Before the Global System Apocalypse, Tokyo had been the heartbeat of Japan—alive with LED billboards flashing non-stop, street performers on every corner, and tourists flooding the districts like rivers of color and noise.

Now, everything had changed.

Half the skyscrapers stood as skeletal ruins, their once-glass windows shattered and jagged like broken teeth. The roads were cratered, proof of the battles that had raged through. Blood stained everything, and dead bodies lay scattered across the streets, blood everywhere like it was painted.

And then, there was the wall.

A towering concrete wall at least thirty feet high stretched farther than the eye could see. It wrapped around what used to be a commercial zone. From his position, Shin could make out the broken shapes of a shopping mall and a few apartment complexes behind it, all sealed off like a military bunker.

That wall hadn't been there before.

No government on Earth could've built something that massive overnight… unless it was the System's doing.

So this was what they meant by "Safe Zones." A new kind of luxury gated community.

Shin walked toward it calmly, unlike everyone else who sprinted in panic to reach the safety within. Strangely, no one was attacking each other. Everyone was too focused on getting inside.

After a long walk, he reached the gates. They were massive—but unguarded.

He stepped through.

[Congratulations] [You have entered the Safe Zone] [200 coins will be deducted from your account daily as lodging fees]

[Player-versus-player combat is prohibited. Attempting to kill another player will result in automatic elimination]

The system message hovered before him. He did the math—5,000 coins meant he could stay for 25 days. But that was without food or supplies. Realistically, he'd survive fewer days than that if he had to buy anything else.

He sighed. Still… at least no one would be trying to kill him here.

But damn, they weren't kidding when they said people would live in luxury in the Safe Zones.

Inside, it felt like stepping into an entirely different world. Like he'd been transported into one of those isekai anime he used to watch. The cityscape was a dazzling blend of magical fantasy and sleek modern tech. Towering buildings lined the streets, and elegant homes stood proudly beside stylish inns and pubs.

The pubs were already lively with music thumping from within and laughter spilling out onto the streets. Some players drank like they hadn't touched alcohol in years. Others, like Shin, who had just arrived, stared wide-eyed at the surreal world they'd walked into.

But it wasn't the buildings that shocked him most.

As he moved through the streets, he spotted vendors at colorful market stalls. Some had fluffy ears and swishing tails, and from his knowledge as a nerd, he could tell they were fox girls!

Above their heads floated glowing words: [NPC]

Non-Player Characters. In games, they were scripted entities to guide the story. Was this what the System meant by turning the world into game protocols?

And the fox girls weren't the only ones. Dwarves hammered away at weapons in smithy stalls, sparks flying as they shaped glowing iron. Other NPCs looked mostly human—except impossibly attractive. Curvy bodies, flawless skin, and smiles that could melt a glacier.

It was paradise—at least, on the surface.

People laughed, relaxed, and lived freely.

But to enjoy it… they had to kill. Constantly. To earn enough coins.

"New visitors! Come to the Haven Bureau to register for lodging!" a beautiful NPC girl called from across the street, her voice sweet and melodic.

Shin joined the crowd making their way toward a sleek, two-story building with a glowing sign. The moment he stepped inside, the isekai vibes hit again. The Haven Bureau wasn't just a registration center—it doubled as a pub. Wooden tables and chairs filled the room, packed with players eating, drinking, and shouting over one another.

"I can't believe killing a few people got me this kind of life," one guy laughed. "Forget the old world and its stupid nine-to-five jobs."

"Right?" another agreed. "Now all we have to do is just kill, eat, drink, and sleep. Screw capitalism. And now the best part is that you can bang these gorgeous NPC girls just by paying them."

Shin sighed as he reached the registration line. People had embraced this filthy world quicker than expected. When his turn came, he stepped up to the front desk.

The receptionist was a stunning blonde NPC with golden eyes and a warm smile. Her white blouse clung to her body, two buttons undone to reveal just enough cleavage to draw the eye. A blue skirt hugged her curves as she sat gracefully behind the counter.

"Welcome, Shin Takamura," she said smoothly, already knowing his name.

Creepy.

"You have two lodging options," she continued. "A basic room for 1,000 coins per month, which includes a bed, blanket, toilet, and bath. Or a premium suite for 10,000 coins per month with full meals and room service."

Ten thousand? That was insane. One would have to kill dozens of players just to afford that.

"I'll take the first option," he replied.

She smiled as 1,000 coins were automatically deducted from his account. Then she handed him a brass key with a small tag attached: Room 104.

After getting directions, Shin left the Bureau and headed toward the lodging district—neatly arranged rows of cozy houses, each marked with glowing room numbers.

When he found his room, he unlocked it, stepped inside, and collapsed onto the bed.

It was soft and clean. A luxury he hadn't felt in days.

But he knew he needed more coins to survive.

And more importantly… he needed skills.

Which meant it was time to start using Lewd-Reap.

But first… a bath. Something he hadn't had since before the apocalypse even started.

TBC