In the very beginning, after the First One had set foot into existence itself,
the foundation of the universe — the concepts of time and space, life and death — was instantly formed.
This world is ruled by a strict hierarchy of gods, all created by the Eternal One. There are nobles, plebeians, rulers, and tyrants, yet none of them truly know how far the power of the Abyss reaches.
On the first day of the universe's existence, there were beings known as the Outer Gods — entities who govern the laws of the worlds and oversee them. They are said to possess power beyond imagination. Beneath them in the hierarchy are the rulers of galaxies, solar systems, and planets.
Planet I-21B, Universe North
On the northern side of the universe, we find Hyoei, a young noble living an ordinary life. Having only his uncle left, he spends most of his time with him. Hyoei, now in his third year at Adventurer High School, is expected to graduate in two years.
There are multiple classes for adventurers, the highest being Class Five. Whoever achieves that rank attains eternal freedom.
During their daily chess game, Hyoei's uncle, Nakamura, suddenly asks,
"Do you know what we are?"
Hyoei thinks for a moment but finds nothing to say.
"I don't know, Uncle… we're humans?"
Nakamura looks at him seriously.
"Can we call ourselves humans? We're merely pawns... pawns on a chessboard... And nothing but death can remove us from the board."
Hyoei frowns, puzzled.
What did he mean by that? Why was he talking about death?
"So the chessboard represents our lives? Our society? Or… something more philosophical? The limits of our imagination?"Hyoei asks.
Nakamura bursts out laughing.
"HAHAHAHA! Hyoei, you're a clever boy! You're close to the truth — it's a mix of all those things. The chessboard represents our minds, and the gods play with them as they please. They look at us, they move us, just like pawns. And when you die, just like in chess, you're finally off the board — finally free, at peace."
The conversation leaves Hyoei uneasy. He hopes his uncle isn't implying something dark, but he says nothing. Instead, he asks,
"So that means you believe in reincarnation? A pawn can be used several times, you know."
Nakamura nods.
"Yes, that's true. My philosophy has its flaws. But all I want to say is this — if something happens, it's because there's a cause. And that cause is the gods. Don't fall for their propaganda, Hyoei. The gods aren't good people… if we can even call them 'people'.."
After their talk and a few more chess games, it's time to rest. Once Nakamura goes to sleep, Hyoei stands up and leaves the house. He travels for several hours until he arrives at the Adventurer Guild's Recruitment Building in a nearby city.
There are strict requirements to even apply:
you must be at least twenty-one years old and hold a mid-class navigation certification.
Unaware of these rules, Hyoei applies anyway.
The recruitment training consists of three scenarios. The first tests navigation through a fog-dense forest. The second focuses on martial arts and defensive skills — which he passes easily. The final scenario simulates a malfunction aboard a travel ship, model I-4951P — a test he fails miserably. It's his first time even seeing the inside of a ship, and he's quickly overwhelmed.
After all three scenarios have been simulated in the training rooms, the recruiters verify each applicant's age. When they discover that Hyoei is only seventeen, he's immediately disqualified and sent away.
On his way back home, frustration builds inside him.
"I'll do it myself… be it breaking the laws or the rules of the government. I'm sick of it."
He sits on a bench for a while. As he calms down, his uncle's words echo in his mind, and curiosity mixes with his frustration.
So, he decides to visit the only Planet Guardian he knows: Hanafuda, an old comrade of his uncle's.
The Planet Guardians are beings who can grow to planetary — possibly even stellar — size and travel freely through space. They are mostly used for wars, planetary protection, or ensuring that no one without an Adventurer's Decree leaves a planet without supervision from a higher being.
When Hyoei arrives, he and Hanafuda talk for a while. Hyoei brings up his uncle's strange words, asking what they could mean. Hanafuda admits he doesn't know either.
"Obviously he couldn't have known. I was stupid to ask that… Maybe Uncle just meant something about chess. I'd shouldn't overthink it."
After some time with Hanafuda, Hyoei clears his mind and heads home. By the time he checks the time, it's already past midnight. Rain has started to fall.
When he arrives home about an hour later, the house is silent.
No sign of his uncle.
Hyoei assumes Nakamura must have gone out for a drink or a late-night walk...
But little does Hyoei know — something far greater has already begun.