From one hell into another

Present Day July 11, 2065, 1:32 AM (EDT)

On a dark lone mountain stood two figures. One is a monster the other is a player. Thoughts swirled in this player's head. He was unfortunately faced with what could be imminent death. Yet he stood his ground not so gracefully. He sadly was unable to deal any serious damage to the monster. Due to circumstances outside of his control, things are about to get complicated.

Unable to regain the offensive, he was stuck on the defensive. Only narrowly avoiding fatal blows dealt by the Minotaur. He scrambles to regain his bearings, Only if his teammates didn't Betray him. Then maybe he wouldn't be on this mountain, Although that is neither here nor now. Since I'm now getting bored watching this kid get his ass kicked. I'm now going to let him tell you the story.

If I had known things would turn out this way. I would have never played this goddamn game. I stood before a giant brown Minotaur wielding two massive war axes. His white Mythril and black colored magic silk armor hugged his bulky frame. Even though it was wearing light armor, I do not think its defense was weak. I soon narrowly dodged a heavy vertical strike from its crimson-bladed war axes. From the handle, black leathery strands slithered up the weapon.

As I screamed, "Easy attack patterns, my ass." The snow is starting to fall, and the wind is blowing wildly, creating a blizzard. I was fumbling and then sliding. I avoided a second attack from the Minotaur. Although this time, it was a horizontal strike. My stamina is dropping rapidly because of the stacking debuffs caused by the cold weather and my intensive evasive maneuvers. As I tried to get back up and run, the minotaur landed a surprise strike on my left arm cleaving it off as his ax slammed into the ground below.

The searing pain I feel drowning in a loud rumbling sound as the ground starts collapsing below us. I am trying to regain my footing during freefall, but the effort is fruitless.

As I see a rapidly approaching ground, a searing pain strikes the back of my head. The sounds of the avalanche and the minotaur's scream begin to feel distant. As my body collided with the hoard of snow and rocks, I felt the warmth leave my body. Then everything ceased to be. Unaware of the events of the world transpiring outside of my unconscious mind. My eyes are darting about the room.

The faces of my familiar classmates greet me. They all stood up and started to clap. I stand up as well. I start looking to the back of the auditorium. We are getting called out to receive our diplomas accordingly. This day we are graduating high school, and this is the day we walk out of one hell into another. At least that's my take on it, but since when has my take ever mattered? When I started converting my odd internal statement into a question, I heard my name called out. The sound Startles me, and it begins to compel me to stand up and receive my diploma.

As I forced a fake smile, I walked to the front of the Auditorium. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw some of my classmates jeer at me. I made my way to the back of the auditorium. I saw many of my classmates avoiding eye contact with me. Which further drove my mood sour.

I thought to myself all these years, and they still haven't changed. I finished my handshake with the principal. I instantly felt repulsed after shaking his hand.

As I know what he did, and so did he. I was helpless to stop him and bring him to justice. He also knew of my bullying but didn't stop it. If there is a list of people that repulse me, he would be close to the top of that list. Dark thoughts started to emerge as I walked away from that bastard. I soon passed Ivan and his posse. He was part of the only few who maintained eye contact with me.

His short curly blond hair bounced as he gave me a nod. His amber eyes showed hostility. He smiled as he showed off his white teeth before giving a congratulatory whistle. Although his acting skills were good, I could still read his aggressive intentions. His best friend Jerry Lunds was giving me no such false pleasantries. His slicked-back bright ginger hair and pale blue eyes radiate anger. I showed no fear even though he radiated a terrifying aura.

I walked past them and returned to my seat as I avoided being tripped by another classmate. I zoned out to think about something that would make me happy. Realities Online is the world's real sense VR MMORPG. With the patented real sense suit, you will be able to experience immersion on a level beyond traditional VR games and their various devices. I've seen many reviews from the beta and trailers for the game. It seems dope if the leaks I've been hearing are legit. Hopefully, they turn out to be true.

I stirred from my fantasy, and I noticed everyone had gotten up to head to the after-party. I got up and walked to the right Set of double doors at the front of the Auditorium. I began to file into the crowd hoping my social worker had gotten here already. Although by the time I walk through the exit, I run into Ivan Esteban. His friendly smile is unnerving. As he greets me, "Hey Xaiver, we need to talk in private." He rests his arm on my shoulder.

I feel his breath on the back of my neck. As he whispers, "come with me." he leads me away from the crowd and the party. Once we are away from the party, He rests his back against the wall. He soon spoke, "look, unlike everyone else. I forgive you for everything you did." I was enraged.

I thought about punching him. Then out of the corner of my eye, I saw Jerry Lunds. Realizing the situation, I knew it would be fruitless. The audacity, I thought I never did anything. "Everyone hates me because of lies that you and your friends spread about me," I whispered. He gave a fake sigh and mockingly continued his act " only the truth will set you free." he said as he walked off.

I walked to the refreshments table and poured myself a bright green lemon and lime-flavored soda. With my cup in hand, I walked outside the auditorium. Sitting at the side of the building, I start pulling out my phone to call my social worker. Sadly she didn't answer. I looked at the sky and thought. Ever since Brooklin passed away, my only Source of friendly interaction was from my social worker or my friend Micha. Sadly he refuses to be seen with me out of fear of being bullied. I sigh, hoping to leave soon as I contemplate why I'm here.

I thought of the faces of Ivan, Nathan, Jerry, Lucy, and Daniel. Their Visage bleached the back of my corneas and my memories alike. I heard the door right beside me open. As none other than Jerry walks through the door, glaring at me. I asked, "Did Ivan send you to attack me"? "He knows nothing of this," Jerry replied. I know Jerry's dynamic. His hero complex and his gullibility make it a bad combo.

He genuinely believes those lies. That is why out of everyone in Ivan's group, I don't hate him. Although, I do severely dislike him. Anything good in the wrong hands can become just as evil as it was good. Love, technology, religion, and even people are no exception to this rule. I looked at Jerry Lunds and asked. " So what gives me the pleasure of speaking to the great and righteous Jerry Lunds"?

His fist tightened, and I could tell he was suppressing his rage. "Where do you get off saying shit like that" he angrily said. I soon felt a familiar sense of Deja vu as something felt wrong. I looked around again, but everything was gone. Before I asked the question," where was the minotaur?" It suddenly became hard to breathe. As I was choking and sputtering, unable to find relief quickly.

I suddenly awoke in the snow as a black viscous substance covered me. I started coughing and throwing it up. I poured out of my mouth and nostrils like molasses. Once I was able to breathe once again. My health bar was at five percent. It told me that I was very much so close to death. Unfortunately, I don't have time to waste.

I took a look at my surroundings, and I saw a dead minotaur. It was lifeless as black, viscous blood leaked from wounds all over its body. I realize that I am at the center of a big black puddle. I see a notification out of the corner of my eye. I click to open the tab. I scroll down past several level-up notifications until I see something weird. I read it aloud"Your blood has been corrupted, and your days numbered." my eyes darted about the notification. I began rereading it, but nothing about it changed.

I continued scrolling until I saw a quest pop-up. The system said, "The Tainted Quest has been given to the player. Open your quest tab to receive more details.". I close my notification tab at the bottom left corner of my eye and open the main menu. When I think about it then appears in my mind. After scrolling past the other icons, I find the quest icon. I then clicked on it, as it showed the quest menu with various bulletins. At the top of my quest board, I saw the tainted quest at the top.

I then click on it, and it pulls up its description. It read as follows " You have received a mysterious curse from consuming the blood of the corrupted minotaur. You now have one year to find the cure, or you will die." I then looked at the quest rank as my eyes bulged out of my head. I felt shivers down my spine. I see both the quest rank and difficulty. I can't do this, I think. It's both an SSS-Rank and is a legendary difficulty quest.

"This is practically suicide," I mumbled to myself. I exited the quest bulletin and moved over to the logout menu. I wanted to leave the game and give myself time to think. When I click on the button, nothing happens. Which makes my hair stand up, making me panic. I pressed the button again. Alas, the same result greeted me. My mind filled with Concern.

I stand up as I plan my next course of action. My mind riddled with adrenaline, I noticed my condition. I saw my beaten and bruised body. I soon pulled out my last healing potion and drank it. Some of my wounds began to scab over. my chopped arm had frozen blood caking it. The blood was Keeping my injury from bleeding badly.

I walked over to the minotaur and pulled out a knife, and held its head with my foot. I am cutting its horn with my right arm. After removing its horn, I marked this location on my in-game map. I then walked over to the war ax buried in its neck. I touched it and added it to my inventory. I then left the scene using the guidance of my map to locate a village about twelve kilometers away. While walking, I looked at the early morning sun looming around the horizon.

I look at the in-game clock. It says, " it is 5:30 in the morning." I continue walking in silence until my adrenalin wears off. I start to feel my injuries forcing me to limp in pain. I soon see smoke from the village as the sun at this point has risen. I moved slowly for two hours until I arrived at the eastern outskirts. There I saw a lot of NPCs but no players. They were living their daily lives until one of them noticed me.

A group ran to my aid while signaling to get the town priest and doctor. As one of the NPCs picked me up. He is a big broad man. Who is also the town's blacksmith. I limply fall into him as he carries me on his shoulders. When on his back, I simply passed out due to the fatigue. I remember waking up in a cot with a warm furry blanket draping over me.

My eyes darted around. I pushed myself back up and noticed that my left arm had recovered. I looked around the room until I saw a man with a dark hood and wrappings around his face. "Welcome back to the world of the living," he said. His voice is deep and masculine. He took a seat on the desk adjacent to the bed. He holds papers in his hand.

He positions one foot on the desk, the other dangling limply off the desk. He reminds me of a cat with his peculiar behavior. " Mr.X, I know you must have gone through quite a jarring experience, but according to the guild's protocol. I must ask you a few questions." He stated in a flat tone." "go ahead," I said. He acknowledges my statement with a nod before asking a question.

"Okay, Was this a result of you taking on that snowberry Quest?" I sighed before replying, "yes, it is." He nodded in response before asking his next question. " Was it self-inflicted or inflicted by something else?". I told him the events on that lone mountain, Excluding the details of the curse. With him tilting his head, he asked the question I was waiting on. "Lad, Why did you take on a quest several times out of your league?"

I sighed, preparing to tell the tale. As I said, "get comfortable." He nodded in response gesturing for me to continue. " "The events go as follows. My party and I had met in a larger town down south. Twenty-four kilometers south and five kilometers west of here. We formed a party and made our way adventuring.

One day they disappeared, and I was left with a note telling me they took out loans in my name. Forced to do the only thing I could, I had to take on the quest to earn money. I have to pay back the debt." After I finished explaining why I had taken on the quest. He sighed before speaking," that explains their shady behavior when leaving the guild the other day." I looked down at the ground. He spoke up once more," if you need help just ask.

I'm sure most of us would be happy to help." I looked at him before we heard a scream. " What the fuck you doing?" I looked to the doorway as a hulking green mass came sprinting through it. I recognized her as Ally, The barkeep and guild attendant. As she grabbed the man with face wrappings. " Zane, what the fuck have I told you about sitting on my desk."

As I saw his face wrapping fell off. A blond-colored cat tail unfurls from his back. I see both His blond colored hair and his emerald green eyes. On top of his head, I see a pair of cat ears that match his hair color, and each has its own piercing. His left eyebrow has a silver-colored piercing. His tanned skin and defined jawline made him look handsome.

His thin brow furrowed while staring her down. I couldn't contain my laugh at the amusing scene. They both looked at me and relaxed as I commented. "You guys certainly are kindred spirits." They looked at me and smiled. Ally elbowed Zane as she said, "I can handle our friend from here." Zane then grabbed his wrappings and made his way out the door.

Ally looked at me with a smile. She was pretty even though she was a half-orc. She had that right amount of muscle and fat that made her attractive. She makes most of us look like dwarfs since she is six foot eleven. Her hair was brown, and her ears were slightly pointed. I realized that I was staring. I tried to play it off, but she winked at me and bit her lip.

Not wanting to think about what she was suggesting, I decided to stand up. I walked from the bed to the door. She followed behind me. I stopped realizing where I was. I was on the first floor of the guild. The sight of the tavern greeted me. I saw a bunch of adventures who were all NPCs.

They raised their glasses and cheered when they saw me. As I heard one bushy-faced adventurer in heavy armor say. "Cheers, To the deadman standing." I hear a loud unison of cheering from both men and women. A lady in a revealing mage uniform that highlighted her curves punched my shoulder. She smiled at me and said, " Well look who it is boys." I stood in shock, calculating my next move.

She is an S-class fire mage known as Ember. Zane spoke from the corner of the room and said. "Our boy here is responsible for both, the explosion heard from the eastern mountain and killing the minotaur." Ember looks at me in curiosity while tilting her head. I could see her cleavage bouncing out of the corner of my eye. I resisted the urge to get flustered as she started to lick her lips. She soon spoke with a grin on her face that unnerved me. "What a curious one you are."

A random man from the corner said. "careful X, she is a feisty one." Her eyes burning with a passion, I backed away. "I got to go," I said as I retreated. She pouted and looked around and shouted, "who said that?" I walked to Ally and asked. "Have you noticed Anything unusual?"

She looked at me and tilted her head in confusion. Her eyes then sparked in realization as she spoke. "Now that you mention it, there was a large gathering of people at the town square talking about heading to the capital." Figuring that was my lead, I made my way to the exit. I heard a shout from ember when I was at the door, "Just so you know, that offer still stands."

I soon leave out of embarrassment, as I think the NPCs have become quite lively today. I run through the snow, hoping not to be late. I arrived at the town square and saw a large group of players loitering around. I accidentally bumped into another player. Just my luck, I thought the bulky player I bumped into had his face blocked by an undead knight helmet. He wore no shirt with a fur cape and leather trousers. He leans forward and says, "Out of the way noob." He pushes me aside, and I think "that dude is a dick."

I saw a man in a knight's armor approach me as he said. " Sorry about that, my buddy Rodriques. He has been on edge since the incident." I then quizzically asked, "What incident?" He replied in a nervous tone, "Your joking, right?" I shook my head to indicate I didn't know. The player before me took off his helmet. His hazel eyes showed fear, As he contemplated before talking.

"You know how we are stuck in the game?" I nodded in reply, waiting for his response. "Well, a terrorist group hacked the game. They decided to start holding us as hostages," he responded. I felt a deep sense of fear creep up my spine. He said, once more in an even quieter voice. "That is not even the worst part." I Hesitantly asked, "What is?"

He then mouthed, " look it up on the internet." I quickly opened the main menu and flipped over to the browser tab. As soon as I opened it, I see a website with an orange and black logo. I immediately clear my search history after being reminded of my dirty browsing habits. I then type in my browser, searching for relative information. When I clicked enter, thousands of results greeted me. At the top of the search query was a news article titled.

"Realities Online, A video game turned death game." As I read through the article, one thing became evident. It is the fact that we're screwed, royally. I quickly left the crowd, finally understanding their angst. I think about How I would survive. As I blindly run back to the guild. While running, I am Stumbling through the streets of the village. The NPCs look at me like I'm a madman.

Once I arrive back at the guild, I burst through the doors. I ran up to ally's counter, Where she was staring at me while drying a mug with a cloth. I saw the concern plastered over her face. I'm leaning over, gasping for air. As I sputter out one question, "where is Zane?" Ally looked at me with a peculiar expression before answering. " He should be at his house on the western side of town." Ally looked at me with a puzzled expression. before asking, "Why?" I opened my in-game map. I clicked the highlighted icon that represents Zane's house. I then got up and ran out without answering her question. I ran out the front door of the guild. I turned left, taking one hundred steps. Then take a left on the western cobblestone road leading out of the town. I then sprinted down that path until I arrived at two dirt roads. One diverges northwest, the other southwest. I look at my map and take the southwestern dirt road. Passing a group of NPC villagers shoveling the snow to the side of the road. I see a house on the left. I then stop to look at the map and confirm it's his house. I knocked on his door urgently, but I didn't get a response. I felt a tap on my shoulder. When I looked over my shoulder, I saw none other than Zane.