Ivor

The man who called himself Holden's mentor charged at the level one reaper as he smashed his blade into the building of the staircase he was sitting on merely seconds ago forcing the kid to his feet to spring away rolling in reverse.

"What the fuck!?" Holden shouted.

He said nothing holding the blade out to Holdens face not hesitating to push the weapon into his gut if he did not act fast enough. The desolation of the town ensured that safety would never come as the stranger paraded in laughter.

Backing up he missed every swipe despite how vigorously he pushed his arm forward before tripping over rubble falling on his back.

"Just messing with you…"

[Welcome Ivor]

"Your name is Ivor?" Holden shouted.

"We share the same system you know?" He laughed.

His face reddened the second he realized it welcomed him not just letting Holden know his name.

"Share the same system?" Holden asked.

"I am not he only one there is a couple others you will eventually meet." He grinned.

The pit in the deepest part of his stomach ached. He thought about how they say you feel doomed that it could be accurate.

"Are you supposed to be like teachers?"

"We will keep an eye on you and guide you." Ivor explained.

"What is your goal with me?"

"I can not say right now, Holden…"

"I see…"

A sudden headache started to manifest causing him to hold his head downwards in pain as it increased slowly. Looking up Ivor with malice laced on his lips slamming his fist into the palm of his hand the migraine became worse instantly crying out.

"It is time to say we know where you live, Holden…your life is now ours by accepting the package!" He warned.

"What? Why is that part of the deal!" Holden argued.

Ivor started to pace around Holden adding pressure bit by bit. He couldn't even look up at his mentor placing his against his lap attempting everything to make the pain stop.

"Why would you really think you get this for free?" He questioned.

He couldn't even reply. The whole thing was unsettling and misleading to Holden who couldn't even feel his fingers. The aching seeped into his eyeballs making him close them tightly where he could barely touch falling to the ground in a heap in front of his captor.

[We ask you do as told and you will find this process painless]

"I have some stuff for you, Holden."

Equipment dropped to the floor in front of Holden. A scythe, upgraded chest plate, boots, greaves, helmet and plethora of loose drops.

"Why me…" He huffed.

"Now is not the time for that. Just pick the stuff up and train." Ivor explained.

Gradually he was able to pull himself up from the rubble gathering what was given to him. His body trembled realizing what was going on wasn't a good thing as he placed each item into his inventory.

"Hurry up about leveling. We have things to tend too!" He smirked.

[I will transport you to the right training area]

"No! I am going now! Fuck you!" Holden shouted.

"Whatever as long as you come back!" Ivor demanded.

"Why would I want to come back?"

Holden pulled the helmet off angrily ready to smash it into the floor when he stopped himself wondering if they were watching him somehow or follow him on a daily basis.

"I am not going back…how to return this game?" He said out loud.

Popping the disc out of the system he packed into the box he kicked it under his bed before jumping down to roll to his side. He wanted nothing more to do with Ivor and the reaper system or whatever it was.

He couldn't rest with the persistent headache that wouldn't go away. Squirming off the bed he clutched his head without any fuss stumbling to the fridge, but nothing not even water.

"Fuck…and the tap has been muddy lately…"

Whispering recalling there is a small shop and gas station not far from him. Gawking around the room he knew his sister and mother were out so he couldn't bug them to get him anything nor did he plan to say anything.

The system knew he was a NEET refusing to obtain work. Was this revenge he thought? Could he really get rid of it without them knowing?

He was unprepared as he stuck his sneakers on hobbling out nearly forgetting his wallet having to run back inside to grab it leaving the door ajar slightly only to wave if off. Jumping down the steps and out.

His feet moved with speed down the street crossing over the newly paved road to the small petrol station composed of faded green and olive paint in the midday sun and an agely pump design unwilling to change itself to attract people.

FWAP

Holden stood still a few seconds acknowledging the hole that had dented the metal in front of his eyes and smoke that rose off scattering to the wind.

"What…is going on…"

Turning to face the back of himself he couldn't make out what he was seeing in the distance only a small glare from above another house that sat beside his peacefully that moved swiftly behind the chimney.

Thinking no more he strolled inside checking how much he had on him to swipe several bottles of water from rack taking them to counter. The woman placed her hands up in the air while the sound of cocking gun could be heard placed on his back.

"You really thought you could run so easily?"

Dressed in full black outfit he was unafraid to put himself on display to Holden. He didn't want to do anything let alone deal with crazy robbers.

"Are you talking to me?" Holden asked.

"Who else could I be possibly be talking too?"

"This is about the game right?" Holden inquired.

"Game, you aren't robbing the store?!" She gasped out.

He held the gun out at the woman who started to panic. Three-sixty he faced his captor taking the bottles of water thrusting into his gut hard as he could muster knocking him to the ground when he is grabbed by the ankle.

The weapon being swung up in Holden's direction. His situation started to look worse by the second to him hearing the finger being pushed against the trigger slowly he could only see his life suddenly flash before his eyes.