The place gave me the creeps. I was sitting in a brilliantly lit, empty room, scratching my head as I glanced back and forth like a confused chicken. Just moments ago, I’d been a hero, pushing a lady and her daughter out of the way of a speeding car. And now here I am in this weird room, trying to make sense of what had just happened. It was like I’d gone from saving lives to stepping into some weird sci-fi set.

So where exactly is this place? The room was an expanse of sterile white. I mean, seriously, it looked like the world’s biggest bathroom with no exit in sight. The floor beneath me was cool and lustrous, reflecting this light that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at once. No windows, no doors, just a brightness that made me squint like I was staring directly into the sun. I half-expected to see a cartoon character pop out and yell, “Welcome to the Twilight Zone!”

I tried to look for any sign of an exit or anyone who could shed light on what was happening, desperately hoping to catch at something, anything that could explain this surreal situation, but only found silence. The stillness was so eerie that it amplified every little sound I made, like my breathing and the swish of my clothes. It felt like I was the only person in existence.

Just when I thought things couldn’t get any weirder, a sharp female voice called out to me.

“Welcome, Akira Sakamoto.”

I froze, grappling with the fact that this voice knew my name.

“Who’s there?” I shouted, spinning around like a whirligig. “Show yourself!”

“I’m what you call the System,” the voice replied, a cold and stiff presence. “No need to be alarmed, Akira Sakamoto. We have teleported you here among others to play a game.”

Wait, what? My mind scrambled to keep up. “A game? Are you serious?” I asked.

This time it softened its tone, almost sympathetically, as if it sensed my disorientation. “Yes, a game called the Fortress of the Fallen; the conquest of a hundred floors in the realm of Hyakujuu no Ansokusho.”

A blue holographic screen flickered to life before me. Colors exploded across the backdrop, revealing the room with striking landscapes of Hyakujuu no Ansokusho. Lush forests, beautiful mountains, and medieval-like cities filled with humans and fantastical creatures. I was basically gaping like a fish out of water. “This is insane!” My jaw nearly hit the floor as the visuals unfolded like something straight out of a fantasy novel.

In a tone matter-of-fact yet unusually enticing, the System continued. “You will be tasked with eliminating monsters known as Red Creatures or Akai, alongside other Blue Players, called Aoi, like yourself. With the help of Green Players, or Midori, you must clear all one hundred floors. Succeed, and all Aoi Players will return to their world, with the top achievers receiving substantial rewards. Additionally, there are other creatures designated as Yellow Creatures or Kiiroi Ikimono, which may exhibit either aggressive or passive behaviors.”

Before I could ask what the rewards were, the System cut me off. “But be warned! If you are eliminated in the game, you will die for real.”

“What! You’ve got to be joking.” My voice cracked. “I refuse to play this ridiculous game.”

“Understood,” the System said coldly, like it didn’t care. “Prepare for elimination, Akira Sakamoto. Please confirm.”

“No! No! No! I was just kidding!” I raised my hands in surrender, palms out like I was trying to calm down a wild animal.

“Please refrain from making jokes during the briefing, Player Akira,” it reminded me, sounding all serious again.

“Hai!” I squeaked, bowing slightly to the holographic screen, because why not add a little embarrassment to this strange situation? I mean, really, who threatens players with death for refusing to join a game? My head was reeling, caught between frustration and the sheer absurdity of it all.

“Do not fear, Player Akira,” the System said, shifting its tone to something more reassuring. “To maintain fairness between players who have been in the game earlier and those in the later batch, we will provide you with ample training.”

“Fairness? Training?” My brows furrowed. Despite the situation, I straightened my posture, a slight lift in my chin. “What do you mean by that?”

“You will undergo a Tutorial phase in an environment similar to Hyakujuu no Ansokusho, complete with quests and objectives,” the voice explained, sounding almost like a teacher now. “However, there will be no Aoi players or Midori human players, but you will encounter Midori players from other races. You can interact with them and request their help if your prestige with their races is high enough. In the Tutorial phase, you can level up your strength, proficiency in your chosen warrior class, acquire skills, and accumulate rewards during your progression.”

“I see.” My hand was rubbing my chin as I started to connect the dots. This sounded more interesting by the minute.

“Please note,” the System added, “time is irrelevant in both the Tutorial phase and the Live game. You may stay and train for as long as you wish, even if it takes hundreds of years.”

I couldn’t help but snort. “Which idiot would want to stay in a life-threatening game for hundreds of years?”

“If you get eliminated once during the Tutorial phase,” the System resumed, unbothered by my sarcasm, “you will be teleported back to a staging area where all the Aoi players in your batch gather simultaneously before commencing the live game together. The level you achieve, as well as the stats, skills, and rewards you earn, will also be carried forward.”

That made sense. If I had to go back to the starting point, what would be the point of even bothering with the Tutorial phase?

“Now, let us begin with the attribute and class selection,” the System stated as I squared my shoulders. “Please note the following information,” the System advised.

This was it. My chance to carve out my own path in a world that felt both terrifying and thrilling. I leaned forward, ready to dive into this adventure that could lead to glory or my untimely death.

***

Dark—Ankoku no Monsutā (Monster of Darkness)

Light—Hikari no Monsutā (Monster of Light)

Both Attribute are Denote as Akai Creatures

1st—10th Floor: Goblins, all Dark

11th—20th Floor: Lizardmen, majority Dark

21st—30th Floor: Orcs, all Dark

31st—40th Floor: Undead, all Dark

41st—50th Floor: Dark Elves, majority Dark

51st—60th Floor: Vampires, all Dark

61st—70th Floor: Giants, Even

71st—80th Floor: Dragons, Even

81st—90th Floor: Angels, majority Light

91st—100th Floor: Demons, all Dark

***

“For the Light attribute, your power level is double that of the Ankoku (Dark) monsters,” the System continued. “Conversely, if you select the Dark attribute, your power level is double that of the Hikari (Light) monsters. If you are of the same attribute as your opponent, your power will be equal to that of the monsters. Additionally, you cannot change your attribute during the Tutorial phase or the Live game. However, there will be an option to change it once while in the staging area.”

I absorbed the instructions, nodding thoughtfully a few times. Selecting the Light attribute would grant me a significant advantage, especially considering that most of the monsters lurking in the game were of the Dark attribute.

“Please select your attribute, Player Akira,” the System instructed, its tone now carrying a sense of urgency.

Without thinking twice, I pressed the Light attribute selection button on the screen. A soft chime responded to my choice, confirming it. My posture tightened, recognizing the significance of the first step toward gaining an advantage.

“Now, we will proceed with the class and subclass selection,” the System said, and the screen shifted to reveal a whole new set of options. “Please read the guides for the Player Status before your selection.”

I focused on the screen, my eyes scanning the text. “Hmm, let’s see…”

***

Player:

Level:

Class:

Subclass:

Title:

Health Points (HP):

Mana Points (MP):

Main Stat

Strength (STR):

Dexterity (DEX):

Wisdom (WIS):

Charisma (CHA):

Intelligence (INT):

Luck (LCK):

Free Stats Points:

Overall Prestige (P): +120% (Max +1000%)

***

“Once you allocate your free stat points, the changes will be permanent,” the System warned, ensuring I understood the weight of my decisions. “If your overall prestige value drops below negative ninety percent, you will be registered as an Akai player, categorizing you as a criminal. Only by returning to a positive value will you revert to an Aoi player.”

Yikes. The thought of becoming a criminal in this game world if I messed up my prestige could be as bad as killing myself.

“Only after you select your main and subclass, we will assign default stat points based on your life in your world,” the System resumed. “For example, if you excel in sports or track and field, you will receive high stat points in Strength and Dexterity and it is prudent if you choose the Blademaster or Tanker classes. Conversely, if you possess knowledge in the field of medicine and opt for the Support class, your default Intelligence stat points will be significantly elevated. Therefore, I advise you to choose your class wisely.”

I straightened my back and took a deep breath. The choices ahead felt like forks on a winding road, each leading to unknown territory. I shifted my weight from one foot to the other, contemplating my future. Would I become a fierce combatant wielding blades with agility and strength? Or perhaps a wise support capable of turning the tides of battle with knowledge and healing? I wondered what would be the best choice.