Haoyu, a young Chinese man, around 18 years old, decided to go with his blond friend Haoran to climb Mount Everest. For what reason? Adventure, simple as that. They were not amateurs, so they knew they could take it.
— Haoyu, why are you so slow? We won't get to the top before night! Then we'll freeeeze to death!
The blond boy shivered dramatically in fear.
— Oi, Haoran, you're the one wasting too much oxygen, take a break before I have to carry you on my back.
— You, carrying me? I hope you could, but then I would be a dead weight. I'm not sleepy or sluggish, don't fret yourself!
— Oh, but you will soon enough. Cut the talk until we rest somewhere.
They resumed their climb, with Haoran always in the lead. Suddenly, a blue-haired girl appeared above them, bleeding profusely. The blond boy ran towards her, ignoring the danger of slipping on the snowy rocks.
— Wait, Haoran! Goddamnit, don't waste your stamina!
He quickly reached the new layer, already panting.
Huh? Where are them? The girl and...
Haoyu noticed a wooden cabin nearby. He ran over, trying to find his friend and the mysterious girl.
— Haoran, are you here? Haoran!
The shack was silent and dark, but he decided to rest a bit after all that training with little oxygen. He noticed a futuristic tablet on a table. He tapped on it, showing a report about someone.
Wait, this is...
That face was familiar, for some reason. He met her years before. Not only him, his friend was also acquainted with her.
What was her name again? It's been a long time, I erased her from my memory...
That girl also had a certain similarity with the one they saw moments ago.
Did Haoran run to her because she might be related to that girl? How did he remember her so quickly?
He decided to take a look at the tablet.
There must be something important here...
"...Jing, a 14-year-old girl. Reports of where she was last seen point to Mount Everest. Her whereabouts may be linked to the person who caused multiple disappearances around the world..."
Wait, that girl disappeared? And why would she be here? She's dead, I know it.
He, Haoran, and Jing were friends in elementary school. She was energetic and friendly, but reserved. One day, she simply disappeared forever.
Jing, now I remember you. Sorry for... erasing you from my life... I guess Haoran never abandoned you.
He placed the tablet on the table.
I just didn't want to suffer for no reason... if they haven't found you yet, it means I would be worrying in vain.
He left the cabin, trying to find his friend.
— Haoran, where are you?
Now that I think about it, that girl was bleeding from her wrist... I guess that's why Haoran rushed to see her. Their hair colors are different, so she can't be Jing.
He returned to the shack, trying to find any clue about those two.
I thought Haoran would be treating her here, but they're nowhere to be seen...
He grabbed the tablet again, trying to find more about Jing's case.
"...the person who caused multiple disappearances around the world. According to testimonies, his power was related to Infinity..."
When Haoyu read that word, something changed. He was no longer in the cabin, nor was he anywhere near Mount Everest.
In an office, there was a girl sleeping at her desk. She wore a gray military uniform and had short, gray hair.
Huh...? Where am I? This isn't my office...
She reached out to grab her hat, but felt a menacing presence beside her.
Who is it...? Kiseki? I can't move...
When she managed to turn her head to see the being stalking her, everything around her changed. That place was unrecognizable to her. At least now she was standing and could move normally. She quickly touched her waist to feel something important. She had two revolvers in her holster. Realizing that she had a chance to defend herself, she sighed in relief.
The place was mostly yellow, with walls everywhere. The ceiling had lights illuminating the entire maze, seemingly endless. She grabbed a revolver and started walking around, until she heard someone shouting random names. Turning the corner, she pointed the revolver at the young man.
— Explain what's going on or I'll blow your brains out.
— W-Wait, don't shoot! I don't even know how I got here!
Chinese, really? I guess he doesn't know Japanese.
— You're the one behind this.
— N-No, I'm not! Wait, didn't you just speak Japanese?
— I know Chinese, more or less. Answer me, why am I here?
— I'm just as confused as you are!
She hesitated, but he didn't seem to be lying. She put away the revolver.
— Wait, aren't you that famous hero in Tokyo?
— So? What does it matter?
— I-I just thought we should say our names before-
— Call me Ria.
— I-I'm Haoyu... nice to meet you.
— What do you know?
— W-What?
— How did you arrive here?
— I was climbing Mount Everest with my friend when he disappeared and I found a tablet. It had information about someone we knew.
— Then...?
— I read it and somehow ended up here.
— Strange... I was in an office, then... wait.
— Huh? What's the matter?
— Now that you mention it, I was also climbing Mount Everest, investigating someone's disappearance.
— Didn't you just say you were in an office?
— I knew there was something strange. The Everest was real, but the office and here are not the real world.
— T-This isn't the real world? How is it possible? I mean, the supernatural doesn't exist, right?
— How would you explain my powers?
— Your powers? I know the heroes in Tokyo are notable for their powers, but it's just CGI, isn't it?
— Your skull is thick, huh. The world has almost ended multiple times, yet you keep denying the obvious. Come on, punch me.
— What?
— I'll show you that my powers are real. I have a barrier that will reflect your fist.
— E-Even if you say so, I can't punch a little girl-
Ria punched him for some reason.
— Ouch, what was that?!
— Little girl my ass, I'm older than you. Go ahead, punch me.
Haoyu hesitated, but something about the girl annoyed him. She was almost... authoritarian. He punched her with conviction. She was knocked down, along with her pride. Surprised, she took a moment to process what had happened, then stood up.
— L-Look, I'm sorry for...
— This isn't possible... See? This isn't the real world! There's no other explanation for why my barrier isn't working!
— A-Are you angry?
— I am not angry!
She realized she was angry, so she sighed and calmed down.
— Alright, what else do you think is off here?
— I don't know, maybe the whole place?
— No, I meant the rules of this place. In the real world, my powers work normally. Here, it's as if they don't exist.
They thought for a moment, trying to find any inconsistencies. Haoyu commented:
— You are different from what I saw on the internet.
— How different?
— You look... smaller.
She punched him again.
— Ouch, stop! I'm not joking, you really look different! That's why I didn't recognize you at first.
— You can't determine my size by looking at a picture.
— Not only your body, your personality is also different. I've seen you being an energetic and kind girl.
— That's your brain playing tricks on you.
— Maybe... but doesn't that sound weird? You also said you were in an office, but it was not the real world.
— The office may be part of this world.
— How so? This place is a maze, not a building.
— We won't know until we look around for an exit.
— Wait, you said my brain is playing tricks on me... What if that's true? What if this place is just in our minds?
— Are you saying this is a dream? I know a way to test that.
— Really? How?
Ria took out her revolver and shot Haoyu in the face. He froze in shock, thinking he had died. Somehow, he was alive.
— W-What the hell was that?! Why did you shoot me?!
— You were right, this is a dream.
— Answer the question!
— Guns usually don't work in my dreams. They shoot, but they don't damage anything.
— What if I was wrong, huh?! You'd kill me just to prove your stupid theory?!
— It was your theory anyway. Relax, you were the most suspicious person here. I would win either way.
— Me, suspicious?! Don't make me laugh, impostor! You try to kill me and I'm the mastermind? You're not even the Ria I know!
She grabbed his neck from behind, squeezing it with her arms. Her strength was impressive for someone that size. Gasping for air, Haoyu tried to escape her grip.
— Don't talk to me like that ever again, understood? You don't know me. The Ria you know is not who I am.