I fell from the sky and into this world just a day ago. The throbbing from my headfirst landing into the worn-out asphalt still remained. The disturbing sight of what seemed to resemble a run-down city scowled at my arrival. Stained gold clouds eerily circling over the debris of an old city. Air, suffocating to the point where one wrong breath would have you checked out.
My first thought was that a catastrophic storm swept me away overnight. Once I began exploring this gut wrenching environment however, the more I realized this place was far from ordinary.
While cautiously exploring the wreckage of what used to be a subway system, I found a lengthy ragged up cloak sandwiched between some rubble. Though I assumed there was no hope of snatching it out, my attempt succeeded with ease. As I contemplated trying it on, a grimly dark message window displayed its message.
[Drift Cloak has been obtained!]
[Open item profile?]
I was left in utter quandary. I didn't end up here because I was swept up in some world-ending storm. Was I in some kind of RPG? Could it have been like those transmigration novels? I looked like myself whenever I passed by one of the mirrors in another building, so I've debunked that already.
I chose to open the item profile and more thoughts jumped at as I read the window.
_______________________
[Item Profile]
Item: Drift Cloak
Class: Armor
Rank: B [Currently D]
Condition: Severely Damaged
Effect: 5 Endurance Points.
Ability: Grants 10 seconds of temporary invisibility and boost in speed.
_______________________
My RPG hypothesis may be correct. I haven't touched an RPG like this recently at all. Before I was dropped here I was… Actually, what was I doing? I shook my head and focused back on the ragged cloak. The cloak fit my body perfectly. I wondered if I looked like one of those badass protagonists right then. I was able to find more items, but they failed to interest me.
Later on I found a sword with a crimson aura oozing from it. A powerful shock flung my back when I reached for it.
[Your PATH is not compatible with this Universe.]
Scorning at the message, I quickly retreated the area, leaving my questions for later. Clashing of weapons and the thunderous roars of attacks sounded out from the area I was currently in. So there were other people that were brought here? A sense of dread loomed over me, yet the thought also brought along a strange feeling of comfort.
The ruined subway station was my resting spot for that night.
I was now on the search for other people around the area, but no one came up. Whenever I rendezvoused to the eroding building, the crimson sword vanished. Same went for the ambience of an unwavering battle. Perhaps it was only chance at the time.
A heavy sigh sounded out as my back leaned against the damp, molded walls. How long had I been at it like this? After hours searching, I still remained void of any signs of people. Why was I so desperately searching for other life? Being deprived of interaction for only a day felt so foreign to me. Billions of people can handle such isolation, but why not me?
[Thou art not forsaken.]
A stern, yet angelic voice, left me breathless as it spoke.
[Dost thou desire thy being be known?]
[Oorlog has noticed your existence.]
[Do you wish to exist in Oorlog?]
My legs dropped to the floor and I began massaging my temples. What the hell is going on? Oorlog was the name of this world? Was this not just a game? Was this truly a new world I had been brought to? This was my new reality, wasn't it?
I precariously accepted the request.
["Let us bear witness to thy journey. Thy path shall not be an easy one, for thou art The Fool."]
The divine voice's cryptic message echoed and slowly faded away. Almost in tandem, the roof crashed down. A man stood atop the fallen terrain, his glare being shadowed by his long bangs that blew in the wind like ocean waves. An oversized katana could be seen being carried on his shoulder.
We exchanged dumbfounded gazes for a few seconds. A sly smirk encroached upon the man's face.
"Say, Honokaido Gevagen. Do you know of Tsuyoshi Enjou? The Scarlet Blight of Oorlog?"
I took on a confused expression.
"Sorry, but everything you said just now sounded like utter gibberish."
Discontent settled across the man's face and he leisurely began unsheathing his katana.
"What a shame. May your soul rest easy in another world."
The man lunged at me with unmeasurable speed. I reflexively rolled across the moss covered ground and slowly opened my eyes. The man's katana pierced through the wall I was just standing at and shot me an amused glare.
[Drowned Wave Aido Kusinagi has instigated Conflict!]