[Past – Savelia / Sayo]
"Click… Click…"
In the empty corridor, only the faint sound of footsteps echoed.
It wasn’t the sound of leather shoes hitting the floor, but something softer, more… childish.
Two little girls were running down a pure white corridor that seemed to stretch on endlessly.
"Sayo, hurry up!"
The girl in front turned back, urging her companion who was lagging behind. She had striking silver short hair, which stood out vividly against the white corridor.
The girl called "Sayo" quickened her pace. She had long, icy blue hair, the ends slightly curled, resembling frost formed on a winter’s day.
"Huff… Huff… Arin, wait for me…"
Sayo panted as she caught up, grabbing the silver-haired girl’s hand.
"Hehe, got you!"
The girl named "Arin" laughed triumphantly, revealing two adorable little fangs.
The two girls held hands, playing and laughing in the cold corridor. Their laughter was clear and melodious, like wind chimes echoing in the silent space.
Where… was this?
They didn’t know.
They only knew that this was their "home."
A "home" made of white walls, cold instruments, and "adults" in white coats.
"Sayo, look, what’s this?"
Arin suddenly pulled out a small object from her pocket, presenting it to Sayo like a treasure.
It was a hairpin.
An old, slightly chipped hairpin, but it had been wiped clean.
In the center of the hairpin was a crookedly carved character—"Li."
"This is…"
Sayo’s eyes widened slightly, seemingly captivated by the small hairpin.
"I found it ‘outside’!" Arin said proudly. "People ‘outside’ like to wear shiny things like this!"
"‘Outside’…"
Sayo murmured, her eyes filled with longing.
For them, "outside" was a mysterious and distant world.
A world full of sunlight, flowers, and freedom—only spoken of by the "adults."
"When we grow up, let’s go ‘outside’ together!" Arin tightened her grip on Sayo’s hand, speaking earnestly. "Let’s see real snow, let’s see… the real world!"
"Mm!" Sayo nodded vigorously, a bright smile spreading across her face.
The two girls huddled together tightly, as if this could ward off all the cold in this icy world.
However, they didn’t know that the gears of fate had already begun to turn.
"Test Subject 007, Test Subject 013, please return to your rooms immediately!"
A cold broadcast suddenly rang out, shattering the warm atmosphere between the two girls.
"Ah… it’s time…"
A hint of disappointment flashed across Arin’s face, but she quickly composed herself and said to Sayo:
"Sayo, let’s go back. Tomorrow… we’ll play together again tomorrow!"
"Mm!"
Sayo nodded reluctantly, letting go of Arin’s hand.
The two girls walked in different directions.
However, just as Arin was about to disappear at the end of the corridor, a group of "adults" in white coats suddenly appeared, blocking her path.
"You… what are you doing?"
A flicker of fear appeared in Arin’s eyes as she instinctively stepped back.
"Test Subject 013, it’s time for your ‘modification.’"
The leader of the "adults" spoke expressionlessly, his voice cold and mechanical, devoid of any emotion.
"Modification"…
Hearing these words, Arin’s body trembled violently.
She knew what "modification" meant.
It was… something more terrifying than death.
"No… no! I don’t want to be ‘modified’! Let me go!"
Arin struggled desperately, but her strength was no match for these "adults."
"Let Arin go! You monsters!"
Sayo’s voice suddenly rang out. She had somehow run back and was charging toward them.
"Sayo! Run! Don’t come here!"
Arin screamed hoarsely, her eyes filled with despair.
However, Sayo didn’t listen. She continued to rush toward the "adults" without regard for her own safety.
"Thud!"
One of the "adults" mercilessly pushed Sayo to the ground. Her forehead hit the cold floor with a dull thud.
"Sayo!"
Arin’s pupils contracted sharply. She struggled frantically to break free, but it was futile.
"Take her away."
The leader of the "adults" said coldly. Then, several "adults" grabbed Arin and dragged her deeper into the corridor.
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"Arin! Arin!"
Sayo lay on the cold floor, screaming Arin’s name with all her might.
Her eyes were filled with tears, but her voice grew weaker and weaker, eventually disappearing into the silent space.
"Wait for me… to come back…"
Arin’s voice echoed in Sayo’s ears, growing fainter and fainter.
"We’ll… go see the outside world together…"
"Let’s see… real snow…"
……
"Click."
A soft sound pulled Sayo back from the endless darkness.
She slowly opened her eyes, greeted by a pure white ceiling.
Where… was this?
Sayo’s eyes were filled with confusion. She struggled to sit up but found herself firmly restrained on a cold bed.
"You’re awake."
A cold voice suddenly spoke, startling Sayo.
She turned her head and saw an "adult" in a white coat standing by her bed, looking at her expressionlessly.
"Where’s Arin? Where is she?"
Sayo asked urgently, her voice hoarse and weak.
"Test Subject 013 has completed her ‘modification.’ You’ll see her soon."
The "adult" spoke coldly, a strange glint flashing in his eyes.
"Modification"…
Hearing these words, Sayo’s body trembled violently.
She remembered Arin’s promise before she left, the wish they had made together.
"I’ll… wait for you to come back…"
Sayo tightly gripped the hairpin in her hand, the one with the character "Li" carved into it.
Her expression shifted from sorrow to hatred.
"I’ll… keep waiting…"
"Until… the day I destroy all of you…"
[Present – Yukito]
"Ugh…"
A sharp headache pulled me out of the endless darkness.
I slowly opened my eyes, greeted by an unfamiliar scene.
The ceiling was embedded with cold LED lights, emitting a faint blue glow.
Various instruments surrounded me, displaying complex numbers and symbols I had never seen before.
The air was filled with the faint smell of disinfectant and… a hint of blood.
Where… was this?
I tried to sit up but found my body as heavy as lead.
"What’s… going on?"
I looked down at my body and saw a star-shaped birthmark on my chest, glowing faintly red.
This birthmark… I don’t remember having it before?
Just as I was puzzled, a cold mechanical voice suddenly echoed in my mind.
[Welcome to the Survival Game.]
"Who’s there?!"
I jerked my head up, looking around, but there was no one in sight.
[I am the System, here to guide you through the game.]
System? Game?
What the hell is going on?
My head felt like it was about to explode, countless questions flooding my mind.
[You have been chosen to participate in this game. Only by completing the tasks can you survive.]
[Failure means death.]
The cold mechanical voice spoke again, devoid of any emotion.
Death…
Hearing this word, my heart clenched.
I don’t want to die!
There’s so much I haven’t done, so many dreams I haven’t fulfilled!
[Your task is: Complete the ritual with the ‘Bride.’ Otherwise, you will be erased.]
Erased…
That word again!
My body began to tremble uncontrollably, a wave of intense fear washing over me.
"Bride"… "ritual"…
What does this even mean?
I tried to recall what had happened before, but my mind was blank.
"Damn it…"
I punched my head, trying to clear my thoughts.
However, at that moment, an even sharper headache struck, and my consciousness began to blur.
Just before I passed out, I vaguely saw a figure slowly approaching me.
It was a woman.
She had long, icy blue hair cascading down like a waterfall.
Her skin was as white as jade, like frost formed on a winter’s day.
Her pupils shimmered like ice crystals, beautiful yet… cold.
She slowly extended her hand, holding an icy chain that glowed with a faint blue light.
The corners of her lips curled into a smile that sent chills down my spine.
"Found you…"
Her voice was as cold as ice, yet carried a hint of… bloodthirsty madness.
"My… ‘Groom’…"
……
(End of Prologue)
