Prologue – Episode 2: The Running Watch

【Nakamaru Apartment】

【Tokyo, Japan】

【April 1, 2024】

【22:00】

I had turned twenty.

After finishing work, I returned to my apartment.

However, there was a package sitting in front of my door.

“Wait a second. Did I order something online?”

I muttered that to myself as I stared at the package.

The label only had my home address written on it.

“This isn’t some April Fools’ prank, is it?”

I picked up the package and went inside my apartment.

When I opened it, I found a watch box inside.

“GURM EXTINCT?”

I immediately realized that it was some kind of running watch.

When I opened the box, I found the watch inside.

It had a rugged black bezel, a yellow-green strap, and an MIP display.

“Well, whatever. It was free anyway.”

I put the watch on my left wrist.

After pressing a few buttons, a large amount of information appeared on the screen.

“Running Status?”

When I selected the menu, my personal statistics appeared.

【Runner Level: 0】

【VO2MAX Level: 0】

【Training Status: Unknown】

Since I loved video games, I decided to start running again.

But first, I needed to buy some running gear.

＊＊＊

【Nakamaru Apartment】

【Tokyo, Japan】

【April 13, 2025】

【22:00】

One year later, I had done a great deal of training and participated in many local races.

My stats had increased.

【Runner Level: 70】

【VO2MAX Level: 50】

【Training Status: Productive】

【Endurance: 75】

【Threshold: 70】

【Speed: 71】

【Sprint: 70】

I was wearing a gray headband, a gray tank top, gray shorts, and gray running shoes.

I stepped outside my apartment and began my nightly run.

After running for about five kilometers, I noticed a high school girl crossing the road.

But suddenly, I saw a truck speeding toward her.

The truck was not slowing down.

“Hey! Watch out!”

She was wearing headphones, so she could not hear me.

I immediately rushed toward her and shoved her out of the truck’s path.

Then I took her place.

Just before the truck hit me, memories of my life and the promise I had made flashed through my mind.

“My imaginary childhood friend… I’m sorry I couldn’t keep our promise.”

At that moment, a vision appeared.

A girl who looked like a blurry shadow stood before me.

“Who are you?”

“Don’t die. You still haven’t fulfilled your promise.”

The blurry girl spoke with a worried expression.

“I’m sorry.”

“I won’t let you die—”

“Huh?”

I suddenly returned to reality.

The screen of my running watch began glowing blue.

New text appeared on it.

【MAGIC RUNNER ACTIVATED】

Without thinking, I shouted:

“Transform! Magic Runner!”

My running watch released a black aura around me.

After the aura enveloped me, my entire outfit turned black.

A short black hooded mantle also appeared over my shoulders.

My arm rose on its own.

At the same time, text appeared on the watch.

【SPELL: SHIELD】

A blue circle appeared in front of me and collided with the truck.

After the impact, the truck came to a stop and began pouring out smoke.

I went over to the driver and checked his pulse.

He was unconscious.

“Oh… The driver had fallen asleep.”

The high school girl walked over to me and bowed.

“Thank you for saving me.”

“You’re welcome.”

“How did you survive?”

“I don’t know.”

Suddenly, a small blue portal appeared above my head.

A bone-conduction headset emerged from it, and I quickly caught it.

New text appeared on my running watch again.

【PLEASE PUT ON THE HEADSET】

When I put on the new bone-conduction headset, I heard a woman’s voice.

“Can you hear me?”

“Uh… yes.”

“Good evening! Welcome to the Magical Runner Brigade! I’m your newly assigned coordinator.”

“Coordinator?”

“Yes. We provide guidance to Magic Runners.”

“What exactly is the Magical Runner Brigade?”

“I’ll explain it to you in person.”

“How?”

“First, we’ll send in a cleanup team.”

Then I saw a team running toward us.

They were dressed in black hooded cloaks marked with red crosses.

When they arrived, they immediately began treating the high school girl and the truck driver.

Meanwhile, another member approached me.

The man’s face was hidden beneath his hood, and his blue eyes were glowing.

“Rookie, welcome to the Magical Runner Brigade.”

“Thank you.”

Suddenly, a blue portal appeared on the ground.

“Please step into the portal.”

“Okay. What about the high school girl and the truck driver?”

“Don’t worry. We’ll take care of them.”

I nodded and stepped into the portal.