"Uhm, I apologize if I came off as rude. That wasn't my intention."
Nathan forced the words out, swallowing his pride. If there was any chance of surviving this so-called tutorial phase, whatever it might be, the first step was damage control. Settle disputes. Mend egos. At least until he figured out the mechanics behind this twisted game.
"Next time, answer your elders properly."
The man dismissed the apology with a half-hearted nod. His words carried a whiff of authority like someone reluctantly choosing to let things go for the sake of appearances.
"I assume we all know why we're here," he continued, turning his attention to the rest of the group. The confrontation fizzled, the air growing still with mutual unease.
Nathan figured his hasty apology put the guy in a bind. No one liked looking like the overbearing adult, especially in a room full of strangers. Maybe Nathan had planned it that way, maybe not. It didn't matter.
"And who the hell brought a dying granny to a life-or-death scenario?" the man grumbled, locking eyes on the old woman with the walking stick.
It was a fair complaint. Nathan couldn't argue that. In situations demanding cooperation, physical prowess was invaluable. Right now, their only hope seemed to be the muscled thug in a singlet and perhaps the sharply dressed guy in corporate attire. Though Nathan doubted there were biceps hiding under that suit, wishful thinking wouldn't change reality.
"Hey, that was rude," the office guy snapped back.
Ah, a noble defender of justice. Or maybe just someone who enjoyed unnecessary confrontation. Either way, Nathan pegged him as the kind who'd speak up but lacked the spine to follow through.
Still, the thug, Rory, if Nathan remembered right, wasn't entirely wrong. The Origin Expanse seemed indiscriminate, selecting its participants without regard for age or ability. An infant or a granny; it didn't care.
"I think we should start by introducing ourselves," Nathan offered, steering the conversation away from tension. "Might help with coordination."
"R-Right. The kid's got a point," the office worker said, seizing the chance for order. "I'll go first. Subaru Tadaomi."
"Rory Cooper," the thug grunted, arms folded.
They turned to the older woman.
"Marvelous. Marvelous Winston. And you," she said, raising her stick toward Rory, "don't underestimate us old folks. You might find yourself regretting it."
Rory just scoffed. Marvelous was old and on death's porch. Her words wouldn't cut deeper than time already had.
"Anna Paula," the next girl offered coolly, her voice matching the aloof aura she wore like armour.
"Nathaniel Lockwood," Nathan added quietly.
Introductions are out of the way. That left the obvious question hanging in the air.
"So... do we go through the door, or just sit here doing nothing?" Subaru pointed toward the only exit. It was closed, but practically glowing with unspoken promise or threat.
Either way, it was the only clue in the sterile, well-lit chamber that suggested this "tutorial" had even begun.
Their silence was agreement enough. They knew what had to be done.
"Before we head out," Rory said, "can we confirm we all have the same status screen?"
He began reading aloud:
[Name]: Rory Cooper
[Age]: 33
[Race]: Human
[Rank]: Dormant
[Level]: -
[Stats]: Locked
[Available Stat Points]: -
[Talent]: Locked
The others nodded in sequence, seemingly confirming their own screens mirrored his.
Nathan remained sceptical. They could be lying. After all, the status interface seemed visible only to the individual. But right now, he had bigger priorities. Survival topped the list; truth was a distant concern.
"Okay, now what's our next move?" Subaru asked, voice urgent.
Was he always this jittery? Family to return to, maybe. Nathan didn't dwell on it.
"Fine. One question then: who's going first?" Rory asked, scanning the room.
Excellent question.
The Origin Expanse was infamous for its danger, especially the tutorial phase, a crucible of peril designed to break the unprepared. Whatever waited beyond that door could range from a monster's belly to a cliff's edge.
But stalling wouldn't change a thing. Someone had to take the first step.
Nathan glanced at Rory. No way he'd volunteer. Subaru? The man avoided eye contact like it might drag him forward. Anna? Just as hesitant. Marvelous?
With not a hint of the truth hidden away, the old woman was undeniably the best candidate to volunteer. No one wanted to say it, but they were all thinking it.
'Go on, Marvelous. Take the plunge,' Nathan thought, silently urging her.
But no one spoke. Despite the growing tension, their shared humanity restrained them.
Nathan sighed. So much for Rory's bravado. A barking dog with no bite.
"I'll go first."
He hadn't wanted to say it. But he had to.
Was it kindness? Maybe. But also pragmatism. Someone had to step forward, and he knew the longer the hesitation dragged on, the more likely he'd be shoved instead.
He already had a shaky history with Rory, and it wouldn't take long for the man to direct that aggression toward him, forcing him to be slaughter for the greater cause.
Statistically speaking, Rory had that power, the physical prowess to enforce his will over Nathan, and there would be nothing he could do about it.
Likewise, the others wouldn't be much help. Nathan knew that much.
Subaru wouldn't intervene. He had no desire to be offered as a replacement. Anna? As a woman, she'd likely be spared from harsh scrutiny, a frustrating double standard Nathan didn't bother trying to understand.
And Marvelous? Despite her failing years, she clung to life with a stubborn tenacity.
That left Nathan. The overweight, unassuming one. The easy scapegoat.
"I'll go first," he repeated, louder this time.
Better to volunteer than to be thrown. Doing so might earn a sliver of respect, maybe even a voice in future decisions. A selfless act painted in survivalist hues.
Assuming, of course, he lived through it.
With measured steps, he approached the door. The others watched in tense silence.
No hesitation. No fear. Just movement.
He gripped the handle. Pressed it down. Pushed the door outward.