Chapter 5 - Starting Floor: Opening of Steel Door

when my personal information came out I found myself inside a building. I was still wearing the dress before. I looked around.

they sky was a vast sea of ​​crimson red. From where I was standing various tall buildings stood. "I should go to the rooftop." I immediately left the room and looked for the stairs to the roof top.

I opened the door the strong cold wind blew on me. It almost looked like an abandoned city, filled with murder and sins.

Words began to come out of heaven.

[Starting Floor: Opening of Steel Door]

is stated here. then a voice sounded in the air. One that injected nightmare's and hellish truths to those around.

"We are glad to announce that you are now officially a beta-tester! Remember that you must finish all fifty Floors. And I may have forgotten to mention this but …"

the faceless voice's next word brought fear, anger and terror to my skin.

"You cannot log out until the game is completed. Good Luck, My beta-tester. May you be alive until the end."

I was horrified from what someone said. There was amusement laced in his serious voice. I didn't know if I would listen to what he said or not. Is it just an empty threat to increase the player's tension?

if not, is this the why I've been having a bad feeling?

The voice disappeared and the clock replaced them. A four hours timer appeared on the sky. Underneath it is the player count which is set to 500/500. The number of players that are currently inside the floor. The seconds are starting to count down, but for what purpose?

No, Aero. Clear your mind. Lets try to confirm what that voice said.

Virtual first system would usually need a voice command to navigate the settings. But it can also be done through swiping.

I tried swiping saying different commands. Nothing happened. Next, I tried swiping it in every direction and it opened when I swiped the hand down.

-

Name: John

Alliance: Not Applicable

Level: Not Applicable

Floor Completed: 0

-

it's just the only content of the interface. I frowned at what I read. Why is the alliance and level not applicable? why was it worked like that not 'None' in alliance and '1' or '0' for level.

My eye caught the gear icon so I pressed it. I'm sure this is the settings because this is it's usual icon. So it was a great surprise to see that it was empty. There's really nothing.

There really was no log-out button. At all.

If so, do we really need to finish the whole game to get stuck?

And what did the voice mean by staying alive? is there a possibility that we can die in game? so do they observe our vital signs?

I looked at the time again. Five minutes have passed.

This another confusing factor. Countdowns are used in games to add thrill and tension, as well as to guide you to finish the quest. Usually if this is the case, you have to kill the boss in thirty minutes to not game over. But the game masters did not give any hints or instructions.

Isn't there a floor boss hiding here? We have to find it first and kill it to get to the next floor.

Alright, Aero. We're going to look for that boss and get the hell out of this floor. I'm pretty sure that timer is similar to what the old man explained earlier. We only have 4 hours before the floor once again closes. Meaning we can no longer advance after the time expires.

I looked at the time again first.

3:53:34

'Okay there are 3 hours left.' I looked at the bottom of the building. This must be at least 15 floors. Suicide and jump.

But, since this is a game, maybe our physical abilities have increased. And if the main class here is what I'm thinking.

I lowered my upper body, I wasn't hiding from my fellow players but the possible presence of monsters in this city.

I exited the building without any problem. Strangely, the streets were vacant. I would have expected people to at least crowd the street in confusion and desire to know more.

I turned left, Maybe I should find large and clear space. Maybe there's a gathering going on with players who are just close to each other. I should probably try and listen to their meetings. Maybe I can get something to help me.

Wait, Vince is here, but maybe he knows someone here too. He might not notice me

"I can't. They would list down instructions if that's their purpose."

I was startled and hid in a nearby alley when voices were heard. From the left corner of the barren street, two boys walked out, discussing something. They just seemed to focus on the subject so they didn't notice my presence.

"In that case, why is there a countdown? What is it that we don't do anything all night?"

"That's what we need to confirm."

Their voices weakened as they walked away. So they're also questioning the presence of the decreasing time. Maybe they're one of the pro-gamers. I believe if a newbie got stuck in this game they'd be panicking.

"What are we going to do why are we hiding?"

"Ah!"

I jumped and shouted when someone spoke next to me. I immediately raised my fist up as a defensive stance.

A woman with red hair reaching to her chest appeared. She was looking at me, amused. he folded his arms and laughed weakly.

I was surprised there. I wondered who that suddenly appeared. Especially when she suddenly spoke.

"I'm sorry. Did I scare you?"

I nodded then shook, the nod was to acknowledge the apology and the second one was an answer to her question.

Her forehead furrowed. "So you afraid, but your not?"

I shook. I was surprised, not scared. There's a difference.

"Okay." she blinked. "Aren't you scared?"

I nodded.

"Aren't you speaking?"

I was surprised by her straightforward question. People would just naturally assume I'm not a conversation specialist nor do enjoy talking. Aside from my stream.

"Ah, I'm sorry. That was insensitive." she was sorry. "I speak without thinking sometimes. It's a trait I'm working on."

Maybe her mouth is straight.

"Its alright." my answer is weak. "I'm just not a talker."