Arbitrium G.07

Liam, Marked G.07

I stood there, watching her smile at me as the wind gently swept through her hair. For a moment, everything seemed perfect. But as I looked closer, something felt different.

It was in her eyes.

Beneath that beautiful smile, there was a sadness I couldn't understand. It was as if they were silently telling me something—I'm sorry.

I stared at her, my mind drifting back to what she had said earlier. The more I thought about it, the more confused I became. The smile on my face slowly disappeared as I took a step toward her.

Then I saw it.

A small tear slipped down her cheek.

(My confusion only grew. Why was she crying?)

Before I could ask, her lips parted, and in a trembling voice barely louder than a whisper, she said,

"Liam, I'm sorry."

My eyes widened.

"What do you mean—?"

The words never left my mouth.

Suddenly, my vision began to blur. The world around me twisted and faded as if it were being swallowed by a thick fog. The sound of the wind vanished. Her figure grew distant, slipping further and further away.

The last thing I saw was her tear-stained face.

Then everything went dark.

The moment I opened my eyes, light ceiling was the first thing I saw.

As my vision became cleared, I jolted waking up and looked around.

And I was in a place where nothingness was scene only white color no other one.

The moment I opened my eyes, a bright white ceiling was the first thing that came into view.

As my vision slowly cleared, I jolted upright and looked around in confusion.

I found myself standing in a place filled with nothingness. No walls. No doors. No sky. No ground that I could truly recognize.

There was only white.

An endless expanse of pure white stretching in every direction, as if the world itself had been erased and replaced by a blank canvas.

I turned around, searching for anything—anything at all—but there was nothing to see.

The silence was just as unsettling as the emptiness.

"Where... am I?"

My voice echoed faintly through the void before fading away, leaving me alone in the endless sea of white.

As I stood there, trying to make sense of what was happening, a black screen suddenly appeared in front of me.

It materialized out of nowhere, floating in the endless white void.

Startled, I took a step back.

The contrast between the pitch-black screen and the surrounding whiteness was impossible to ignore.

Lines of text slowly appeared across its surface.

Rules and Guidelines

I blinked several times, wondering if I was seeing things.

"Rules and guidelines...?"

The words only left me more confused.

(What kind of place was this?)

(Why was there a screen floating in front of me?)

(And why would a place like this need rules?)

Countless questions raced through my mind as I stared at the strange message, unable to understand what it meant.

I was about to start reading the words on the screen when a voice suddenly echoed through the white void.

It was neither male nor female.

Cold.

Emotionless.

Mechanical.

[Welcome to the Land of Veritas, Marked G.07.

You have arrived on the island. Survival is not guaranteed. Follow these rules carefully.]

The screen shifted, and lines of text appeared one after another.

As the voice read them aloud, my confusion slowly turned into disbelief.

(An island?)

(Survival?)

(Death?)

(What kind of sick joke was this?)

[Rule 1: Stay Alive

Your primary objective is survival. Death is permanent.

Rule 2: Remain Within the Active Zone

Restricted areas are marked by the System. Entering them may result in injury, disappearance, or death.

Rule 3: Do Not Travel Alone

The island punishes isolation. Travel with at least one companion whenever possible.

Rule 4: Every Choice Has Consequences

The island records all actions. Kindness, cruelty, courage, and betrayal may all shape your future. Choose wisely.

Rule 5: Unknown Creatures Are Hostile

Do not approach unfamiliar creatures unless absolutely necessary.

Rule 6: Trust With Caution

All participants seek survival. Some may become allies. Others may become threats.

Rule 7: Follow Marked Paths

Red markers indicate relatively safe routes. Unmarked areas are unexplored and highly dangerous.

Rule 8: Listen to Warnings

Emergency announcements and system messages are issued for a reason. Ignoring them may result in death.

Rule 9: Complete Objectives

Special tasks will appear periodically. Completing them grants rewards. Failure may carry consequences.

Rule 10: Participate in Every Task Given

All assigned tasks must be completed. Refusing to participate, abandoning a task, or deliberately failing an objective may result in penalties. Tasks are designed to test your abilities, cooperation, and determination to survive.

Guidance

• Observe before acting.

• Gather information whenever possible.

• Form alliances, but prepare for betrayal.

• Keep a weapon and emergency supplies with you at all times.

• Rest when safe, but remain vigilant.

• Adapt to changing circumstances.

• A wrong answer can be just as deadly as a wrong action.

Final Warning

The island does not forgive mistakes. Every choice matters. Survive, uncover the island's secrets, and find a way home.

Good luck, Participant.]

The voice fell silent.

I stood frozen, staring at the screen.

My heart pounded against my chest.

"What...?"

The word escaped my lips as a whisper.

None of this made sense.

(An island? Participants? Objectives?)

It sounded like something out of a game—or a nightmare.

Yet the cold, lifeless voice carried a certainty that made it impossible to dismiss.

I clenched my fists.

"Find a way home..."

The phrase echoed in my mind.

Home.

Suddenly, the memory of the her flashed before my eyes—her sad smile, the tears on her cheeks, and those final words.

A chill ran down my spine.

Looking back at the black screen, I could no longer shake the feeling that whatever had happened to me...

...was no accident.

As I was thinking about her, the voice from the screen came again.

This time, however, it sounded lighter and more cheerful. Hearing it eased some of the tension in my chest.

[Hello, Marked G.07.]

A young boy voice chimed happily.

[I'm Vera, your System Assistant. For today, I will provide guidance, information, and support regarding your activities on Veritas Island. While I cannot interfere directly with the game, I can help you understand the island and its many dangers.]

A detailed map suddenly appeared on the screen. The island slowly rotated while different locations lit up one by one.

[Welcome to your island overview.]

The first section highlighted the endless blue sea surrounding the landmass.

{The Ocean Boundary}

[An endless body of water surrounds Veritas Island.]

The map zoomed outward, revealing nothing but ocean beyond the shoreline.

[Escape is impossible. No participant has successfully crossed the boundary. Attempts to leave the island often result in disappearance, death, or forced retrieval by the System.]

The next area flashed red.

{Dynamic Danger Zones}

Large sections of the island pulsed like warning lights.

[These zones change periodically. Environmental hazards, hostile creatures, and unpredictable events may occur within them. Entering a danger zone is not prohibited, but survival is not guaranteed.]

Several ruined structures appeared across the map.

{Scattered Ruins & Supply Zones}

[These locations contain valuable resources such as weapons, tools, food, medicine, and rare equipment.]

The screen displayed broken temples, abandoned facilities, and crumbling watchtowers.

[Competition for supplies is extremely high. Exercise caution.]

The map shifted toward wide grasslands and rocky terrain.

{Open Fields & Cliffs}

[Areas with excellent visibility but limited cover.]

Images showed steep cliffs overlooking the sea and vast fields stretching toward the horizon.

[These locations frequently become sites of confrontation. Movement can be easily detected by other participants.]

Next, nearly half the island became covered in dark green.

{Dense Forests}

[The forests contain hidden routes, natural resources, and numerous secrets.]

The image displayed tangled roots, towering trees, and narrow trails disappearing into the darkness.

[However, visibility is limited. Participants have gone missing within these regions. Proceed carefully.]

Sixteen glowing markers appeared around the outer edges of the island.

{The Sixteen Buildings}

[Sixteen structures are positioned around the island's perimeter.]

Each marker revealed a different building—mansions, forts, lodges, academies, and bunkers.

[Every group is assigned one building. These structures serve as shelters, strategic headquarters, storage areas, and, in many cases, battlefields.]

The markers slowly dimmed.

Then the entire map darkened.

Only one location remained illuminated.

A massive black tower stood at the exact center of the island.

The atmosphere instantly became heavier.

{The Core}

[The heart of Veritas Island.]

The tower stretched far above the clouds, its dark surface reflecting no light.

[The Selectors reside here.]

The screen zoomed closer.

Countless windows lined the tower, but none revealed what was inside.

[The Core functions as the control center of the game. Monitoring, rule enforcement, event management, and participant evaluation are all conducted from this structure.]

For the first time, Vera's cheerful voice became noticeably quieter.

[Access to the Core is heavily restricted.]

A warning symbol appeared.

[Unauthorized entry is considered an extreme-risk action.]

The map vanished.

Vera's smiling avatar returned to the screen.

[Island overview complete.]

He placed his hands behind his back and smiled.

[Would you like to receive information regarding the participants, the Selectors, or today's first objective, Marked G.07?]

The screen waited silently for my answer.

"Why do you keep calling me Marked G.07?" I asked, narrowing my eyes at the screen. "Is it just some identification code, or does it actually mean something? What exactly was marked, and who decided it?"

[An excellent question, Marked G.07.]

Vera smiled pleasantly.

[The designation is not a name. It is a classification.]

The screen flickered, and an image appeared—a strange symbol branded into the back of my right hand.

[Every participant chosen for Veritas receives a Mark. The letter identifies the category assigned by your Selector, while the symbol on your hand identifies the one who chose you.]

I lowered my gaze to the mark on my hand.

"Category?"

Vera's smile never wavered.

[Access to that information is currently restricted.]

A brief silence followed.

Then she continued.

[However, I can tell you this: participants are never chosen at random. Every Mark exists for a reason.]

The words settled heavily in my chest.

For some reason, that answer unsettled me far more than any warning she had given before.

I was about to ask another question when the room suddenly trembled beneath my feet.

"What is happening?" I asked, turning toward Vera.

[It is only a minor tremor. It will cease once the process is complete.]

"Process?"

[Yes. A process in which this white room will be transformed.]

The moment Vera finished speaking, the endless white floor began to change. Color spread across its surface like paint flowing over a canvas. Moments later, the walls followed, their blank whiteness fading into warm tones.

Then a window materialized where there had been nothing before.

Furniture slowly emerged from the empty space—a bed, a desk, a chair, and a cabinet. Each piece seemed to assemble itself out of countless particles of light before becoming solid.

The room continued to shake gently as the transformation progressed.

Finally, a door appeared on the far wall.

I watched in stunned silence as the empty chamber was gradually replaced by what looked like an ordinary bedroom. In less than a minute, the sterile white room had become almost comfortable.

The trembling eventually faded, leaving only the faint hum of the System behind.

[Room initialization complete.] Vera announced with a satisfied smile.

[Now is the time for you to leave this room.] Vera said. [You are free to explore the sixteen buildings scattered across the island. However, be warned—some places are dangerous. Proceed carefully, Marked G.07.]

A cabinet beside the wall clicked open.

[And change into the clothes provided inside that cabinet.]

I followed he's instructions and opened it.

Inside was a neatly folded set of clothes.

After changing, I examined myself in the mirror.

The outfit resembled a military uniform, but it was designed more like a hooded jacket. It was lightweight, practical, and surprisingly comfortable.

As I adjusted the sleeves, something caught my attention.

The Mark.

It was no longer on my forearm.

My eyes widened as I noticed the symbol now resting on the back of my right hand.

A chill ran down my spine.

"Vera... why did the Mark move?"

[That is perfectly normal, Marked G.07.]

"Really?"

[Yes.]

The answer came so quickly that it somehow made me even more suspicious.

I stared at the symbol for a few more seconds before letting out a quiet sigh.

[Well then, Marked G.07.]

Vera's cheerful voice echoed through the room.

[Go outside and learn more about this place and its inhabitants. Observe everything carefully—the buildings, the environment, and most importantly, the people.]

The screen flickered softly.

[Trust is the most valuable resource on Veritas. Find people who will not betray you.]

A brief pause followed.

For the first time, Vera's smile seemed almost serious.

[Because once you leave this room, I will no longer be able to assist you directly. My support is limited to this residence.]

I nodded slowly.

"So from this point on... I'm on my own."

[Correct.]

The room fell silent.

Taking a deep breath, I walked toward the door.

My hand hovered over the handle.

Beyond it lay an island filled with strangers, secrets, and dangers I couldn't even begin to imagine.