Dear diary,

I don’t have much to tell you, but I’m in my… most likely 51st trial. I’ve failed countless times to leave that horrible place and haven’t found a way out. I only made it past Raid 17 before dying under circumstances I couldn’t control. My soul ached, tearing me toward surrender… yet I still don’t know how to end this nightmare.

Lisha

“What are you writing~?” Hana’s voice cut through the quiet. She peeked over Lisha’s shoulder, a teasing grin on her face. Funny, sassy, kind to those she loves… that was Hana.

“It’s nothing, believe me,” Lisha muttered, ripping the paper into shreds.

Hana shrugged. “Okay… anyway, Mei invited us to dine together,” she said dramatically.

Lisha sighed. “What’s with the drama?” She grabbed her lunch bag, a few benches away.

Mei’s voice followed her. “Normally you’d be the one inviting us. What’s with the mood swings?”

What’s wrong with her? Hana wondered.

I don’t know, Lisha mouthed silently.

Before anyone could dwell, Ivy’s alarmed voice rang out. “You all have ten minutes before the bell—wait, why is he running? Isn’t that the P.E. teacher?”

The teacher’s hand gripped the door frame, pointing toward the stairs.

“ALL STUDENTS EVACUATE! LEAVE YOUR BELONGINGS! THERE’S NO TIME!”

Panic rippled through the crowd. They spilled onto the road, which teemed with people staring upward. A massive, circular landmass floated above the city. Some cried into their phones, believing it was their last chance to speak with loved ones. The students only wanted to see their parents.

Across the globe, the incident spread. Cities emptied, animals vanished, and by midnight, everyone—even those who tried to stay awake—succumbed to unconsciousness.

Lisha, however, remained calm, eyes fixed on the floating circle. Mei, Hana, Ivy, and a few others noticed her composure, their curiosity mingling with worry.

“You’ve been acting… odd since this morning. Did something happen?” Ivy asked carefully.

Lisha’s gaze was hollow, tired. None of them could know what she had endured. She felt a pang of sorrow—would telling them even change anything?

“You can tell us—we’re soul sisters,” Hana said gently, trying to reach her.

Lisha shook her head silently and lay down, letting sleep claim her. It’s not like they’ll remember in my next regression… so there’s no point.

Sudden screams erupted. Everyone looked down and saw their own bodies lying on the ground—though they themselves stood upright.

Jina stepped forward. “Calm down. We’ll figure this out.” Even she felt the creeping fear.

Elara’s voice pierced the panic. “This is absurd! How can we be standing while our bodies lie there? I’m too young for such a quick death!”

Jina stayed silent, fear gnawing at her too.

At least I’ll meet my mom, she thought, memories flashing. She noticed her twin, Nina, studying her inert body.

“It’s still breathing. Pulse and heartbeat are normal,” Nina said.

“Why are we like this? Our souls… they’ve left our bodies. Something’s controlling them,” Arjun muttered theatrically.

A girl murmured to herself, lost in thought. “This doesn’t make sense… unless we’re in an anime? Or—”

“Rosette, stop it,” Sora interrupted, irritated. “At this rate, we might as well be isekai’d into Demon Slayer.”

The ground shuddered beneath them. A void opened beneath every person. They screamed, calling out names, some managing to grab hands mid-fall. Darkness swallowed them completely.

Mei, enraged, shouted, “It’s too damn dark! Some lights would be nice!”

A soft light appeared at the center, startling her.

“Oh—I… since when did I have magic?”

The group gradually gathered, but Lisha and a few others were missing.

“The last time I heard them, they fell over there!” Ava suggested.

“Maybe we wait. A few still aren’t here,” she added. The group agreed. Some fell asleep while calling out names.

Time stretched. Dark figures approached, and a voice pierced the shadows.

“Good thing you didn’t move! We kept running toward you, but you just kept going!” Nina said.

“Ah… it’s our fault,” Jina said quietly. “Now that we’re together… you can sleep.” She fell asleep immediately.

“You must’ve been worried sick,” Ivy murmured.

“Yeah… now sleep,” Nina replied, closing her eyes.

Lisha, the only one awake, pondered their next move. The light in her eyes dimmed as she reflected on what had worked so far.

“To my right is our world. To the left is the world we’re heading to.”

She walked east. The space around her illuminated, revealing two solar systems.

“Twenty hours left. Plenty of time.” She smirked, lying down. A system interface appeared:

[20 hours left before trials begin. Here are your blessings. Use this time to understand them. Say ‘Status’ to view your blessings.]

The players awoke. Murmurs filled the air as they looked up at the northern blue plane.

“Arjun! ARJUN! Get up, you have to see this!” Varun shouted.

“I’m sleeping! What’s the fuss—where ARE we?” Arjun bolted upright.

“Crazy, right? Where even are we?” Varun echoed.

“Mei, shouldn’t we feel cold?” Sora asked, touching her skin.

“Yeah…” Mei replied.

“Feels like a barrier’s keeping us alive,” Nina observed, spreading her hands.

Nina slept well. “Good,” she said simply.

A panel spoke: [2 hours left.] The countdown reverted to a clock.

“What’s happening, Rosette?” Claire asked.

“A trial… or maybe a practice zone. Normally we’d be in a forest or something. I’ve never seen this in an anime. Maybe we meet a god… or end up in a manhwa,” Rosette said. “But most importantly—I want to go back to my family.”

The group started exploring. Another crowd approached. Tension rose; some hid, others froze.

What?! This didn’t happen before… I never trusted my past regression. Everything keeps changing, Lisha thought.

As the other group drew near, they too were trapped here, following the same command… but it felt different this time.

{How funny…}

The label above the newcomers’ heads read 2nd Player Group. The leader’s eyes scanned the first group, noting the tension etched across their faces. Every muscle stiff, every breath measured.

“Ah! We’re not here to harm anyone,” he said quickly, hands raised. His voice trembled slightly with the nervous energy of approaching strangers. “We saw light and tried to get closer. Sorry if we startled anyone.”

Some of the first group froze, eyes widening. Were these strangers dangerous? Skin-walkers? Worse? Slowly, relief washed over them as they realized the newcomers mirrored themselves—players trapped in the same trial, hearts pounding in unison.

Arjun cleared his throat, breaking the silence. “It’s alright. Let’s introduce ourselves properly. I’m Arjun—”

Names trickled out, tentative at first, then more confident. Lisha and Ivy sat together, huddled, watching the newcomers’ gestures and expressions. Mei and her friends began forming small, cautious bonds with the 2PG, exchanging stories of previous trials, near-deaths, and lessons learned.

Hana muttered under her breath, “How can he just casually let them mingle like that?”

“Maybe… new allies can help us,” Mei whispered, forcing herself to see a silver lining amidst the tension.

Lisha, however, remained focused, eyes scanning constantly. Blessings. Skills. Weaknesses. Possible threats. How to survive. Her mind raced faster than her heartbeat, calculating probabilities and contingencies with unnerving precision.

Abruptly, a blue panel materialized before them, glowing faintly in the dim air. The light reflected in every player’s eyes, causing quick glints of surprise, fear, and curiosity.

[Ari Systems are here to show your physical and mental status. Your blessings, given by the 4 constellations and 3 ultimate beings, can be found here.]

Players followed instructions carefully. Some blessings were passive, others offensive, a few defensive. Rare ones combined multiple attributes. Some couldn’t use theirs yet—but observing and mentally noting the abilities of others became its own subtle training.

[You have ten minutes before the trial begins… PREPARE YOURSELVES.]

Lisha exhaled slowly, grounding herself in the fleeting calm. Ten minutes… enough to feel the weight of it, not enough to waste.

“How are we supposed to train in ten minutes?” Rosette’s voice quivered, betraying both anxiety and frustration.

The groups tested their abilities cautiously. Arjun paired with Isuki, executing controlled strikes and movements. Others sparred in small corners, tense and bruised. Mira moved silently between them, healing cuts and scrapes, her hands glowing faintly. Every motion carried a heartbeat of fear, yet a pulse of understanding—the trial was as much mental as it was physical.

[All players, get into position. You will fight your opponents.]

Suddenly, the ground shuddered. Walls of dense bushes erupted around them with a crackle, leaves scraping together in a metallic whisper. Above, the open sky stretched wide, sun bleaching the edges of shadows that shifted unnaturally across the maze below. Panic clawed at their spines.

Lisha’s gaze swept across the chaos. Calculating, precise. “Form groups. Felix, take charge. Everyone else, stay alert. We move strategically.”

[Find the exit within 3 hours. If failed, you will lose your life.]

Lose our life… The words echoed in her mind. She had failed before, yes—but survived. The memory of failure, still raw, tingled like frost against her spine.

“The others are scattered! How do we find them!?” Jina’s voice cracked, eyes wide as she tried to spot classmates lost among towering foliage.

“Use your first skill,” Lisha instructed, voice steady, anchoring the fear around them.

“How?”

“Blast it in all directions. The walls will respond. They’ll find us.”

“That’s dangerous! What if the bushes close back? Or they get hurt?”

“…They’ll have to keep up,” Lisha said tersely, her eyes hard and unwavering.

“You’re heartless!”

“I’ll take that as a compliment,” she replied dryly, scanning the maze for the smallest movements of enemies.

Jina obeyed, blasting through the center. Sparks of light cut through shadow, walls of green curling and twisting as her power forced a path.

Mei and Lisha moved cautiously, each step measured.

“I hope we reach it quickly… just two strikes an—Mei! Let me go!” Lisha shouted, urgency spiking her voice.

“You’re too slow!” Mei barked, frustration and fear twisting her tone.

“You said we needed to move fast! Let me handle the running, you sloth!” Lisha shot back, breathing hard.

Mei forced herself forward, knees burning. She’s right… pushing too hard risks injury… but we don’t have a choice.

A rustle to Lisha’s left caught her eye. Instinctively, she grabbed a branch and sliced it across Mei’s hand.

“This might hurt!” Lisha warned, voice urgent.

Mei gasped, blood trickling. Pain surged sharply—then power coursed through her veins. She froze briefly, understanding hitting her like a bolt: this unlocks my skill.

“Yes. Focus. Use it,” Lisha commanded.

“No time for questions. Fight,” she added, eyes flicking toward the distant center.

The boss appeared: a Venus flytrap-like abomination, stem thick as stone, roots sprawling like living snakes. Its eyes glowed faintly, scanning them with a predatory awareness.

“First skill, Dancing Waves. Chop the roots,” Lisha ordered, voice slicing through the tension like a blade.

Mei summoned her blood, forming twin blades. Her heartbeat thundered in her ears, adrenaline sharpening her senses. The first strike severed a root—the creature shrieked, violent energy surging back through the air.

Explosive flowers launched from the abomination. One hit Mei, throwing her backward, pain flaring across her body.

“UGH—LISHA, THIS IS TOO DANGEROUS TO DO ALONE!”

“I’ve got the rest! Focus on the roots!” Lisha shouted, unwavering, eyes calculating every movement.

Mei pressed on, severing two more roots. The final one—the heart—revealed a soft, vulnerable spot. She climbed, feeling the texture under her fingers, and peeled away the protective layer. A single strike and the creature shrieked, thrashing violently, then collapsed.

“Stop!” Lisha’s voice rang through the maze, firm and commanding.

“What? That’s it?” Mei panted, chest heaving.

“Plants die when their life support is gone. Simple as that.”

The ground shook again, wind gusting, whipping leaves into their faces. The abomination shriveled, bones snapping audibly, leaving only dry husks.

“What a grandma,” Lisha muttered, brushing herself off.

“Now we leave,” Mei said, steadying herself.

“Do you even know where to go?” asked Lisha.

“…Nope,” replied Mei .

"Stup-"

Meanwhile, Nina and Arjun led the boys, their strategic eyes noting positions, hazards, and possible ambush points.

“What happened to Jina?” Nina asked quietly, concern flickering in her expression.

“She cleared the path for Mei and Lisha,” Ivy explained. “Without her, we wouldn’t have regrouped.”

“Why the center?”

“Dunno,” Lisha thought, scanning the exit.

“Maybe a final boss,” Elara muttered, skeptical.

“Or she just wanted the level-up, using Mei as backup,” Elara added with a wink.

“Pf-ft… or maybe Lisha’s just slow,” Hana whispered, shaking her head.

The rest fought, unaware of the intricacies around them. Slowly, the exit revealed itself, monsters disintegrating into dust. Relief flooded the air, mixed with exhaustion and unsteady laughter.

Nina carried Jina, pausing to glance back.

“How much time?”

[30 seconds]

“MEI! 30 SECONDS! HURRY!” Sora’s voice rang, slicing through their fatigue.

Mei leapt forward, every motion stretched to the limit. Two seconds remained as they crossed the threshold, breathless, hearts pounding in tandem.

Ivy tapped both lightly on their heads, eliciting a frustrated, yet exhausted laugh from Mei.

“That was intense,” one whispered.

“Yeah,” Ava replied, smiling faintly despite sweat and dirt.

They shared brief stories of the fight, trying to steady themselves while the world around the maze seemed to sigh in quiet.

Nearby, two 2PG players noticed the Japanese players mid-trial.

“Eh? Still going?” Varun asked.

“Maybe just started,” Arjun replied, eyes narrowing at the obstacles.

“Should we help?”

“Only if the system allows… but probably not. Let’s just watch,” Varun decided, summoning the rest.

Meanwhile, Sora called out to Mei, voice calm but curious across the river wall.

“How did you and Lisha take down that boss?”

“Cut the roots… that’s it. Honestly, looked like a grandma in a coffin,” Mei replied, exhaling slowly, muscles shaking.

“Anyway, how are you feeling?”

“Good. Mira healed me—it wasn’t bad,” Mei said, glancing at Sora.

“You’re really strong,” Sora admitted, her eyes wide with quiet admiration.

“Really?”

“Yeah… I envy you, bro,” Sora added, a soft smile flickering across her face.

They chatted quietly, voices mingling with the faint rustle of leaves and distant echoes, as 2PG finished their trial. 1PG sent Mira and Ezra to check on them, ensuring no one was left behind.

{Ooo.. interesting ain't it???} -------.

The group moved as far as they could, gathering fruits along the path.

“What kind of rule is that, anyway? Not more than fifty?” Milo’s voice broke through the quiet. He was the group’s occasional goofball, always lightening the mood.

“For real, it should be ten or twenty,” Ezra replied, calm and pure-eyed, shaking his head slightly.

“Imagine the guards seeing us… would probably feel like an entire country is moving toward them,” Milo chuckled.

“True. We wouldn’t want attention. Better if we avoid villages and stay in an abandoned house or something,” Arjun added, eyes scanning the surroundings carefully.

Some players frowned at the idea, worried about lurking dangers. “I think finding a village is safer, right?” Varun asked, cautious.

“Hmm… we can keep a low profile if we do find one,” Arjun replied.

What is with keeping a low profile? We just want safety, you idiot, some thought.

“I feel murderous intentions behind me… probably those against this plan,” Nina and Mira noted silently, tension prickling their skin.

Eventually, they found a spot to settle. Those with survival knowledge quickly constructed small tents, each accommodating up to four people. A few went off to scout the area, searching for edible fruits and plants.

“Varun, I think these are edible,” Milo said, pointing to a cluster of berries.

“They… are definitely not edible,” Varun replied, frowning.

“It looks like… a second restroom thingy, if you know what I mean—” Milo started, but Ezra interrupted, shivering slightly.

“Don’t you feel like someone is watching us?”

“No… if you’re feeling unwell, I can take you back. Do you want to go?” Milo offered.

“No, I’ll stay until you’re all done,” Ezra insisted.

“Fine. But watch the food! That raccoon-looking thing stole it!” Varun yelled, flailing his arms in mock frustration.

As the sky darkened, they hurried back to camp, arranging what they had gathered. Cooking attempts were clumsy but edible enough to sustain them, and soon everyone drifted to sleep, exhausted.

“Is everyone asleep?” Lisha whispered, looking around.

“Yup. Gotta move before dawn,” came a faint reply.

She wandered a short distance, careful not to get lost, grabbing items along the way. Checking her status, she noted she had two blessings.

I’m still unfamiliar with this Enchanter skill… part of holy magic here, she thought.

Suddenly, rage flared, memories of a woman flooding her mind. Ebonis, goddess of destruction… you’ll pay for what you’ve done. I’ll turn your creations against you… or destroy them myself.

Pain from previous regressions hit briefly, but she pushed it aside. I can save them this time… I have to.

Her second blessing, “The Black Clove,” remained from her 32nd regression. Only used a few times, it contained the power of her previous kills.

Time reversal… Hana has that already. Is this more powerful? I’ll figure it out later. Right now, I need to level up my Enchantment skill.

Lisha’s mind raced, devising a method to grow stronger. She ran toward a land filled with herbs and slimes, gathering them along the way.

“I didn’t expect herbs… might as well take them. But the slimes…” she muttered, crouching beside a white flower resembling a blue spider lily, called a Loak Spider. She shoved it into a slime, hoping to tame it.

[You have tamed a slime. Devotion: 82%. Strength +20% (Level 15 → 18)]

“Good enough,” she muttered, considering how much the slime had fought to reach level 15. She tried her enchantment magic.

[Can’t cast the spell. The slime hasn’t been named.]

“Right… a name,” she said aloud, thinking quickly. “Fish? No… Zyli. Better.”

[The slime has accepted the name. You can cast the spell.]

Finally, a star appeared beneath them both, signaling success.

[Enchantment complete. Level increased by 5% (+0.041).]

“…You sure the calculation’s right?”

[Yep. Your weak start isn’t my fault :D]

“Now, back to camp before everyone wakes. Too tired for this…” she muttered.

“Now you’re my shield, little one. Protect me while I’m defenseless,” she said, addressing the slime.

The slime blinked—or at least, that’s what she imagined.

She trudged back, only to find the camp empty.

“Where did everyone go? Ah… the crown prince, maybe,” she whispered.

[Two minutes later…]

“Any minute now… flip it, I’m going toward them. Wait, won’t they kill me? Hm… pretend lost, then say I lost my friends? No… distract them, then—”

She cautiously moved toward the camp.

“Quiet,” she gestured to the slime.

“What did she say?” Milo thought, confused.

“Psst, Lisha, save us! How are you not caught?” Arjun whispered.

“I will! I need to distract them and get the keys. Wait… where’s Nina?”

“Here,” Nina whispered back.

“Now use your blessing—”

“Already did. Not working.”

“They’re coming!” Mira hissed.

A guard approached, holding the keys. Lisha hid behind a tree, heart pounding.

“You will meet the Crown Prince, but first, empty yourself of any weapons. Disobey, and you’ll be executed,” the guard said, sternly.

“Really escalate this?” Arjun muttered.

“Wanna start a fight?” Elara asked, eager.

“Hell yes! Open the door—that’s it!”

“What? It’s open!?” Varun exclaimed.

“Blessings, duh,” Lisha said calmly.

“This works… the system will handle the rest,” she thought.

“THEY’RE RUNNING OUT! GO GET THEM BACK!” one guard screamed.

The 1st Player Group ran as fast as they could, but soldiers were gaining.

[System: This won’t do. You’ll be relocated.]

Instantly, the 1st Player Group was teleported elsewhere.

“What the—inform the prince immediately!” shouted the general.

“Yes, sir!”

“They escaped… via teleportation? By a blue panel?” the Prince said, utterly confused.

“I understand… but a blue panel? Unknown organization?” his butler replied.

“Two nations—red and purple—are the only ones with panels we know,” he continued.

“They must be hired by the southern empire.”

“But they’re around your age, Your Highness… a few a bit shorter than the rest.”

“Summary: same age, blue panel… possibly spies?” the Prince murmured.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“I’ll inform my father immediately.”

---

“What—where are we?” Claire asked.

“Escaped, but teleported somewhere else,” Felix guessed.

“Look! A village nearby. Maybe we can stay there,” Jina pointed out.

A kind villager sent them to an abandoned mansion near the river.

“Are we really living here? Ghosts?” Jina whispered.

“Totally safe… but I’m not cleaning,” Varun said, earning a death glare from Elara.

“Women-only cleaning?” she shot back.

“No, allergic to dust!”

“Oh… mask?”

“Yup, putting it on.”

Some explored the mansion, others stayed close, waiting to ensure safety.