I Want to Quit the Game Again Today

When a thick fog descended, Bai Du, an ordinary college student in Bai Jing City, was unlucky enough to become one of the Gate's chosen.

[Ding-dong! Dear Player 10001, welcome to the large-scale immersive game, "The Gate Beyond the World"]

[Player species: Human]

[Number of surviving members of your species: 10001]

[Protection status: Endangered]

[Please enter your player nickname: --]

[Good news, do you see the 1 at the end of that number? You're the extra one. Congratulations, you've earned the title: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder's Worst Nightmare :)]

*

In an alternate world, in Bai Jing City, endless nursery rhymes echoed through the apartment blocks at midnight. In the mirrors of the university dorms, ghosts without bodies wandered.

Would the east wind bring news of another wave of deaths? Would the roller coaster at the amusement park reach its peak and let out a shriek from the other side?

Atop a hundred-story building, the eerie beings whispered:

"You have lost your civilization and have nothing. You look around, and all you see is endless desolation. Ah, humanity..."

A flash of silver, bright as lightning. The eerie being felt for its head... Huh? Where was its head?

The girl lowered her eyes, sheathed her blade, and turned to leave with a sigh.

"To think, all I ever wanted was to be a kind, lazy fish..."

Bai Du, ordinary student at Bai Jing University; outstanding leader of the Ideal Country team; star performer in The Gate Beyond the World; top player of the Ark guild; divine judge; final god of the end; eternal "Plato"; the great Miss Bai Du, said with complete sincerity.

*

One day, the thick fog lifted.

People around the world who had survived the disaster received a text message. The languages differed, but the message was the same.

[Ding-dong! MVP of this game: Plato]

[Personal motto: This player was too lazy. She left nothing behind.]

2024.2.18

Theme: Life is a wilderness, not a track