What is your wish?

Can someone without a dream truly live? 
Without something to strive for, move toward, or wish for, existence begins to feel empty. Hollow.

"Make sure to write your name at top of the paper. When you're finished, bring it to me, I’ll check them now to make sure you're all taking this seriously." 

I stare at the empty career survey on my desk. Around me, my classmates scribble confidently, like they’ve known what they wanted since birth. Jealousy creeps in. It’s hard not to envy people with purpose. I didn’t realize I had spaced out for so long until I saw the teacher collecting the papers.

Empty or not, I handed mine in.

She started reading through them, her expression unreadable, just as the bell rang. Chairs scraped, bags zipped, and the classroom emptied in waves.
I stood up to leave too, until her voice stopped me.

“Mr. Blaire, may I have a word?”
She held up my blank career survey.
“Care to explain why this is empty?”

Honestly, I didn’t know either.
“Sorry, ma’am...”

“I don’t want your apology. I want an answer. Do you not have any plans for the future?”

“Well… my father wants me to be a doctor.”

“No. I asked what you want. Don’t you have a dream of your own?”

It shouldn’t take this long to think of something.
And yet… here I am.
I shook my head.

“I see…”
Her face softened. “Well, I can’t turn in a blank paper. Think hard about what you want to be. I’ll wait as long as it takes, alright?”

You’re so kind, Teacher.
But unfortunately… you’re wasting your time.

Still, I nodded and left the classroom.
I walked through the sea of students, head low, eyes flicking across all the cheerful faces around me, faces full of dreams.

You’d think it’s easy to have a dream. To wish to be something.
But it’s not.
If all you say is “I want-” without actually feeling it… is that really a dream?

I must’ve spaced out again, because the next thing I knew, I was already inside the subway station.

A crowd had gathered at the entrance to the platform. I sighed, pushed my way through, and boarded the train.
A short ride later, I finally made it home.

The moment I stepped inside, the air felt… heavy.

“Ah, you’re home.”

I turned to the side. My father was sitting at the dining table.

“Come sit here for a moment.”

I sighed internally.
I didn’t want to deal with him. But I braced myself and sat across from him.

“About that university we talked about,” he began. “A friend of mine gave me some info. They’re offering full tuition to students who meet certain criteria. Since your grades are good, you’ll probably be accepted. This could be great for you.”

The more he talked, the heavier my chest felt.
I didn’t even realize I was clenching my fists.

Later that night, I didn’t sleep.
Not because anything was bothering me,
I was just busy… thinking about nothing.

I forced myself out of bed and got ready for the day.
As I left the house, I ignored my father’s voice calling after me.

The street was already crowded. My stomach growled, I’d forgotten to eat dinner last night.
Good thing God invented convenience stores. I stepped into the nearest one and grabbed a small loaf of bread.

Just as I reached the counter, a deafening crash split the air.
A motorcycle slammed through the glass doors.

Screams erupted. Shelves toppled.
Everyone around me panicked, scrambling for cover.

The rider was dressed in a punk-styled outfit, face hidden behind a helmet.
He scanned the room, then locked eyes with me.

...This is bad.
My body froze.

The maniac revved the engine and charged toward me at full speed.

And then-
darkness.

“Somebody call an ambulance!”

.....

My body feels light and heavy at the same time.
Hot and cold, all at once.

I open my eyes and find myself in an empty, colorless space.

Is this... the afterlife?

“Welcome, Akira Blaire.”
A menacing voice echoed around me, followed by the appearance of two massive, glowing crimson eyes.

My voice caught in my throat.
Even though I could only see its eyes… I could feel its presence. Thick, suffocating, overwhelming.

“W-Who are you...?” I managed to squeak out.

“Hahahaha… Me? You may call me... THE DEMON KING!”
His voice boomed like thunder across the void.

The Demon King, huh?
Guess I’m in hell.
Sorry to that one kid I kicked back in preschool. I’ll accept my punishment now.

“Hahaha! Judging by the look on your face, you must think you’re in hell.”
“Do not fret, for you are quite safe.”

Oddly enough… that did make me feel a little better.
A bit.

“Let us start over. I am the Demon King but you may call me Lucifer.”

“Uhm… good evening,” I said awkwardly.

“Welcome to the Realm of Repression. You have died, Akira Blaire. I must say, the way you died was quite absurd. Hehehe…”

I’m glad someone finds this situation amusing.

“It’s a shame when a young life ends so early. Well… not like you were going anywhere if you had lived. Hah!”

...

“I can see it in your eyes. No dreams. No desires. Empty. Hollow.”

He paused, his gaze piercing through me.

“Let me ask you this: Do you want to go back to your world?”

“I…”

I couldn’t answer.

“You don’t know, do you? As expected. You can’t even answer a simple question like that.
How amusing.”

His massive eyes began circling around me, like a shark sizing up its prey.

“Hmm… Oh, hahaha! Even more interesting.”

“Tell me, Mr. Blaire…”

The air grew still.

“Do you like games?”

Games…?
What is he trying to say?

“Huh?”

“Let me tell you a little story,” Lucifer said, his voice unnervingly calm.
“When the universe was born, something strange happened, something called a Parallel.
It’s a phenomenon where every object, every life, casts a hidden reflection. A mirrored version, layered beneath reality itself.”

He paused, letting the silence stretch.

“In simpler terms, another world exists. One you can’t see. One that hides just beyond your reach.”

Another world?
I’d only heard about stuff like that in fairy tales and video games.

“How would you like to enter that world?”

“Is this… the game?”

“Haha. You’re quick,” he chuckled. “That world is currently under the rule of a great darkness.
They need a champion. A protector who can banish evil and bring hope back to their land.
Perhaps… someone like you.”

Me? A hero?
Yeah, right.
I’m better suited to being a background extra.

“That is the game, Akira Blaire. And if you succeed… if you free that world from its chains…
I will grant you one wish.”

A wish…?

“Anything your heart desires.”

I looked down at my hands.
I couldn’t even imagine something to wish for.

“I… I don’t want anything.”

“Hahaha, as expected. You don’t want anything,” Lucifer said, circling me like a shark.
“No dreams. No future. No reason to go back.”

He leaned in, crimson eyes narrowing.
“But tell me, Akira Blaire... what do you have to lose?”

I said nothing.

“Exactly. You’ve already died once. So why not try living for once? In a world that actually needs you.”

He paused, grinning.
“Think of it as… entertainment. If you win, maybe you’ll finally find something worth wanting.
What do you say?”

He’s playing mind tricks. I’m not good with those.

“Uh… I guess?”

“Perfect!”

A burst of flame ignited in front of me. As it faded, a piece of paper and a pen floated in the air.

I looked up at him.
He was waiting.

I reached out, grabbed the pen, and scribbled my name.

Akira Blaire

“Contract signed,” Lucifer declared.

The paper and pen vanished.

“Now then,” he continued, “a few things before you go.”

“In the other world, there exist three dark rules. You must banish them to free the world.”
“To help you, I’ll grant you a gift.”

A soft golden light shimmered in front of me, then shot into my chest.
I flinched. It felt cold.

“There will be someone waiting when you awaken. She’ll guide you. She’ll explain everything.”

A glowing circle of light formed beneath my feet.
I felt my consciousness slipping.

“Well then… Bon voyage, Akira Blaire.”

As the light swallowed me, I heard one final whisper:

“Oh, before you go, just so you know...
You’re not alone.”

And then-
darkness.

.....

The sound of birds chirping and a soft breeze filled my ears.
I opened my eyes and found myself sitting on a wooden chair… in the middle of a grassy field.

Somewhere nearby, I heard water flowing.

I turned my head and saw a girl about my age, pouring herself a cup of tea.
She sat calmly at a small table across from me, like we were in some kind of outdoor café.

“…Hello?”

She ignored me and continued sipping her tea.
I stared at her.

She wore a black dress with a short cape draped over her shoulders, tied at the neck with a ribbon and a small brooch.
A simple black cap rested on her head, with wavy silver hair peeking out from underneath.

Finally, she set her cup down and looked at me.

“Uwaah~ That felt nice. Oh, hello~ I’ve been waiting for you.” She gave me a small wave.

“…I’m guessing you’re the person Lucifer mentioned?”

“Correct!” she said brightly. “My name is Lilith. I’ll be your guide from this point on. I look forward to your company. Tea?”

“No, thanks.”

I looked down and froze.

Somehow, my clothes had changed.

A sharp-looking blue coat, a black cloth hanging off the side like a scarf, and silver armor plates on my shoulders that looked more decorative than practical. On my chest was a brooch, the same one Lilith wore.

Underneath was a white shirt and a black ribbon tied tightly around my neck.

It’s too tight. It’s killing me.

“What… am I wearing?” I muttered, tugging at the ribbon.

“Your appearance changed when you entered this world,” Lilith said in a matter-of-fact tone.
“This realm reflects your subconscious. What you wear is based on how your mind perceives you.”

…Yeah, I didn’t get any of that.
I just nodded like I did.

“Oh, before I forget.”

Lilith rummaged through her pockets before somehow pulling out a short black sword. Its blade shimmered with purple highlights, and the pommel was shaped like a tiny skull.

…How did that fit in her pocket?

“Here you go!” she said cheerfully, holding it out.

“Thanks…” I took it from her hand, trying not to drop it.
It was heavier than it looked.

“A little gift from Lucifer. You’ll need it for your journey!” she said, striking a pose.
“It’s called... the Crimson Caliber 67~!”

I sweatdropped as she introduced the weapon like it was some rare gacha drop.
Cool name, I guess.
Crimson Caliber.... Which part of it is red?

“Thanks.”

“Now then!” she clapped her hands. “I’m sure you have a lot of questions. But first, we need to register you as an adventurer!”

She spun around and pointed dramatically toward the horizon.
When I turned to look, I saw a small town far off in the distance.

“…There?”

“Yup! We’ll walk and talk.”

I stared at the town, then at the never-ending field between us.
It’s so far…

I sighed internally, pushed myself up from the chair, and started walking toward the town, Lilith humming beside me.

“So… where are we going, exactly?”

“Like I said earlier, we’re heading to the Guild to register you as an adventurer!” Lilith said with a skip in her step. “It’ll make traveling easier. Some regions won’t even let you in without a Guild Card.”

“I see…” Then I remembered something Lucifer said just before I blacked out.

“I have a question. Earlier, Lucifer told me I’m not alone. What did he mean by that?”

“Ah! He must’ve been referring to the other players!”

Other players?
So I’m not the only one?

“There are other humans from your world, people who died and got sent here to participate in the game. Just like you!”

“…I see.”
A small part of me felt relieved.
I wasn’t alone after all.
Maybe I’d meet them. Maybe we could form a team, help each other survive.
Maybe we could even become—

“Anyway, you don’t need to worry about them right now. You’ll meet them during your journey… And then you’ll kill them!”

…

“Huh?”

I stopped walking.
Did I hear that right?

“What… what do you mean?”

“Hm?” She tilted her head. “Oh! I suppose ‘kill’ is a strong word.”
She tapped her chin. “Let’s say… eliminate. Yes, that sounds better.”

“That’s not what I’m worried about!” I stepped in front of her.
“What do you mean I have to kill the others?”

Lilith gave me a cheery little smile, like she was explaining the weather.

“Hmmm~ I think it’s pretty easy to understand, no?”

…

“Listen,” she said, twirling a strand of her hair. “There are a few rules you need to follow in this game. One of them is simple:
Defeat the other participants and declare yourself the winner.
Remember-” Her tone dropped, and so did the air around us.

“There can only be one.”

Her smile remained sweet, but the light behind her eyes was gone.
Something dark pulsed behind it.

This Girl.
She's just like Lucifer.

I didn’t think I’d have to kill people.
What kind of game is this?

Lucifer said I’d be playing, but he never said it was a death match.
He never said I’d be forced to fight other people who are just as lost as I am.
People like me.

This girl… Lilith…
She’s smiling like she just offered me cookies.

I don’t know if I should trust her. No, I shouldn’t trust her.

Should I run?

No.
She’d probably find me again.
Hell, maybe she’d smile while stabbing me through the back.

“Hey, come on. Stop spacing out! we’re wasting daylight!”

I looked up. Lilith was already a few feet ahead, waving at me.

God help me.

We continued walking in silence. I didn’t know what to say after everything she just told me.
Before I realized it, we were standing in front of the town gates.

The town was surrounded by tall brick walls, and beyond them lay what looked like a medieval English village. It reminded me of the trips my mother used to take me on back to her hometown in the UK. Except this place looked older. Worn, but alive.

I glanced around.
A carriage passed us, wheels creaking.
A man with wolf ears bargained at a fruit stall.
A woman walked pass me, tall, elegant, and definitely had elf ears.
A child chased a baby dragon through the street like it was a puppy on a leash.

I really am in another world.

Before long, we stopped in front of a large stone building with a wooden crest above the door. Looked important enough.

“I’m guessing this is the Guild?”

“Correct!” Lilith beamed. “But before we go in, you must remember something." She leaned in, eyes serious.

“Don’t tell anyone you’re from another world. It’s one of the rules. If you do, there will be… grave consequences.”

“…Okay?”
That’s vague and terrifying.

“Great! Watch your step,” she said cheerfully, pulling the door open and stepping inside.

I followed her.

The moment I entered, I could feel it, dozens of eyes on me. The place was packed with adventurers, most of them tall, rugged, and way too strong-looking. The kind of people who look like they bench press goblins for fun.

“Why’s everyone staring at me?” I whispered.

“Probably because of the way you dress,” Lilith whispered back. “You look like someone from the Capital. Fancy types. They probably think you’re loaded.”

Great. I look like a walking purse.

We walked up to the reception counter. Lilith rang the bell.

Then I saw her.

A woman walked over from the back. Long, flowing black hair. Eyes sharp, but gentle. Red lips that could probably end wars.

She stopped in front of us with a practiced smile.

Wow.
I forgot how to breathe.

“Sir? …Sir?”

I snapped back to reality.
Straightening myself, I cleared my throat.

“H-Hello. I’d like to register, please.” I stuttered. I could hear Lilith giggling beside me.

“Alright then, sir,” the receptionist said with a calm, professional tone. “Please state your name and appointed class.”

“Akira Blaire. Uhm… Class: Adventurer.”

“Very well. And the registration fee?”

Fee?
Do I even have money?

I quickly patted my pockets.
Nothing.

“Here ya go!” Lilith suddenly chimed in, tossing a small pouch onto the counter with a cheerful clink. She shot me a peace sign and smirked.

“Alright. Please sign here,” the receptionist said, sliding a form toward me.

What is it with today and signing contracts?

Still, I signed it.

“Please follow me, sir.”

I blinked. “Uh, okay.”

She led me through a hallway to a small room in the back. Before I knew it, I was standing in front of an old-fashion camera.

“Please hold still. One… two…”

Flash.

The bright light burned into my eyes for a second.
She handed me a small card.

“Here is your Guild Card. We look forward to working with you,” she said with a polite smile.

I stared down at it.

My name, my class, and a blurry picture of me mid-blink.

This looks worse than my school ID.

I thanked the receptionist and turned to Lilith.

“Now what?”

“Next, we’ll be testing your strength!” she said, skipping over to the giant bulletin board at the side of the room.

She scanned the rows of paper tacked onto it before plucking one off.

“Here,” she said, handing it to me.

I read it over. A quest to eliminate slimes nesting near the town outskirts. Reward: 100 Crowns. Must be the local currency.

“Slimes, huh?”

“Should be easy! Even for someone like you!”

…What’s that supposed to mean?

“Alright. Lead the way.”

Without warning, Lilith grabbed my hand and yanked me toward the exit.
She dragged me through the streets like an excited tour guide.

.....

“Gross…”

In front of me was a small cave entrance. Everything, rocks, grass, even the air felt sticky.
The whole place was covered in slimy goop.

“Do I really have to…?”

“It’s part of the quest,” Lilith said matter-of-factly.

“Is it really bothering the townsfolk? I mean… this place is kind of far.”

“Apparently,” she explained, “there’s a rare healing flower that grows near here. The slime toxin messes with its growth. The town doctor’s been complaining for weeks.”

I sighed and took a reluctant step forward.
First fight. First quest. First… puddle of slime.

This is going to be disgusting, isn’t it?

I sighed and braced myself.
Extending my hand, I focused-

The CrimsonCaliber materialized out of thin air, slipping into my grip like it had always been there.

“Whoa…”

“Hey, looks like you’re already getting used to it!” Lilith grinned.

“How did I do that? My hand just… moved on its own.” It felt natural. Instinctive. Like I’d done it before.

“Your body moves the way your heart moves,” she said, placing a hand over her chest.
“Your heart knew what you needed, so it acted for you. This world allows that, so trust your heart from now on, okay?”

“…Sure,” I said, only half understanding.

I raised the CrimsonCaliber and brought it down.
The blade sliced cleanly through a slime.

That was easy.

Another one bounced toward me. I cut it too. Then another. And another.
Before long, the entrance to the cave was clear.

“This is going… better than I expected,” I muttered with a small smile, watching the pieces of defeated slime dissolve into nothing.

But then I noticed something.

Bits of slime stuck to the blade were twitching.
I leaned closer.

They were moving.

Before I could react, the goo leapt from the blade and wrapped itself around my hand.

“What the—!?”

More slime crawled up my arm, spreading fast. I panicked, trying to shake it off, but it was already clinging to my shoulder.

Then the pieces on the ground started moving too. They slid across the dirt and latched onto my legs.

I collapsed, screaming silently. The slime was burning my skin.

It crawled across my chest, my neck, then over my face.

I couldn’t breathe.

I couldn’t move.

Is this really it? Dying to a slime?
Yeah… that sounds about right.

Just as everything started to fade...

A splash of water hit me like a wave.

The slime shrieked and peeled off, dissolving into puddles on the ground.
I gasped for air, coughing and blinking through the pain.

I looked up.

Lilith stood over me, holding a bucket and looking mildly amused.

“You good?”

I laid there, drenched, breathless, and half-dead.

“…No.”

.....

I sat on the bench with a towel draped over my head.
Losing to a slime…
One of the weakest enemies in fantasy history. How embarrassing.

A sudden slap landed on my back.

“Don’t be so down about it,” Lilith said, grinning. “It’s your first time here, so I guess it’s to be expected.”

She sat beside me, still wearing that smirk.

“Though… why didn’t you use your skill?”

I blinked. “Skill?”

“Eeeeh~? Don’t tell me you haven’t unlocked your skill yet?”

“…No? Was I supposed to?”

“That’s weird… Most players awaken theirs in high-stress moments. I thought putting you in a life-or-death situation would definitely trigger it.”

I turned to stare at her with a deadpan expression.

“…So you knew the slimes were going to kill me?”

She tilted her head innocently. “Well, I hoped they wouldn’t.”

This girl…
She’s insane.

She giggled. “You really are a unique specimen. Just like he said.”

I pulled the towel off my head and stared at her.

“You’re missing parts of yourself, dreams, desires... the things that make a human whole.
And yet…” she leaned forward slightly, her voice softer.
“I can still feel a shimmer of hope inside you. That little spark that keeps you moving.”

“…”

Hope…?

A loud crack of thunder pulled my attention away. The sky, once clear had turned red.

A rift opened in the air like a rip in reality. Dark silhouettes began pouring out of it. At the front stood a black figure in twisted jester attire, its head a shattered opera mask.

“What the…”

Without warning, the jester army descended on the town.

They tore through buildings, set fire to stalls.
People screamed.
Children cried.
Adventurers ran in to fight back, blades clashing, spells flying but they were overwhelmed.

I stood frozen, watching the chaos unfold.

Lilith’s voice came calmly beside me. “Looks like the Daemons are here.”

“…Daemons?”

“The army of the Dark Rulers. Manifestations of negative emotions,” she explained.
“They may just be minions… but they’re dangerous. Even now, the adventurers are struggling.”

I still couldn’t move.
Even if I wanted to help, what could I do?

I was useless.

“Take a look around you,” Lilith said.

I turned, confused.

“The cheerful, lively town? Gone. The people full of dreams? Now crying in despair.”

Her voice dropped.

“This is how it always begins. The Dark Rulers want nothing more than to burn this world in shadow. And with every attack, more hope fades. It’s only a matter of time before everything is lost.”

The screams grew louder.
Pain. Fear.
I heard it all, but I still couldn’t move.

Am I really the hero?

Lilith turned to me, her eyes glowing faintly in the red haze.

“Tell me, Mr. Blaire…”
She stared right into me.

“Are you really going to let that happen?”

-To Be Continued