/Response confirmed. Searching for field. Complete. Mission start./

‘Search? Didn’t the system previously use the term “create”?’

Whoosh!

Regardless of Merlin’s question, the scenery changed, and they found themselves in a pitch-black area. It was night, and they could see several bonfires scattered in the distance.

“… Hmm?”

Upon his arrival, Merlin felt a strange sensation. There was nothing particularly noteworthy about the surroundings. Of course, he hadn’t seen this place before, but DIO was a game that could create any sci-fi world… however….

‘Something’s changed.’

The blowing wind and the firm ground… everything seemed normal yet different. It was hard to pinpoint, but something was off about this world compared to the one he’d been roaming around in DIO. Minutely, Merlin always felt a slight sense of alienation whenever he entered DIO, but this place didn’t feel that way. It was as if he’d logged out. Soon, Merlin heard a scream.

“Help! Help! Ack!”

“Ack!”

Dead bodies were strewn across the ground. A group of people ran past Merlin’s party without paying any attention to them.

“What’s going on here?”

“The building has an oriental style. I think it’s a traditional martial arts temple of some sort.”

“Let’s check the quest description-”

Bang!

Right then, a building exploded...