Sakamiya University - Main Building

  The Conference Room 2nd Floor

  09:12 AM

  Haruto followed General Victor and Kanna toward the elevator, heading to the second floor.

  Their journey came to a halt in front of the conference room on the second floor, a plaque reading "Conference Room Hall" hanging above the door. Two soldiers, stationed at the door, snapped to attention with sharp salutes before one of them moved to open the door for General Victor.

  Conference Room Hall? Why was I brought here?..

  His mind was racing, what or who he would soon find.

  They stepped inside the expansive meeting hall, and Haruto found himself overwhelmed by the scene before him. The room was filled with prominent figures and VIP officials—an intimidating sight.

  Among the gathered individuals were:

  The Governor of Tokyo, Saeki Kudou. The head of Sakamiya University, Kyoka Futaba, along with several of her deans. A number of senior military officers, each wearing their high ranks on their shoulders.

  High-ranking police officers were also present, along with military scientists and technology experts. Senior officials from the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Transportation were seated at the long table, their faces serious and focused.

  A few members of the Japanese parliament and even some college students from Sakamiya University were scattered throughout the room. The gathering was a mix of academic, military, police, and government elites.

  Intense debates filled the room, voices rising with heated opinions regarding the mysterious dimensional rift. The room buzzed with intense debates and discussions. The tension was almost suffocating, as theories clashed and opinions ran wild.

  One man, his face flushed with frustration, leaned forward and practically yelled,

  “I’m telling you, it has to be extraterrestrial! This phenomenon is far beyond our world’s capabilities!”

  Another voice cut through the noise, a woman in a sharp suit retorting,

  “Aliens? Don’t be ridiculous. It’s far more likely this is a portal to another dimension—one that science has yet to fully comprehend.”

  "I agree with you, this has to be alien technology!" one military tech experts exclaimed, his eyes wide with excitement. "We’ve never seen anything like this before. The patterns, the energy readings. This is far beyond our comprehension."

  "No, no, its not aliens!" interrupted another man, a scientist professor in metaphysics. "This is clearly a gateway to another world. We’ve long speculated the existence of parallel dimensions. This rift is the proof!"

  "Nonsense!" declared a politician, slamming his hand on the table. "It’s a divine omen, a message from the gods! We must interpret this correctly before we provoke their wrath!"

  Several others joined in, each with their own theory. "This phenomenon could be a new natural occurrence. It’s not alien or divine—just unexplained!" argued a senior police officer.

  “Perhaps. but we shouldn’t discount the possibility that this is a sign from the gods. What if it’s a divine message?” a top officer, older man with glasses from the Ministry of Transportation added thoughtfully.

  “A message from the gods?” a man who looked like a high-ranking military officer scoffed. “Get real man. This is an anomaly, but not a religious one. We need facts, not fantasies!”

  "And how do you explain the strange symbols?" countered a dean who is also a professor at the university.. "We’ve seen nothing like them in the natural world!"

  The room continued buzzed with anxious discussions, their theories ranging from the scientific to the supernatural, from the plausible to the fantastical. Everyone was on edge, their nerves frayed by the enormity of what they were dealing with. Every argument layered with uncertainty and fear.

  Suddenly, the atmosphere in the room shifted as Haruto stepped inside.

  —

  Conversations abruptly stopped, and every eye turned toward him. The weight of their gazes bore down on him, curiosity, disbelief, and even hostility evident in their expressions. Haruto swallowed hard, his steps faltering near the entrance as the collective attention of the room pressed down on him like a physical force. He felt small, like a lone lamb standing before a pack of lions, unsure of what would come next.

  Kanna, having slipped into the background, took a seat next to a group of students. Meanwhile, General Victor strode confidently toward the front of the room. His posture radiated authority, and as he turned to address the room, his presence alone was enough to draw the attention of everyone.

  "Please, everyone, take your seats and remain calm." General Victor said, pausing for a moment as he waited for the participants to settle into their chairs.

  As the room quieted, a few additional police officers entered, their uniforms denoting their senior positions. Among them were the Chief of Police for Japan and the Chief of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police, accompanied by several high-ranking officers. They took their seats at the head of the table, while their subordinates stood by, ready to observe the meeting.

  With the room now settled, General Victor began to lead the meeting. His deep, authoritative voice carried across the room, "Ladies and gentlemen." he began. His tone formal yet weighted with urgency,

  "I thank you for gathering here on such short notice. As of now, the Japanese National Defense Forces, in cooperation with the Tokyo government, have declared a state of emergency in the area surrounding Sakamiya University.”

  He paused for a moment, took a small breath before continued, “The situation is unprecedented, and we are here to assess the threat posed by the dimensional rift. I have also brought Haruto Mori, a student from Sakamiya University, here because we believe he may be able to help us understand and combat this phenomenon."

  Haruto stood motionless near the entrance, swallowed again as General Victor mentioned his name.

  Why me? What could I possibly do?..

  The questions tumbled through his mind, growing louder as the pressure of the situation bore down on him. Yet with each moment, his determination to uncover the truth grew stronger. The myterious dimensional rift, the state of emergency, his unexpected presence being requested by General Victor, the strange spirit girl on the train who could stop time—everything seemed connected. Haruto could feel himself at the center of something far larger than he had ever imagined.

  As the General’s speech continued, Haruto cast a glance toward Kanna. She smiled warmly at him, nodding in silent reassurance. Her expression seemed to say,

  You’re not alone in this..

  General Victor resumed his speech, his voice steady and composed. "Haruto Mori possesses unique knowledge and abilities that we believe are crucial to confronting the threat posed by the dimensional rift. His presence here is not only warranted, but necessary for the safety of our nation."

  The room suddenly erupted in murmurs and whispers as their faces filled with doubt and skepticism. Questions erupted with increasing urgency, shattering the silence and tension that had previously filled the room.

  "Why is a student necessary for this?" one attendee muttered, his tone dripping with disbelief.

  "Does the General even know who this boy is?" another murmured, his words barely audible but laced with skepticism.

  “What do you mean, General?” a third voice interjected more loudly. “Are you implying this student can somehow resolve this crisis?”

  The murmurs grew into a low rumble of disbelief as attendees exchanged doubtful thoughts on Haruto’s role. The tension in the room mounted as Haruto’s mind raced with confusion.

  What could I possibly know that could help here? This has to be some kind of mistake. I’m just a regular university student, and didn’t care just about anything but my college study. I don’t have any unique abilities or expertise..

  His self-doubt crept in, a voice whispering in the back of his mind. I shouldn’t be here..

  A senior police officer stood up, his tone reflecting the shared sentiment of the room. "With all due respect, General, I don’t see how a student could be of any help in a matter as serious as this. We need experts, not civilians."

  Another official, from the Ministry of Defense, added sharply, "This is a national security issue. We can’t risk involving inexperienced individuals. We need professionals, General!"

  Several others in the room nodded in agreement, their murmurs of doubt growing louder. It was clear that most of the people in the room did not believe Haruto had any place in this situation.

  “NONSENSE! General Victor, do you even know what you're doing, bringing a university student into this!?" a middle-aged man in black suit shouted, he looked angry.

  —

  Haruto, who still stood near the entrance to the conference room, frozen in place, too intimidated to join the audience. A wave of confusion washed over him as he sensed the hostile reactions from the higher-ups, government officials, and VIPs present.

  The atmosphere in the conference room grew increasingly chaotic as disagreements and distrust toward Haruto began to surface. They seemed skeptical of him, despite General Victor’s insistence on his importance in confronting the threat of dimensional rifts, and becoming a potential savior for the country.

  Haruto himself felt lost, uncertain about his own abilities and questioning his capability to handle such an overwhelming threat, as General Victor had claimed. This was his first time standing before such powerful figures—government officials and high-ranking military personnel—and he felt painfully out of place.

  It was as if he were a lamb, unwittingly offering himself in a den filled with.. Ferocious and hungry lions..

  Sensing the escalating tension, Tokyo Governor Saeki Kudou, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke up.

  “Please, everyone, calm down.” his voice was gentle but firm, commanding the room’s attention without needing to raise it. His tall figure with distinguished silver hair and meticulously groomed beard, projected a calm authority that silenced the room.

  He wore a navy-blue business suit, paired with a black tie, his expression a mixture of seriousness and patience. Rising from his chair, he strode to the front of the room, positioning himself beside General Victor.

  “Everyone, calm down. Let’s hear General Victor further explanation before we jump to conclusions. General Victor, please continue.” he said, his voice soothing yet unwavering.

  General Victor’s expression grew even more intense as he listened to the protests and doubts voiced by the meeting participants, "I understand your concerns." he began, his tone firm yet patient.

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  "However, I personally requested Haruto Mori’s involvement based on credible intelligence we have gathered. This is an unprecedented phenomenon, conventional methods alone may not be enough. Our standard solutions might prove ineffective against such threats. We need abilities and skills that extend beyond the ordinary."

  Despite his explanation, many in the room remained skeptical, struggling to believe that Haruto could offer any meaningful contribution or possess any special abilities. General Victor’s expression hardened, a flicker of irritation crossing his face.

  —

  Just as he was about to respond more forcefully, Governor Saeki Kudou, sensing the tension rising, smoothly raised his hand to intervene.

  "Excuse me, General Victor, please allow me to clarify further to them." Governor Kudou said, his voice calm yet authoritative, the kind of tone that naturally commanded respect.

  "We are facing an extraordinarily complex situation." he continued, his gaze sweeping across the room. "This dimensional rift is unlike anything we’ve ever encountered, and it poses a serious threat not only to Japan but potentially threatening the entire world. We still don’t know if similar phenomena have appeared in other countries."

  At that moment, Miyuki Saegusa, the dean of Sakamiya University, stepped forward with a composed yet serious expression. "Kudou-san and General Vorpal, this phenomenon has appeared here for the first time. While we haven’t received reports of similar occurrences elsewhere, there is a possibility, however small, that it could happen in other regions. Our organization has been researching these anomalies for the past eight years." She stated, her voice steady and confident.

  “What? So, you know more about this than the Japanese military and government, Saegusa-san?” a senior military officer interjected, his voice sharp and skeptical. "How is that possible? Who exactly are you?"

  Miyuki stood tall, walking confidently to the front of the room.

  "Allow me to properly introduce myself." she said, her voice unwavering as she positioned herself next to Governor Saeki.

  "I am Miyuki Saegusa, not only the dean of this university but also the head of a covert organization known as The Mirage. We operate directly under the Prime Minister of Japan, Fujio Fumida-sama."

  "Oh, Miyuki-san, so your secret organization reports directly to Prime Minister Fumida-sama? That’s impressive." Kyoka Futaba, the head of Sakamiya University, remarked warmly, her motherly tone softening the tension in the room.

  "Yes, Kyoka-san. Thank you." Miyuki responded with a polite nod.

  “Thank you for your introduction, Saegusa-san." Governor Kudou said, shifting his attention back to the room.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, the Tokyo government just recently became aware of The Mirage and its involvement. Given the escalating threat posed by the dimensional rift, we’ve decided to collaborate. With the threat of the dimensional rift looming, their knowledge and expertise are invaluable.”

  After paused a moment, Governur Kudou continued, “Whether this phenomenon is caused by forces beyond human comprehension or by advanced technology, it represents an imminent disaster. Some of you may dismiss this as an isolated event, but I assure you, this situation is highly dangerous.”

  Turning toward General Victor, he continued, “General, please show the video to the participants. We need everyone to fully understand the gravity of this situation of what we’re dealing with. So that, we are aligned in addressing this unknown dangerous threat.”

  The mention of advanced technology possibly being the cause of the rift triggered a reflexive dismissal from Haruto.

  There’s no way any technology, no matter how advanced, could tear through reality and connect to another dimension.. he thought, his mind racing.

  But… what if someone—or something—is exploiting this phenomenon for a darker purpose? This isn’t the work of ordinary humans. I’m sure of it..

  For a brief moment, his mind drifted briefly to the mysterious spirit girl he had encountered on the train, the one who froze time across Tokyo, or perhaps even the entire world at that time.

  If a being like her existed, it wouldn’t be surprising if there were others with equally immense powers..

  The thought sent shivers down his spine.

  His thoughts wandered briefly to Kanna and the organization she had mentioned before—a mysterious group she had invited him to join multiple times, though he had always declined.

  W-Wait... could this Mirage organization be what she was talking about?

  Is the secret organization everyone whispers about on campus actually real?..

  The realization sent a jolt of unease through him.

  —

  As whispered speculation spread through the room, Kanna, noticing Haruto’s hesitation to join, stood up. She waved at him, her voice quiet but encouraging. “Haruto-kun, over here." she called softly, gesturing to the empty seat beside her.

  Haruto nodded and moved toward the seat, acutely aware of the intense stares following him. Sitting beside Kanna, his mind was still racing, trying to piece together everything that had happened.

  "Lieutenant Jun Mizuhara, please prepare the video from inside the dimensional rift to display on the main monitor." General Victor instructed his IT aide, who quickly began setting up the equipment.

  "Yes, sir. Just a moment." replied Lieutenant Mizuhara, his fingers flying across the keyboard as he worked to bring the footage onto the screen. Another aide dimmed the lights, ensuring that the video would be visible without distraction.

  As the final preparations were made, General Victor addressed the room again. His tone growing somber.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, 11 of my elite soldiers lost their lives while investigating this phenomenon, roughly four hours ago. Fortunately, we have footage from the operation, which will allow us to learn and anticipate the threat we’re facing, although we are uncertain if traditional methods will suffice.”

  His words were heavy with the loss of his soldiers, his sadness barely concealed beneath his stoic demeanor.

  Pausing briefly, he added, "Aside from myself and a few key military personnel involved in the investigation, no one else has seen this footage. It remains highly classified for now." His voice hardening as he glanced around the room.

  The room fell into a heavy silence once more. The loss of 11 elite soldiers brought a grim reality to the forefront. The conference participants now understood the gravity of the situation, how far things had spiraled out was clear. The sudden transformation of Sakamiya University into a military base, practically overnight, now made sense—it was a necessary response to an extraordinary threat.

  As Haruto sat, waiting for the video to begin, a sense of foreboding washed over him. He knew, deep down, that his life was about to change in ways he couldn’t yet imagine. The connection between the dimensional rift and the cryptic message from the mysterious spirit girl was still unclear.

  But whatever was coming, Haruto would face it head-on. He steeled himself, ready for whatever the video would reveal.

  "General, shall I start the video?" Lieutenant Mizuhara asked, awaiting final confirmation.

  "Hold on." General Victor said, addressing the room one last time. "Attention, everyone. The footage from inside the dimensional rift contains disturbing scenes—violence, bloodshed, and graphic content. I want to give a warning before we proceed. If anyone has a heart condition or cannot handle such content, you may leave the room until the video finishes."

  He paused briefly, scanning the room to see if anyone would take the offer. A few whispered conversations occurred, but no one left. It was clear that everyone was prepared to witness the classified footage.

  "Governor Saeki Kudou, shall we begin?" General Victor asked, ensuring that the Governor and the rest of the participants were ready.

  With a nod, Governor Saeki signaled to Lieutenant Mizuhara. "Proceed." he said.

  Jun Mizuhara clicked the mouse several times and typed a few commands into the keyboard, initiating the video playback. The footage appeared on the large monitor, showing the night-vision view from the camera worn by one of the soldiers who had entered the dimensional rift four hours earlier.

  * * * *

  The Highly Classified Footage Video

  Sakamiya University - Inside The Dimension Rift

  04:30 AM

  “This is Sergeant Makoto Zaki, reporting from inside the dimensional rift. We entered this unknown area a few minutes ago. There are 12 of us, including myself, from the Japanese Special Forces Division. We find ourselves in what appears to be a vast, empty labyrinth—or perhaps a maze." Sergeant Makoto Zaki reported, his voice steady despite the eerie surroundings.

  In the background, the synchronized footsteps of his team echoed faintly through the corridors, the sound amplifying the tension of the uncharted space they were exploring.

  “In the first large room, approximately 40 by 50 meters in size, we observed a peculiar, oddly shaped stone structure of light brown color, with blue patterns etched across its surface. It stands about… 5 meters tall, maybe slightly more. This is it…”

  As Sergeant Makoto pointing his finger to the peculiar stone, he continued,

  “Its shape, texture, and appearance differ significantly from the other pillars in the area, which all seem normal by comparison. Aside from this strange stone positioned near the dimensional rift we entered, there’s nothing else unusual or noteworthy." he explained, detailing the towering, enigmatic structure standing near the entry point of the dimensional rift.

  Sergeant Makoto paused briefly, glancing around to ensure their surroundings remained clear as he reconfirmed their findings. “So far, no signs of life have been detected as we’ve moved through the initial rooms connected by long, winding corridors. We will proceed further to investigate this labyrinth and explore its depths.”

  The 12 soldiers visible in the video were fully equipped with assault rifles, pistols, grenades, tactical helmets, and protective vests, and various survival tools such as night vision goggles, flashlights, survival backpacks, communication devices like walkie-talkies, combat knives, and other survival items. Some of them were also carrying C4 explosives, prepared for any situation that might arise, with detonators clipped securely to their belts.

  Their serious faces showed unwavering focus, every step measured as they moved through the maze-like structure.

  All the soldiers were on high alert, their senses sharpened as they advanced cautiously through the maze-like structure. It was clear from their body language, they were prepared for a sudden ambush, or perhaps worse, an encounter with something far more terrifying than human enemies.

  Their movements were deliberate, their breaths almost imperceptible as they advanced carefully, avoiding making any unnecessary noise.

  “This place is seriously giving me the creeps." one soldier whispered under his breath, his voice almost drowned out by the tension. “This must be some kind of alternate dimension... a parallel world.”

  The labyrinth within the dimensional rift, as captured in the video, resembled a series of empty rooms with stone walls, and long corridors stretching out in both directions. The cold, stark architecture of the place only added to the surreal atmosphere, as if they had stepped into a place beyond human comprehension. But before long, the soldiers found themselves in an open outdoor area.

  A massive building, towering at least five floors high and about 100 meters away, loomed ahead of them. Its dark silhouette stark against the strange, alien sky.

  “You three, scout the area around that building. Report any signs of activity, life forms, or anything unusual.” Sergeant Makoto instructed three soldiers, his voice calm but firm.

  The three soldiers nodded in acknowledgment, switching on their flashlights before silently splitting up, each one carefully approaching the building’s perimeter. As they reached the edges, they paused, sweeping their lights across the weathered stone walls and the barren ground below.

  Every inch of the structure radiated an unnatural stillness. No vegetation. No wind. No movement. Nothing but dead silence. So far, there was nothing strange or unusual.

  One by one, the soldiers checked in via radio, their voices low, steady, and disciplined.

  “The perimeter is clear. No signs of movement or life.”

  “Alright, regroup." Sergeant Makoto ordered, his eyes scanning the surroundings as he awaited their return.

  —

  The three soldiers swiftly made their way back to Sergeant Makoto and the remaining eight soldiers standing in front of the large building. The air was heavy with anticipation, as though something was watching them, waiting.

  “What are your orders, General Victor? Shall we proceed to investigate the interior of the building?” Sergeant Makoto asked, his voice steady as he communicated through his radio com.

  “Yes, proceed inside the building and conduct a reconnaissance mission. However, do not engage with any life forms you encounter. Simply observe and retreat—avoid any direct confrontation. We still don’t fully understand what we’re dealing with in this place." came General Victor’s voice, steady and commanding, through the radio.

  “Understood, General." Sergeant Makoto responded firmly, signaling to his team. His eyes darted toward the entrance of the building, the unknown awaiting them within its walls.

  “Where’s the entrance to this building?” Sergeant Makoto inquired, turning to one of the soldiers who had previously scouted the area.

  “It’s on the left side, Sergeant. Follow me." the soldier replied, gesturing toward the side of the building as he led the group.

  The entrance, it turned out wasn’t aligned with the path from the labyrinth. Instead, it was located on the left side of the building, forcing the team to cautiously make their way around the perimeter to approached it.

  The air felt heavier the closer they got, and the soldiers couldn't shake the feeling that something was watching them from the shadows, somewhere.

  They finally reached the entrance.

  —

  A pair of colossal deep navy steel double doors loomed ahead, each at least three meters tall. Cold, rustless, and carved with strange markings that shimmered faintly under their flashlight beams. Symbols that resembled no known language. Patterns that looked like they were etched not by human hands, but by something ancient and powerful.

  Something not from this world.

  The soldiers slowed, staring up at it in silence. Even seasoned veterans found themselves whispering.

  “Damn… these doors are huge…” one of the soldiers muttered.

  “What the hell is this even for? Giants?” another said.

  “Looks like something built for titans, not humans.” a third added, his voice a whisper laced with awe and unease.

  The soldiers exchanged tense glances. Even hardened veterans among them felt a chill crawl up their spines.

  There was something wrong about this place.

  Something wrong with the air. With the silence.

  Sergeant Makoto stepped forward and lifted a hand, “Gear check. Ready your weapons.”

  Without hesitation, the soldiers moved into action. The mechanical sounds of preparation filled the air—rifles clicked and locked, magazines loaded with sharp precision, combat knives drawn and tested for balance. Straps were tightened. Radios adjusted. Sensor devices calibrated. Visors lowered. Every motion was practiced, fluid, efficient.

  No one spoke. But they all understood what it meant to face the unknown.

  Whatever awaited them inside, they knew there was no turning back now...

  — — — — —

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