Mesoamerican Long Count Calendar, developed by Ancient Mayans. When anyone hears about it, they immediately think about the End of the World - Apocalypse. But it didn't happen. It is already 21 March 2013, and the World is well and sound. Or not? 

It is said that the end of the 5,126-year-long Mayan Calendar marked the end of civilization how we knew it. That it isn't only the end of some random calendar created by ignorant ancient people, but some kind of awe-inspiring prophecy. Well, this date passed three months ago, and nothing special happened to the World... Or not? 

For most of humanity, indeed, nothing changed. But for others... for some people, it wasn't just three months that passed after 21 December 2012. But more. Much more.

Alexey Johnovich Grand. Or, Alex Grand how he is called by most people. He is one of those rare existences who experienced a certain phenomenon. Time Leaping. He isn't unique in that experience like some kind of novel protagonist would be. He is just one out of many others in the World. 

The World indeed changed after the end of the Mayan Calendar. And there is only one year more before Apocalypsis. The responsibility to prevent it put on the shoulders of Chosen people. Those who are given unique powers by the Higher Existence. They fight monsters and put their lives on the line to keep humanity from extinction. The best out of Chosen are given a chance to retain their memories when the World is reset. 

Heroes who fight to protect the World - Loopers. They are the pride of humanity and the last chance to save everyone. 

"Oh, my god! Esaka, my bro, no!!!" 

Alex Grand is silent, but he is screaming in his mind. There are tears in his eyes, and his facial expression is full of sadness and unwillingness. 

"My friend, my comrade! Why? Why should we fight? Why should you die?!"

The pain of losing someone important. It isn't a new experience for Alex Grand. But it doesn't make it less painful. Especially if you are the one who is forced to end their life...

"This game...this game is truly a masterpiece, as expected from Kei studio!"

Actually... Alex is just reading a visual novel. Yep. While other chosen give their all to save the World, Alex Grand is just spending time at his home playing video games, reading novels, watching anime and TV-series. He isn't some sort of superhero, just a selfish guy enjoying his life. Saving the World? There are many other people out there, I'm a weakling anyway. 

Ting...ting, ting, ting.

The strange annoying sound stopped Alex's immersion in a game world. 

"Oh no, this shit again."

The Call of the Law Will. Oh, Chosen - accept your Fate. Fight, become stronger, survive, die, and then fight again. Defeat the Chaos. Answer to my Summon! Complete the Test prepared for you!

Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

Accept

Reject

Alex is too busy for that! Of course, he chooses the Refuse option... even though he knew that it is for naught. 

Refusal is impossible. Initiate the Summon. 

And so his surroundings changed from his small but comfortable room to something completely different. Strange jungles with gigantic plants that, obviously, don't exist on Earth. Though, how much Alex actually know about Earth's plants? Not much. But something tells him that there are no gigantic carnivore plants even in the most dangerous jungles, right? 

Anyway, it isn't the first time he sees this scenario. It is somewhat familiar. It makes sense. Another rather familiar thing is the imaginary message he has seen as soon as he appeared here.

Welcome to the Test of Purgatory. 

Rather ominous, right? Not really, in fact, it is one of the easiest Dungeons available to the Chosen. Something like a Starting Zone in RPG-games. Even ordinary Chosen can survive it, let alone those OP Loopers. Fully completing it is somewhat harder, but, obviously, it isn't something that a person does alone. There are other 99 people who are summoned in the Dungeon alongside with him, it is only a matter of time before he meets another 9 of them to form the Party. Then, everything is a breeze; after all, he was, most likely, summoned alongside the other Loopers. 

"Oh, it seems I was rather lucky to be teleported here!"

While checking around his surroundings, Alex found out something interesting - a pleasant surprise. Most Chosen would be happy to find another human being like them in the Dungeon when they are teleported randomly. After all, it is always safer to be with someone else. Even if you are very confident in your ability - you can never be careless when your life is at stake. 

But what Alex found out wasn't another fellow human. In fact, it was a monster. About two meters in height, as big as an SUV car. Something between a crab and a spider. Both creatures aren't even insects, but this thing certainly looks like an insectoid thanks to its green, ugly, and totally insect-like exoskeleton. Ordinary unexperienced humans would be totally terrified after seeing this atrocious thing. But not Alex. He is different. He is glad to meet this new friend! 

"Hey, big guy! Come here!"

He is yelling in the direction of this monstrosity while vigorously waving his hands as if afraid of being missed by it. They were not so far away from each other in the first place, so he was noticed almost immediately. The distance between them was shortened at a frightening pace. 

"C'mon! Let's fight, you cute little bug! I'll kick your ass." 

There is no trace of fear at Alex's face. Only unwavering determination. He is a Looper! A Chosen warrior who fights to save the World! 

"Ugh!"

And so, he was killed. One-shotted by a level 3(Elite) Cute Little Bug. 

Like this, useless Looper who didn't even have a level because he skipped the Tutorial stage, concluded his 22nd loop.