Poppy was reporting to the Administrators of The Game, "Argus".

Poppy: Today, 21 players have been eliminated, while 3 have joined the fray, sir.

Argus Member 1: 21? My, my... We lost that many?

Poppy: With this, the total number of lost players in the past month is 2,014. Only 947,986 players remain. 

Argus Member 2: You're serious? That's more than half of what we had anticipated. 

Poppy: That concluded today's reports.

Grandmaster: An excellent job, Poppy. Please continue devoting yourself to your role as a guide for the players.

Poppy: Will do.

Poppy teleports away.

Argus Member 1: It's hard to believe only a couple thousand players died last month.

Argus Member 3: What did you expect? You can never expect a Persona-user to die so easily. I suppose we can give them a special something for lasting so long.

Argus Member 1: You know that's not for us to decide.

Grandmaster: Interesting.

They all looked at the Grandmaster.

Grandmaster: This year will surely be one to remember. 

Suoh opens his eyes. Then he finds himself where he last was before entering The MatriX.

Suoh: Man that was insane. 

When Suoh looks at the palm of his hand, there was a timer.

Suoh: What the hell this?

He decided to ignore it and go home.

Ikki arrived at home.

Ikki: Today was exhausting. I wish I could sleep all day tomorrow. Too bad I got school.

Ikki goes to sleep. When he opens his eyes, he finds himself in the Velvet Room.

Sitting across the room, they were Igor and Agatha.

Igor: Welcome to the Velvet Room.

Ikki and Igor resume their game of chess.

Ikki: What is it now?

Igor: As you already know, there's another world that exist.

Agatha: A world that defies all reason and logic.

Ikki: Are you talking about The MatriX? I've known about it since I don't know how long.

Igor: That world contains great power, power beyond a normal human's comprehension.

Ikki: So?

Igor: You see, a Persona is a side of you that shows itself when you face the world... A manifestation of the soul, A "mask" for the individual to use in order to face the hardships of life. 

Ikki: Okay?

Agatha: But now someone, be it a God or demon has started a game of life and death. Persona-users now find themselves in a war for power.

Igor: Chaotic, isn't it?

Ikki: A war, huh? That's a lovely way to put it.

Igor: We know this is a lot to take in. But we fear that if this war continues its current trajectory, a great calamity will occur...

Ikki: Sounds... hard to believe. But I am talking to you, so I'm ready to believe the unbelievable.

Igor: Very good.

Ikki: But wait, you've explained what's wrong, but what can I do about it?

Igor: It's quite simple... What you need is to put the skills you've honed for years to use.

Ikki: My skills?

Igor: We believe that if you can clear this game and end the war, the great calamity can be stopped... So hone your strength, clear the dungeons, win this game, and stop this war. Do you have the resolve to take on this challenge?

Ikki: Why should I? What's in it for me?

Agatha: We'll ask you one last time: Do you have the resolve to take on this challenge?

Ikki thought about it for a moment.

Ikki: There's no game I can't clear. I'll do it.

Igor starts clapping.

Igor: Such wonderful confidence! Perhaps you became proficient in the field of games for this purpose.

Agatha: But I would suggest that you don't drop your guard just because you're a Genius Gamer. This shall not be easy, many trials and powerful opponents await you in your quest, and if you make too many wrong moves your fate will be sealed.

Igor: But don't worry. With your ability, the future is yours to decide.

Ikki: My ability?

Agatha: I'm sure you've noticed by now. 

Ikki: When I first entered The MatriX, there were these visions... I knew from which direction I was going to be attacked. I can see it all happening.

Agatha: You possess the power to see the future, and in doing so you can change certain events to more pleasing ones. I believe this is what you would call "Foresight."

Ikki: Foresight...

Agatha: If you're serious about stopping the calamity, you will need that power to make it happen.

Then they hear the bell.

Igor: I'm afraid that's all the time we have for today. Let's talk about details at another time...

Agatha: Sweet dreams.

Ikki goes back to sleep.

It was lunchtime. Ikki was looking for a seat with his lunch tray. Then he starts thinking about what Igor and Agatha told him.

Ikki: (I'm supposed to win a death game and stop a war between Persona users? Easier said than done.)

Then he's called out by a familiar voice.

Suoh: HEY, ASSHOLE!!!

At that moment, Ikki got distracted and didn't pay attention to where he was going, and bumped into a short girl. Completely ruining her clothes.

Girl: M-My clothing...

Ikki: S-Sorry, I-

Suoh runs up to him.

Suoh: We need to talk, right now!!

It was then when Suoh noticed the girl.

Suoh: O-Oh...

Girl: I brought these clothes just a few days ago... 

Ikki: Sorry. I'll pay for the dry cleaning.

Girl: You're can?

Ikki: I may have enough money saved up.

Suoh: Hey, I'm talking to ya!

Girl: You have kindness sir, is it possible to be going after school?

Ikki/Suoh: ...O-o... (Her Japanese is horrible!)

After school, Ikki and Suoh took the girl to the dry cleaners. He was forced to spend the money he had saved up to rent an apartment when he left Mana's place. Now his wallet was crying.

Girl: You're a good person. I have gratitude.

Ikki: ...T^T...

Girl: I believe I should be introducing myself.

Ikki: ...-_-... I really don't care.

Camille: I am called Camille Von Christoph. I'm a foreign exchange student at Chisai University. Father is German, Mother is French. 

Ikki: ...-_-... Uh-huh.

Camille: We moved to Japan months ago due to work-related business. I have much fluency with both my German and French. But I find Japanese a little... hard to grasp. I hope you will have forgiveness if my way of speaking is too hard to understand.

Suoh: So you're new around here?

Camille: Indeed.

Camille slowly approaches Ikki and Suoh.

Camille: Hmm. I must say, Japanese males aren't so bad-looking. Say, it would be nice if you were to show me around sometime.

Suoh: W-Well, it would be my pleasure to-

Girl: OMG! IT'S HEEEEEEM!!!

Then they look to see a crowd of girls surrounding a dark-skinned guy.

Girl: He's SO hot!

Girl: He's looking this way! What should I do?

Suoh: ...-_-... Oh, great. Mr. Perfect showed up.

Ikki: Who?

Suoh: Tsukasa Ryoke. One of the biggest social media influencers around. People are loving his "Don't-give-a-crap" attitude.

Ikki: Eh?

Camille: Oh?

Tsukasa then notices Suoh.

Tsukasa: Terashima? What are you doing here?

Suoh: I think I should be asking you that. 

Then he notices Ikki and Camille.

Tsukasa: And you two are?

Ikki: Oh. I'm just... Um... I'm gonna go.

Camille: Sure. Let's talk again sometime.

Suoh: All right, let's get down to business.

Ikki and Suoh were in an alleyway.

Suoh: Okay, what do you know about this?

Suoh shows Ikki the MatriX Glasses.

Ikki: Oh, you got purple? That's a nice color, I got blue.

Suoh: Don't dodge my question! You know about that other world, don't you?

Ikki: And if I do?

Suoh: First my phone starts glitching, then this weird girl shows up, glasses on my head, another world, some game, monsters everywhere, it's too much to process! What the hell is going on? Answer me!

Ikki: Sheesh. Would you calm down a little?

Suoh: HOW THE FRIG DO YOU EXPECT ME TO CALM DOWN!!!?

Ikki proceeds to explain everything he knows of The Game.

Suoh: I see. That Poppy girl did say something similar. But what about this timer on my hand?

Ikki: If we don't return to The Matrix and fight Shadows before it reaches 0, we'll suffer a penalty.

Suoh: W-W-What?

Ikki: Yeah. It's in the Rule Book.

Suoh: Rule Book?

Ikki: This is a game. Of course there's rules. Can I go now?

Suoh: Wait, you clearly know a lot about this game, mind helping me out?

Ikki: You mean party up?

Suoh: Yeah, that.

Ikki: Sorry, I don't do that, I'm a solo player.

Suoh bows down on his hands and knees.

Suoh: Please! Come on, man! I'll die if you don't help me.

Ikki: What's in it for me?

Suoh: Well... I'll think of something.

Ikki: You'll think of something? Whatever. Fine, I'll do it.

Suoh: ...T^T... Thank you!! You won't regret this!

Ikki: I better not.

I made a deal with Suoh.

"I am thou, thou art I... Thou has established a new bond...

"It shall become thy strength, thy wisdom, and thy courage to clear the game..."

"Rejoice! For thou has been blessed with the power of the Justice Persona...

Ikki: Let's go, we got stuff to do.

Suoh: Already!?

Suoh and Ikki put on the glasses and are sent to The MatriX. 

ACE: We're here.

Rogue: Yeah.

ACE looks at Rogue's design.

ACE: So that's what you look like?

Rogue: I go by Rogue in this world.

ACE: You can call me ACE.

Rogue: So, ACE? What should we do first?

ACE: Follow me.

They arrived at the location Kunai told him.

Rogue: What're we doing here?

ACE: Kunai told me to meet her here.

Rogue: Kunai?

Kunai: You're late, ACE.

He looks at Kunai sitting at a higher building. Then she quickly jumps down and lands in front of him.

Kunai: Tempest should be arriving shortly.

Tempest appears in front of them.

ACE: Hey.

Tempest: I apologize for my behavior the other day. It was unprofessional of me.

ACE: Yeah, I could tell you were a noob.

Kunai: So have you thought about teaming up with me?

ACE: I already got my hands full with this noob.

Rogue: Hi, I'm Rogue.

Kunai: A new player?

Rogue: ACE agreed to help me, so we're partying up for now.

Kunai: I see.

Tempest: Nice to meet you Rogue.

Rogue: I don't have one of those COMP thingies, all I have is this crappy knife. Can you tell me where to find a COMP Smith?

Kunai: Sure. Let me take you to the Hub.

Rogue: The Hub?

Kunai: That's right, you just started playing. The VR Hub is the primary hub in The MatriX. You can do all the shopping you want there, COMPs, clothes, medicinal items, you name it. You can also select missions at its Mission Center. The COMPs can be a bit pricey, though. And let's not talk about upgrades.

Rogue: Sorry, but I don't have much on me right now.

Kunai: That's okay, I have an acquaintance there. She can provide you with a good COMP for a fair price.

ACE: Really? My COMP could use an upgrade.

Kunai: Follow me, I'll show you.

She then guided them to a certain district

Kunai: Here we are.

Rogue: Man, this place is huge!

Kunai: Anyways, we should get going. The COMP Smith I told you about is this way.

Kunai guides them to the weapon shop.

ACE: So Kunai, tell me about this COMP Smith.

Kunai: I'm a regular there. The shop owner possesses COMP-smithing skills like no other. We have known each other IRL for a long time now. I was able to clear a lot of quests because of their weapons.

Tempest: Wait, you mean to tell me there's a job system?

Kunai: Yes, in the VR hub, you can start your own business aside from buying stuff. Of course, you need a ridiculous amount of proficiency and management skills to keep up with the competition. The grind never stops.

Rogue: Damn...

Kunai: We're here.

They entered the COMP shop "Pyreforge", and they were in awe at the many expensive-looking COMPs.

ACE: Look at all these weapons.

ACE tries to touch one, but he instantly gets hit by a crowbar, making him fall to the ground.

???: No touching allowed!!

Tempest/Rogue: ...O-O...

Kunai: Good afternoon. Kane-san.

Kane: Hey! Kunai-chan!

They looked to see a beautiful orange-haired woman.

Kane: Would you look at that. You brought new hotties with you? Kunai-chan, you silly hussy! But if you think you can get a discount with this, think again.

Kunai: These two are Rogue and Tempest, they're both new players. And this one's ACE, he's new around these parts.

Kane: You're looking for a COMP? Then you've come to the right place.

ACE: Well, I'd like something simple, but that allows me to move fast.

Kane: I think I got just the thing. Do you have materials with you?

ACE: Materials? Well, now that you mention it. There's this one thing I got with me.

ACE shows them the Yggdrasil Ore.

ACE: Can you make something with this?

The team was in awe.

Kane: No way... is this really...

Rogue: Did I missed something?

Tempest: Beats me.

Kunai: The rarest material in all of The MatriX... . Which can only be found in the world of legend... The .

Kane: Supposedly, these can only be found in the world of Yggdrasil. This material is so rare, that no player has been able to find a single one before. Where the hell did you get this?

ACE: I forgot.

Kane/Kunai: YOU FORGOT!!!?

ACE: Uh...

Kane: Do you have any idea of the kind of weapon I can make from this?

ACE: I take it something good.

Kane gets on her hands and knees.

Kane: Forget the money. I beg of you, please let me make you a weapon!

ACE: Huh?

Kane: I wish to create the most powerful weapon in the entire game. And with that, I can do just that, so please!

ACE: Sure. I need a new weapon anyways.

Kane: Good! Now I just need a few extra things. Excuse me for a sec.

Kane uses a teleportation crystal and disappears. The team waited for about half an hour until she came back, fatigued and low on HP, shocking the guys.

Tempest: What the hell?

ACE: Are you okay?

Kane: Don't worry, just need a little healing.

Kane uses a healing item on herself and gets back up.

ACE: What was that just now?

Kane: Oh, that? I was a little short on the materials needed for your order, so I just went on a short quest to fetch them. And man, those shadows sure almost got me.

ACE: Wait, shouldn't we have been the ones doing that for you? I mean, usually, the one requesting the weapons or gear should be the one responsible for gathering the materials.

Kane: Where's the fun in that? I'm a player, too!

Kunai: Kane has very crazy ideas for fun. Treat her like a lady and you'll make a fool out of yourself.

Kane: Now wait here.

Tempest: And then I said, "Hey, can you tie my shoe-"

Kane: They're ready!

Kane hands Ikki a dual gun-type COMP.