t want any of these problems messing up our business in Yokohama.¡±

    ¡°It won¡¯t, sir,¡± Hiroshi assured him, ¡°Kazu will take care of them, I assure you.¡± He paused briefly, watching the man devour the slice of pizza with gusto. Watching the man eating, he thought it best to add one more thing. ¡°By the way, sir, I think I¡¯ll be joining them as well. Just to oversee things.¡±

    The old man paused for a moment, regarding Hiroshi with a look of slight surprise. But then, he chuckled and shook his head. ¡°Sure, go ahead.¡±

    ¡°Thanks, sir,¡± Hiroshi said, slightly taken aback by the man¡¯s easy approval. He figured that having the direct subordinate of one of the higher-ups there would ensure everything went smoothly, especially since he was a trusted associate.

 Home sweet home

    (80 minutes before dawn)

    Hayate¡¯s eyes were red and swollen from his constant crying. He felt exhausted, physically and emotionally. The night had been a long and torturous one, spent in a cold alley road, crying his heart out. Now, after what felt like an eternity, he had finally managed to stop crying. He lifted his head, his face a mess and his eyes puffy and red.

    He was sitting now, his back leaning against the rough wall behind him. His breathing was ragged, his body trembled slightly, but he felt a sense of numbness now that the tears had stopped. He closed his eyes and leaned his head back, letting the air wash over his face. He sat there and started muttering to himself. ¡°What¡¯s the point...what¡¯s the point of any of this...¡± he knew he had no money, no possessions, nothing.

    He didn¡¯t know how anything worked in this future, he didn¡¯t even have a human body anymore. He was homeless and had nowhere to go. His parents and friends...they were most likely...no, he didn¡¯t want to think about it.

    Hayate let out a shaky sigh as his mind went towards his friends. He began listing them in his head. ¡°Ryu...Sato...Mitsui..Ayano...Kizuki...Toshio...Taro...Naoko...Tomoka..Masami...Haru...Yuki..¡±

    Each name filled his head with memories of laughter, fun, and camaraderie. Those were times of innocence and carefree play. He thought about his parents

    ¡°Father...mother....¡±

    The thought of them, their faces, their voices, brought the tears back to his eyes. He bit his lip to try and stay composed. ¡°Tetsuya sato...Ayako sato...¡± those were their names.

    Hayate let out another shaky sigh as he thought about what lay ahead. He knew that later, he would most likely search for them just to satisfy his curiosity. Even if they were gone, he had to know what had become of them. Hayate then began mulling things over. What could he do in the meantime?

    A thought crossed his mind ¨C going back to his home. It was a good idea, as it was the one place where he might find some familiar grounding. Of course, there was no guarantee that his home was still there and in good condition, but the thought of trying was better than just roaming the streets.

    Hayate considered it for a moment and decided to proceed with it.

    As Hayate stood up, he looked down at his robe¡¯s. It was dirty and dusty, covered in the grime from the filthy ground he¡¯d been on all night.

    He absentmindedly brushed off some dirt, but to his surprise, the mud instantly vanished, leaving behind a spotlessly clean robe. This puzzled him for a moment, until he remembered the passive ability his robe had ¨C it could not be cut, torn or even stained by any substance.

    He chuckled lightly as he remembered it.

    ¡°Right, I forgot about this...¡± he murmured to himself.

    He recalled that his robe possessed the ability to never lose its purity and cleanliness. No matter what, the robe would always be clean and in prime condition. Hayate returned his focus to the matter at hand, thinking about how he could get back to his home, he had one idea.

    The [Teleportation] spell ¨C a legendary ranked (6th tier) spell that could be used for instantaneous transportation through any distance, regardless of how far it was. The spell consumed 20 mana per each use, but it was reliable and fast, being able to transport the caster to any chosen location in just four seconds.

    The spell was a god-send for late-game players in the game, given its convenience and efficiency. First of all, it was nearly instantaneous, which was a huge advantage in itself. Additionally, unlike other games, the game had no built-in ¡°fast travel¡± feature, so players had limited options for transport.

    The other options like [Fly], walking or running, and horseback riding paled in comparison to the convenience and speed offered by the [Teleportation] spell.

    It¡¯s why it was highly sought after among high-level players. The devs had been asked why they hadn¡¯t implemented fast travel in the game, and they responded that they wanted players to fully immerse themselves in and explore the game world.

    They believed that fast travel would take away from the experience of discovering new places and facing various challenges along the way. By forcing players to physically travel from one place to another, they hoped to encourage exploration and interaction with the game world, rather than making it just a series of menus.

    Anyways, in hollow, the [Teleportation] spell had a specific requirement ¨C the player could only transport to locations they had previously seen or visited beforehand. However, now that Hayate pondered on the real implications of the spell, a similar limitation likely applied in this new world as well. So, if he wanted to use the spell to go home, Hayate pondered whether he had to concentrate and think of his home in order to properly cast it.

    The thought troubled him a little, since he wasn¡¯t entirely sure of how to visualize his home. But then, perhaps his subconscious memory would act as a guide, helping him mentally pinpoint the location of his home and thereby, successfully teleport there.

    With a sigh, Hayate closed his eyes and began to concentrate on his home. He focused his thoughts on the specific location of his house, picturing it in as much detail as he could. He then spoke the spell quietly.

    ¡°[Teleportation]¡±

    As the word left his lips, Hayate felt a sudden shift in the air around him. He opened his eyes and found himself standing in his old room. It looked exactly as he remembered, with all the familiar furniture and personal mementos still in place. He was back home.

    The room looked desolate and unkempt. Dust and cobwebs covered every corner, clearly indicating that no one had lived in this space for quite some time. It seemed like years, or perhaps decades, had passed since anyone had set foot in this room.Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

    Hayate slowly walked over to his old chair and sat down, ignoring the layer of dust on it. He leaned his head back against the headrest and shut his eyes, reminiscing about the night before. He recalled that he was sitting in this very chair just a few hours ago, before everything changed and he found himself in this new body..before he lost everything.

    Hayate¡¯s gaze slowly opened again, and for a moment, he held on to a faint hope. Perhaps if he closed his eyes tight and reopened them, he would wake up in his own time in the year 2024. But as his vision refocused, reality hit him like a truck, reminding him that he was stuck in this new world, several decades into the future. He let out a sigh, his shoulders slumped in resignation.

    Hayate sat there in silence for a moment, disappointment and desolation written all over his face. He muttered to himself, his voice quiet and resigned.

    ¡°I¡¯m really stuck here...¡±

    Hayate then gazed at his old PC, which had once been a beloved fixture in his room. He attempted to turn it on, but as expected, there was no electricity to power it and it was far too antiquated to function after years of neglect. The PC was broken down and inoperable.

    It wasn¡¯t just the computer that held significance for Hayate. He had spent a whopping 154,567 yen on it, a result of a bet he made with his dad. If he managed to score a 99% in his 12th grade final examinations, his father had promised to buy him a gaming PC. That day, when he achieved that nearly perfect score, and his father kept his word, it turned out to be one of the best days of Hayate¡¯s life.

    Hayate had worked incredibly hard to achieve the 99% mark in his 12th grade finals. He had spent countless hours poring over his books and notes, pushing himself harder than he ever had before. The bet with his father had given him extra motivation to perform well. Hayate had approached his father with the proposal of the bet. With some persuasion and his track record of good grades, he had managed to convince his father to agree to the terms. It had paid off in the end.

    Although Hayate had always loved gaming, he was the last one in his friend group to own a gaming computer. For years, he made do with an old laptop which was so outdated that it couldn¡¯t run most games. Despite this, Hayate¡¯s passion for gaming remained undiminished, and the acquisition of a top-of-the-line gaming PC was a dream come true for him. He thought back to all the times he¡¯d spent watching his friends play all the latest games on their high-end systems, the envy he¡¯d felt as he tried to run the same games on his old laptop with poor performance. Now, he had a PC that could handle any game at the highest settings and he remembered how proud he had been to finally catch up with his friends.

    Another tear rolled down Hayate¡¯s cheek as he remembered all those happy memories associated with his beloved gaming PC. He quickly wiped it away, not wanting to dwell excessively on the past.

    As Hayate stood up from the chair, he looked around his old room. His gaze lingered on the furniture ¨C the neatly made double bed, the bedside table, and a small bookshelf loaded with an assortment of light novels and manga. Yes, Hayate was not just a collector in the game, but also in real life.

    Hayate walked over to his bed and laid down on it, the old mattress creaking under his weight. As he rested his back on it, a cloud of dust billowed up around him. The bed was filthy and unkempt, having been neglected for decades.

    He ran his hand over the old bedsheet, the texture was rough and stiff..it had been so long since he had slept in this bed...he could almost imagine his younger self lying here, buried under a pile of blankets and pillows, playing games on his old laptop.

    Hayate decided to stay in his old bedroom for a bit longer. He wasn¡¯t quite ready to venture out and explore the rest of the house yet. For now, he just wanted to be alone with his thoughts and memories.

    Hayate actually ended up falling asleep, sleeping like a baby for the next twenty minutes, when suddenly he stirred from his sleep, he was immediately woken up by the sound of footsteps coming from downstairs. The sound was unmistakable, someone was actually in the house.

    Hayate¡¯s heart pounded in his chest as the sound of footsteps continued from downstairs. He slowly stood up from the bed, a frown on his face. Tokyo had been abandoned and nuked decades ago, so he had expected the entire area to be devoid of people. So, what was causing those footsteps downstairs? Could it be an animal?

    Hayate¡¯s anxiety levels spiked as he activated the [Detect] spell, his eyes lighting up. Immediately, his vision was filled with the body heat signatures of multiple humans moving towards him. There were ten of them, and they were working together, slowly but steadily climbing the stairs to his room.

    His mind was filled with many questions like Who were these people? How did they get inside his house? And most importantly...were they dangerous? This could well become a dangerous situation. But Hayate wasn¡¯t going to remain idle. Hayate acted fast, he swiftly cast five spells in quick succession to prepare himself for any potential danger. First, he casted [Emergency Translocation], creating a safe escape path for himself if needed. This was followed by [Magic Nullification Field], preventing any incoming magical attacks. Then, he cast [True Shield], to strengthen his defenses further, followed by [EMP] and [sensory deprivation]

    [EMP] was a grandmaster rank (5th tier) spell with an Area Of Effect (AOE) of 30 meters. When activated, the spell would release a potent electromagnetic pulse, producing a substantial burst of electrical energy. This created strong electromagnetic fields that would disable any nearby electronic devices or gadgets within the AOE. The spell was capable of rendering any electronic gadget temporarily useless for about 5 minutes.

    There were various electronics available for players in ¡®Hollow.¡¯ Firearms were one of them, and they ranged from traditional handguns to assault rifles, snipers, and even more specialized weapons like flamethrowers and rocket launchers. The game offered a wide range of customizability options for these weapons, allowing players to tweak their damage output, magazine size, and accuracy stats.

    There were also Mechs, large military-style walking machines equipped with powerful weaponry and designed to act as a moving weapon platform. These could be heavily customized as well, with their stats adjustable by players to suit their in-game needs.

    In the game, there were several counters to players who specialized in certain types of builds, including those who used electronic weapons. One of these counters was the [EMP] spell, the spell that he was using which prevented the use of any electronic weapons that were below the ¡°very rare tier.¡±

    In addition to the previous spells cast, he then called upon [Sensory Deprivation]. This spell isolated the area within a 20-feet radius around Hayate, effectively cutting it off from the outside world. Outside of the AOE one could not hear anything or see anything within the barrier.

    Hayate sat down on the bed, his eyes fixed on the door. He could sense the figures of the humans outside, waiting just behind the door. One of them the door, the door being knocked off its hinges fell down and suddenly, 10 figures, all wearing black suits with their faces covered, rushed into the room. They formed a circle around Hayate, guns drawn and aimed directly at him.

    Hayate stood up straight, aware of his 7-foot height. He splayed out his wings, expanding them to make himself appear even more menacing. He then cast [Fear], a 2nd tier spell that induced a [Scared] effect among enemies below level 15. The spell instantly took effect, causing them to involuntarily experience intense fear in his presence.

    Despite the brave front he was putting up, Hayate was terrified. Never before had someone pointed a gun at him. His heart hammered in his chest, a mix of fear and adrenaline coursing through his veins. But he couldn¡¯t show it, not when he was surrounded by 10 armed men.

    ¡°If you want to leave this place alive, I suggest you answer my questions,¡± he intoned, his voice heavy with authority.

 Journey

    Hiroshi entered his office, closing the door behind him. The room was quite traditional and resembled something more akin to a Japanese den than an actual work space. The walls were painted a soft cream color.

    At the back, there was a painting of a sakura tree. His office, which seemed out of place in the modern building. It had an old traditional Japanese feel to it and resembled a room from an old castle.

    The reason behind this odd choice of decor became evident when one noticed the various paintings and figures that adorned the walls.

    It was nearly four in the morning, and Kazu was soon to arrive. Hiroshi walked over to his desk and sat down, his thoughts were now swirling with the events to come. He had never personally killed anyone before, even though he had ordered plenty of the "cleanup" operations that Kazu had done.

    Hiroshi wasn''t a violent man, at least, not outwardly.

    He had never killed anyone with his own hands. The mere thought left a sour taste in his mouth. But at the same time, he felt no remorse ordering the "cleanup" operations. In his mind, it was just a necessary part of the business, nothing more. He had seen Kazu and his team at work before, and it didn''t bother him much.

    His musings were interrupted by a soft knock on the door. Hiroshi looked up, expecting it to be Kazu. "It''s open," he called out, his tone steady. The automatic door opened and Kazu stepped into the room. Hiroshi was immediately greeted by the sight of the man''s full-black body suit.

    The full-black body suit Kazu was wearing was no ordinary suit. It was crafted from advanced bulletproof material. The suit was made in a single, one-piece design, making it incredibly comfortable and easy to move in. Its pockets, strategically placed, provided ample storage space for various types of items and equipment.

    The suit''s mask was connected to the main body through a pipe, allowing the user to breathe more easily while wearing the suit. The mask itself was completely transparent, offering an unobstructed view of the surroundings.

    The suit also had other advanced features such as an integrated communication system, night vision and thermal vision, and was equipped with a life-support systems including an oxygen supply alongside an in-built heater.

    Kazu had pale olive skin, a common sight in the population of 2109. His body was lean and toned; not overly muscular, but one could clearly tell the man was well-trained, his eyes sharp and alert. His hair was black. He also had a robotic arm which was another distinguishing feature, its sleek metal design giving him somewhat of a dangerous aura.

    It was a full robotic prosthesis, blending metal and synthetic materials in perfect harmony. The arm was slender and flexible, yet it seemed to hold an incredible strength and dexterity.

    The fingers were long and slender, each one moving in precise, almost human-like motions. The outer casing of the arm was a glossy black plastic material, giving it a sleek and modern appearance.

    The elbow joint was flexible and allowed for a full range of motion. The arm also had additional features, such as built-in tools that could be activated with a simple mental command, and its surface had sensors that translated touch into electrical signals, allowing Kazu to feel sensations in a manner that closely mimicked normal touch.

    Kazu came to a halt just a few steps in front of Hiroshi''s desk. He gave a slight nod to him and said with a respectful tone, "Hello, Hiroshi-san."

    Hiroshi, seated behind his desk, returned the nod, his eyes looking Kazu up and down for a moment. "Good to see you, Kazu," he replied, his tone equally calm and serious. "You came quickly."

    "I was not that far," Kazu responded casually as he stood in front of Hiroshi''s desk. "I was in the city of Okayama, which is only about 117km from here. It''s not that far, especially when you have access to a chopper."

    Kazu paused for a moment, his eyes fixed on Hiroshi. "Plus, I was even a bit late."

    Hiroshi took a moment to absorb the information that Kazu had been in Okayama, a city not too far away. The fact that Kazu had access to a chopper, courtesy of the corporation, was unsurprising.

    Kazu''s comment about being even a bit late didn''t go unnoticed by Hiroshi, who raised his eyebrow slightly but didn''t comment on it.

    Instead, he focused on the task at hand.

    "No matter," he replied with a slight wave of his hand. "The only thing that matters is that you''re here now." Hiroshi then followed up with a question, "How long do you think it will take us to get to Yokohama?"

    Kazu replied with a straightforward answer, "It''s fine, actually. We can take the ongoing supersonic train, which is functional here. The journey from Kobe to Neo-Tokyo and then from Neo-Tokyo to Saitama will only take about 25 minutes max. And the remaining 75 kilometers will take no more than 20 minutes by road. That is, if everything goes as planned."

    Hiroshi had used the supersonic train a few times before, so this was not a new experience for him. He nodded in agreement. "Alright, that sounds good. Let''s use the train then."

    Hiroshi had originally considered using a plane instead of a car from the ruins of Tokyo to Yokohama, thinking it would be faster. However, upon checking the weather, he realized that the weather there was not suitable for a plane, so they decided to go with a car instead.

    Hiroshi and Kazu walked side by side out of Hiroshi''s office and entered the elevator. As the elevator doors slid closed, Hiroshi pressed the button for the ground floor.

    The elevator began to descend smoothly. The elevator they stepped into was impressively spacious, and its walls were finished in a mirror-like material.

    A soft, ambient light emanated from the overhead ceiling, providing sufficient illumination to read without the need for glasses. The floor was tiled in a pristine black hue, which perfectly matched the elevator''s interior.

    Furthermore, the elevator employed magnetic levitation technology (or maglev) for its smooth operation. This was achieved through the use of a maglev track that was embedded into the building, with coils strategically placed along the length of the elevator shaft.

    As the elevator continued its descent, the walls of the cabin provided a clear and magnified reflection of Hiroshi and Kazu''s faces. It allowed them to check their appearance without the need for a mirror.

    The elevator was whisper-quiet, and apart from a slight hum, no other noise could be heard. Kazu, leaning back against the wall of the elevator, looked at Hiroshi with a contemplative gaze.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

    He asked, "If you don''t mind me asking, Hiroshi-san, why are you specifically coming with us this time instead of just giving us the orders and relaxing at home?" His voice was casual, but his curiosity was evident.

    Hiroshi, slightly taken aback by the question, took a moment before replying, "Honestly, I just feel like it this time. Is that strange?"

    Kazu raised an eyebrow at Hiroshi''s response, slightly surprised by his reason, but he didn''t push further.

    Hiroshi continued, "Yeah, that''s the reason, honestly. I''m just feeling a little bored and I have a lazy fuck as a manager giving me a headache. It''s a bit tiring to deal with him day in and day out."

    He paused for a moment before continuing, "Plus, joining you guys will give me a bit of a break from all the corporate bullshit. I also want to see the Yokohama office for myself; it''s about time, I guess..i should touch some grass."

    Hiroshi''s last comment, "about time I touch some grass," was met with a puzzled look from Kazu. This popular Internet phrase was quite outdated by now, having faded away as a meme in the early 2050s. Kazu, clearly out of the loop on this particular slang, tilted his head slightly and asked, "Touch some grass? What does that mean exactly?"

    Hiroshi let out a small chuckle upon seeing Kazu''s perplexed expression. He realized that the phrase he used was likely unfamiliar to him. Hiroshi attempted to explain, "Ah, sorry about the outdated meme, Kazu. ''Touch some grass'' was a phrase used by people back in the 2020s. It was basically a way of telling someone that they needed to go outside and experience the real world, instead of being constantly glued to their screens on the internet."

    Kazu let out a burst of laughter upon hearing Hiroshi''s explanation. "Nature... What a funny joke," he said derisively, ""Nature? What nature? We''re surrounded by concrete jungles and pollution."

    He paused for a moment, his expression momentarily turning bitter as he thought about the state of Japan''s environment. "The only ''nature'' we have left is inside those controlled biodomes, and even that''s not real nature. Everything outside is just the aftermath of human exploitation."

    Hiroshi eyed Kazu as he spoke, a tinge of irony in his voice as he said, "You know, I find it interesting that you''re saying all this despite you working for the very people who have caused this."

    He leaned against the elevator wall, his gaze fixed on Kazu, waiting for his response.

    Kazu shrugged nonchalantly, his expression revealing little concern for the larger issue. "Well, I don''t care," he responded, his tone indifferent. "It''s not like we can still change anything at this point. We''re too deep in this mess of pollution and destruction. All I care about is just surviving and living comfortably, you know?"

    He leaned forward, his hands slipping into his pockets. "Besides," he continued, a slight smirk forming on his face, "If working for those people is what allows me to have a comfortable life, then I''ll do it. After all, we all gotta survive somehow, we all are slave''s to money, right?"

    Hiroshi couldn''t help but chuckle at Kazu''s cynical response. "Spoken like a true corporate slave," he quipped, his tone half-humorously, half-sarcastic. Hiroshi shook his head, a playful smile on his face. "but you know, I can''t relate to that whole ''slave to money'' drama." He replied, shrugging. "I was born into a rich family, so I don''t really know what it''s like to struggle. I''ve always had daddy''s money to fall back on, you know?"

    "I guess I''m just lucky that way. I''ve had a comfy life and never had to worry about where my next meal was coming from or how I''d pay the bills."

    Hiroshi briefly paused, his gaze meeting Kazu''s briefly before he continued. "So, yeah, I can''t exactly relate to your struggles, and I can''t pretend to understand the whole being ''enslaved by money'' thing. I''ve always been quite sheltered from all that."

    Kazu chuckled slightly, a wry smile playing on his lips. "Yeah, I bet it must be nice, huh? But hey, I didn''t exactly grow up in a rough environment either. My mom was a single mom, so I didn''t go to school. Instead, I became a corporate lap-dog for money. And I''m good at what I do, so I get paid pretty well. So, what''s the downside, right?"

    Hiroshi and Kazu''s conversation was abruptly cut short as the elevator reached the ground floor with a soft ding. The doors slid open, revealing busy ground floor.

    The ground floor was a massive lobby, filled with floating chairs, 3D shows playing on large screens, and numerous ceiling-mounted heaters emitting warmth throughout the room. The cozy ambience was enhanced by strategically placed fake plants, creating a relaxing atmosphere.

    Just like the exterior, the interior was designed with a modern flair, the walls covered in a shiny black finish that mirrored their reflections. The floor was a polished black as well, matching the walls with a perfect contrast. It was a busy place, with employees quickly passing by. A few security guards stood near the entrance, monitoring the flow of people in and out of the building. The security guards were dressed in suits similar to Kazu''s but much more heavy-duty. Unlike Kazu, these guards were equipped with an exoskeleton suit that completely covered their bodies. This suit was connected to neural chips implanted in their brains, allowing data transfer between the suit and their nervous system. In essence, the suit had become part of their body, enhancing their physical capabilities considerably. It was a remarkable piece of technology, enhancing the guards'' strength while also providing a form of protection against any potential threats.

    Nowadays Most places in Japan that required security had increasingly leaned towards artificially intelli-robot security guards due to their cost-effectiveness. These robots didn''t require salaries or benefits, making them a seemingly attractive option for establishments. The only exception to this was places that demanded higher levels of security, where humans were typically still preferred.

    Japan''s population crisis had become a major concern in recent years, with the population hitting an all-time low of 70 million. The scarcity of manpower had led to a significant increase in the use of robotics in various sectors, as robots were seen as a viable solution to the labor shortage. Many corporations, faced with the challenge of finding enough human workers, turned to AI-powered robots to fill the gap. Tasks previously performed by humans were increasingly delegated to these machines, which were considered more efficient and cost-effective in the current economic landscape.

    The shift towards robotics in various sectors had become a significant issue for the very poor people living in slums. Jobs that provided a meager living for the middle class had become scarce, and even the lowest-paying jobs and manual labor tasks had been taken over by specialized robots. While humans were still required for certain tasks, the heavy Lifting that the poor once relied on for income was now mostly performed by advanced machinery, exacerbating the economic inequalities and making it even harder for the impoverished to find jobs to support their livelihoods.

    Hiroshi and Kazu stepped out of the building, taking in deep breaths of the crisp air. The air quality in this city was remarkable, second only to the famed arcology in Shikoku, where the rich and affluent resided. Hiroshi, who had never been to the arcology himself, had heard from his father about its splendid beauty ¨C a sprawling garden filled with towering trees, serene lakes, and animals frolicking freely, creating a paradise on earth.

    Unlike many other cities in Japan, Kobe was a unique place. It was where the upper middle class and lower rich folks resided, and their financial backing had transformed the city into a mini version of the arcological heaven of Shikoku. The air quality was excellent, the infrastructure was top-notch, and there was a distinct lack of pollution, trash, or graffiti on the streets. The city had managed to maintain its charm despite the decline of the nation, a testament to the wealth and resources of its residents.

    ?

    An arcology, or a vertical city, is a self-sufficient urban structure that combines residential, commercial, agricultural, and industrial spaces into a single, interconnected system. These massive, self-contained structures are designed to minimize environmental impact and maximize efficiency by incorporating advanced technology and sustainable practices.

    The concept of an arcology was first proposed in the 1960s by a visionary architect named Paolo Soleri. Soleri was inspired by the idea of creating self-contained, urban environments that would integrate living spaces, work areas, and recreation areas within a single structure. Soleri believed that such structures would not only reduce urban sprawl but also help humans live more sustainably and harmoniously with the environment.

    Japan was home to only one arcology, situated in the island of Shikoku. A massive glass dome enclosed the entire structure, protecting it from external pollution. Inside the dome, an oasis of unspoiled nature thrived. Parks, artificial forests, and one of the last unpolluted lakes in Japan were among the amenities within. Central to the arcology was a colossal building housing 250,000 people ¨C a sanctuary exclusively for government officials, employees of Japan¡¯s ¡°Big Three¡± mega-corporations, and the wealthy elite.

    In the year 2030, the idea of building an arcology was initially proposed but was promptly rejected. This proposal occurred just before the outbreak of World War III. Following the destruction of Tokyo and the construction of its successor, Neo-Tokyo, the concept of an arcology was reconsidered. The rationale was that the people no longer trusted the government amid the aftermath of the war which lead to riots happening.

    The intention behind building the arcology was to provide a secure and comfortable space for people to respite. However, this plan didn¡¯t pan out as intended. Shortly after, the emergence of mega-corporations led to their complete takeover of Japan within a few years. Consequently, the arcology transformed into a place solely reserved for the elite, the government officials and the companies employees and their families.

    ?

    Hiroshi and Kazu stepped out of the building and onto the street. The sidewalk was relatively empty this time of night, but it didn¡¯t really matter whether it was day or night as Japan¡¯s perpetual smog blocked out the sunlight. The surrounding buildings were brightly lit, bathing the area in an artificial glow, and large holographic billboards and colorful 3D projections filled the night sky.

    Hiroshi, as they walked, turned to Kazu and asked, ¡°By the way, where¡¯s your team? Weren¡¯t they supposed to come along with you?¡±

    Hiroshi¡¯s question hung in the air briefly before Kazu responded, ¡°Oh, they are probably still finishing up some last-minute preparations. You know, gotta keep everything in order before the big raid.¡±

    As just then their conversation was cut-short again as, a flying vehicle, similar in size to a bus, slowly descended onto the road in front of them. Although there was a law prohibiting flying vehicles from landing on the road, the lack of traffic seemed to make this violation permissible. Hiroshi¡¯s corporate influence would likely ensure that any repercussions were handled discreetly.

    The vehicle was a large, futuristic-looking bus-like flying car, its streamlined design giving it a distinctly aerodynamic appearance. The exterior was made of a grey and silver material, reflecting the lights from the surrounding buildings. The vehicle hovered silently above the road, its hover fans barely making a sound. When the side door opened, it revealed a spacious interior, comfortable seating for ten people, and a compact area in the front for their gear. From the open door, Kazu team stepped out.

    The team was comprised of 8 members in total, all of them outfitted in the same exo-suit armour as Kazu. Each member nodded respectfully to Kazu before turning and bowing respectfully to Hiroshi, acknowledging his status.

    As Hiroshi observed Kazu¡¯s team, bowing respectfully in his direction, a flicker of satisfaction crossed his face. Although he wouldn¡¯t openly admit it, there was a small sense of pleasure in having these people show him a sign of respect. Normally, he would be the one bowing in front of his manager whenever they interacted, despite his position as an assistant manager.

    He gave them a nod of acknowledgement and said, ¡°Good to see you all have arrived. Let¡¯s not waste any more time, shall we? So where are we going first?¡±

    Kazu chimed in, taking the lead. ¡°To the train station of course, it¡¯s a private one so no worries about anyone seeing us.¡±

    Kazu¡¯s team filed into the flying car one by one, Hiroshi followed suit, stepping into the vehicle alongside them. The door slid shut with a soft hiss, sealing them in.

 A Monster

    The flying car continued it¡¯s flight, cruising smoothly over the city. Inside, there were a total of 10 individuals ¨C Kazu, Hiroshi, and the 8 members of Kazu¡¯s team. Of these 8, 7 were men and 1 was a female, all comfortably seated inside the spacious interior.

    As they continued their flight, the mood inside the flying car was relatively stagnant. Most of the team appeared bored, gazing out the windows or checking their devices. Kazu and the female member of the team were engaged in a soft conversation, passing the time with soft talk.

    Hiroshi¡¯s eyes wandered to the front seat, specifically to the driver¡¯s seat which lay vacant. He knew that all vehicles these days came quipped with advanced autopilot systems, reducing the occurrence of accidents and fatalities caused by human error. The car smoothly navigated through the air, its autopilot system handling the driving effortlessly. With the advancements in technology, the need for human drivers was obsolete.

    But still, although most vehicles in modern Japan were equipped with autopilot systems, some older police cars still had the option for manual human-driven operation. This was a holdover from previous generations, but it still proved to be useful in certain cases where a human was required.

    Hiroshi, feeling the weariness of the evening setting in, decided to enter ¡°do not disturb¡± mode using the neuro-chip implanted in his brain. This feature allowed him to enter a deeply relaxed yet semi-awake state, perfect for resting without losing awareness entirely.

    As the chip activated, Hiroshi¡¯s body slackened, and his breathing slowed, entering a tranquil doze-like state. Despite his relaxed appearance, he remained partially aware of his surroundings, ready to awaken at a moment¡¯s notice.

    ______________________________________

    Kazu¡¯s attention was fully focused on the lone female member of his team, with whom he was having a light-hearted conversation. There was a subtle affection in his eyes when he looked at her, a clear indication of his soft spot for her. He genuinely cared about her and enjoyed her company.

    Her given name was Sachiko Kobayashi. At just 19 years old, she was the youngest member of Kazu¡¯s team. She was a petite woman, standing at an average height for Japanese standards, with shoulder-length black hair and soft, brown eyes. Despite her seemingly delicate appearance, she was good at sniping, so it didn¡¯t really even matter much. As the only female member of Kazu¡¯s team, it was a bit awkward at times.

    There were a few instances when Sachiko¡¯s presence brought an awkward vibe to the team. For example, in the team¡¯s earlier days, some of the male members would occasionally make inappropriate comments or gestures, not quite used to having a female around. Kazu, sensing her discomfort, would quickly put a stop to it. This was how Kazu and her had bonded at first.

    Kazu talked to Sachiko, a subtle smile on his lips. ¡°You know, you¡¯ve gotten really good at sniping lately,¡± he praised her.

    Sachiko chuckled modestly, her cheeks reddening slightly at the compliment. ¡°Thanks, Kazu. I¡¯ve been practicing a lot.¡±

    Kazu nodded thoughtfully before adding, ¡°Yeah, I can tell. Your precision has improved significantly.

    Kazu¡¯s smile faded slightly as he shifted the topic. ¡°Oh, by the way, there¡¯s something I need to tell you,¡± he said, a serious tone in his voice. Sachiko looked at him quizzically, her intuition telling her that the conversation was about to take a more somber turn. ¡°When we arrive in Yokohama,¡± Kazu began, looking directly at her, ¡°you¡¯ll probably have to kill a few people.¡±

    Kazu was deliberately being gentle with Sachiko since she was the youngest and least experienced member of the team. Normally, he would not mince words, but he wanted to lessen the mental and emotional impact on her. He didn¡¯t want her to get cold feet or hesitate when the situation demanded action. The last thing he wanted was for her to freeze up or make a mistake due to inexperience, which could lead to disastrous consequences for the entire team.

    She nodded, She smiled slightly, albeit a bit nervously, and replied, ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s fine. It¡¯s our job, after all. I¡¯ll do my part, don¡¯t worry.¡±

    ¡°Just remember, your actions reflect on the entire team,¡± he reminded her, his tone firm. ¡°Be careful, but don¡¯t hesitate if you need to take someone out.¡±

    Sachiko nodded and then Kazu looked over at Hiroshi, he saw that the latter seemed to be resting. He was tempted to speak with him about something, but he decided against disturbing him and let him rest instead. Kazu turned back to Sachiko and resumed their previous conversation, discussing various topics to pass the time until they arrived at their destination.

    ______________________________________

    In just a few minutes they had arrived at their destination. The flying car touched down gently on the rooftop of the train station, its hover engines quieting to a low hum. As it landed on a parking lot reserved for flying vehicles. One by one, the members of the team exited the flying car, stepping out onto the rooftop of the train station. The night air was quite cold, being around 8¡ãC inside the city due to heaters being present all over the city. It was fully empty and this was because Hiroshi¡¯s company had gone the extra mile to ensure their mission¡¯s success. He had arranged for the entire train station to be privately rented out for an hour, eliminating the possibility of any disturbances or interference from pedestrians. As they stepped out, Hiroshi¡¯s eyes scanned the surroundings, and then they got ready.

    Hiroshi, Kazu, and the rest of the team walked over to the far right side of the parking lot, where an elevator was located. This elevator would take them directly from the rooftop level down to the train station below. As they approached the elevator, Kazu led the way, pressing the call button. The doors slid open with a soft sound, revealing the well-lit interior of the lift.

    One by one, they entered the elevator, the space feeling rather cramped with so many people inside. However, the elevator was quite roomy, having been specially designed to accommodate more people than usual.

    Once everyone was inside, Kazu pressed the button for the level they wanted to go to. The elevator hummed as it began its descent. And in less than 20 seconds they were down there.

    The elevator came to a halt, the doors sliding open again to reveal the expansive main lobby of the train station. A vast and open space with numerous shops, restaurants and other services available on both sides. There was hardly anyone here, as Hiroshi company had booked the whole place for them.

    As the team made their way down to the ground floor, the few guards stationed there merely nodded in acknowledgment upon seeing them, already informed about their identities and mission. They proceeded further, heading towards the basement level where the trains were located.

    The team stepped onto a escalator leading to the basement level of the train station. As they descended, they entered the actual train station, where bright lights illuminated the entire place. There were several seating areas available, each accompanied by a sign indicating a 150£¤ fee. In front of them, a transparent, circular tube housed the train.

    The train was rather small in comparison to conventional trains, made entirely of sleek, silver metal without any windows or windows. On the lower level of the train, below the tracks several air cushions were placed. Seats were placed in pairs of two facing the front providing space for up to 100 passengers at once. Passengers traveled in pairs, with their luggage accommodated in designated storage areas at the front or rear of the individual capsules. The design ensured that acceleration was always below 0.5g, prioritizing passenger comfort and safety.

    Kazu and Hiroshi approached the transparent capsule, which slid open automatically to the side of the train, revealing the passenger cabin. The train¡¯s door, which opened upwards, opened as well, revealing the entrance to the sleek interior. Once the doors of the train and capsule were fully open, Kazu and Hiroshi stepped onto the train, followed by the other team members one by one. The interior of the train was compact yet comfortable with two seats facing the front.

    As everyone entered and took their respective seats, The doors slid shut and locked into position, securing the passengers. With everyone comfortable and the train properly engaged with the tube it was in, there was a soft ding, signaling that they were ready to depart. The train jerked gently as it began to move forward, picking up speed rapidly as it accelerated.

    Within a mere 2 minutes, the train had accelerated to its max speed of 1220 km/h, just shy of breaking the sound barrier. Inside the capsule, the passengers could feel the slight acceleration as the train smoothly navigated the tracks at a significant pace.

    Inside the train, the team settled into their seats. Some team members opted to pass the time by watching movies or programs through their eye lenses, while others were resting. Hiroshi and Kazu were among the latter, taking this time to relax.

    ______________________________________

    After a smooth 23-minute ride, the train arrived at Saitama Train Station. The capsule slowly decelerated as it came to a stop, coming to a standstill by a underground platform of the station.

    As the train came to a halt, the doors of both the train itself and the capsule slid open, allowing the team to exit to the platform. They gathered together, looking around briefly as the train station was empty. The platform was well-lit, but eerily quiet and deserted at the moment. The only people present were a few security officers patrolling the area.

    One of the officer¡¯s who was assigned to guide them came over to them, he was a tall, lean man with a sharp jaw line and a somewhat tired expression. He had dark circles under his eyes and his uniform looked a bit too big for him. His black hair was unkempt and looked overdue for a haircut.

    The officer approached the group and greeted them by bowing slightly. ¡°Good evening, my name is Akira Kato,¡± he said in a slightly raspy voice. ¡°Follow me, I¡¯ll guide you to your car.¡±

    The officer, Akira, gestured for the team to follow him as he began to lead them to the exit, presumably their car was waiting for them somewhere outside. They walked through the empty hallway, their footsteps echoing off the walls, the only other sound being the buzz of the lights. Then, the hallway came to an end and opened up into a massive underground parking lot.

    The expansive underground parking lot was deserted, with only one vehicle visible ¨C an black armoured truck. It was the only vehicle present in the whole area.

    The black truck was a heavy-duty vehicle, modified for security and protection. Its exterior was reinforced with armour plating, adding to its imposing appearance. The windows were made of bulletproof glass, darkly tinted, and the tyres were wide and chunky, suitable for off-road driving.

    The truck¡¯s front had a formidable bullbar attached and There were various security cameras mounted on the exterior of the vehicle from multiple angles, their blinking red lights the only sign that they were active.

    Hiroshi studied the armoured truck, his expression showing a hint of disdain. From his perspective, it appeared slow and excessive for the situation at hand. After all, except for passing through the slums of Neo-Tokyo, there was little cause for concern. He sighed silently, recognizing that he had no say in the matter as the security officer had already arranged this transportation.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

    Hiroshi gave a subtle look at Kazu, who showed no signs of objection. As everyone climbed into the armoured truck, Hiroshi was taken aback to see it was a manual vehicle. He hadn¡¯t anticipated this and was silently questioning why they had chosen a manual truck.

    As the team gathered in the back of the armoured truck, Hiroshi observed Kazu and Sachiko both in the driver¡¯s and passenger¡¯s seats respectively. Feeling a tinge of envy, he sat among the rest of Kazu¡¯s team members in the rear of the truck.

    From his spot in the back of the truck, Hiroshi called out to Kazu. ¡°Hey, what¡¯s the top speed of this thing?¡± he inquired, his voice slightly raised to be heard over the din in the back.

    Kazu, who was seated in the driver¡¯s seat, heard Hiroshi¡¯s question and responded. ¡°This truck¡¯s top speed is around 140 km/h,¡± he replied, glancing back momentarily.

    Hiroshi nodded in acknowledgement, taking note of the speed. ¡°Not bad,¡± he mused to himself. 140 km/h should be enough, considering from Saitama to Yokohama through Tokyo was only 75km so they should be there in 23-24 minutes.

    The truck started up with a rumble and set off, accelerating out of the parking lot and onto the road, heading towards Tokyo.

    ______________________________________

    Ten minutes later and the armoured truck continued on its journey, now travelling through the old and decaying roads of the ruins of Tokyo due to the nuclear bombing it had endured in the past. The once bustling city was replaced by a barren wasteland, covered with a layer of ashy snow. The poor visibility was further worsened by the heavy smog that engulfed the area, reducing the view to a few dozen meters ahead. The nuclear bomb that struck Tokyo was colossal in size. It had a yield of 50,000 kilotons, creating a fireball with a radius of 6.7 kilometers, and the explosion was powerful enough to travel through the atmosphere, leaving a trail of radioactive contamination behind. The number of victims was staggering, with more than 7 million people losing their lives and around 9 million more injured. This tragic event occurred during the middle phases of World War Three.

    As the armoured truck moved through the outskirts of Tokyo. Sachiko, sitting in the passenger seat, was wearing thermal goggles for entertainment. She casually looked outside to her right when she suddenly spotted a heat signature that was completely out of place. Tokyo was generally restricted and off-limits to most people, and the slum dwellers rarely roamed this far.

    The unexpected sight immediately grabbed Sachiko¡¯s attention, causing her to straighten in her seat and turn towards Kazu in the driving seat. ¡°Hey, Kazu, there¡¯s something odd out there,¡± she said, her voice laced with a mixture of curiosity and caution.

    Kazu, seemingly unfazed, simply replied, ¡°Eh, it¡¯s probably nothing,¡± dismissing Sachiko¡¯s concerns with a casual wave of his hand.

    ¡°No, I want to check it out. Just stop the car, please,¡±

    Kazu let out a weary sigh, reluctantly giving in to Sachiko¡¯s request. ¡°Alright, alright. We¡¯ll stop,¡± he acquiesced, pulling the armoured truck over to the side of the snowy road.

    ¡°Hurry up,¡± Kazu said, getting out of the truck. ¡°You have five minutes. Let¡¯s make it quick,¡± he added.

    ______________________________________

    Hiroshi, sitting in the back with the other team members, was as puzzled as the rest of them when Kazu abruptly halted the truck. A mixture of confusion and curiosity etched on their faces, as they wondered why they had stopped.

    Hiroshi, along with the rest of the team, stepped out of the truck, donning their masks. The masks, integrated into their suits, filtered out the toxic smog, protecting their breathing. Hiroshi, in particular, was feeling a bit irked by the unexpected stop.

    Hiroshi saw and then approached Kazu and Sachiko, who were standing in front of him. ¡°What¡¯s the point of stopping here?¡± he questioned, a tone of irritation in his voice, ¡°What¡¯s so important that we had to stop in the middle of nowhere?¡±

    Kazu, looking calm,pointed towards the distance. ¡°Sachiko saw something,¡± he explained, ¡°She wanted to check it out, so we stopped here.¡±

    Hiroshi¡¯s annoyance grew as he looked in the direction Kazu was pointing. ¡°Seriously?¡± he said, sounding frustrated. ¡°We stopped here just because she saw something?¡±

    ¡°It won¡¯t take long,¡± Kazu assured him, trying to ease his irritation, ¡°Just a quick look, and we¡¯ll be on our way.¡±

    Hiroshi sighed in annoyance and then clenched his teeth, struggling to suppress his irritation and cold. It was November, and the absence of sunlight coupled with the radiation from the nuclear bombing had left the area unbearably cold. The temperature was a staggering 2 degrees Celsius. Hiroshi wasn¡¯t accustomed to such extreme temperatures, mostly cooped up in his heated house or office, where the temperature always hovered around a comfortable 27 to 28 degrees Celsius. In the city, it usually stayed between 12 to 14 degrees Celsius, but this was a whole new level of cold.

    Kazu, noticing Hiroshi¡¯s discomfort, informed him delicately, ¡°By the way, we have a spare suit in the truck. It¡¯s similar to what we¡¯re wearing. If you¡¯re feeling cold, you can change into that.¡±

    ¡°Alright,¡± he finally said, ¡°That would be nice.¡±

    Hiroshi returned to the truck, looking around the interior until he spotted a metal closet in the left corner. Curiously, he walked over and touched it, causing it to slide open effortlessly. Inside, neatly hung a spare suit, identical to the ones Kazu and his team were wearing. Eager to escape the cold, Hiroshi quickly donned the suit over his clothes.

    Not knowing how to operate the heating system in the suit, Hiroshi thought it was likely voice-activated and said aloud, ¡°Start the heaters.¡± To his surprise, the moment he uttered those words, the fabric began to warm up, bringing warmth to his body.

    After successfully activating the heating system in his new suit, Hiroshi closed the back door of the truck and joined the rest of the team.

    Kazu¡¯s team, with their automatic rifles in hand, were prepared for any unexpected threats. These modern rifles, released in 2100, exuded power and sleek design. They were streamlined, made of a lightweight alloy, and adorned with tactical attachments, such as scopes and foldable stocks. The rifles¡¯ precision and rapid-fire capabilities made them an effective tool for any combat situation.

    The guns used by Kazu¡¯s team utilized advanced ammunition, firing small, high-velocity rounds known as Nano-carbide projectiles. These projectiles were made of an extremely hard, self-sharpening material, capable of penetrating the toughest of armors. With each trigger pull, a burst of high-pressure propellant sent the projectile flying at supersonic speeds.

    One of the team members unclipped a flashlight from his belt and switched it on, bathing the area in a powerful beam of light. The flashlight was astonishingly potent, illuminating an impressive 100 meters ahead, dispelling the darkness and providing a clear view of their surroundings.

    As the team shone their flashlights, the surrounding area came into view. The sight that met their eyes was disheartening ¨C ruined, decaying houses, most of them reduced to rubble by the destructive events of the 2040s.

    Sachiko gestured towards a particular house situated a significant distance away from the others, distinguishable due to its seemingly well-preserved state in comparison to its surroundings. ¡°The signature is coming from over there,¡± she announced, indicating the direction with a pointed finger.

    Kazu, frustrated, sighed in resignation. His discontentment was apparent as he muttered, ¡°This is a waste of time.¡± He made a mental note to never again entertain Sachiko¡¯s whims.

    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go check it out,¡± he reluctantly instructed, gesturing for the team to follow him towards the house that Sachiko pointed to.

    The team, following Kazu¡¯s lead, trekked through the desolate, snow-covered streets towards the house that Yumi had pinpointed as the source of the heat signature. Leaving footprints on the grey snow.

    The house stood before them. It had been abandoned since decades ago and now, in 2109, it showed the wear and tear of decades of neglect. The house¡¯s wood was rotting, and the windows were shattered, allowing the cold air to flow inside. Snow had piled up against the walls, and the front door hung loosely from its hinges, creaking eerily as it dangled in the chill air.

    Hiroshi directed his attention to the house and inquired in a hushed tone, ¡°Where is the person located?¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re on the second floor.¡±

    Kazu and the team cautiously entered the house first, their automatic rifles raised and ready. Yumi and Hiroshi followed, crossing the threshold into the dilapidated building. The entrance was once lined with wooden planks, but time had reduced them to mud, as the wood had long since rotted away.

    The interior of the house was just as neglected as the entrance, with the floors and walls covered in various debris. A thick layer of dust and dirt coated every surface.Kazu carefully made his way down the dusty hallway, the team following closely behind. When they reached the end, they encountered three rooms. Kazu attempted to open one of the doors, but it simply collapsed, hanging by a thread.

    The team proceeded cautiously through the rooms they opened up, checking one by one. The first room was just a toilet, while the one on the left revealed a living room. The dust-covered furniture, including an ancient television that looked like it belonged in a museum.

    The room¡¯s air was thick with the musty smell of decay, the floor creaking gently beneath their feet. A broken mirror hung on one of the walls, its shattered pieces reflecting faint glimmers of light that barely filtered in. A small coffee table rested in front of the old, worn-out couch, and the team felt like they had stepped back in time back into the 2020s, not that any of them were even alive back then.

    Sachiko¡¯s gaze caught sight of a small photo frame lying on the floor. As she picked it up, she saw that the glass was cracked. A young Japanese boy, who appeared to be around 20 years old, was the focus of the picture, and he was standing in the center. Flanked by a middle-aged man on one side, presumably his father who looked to be in his 40s. On the boy¡¯s left stood a woman who was about the same age, likely his mother. They were likely the original residents of this house.

    Sachiko unceremoniously tossed the photo frame onto the ground and stomped on it, shredding the image within. She displayed a callous disregard for the picture.

    Hiroshi observed what she was doing, and his thoughts turned to the girl¡¯s mental state. He couldn¡¯t help but wonder if she was somewhat unhinged in the head.

    He decided to keep a slight distance from her, not fully understanding her actions but sensing that there might be underlying issues at play.

    After the last member of Kazu¡¯s team had finished searching the remaining room, there was only one more place left to check ¨C the second floor, where the heat signature had been picked up.

    The team gathered together, Kazu gestured for Sachiko and Hiroshi to stay behind them, signaling that they would take the lead in exploring the upper floor.

    The team carefully climbed the rickety staircase, ensuring that they didn¡¯t place too much weight on any of the steps. Every creak of the wood sent a subtle shudder through the structure, and they held their breath, fearing that the stairs might collapse under them.

    Once they reached the second floor, they found themselves in a hallway. Several doors lined the walls on either side. The heat signature was coming from left side of the rooms at the end of the corridor.

    Kazu and the team cautiously made their way down the hallway. It was eerily quiet, apart from the soft sounds of their footsteps and the subtle creaking of the floorboards. As they approached the door at the end of the hallway, Kazu¡¯s team noticed something alarming. All their electronic equipment, including their flashlights and communication devices, suddenly stopped working. It was as if an EMP, or Electromagnetic Pulse, had been activated, disabling all their technological gear.

    The team stood in silent confusion about the malfunctioning electronics, Kazu cast a sidelong glare at Sachiko. Silently expressing that if they hadn¡¯t come on this detour, they would have already reached their destination safely by now but now was not the time for that as Kazu wasted no time and kicked open the door, leading the entire team to storm into the room, their guns raised and ready. The sight that greeted them was not that of a normal man but rather something monstrous. A figure sat on the old bed, an abomination instead of a human...A demon.

    ______________________________________

    Hiroshi, who had led a sheltered life in a protected household, had experienced very few dangerous situations up until now. As he faced the demonic figure before him, he felt a surge of genuine fear. It was the first time he had experienced this, Pure dread.

    As Hiroshi laid eyes on the abomination before him, his body responded involuntarily to the intense fear coursing through his veins. His hands visibly trembled, and beads of sweat formed on his forehead. His breathing became shallow, and his eyes widened in terror. Hiroshi looked as if he was frozen in place, caught in a state of paralysis.

    The monstrosity facing Hiroshi stood 7 feet tall, towering over him. The creature¡¯s massive, shadowy wings were spread out, casting an ominous shadow in the room. Two jet-black horns sprouted from its head, further adding to its demonic appearance. It was clad in robes and cloth, as if taken straight from a fantasy game

    Despite a small, hopeful part of his mind trying to convince him that this was just a cosplayer, Hiroshi couldn¡¯t deny the obvious truth. This wasn¡¯t a mere costume, and if it was, it was the most elaborate and convincing one he had ever seen. But he realized that this was no mere costume. Every fiber of his being screamed that this was something far more sinister.

    Every instinct in his body told him that this was not a human under a costume, but an actual creature from the depths of hell.

    Hiroshi desperately tried to speak but found himself unable to utter a word. His fear reached its peak as he slowly shifted his gaze toward Kazu and his team. They were experienced fighters, having taken lives before. Surely they would remain composed and fight this creature, right? However, he saw that they were just as frozen as he was.

    If they, with their combat expertise, were also unable to respond, what hope did he, an average person, have?

    Hiroshi was acutely aware that a single wrong move could lead to his demise. A strong survival instinct kicked in, Every fiber of his being screamed for him to do anything necessary to survive this encounter. It was a desperate fight for self-preservation against a creature beyond his comprehension and just then, the creature spoke.

 A monster â€” 2

    Hayate chuckled internally, feeling ridiculously clich¨¦ after uttering the cliche line, ¡°If you want to leave alive, answer my questions.¡± He couldn¡¯t help but feel like he was playing the role of a villain from a cheesy 90s cartoon show.

    If any of his friends had overheard him, they would have undoubtedly mocked him mercilessly, and he would have been the butt of their jokes for days to come. He could almost hear his friends¡¯ voices in his head, criticizing him for his cheesy lines. It was a good thing they weren¡¯t here to witness this embarrassing moment.

    Hayate then glanced at the group in front of him and evaluated them, analyzing the effects of his spells. It appeared that they were all trembling, their eyes wide with terror, which meant that his [Fear] spell was working as intended. Since the spell had worked and based on their reactions, they were definitely a low level, below 15.

    ¡°Alright, they¡¯re definitely low-level, likely below 15. That¡¯s good news for me. But let¡¯s hope things don¡¯t escalate to a gun-shooting situation ¨C I don¡¯t want any bullet holes in my body. I guess this could be a chance to try out some new ideas I¡¯ve been thinking about.¡±

    Hayate secretly rejoiced in the fact that they were most likely low level and that he wouldn¡¯t be severely injured even if they started shooting guns at him. Despite not wanting the situation to escalate to such a dangerous point, he couldn¡¯t help but feel a bit excited since it presented the perfect opportunity to test out some other things he had been contemplating.

    Hayate observed the group in front of him, noticing their extreme fear. It seemed almost over-the-top, as if they had encountered a ghost. He couldn¡¯t help but wonder if he truly appeared that daunting. Initially, he had assumed they might mistake him for a cosplayer, but that didn¡¯t seem to be the case here.

    Hayate, playing the role of an intimidating figure, decided to break the silence before any of them could muster the courage to speak. He wanted to maintain an aura of mystery and power around himself.

    ¡°You humans came in here unannounced,¡± he said addressing the group directly. His voice echoed through the room, adding to the intimidating atmosphere. ¡°You should know that uninvited guests are not appreciated¡±

    ¡°Now, I¡¯m feeling generous today. Instead of ripping you apart, I¡¯ll give you one chance to answer my questions. Who are you and who send you here. You have 60 seconds.¡±

    This was the perfect question. He had been worried about being spotted by the government and getting into trouble for his careless flying around after he was isekai-ed into the future so there was a chance they could be from them, he also thought they could have been civilia--...no, seeing these people had guns and armour, he knew they were likely not civilians so who were they? It was time to find out.

    As the 60 seconds neared its end, Hayate took note of the continued lack of response from the group. Fifty seconds had ticked by without a single word spoken. Growing tired of the silence,he decided to apply a bit more pressure.

    But before he could, he was interrupted by a shrill scream that pierced the air. His gaze snapped to the one who had cried out, and he realized it was a young woman, likely in her early twenties, clad in a black suit like the others. Startled, he immediately noticed that she clutched a handgun, with its barrel pointed directly at him.

    Hayate was taken aback for a moment, surprised by the young woman¡¯s resistance to the spell. Having cast the de-buff spell on them, expecting them to remain paralyzed by fear, but this one seemed to be fighting against it. Interesting, he thought.

    He observed the woman for a moment longer, silently trying to determine how she was able to resist the spell he had cast. It was possible that her willpower was stronger than the others, or perhaps she had some sort of resistance to magic. Either way, this was an unexpected complication.

    Hayate approached the young woman, who screamed with each step he took. The piercing noises were starting to become more than just annoying ¡ª they were actually beginning to hurt his ears. However, he maintained his composure.

    Hayate reached out and gently grasped the young woman¡¯s right hand, noticing how small it felt in his grasp. He had no ill intentions towards her, but he had planned to cast a spell on her to learn more. However, before he could do so, the situation escalated rapidly. The woman fired her handgun at him, unloading the entire magazine in his direction.

    Hayate¡¯s heart skipped a beat as the bullets from the handgun flew towards him, their sound like a series of sharp whistles. Despite now being in the body of his high-level character, he couldn¡¯t help but react with fear. After all, he wasn¡¯t a seasoned warrior accustomed to being shot at. This was his first time experiencing such a situation, and it was downright terrifying.

    And as the 12 bullets struck him, each one ricocheting off his body without causing any harm. Thanks to his immunity to piercing damage, the bullets were rendered useless, effectively bouncing off him like harmless projectiles. As they clattered to the floor.

    On the inside, he could still feel the initial jolt of fear, but he knew that he was practically invincible to any ordinary bullets. However, even he knew his immunity had its limits. If a arrow or a bullet had been fired by someone with a level above 90, it could have harmed him. But for now, he was completely safe.

    ______________________________________

    Meanwhile One of the men in the group, agitated and concerned for their safety, shouted at the young woman who had just fired the bullets without a second thought. ¡°What the hell are you doing, SACHIKO!¡± he exclaimed. ¡°Are you even sane? We¡¯re all afraid for our lives here!¡±

    Sachiko stared at the man who was Kazu, her eyes looking mad and crazy. She was having a breakdown.

    Kazu mentally grumbled as he observed Sachiko¡¯s condition, recognizing that she was having another breakdown. He had experienced her breakdowns before when she felt overwhelmed, but this was definitely the worst possible moment for it to happen.

    Kazu glanced over at Hiroshi, who looked like he was on the verge of throwing up. He had to prioritize getting Hiroshi out of harm¡¯s way. If anything happened to Hiroshi, an employee of the mega-corps, it would be a big problem for him. Kazu knew that the mega-corps would not hesitate to take drastic measures if any harm befell their representative.

    Kazu¡¯s gaze shifted to the demon towering over him. It looked beyond furious, and blue chains were now materializing from its hands. In that moment, Kazu believed his life was about to come to an end.

    ______________________________________

    Hayate, feeling shaken from witnessing Sachiko firing her gun, wasn¡¯t taking any chances. He quickly cast a 4th tier spell called [Mana Chains] which costed 8mp per use. This spell was ineffective against player characters but useful when used against monsters. The spell caused blue chains to materialize and wrapped around its target, rendering them immobile and levitating them three inches off the ground. This prevented them from crawling, ensuring they were completely incapacitated.

    The duration of the spell was 10 minutes, which Hayate believed was more than sufficient for his purpose. Even though the humans in front of him were not monsters, his spell would still be effective. Hayate repeated the name of his spell, "[Mana Chains], [Mana Chains], [Mana Chains], [Mana Chains], [Mana Chains], [Mana Chains], [Mana Chains], [Mana Chains], [Mana Chains], [Mana Chains].¡± each casting targeting a different person. With 10 targets and the spell being a single-target only, it was necessary to cast it multiple times.

    From Hayate¡¯s hands, ten sets of blue chains shot out, each pair wrapping around a member of the team and incapacitating them. Their firearms clattered to the floor as they were rendered immobile by the spell, hanging a few inches off the ground.

    Hayate then paused, for but a moment. Hayate strolled over to where the fallen weapons had landed on the ground. He knelt down and picked up one of the guns, examining it for a moment.

    Hayate knew little when it came to firearms, but the gun he was now holding in his hands appeared to be a rifle of some sort. The design and style were foreign to him, and he found the level of innovation quite impressive. Suddenly, the rifle slipped right out of Hayate¡¯s grasp. He stared at it in confusion, wondering why he had dropped it so easily. He wondered if he had accidentally activated some sort of special ability, or perhaps the rifle was heavier than he expected.

    Hayate pondered silently, He was confident in his own strength, but the fact that the rifle had simply dropped out of his hands confused him. Perhaps there was another factor at play here, one that he had not anticipated.

    That¡¯s when Hayate had a sudden realization. Back in Hollow, his class was the final evolution of the basic mage class for demons, called [The Vile Omen Mage]. Since he was a mage, he had been limited to using staffs, gloves, accessories, robes, and other similar items that didn¡¯t affect gameplay. Anything designated as a weapon, such as swords, bows, guns, etc was off-limits to him except magic weapons and enchanted weapons. Therefore, it made sense that the gun must have been categorized as a weapon, preventing him from using it.

    Hayate wanted to verify whether his assumption was correct, so he attempted once more to pick up the rifle he had dropped. However, within just two seconds, it slipped right out of his grasp again.The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

    Hayate became a little frustrated as he saw the rifle dropping from his hands once more. It seemed that he truly couldn¡¯t use the firearm, which was unfortunate.

    Hayate sighed heavily and then walked away from the rifle, moving his focus towards the man who had previously shouted at the girl.

    He scrutinized the man carefully, noticing that his right hand seemed to be a prosthetic or artificial limb. The man looked to be trying to calm himself down, but it was an evident effort in futility. Hayate disrupted the silence and said: ¡°Your time to answer my question is over.¡±

    The man remained suspended in place unable to move, trapped by the chains Hayate had cast on him; had he the liberty to do so, he might have been on his knees, grovelling before Hayate, desperate for mercy. However, Hayate didn¡¯t particularly like the idea of people grovelling before him.

    The man mustered the courage to speak, his voice trembling as he addressed Hayate. ¡°Please forgive us,¡± he began, referring to Sachiko¡¯s previous actions, ¡°we¡¯re truly sorry for aiming that at you. We¡¯re just mercenaries, that¡¯s all.¡±

    ¡°Who hired you?¡± Hayate asked¡ª no, Hayate demanded to know.

    The man appeared reluctant to utter a word. Hayate had expected an immediate response, so the sudden silence was a clear indication of hesitation. After a full minute of excruciating silence, Hayate let out a heavy sigh. Despite his reservations, he reluctantly decided to use another method to extract information. He looked at the man in front of him and casted the spell [Dominate], hoping that force would yield the desired result.

    The man¡¯s eyes went blank and he succumbed to temporary unconsciousness. Then, Sachiko seeing Kazu abruptly stop moving broke the silence and shouted at Hayate once more while starting to cry.

    ¡°Y..Y..YOU FUCKER...YOU KILLED HIM..¡± In her mind, Hayate had taken Kazu¡¯s life.

    Hayate was taken aback at first. Killing? Him? The idea was completely bonkers. Hayate couldn¡¯t help but chuckle internally.

    ¡°Me? Kill him? Why would she think that?¡±

    Hayate found the notion utterly absurd.

    Hayate had been cautious about using spells that could harm humans, and that was because he himself is a human¡­ or at least he had been until a few hours ago. Although he was now in a stronger body, he didn¡¯t want to bring harm to any of them.

    Despite the immense power he now possessed, Hayate was still a human at heart, and the thought of causing harm to fellow humans went against his nature. Even if these people were his enemies, he didn¡¯t want to needlessly cause them pain or suffering.

    In addition to not wanting to bring harm to others, Hayate had a second reason for refraining from revealing himself fully to the government or military. It wasn¡¯t that he was afraid or intimidated, but more that he didn¡¯t want to show his cards before he had a better understanding of their strength and capabilities. Especially now, knowing that World War III had happened, Hayate was cautious about confronting the authorities until he was certain of their strength. Even if Japan had no official army, in the past and probably even now they have a powerful ally like the United States meant that there was likely some military presence in the country.

    And also there was no need to rush. He had all the resources he needed right in front of him, and no one would be around to interrupt his plans. Unlike before when he had mind-controlled a random civilian in a city like Neo-Tokyo, he currently was in a secluded and empty area, in the privacy of his own home.

    But hayate did clench his fists as Sachiko¡¯s shouting was getting on his nerves so he casted [dominate] on her too, Rendering her speechless and unconscious. Hayate couldn¡¯t help but smile slightly at the momentary respite from her shouts. He then looked at kazu and asked him the same question once again ¡°who hired them and why had they come here.¡±

    Kazu spoke in an robotic emotionless tone, ¡°The man on the far left of the room (Hiroshi) is employed by the Kusonoki Conglomerated, he¡¯s the one who hired us,¡± he informed Hayate. ¡°We were going to assassinate several individuals organizing riots against the Kusonoki Conglomerate in Yokohama.¡±

    Hayate breathed a sigh of relief as he heard Kazu¡¯s explanation, being relieved to hear that the group wasn¡¯t there for him personally, but was on a mission to eliminate rioters in Yokohama.

    But now there was another problem, what should he do with them? He wondered aloud, scratching his chin in thought. Letting them go was not an option, given that they had seen him use magic. If they were allowed to leave, they would undoubtedly reveal the truth, posing a significant danger to him, Nor could he simply imprison them indefinitely.

    The idea of killing them crossed his mind, but he quickly dismissed it, the act of taking their lives, as it didn¡¯t sit well with his principles. What on earth was he going to do with them

    Hayate¡¯s thought¡¯s were interrupted once more when one of the men from the leftmost corner of the room spoke, Hayate looked at the man from the leftmost corner of the room, the one who was the employee of the megacorp.

    ¡°What happened to her and Kazu?¡±

    The man asked nervously.

    ¡°they are fine,¡± Hayate responded to the man¡¯s question. ¡°I haven¡¯t done anything harmful.¡± He tried to keep his tone casual.

    The man¡¯s eyes widened slightly as Hayate spoke,

    ¡°You haven¡¯t done anything? But she looks...¡± he trailed off, gesturing towards Sachiko....¡±nevermind....are..you..going to kill us all?¡±

    ¡°I haven¡¯t made a decision yet,¡± hayate responded, maintaining a neutral tone.

    ¡°What would you do if i let all of you go?¡±

    Hayate asked the man.

    The man¡¯s eyes widened as Hayate inquired about his hypothetical scenario of letting them all go. He considered the question for a moment before replying.

    ¡°I...i....¡± His voice trembled slightly. ¡°I...w..would..report this..to..my..seni--..no..i.. wouldn¡¯t... reveal anything..¡±

    ¡°You were about to say something else just now,¡± hayate pointed out.

    The man¡¯s face paled slightly at Hayate¡¯s observation, realizing that his attempt to downplay his true intentions had been noticed. He was clearly caught off guard by Hayate¡¯s sharp eye. ¡°I..I..was just..um¡­ I..¡± he fumbled for words, his composure faltering.

    ¡°I WON¡¯T SPEAK ABOUT THIS TO ANYONE EVER!¡±

    Hayate¡¯s eyes narrowed, his instincts telling him that the man was not being entirely truthful.

    ¡°I don¡¯t believe you,¡± Hayate replied

    ¡°No, please.. I swear...I¡¯ll...be your slave for life! Just let me go!¡± the man pleaded, desperation seeping into his voice.

    Hayate inwardly grimaced as the man offered himself as a slave in exchange for his own freedom. It was a ridiculous notion, and Hayate had no interest in any kind of slavery. He shook his head, the disgust evident on his face. ¡°I¡¯m not interested in enslaving you,¡± he said firmly, dismissing the ridiculous proposition outright.

    His shoulders slumped, and he seemed even more defeated than before. ¡°......just let me go..I¡¯ll get rid of these people, I¡¯ll make it seem as if bandits attacked us and all of them died and i was the only survivor, and I¡¯ll stay quiet about all of this.¡±

    The man¡¯s words were like a spark that ignited a fire among the team of Kazu. They had been silent spectators thus far, but now their frustration boiled over.

    ¡°You think we¡¯re just disposable tools, just things to be eliminated to save your own damn skin?¡±

    ¡°you¡¯re willing to blame this on bandits and leave us hanging? You Bastard!¡±

    ¡°You just want to throw all of us under the bus?¡± one of them seethed.

    ¡°You guys are just mercenaries,¡± Hiroshi began, his tone matter-of-fact, ¡°what difference does it make if you¡¯ve worked for the Kusonoki Conglomerate multiple times? You should be grateful that you get to be sacrificed for my safety.¡±

    Hayate, growing tired of the heated argument between Hiroshi and Kazu¡¯s group, shouted abruptly, ¡°SILENCE!¡± His voice echoed through the room, making everyone fall silent in an instant.

    Hayate moved towards Hiroshi, his gaze steely and his expression resolute. He stood in front of Hiroshi, who was bound by the chains hovering above the ground.

    ¡°I¡¯ve changed my mind,¡± he declared, addressing the bound man. ¡°I¡¯m not going to release you just yet But I won¡¯t kill you as well,¡± Hayate said, hiis words sending a shiver down the spines of the captives. ¡°I intend to use you all as test subjects first,¡±

    Hayate then raised his hand and placed it firmly on the head of one of Kazu¡¯s team member, The man¡¯s eyes widened in shock as he felt the subtle brush of Hayate¡¯s hand against his head.

    ¡°[Erase]¡± Hayate said, the magic word causing a faint ripple through the air around him.

    The ¡°Erase¡± was a 3rd tier spell, a prank spell to be exact which costed 5 mp. In ¡°hollow¡± it worked differently, depending on the type of target. When cast on players, the spell would make parts of the map and journal entries disappear. There was also a 50% chance that the spell would erase any current quests and objectives from the player¡¯s log, forcing them to start it over again.

    When used on NPCs, the spell made them forget they were aggroed on something and for monsters it would make it so that they forgot any one skill or spell that they had.

    In real-life however, things didn¡¯t really work the same.

    The man¡¯s mind grew hazy as his consciousness slowly began to slip away. Where was he? What was he doing?! Nothing made sense as his thoughts swirled inside his brain, confusion and panic coursing through him. He didn¡¯t understand anything. The man suddenly passed out, his body going limp.

    Hayate observed the man who had passed out with a sense of mild surprise. ¡°Huh,..that wasn¡¯t supposed to happen...¡± he murmured softly, scratching his chin.

    Hayate repeated the experiment on another team member, his hand once again raising up to the person¡¯s head. He said the word [Erase] once again.

    The man seemed a little more resistant this time, not immediately passing out like the last one. He stood there, his eyes glazing over as he struggled to stay awake.

    The man looked around frantically, his eyes darting from Hayate¡¯s intimidating appearance to his wings and the rest of his body that he could see. ¡°Where...where am I? Are you cosplaying or something?¡± The man questioned.

    Hayate felt a bit happy, to think his gamble worked. He had come up with the idea of testing the spell earlier while he was contemplating his options, and it seemed to have paid off.

    ¡°Well...so it doesn¡¯t work exactly as I thought it would,¡± Hayate thought, observing the man¡¯s reaction. ¡°It seems to have different effects here than it does in the game..interesting.¡±

    There were a lot of details that he was eager, no, required to know about how the spell functioned. How much memory did it erase, till how far back etc., etc. But now, he could just erase their memories and be done with it.

    Hayate looked at the man who had been affected by the spell and asked, ¡°Do you remember what happened before you passed out?¡±

    The man shook his head to say no and then looked around him, his eyes widened as he looked around and saw his teammates, bound in blue glowing chains, and some clearly fainted. Panic washed over him, making him struggle against his binds in an attempt to free himself. ¡°What...what is happening??¡± the man spluttered.

    Hayate raised his hand towards the man and cast [Dominate] on him too, causing the man to pass out just like his comrades. After the man went quite, Hayate¡¯s face lit up with elation. ¡°It really works! It really does erase memories,¡± he exclaimed, a bit of excitement filling his voice. He couldn¡¯t wait to explore the finer details of the spell later.

    Hayate turned his attention from the two unconscious men to the remaining six who were still conscious. He counted them in his head, mentally noting that now there were six people left. 5 mercenaries and the megacorp employee.

    Hayate moved from his spot to where Sachiko and Kazu the leader of the mercs were, still conscious, and casted [erase] on them to make them pass out. He then moved to the remaining five mercenaries and did the same. All of them now fainted, leaving only the megacorp employee who was conscious.

    ¡°You¡¯re the only one left now,¡± Hayate said and moved closer to the employee, looking at the man.

    ¡°I suppose I¡¯ll make you forget too,¡± Hayate declared, raising his hand once more. He was going to cast Erase on him.

    Hayate¡¯s hand was hovering above the employee, ready to cast Erase on him, when an idea struck him. He hesitated for a moment, considering a different approach. ¡°Actually,¡± Hayate said slowly with a bit of curiosity ¡°I was wondering something..¡±