The Nihilos: Trash Player Who Rewrote Reality

Night – The Campgrounds

The stars glimmered softly above the quiet forest. Campfires had been put out, and students were tucked into their tents after a long day of hiking and laughter.

But not everyone followed the rules.

Behind Tent Row B, three boys slipped out with flashlights and grins.

> "Let's check out that rocky path Ms. Hanami told us not to go near."

> "Scared, Hideki?"

> "Me? No way!"

They vanished into the forest, unaware of what waited.

---

20 Minutes Later – Near the Forbidden Path

The boys found themselves at a clearing filled with stone pillars and strange carvings.

Then—

> ZZZTTTHHMMM!

Reality bent. A faint hum filled the air. A swirling blue light formed at the center of the stones.

> [GATE DETECTED – MAZE CLASS – D-RANK DUNGEON]

> "...Was that in the brochure?" one whispered.

Too late. The ground cracked, vines shot up, and they were pulled in.

The gate sealed behind them.

---

Back at Camp – Ms. Hanami Notices

"Wait… where are Hideki, Kenji, and Daisuke?"

She counted again.

Still short three.

Panic rose in her chest.

> "No. No, no, not tonight…"

She rushed to Sol and Ava's tent.

---

Ava's Tent

"...What do you mean missing?" Ava asked, sitting up.

"Three boys are gone. I think they went to the path I told everyone to avoid. Something... strange may have happened."

Ava paled. "That's near the gate line, isn't it?"

Ms. Hanami hesitated. "I don't know, but I need someone to help. I'm calling for rangers—"

"I'll go," Ava said.

"You're not trained for—"

> "He is," Ava said, pointing to Raven, who had appeared silently.

---

Raven's Answer

"...No."

"Why not?!" Ava demanded.

"Because I came here for peace. Not to be a player again."

"They might die."

He closed his eyes.

Then opened them, quietly.

"…Fine."

---

The Gate – Moments Later

Raven, Sol, and Ava stood before the now-open gate. Red runes spun in circles, inviting only chaos.

> "Raven, if we go in—"

"I know. We get flagged as active players again."

He looked down at his hand.

> [NIHILOS SYSTEM: LOCKED – PASSIVE SYNC AT 51.12%]

> [MANUAL OVERRIDE – TEMPORARY BOOST ENABLED (C-RANK ONLY)]

He sighed. "Let's do it."

They entered.

---

Inside the Dungeon – Maze of Thorns

The dungeon was twisting, narrow, and damp. Ivy-covered walls closed in every few minutes. The cries of the trapped boys echoed faintly.

> "Help!! Is someone there?!"

The trio ran.

A sudden wall of vines erupted between them. Monsters formed—half-plant, half-stone.

> [ENEMY: Ivy Sentinels – C-RANK MOB]

Raven summoned twin shortblades from his storage ring.

> [Skill Used: Void Blink] [Skill Used: System Delay Slice]

He danced between the creatures, carving shadows through the vines.

Sol activated his elemental mark.

> [Skill: Ember Barrier]

Flames burned a path.

Ava dragged the boys to safety while Raven and Sol cleared the room.

---

The Boss Room

As they reached the dungeon core, the exit was locked by a guardian—a massive wolf-beast wrapped in vines, with red glowing eyes.

> [DUNGEON BOSS – MAZE HOUND – C+ RANK]

Raven gritted his teeth.

"I didn't come here to level up…"

> [Skill Unlocked: Reflective Step] [Temporary Sync Boost: +12%]

He fought with fluid precision, avoiding fatal hits and turning each missed attack into a deadly counter. Sol pinned it with fire arrows, while Ava distracted with decoys.

> CRASH!

Raven landed the final blow, slicing through its core.

---

Dungeon Cleared

> [DUNGEON COMPLETE] [PLAYER: Raven – Minor Level Increase] [New Skill Gained: Shadow Pulse]

> [WARNING: ACTIVE PLAYER STATUS LOGGED]

Raven stared at the screen. Quiet.

> "Guess I'm back," he muttered.

---

Back at Camp – Aftermath

The boys were safe—but trembling.

Ms. Hanami sighed in relief, then scolded them mercilessly.

"No campfire stories. No snacks. And you will write apology letters to every single person here—twice."

They nodded, still crying.

Raven walked past her, shoulders heavy.

---

Later that Night

Ava handed him a towel. "Thanks… again."

"I'm still mad," he said.

"You'll... "

He looked up at the stars. "I just wanted to live quietly."

"Too bad. You're the kind of guy trouble keeps inviting back."

Raven gave a faint smile.

"…Yeah."