(Y/N)

What the hell is going on?!!

We just finished Yamato off and won the game, but my phone was suddenly giving off an extremely unsettling vibe. We defeated him fair and square, right? The base was destroyed, right? That should end everything!

Oh, right. They were SEEDs. They can get past the game's actual rules.

THEN WHAT'S THE POINT OF HAVING A GAME FOR COMPETITION?! SCREW THE SEEDS, THE HACKER, AND EVERYONE ELSE INVOLVED IN THIS SHIT RUINING THE JOY IN GAMES!

The game started glitching and vibrating on everyone's phones, the inside of our phone screen seemed to crack then blacked out as we all felt our devices drag us inside. It's a man and webspace interface but in the creepiest way, I still can recall the feeling of an unknown force crawling on my skin and being unable to shake it off. It happened so quickly that none of us even got to talk while the whole thing is happening.

I don't exactly know what followed.

I opened my eyes, blinking the blurry vision away until everything became clearer. I don't know how long I was out too, but my whole head and back freaking hurts. I was dizzy. I felt like I fell down from a really really high place.

"(Y/N)! You're awake! Are you alright?"

I turned around and saw Tenma with a relieved look. "Yeah..." My head stung, "Actually, no. Let me just take some air,"

The others are wincing in pain, rubbing their heads as if we all had a migraine at the same time. Shindou stood up, scanning the environment.

"What the fuck is this place?"

The place where we are right now was black, yet it was bright, which doesn't really make sense. Kirino held out his hands to feel if there's a wall or something we could bump into but there was none. It was empty, yet there was a floor.

"O-Ow... My head hurts really bad," Aoi grimaced.

"You're not the only one," Tsurugi replied, "But besides that and the back pain, I think we're fine."

Kariya whined, "This is fucked up. We were just playing ML and I felt like my phone devoured me and woke up with all this pain. This isn't happening, no? Maybe I'm inside a nightmare! Come on, Kariya Masaki, wake up!"

He laid down to sleep again but Kirino slapped him.

"There! You awake now? Do you still feel like you're dreaming? This is reality!"

"Come on, dude! I'm just kidding! Everyone goes through a stage of denial! I mean, who wants to wake up finding themselves that they're probably TRAPPED inside their phones? I can imagine my search history scaring the shit out of me!"

"There's nothing we can do about it, though. To be honest, I'm glad I'm still alive after that creepy event." Fei shuddered.

I spoke, "Well, it's indeed creepy. It makes me question the entire situation. What are we really dealing with? Considering the hacker's capability of doing something like this, is he human?"

Everyone went silent in realization.

"I... I only hope we aren't disturbing some kind of supernatural being from an internet urban legend or something..." The pink-haired boy said.

Aoi, Fei, Tenma, and I shivered in fear. I remember reading articles about urban legends at night and oh boy that was one of the last times I let my curiosity get ahead of myself. 

"I'm pretty sure it's not." Tsurugi interrupted, "It's a person. The hacking codes and patterns are logical. Beings from urban legends aren't. Although I have no explanation as to what happened earlier."

Shindou sighed, "Anyway, let's solve the problem at hand. I know that was weird, but wouldn't it be better if we find a way out of here?"

"This place is literally empty, how are we going to—"

"Are you finished discussing your thoughts?"

An unfamiliar voice interrupted our conversation out of nowhere. In a second, part of the floor rose up to serve as a platform for that someone who just spoke. The whole place became filled with patterned red lights on the floor and edges, moving numbers along the walls and some spaces, the complete HTML of an operating system flashing before our eyes.

We are indeed inside our phones. A virtual reality.

We went closer to each other and looked at the man. We couldn't see his face because of the shadow and his clothing, but we could feel that he isn't an ally.

"Of course we aren't done talking. I suppose you don't have manners that you have to butt in our business." I sassed, having an urge to piss him off. I can worry for myself later.

The man laughed, "Well, aren't you feisty? Having the guts to talk back at me when all of you are literally at my mercy."

"Who are you? And where are we?!" Tenma raised his voice.

"I believe you already have an idea who am I. As for this location, this is the domain that I could freely control. That's why you should be careful with your words, or you might just not make it out here alive." He sat on the chair that formed behind him and crossed his arms.

"Yamato? Senguuji Yamato?! Are you the cheater who just wouldn't let everything end after his defeat in our match?" Kariya guessed.

"No. That's not him." Shindou pursed his lips.

Tsurugi narrowed his eyes and continued, "That's the hacker."

We gasped in shock. T-That's him?! The fucking hacker?! I didn't expect to meet him this fast because the boss always appears in the end, right? Talk about surprises!

"Yes, yes! Yutaka, the hacker, the perpetrator, the culprit, or whatever the titles you call me." He spoke with such a haughty tone. "So you are the people who tried to break the virus and continued with their 'passion' for gaming to stop me. Nice try."

Kariya huffed, "I can't believe we're facing the hacker right now, but as much as I want to beat you up, might as well let my friends interrogate you."

"Don't get ahead of yourself. Your guards are so high you can't even get close to me."

He let out an irritated "hmm" and marched towards him but Fei got a hold of his arms.

"Why are you doing this? What's the purpose of disabling almost all the games with some kind of next-generation computer virus? What do you want from us?" Aoi sternly asked.

The hacker kept quiet for a few seconds before cackling, "I don't exactly want something for you but it's funny how you don't realize my plans. I'm doing every genuine good person a favor. You see, I am destroying this world!"

I'm pretty certain that he's going to babble some nonsense shit, but we need answers, and we know it's legit when it's coming from the hacker's own mouth.

"It's such a rotten world to live in that people cannot appreciate anything good in this place. All sorts of people experience such heavy drama and burden, and there are these opportunistic rats, bastards, and demons that keep doing crimes and all the evil work. I'm sick of living in this broken society. And so, I decided to add a little spice in this boring life!"

"Is that spice supposed to disturb the peace, businesses of innocent people, and the fun of younger audiences? Aren't you doing the same thing with the people you accused of making the world as 'wretched' as you think it is?" Shindou reasoned.

The shady hacker sighed, "Perhaps this is too much for well-sheltered gamers to take in, but it's okay. I can spare some of my time to explain my grand party. Shindou, was it? You might be right, but please, you shouldn't judge a movie you haven't fully watched. I'm doing this for a great cause. And I promise you, you will enjoy it."

"This world will become a game that you will love."

"What?"

"Since I plan on destroying the world, might as well do it in an aesthetic way. Personally, I don't like games anymore. Even if there are tons of strats, characters, and modes to try, everything becomes too repetitive. Whether I'm losing or winning, everything is the same. The thrill is always temporary in games, but I am well aware that young audiences like playing them without regard to the genres, and according to them, it is fun. That is enough reason for me to exploit individual interests and keep all the things I do intriguing. Sounds cool, isn't it? Each living person will get to live inside a game!"

How does he know about our gambling skills? Our meeting with Sora and Shiro wasn't online! This is so sus... Was he watching over us all this time and none of our plans are secret by now?

"For kids, yes, it will sound cool because that's one of their childish dreams, but don't you think you can sway us with that. We certainly know what our limits are." Said Fei.

"Games that are meant for people's entertainment aren't supposed to affect our real lives. This is why there's a thing called gaming addiction. You think it's pleasant for us to have our gaming and real lives mixed up? No, that's why we aren't revealing any personal information ingame! Where exactly are you getting at?" I added.

"Eh? Aren't you consumers of games yourself? It's like what you guys are saying, right? You love playing online and video games a lot. I could commend your gambling skills too that I'd like to see you in action. Oh, isn't gambling basically gaming in real life but with material rewards? Gaming and real-life can be connected and separated, and here's what I'm getting at. I'll blur the line between fantasy and reality. I don't care about your opinions on morality or whatnot, at least I am nice enough to consider your hobbies before I tear the earth apart. You don't need to thank me anyway. Besides, I'm not asking you to agree with me. This is mandatory."

"I am cleansing this world to make a new one. A new world and a perfect game."

He stood up from his seat and began walking slowly across his stage. We were wordless with rage. We considered that this might be a work of an attention seeker, but that was so wrong. He wants the world erased and he's starting with games, and who knows what else his virus can infect.

"And this, ladies and gentlemen, is why I'm getting rid of games. If I'm creating the greatest game of life, then there's no need for the other games to exist."

Kirino stepped forward. "What do you mean by your perfect game?"

"It's my dream. A game where a single loss can mean game over. No one can rise again. And in that world, no one has to suffer. Everyone will be truly equal, equal levels and equal opportunities."

"That's perfect?" Tenma questioned, "With only one chance, how are we supposed to learn? Loss is vital for our ability to improve!"

"Even if loss causes you great pain?" He quickly retorted. "What do you feel when you lose to something? Isn't it frustrating? Painful? Aggravating and maddening? Depressing?! Isn't it better to die after such a sad circumstance? They don't have to suffer from experiencing all these horrible emotions."

"Yes! No matter how hard it is, humans should overcome pain, and that part makes them stronger!"

"And I am removing that part! Fuck human lives! A loss is a loss! No more chances! I am bringing a huge reform that humans failed to bring in the first place. I am punishing everyone living in this wretched world I loathe to death!" He yelled, sending shivers down our spines.

His statements were solid. I could feel his anger from his voice that came from the depths of his heart and mind. There were no underlying messages.

"And after that... I will see for myself how beautiful and fun the world I struggled to create."

"In the end, you're no different from the rats, bastards, and demons you described. All you wanted is revenge and possibly murder to all the people you hate," Tsurugi scoffed.

"I have to take the initiative to dirty my hands because I know that no one will. Someone who cannot sacrifice anything, can't change anything."

He went down to his stage and stood in front of us, "Since you mentioned murder, I'll show you murder."

A window popped up behind him and showed a video of a person using machines from a mechanics department. There was an error in the machine he was operating and soon he was sucked inside. The machine was a shredder. If he showed us a more graphic version, I would've puked right now.

"Th...That's cruel...!" Aoi commented, hands in her mouth in horror.

"Could it be... you're taking control of machines and electronics?!"

We looked at Kirino, putting the pieces together. So now he's telling us that his virus not only software system but hardware as well? This is ridiculous.

"If I told you I'm bringing a reform, then I'm really bringing a reform. I don't have reasons to lie."

"How could you! You're insane! How could you do this to people while cursing the other criminals! You're a hypocrite!" Tenma snapped at him, clenching his fists. Even our sunshine Tenma was pissed at this motherfucker, I didn't know he's capable of showing such anger.

"It must be so infuriating to find out that everyone you know outside is in danger." The hacker proceeded on laughing maniacally. "Not like you're in a different situation."

His mood swings are amazing. 3 minutes ago he was shouting like a madman and now the room's filled with his ha-ha's while here we are, keeping our frustrations in check.

"What an unpleasant expression you guys have, you'll agree with my plans if you're truly a good person. You just don't get it, do you?" The hacker kept mocking us.

"After we witnessed and heard your plans, you're still trying to manipulate us? Good person, my ass! New world and perfect game, my ass! You make yourself sound that your thoughts will save everyone, but you just wanted to annihilate faultless people and take control of the planet!" Tsurugi's patience snapped. "Once you start your killing spree, you'll be irredeemable as become someone you yourself hate. We're not going to let you change the world where everyone is already content living in it."

"Oh Tsurugi, it saddens me that you remained ignorant of how the world works. I hope you see it with your own eyes soon. But you can say whatever you want, I will not change what I had begun. The thought of people participating in my new game of reality is exhilarating!"

Shindou's fury went with his voice, "Shut up! Violence over human lives is not a game!"

"Oh, it is. What do you call Mortal Kombat, Call of Duty, and other controversial video games? They're violent, aren't they? Yet kids still play them. There's nothing wrong if we apply this in real life... no?"

Do you know how irritating it is whenever someone doesn't get your point but their answer somehow made sense? I'm about to explode in rage.

"Whatever! We don't see any sense why should we let you do all of this bullshit so don't bother trying to negotiate with us or forcing us to hop on your plan and pretending we're friends," I walked closer to him and poked his chest as I sneered at him, "We are going to stop you and you can't change our mind. We will cleanse the demon like you instead."

"Huh, me? A demon?" The hacker chuckled, taking his hood off, "No, honey. I'm a god."

My eyes widened as the light reached his figure.

No.

...

This can't be happening.

...

What is he doing here?!

"You..." I heard Tsurugi mutter but didn't get to finish his dialogue.

The tiles of the floor shook, cracked, and fell apart. We soon followed and fell down from the black space. The hacker with long, white hair tied in a ponytail and red eyes took a peek at the hole where we fell.

"Good luck on surviving here! Keep me entertained, okay?"

"AAAAHHHH!!"

We didn't pay full attention because we are clearly falling from the sky, probably to our deaths. The place we were is really high and looking at the view below is terrifying.

"Everyone, calm down! We need to use our small time to figure out what to do instead of panicking!" Shindou said, "Take a breathe and calm down!"

Aoi, Fei, and Kariya let out sounds of fear. I'm sure everyone is afraid too and so I am, but, the shock is stronger than my fear now. I couldn't believe that he's the hacker. Of all people, why him?

"Guys! Look at the ground!" Tenma called. There were trees down there. They're like giant banana trees, which suggests that we're in a tropical place.

"We could fall safely if we hit these leaves. Watch out for woody trees!" He instructed.

After many seconds of free fall, my hand reached for the big leaves and my back hit its soft stems, then leaves, another big leaf until I fell down on the hard ground on my side. I hope I have strong ribs but my backbone is at least safe.

I heard a couple of thuds and went to check out if everyone's alright. Luckily, none of them hit their heads. But falling from a height of a skyscraper is not a joke.

"I refuse to go through this painful shit again," Kariya groaned, rubbing his shoulder. "That was terrifying!"

"It wasn't our choice. That hacker is clearly making us his new toys because he was bored," Kirino laid on his back.

Aoi coughed, "I think he was really serious when he said he wanted to destroy the world. And using hardware to silence people..."

"I-I don't think that's true." Fei sighed, slowly getting up while holding his knee, "Maybe the video's edited. The last time the virus attacked it was only on games."

Tenma frowned, "But we can't rule out the possibility now that we saw his power... I'm worried about my family out there..."

"Both of you are right. There was no major news about hardware errors all over the world, but normal technical mishaps, so he's still planning on executing it. Delaying or stopping that from happening is something we can do if we move quickly." Tsurugi spoke, out of breath.

"That's good news. But how are we going to get out of here?"

"Yeah, we'll figure that out." Shindou sneezed and looked at the navy-haired boy, "Tsurugi, are you okay?" His gaze moved to me, "You too (Y/N). You've been quiet since."

"I'm fine." He replied.

"Thank you for the thought. My sides hurt but other than that, I was just astonished. I saw the hacker's face." I answered.

"We did too. Is he familiar? Did you recognize him?" Kirino rushed to his side. 

"He's—"

"His name is Hakuryuu." 

My eyes widened for the nth time. That was his name, and Tsurugi knew that. I shot him a confused look.

"You... H-How did you know?"

"I know him." 

I replied with my eyes downcast, "I know him too."

•~•~•~••~•~•~•~•~•~

>>StarsightGalaxy has logged on.

Finally after 9378372 years I finished a chapter

the anticipated villain reveal is now here!

i promise to give everyone another chapter next week bcs I want to be consistent in updating now. im sorry for being mia the whole time,, i was busy with studies but now i was given time

see you guys in the next update ^^

>>StarsightGalaxy has logged off.
>>Hakuryuu has logged on.

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u~ :) •••