The Guide

Almost a year earlier, Tamashi was peacefully snoozing in his bed when an unfamiliar and unpleasant voice woke him up from his slumber.

“Hello, Tamashi Ume! I am the Guide. How would you like to be a test subject?”

Squinting his eyes at the ceiling and still half asleep, Tamashi yawned loudly without covering his mouth, gazing at the bizarre azure smoke that had woken him up. Glancing to his left to look at the alarm clock and seeing it was still early, Tamashi absentmindedly collapsed back onto the bed and closed his azure-colored eyes, wanting to go back to sleep.

“Hey, don’t pretend I’m not here! I know you heard me. Tamashi! Are you listening?”

The voice that sounded cheerful and fun was now seemingly hurt and pouting, offended by Tamashi ignoring it.

“Mmm, go away, five more minutes...”

“Oh? So, after five minutes, you will listen?”

“Yeah, yeah, sure. Just let me... sleep.”

“Sure, I can wait for five minutes.”

The voice went quiet after that... for exactly five minutes.

“Beep! Beep! Beep!”

The azure smoke suddenly let out an alarm-like noise, causing Tamashi to jump up from his bed and frantically look around, worried he had overslept.

Noticing the time on his clock was pretty much the same as before, he wanted to lie back down but was interrupted by the same annoying voice again.

“Hello, Tamashi Ume! I am the Guide. How would you like to be a test subject?”

“Huh?”

Only now did Tamashi finally realize that there indeed was a strange blue smoke floating above his bed, apparently talking to him.

“...What?”

Seeming confused, the smoke said the same sentence for the third time.

“Hello, Tamashi Ume! I am the Guide. How would you like to be a test subject?”

“...”

It wasn't a dream then.

Countless possibilities and scenarios went through his head in an instant, but in the end, he simply asked in a shaky voice: “Do... Do you wish to harm me?”

“No, why would I harm you?” answered the smoke without missing a beat.

Still somewhat suspicious but deciding it was enough for now, Tamashi lay down on his soft mattress again, but this time fully awake.

“Great. So, what are you? Why are you here? What do you want with me?”

The azure smoke pulsed out of nowhere, becoming brighter and brighter by the second, practically blinding Tamashi.

Tamashi’s perspective then suddenly changed, as if he was observing multiple unfamiliar events and learning a ton of information all at once.

“I am the Guide, a sentient message that was sent to countless planets across the vast universe to spread the teachings and love of my creators, the race of #@!%$&, or Myou translated to your language.”

Tamashi witnessed strange civilizations doing even stranger things, like flying through space without any spaceships, or diving to the bottom of oceans without any protection gear. Each time a new scene was presented to him, his perspective changed, and it was as if he was experiencing the lives of many different beings—people, animals, and creatures completely unknown to him. Throughout the process, he gained vast knowledge of the being calling itself the Guide; how it functioned, why it visited his—as well as many other—worlds, who the Myou were, and what being the so-called test subject actually meant.

While Tamashi’s mind was being flooded with information, the Guide continued.

“You, Tamashi Ume, were randomly chosen as a test subject from approximately 400 million people who have experience playing video games, as they most closely resemble the teachings of the mighty Myou.”

Tamashi’s vision, as well as his other senses, returned to normal, and he was back in his room. The azure smoke—or rather the Guide—was still floating above him.

“Do you have any more questions?”

“...Can you give me a minute?”

“Of course! I will now wait a minute before asking you again.”

“Wait, no, no. I meant like... just wait until I gather my thoughts, okay?”

“Understood.”

With a heavy sigh, Tamashi sunk even deeper into his mattress, feeling a headache coming on. He then pinched himself on the arm, then his cheek, and finally his other arm.

Really not a dream...

Tamashi silently glanced at the Guide, which just floated there like a strange looking gas.

This... All of this is simply insane. What that fart—er, I mean, the Guide—said is straight-up lunacy!

What he was being presented with wasn’t a problem in itself, but the outcome would probably be catastrophic. All of it was basically a real-life video game. The Myou’s teachings were a type of game system that every living human could access and benefit from.

We’re talking about magic, potions and alchemy, blessings and curses, fantastical beings like elves and dwarves serving as NPCs, and worst of all, leveling up. That meant being able to grow stronger and become much faster, far surpassing human limits.

If every human on Earth were to gain God-like magical and physical powers, the world would descend into irreversible chaos within days, perhaps even faster than that.

Taking a deep breath, Tamashi sat up on his bed and cleared his throat.

“Okay, Guide. I have a few questions. Is that fine with you?”

“Of course. Please ask as many questions as you need,” replied the Guide with a cheerful tone.

“Alright. First question: if I were to refuse to be the test subject, would you leave this planet or look for another candidate?”

“If you were to decline, I would search for another human until a test subject is found.”

Damn it.

“Second question: are there any rules or regulations for using the system, or as you’d call it, the Myou’s teachings, like not being able to commit crimes?”

“For the human chosen as a test subject, there are three rules: First, you cannot kill or harm any human—physically or mentally—while being a test subject. Second, you cannot let any human find out about the system before the testing is over. Third, you also must fulfill your role as the test subject, testing the system in various ways. When the system officially spreads and becomes available to every living human, those restrictions will be removed.”

So, anyone can basically use it however they wish. Great...

“Third question: does the test subject get any benefits or rewards for... being the test subject?”

“All the progress and items the test subject acquires during the testing period will be reset and removed. However, the test subject will get to choose a reward after the trial is over.”

Only one reward? That seems kinda cheap. It better be something overpowered.

“Fourth question: how long is the testing period, and what exactly am I supposed to be testing?”

“The testing will take one year. During that period, the test subject is to report any unusual phenomena, or as you would call them, bugs, to me, so I can promptly fix them and resolve any issues with the system. This is done due to different worlds having different laws of existence and physics, so the system may not be perfect and could require additional maintenance.”

Tamashi’s eyes narrowed slightly, and he was about to inquire more about the system bugs, but stopped himself in time, asking another question instead.

“Fifth question: if I cannot harm anyone while being a test subject, can I still influence others using the system if it means helping someone or simply doing it for fun?”

The guide didn’t respond for a few seconds, which made Tamashi worry, but he was soon given the answer.

“If indeed no human is harmed in any way and the system remains a secret, then it is allowed.”

Yes! That’s what I wanted to hear.

Smiling slightly, Tamashi continued.

“Sixth question: what would happen to the test subject if he broke any of the rules?”

This time, the Guide answered immediately, and what it said sent shivers down Tamashi’s spine.

“The test subject’s memories of the system will be erased, and a new test subject will be chosen.”

E-erased? It can wipe a human’s memory, just like that?

After taking a moment to steady himself, worried he would alarm the Guide, Tamashi continued.

“Seventh question: if I use the system, for example to get rich or build a house, will that be erased as well after the year is over?”

“If no one becomes suspicious of your unusual activities, then no.”

That’s nice. I can get rich within a year, no problem.

“Alright, final question.”

Tamashi paused, scared to find out the answer. After a full minute of silence, he finally spoke again, unable to hide his trembling voice.

“Will... Will the system stay here on Earth... forever?”

“Yes, of course,” responded the Guide calmly.

The friendly and light-hearted tone with which it answered terrified Tamashi down to his very core. He felt sweat running down his back and forehead, and his head started to spin.

Silence filled the room for a long time, neither Tamashi nor the Guide speaking.

What is this? wondered Tamashi.

It’s basically the end of the world as we humans know it. Not that humans are a particularly nice species, but still... This is just heartless. What are those Myou even thinking? Why would they force their teachings onto other planets without even asking? This is like Christianity in the Middle Ages.

Tamashi looked up at his white ceiling with an empty gaze.

But... there are still things I can do. The only rules I must follow are not harming people and keeping the system a secret. The Guide even confirmed that other than that, I’m basically free to do whatever I want.

Taking a deep breath and exhaling slowly, Tamashi made up his mind.

I will find the bugs but keep some a secret. I will search for loopholes, errors, anomalies, and all the flaws this stupid system has, to make sure that those I care about will survive in a future filled with magic and chaos. I can do it. I have to do it. I am the beta tester of this system, after all.

Tamashi stared at the Guide, hiding deep malice and hatred in his heart behind a gentle smile.

“I accept. I will be your test subject.”