Player Isamu

"Game?"

Suddenly, a miniature version of the holographic message shimmered into existence in front of Isamu. The faint glow of the display painted his face in pale blue light, its presence almost surreal against the desolate street. He stepped back reflexively, the sudden emergence catching him off guard.

To his surprise, the message replied, its text shifting smoothly across the display:

[Hello Player Isamu]

"You guys can see that too, right?" Isamu asked, his voice uneasy as he glanced at his friends.

They all nodded, their faces lit with a mix of curiosity and apprehension as they leaned closer to inspect the glowing message. Denji, ever the skeptic, waved his arms through the hologram. It flickered slightly but held its shape, an eerie reminder of its unnatural origin.

Sato folded his arms, tapping his lips thoughtfully.