—[Urban Legends]. A type of [Desire]. —For example, the conspiracy of the Freemasons in the American dollar bills. Nuclear shelter, Area 51, the Roswell UFO incident, etc. Pattern between them. Was real. Becomes a [Rumor]. This kind of thinking was not strange to the world. Since ancient times, tales of extraordinary events and impossible occurrences have woven themselves into the fabric of society. Each story, whether grounded in truth or fantasy, was likely the accidental product of astronomical probability. People loved to believe in the extraordinary, to find meaning in the chaos of existence, and thus, myths were born. They whispered of hidden realms and powerful beings, blending reality with imagination, all while seeking a glimpse of the impossible that lay just beyond their reach. Looking at this way of thinking, the world was not chaotic but orderly. By imagining a clearer framework, I could see the values of this world. They became something that was born from earnest desire—an intricate tapestry woven from hope, compassion, and the shared aspirations of humanity. Illuminate the skies; there are truths mistaken for legends. In the end, nobody knows if they were real or simply figments of the imagination. —Don’t be mistaken; this does not mean that the aforementioned urban legends are true. Now, how did this urban legend come about? It started as any ordinary rumor. But it quickly spiraled out of control, fueled by whispers and half-truths shared in gaming forums. And that kind of rumor is like this one. More than 280 online game rankings, there was a player with an undefeated record that always astonished everyone. "There's no way something like that could exist." That is right. Anyone would think the same way. That was the allure of the mystery. A simple theory was accepted: to not expose his identity, a certain game developer had crafted an enigmatic persona. As the rumor spread explosively like a wave throughout the community, it took on a different form: in the minds of players, he became a legend. But the strange thing was that the player participated in wars, and many gamers had faced off against him. He was said to have beaten a chess program that even Grandmasters cannot defeat. He was a virtuoso of strategy and skill. He was said to have been so strong that even if you used tool assists and cheat codes, you could never quite match his prowess. He was said...was said...was said... Further. First, in either a consumer game, PC game, or social game, that person would surely have an impressive presence. But how could such a person exist? They would need their account for every game console and SNS, with the number of games on the accounts being staggering. —With that, the mystery thickened. Some even hypothesized that the player was a hacker who erased traces of their identity. Invited to join exclusive tournaments, they garnered attention from all corners of the gaming community. —However, in this case, the person who allowed this urban legend to be created must also be a master of illusion. Because he had an account, he was given the right to speak, but he completely ignored this privilege. He provided no information, allowing the speculation to grow wildly. Since there was no provision of information, everything remained a mystery besides the fact that the urban legend was accelerating, captivating the imaginations of gamers everywhere. —Let us introduce. He has truly been crowned in the world ranking for his victorious battles in over 280 games. This enigmatic figure has become a legend in the gaming community. 『 』 —his true identity———! A name whispered in awe, cloaked in mystery, and shrouded by the very rumors that propelled him to fame. "...Aa.....I’m dying....aa, now I died for real.....hey, my little sister, hurry up, rez[2], rez~!" "Whatever, hurry up, my little sister—or should I say, my sly little sister—even though I have not battled." "Nii, do you want to eat too...? Something like Calorie Mate or so...." "Ah, that thing that only tastes decent when you're in a pinch?" "...*Zuzuzu*... okay." With a resigned sigh, I watched her prepare the snacks, knowing full well that her antics were just part of her charm. "What a novel way to describe eight o’ clock in the morning as ’night. ’ Then, what day is today?" "Wait, my little sister. I don’t mean how much time has passed since we started pulling all-nighters. "Does that even matter... to Nii, who is a NEET?" —Like that, it was a conversation of a certain boy and girl playing internet games. Inside the room, which was around sixteen tatami mats wide, it felt considerably cramped. However, inside it, the clutter made the space seem much smaller. On the floor, many game packages were already unsealed, and empty snack wrappers littered the area—evidence of countless late-night gaming sessions. Controllers were strewn haphazardly across the furniture, and the glow of multiple screens cast a flickering light that only added to the disarray. The room being 'wide' was unable to be felt at all amidst the chaos of their gaming lifestyle. It felt more like a battleground, where victories and defeats were fought not just on the screen but in the very space they inhabited. The mess was a testament to their passion, but it also served as a reminder that they needed to reclaim their territory from the overwhelming tide of disorder. Which had been up for a while already, mostly blocked by the curtains. "Then why don’t you also go to school, my little sister?" "..." Just like that, they ended their conversation, and no one spoke of the subject thereafter. Communicate well. Game Freak. Wearing a T-shirt and jeans that gave the impression of being a carefree gamer. The little sister—Shiro. Ten years old. Truant. Didn’t have any friends. A bullied child. Despite her challenges, she found solace in the digital worlds they explored together, where she could be whoever she wanted to be. Her brother, because she had white hair in contrast to his. Her hair was so long that it flowed. Their home since she transferred schools. And Shiro (白). Even if everybody knew this, nobody would want to pursue or accept this truth and would rather ignore it. Before, urban legends were humanity’s desires. Full of accidents. It is a world that is unreasonable and irrational. This world has no meaning at all. It does not matter if a person recognizes this truth or chooses not to accept it. Everyone would continue to chase after urban legends. It will provide everyone with a new urban legend. —The story begins with this opening. One day, an e-mail came to a 'player' who was said to be this world’s best gamer. It was only a simple message. When one clicks on it, a certain game will be started. Once that person has cleared that game, they would uncover secrets beyond imagination. "Wait! You’re the one that’s in charge of the team’s recovery, and if you log out—" "If it’s necessary, I’ll manage!" "Theoretically, it’s possible! If I operate my own two characters with both my hands and also two controllers—" ".....Fi...ght!" See, I’ve gone and died!" These siblings have already done all-nighters gaming for five days straight. Console as her pillow. Suddenly, a tone notifying the siblings that they had mail sounded. "....Nii, an e-mail." n four different screens? You want a request from me, but I don’t have any extras. He skillfully operated the mouse using both his hands and his feet. He furiously commanded a series of actions on the screens, trying to keep up with the chaos unfolding in the game. "I’m sure it’s just another advertisement anyway, just ignore it—" he muttered, but then paused, contemplating, "What if... it came from a friend?" "Whose friend?" came the teasing reply, laced with sarcasm. "Haha, how weird, somehow I can feel you stabbing me through my chest with such an ironic comment," he shot back, half-joking. "I don’t...want you to say...it’s mine..." he replied, feeling the pressure of the moment. "Going to sleep, please help me a bit here—Noooo, died, I’ve died!" he exclaimed in frustration, realizing he was losing focus. Unable to communicate well, he was a true Game Freak. It’s not boasting, but it wasn’t just that he didn’t have a clear strategy; he was overwhelmed by the multitasking required. Meanwhile, his younger sister, Shiro, tried to wake her consciousness and muster all her strength to get up. It would have been easier if she hadn’t been distracted by an advertisement about a new game. "At three o’clock from there, in the second mountain of eroge from the left, and placed around..." she began, her mind racing. Ignoring her brother, who was in anguish, Shiro easily found the item in the exact location that Sora had described. But that is, of course, a foolish question because the answer is obvious: it is used for gaming. She had countless email addresses, but even excluding the addresses that were not for gaming use, there were still many to sift through. "....The sound is ringing—so it came from..... the third address of the main account......is it this one?" she wondered aloud. The white-haired girl, whose memory was extraordinary compared to an ordinary person, easily processed the information. She manipulated four roles at once in real-time combat, letting out a roar of triumph before noticing the new notification. 【New mail----Subject: To the both of you, 『 』.】 "...?" E-mails that were addressed to 『 』 were not rare. Receive, but— "...Nii." "Are you going to leave your physically tired brother alone in the game and not sleep in the end?" he muttered, a hint of frustration in his voice. As if she didn’t hear the sarcasm from her brother, who didn’t look like he was about to listen, Shiro simply tilted her head, her curiosity piqued. "Hmm—what is this?" she asked, reaching for the screen, her eyes gleaming with intrigue. "Saving. Okay, that’s done. Checking the item drops, that’s done too." It has been continuously running since five days ago, and I switched the screen to show his inbox to check out. "...How does this guy know that 『 』 is a pair of siblings?" The main problem lies not in what was written as the subject, but in the content that said: this? It was a somewhat, no, it was a considerably strange message. It also included a URL that they both recognized, the domain name seeming oddly familiar. This URL pointed to a specific page—and it looked like it was linked to a game they had never heard of before. "What should we do?" Sora asked, glancing at Shiro, his curiosity battling with caution. Which means that she would just leave the decision up to her brother. Be a bluff in the end, let’s just treat it as another amus.e.m.e.nt." While the security software was running full throttle, what appeared there on the screen was just an unassuming chessboard. "Wait, wait, wait! This is a challenge for 『 』, you know. If the other party has an advanced strategy—" Sora tried to stop his sister from sleeping. "...Who plays chess well...these days..." Shiro murmured, her voice trailing off. A program that was able to beat even the strongest Grandmasters. Even with that, the little sister felt the weight of expectation. "It wouldn’t be forgiven if 『 』 lost. Please, at least stay awake until we know the extent of the challenge," Sora urged, his eyes locked on the screen. And then Sora started the game. After seeing her brother do one move, then two moves, Shiro began to focus, her mind sharpening. She knew that half of the board had already been filled with pieces. Suddenly, Shiro snapped her eyes wide open. "Huh? This guy is...." she exclaimed, recognizing the opponent's style. "This is not just any player...they're something else!" Her older brother could do no more at this point. In other words, s.h.i.+ro recognized that the other. Started to plan her moves. And occasionally point game. In theory, a surefire way to win existed, but in the end, that is just a dream for most players. A person who could do that surely did not exist. And could comprehend the large—no, enormous—number of possible moves in chess. If you considered every possibility, the game became a labyrinth of strategies and counter-strategies. You went second; the way of escape was a draw. That is how the theory goes. What about against an opponent like her brother, who was always a step ahead? The chess program was proven not to be perfect enough for the little sister when she had won twenty games in a row. Her intuition and unique style of play seemed to bypass the rigid calculations of the program, leaving her with a confidence that only fueled her desire to keep playing. "....No way." "This, I’m sure the other party is human." "In a program’s case, it would always choose the best move to play. In one way, that is a good strategy, but it’s also predictable. Programs are limited by their algorithms, which is why you can win against them easily. But this guy is—" "The other party lured you in and made you play a bad move, and if you feel that it is natural for you to respond to that, then they’ve already won the psychological battle." Her opponent was not just calculating; he was intuitive, aware of the mental game as much as the physical one. Each move was crafted to unsettle her, to provoke doubt. That’s what made this match different. It wasn’t just about the pieces on the board; it was about understanding the mind behind them. She needed to adapt, to break free from the trap he had set, and reclaim control of the game before it slipped away completely. "....Uuu." Shiro's brow furrowed as she processed the implications. —Of course, regarding their abilities playing chess, no, in most games, Shiro and Sora were far from ordinary. Their skills were not an exaggeration. In Shiro’s case, she could only act based on her logic. That’s why she could easily dissect strategies and counter them. People’s motives are dull. That’s why, at times like this, Shiro needed to leave it to Sora. Even if he was often impulsive, he had an instinct for reading opponents that was unexpectedly outstanding. "Don’t be taken in by his provocation. I will point out every one of his provocations and counter them," Shiro instructed, her mind racing. This is the reason behind their success in becoming the world’s best gamers. They could push through fatigue and keep their focus sharp, even after nights filled with relentless gaming that lasted for several days. The game could be heard from the speakers. That was the siblings’ win. "..."" They each took a long breath. It was almost as if the game had made them forget to breathe. "Amazing... it’s been a while... since I’ve played in a hard fight like this." Though, right?" "Nii, is the opponent... a human?" "I played a bad move, and when it didn’t work, I could sense a feeling of disturbance from him. I’m sure he reacted just like any player would—frustrated, maybe even a little smug." "I wonder what kind of person he is," Shiro mused, her curiosity piqued. "Is he someone who enjoys teasing his opponents, or is he just confident in his skills? Either way, we need to be careful." "Maybe a Grandmaster? Programs are exact, but a human is complex after all." "Will the Dragon King even accept your shogi challenge? Why don’t we find out!" We're talking. Suddenly, the mail notification tone could be heard. But the content of the e-mail was only one sentence. With only that single sentence, it was as if their mental states had dropped to zero degrees. Strewn over the floor, along with scattered trash and clothes, it felt as if time was frozen in that moment. Isolated in the narrow sixteen tatami-sized room, this was the world the siblings were in—all of their hopes and dreams buried beneath the chaos. Unpleasant memories were running through their minds. Words. The white-haired, red-eyed little sister, who by nature had high intelligence—but was a shadow of her former self since their mother had passed away. No matter how optimistically they tried to recount memories of the past—no, the laughter felt distant now. The little sister silently bowed, her gaze fixed on the floor, as if seeking solace in the clutter, her heart heavy with the weight of their loss. 【 None of your business! Who the hell are you, anyway?】 Whether or not it was a reply could be doubted because the content of this new e-mail was— "Do the guys feel at ease?" Because of these words, the older brother forgot about his anger and made his frustration clear from the start. "What kind of question is that after everything? It’s like they think we’re just going to sit back and relax!" His voice rose, filled with exasperation. "Do they even understand what we’ve been through? It’s not just a game anymore; it’s our lives on the line!" He slammed his fist on the desk, sending a few empty cans tumbling to the floor. The casual tone of the sender felt infuriatingly out of touch, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that they were being underestimated. He needed to respond, to make it clear that they were far from at ease, and that complacency was not an option. His fingers hovered over the keyboard, torn between the urge to respond and the need to process his emotions. The casual tone of the e-mail felt infuriatingly dismissive, as if the sender had no idea of the turmoil brewing beneath the surface. He took a deep breath, trying to channel his irritation into a more measured response, knowing that the stakes were too high to let his emotions dictate his words. With no clear objectives or rules, it was a stupid game. Around seven billion players moved as they pleased, each trying to survive in a world that seemed indifferent to their struggles. The ones that had more than others got penalized, while those with less were left to fend for themselves. The little sister, who was now isolated, was often the target, feeling the sting of every cruel remark and judgment. She was bullied, her pain echoing in the silence of their small room, where the walls felt like they were closing in on her, amplifying her loneliness. Who always failed, even when scolded by parents or teachers. —Silence only made one a target to be bullied by others. —Being able to read people's real intentions too much also made one become alienated by those around them, creating walls where there should have been connections. The ones who do as the rules say are punished, yet the ones who ignore the rules are not punished, and it felt impossibly unfair. Difficult; it's the worst game, where the rules seemed designed to trap the honest and reward the deceitful, leaving the innocent to suffer in isolation. The siblings, caught in this cruel cycle, longed for a way out, a chance to rewrite the rules of their own lives. Sora gritted his teeth and caressed his little sister’s head. The exciting game was gone. What was there was only these two siblings who were isolated from the world outside, drowning in their shared despair. The sound of the Ring could suddenly be heard, echoing through the stillness of the room. It was a reminder of the life they once had, a signal that something was about to change. Sora's heart raced as he pulled away from the comforting touch, curiosity and apprehension mixing within him. What awaited them beyond the screen? But his sister held his hands to stop him. Sora, who had tried to turn off the PC just then, was unable to do anything other than hesitate, caught between fear and hope. —A world where the objectives and rules were clear, a world on top of a game board, what they had always dreamed of finding. The two exchanged looks, laughing, and both of them nodded their heads. Then the older brother squeezed her hands, a sense of determination igniting within him. —If that kind of world does exist, then that does mean that we were born into the wrong game, one that had trapped them in confusion and pain. Suddenly— The PC’s screen gave off a faint noise, and then it made a sound like a circuit breaker, flickering as if responding to their unspoken wishes. Sora’s heart raced; was this the moment they had been waiting for? Stopped; only the screen with the e-mail had been left moving. Noise could be heard within the room. There was a sound that sounded like the house itself was creaking under the weight of an unseen presence. Sora quickly looked around the room, and the little sister just stared, dumbfounded. After that, the air grew thick with tension as the static noise from an empty TV channel filled the space. And then from the speakers—no, from the screen of the computer—came a voice that was both familiar and foreign. [I also think the same. You two were born into the wrong world.] Suddenly, a pair of white hands appeared, reaching out from the screen as if trying to pull them into another reality. "Hiii!" the little sister squeaked, her eyes wide with a mix of fear and fascination as the boundaries between their world and the unknown began to blur. [I will let you siblings be born again and again in the world where you two should have been born!] When they opened their eyes again, the first thing that they noticed was the light and warmth. Being burned by the light. The brother who had come to his senses first, after his pupils adjusted, "Uooooooooooo!" They were—in the air. h.e.l.l is thiiiiis!" Underneath him—and other islands as well—were floating. There was also a certain creature, a massive dragon coiling around one of the peaks, its scales glinting in the light. Large chess pieces near a range of mountains, which could have made people lose their sense of reality, towered over the landscape like ancient sentinels. “What’s with this fantasy-like kind of entrance?” was what was floating through Sora’s mind. The world around him felt both mesmerizing and surreal, a stark contrast to the dullness of the life he had known. But the main problem right now, he quickly realized, was not that. It was the growing sense of danger, an unseen tension in the air that hinted at challenges ahead. Sora’s heart raced as he understood that they were not just observers in this strange realm; they were participants in a game far beyond their comprehension. "I’m going to die!" But, as if to break this sorrowful confirmation, a loud shouting could be heard beside him. The [Boy] falling beside him said while opening his arms and laughing. "Everything here is decided by a game, even one’s life and country borders!" S.h.i.+ro, who understood the situation as soon as she opened her eyes, embraced her brother while the chaos of their surroundings swirled around them. S.h.i.+ro tried her best to shout while falling at a frighteningly high speed, but ended up only managing a breathless whisper, "Sora!" as the ground rushed up to meet them. "Me? About me~ I... live there," a voice chimed in, echoing through the air, playful and teasing. They turned to see a whimsical figure floating beside them, a mischievous grin on its face. "Welcome to the game! Your choices will shape everything!" The creature winked, leaving them both bewildered but intrigued as they plummeted deeper into this bizarre world where every moment was a gamble. Had seen for the first time only a short while ago. Placing his index finger on his cheek, the self-proclaimed G.o.d spoke cutely and full of mischief, "Did you enjoy the show?" —However, n.o.body knew if what he said was true. His playful demeanor masked a deeper mystery, leaving Sora and s.h.i.+ro uncertain whether to trust him or not. Every word dripped with charm, yet the weight of his claims hung heavily in the air as if the fate of their journey depended on his whims. s.h.i.+ro!" "...............................!" Sora adjusted his body so that he would be below S Hiro. After that, s.h.i.+ro, who was in Sora’s arms, issued a small, startled cry, her face pale as she processed their precarious situation. Seeing that, the boy who called himself G.o.d spoke to them with a happy tone. "I look forward to your choices! This game will test your bonds and your wits!" Then, without warning, the world around them blacked out. The vibrant colors faded into darkness, leaving only the echoes of the G.o.d's laughter as they were plunged into an abyss of uncertainty, ready to face whatever challenges awaited them in the void. "U....Uun....." Realized that he was on the ground. Was this a dream? Was what Sora thought, but he didn’t say it out loud. "....Uu....what a weird place," he muttered, taking in the strange landscape around them. The little sister, who woke up a bit later than Sora, moaned, rubbing her eyes as she slowly sat up. "Sora? Where are we?" Confusion filled her voice, and Sora could see the remnants of sleep still lingering in her expression. He glanced around, trying to piece together their surroundings, a mix of fantastical sights and unsettling shadows swirling in his mind. "I’m not sure, but we need to figure it out." Deliberately decided against it. What was under his feet was undoubtedly land. Sora realized that he was standing on the edge of a cliff and hurriedly backed off two steps. An incredible landscape was laid out before his eyes. There were floating islands and dragons. And across the mountains on the horizon were huge. Which means that it was not a dream... "Hey, my little sister." Overlooking the picturesque view of the landscape, he said, "This place feels like a mix of beauty and chaos." "m.a.s.o.c.h.i.s.ts." "......Un....." "So it finally bugged out, huh... enough, what the h.e.l.l is this super awful s.h.i.+t game!" After a frustrated sigh, he clenched his fists, feeling the weight of his predicament. One day, an e-mail came to a ’person’ who was said to be this world’s best gamer. It was only a brief message, yet it held an ominous promise. When one has clicked on it, a certain game will be started, plunging them into a realm where every decision could mean the difference between victory and defeat, and where the stakes are higher than anything they had ever imagined. Will be invited to a parallel universe.