Chapter 1 "Fuck No"

Fuck No

In the city's bustling heart, the clock struck 11:00 PM, and the streets were anything but quiet. Amidst the sea of bustling salary earners, there was Wade, a 25-year-old man in a black suit, clutching his briefcase with a deathly grip. His face was marked by exhaustion; his once-alert eyes now had deep bags beneath them, and he looked extremely tired since he hadn't slept for three days. As he gazed around, his movements were sluggish, and he could barely keep his eyes open. His jet-black hair ruffled slightly in the night breeze as he looked up at the sky, but there were no stars to be found, only the bright glow of city lights illuminated the dark canvas above. 

"For how long will I live this way?" Wade grumbled. "That fucking bastard, just because he's a manager. I ought to **** and *****" Wade went into a swearing fit for a few seconds, pouring his heart out on how he felt. He was currently working for a shitty company with a shitty job title and shitty pay. When he was younger, Wade had once imagined he would be a millionaire at this age. "Such a fucking joke." He mumbled beneath his breath, his burning eyes mocking his past dream. He began to walk toward the metro station, temporarily oblivious to his surroundings. Large 3D billboards dominated the cityscape, their bright displays casting a futuristic vibe upon the lively streets. The billboard advertised everything from luxury cars to the latest fashion trends, making the night feel as vibrant as midday. Wade's gaze fixed on one of the larger billboards, and his brown eyes were drawn to the video that was currently playing.

The video was a trailer for the game, "The Adventure Online," a game that had taken the world by storm. Wade couldn't remember the last time he had enjoyed such a simple hobby, and the taste of regret left his mouth bitter. The video on the massive screen was about a diverse group of adventure players, each holding their respective weapons. One wielded a gleaming sword, another drew a taut bowstring, a third gripped a formidable spear, while a fourth shielded their comrades. Meanwhile, a fifth figure seemed ready to cast magic, an aura of earth magic swirling around her. This dazzling display reflected in Wade's eyes, captivating him for a fleeting moment. "When was the last time I played something like that..." He couldn't help but murmur to himself, lost in the memories of his gaming adventures long past. But now, it was nothing but a luxury. Sighing deeply, Wade was on the verge of turning away when his attention was drawn by the scene in a dimly lit alley, completely different from the rest of the world around. In the shadows, two indistinct figures struggled with each other, and the longer Wade watched, the more he could tell that something was wrong.

"Don't bother. Don't bother," Wade muttered beneath his breath, struggling to keep his nose out of whatever was going on. He needed sleep more than anything and trying to separate a fight wasn't on his list. However, just as he was about to retreat, a small, desperate cry pierced the air, the word 'help' echoing through the alley. Wade closed his eyes in defeat for a fleeting moment before exhaling a resigned "Fuck." With bubbling anxiety, he strode toward the alley, clutching his briefcase like an improvised shield. "Oi, what's going on?" he yelled, his voice ringing out in the dark. "I already called the police just so you know!" He waved his phone to illuminate the alley, the feeble glow of the screen insufficient to penetrate the darkness fully. "If you don't want to—" Wade's words were cut short as one of the struggling figures suddenly broke free, hurtling out of the alley and colliding forcefully with him. He staggered backward, struggling to maintain his balance. "You fucker at least say thank you!" He yelled after the figure, but the person was long gone. 

As he turned his attention back to the alley, the other figure had somehow materialized in front of him, startling him with their swiftness. "Oh shit, what are…" Time seemed to slow to a crawl as Wade felt a searing pain spread in his side. The world spun causing him to stagger backwards. His breath became labored and painful as dizziness washed over him, and with trembling hands, he pressed a palm against the source of his agony, feeling the sticky warmth of blood. "No way… No way?" 

Mustering all the strength he had, Wade inched his way out of the alley, one painful step at a time. As he burst out to the bright light, he lifted his trembling hand to the sky, only to find his fingers coated in red; the color of his own blood. His worst fears were confirmed and for the first time, he felt a sick dread spreading through his body. "Fuck, this is why you should always mind your business," he croaked, a dry, shaky laugh escaping his lips. Only one thing was on his mind at that moment – he needed to escape. He needed to get out of there. Sweat rolled down his back in rivulets, each step an ordeal. Just as he mustered the strength for another, the assailant struck again, this time from behind. Everything seemed to move in slow motion as Wade crumpled to the ground. A chilling numbness spread through him as he felt his life draining away. Immediately, his first thought was to call for help, but then Wade realized something. He had dropped his phone back in the alley. That information was enough to send a sickening sensation through his spine. As he looked around for anybody, he realized that the crowd he had once saw, milling around was nowhere to be found. The streets were now deserted, and it looked like he was the only one in this area. The reality that he could actually die made his mind fill up with a different kind of fear. 

  He lay there, growing colder by the second, watching as the assailant made their escape. "Ah… is this how everything ends?" he whispered, his head slowly rolling to the side. His eyes felt heavy, and a deep weariness settled over him. A solitary tear traced a path down the corner of his left eye, his gaze locked on the video game billboard he had glimpsed moments ago. "I never even got to play this game." He thought. "Fuck, I never even got to lose my virginity. Why the fuck am I dying this way? Just why? Why me? I did nothing wrong. I was a good citizen… well, most of the time. But that's beside the point, I was only trying to do good! I was only trying…" Wade paused, a lump forming in his throat. "Man, this life is so unfair." He said through quivering lips. He had lived his whole life all alone since he was an orphan. He had struggled each day to live day by die. And now, even in death, he was alone. "If there's anyone listening, please! Please give me another chance. Give me a chance to live a life completely different from this!" Wade wished fervently as the light slowly left his eyes.

On the split second, a holographic screen popped up, displaying the words:

<Your Wish has been granted>

>Player Information updated<

<Spawning you in Elf Village, enjoy your time Adventure Online>