Atop a towering building.
A long-haired woman wearing black sunglasses and holding a walkie-talkie watched the sky.
"Hey, Kanai, we've been waiting forever. Why haven't you flashed the signal light yet?"
Cold sweat broke out on the student-looking Kanai's face.
"Uh, telling me that won't help. What am I supposed to do if nobody comes?"
"Hmm?"
The woman's long hair was woven into the shape of a jet, and her expression was contemptuous and displeased.
"You're talking back to me now?"
"Keep being disrespectful, and I'll crush you to death."
Kanai hurriedly apologized.
"No... I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Please forgive me!"
"Hmph!"
But just then.
A figure fell freely from high in the sky, plummeting toward the ground.
Players in the Culling Game were randomly transported to one of nine predetermined locations.
This was an unwritten rule of the barrier.
Feeling the wind rush past his ears, Araki Itsuki mourned the ordinary people who had accidentally entered the barrier.
"Wouldn't a fall like this leave you black and blue?"
Kanai, up on the rooftop, spotted Araki Itsuki falling and immediately flashed his guiding light.
"Looks like I've run into some newbie killers."
Around these nine newcomer spawn points gathered Sorcerers who specifically preyed on players panicking over phenomena outside the stated rules.
Araki Itsuki looked displeased. Bugs that were too weak offered no amusement.
Boom!!
Suddenly, the air roared as though an enormous aircraft engine had started up.
After receiving Kanai's signal, Hanyu immediately activated her Cursed Technique and hurtled toward Araki Itsuki with terrifying momentum.
Thud!
A steel skyscraper in her path was easily pierced.
Propelled by the explosive rush of air, Hanyu slammed squarely into Araki Itsuki's abdomen.
Bang, bang!
Seeing Araki Itsuki land on the rooftop with barely any change in his expression.
Hanyu was secretly alarmed.