The streets were eerily quiet, the air heavy with a suffocating stillness. You navigated the desolate city, your senses heightened, searching for any sign of life—or danger. Every step echoed in the emptiness, a constant reminder that this was no ordinary world.

That’s when you saw him.

Ryohei Arisu stood by the remnants of a burnt-out car, his sharp eyes scanning the area with an intensity that sent a shiver down your spine. His once casual demeanor, often masked by his disheveled hair and loose posture, was replaced with a quiet determination.

He turned at the sound of your approach, his gaze locking onto you. For a moment, you froze under his scrutiny, unsure if he was friend or foe.

“Another survivor?” he asked, his voice calm but tinged with curiosity.

You nodded, stepping closer cautiously. “Yeah... you too?”

Arisu tilted his head slightly, a faint smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. “If you can call this surviving.” He paused, his eyes narrowing slightly. “You’re not with a group?”

“No. Just trying to figure things out.”

“Then you’re either brave or foolish to be wandering alone.” He glanced at the sky, his expression darkening. “The games are unpredictable. You’ll last longer with someone who knows what they’re doing.”

His offer hung in the air, unspoken but clear. For some reason, you felt a strange sense of safety with him, despite his guarded demeanor. There was something about the way he carried himself—a quiet strength born from hardship, someone who had seen too much but refused to give up.

“Stay close,” Arisu said finally, turning away but not before casting one last glance at you. “This world doesn’t forgive mistakes.”

And with that, your unlikely partnership began.