Chapter Text
tssSSS kr-POP—
You looked up from your can of Red Bull at the bottom right of your monitor that was all too bright. 7:00 AM. The previous night's regrets settled inside your stomach. Ugh. You shouldn’t have stayed up all night; you were well aware of the risks. Heart disease, depression, diabetes, impaired memory…and exhaustion, which in turn will lead to your rank dropping in Counter-Strike. Exhaustion is a massive game over for everyone and everything. When you’re exhausted, you don’t think, you don’t learn, and you don’t remember, which will leave you a failure. I’ll make up for it tonight.
You got up from your chair, trudging over to change into your school uniform. Passing the mirror, the bags under your eyes appeared to be big enough to hold all your mother’s groceries. The pit of regret grew in your stomach. This was going to be a very long day.
Walking over to the bathroom, you cleaned yourself up, brushing your teeth and combing your hair so you looked somewhat presentable. The health bar above your head blinking a solid 70% full. Huh, the Red Bull really does help, you thought to yourself, turning on your heels and heading down the stairs and out the door. But not without grabbing a slice of buttery toast to accompany you on your endeavor.
+10% Health!
In the world of gaming, you've carved out a reputation as an absolute legend. From the intense battlegrounds of first-person shooters to the intricate strategies of real-time strategy games, there's no genre you haven't conquered. Your name is whispered in awe among gamers, revered for your lightning-fast reflexes, pinpoint accuracy, and strategic brilliance.
What sets you apart isn't just your natural talent, but your relentless drive to improve. You approach each new game as a challenge to be conquered, diving headfirst into its mechanics and gameplay with an insatiable hunger for mastery. You spend hours analyzing gameplay footage, studying the strategies of top players, and dissecting every aspect of the game to uncover its deepest secrets.
In your pursuit of perfection, you've honed your skills to a razor-sharp edge. In first-person shooters, you're a force to be reckoned with, dominating the battlefield with your lightning-fast reflexes and uncanny accuracy. Whether you're sniping enemies from across the map or mowing them down with an assault rifle, you're always one step ahead of the competition.
When it comes to strategy games, you're like a tactical genius, orchestrating complex maneuvers and outsmarting your opponents with ease. Whether you're mid-diffing your opponents on League of Legends or playing absolute soul-crushing cards in Hearthstone, you always have a plan and the skill to execute it flawlessly.
But perhaps what's most impressive about you is your ability to adapt and innovate. You're constantly pushing the boundaries of what's possible, experimenting with new strategies and techniques to stay ahead of the curve. You're not content to simply rest on your laurels—you're always pushing yourself to new heights, eager to see just how far your skills can take you.
In the world of gaming, you're not just a player—you're a legend in the making. And as you continue to push the limits of your abilities and conquer new challenges, your legacy will only continue to grow as you—
Yeah... yeah right. Professional gaming sucks ass and I don’t need a bunch of people yelling at me when I screw something up, you thought to yourself. Huh, what is that?
You turned toward a bush filled with flowers and right under the branches you saw a sparrow. A completely rock-solid sparrow.
You blinked, thinking you might still be groggy from the all-nighter. But there it was, unmistakably petrified. The sight of it stirred something within you, a vague unease that you couldn't quite place. Shaking your head, you dismissed it as a strange anomaly and continued on your way to school.
As you walked, your mind drifted back to the online world. You thought about the countless hours you'd poured into mastering games, the thrill of victory, and the crushing disappointment of defeat. Despite the allure of professional gaming, you knew it wasn't for you. The pressure, the constant scrutiny, and the inevitable burnout were things you wanted to avoid. You preferred the solitary challenge of improving your skills, learning new games, and pushing yourself to new limits without the added stress of an audience.
Arriving at school, you went through the motions of the day, your thoughts never straying far from the virtual worlds you loved so much. Classes passed in a blur, and before you knew it, the final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day. You packed up your things and headed home, eager to dive back into the games that awaited you.
On your way out, you spotted your classmates, Taiju Oki and Yuzuriha Ogawa. Taiju, the ever-enthusiastic powerhouse, was deep in conversation with Yuzuriha, whose calm and gentle demeanor always seemed to balance his energy. As usual, they were discussing something animatedly, but today it seemed different—Taiju's expression was unusually serious.
"Hey, Taiju! Yuzuriha!" you called out while waving, a yawn threatening to leave your mouth.
Taiju turned to you, a broad smile breaking through his serious expression. "Hey, [Y/N]! You look excited." he joked, though his eyes flickered nervously to Yuzuriha.
"Yeah, something like that," you replied, chuckling. "You two seem deep in conversation. What's up?"
Taiju scratched the back of his head, glancing at Yuzuriha. "I was just... well, I was going to tell Yuzuriha something important."
Yuzuriha blushed slightly, giving Taiju an encouraging smile. "It's okay, Taiju. Take your time."
"Good luck, Taiju," you said with a smirk. Taiju’s long standing crush on Yuzuriha was no secret, and his earnestness was something you couldn’t help but admire, even if it seemed a bit naive.
As you turned the corner, you ran into Senku Ishigami, the school's scientific genius. With his distinctive green hair and perpetually calm expression, Senku was an enigma. He was often seen alone, lost in his thoughts, or scribbling complex equations in his notebook. Today, he seemed preoccupied, his sharp eyes scanning the sky.
"Hey, Senku," you greeted, curiosity getting the better of you. "What’s got you so focused?"
Senku glanced at you, his expression thoughtful. "Just observing something interesting. The birds seem... off today," he said cryptically.
You remembered the petrified sparrow from earlier and felt a chill run down your spine. "Yeah, I saw something weird too. A stone sparrow," you said, trying to sound casual.
Senku’s eyes narrowed, a glint of intrigue lighting up his gaze. "Interesting. We should talk more about this later," he said before walking away, lost in his thoughts once more.
You continued home, the unease growing within you. Something big was happening, something that none of your games could prepare you for. But for now, you pushed it to the back of your mind, focusing instead on the comfort of your gaming rig waiting for you.
As night fell and the familiar glow of your monitor filled the room, you resolved to find out what was going on. You might be a gaming prodigy, but this was a challenge unlike any you had faced before. And somehow, you knew that your skills, your determination, and your relentless drive to improve would be tested in ways you couldn't yet fathom.
Little did you know, this was just the beginning of a journey that would take you far beyond the virtual worlds you loved, into a reality that was stranger and more dangerous than any game you had ever played.
The next day dawned like any other, but there was a palpable tension in the air. You could feel it, even through the digital haze of your morning gaming session. Despite your best efforts to ignore the nagging sense of dread, it clung to you, persistent and unsettling. You brushed it off, telling yourself it was just the aftermath of another sleepless night spent gaming.
School was abuzz with chatter, the usual topics of gossip and trivial complaints overshadowed by a growing unease. You spotted Taiju and Yuzuriha near the school gate, Taiju looking unusually nervous. Nearby, Senku was deep in thought, his expression unreadable.
"Today’s the day, Yuzuriha!" Taiju announced, steeling himself for what was undoubtedly a monumental moment in his life.
"Taiju, I'm sure whatever you have to say will be great," Yuzuriha said gently, her smile full of warmth.
You couldn’t help but smile at Taiju’s earnestness, wishing him luck silently as you headed to class. The day dragged on, every minute ticking by slower than the last. The unease in the air only grew, and by lunchtime, it was almost suffocating.
As you walked through the schoolyard, you saw Senku studying a sparrow that seemed frozen in mid-flight. You remembered the petrified bird you saw yesterday and felt a chill run down your spine.
"Senku, what's going on?" you asked, your voice tinged with anxiety.
Senku looked up, his eyes serious. "I don’t know yet, but it’s definitely not normal. Keep your eyes open."
You nodded, feeling a lump form in your throat. Something big was happening, something you couldn’t quite comprehend. You continued on your way, trying to focus on the mundane routine of school life, but the unease was like a shadow, following you everywhere.
After school, you saw Taiju gathering his courage once more to approach Yuzuriha. You were in the science lab with Senku and the other science club students; they were betting on whether or not Yuzuriha would reciprocate Taiju’s feelings.
“100 Yen on heart break.” One of the guys said, resting on the window sill.
“300 on her making him cry!” Another said, positioning himself near the window as well.
A fellow in glasses joins them, “500 on her calling him a creep.”
There was a beat of silence.
“How about 10 thousand that she’s into him too.” The voice came from none other than Senku, you turned to look over your shoulder at the scientist who was standing next to another window all by his lonesome. Who woulda thought…
“Seriously?!” The three boys asked unanimously.
You shrugged and joined him as he popped open his energy drink. You placed your head in your hands and looked down at Yuzuriha and Taiju, wanting to get in on the action. You nudged Senku, “Those are bad for you, Mr.Know-it-all.”
The scientist scoffed and looked down at you over his shoulder, “There are countless things that are bad for you, [Y/N]. And excessive gaming happens to be one of them.”
You raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of your lips. "Oh, please. Like you're one to talk, living off of instant ramen and soda."
Senku chuckled, taking a sip of his drink. "Touche."
“It’s like this, Yuzuriha!” Taiju’s voice boomed, full of confidence. Oh! It’s happening! You thought to yourself, cheering him on silently. “I’ve kept this inside me for 5 years and…” He paused.
What… the… “hell is that?” Senku finished your thoughts, just as confused and concerned as you were. There was a massive green light engulfing the far side of the city and it was getting bigger. People around you began panicking trying to run away, pushing past you and the scientist. One of the bigger teenagers bumped into you, almost knocking you to the ground but Senku had grabbed your arm, trying to help you settle on your feet. You nodded a thanks to him and for a second you two just stared at each other. Senku looked as calm as ever but past his crimson eyes you could see he was just as scared as you.
As the blinding light enveloped you two, the world seemed to freeze in an instant. Everything around you turned to stone, frozen in time like some twisted monument to the chaos that had unfolded.
You felt the strange sensation creeping over your skin, a cold numbness that spread from your fingertips to your toes. Panic surged through you, but as you turned to look at Senku, you found a strange sense of calm wash over you.
In that moment, as the world crumbled, you silently promised each other that you would find a way to survive. That no matter what happened, you would save each other.
And then, with a final, silent vow, you succumbed to the petrification, your body frozen in time alongside the rest of the world. But even as your consciousness attempted to fade, the promise you had made to each other burned bright in your minds, a beacon of hope in the darkness that lay ahead.
The days that followed were a blur of darkness and confusion. Trapped in your stone prison, you couldn't move, couldn't speak. But your mind remained active, clinging to consciousness by replaying countless gaming strategies and mistakes. You analyzed every move, every tactic, diving deep into the mechanics of the games you had mastered. It was the only thing that kept you sane, the only way to hold onto some semblance of yourself.
Time lost all meaning. Days, months, years could have passed, and you wouldn’t have known. All you had were your thoughts, your relentless drive to improve, to understand. The virtual worlds you loved so much became your lifeline, the one thing that kept you from succumbing to the darkness.
"Yo! [Y/N], wake up!"
The voice cut through the darkness like a beacon. You struggled to open your eyes, the stone shell around you cracking and falling away. When you finally blinked into the sunlight, you saw Senku standing before you, alive and very much not a statue.
"Senku? How...?" you began, your voice hoarse from disuse.
"I revived you using nitric acid," he explained, his tone brisk and matter-of-fact. "We've got a lot of work to do."
Still the same old Senku… You thought to yourself.
As you took in your surroundings, you noticed Taiju and Yuzuriha nearby, both of them looking relieved and happy to see you. The world was still, but there was a sense of life and hope that hadn't been there before.
Senku filled you in on everything that had happened. Tsukasa Shishio, the strongest high school primate, had been revived first to help protect them from dangers. However, his ideals had clashed with Senku’s. Tsukasa wanted to create a new world without adults, free of the corruption he believed they represented. Senku, on the other hand, was determined to revive all of humanity, no matter the cost.
"Tsukasa's a formidable opponent," Senku said, his eyes narrowing. "But we need every advantage we can get. That’s why I revived you. Your strategic mind and quick thinking are invaluable."
You felt a surge of determination. This was a challenge unlike any you had faced before, but you were ready. With Senku's genius, Taiju's strength, Yuzuriha's craftsmanship, and your own unique skills, you felt a glimmer of hope.
"How did you figure out how to revive us?" you asked, marveling at the brilliant mind of your friend.
Senku grinned, his eyes shining with excitement. "Science, [Y/N]. It's all about understanding the principles of chemistry and applying them. We were lucky to find a cave with nitric acid deposits. That's what kick-started the revival process."
Taiju, who had been listening intently, chimed in. "Senku, you really are amazing. I can't believe you managed to figure this out!"
"Save the compliments for later, meathead," Senku replied, though his tone was playful. "We've got a civilization to rebuild."
Yuzuriha, having just been revived, looked around in awe. "It's like we've been given a second chance. We can make the world a better place."
As you all worked together, the bond between you grew stronger. Each of you brought something unique to the table, and it was clear that, despite the daunting task ahead, you were a formidable team.
It was a few days later when you first met Tsukasa. You were out scouting for materials with Senku, gathering supplies to build a shelter. Senku was explaining the importance of each item when a figure emerged from the trees, moving with a grace and confidence that made you instantly wary.
"Tsukasa," Senku greeted, his tone neutral.
Tsukasa’s eyes scanned over you, taking in your slender frame and assessing your potential threat. "I see you’ve revived another," he said, his voice deep and calm. "What’s your name?"
You introduced yourself, trying to keep your voice steady. "I’m [Y/N]. It’s nice to meet you."
“Likewise.” Tsukasa nodded, but you could see the calculation in his eyes. He didn’t seem threatened, but you knew better than to underestimate him. You had spent years analyzing opponents in games, figuring out their strengths and weaknesses. Tsukasa was no different. His confidence wasn’t just for show; it was backed by real, physical power. But there was something more, a depth to his gaze that spoke of a conviction you couldn’t ignore.
As he spoke with Senku about their progress, you started to analyze him. His movements were precise, efficient. He wasn’t just strong; he was smart, using his abilities to their fullest potential. You noted his stance, the way he positioned himself to always have the upper hand. He was a strategist in his own right, and that made him even more dangerous.
"Your skills might be of some use here," Tsukasa said, turning to you suddenly. "Strategy and quick thinking are valuable in this new world."
You blinked in surprise, then nodded. "I’ll do what I can to help."
He studied you for a moment longer, then nodded. "Good. We need all the help we can get."
As Tsukasa walked away, you felt a shiver run down your spine. He was an ally for now, but his vision for the future was vastly different from Senku’s. You knew that a conflict was inevitable, and when it came, you would need to be ready.
That evening, as you sat by the fire with Senku, Taiju, and Yuzuriha, you shared your thoughts. "Tsukasa is strong, but he’s also smart. He’s not just a brute; he’s thinking several steps ahead."
Senku nodded, his gaze thoughtful. "That’s what makes him dangerous. But we’ll have to stay ahead of him. Science will be our edge."
You looked at the fire, the flames flickering and casting shadows. This was a game unlike any you had ever played, a real-world challenge that would test you in ways you had never been tested before. But for the first time in a long while, you felt ready. Ready to face whatever came next, and to build a new world from the ashes of the old.