The Championship had begun.
— Welcome, everyone! To the World Gaming Championship! — the presenter raised one hand to the sky while holding a microphone in the other. — Today we have with us the young challenger, who against all odds has managed to exceed our expectations.
A light illuminated the challenger, a young man in his twenties with a bright smile. The crowd cheered with excitement. The challenger waved back.
At that moment, all the lights went out. The presenter, in a solemn voice, exclaimed:
— The time has come… The one and undisputed ultimate champion, the greatest of all time. Three-time victor in the highest difficulty category. The accumulation of his titles is endless. The one who will defend his title. Known by many as… GREEN FROGGY.
The lights came back on. From above, green petals began to fall, mixed with others of different colors. Spotlights locked onto him. He wore a green frog-hood that covered his face.
The champion smiled arrogantly, and suddenly his custom-made theme song echoed throughout the entire venue. The crowd watched him walk down a red carpet with anticipation, until he sat upon his throne.
The battle had begun.
It was a simple game in appearance, but monstrous in gameplay. The controls were many, some stages were glitching, and the enemies were absurdly difficult. It was the same game for both players—a complete mystery they were about to face.
— If you're ready, start in 3… 2… 1… NOW!
The battle began. On the giant screen, both characters were shown simultaneously. The challenger tried, with great difficulty, to adapt to the rhythm—but it was impossible. It was too complex.
He pulled everything into his mind: all his study, everything he had learned, all the hours of sacrifice—and poured it into the game. Meanwhile, the champion moved his hands with almost inhuman speed.
— Is that even possible?
— He should go outside and touch grass…
— As expected from the champion.
At those comments, he smiled arrogantly. He looked at his rival struggling to keep up. The crowd's voices, the presenter's commentary—all of it converged into him, making him feel alive. Euphoria, being watched by hundreds.
The result was inevitable.
The presenter approached the players.
— The champion wins for the fourth time! — he raised the winner's hand. — Does anyone even exist who can defeat him?
Everyone applauded. The challenger remained silent. He removed his headset and placed it on the table. His family approached him.
— You did well.
They hugged him. The champion approached them and smiled at the scene.
— HA! Better luck next time.
He lifted his trophy, dragging it slightly in front of them, and walked away, exiting the stadium through a side route toward the avenue.
— Another easy tournament… Maybe I should try sports next. That might be more fun.
As he crossed the street, he heard a shout:
— LOOK OUT!!!
Crack.
One sound. One impact.
That was enough to send him flying through the air. The world spun, and a deep pain consumed him.
Death had come to collect him.
— Huh? Where am I?
He woke up abruptly, disoriented. He looked around—there was no one. Only a vast white void stretching into infinity. In front of him, a blue screen.
— What the hell?
He smiled. The pattern felt oddly familiar. He had read manga before, and of course… this was that genre.
The blue screen shifted, letters appearing—forming a familiar interface.
Two options appeared:
[1] Die.
[2] Mysterious option.
— A selection menu?
The options were strange, but he didn't think too much. After all… he didn't want to die.
[WELCOME TO THE HERO SYSTEM]
"Please enter your name."
A keyboard appeared in front of him.
— A name?
This was the decision that would change his entire adventure. He smiled briefly.
— It'll be Green Froggy.
[HERO SYSTEM]
"Excellent hero name: Green Froggy."
An animation began.
A knight with a sword entering a cave, a giant dragon sitting on coins and treasure.
"You are the chosen hero! Destined to save the world from the evil demon lord!"
The knight struck the dragon. It fell. Behind it was a princess. They smiled. The animation ended.
Loading…
[SELECT YOUR WEAPON]
"Opening catalog…"
An immense catalog appeared. It felt like online shopping.
— "Universe-shattering sword of annihilation"? "Ultimate flame of freedom"?
The name tempted him… until he saw the price.
[This item costs 9999 coins]
He had nothing.
— How do I get coins?
[1 coin = 10 years of memory]
— What?
Too expensive.
— Do you accept cash?
[Error]
The screen trembled.
[Inactivity detected. Death in 10…9…8…]
— Wait—!
He shouted, touching the interface. It froze.
Carefully, he tapped the catalog.
— Exchange one coin… is that okay?
[Are you sure you want to exchange 10 years of memory for 1 coin?]
[Accept] [Decline]
He didn't think much and pressed accept.
[Excellent decision]
"Auto-selecting weapon…"
— Wait, I'm not choosing it?
Loading…
[Weapon selected: rusty table knife.]
[1] Accept
[2] Decline
— There are no other options…?
He pressed "Decline".
[Error.]
[Auto-selecting death in 10…9…8…]
— No, no! I get it!
He rapidly pressed "Accept" and the countdown stopped.
[Assigning world difficulty]
[Difficulty: F… E… D… C… B… A… S… SR… SSR… UR… LR… SSSR… SSSSR… SSSSSS…]
[Selection complete]
[You have been selected for World SSSSSS]
[Absolute Difficulty]
"Good luck… hero…"
The system glitched and the screen shut down.
Suddenly, trumpets began to play, and cherry blossoms fell over him.
— Where is this music coming from…?
The white ground cracked beneath him, collapsing. He began to fall.
He landed sitting on a hot surface. He looked up.
In front of him: an infernal landscape, rivers of magma, burning air—and in his hand, a table knife.
He looked down.
He was only wearing underwear.
— Huh?… Huhhhh?