They stepped in together.
And in the next instant—
They were alone.
Corajudo
"…Huh?"
Silence answered him.
No footsteps. No voices. No presence.
Only a garden.
Flowers stretched endlessly under a soft golden sky. The wind brushed gently past his face.
It felt… peaceful.
Too peaceful.
"…Why does this feel wrong…?"
His throat tightened. His chest felt heavy for no reason.
Nothing had happened yet.
Still—
His body refused to relax.
"…Help me…"
"—!"
Corajudo flinched and turned sharply.
A girl stood among the flowers. Injured. Reaching toward him.
"…please…"
He stared at her, frozen.
"…Is this… real…?"
His foot moved forward—
Step.
Then stopped.
"…No…"
His heart started racing.
"…something's wrong…"
He didn't know what.
He just knew.
The girl staggered closer.
"Please… help me…"
Corajudo's hands trembled.
"…I should help…"
But his body wouldn't move.
"…Why am I scared…?!"
His eyes dropped—
To the shadow.
It lagged.
Just slightly.
"…!"
The moment he noticed—
The girl's face twisted.
"TOO SLOW."
SHHHK—!
She lunged.
"—!"
Corajudo's body reacted on its own.
He didn't think.
Didn't plan.
He moved.
SWISH—!
The illusion split in half—
And dissolved into fragments of light.
Corajudo stumbled back.
"…I… I didn't…"
His breathing turned uneven.
"…I just… moved…"
The wind stopped.
The garden shifted.
rustle… rustle…
More figures appeared.
One.
Then five.
Then—
Dozens.
"…No… no no…"
He stepped back, panic rising.
"They're coming…!"
One rushed him.
THUD—!
His body moved again.
A step to the side—
A sudden strike—
SHHK!
Gone.
Another.
Then another.
Each time—
His body reacted before his mind caught up.
"…Why… am I doing this…?!"
Fear filled his voice.
But his movements…
Were getting sharper.
Arai
Her eyes opened.
A garden.
Silent. Beautiful.
False.
"…Illusion."
Her weapon rested calmly in her hand.
A single grip.
Two blades extending from both sides.
Perfect balance.
"…Arai…"
A voice behind her.
She turned.
A girl. Bleeding. Reaching.
"…help me…"
Arai's gaze dropped instantly.
Shadow.
Wrong.
Movement.
Off.
Decision made.
Her wrist turned slightly.
WHRR—!
The weapon spun once.
The rear blade struck first.
SHHK!
The illusion split before finishing its sentence.
Gone.
No hesitation.
"…If it's fake, it dies."
rustle…
More appeared.
Calling her name.
Begging.
Crying.
Arai stepped forward.
Her weapon rotated smoothly.
Controlled.
Efficient.
SHHK!
SWISH!
THUD!
Every illusion that entered her range—
Fell instantly.
No wasted movement.
No wasted thought.
Shizuma
He stood still.
"…This is it?"
A garden surrounded him.
Quiet.
Predictable.
"…Pathetic."
"Turn around."
He didn't.
Something rushed him from behind—
SHHK!
Gone.
He didn't even look.
"…Boring."
He began walking forward.
Hands relaxed.
Eyes half-open.
Figures appeared.
Dozens.
They rushed him—
SHHK!
SHHK!
SHHK!
None reached him.
"…At least try to entertain me."
Jenres
Her breathing shook.
"…This isn't real…"
"…Jenres…"
She froze.
A familiar face stepped forward.
Broken. Bleeding.
"…help me…"
Her eyes trembled.
"…I know this is fake…"
Her hands shook.
"…then why… can't I move…?"
The figure reached toward her.
"…please…"
Jenres stepped forward.
"…I can't cut this…"
Daigo
CLINK.
Metal knuckles tightened.
A grin spread across his face.
"Finally."
The moment he stepped—
They came.
ROOOAR—!
Monsters burst from the trees.
Claws. Teeth. Speed.
Daigo laughed.
"COME ON!!"
BOOM!
His fist crashed into one—
Shattering it instantly.
Another.
Then another.
BAM! BAM! BAM!
"They're weak!"
More came.
Faster.
Stronger.
His grin widened—
But his breathing grew heavier.
"…Good…"
Mei
"…Too quiet…"
She stood still in the empty garden.
No movement.
No sound.
"…Something's wrong…"
A voice—
"…Mei…"
She turned.
A teammate stood there.
Injured. Shaking.
"…help me…"
Her eyes softened.
"…You're hurt…"
She stepped forward slowly.
"…Wait…"
Something felt off.
She searched for it.
Looked carefully.
But everything seemed…
Normal.
"…I don't understand…"
Across All Chambers
The wind died.
The warmth faded.
The garden grew cold.
A voice echoed through every space.
"Step One…"
A pause.
"Survive."
Final Moments
Corajudo stumbled back—
Breathing hard.
"…I don't get this…!"
Another illusion rushed him—
His body moved again.
Faster this time.
SHHK!
"…Why…?!"
Arai moved forward—
Her double-edged blade spinning once—
Cutting everything within reach.
Shizuma walked—
Untouched.
Unbothered.
Jenres stood frozen—
Still unable to strike.
Daigo roared—
Punching through endless enemies.
Mei stepped closer—
Still searching for the truth—
Just a second too late.
Across six identical gardens—
Six different battles unfolded.
Three moved forward without hesitation.
Three were already falling behind.
And the garden—
Was watching.
TO BE CONTINUED...