Plague of humanity

— You piece of shit. Otaku scum.
Kaito stomped on a student. Everyone in the classroom watched. The boy lifted his gaze at him with sadness.
— Why are you looking at me like that?
Kaito prepared another kick. A blinding flash stunned him. *Why did that look bother me so much?* he thought. Now he was in a white room. An immeasurable white void. Before he could think any further, a being emerged from that void. It wore a white suit and a top hat.
— Welcome, hosts.
Besides Kaito, there was a girl. Slim, with one fang protruding. *Ugly, indeed,* Kaito thought. The girl noticed his stare and gave a friendly smile. Kaito looked at the white-suited being.
— What are you? — Kaito asked aggressively.
— Pleasure to meet you. I am the Human God — the one responsible for creating this plague called humanity.
— What do you want fro—
— What do you want from us? — the girl cut in.
*Who does she think she is, interrupting me?*
— My dear hosts, forgive the inconvenience, but I must ask a small favor.
— You call us a plague, yet you want help? That’s ironic. Even more so coming from a so-called deity — Kaito said.
— Oh… Why did you add “so-called” to that phrase? Are you doubting my divinity?  — Watch your words, Kaito. I know you very well… 
Kaito trembled and fell silent.
— Ha! The god’s got you in the palm of his hand — the girl laughed genuinely.  — Shut up — Kaito snapped.
— Moving on…  — There is another magical world called “Ninivia.” Since its creation, it has struggled to prosper—and humanity is mostly to blame.
— So we’re being sent there as heroes? — the girl asked, bouncing with excitement.
— And what do I have to do with this? — Kaito grunted.
— I’ve already sent ten other groups of heroes, each with five members. They all abandoned the mission and went their own ways. Some became dictators; others aid warring races.
— I still don’t get one thing… — Kaito said.
— What?
— WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO WITH THIS?  — You want to send me to another world to fix what the race you created — she pointed at the God — messed up? For what? A pat on the back?
— I am the Human Deity. I know you better than you know yourselves. So I will grant you any wish you desire—once the mission is complete.
— Now we’re talking — Kaito stepped closer to the god and whispered his request.
— Oh… that is… interesting. I didn’t expect that from you. Consider it done.
— Can I ask for something too? — the girl called from the back of the room.
— Of course, sweetie—what is it? — The girl approached the god and whispered.
— But I’m sure this mission will take a while. What happens to my life on Earth?
— Don’t worry. When you return, you’ll be exactly where you left off. You’re immune to the passage of time while in Ninivia.
*That’s good. Makes things a lot easier,* Kaito thought.
— You will also have access to the Cosmo.
— Cosmo? — the girl asked.
— A system that helps you—and only heroes have access to it.
— If you’re truly the deity you claim to be, why not go down there yourself and fix it? — Kaito challenged.
— Gods can’t interfere unless another deity intervenes first. Divine rules are a pain.
— About our powers— — A sudden rumble shook the white room.
— Ah, what a drag. — the god said.  — No more time. I’ll contact you as soon as I can. Stay away from the void. — He snapped his fingers. The floor split open.
When Kaito looked again, he and the girl were thrown into Ninivia’s sky.
*Damn you, god.*
The wind grew stronger. It was hard to breathe. Kaito’s body began to freeze. He started losing consciousness. Almost passing out. Two arms wrapped around him—warm. He turned and saw that same “ugly” girl protecting him with her arms.
*Huh? Why? Why is she doing this?* he thought.
They crashed into a tree. Branches splintered. The girl’s arm was scratched by the fall. A branch pierced Kaito’s leg. The impact sent birds scattering. The girl staggered to her feet and looked at him.
— MY GOD, YOUR LEG, LET ME SEE! — She knelt and inspected Kaito’s leg.
— GET AWAY — Kaito kicked his legs, pushing her off.
*Her hand is all cut up. Why is she helping me? I’m trash. Kaito, you useless piece of human filth. Letting a girl protect you?*
— It’s just a graze. Not too bad, thank goodness — She ignored him and removed the branch.
— And your hand? What do you plan to do?
— Oh, this? — She held up her scratched hand. — I’ll just sleep it off.
*If she says so, I won’t insist.*
They began wandering aimlessly through the forest. The scent of nature was refreshing—something they’d never experienced in their world.
— So… — the girl spun around. — Aren’t you going to ask my name?
— Weren’t you supposed to ask mine?
— The god said your name. It’s Kaito. I’m sure.
— Ah… — he blushed slightly. — I don’t want to know yours.
— Stop being like that! You should open up more! — The girl jumped back, startled. — See this?
— “This” what?
— This HUD, like a game — She moved her hand in the air as if swiping an invisible phone. — say “open.”
*She’s crazy that fast? Pathetic,* Kaito thought.
— Open — A screen appeared before Kaito. A robotic voice echoed in his mind:
*Cosmo activated. Players integrated successfully.*
A faint glow appeared in front of them. A soft “blip” sounded. A leather pouch materialized.
— What’s this for? — Kaito asked.
— Hmm — The girl murmured, paused a moment — I think… it’s like those infinite backpacks in games, you know?
*Makes sense.*
The girl crouched and placed a stick inside the pouch. She waited a moment, then opened it again. A small screen hovered above the pouch.
*Items: rotten stick*
— Wow, that stick was rotten? — the girl said in surprise.
— Ah, so that’s how it works.
*This’ll make my life so much easier,* Kaito thought. He examined his HUD and noticed a tab labeled “Abilities.”
— Hey, girl. There’s a tab here called Abilities. You can see the skills you have to use.
— GIRL, NO! MY NAME IS CHOKO, DO YOU HEAR ME? CHOKO!
Suddenly, an ogre burst from the woods and charged at Choko. Kaito yanked her behind him. The creature looked exhausted.
*It’s starving,* Kaito thought.
It reeked of rotten meat. Its green, rock-textured skin and completely white pupils were terrifying. The creature growled and lunged at Kaito. He froze in fear. Choko threw herself in front of the attack. The impact echoed. She was hurled into a tree, cracking the wood.
*You piece of shit. Kaito, you’re worthless. Again someone paying for your actions? Useless. Prove you deserve what just happened! Do something, Kaito! Do something!*
Kaito inhaled deeply. The creature advanced. He remembered his HUD. He breathed in. Blue energy swirled in the air. Tears fell as that energy gathered in his hand, forming a spear. He prepared to throw it.
*Great pity of the blue peacock.*
A blue flash lit the surroundings. The spear pierced the creature’s skin, killing it instantly. The force drove it onto a tree. Kaito wept uncontrollably.
*Why am I so sad?* he thought, then fainted. His body thudded to the ground.
Choko struggled to her feet.
— KAITO! — She stumbled, forcing herself up. — KAITO!
Night fell. Kaito regained consciousness. His head rested on something soft and warm. He opened his eyes and realized he was in Choko’s arms. She had fallen asleep holding him.
*Choko, huh? Strange name. I want to know more about her, truly.*
Kaito fell asleep again.
*Requirement met. New passive unlocked: Predator’s Eye.*