My life was going well.
I had everything a person could need to live peacefully. Loving parents, a cute little sister, and no financial worries. I was leading a good life.
But...
---
April 21, 2025.
I was invited to my millionaire friend's birthday. He wasn't just rich—he was also my best friend and close to my family. His birthday was on April 24, 2025.
That evening, we went to his party. The venue was massive—fifteen floors tall. My father, mother, and little sister came along too. The invitation was extended to the whole family, not just me. Practically everyone from school showed up.
"Happy Birthday, Mike. Best wishes to you," I greeted him with a smile.
"Thanks, Shirou. Really, thank you for coming," he replied warmly.
My parents also offered their greetings. Within minutes, all the guests had arrived, and the party officially began. A fortune had clearly been spent on the event. If you saw it, you'd instantly know: this is what a millionaire's party looks like.
Tables were overflowing with luxurious food—just pick whatever you wanted. The lighting shimmered in gold, and even international guests had flown in. I wore a formal suit, of course. You can't show up in casual clothes to high-society events—not unless you want to ruin your image. And that's the society we created. This is honestly disgusting and hollow.
But this birthday party wasn't a "Happy Birthday."
It turned into a "Bad Birthday for All."
---
A convoy of five black cars pulled up outside. Men stepped out—and without warning—began firing their guns into the air. Chaos erupted. They locked the main gate and took everyone hostage.
All of them were dressed in black—masks, clothing, everything. Armed with guns and knives, they instilled instant fear. The crowd panicked, but everything fell eerily silent when they started pointing guns at people's heads.
The police had already been alerted. As soon as these men entered the ground floor, they were captured on CCTV and reported. Help was on the way—but until then, we had to survive.
---
I stayed calm. My little sister clung tightly to my hand, shaking with fear.
"Don't worry, okay? Papa, Mama—we're all going home today. Nothing will happen. Your big brother's here, see? Your brave big brother. I'm here to protect you."
She was trying not to cry, holding back the tears. But then a gunshot rang out in the air. The attackers made their demand: 60 million yen.
If it was paid, no one would be harmed.
My sister couldn't hold it anymore—she broke down crying. Even the adults were terrified—she was only six.
Then, one of the attackers approached us. He grabbed my sister and held a knife to her throat. She screamed in terror. My parents were frozen in fear.
My mind went blank.
I snapped.
Without thinking, I charged at the masked man with everything I had. I tackled him hard—my sister slipped from his grip and ran back to our parents. I kept pushing the man away, not even knowing where I was going.
Then—glass shattered.
And in the blink of an eye, both of us fell from the 15th floor.
---
It was surreal. Like a dream.
The wind roared in my ears. I could see the attacker falling beside me.
Weightless.
Then—time seemed to freeze.
Everything stopped. I couldn't see anything clearly—only something black waves slowly creeping toward me.
And then, everything went black.
---
When I opened my eyes, I was lying on the ground.
But not our ground. There was no grass. No sun in the sky. Dead trees surrounded me—leafless, colorless, eerie. Dust hung in the air, and even the sky looked sick.
At first, I thought it was still a dream. But no—this was real.
I'd been summoned to another world.
A world I didn't know and think of it.
A world that felt like hell.
---
It's been two days. I haven't eaten a thing—not even a drop of water.
There's no river. No living tree. No signs of life at all.
I've been walking for two straight days. When exhaustion hit me, I collapsed into sleep without even realizing.
Then, I climbed a hill.
From there—I finally saw people.
I felt hope. Relief.
But that relief turned to dread.
---
There were hundreds of them. Their hands were tied with rough ropes. Dressed in filthy, tattered clothes. Starving, weak, staggering like they hadn't eaten in a week.
But beside them walked others—those with horns on their heads, dressed like nobles. They carried whips, lashing anyone who dared to slow down.
My heart sank.
Demons.
One of them spotted me from afar.
Our eyes met.
I didn't wait. I ran—faster than I ever had before—with the last bit of strength I had left.
I ran blindly, terrified.
They weren't human.
If you've ever played a horror game alone at night—then suddenly seen a ghost pop up on screen—you know that instinct: run, or shut the game off.
But I couldn't pause this.
I didn't have infinite stamina.
My body trembled. My legs weakened. My vision blurred.
Still, I kept running—never daring to look back.
And then—
Something hit the back of my head.
I collapsed. My vision faded again.
---
When I awoke, someone was sitting in front of me.
A massive throne stood at the center of the room.
Seated on it was a woman wearing a black and crimson gown encrusted with jewels. A crown adorned her head. Her eyes glowed crimson, and curved horns rose from her head.
I wouldn't call her beautiful—but her presence was terrifying.
Her aura alone gave me chills.
She had to be the Demon Queen.
I'd been captured by her subordinates.
But what truly shook me—was when I turned around.
---
Behind me were hundreds of women.
All of them tied up. Some unconscious.
Some sobbing.
Some bleeding.
Some with bruises and whip marks.
I didn't need anyone to explain.
I understood.
Humans were slaves in this world.
The demons could do whatever they wanted to us.
That made my fear grow even deeper.
Then, I looked forward—and she was right in front of my face.
The Demon Queen.
Her cold, predatory eyes locked onto mine. A devilish smile curled on her lips.
My body froze. I couldn't even move.
And in that moment, one single thought echoed in my mind:
"Is this the end for me…?"