Elysian Abyss
A place where no one remembers why they exist.
Their memories were erased without a trace since the moment they were brought here.
In Elysian Abyss, there’s no past to hold on to, no family to miss, not even a full name to cling to.
People here are nothing but hollow husks, existing only to kill each other. There are no heroes here.
Some ruthless ones were molded by cruelty itself. If love exists, they live in that fleeting bliss, forgetting the trials ahead.
Or maybe they’re just basking in a beautiful illusion that cuts deep.
It is Dreadwolf who will ignite the candle of emotion in this cold darkness called Elysian Abyss.
And in the end, they will carry this story to its final line.
This journey is no dream.
In a sleek white room, soft ceiling lights gently spread across the space. The entrance was a pair of modern white doors—non-reflective, sturdy, equipped with a card scanner embedded into the wall.
Right beside the door was an open-concept kitchen with full amenities, and across from it, a wall-mounted black TV used primarily for receiving information.
Beneath the TV was a spotless white sofa set, faintly scented. Lying on the couch, reading a book, was Kaiser. His hair was a light, tranquil ocean-blue. Standing at 1.87m, his legs hung slightly off the couch, but he seemed completely at ease.
Each turned page marked his rare moment of peace in a day. Tít, a soft chime from the door rang out, yet Kaiser didn't look up from his book.
The door opened. A girl walked in, her black ponytail swaying, dressed in a gym outfit, a white towel slung over her shoulder to wipe off sweat. Her name was Zara, standing just as tall as Kaiser—1.87m.
Zara’s eyes caught Kaiser lounging on the couch. Disdain flickered across her face.
She glanced over him with a blank expression, but her voice dripped with attitude:
"Sprawled out all day reading ant-scribble like that doesn’t bore you? So talented, wow."
She yanked the towel from her shoulder and threw it onto the kitchen counter beside her. A small gesture, but it screamed annoyance.
Kaiser, unbothered, flipped another page. But once her words stopped, he tilted his head, gave her a fleeting glance, then returned to his book—acknowledging her just enough to mock, clearly unbothered.
"Oh..." Kaiser responded, voice dragging out, unfazed:
"You looking to start something again? Got way too much time on your hands." He sat up, leaning on the sofa, eyes fixed on her.
"How long can you skip meals before dropping dead, I wonder." His tone was casual, but it was a veiled threat—he was the one who handled cooking. "Starve or shut it, save my ears, thanks."
Zara rolled her eyes, not dignifying him with a response. She walked straight into the kitchen, her indifferent gaze treating his words like a distant dog barking.
Behind her, Kaiser leaned back again, flipping another page, relaxed.
Just as Zara stepped into the kitchen—
“BOO!”
Mie popped out from under the table like a tiny tiger pouncing, both arms raised in claws.
Zara froze for a beat, slightly startled:
*Sh*t, this psycho again * Zara thought, exasperated.
But she just let out a tired breath, irritation simmering under her skin. She gave Mie’s head a fake affectionate pat—then, without warning, pushed it back with her palm.
Mie stood frozen like a stiff puppet. One second… two seconds… then burst out, sulking:
“Zaza should’ve jumped!” she pouted hard.
Zara paused mid-sip, side-eyeing her.
Her voice sliced cold and sharp:
“Drop that name… before I drop you, Mie.” Her eyes screamed trouble, shut up.
Mie plopped down into a beanbag chair, legs crossed, arms hugging herself like clutching onto her frustration. The seat sank in dramatically, her mood dragging it down with her.
She was 1.76m tall, petite and slender. Dresses were her go-to. Her hair, dyed bright green, was shoulder-length in a cute French cut—just like her energetic personality. Every daredevil stunt in this place? Mie had probably tried them all.
In her sulky mood, she muttered without thinking:
"We haven’t heard the announcement bell today, huh… maybe there won’t be one…" Her voice dragged, dripping gloom.
Kaiser reached out and flicked her forehead—like a big brother disciplining his little sister:
"Why’re you even excited for that cra—" He didn’t get to finish.
TÍNH TÌNH TINH—the TV screen lit up. A sharp-eyed woman appeared, her voice slicing through:
"Attention all ASN. This is a message from Sofia. Everyone must gather at the central hall, Zone A, specifically Floor A01. You have exactly five minutes after this broadcast ends."
As the screen cut off, Mie quickly covered her mouth, realizing her jinx. Zara placed her cup down, then gave Mie a cold glare before heading out. Mie felt the air chill. Kaiser sighed, putting his book down and following. Mie scrambled after them.
//CENTRAL HALL A01//
Zara entered. The place was already buzzing—different groups scattered around, murmuring. Her eyes scanned over faces bruised and battered, the eyes of addicts, or maybe just victims of their first fights. Some looked near broken.
Oddly, it amused her. It was proof that she was stronger.
Her eyes flicked around, landing on two figures ahead. She walked toward them, voice soft like wind:
“Since when were you two here?” She tilted her head.
Dylen turned around, calm:
“Just now, was on a walk.” He glanced behind, spotting Kaiser and Mie arriving.
At 1.92m, Dylen was the tallest of them. Jet black hair. Besides his good looks, nothing really stood out.
Zara turned her gaze to Roxy, eyes sparking mischief. She stepped closer, leaning down to Roxy’s ear and whispered with a mocking tone:
“Library again? You turning into Kaiser with all those books?” Her laugh oozed contempt.
Suddenly, Zara felt a cold metal at her neck. A gleaming folding knife pressed against her skin—Roxy held it steady.
Without even changing her expression, Roxy answered, voice like steel:
“So?”
She didn’t even look at Zara.
Zara pushed the knife away and stepped back, sneering:
"Yawn. Can’t take a joke." She rolled her eyes.
Roxy didn’t flinch. Her voice cut back, sharp and clear:
"Since when did stupid become your genre of humor?" She sheathed the blade without a blink.
Roxy stood 1.84m, hair long and naturally white, eyes sharp like a fox. She rarely spoke.
Kaiser and Mie joined the group. Kaiser’s eyes flicked toward the center of the hall—quiet and still, contrasting with the chatter around.
Something about the silence made him uneasy.
Five minutes later, the entrances slammed shut—one by one, echoing off the walls until the entire hall became a sealed box.
A deep mechanical rumble from above. A white platform descended from the dome, stopping 30cm above the ground. All eyes turned to it.
A faint hiss. Sofia dropped down, propelled by jet boots, soft smoke trailing from her landing.
Her body was fully robotic—white with crimson lines crossing diagonally. ID code //SOFI-01// was printed on her. But her face was entirely human-like. Her eyes scanned the crowd below—cold, commanding.
"Silence!" Sofia barked, voice sharp and commanding.
Instant silence. Everyone knew what defiance meant.
"Some of you were late even after the alert. Those who defy orders… face consequences."
She snapped her fingers.
Behind her, a 3D projection appeared—buildings shown from surveillance angles.
The screen displayed robots electrocuting violators. Screams echoed faintly, sending a message crystal clear.
They couldn’t run, or fight back—they were not allowed to move. Yet only the newcomers seemed terrified. The rest? They looked thrilled at others’ suffering.
Dylen yawned, grumbling:
"Sh*t, this is boring as hell." He ran a hand through his hair.
Kaiser jabbed him lightly, whispering:
"She’s looking, dumbass." Kaiser nodded toward Sofia.
Dylen met her glare, quickly turned away.
The screen vanished as Sofia snapped again. She tapped the device on her wrist, then continued coldly:
"Today, we welcome a new ASN to Elysian Abyss." She waved.
Wiki flew in, carrying a large white box. She set it down hard. As her hand hovered, a scanner activated. //Scanning…//
"What’s taking so long," Sofia growled.
"Just 2 seconds longer," Wiki replied. The screen blinked green—access granted.
The box dissolved, revealing a male inside. Blondish hair. White hoodie. As he opened his eyes, the bright light made him squint, rubbing his face.
Sofia stared, updating data. "Name: Landy. Age: 25. Height: 1.79m."
"La...Landy? Me?" He blinked, confused. Sofia gave a curt nod.
Eyes all around stared at Landy. Roxy seemed deep in thought.
Mie turned to Roxy:
"You picked him, didn’t you?" she beamed.
"Maybe." Roxy looked at her.
"You saw it too, right?" Mie held her wrist and swayed it.
Dylen, lost, asked, "What are they talking about?"
Zara shrugged, hands on hips. "No clue."
Kaiser sighed, watching the two airheads:
*Do those two even have functioning brains * He crossed his arms.
Wiki activated the system, waiting for Sofia’s next command.
Sofia glanced at Wiki, then down at the crowd, and ordered:
"Get ready. The screen will show a button like always—press fast if you want to fight for him." She nodded.
Wiki initiated the system. A green screen appeared before each person, with one big word in the center: //SELECT//
"You have five minutes to discuss. Groups of six won’t get a screen," Sofia said, starting the countdown.
Discussions broke out. The Dreadwolf group wasn’t exactly united.
Dylen started:
"Yes or no?"
"No," Zara snapped, clearly irritated.
"Yes," Roxy and Mie said in unison.
Zara scowled but before she could argue, Kaiser cut in:
"Yes." He joined the others.
"Explain. Why the hell pick him?" Zara stared at Kaiser.
"Too dumb to understand anyway," he sneered.
Zara burned with fury, about to lunge, but Dylen stopped her.
"Let it go. If they win, they get him." Dylen warned, eyes flicking toward Sofia watching them.
"That bastard—" Zara didn't get to finish. A data strip bound her mouth and limbs. She stumbled, Roxy held her upright.
"Mie, go press it." Roxy told her. Mie nodded.
Kaiser chuckled at Zara’s state. Dylen didn’t care, eyes on Mie now ready to hit the button.
"Time’s up. ONE... TWO... THREE!" Sofia’s command rang out. The hall filled with sharp BEEP BEEP sounds.
Though most covered their ears, Sofia watched silently. Wiki monitored the data—no sound needed. Their ears had been replaced with data sensors.
Silence returned. Wiki spoke loudly:
"Two people tied. We need a tiebreaker between Mie of Dreadwolf and Vory of Viper." Screens displayed both faces.
"Green kitty’s screwed," Kaiser joked, patting Mie.
"Super unlucky," Dylen chuckled, while Mie stood dumbfounded at her luck.
Sofia’s left eye glowed blue, then dimmed. The platform rose 5 meters. Blue lights outlined a large square on the floor.
The crowd stepped back—they knew the drill. Mie and Vory stepped in. Mie was stunned by Vory’s outlandish style.
Vory’s hair: split between bright pink and purple, with a neon strand in front. Mie froze at the… unique look.
"What’s this shorty supposed to be?" He mocked her height—he was 1.83m.
"Witty lines show personality. You’ve got none," Mie smiled, salesgirl-style.
Wiki spun the random weapon selector. It stopped on daggers—sharp, deadly, fitting for close combat.
Two daggers appeared. They grabbed them, ready.
Sofia counted down:
"ONE... TWO... THREE!!"
---END OF CHAPTER 1---