A man wakes up from his slumber. He finds himself in the corner of a square, spacious room with thick concrete walls and wide glass windows—black from his side. To his right is a large, metallic door, closed shut. At the opposite end stands a giant man, chained and immobile, with a metal collar strapped around his neck. His bloodthirsty expression sends a chill down the man's spine.
"What is this place, and who is that guy?" the man mutters to himself.
Suddenly, an alarm blares.
"Welcome, my fellow contestant!" a voice cackles from an unseen speaker. The tone is mocking and muffled. "You're probably wondering why you're here. Well, isn't it obvious? You're going to be part of our entertainment!"
The man frowns at the annoying voice.
"I see you're already bored, so why don't we start right away!"
With a loud clank, the giant's chains are released. The creature charges. The man dodges sideways just in time as the behemoth slams into the wall, a cloud of dust erupting from the impact.
As the dust settles, the man spots something where the giant had been chained—a rod embedded among the remains of the restraints. He dashes for it. The giant recovers quickly and begins tearing up chunks of the ground, hurling them with immense strength. The man dodges two more volleys, each time narrowly escaping harm.
Reaching the rod, he pulls it free. It's long and metallic. Without hesitation, he charges toward the giant. They meet at the room's center. The giant swings his arm. The man leaps onto the elbow, using it as a springboard to vault upward. The giant reaches up to grab him, but misses.
At the peak of his jump, the man steadies the rod for a strike. The giant leaps too, aiming to intercept him. The man quickly adjusts, swinging the rod sideways and slamming it into the metal collar. Sparks fly, and the giant crashes to the ground. Seizing the opportunity, the man drives the rod into the collar. It shatters, triggering a shockwave that kills all power in the room.
Dust swirls. Flames flicker from exposed machinery. The giant groans, slowly getting up, dazed.
"W-why didn't you kill me?" the giant asks, voice trembling.
"Because I have no reason to," the man replies calmly.
"But I was going to kill you!"
"You didn't. And that's what matters. Anyway... want to escape together?"
The giant hesitates. Then the man points toward the now-open metallic door. "The exit is right there."
"I... I'm thankful. I know a way. Follow me," the giant says.
They escape into a dim, narrow hallway.
"Hey, what's your name, giant?" the man asks.
"Me? I'm Gerald. How about you?"
"I don't know my name. I was a slave until... boom. The world changed."
"Then I'll call you Nameless."
"Sure. I like it."
They continue through the hallway until they reach a door leading to a wide, vertical chamber with multiple metallic pathways stacked over three floors, crawling with armored personnel.
"Are we seriously going in there?" Nameless asks, concerned.
"Yes. Unless you want to go back."
Gerald charges, smashing the door and part of the wall. Nameless leaps forward, drop-kicks the nearest guard, grabs his weapon, and begins firing.
The guards respond. Bullets fly. Gerald rips parts of the second floor to use as shields, smashing enemies that get too close. Nameless provides cover, eliminating guards with precision.
A new threat emerges—guards with rocket launchers. Nameless shouts, "Gerald, take cover!"
But it's too late. The rockets fly, engulfing Gerald in flames and debris.
Nameless stares, stunned. Then rage takes over. He charges, gunning down the rocket team and anyone else in his path.
Just then, a voice yells through the dust: "Duck!"
Nameless ducks. A large object whizzes over him and explodes in the enemy's ranks. As the dust clears, Gerald appears, bloodied but alive. His wounds visibly heal, skin reforming over torn muscle.
"You should be thankful you spared me," Gerald smirks.
"Gerald!" Nameless rushes to him.
"I'm okay. Let's go."
They run.
"So what is this place?" Nameless pants.
"They call them death rings. The higher-ups capture people from the outside and pit them in fights—usually small guys versus enhanced giants like me."
"What happens if the little guy wins?"
"He dies anyway. No survivors allowed."
"That's awful."
"Yeah. Which is why I'll bring you somewhere safe."
They reach an elevator—small, cramped. Only enough room for one.
"This is where we part," Gerald says regretfully.
"What about you?"
"I'll find another way. I promise. And here—take this."
He hands Nameless a brass necklace with a green gem, etched with intricate designs.
"I'll never forget you, Gerald. I'll honor your name."
Nameless enters the elevator, door closing between them. Gerald watches it rise until it vanishes.
Guards approach, weapons drawn. Gerald turns to face them.
Meanwhile, Nameless looks at the trinket. Then at the rod and gun he now carries. The elevator halts. The doors open.
Outside is a bustling city lit by yellow fluorescents. Tall buildings are connected by wooden bridges. Below, people crowd concrete walkways, shopping and chatting.
Nameless walks through the streets, eventually spotting a busy eatery. The scent of fresh food draws him in. He sits beside a man.
"Hey, how do you order food here?" he asks.
"You must be from below. Go to the Refuge Center. Ask around."
Nameless does just that. People point him toward a modest building with a weathered sign. He enters.
Inside, a man at a desk looks up from his laptop.
"Kamusta! Ano ang sadya mo rito?" (Hi! What is your purpose here?)
"Sorry—I don't understand. Can you speak English?"
"Oh. Sorry. What's your purpose here?"
"I came from below. Someone told me to come here."
"I see. As the person in charge, it's my duty to help you. Since you just arrived, I can give you some starter incentives. Life down there... it's hard, right?"
"Yeah. I'd appreciate anything you can give."
The man disappears into a room and returns with a wallet and a piece of paper.
"What's your name?"
"I don't have one. Call me Nameless."
The man writes on the paper and hands over the wallet.
"There's money inside for food and shelter. When you run low, you can apply for jobs. Scavenging is risky but pays well."
Nameless lifts his gaze. "Where do I apply to be a scavenger?"
"Right now? You just came up."
"I don't care. Just tell me."
The man gives him directions. Nameless nods in gratitude.
"Thank you! I'll be going now."