A boy with red hair raises his concern, "Why do we even play something we're not motivated to play with?"
The hologram responded, "Your minds are still recovering, so you might not be motivated enough and refuse to play the games. But remember, your major motivation to keep playing is your life."
Does this mean our lives are at stake?
"But before the game starts, you will first live on the nth planet. A planet that's next to Neptune or maybe Pluto?" The ambiguous hologram promises to play with their minds.
"What planet are you referring to as the 'nth planet'? As far as I know, there is no Pluto, so there should be only eight planets," replied a relatively chubby boy.
"The nth planet is a planet supposed to be next to Pluto, but it is said that Pluto is not a planet. Therefore, the nth planet is a planet next to Neptune." The hologram's naughty answer.
nth planet. From the name of the planet the hologram mentioned, it seems like a planet without a name. Similar to math problems and equations, often 'n' is the letter used in the missing value or answer, like 'x'.
"The name itself, does it ring a bell?" No one answered. "Of course, it is! I know you are all clever, so you have a clue about the planet you will live on from now on."
"What? We'll live there on the nth planet, you say?!" a girl with short black hair questioned with an irritated look.
"You heard it right. You will leave your ex-planet called Earth, and you will be living on the nth planet, whether you like it or not. You will leave your loved ones and sentiments on your former planet, including your memory."
Wait, so I don't know myself very well because I lost my memory.
"I'm sure you are all bewildered about yourselves. But when the time comes, when the game starts, you will regain all your identity."
She no longer hesitated to speak and questioned the hologram. "You mean we lost our memories? How?"
"I'll just leave it to your imagination and go find the answer yourself."
Her fist clenched because of its answer.
How annoying! What kind of answer is that?
If that thing is too lazy to answer all its queries, then this should not have happened in the first place. Leaving them tormented with no answers at all is infuriating.
"What kind of planet is the nth planet?" her classmate pondered. She kind of didn't expect him to ask either. He looks serious, but she knows he's just building himself up.
"You have nothing to worry about because the nth planet is like the Earth, too." The fact that they're not on our planet right now is enough to give them a panic attack. "Composed of both living and non-living things. The only difference is that the nth planet is far better than Earth. The impossible things on Earth are made possible on the nth planet. Delusions and imagination can come into reality. A place where feelings and emotions are created. The nth planet was born because it lives through how everyone on Earth feels. Grief, delight, loathing, anxiety, depression, excitement, fear, all of them! Only you, the people who will play the tri-games, know that the nth planet exists."
She didn't know if she should be glad to know such a thing.
"Are you crazy or something? That's far beyond scientific explanation. If only we, the Battle 24, know that such a stupid planet exists because of your worthless information, then do you think we will believe your nonsensical theory?" questioned a boy with eyeglasses. His tone is serious and stoic. One will notice right away that he is knowledgeable.
"Good point. You are a genius, no doubt about it. It has never been wrong that you've been chosen." The hologram stopped talking for a moment and then continued. "Like the name itself, nth planet—an unknown planet. You must be the one to search for the real meaning behind it. A planet where unbelievable things exist through people. The things you think are not possible now become within reach. The things that you think are impossible are hidden in your hearts, called feelings and emotions."
How come such a hologram can speak deeply like this? Is there such a planet that exists because of how people feel and think?
"All the impulsive thoughts of every person in the world, on the nth planet, come true."
She was struck by what the hologram stated. It's like, it's almost impossible. No, it's impossible. It has to be impossible! All of this is nonsense.
"The nth planet does not exist in the world of erudite. It exists through the heart and mind of people, and that's the reason why things are made possible," the hologram added.
She could not believe what she heard. The truth is, she did not want to believe everything it said. What are they going to do? Are they just going to do what the hologram tells them to do? If not, what can they do?
She was still grateful somehow that she was not the only one here. Fortunately, she has 23 people to make friends with, and they can help each other discover the so-called nth planet. She didn't even know them and should not be trusted immediately, but they were supposed to work together because they had no other choice.
Right now, they should live on the nth planet, which is the only solution she can think of. The hologram also mentioned that they will play tri-games. She had no idea about it, but she really couldn't do anything. Everything is vague, so she will clarify it by gradually exploring this matter. She was trapped in a situation where stones or walls did not prevent her from getting stuck, but this inexplicable situation forced her to shut herself up and follow the hologram's orders.
Maybe if she obeys what the hologram says, all her memories will return. This might solve the mysteries of her identity. If that's possible, then she will be able to live peacefully. This is the only way she can think of... for now.
"How can we live there?"
"Let me go!"
"What are we supposed to do? What type of game are you referring to?"
"Why do we have to play the tri-games?"
"That's insane!"
"What are you plotting on us, huh?"
"Get us out of here."
"I don't wish to stay there. Now, bring me back to where I belong."
"What are you, anyway? What gives you the authority to do all this?"
"Y'all bullsh*t! No one's gonna buy that!"
The hologram continued to speak, and others asked more questions. The hologram has mentioned more about that stuff that she can't grasp. They kept on asking questions, while some resisted and opposed the hologram.
Her hearing was fading. She's getting dizzy. Her knees were becoming weak. All these statements, queries, screams, and pleas were making her feel like she was going to puke. She cannot tolerate or absorb all of this. It makes her physically, mentally, and emotionally sick. Everything went into chaos after the moving-up ceremony. How she wished she could stop time and be stuck in that moment. This was too much to bear. She didn't want to hear any more of this. She no longer knew how she should feel. She didn't know what she should believe in.
This was tiring her... help me… please. These must be all the dreams that she should wake up.
"Go and live." Those three words were the last thing she heard from the hologram.
When the hologram uttered that, what happened to her here in space suddenly flashed back.
She kept closing her eyes, probably because she felt sick. Her body has given up, and her mind is slowly giving up.
Why does it get to be like this? What did I do to deserve this?
After all those conversations, what got her the most is that there's a call for survival in the new world they're going to live in. If this is the end of her life, even if she was forced to live on another planet or whatever it is, even if she plays the tri-games, even if she will be going to have a hard time...
She promised herself that she would live.