The moment the [World System Message] popped into existence, the world came to a stunned halt.
People were frozen in place, staring at the transparent screens hovering before them, eyes wide with disbelief. The police shouted at civilians to stay back, but even they looked shaken. Military soldiers had weapons drawn, eyes darting between each other and the glowing interface.
"What the hell is this?! Some kind of terrorist hack?!" barked a soldier.
"It's appearing on our gear too—what is this, a simulation?!"
The screen before everyone shimmered with bold glowing letters:
[WORLD SYSTEM MESSAGE]
The Balance has been Broken.
Choose Your Path:
Base Class: Warrior
Base Class: Mage
Base Class: Rogue
Base Class: Cleric
Time Remaining Until First Event: 00:59:34
The countdown began ticking down… fast.
"A countdown?! What happens when it hits zero?!" a woman screamed.
"I don't like this… it's too organized. Too clean." said one officer nervously, looking around.
Haru's heart thumped in his chest. He stared at his own screen, gripping the sides of his head.
"This can't be real… it's following the exact logic of my game…"
The base classes. The countdown. The message structure. It was his system. Every piece.
"No… no, no—this can't be a coincidence. I designed this! But… if the countdown reaches zero…"
His eyes widened in horror.
"In my game… that's when the Dungeon Break Event happens…"
He spun around, eyes frantically searching the area.
And then he saw it.
"When did the doors open…?"
The front gate of the massive obsidian dungeon was ajar—just enough to make his blood run cold.
Something had come out.
"All squads, maintain perimeter!" came a sharp, commanding voice.
A tall, young-looking woman in a sharp police uniform stood out from the chaos. She was barking orders at the officers, her voice full of authority and no-nonsense energy.
"You! I need more information—what the hell is the army doing here without coordination?!"
She was in the face of a much older military officer with a harsh expression.
"You think this is your jurisdiction, Officer Jinno?! This is a national emergency now! Get your people in line!"
"Jinno…?" Haru blinked.
The name echoed in his mind. She looked familiar—maybe he'd seen her on local news reports?
And then he saw it.
"No… Behind you!"
A shadow flickered from the open dungeon door.
A monstrous figure emerged—tall, hunched, fur bristling with black energy. A Lesser Dark Wolfman, Level 2. In its clawed hand, a chipped but massive iron axe.
It raised the weapon and lunged—
"LOOK OUT!!" Haru shouted at the top of his lungs.
Officer Jinno spun around, eyes widening as the beast roared, bringing its axe down with a deafening crack.
She managed to shove the military man out of the way and rolled herself—barely avoiding the strike. The axe slammed into the ground, cracking the pavement like glass.
Screams echoed around them. Civilians started running.
"MONSTER!! IT'S A MONSTER!!"
Some fired their guns. The bullets bounced off the creature's thick hide.
"That thing… it's from my game… that means there's more!" Haru whispered, panicking.
Then another screen popped up—this time, glowing red.
[EMERGENCY WORLD SYSTEM MESSAGE]
The First Monster Has Breached.
If the Dungeon is not Cleared Before Countdown Ends, the Entire City Will Be Overrun by Higher-Level Creatures.
"What the hell does that mean?! Overrun?!" someone screamed.
Officer Jinno stood, panting, gun drawn. The military man she pushed out of the way was stunned but alive.
"Form perimeter! Get civilians out of here, now!" she shouted.
Haru's mind raced.
"This isn't just a game anymore. This is real. And if nobody does anything… this whole city will be destroyed…"
He clenched his fists.
And for the first time since his journal burned, that fire reignited in his chest.
"I know this system better than anyone. I built it. If no one else can stop it…"
"Then I'll do it."