Chapter 1

Looking at the time displayed on his smartphone, it was almost eleven o'clock. Glancing around the train car again, he saw that there were more than twenty passengers in this car.

Perhaps because the Golden Week was starting tomorrow, he felt there were fewer passengers than usual.

No one was having a conversation in the car. Only the sound of the train moving could be heard.

Most of the passengers seemed to be salarymen or OLs returning from work.

There were five women, all of whom looked to be in their early thirties. He couldn't tell what they were doing, but all five were engrossed in their smartphones. Some were typing, while others were looking at their phones with earphones in.

The men seemed to be from various age groups, ranging from those who still looked like students to those who were close to retirement.

Some appeared to be working on their laptops, while others were sleeping or drunk. About half of them were as engrossed in their smartphones as the women.

He glanced at a middle-aged man sitting closest to him, who was mumbling to himself, drunk.

I'll register for the game and start playing when I get home. There aren't many people around, and if there are, they seem to be drunk, so it should be fine.

He justified it to himself and turned on his laptop.

The other girl was called "Hiragichan," he remembered.

She was such a cute girl. It would be fun to date someone as lovely and kind as her. He felt his heart leap when he thought about her, even though he knew he was being simple.

While his laptop was booting up, he recalled the drinking party with the new employees. He had talked to a girl for more than five minutes, which was quite a long time for him.

He could hear the girls talking from the next seat. They were discussing actors in a historical drama, criticizing casting choices and praising unexpected good looks. Among them, there was one who seemed to be a history enthusiast.

He pretended to reach for a beer bottle and, gathering his courage, took a quick look at the history enthusiast.

What? Did I see wrong?

There was a girl with a young face and small chest, holding an orange juice with both hands. Why was a middle school girl here? Moreover, she was a beautiful one. Was she someone's younger sister?

Their eyes met.

She looked at him with large, long-lashed eyes.

"Um, I can imagine most of it since I'm used to it. If I'm wrong, I'm sorry. I'm a new employee too. I graduated from a junior college, so I'm twenty years old."

She glared at him slightly while holding the orange juice with both hands, as if she knew what to do.

"Ah, sorry. I just turned around because I heard someone talking about history, which I like."

He panicked, even though he hadn't done anything wrong. He waved his left hand in front of his chest and switched the glass, feeling awkward. I wonder if I look like a weird guy to girls?

"It's fine if you just turned around because you were curious. But you don't have to freeze up."

Her words sounded like a rebuke, but her cute smile made it clear she wasn't angry.

Did she forgive me? His heart skipped a beat, but he also felt relieved.

"Really, sorry."

He decided to keep it a secret that he had mistaken her for a middle school girl.

After that, he gathered his courage and started talking about history, then games, and finally anime. It was a hit! He enjoyed a conversation with her for more than five minutes until a mean girl took her away.

Yeah, with this, I can survive the Golden Week without talking to anyone. Not that I had any plans to talk to anyone. I'm going to start the VRMMO that's starting its test service tonight.

Thinking about this, he finished the user registration and moved on to character creation.

◇

When he accessed the target site, a page titled "Test Service Players ~Limited to 10,000~" appeared.

Usually, such disclaimers are written in small print, but he read the unusually large text.

"Apology and Notice

Initially, we announced that the test service would be limited to 10,000 players. However, due to the high number of applications and the requests from many players to increase the limit, we have decided to remove the cap on the number of players.

Instead, we will limit the registration by time. We kindly ask for your understanding.

The registration will end at 23:59 JST on April 28.

We ask for your understanding and cooperation."

"Hey! What's this all about!"

He shouted at his laptop, even though he was on the train.

There were a few passengers, and some turned to look at him. In a car full of silent passengers, a young man shouting at his laptop must look suspicious.

But more importantly, what time is it?

Looking at his laptop, it was 22:56. Character creation started at 23:00.

He hurried to complete the registration and waited until 23:00 to start character creation.

◇

First, the name. He read the instructions.

"Your name in the world. No kanji allowed. Please keep it within 20 characters."

Name: Michinaga Fujiwara

He didn't have time to think. He chose a historical figure with a similar name to his, but it was the same in katakana.

"Your gender in the world. Unfortunately, you can only choose between male and female."

Gender: Male

Was there a demand for other genders? The note was intriguing.

"Your age in the world. Both males and females are considered adults at 15."

Age: 18

Fifteen seemed too young, and he didn't want any restrictions.

"Choose your skills. These are the skills you can use in the world. Magic is included in these skills. Skills are your greatest power. The number and attributes of skills available to players vary."

What's this? If I had time, I could redo it until I was satisfied?

Magic Skills

Combat Skills

Production Skills

...

Special Skills

Only the categories were listed. When he clicked on Magic Skills, more familiar attributes like Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind appeared. There was no explanation. Hmph, don't underestimate us otaku.

Earth Magic (50)? What's this number? A level? Well, let's move on.

The special skills caught his attention. When he clicked, about fifty skill names appeared.

Scanning through, three caught his eye.

[Skill Theft Type A (5)]

[Skill Theft Type B (4)]

[Skill Theft Type C (5)]

This must be it. I don't know the details, but which one should I choose? I'll select all three for now and think about it later.

What? When I selected [Skill Theft Type A (5)], the number changed from (5) to (4). Maybe this number is the limit of skills I can have in the game?

He quickly selected the remaining [Skill Theft Type B] and [Skill Theft Type C].

Phew, that was close. The number changed to (0) as soon as he selected them.

He checked his skills to be sure.

[Skill Theft Type A]

[Skill Theft Type B]

[Skill Theft Type C]

The three selected skills were reflected in his status. Good! I got them.

Now it's clear, the first to choose gets the skills.

Next.

Wait, does that mean redoing character creation is a huge disadvantage? I want to avoid any risks like a connection drop.

I'll get off the train and focus on character creation.

◇

Familiarizing with monsters and taming them sounds interesting, but I can't redo it. I'll go with a safe choice.

Also, dark magic is grayed out? Is it not available to me?

The note mentioned "The number and attributes of skills available to players vary." Is that it?

Maybe there are inherent strengths and weaknesses from the start?

Well, it doesn't matter. I'll start with space magic. It's a classic cheat.

But when he went to the space magic selection screen, it was already grayed out with (0).

Was I too late?

Next, healing magic. Healing is essential, so I'll take light magic. Then, I need some means of living and attacking.

As soon as he selected light magic, earth, water, fire, and wind magic were grayed out. Not just those, but all other skills were grayed out too.

Maybe there's a hidden point system for each skill.

That makes sense.

Skill theft is an unfair skill, so it probably costs a lot of points.

◇

◆

◇

Alright! I'll go all in on skill theft and light magic. I prefer being versatile and able to handle any situation, but I'll go with this.

Magic Skills:

Light Magic

Special Skills:

Skill Theft Type A

Skill Theft Type B

Skill Theft Type C

I could have chosen more if I skipped one of the skill theft types, but skill theft is essential. The risk of giving it to someone else is too high.

Skills should have levels, but I haven't seen any level-related settings or descriptions. Maybe all skills start at the same level? I wish they had let us choose our specialties.

"Your input is complete. Is this correct?"

It was 23:51. It took longer than expected.

I don't want to risk it. Okay, let's register.

He clicked the registration button.

◇

◆

◇

Wait, wasn't I on the platform?

Looking around, he saw a white space... but not an empty one. It was a white space filled with people.

The white space wasn't like a wall or anything artificial. It was more like a dense fog, but he could see people clearly even in the distance.

It was a white space in all directions, and there were about seventy to eighty people scattered around. Some were in groups, while others, like him, were looking around.

About 60% were men and 40% were women. The majority of the men seemed to be in their twenties and thirties.

Most were in shirts with ties removed or dressed like off-duty salarymen.

Despite the variety in age and appearance, they had one thing in common.

They all looked surprised and confused. No one seemed to have adapted to this place.

The people in groups had probably arrived before him. Their expressions showed surprise and confusion, but not panic.

I'll join that group and see if they know anything.

If they were suddenly brought here like me, I can't expect much information.

It's unlikely they know much.

Still, what is this place? It's so unrealistic.

It feels like a VRMMO death game or a world transfer story from a web novel or light novel. Such far-fetched, unrealistic thoughts crossed his mind.

He walked towards a group of men around his age.

On the way, he ignored people shouting or arguing.

His walking speed was slow.

It wasn't because of gravity or speed limits.

It was his own issue. He was still afraid.

The ground looked like white fog, making him imagine falling through it.

He could feel something under his feet, but the appearance—just white fog—prevented him from walking faster.

He cautiously moved forward, observing his surroundings.

Small groups were forming.

Interestingly, mixed-gender groups were rare. People tended to group with the same gender, especially women.

Older men were mostly alone and confused, while women and younger people formed groups more often.

There were more young women than men. He saw some high school students but mostly people in their twenties. Many of the women looked like they lived alone and were dressed casually.

What?

Suddenly, a group of young women in light clothing disappeared from his view, and a large white object appeared in front of him.

The large white object turned out to be a middle-aged man in his underwear, who had suddenly appeared between him and the group of young women.

What! Someone just appeared in front of me! So this is how people get here.

Where are we? How did we get here?

Why are we here?

All the questions he had been suppressing suddenly surfaced.

"Did you just arrive here too?"

A man in a T-shirt and jogging suit spoke to him. He was about the same age.

"Huh? Yes, I did. Did you too?"

He was momentarily confused but managed to keep his composure thanks to the man's question.

"I think everyone here arrived the same way."

His question was implicitly answered as he glanced at a nearby group.

"So, that's it?"

"It must be. The game is the only explanation."

An anxious voice could be heard.

"Is this a death game, like in web novels?"

"Maybe it's a reincarnation or a trip to another world?"

"Anyway, we need to gather information and find a way back."

Various speculations and information came in as he paid attention to his surroundings. But at this stage, it was important information.

Observing the small groups, the women seemed to be huddling together, sharing their confusion.

The men talking were mostly in their twenties and thirties, and they seemed to be like-minded.

"Is it because of that game?"

He stopped and turned to the man who had spoken to him. It's the only explanation.

"Probably. There are several groups forming. Let's go and listen to them."

The man seemed anxious too, his face slightly pale as he suggested it.

"Sure, I was heading to that group anyway."

He indicated the group of people his age and they walked together.

"I'm Michinaga Fujiwara. My game username is Michinaga Fujiwara."

He introduced himself with his real name and game username, extending his right hand.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Sei Shimura. My username is Sei Shim."

Sei Shimura shook his hand.

"It's time."

Someone muttered. It must be the registration deadline. This seemed to accelerate the interactions between groups.

"Where are we?"

"Is this a reincarnation?"

"Maybe a death game?"

Conversations started everywhere, with anxious and hysterical voices.

"Ah! Fujiwara-san!"

What?

He heard a familiar voice calling his name. He slowly turned around and, as expected, saw a familiar face.

"Hiragichan, what a coincidence. What are you doing here?"

He managed to turn around slowly, but his heart was racing.

"Do you know each other?"

"Yes, we're colleagues."

He introduced Hiragichan to Sei Shimura, who was looking between them.

He was initially surprised by the word "colleague," but after learning she was twenty, he showed no surprise and continued the conversation.

"What's that?"

"What is it?"

"Who is that person?"

Murmurs and questions echoed.

Turning towards the loud voice, he caught a glimpse of something unbelievable. A beautiful woman was floating in the air, looking like a Nordic model he had seen online.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please be quiet. I will explain the situation."

A mechanical female voice echoed in his head. Was it the floating woman? It had to be.

"Hey! What's going on? Give us a proper explanation!"

"Is this kidnapping? Abduction? That's not allowed!"

"What do you want us to do? We're free people!"

"Explain the situation! Explain!"

"Let us go! Take us back to our world!"

A few people started shouting, ignoring the woman's words.

There were loud, aggressive voices and people making complaints to the floating woman, spreading hostility around. Some of the complaints were incomprehensible.

The initial signs of anxiety and confusion were minimal.

Perhaps because they had a person to talk to, and a young woman at that, they were being more assertive.

But in the next moment, the shouting men were rebuked by numerous voices and physically attacked, leading to a sudden silence.

Everyone understood the importance of listening.

Right. The priority now is to listen to this woman. Questions can come later. He focused all his attention on her words.

"Thank you for your cooperation