Hiro’s legs burned as he followed Arius through the dense forest, the weight of his thoughts threatening to slow him down. His mind spun with questions: What was this place? Why had he been brought here? And most importantly, who—or what—was The Entity?

The forest around them seemed endless, the trees thick and intertwined like they were trying to hide some ancient secret. The air hummed with an unnatural energy, and despite the eerie quiet, Hiro could sense something—something watching him from the shadows. His heart skipped with every rustle in the underbrush.

Arius, however, moved like he belonged here. His footsteps were sure, his eyes scanning the path ahead with quiet confidence. Hiro couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy. The man was like a part of this world, while Hiro… he was just lost.

After what felt like hours of walking, they arrived at a clearing. In the center stood a massive stone structure, a towering fortress-like building with intricate carvings covering its surface. The stones seemed to pulse with the same energy Hiro had felt earlier—alive, waiting.

Arius stopped and turned toward him. His expression was unreadable, but his voice was steady. “This is where the real game begins.”

Hiro blinked, trying to make sense of what he had just heard. “Game? What do you mean, a game? What’s going on here?”

Arius didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he walked towards the entrance of the structure and gestured for Hiro to follow. “You’ll learn soon enough. But first, we need to get inside. There’s someone waiting for us.”

Confusion swirled in Hiro’s mind as he followed. “Someone waiting for us? Who?”

Arius didn’t answer, instead pushing open the heavy doors to reveal a large chamber inside. The walls were covered in glowing runes that flickered like distant stars. In the center of the room stood a woman—tall, with long, flowing red hair and piercing green eyes that seemed to glow with an inner fire. She was dressed in light armor, her posture poised and ready for anything.

She turned as they entered, her gaze flicking to Hiro before settling on Arius. “So, you brought him here after all,” she said, her voice smooth, but with an edge to it. “I expected you to take longer.”

Arius merely nodded, as though this were all part of the plan. “It’s time to explain things.”

Hiro’s chest tightened. “Explain what?”

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The woman’s sharp gaze finally landed on him. “You’re one of the summoned,” she said, her words carrying a weight he couldn’t quite grasp. “Just like us.”

Hiro blinked, trying to keep up. “Summoned? What does that mean?”

“The Entity,” she said, her voice lowering slightly, “the being that rules this world, has brought people from various worlds like yours. You may not have realized it, but you’re dead. This is your second chance. But it comes at a price.”

“Dead?” Hiro echoed, his voice hoarse. He felt a strange chill at the thought. Was he really dead? Was this… the afterlife? But if this was the afterlife, why did it feel so wrong?

The woman gave him a tight-lipped smile, one that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I know it’s hard to believe, but think of it as a game. A game you’re forced to play.”

Arius stepped forward then, his expression grim. “The Entity has created a world full of dangers, challenges, and monsters. Your job is simple: survive. But the more you survive, the more you learn… and the more you risk.”

Hiro’s head spun. “Wait, wait. So, you’re telling me I’m stuck here? I have to play some kind of game just to… survive?”

The woman, who had introduced herself as Aria, nodded. “Exactly. And the stakes are high. If you fail, you die again. For good.”

Hiro’s stomach churned at the thought. He had barely just come to terms with being dead, and now he was supposed to play some deadly game? It felt like his whole world was falling apart, and he wasn’t sure he could handle much more.

“So,” Hiro started, trying to steady his voice, “How do we… survive? What do we do?”

Aria’s eyes gleamed. “First, you need to learn what you’re capable of. This world is full of abilities, skills, and powers you can unlock. You’re not the same as you were in your previous life, Hiro. You have potential here. The Entity made sure of that.”

Arius stepped to the side, revealing a large stone pedestal behind him. On it lay a crystal that pulsed with a soft blue glow. “This will help you understand. It’s a rare artifact from this world. Touch it, and you’ll see.”

Hiro hesitated. He didn’t trust anything here, but at the same time, he had no choice. If this was his new reality, he needed to figure out how to survive.

He stepped toward the pedestal and reached out, his fingers brushing the cool surface of the crystal. The moment his skin made contact, a sharp jolt of energy shot through him, and the world around him seemed to warp. His vision blurred as images flashed in front of him—quick, disjointed flashes of people, monsters, battles, and… a strange, faceless figure sitting on a throne, its eyes glowing with an inhuman intensity.

Hiro stumbled back, gasping for air. His heart hammered in his chest. “What… what was that?”

“That,” Aria said, her voice solemn, “is The Entity. The one who controls this world. The one who brought you here.”

“Why? Why us?” Hiro asked, feeling the weight of his confusion pressing down on him.

Aria’s lips curled into a faint smile, but it wasn’t a comforting one. “The Entity has its reasons. And until you figure them out, you’re here to play its game. Each of you has a role to play in this world. Some are destined to lead. Others to fight. And some… to die.”

Hiro’s mind raced. He had no idea what he was supposed to do, but something deep inside him told him he couldn’t just accept his fate. Not yet.

“I’m not going to die here,” he muttered under his breath, more to himself than to the others.

Aria’s eyes met his, her gaze sharp and calculating. “That’s the spirit. But remember, Hiro, you’ll need more than just willpower to survive.”

“Willpower won’t be enough,” Arius added, his voice cold. “You’ll need power. Skills. And most importantly… allies. You can’t do this alone.”

Hiro nodded, though the reality of their words was starting to sink in. Surviving in this world would take more than he was used to. It would take everything he had.

The doors to the chamber suddenly swung open, and a figure stepped inside. A tall, slender man with dark hair and sharp, calculating eyes. He was dressed in simple black robes, and his presence filled the room with an air of authority.

“I see we have a new recruit,” the man said, his voice smooth but carrying an unmistakable edge. “Good. We’ll see how well you survive in The Entity’s world. But remember, every choice you make here could be your last.”

Hiro felt his stomach twist. The game was just beginning. And if he was going to survive, he would need to learn everything he could—and fast.