What doesn't kill me, Might make me kill you .1

A young girl, dressed in attire reminiscent of a nymph, gracefully moved in a circular pattern around a slumbering young man, nestled peacefully upon the lush grass. This picturesque scene, reminiscent of nymphs found in the second city known as The Land of Gua, was unfolding in an unexpected location – the Beginners Town. This designated starting point served as the official bind spot for new players, offering them a foundation to embark on their gaming journey, learn the ropes, and ascend in levels.

In a world where technological innovation had catapulted Japan into the forefront of the modern era, the realm of possibilities knew no bounds. Yet, despite this boundless potential, mastery in any field remained a challenge that not everyone could conquer. There were underlying factors contributing to this difficulty, twofold in nature. First, there existed a subset of individuals who were unable to fully harness their inherent powers. Whether stemming from fear or a deficiency in natural aptitude and practical experience, the utilization of these abilities proved elusive.

Secondly, a unique restriction was imposed – the prohibition from taking virtual life. In the infancy of Virtual Reality Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (VRMMORPGs), game content leaned towards the whimsical, designed to be child-friendly. Monsters sported bizarre forms, creating a sense of detachment from reality that justified their virtual demise. However, should these digital creatures exude a more graphic and visceral portrayal of violence – if blood sprayed, if dying heartbeats resonated through one's senses, if gory entrails emerged from a monster's wound, or, worst of all, if brains exploded upon being struck – the implications would be dire. Such a violent depiction could result in legal ramifications, with game developers finding themselves entangled in legal proceedings.

Thus, while the virtual realm held the promise of boundless horizons, intricate dynamics shaped the intersection of technology, human capacity, and societal norms, dictating the boundaries within which the digital world could evolve.

Letheon, however, diverged from the norm. Within the game's core essence lay an unwavering focus on the battle against monsters, a conviction held by the game developers who believed that perfecting this element was the key to the game's triumph. Their commitment was evident in the painstaking realism they instilled into these battles, an endeavor that ventured into the realm of cruelty.

The developers' definition of realism extended beyond mere aesthetics. While grotesque details such as spilling organs, erupting brains, or wriggling maggots were eschewed, the splattering of blood remained vividly authentic. The creatures engaged in combat refused to remain passive recipients of injury. Instead, they displayed a fierce realism – wounded monsters reacted by moving defensively, bellowing in wrathful protest. This level of verisimilitude posed a challenge for many, leading some to abandon the game in the face of their inability to confront and conquer the virtual adversaries. This marked a form of perceived personal failure, a stumbling block for those seeking enjoyment but being met with stress.

Acknowledging this dilemma, the game developers implemented an elegant solution – an elaborate tutorial. The goal was to ensure a seamless entry into the game, preventing undue stress and disillusionment. After all, the concept of gaming inherently clashed with the notion of being burdened with distress.

Aiken, grappling with a profound sense of disbelief, found himself enveloped in shock. The events leading up to this bewildering moment played on a loop in his mind. He vividly remembered the bus abruptly colliding with a truck, his consciousness seemingly extinguished in an instant. However, his immediate surroundings betrayed his expectations. He was inexplicably within Letheon, lacking comprehension of how or when he had logged in. Doubt and confusion clouded his thoughts, leaving him to contemplate whether his mind had succumbed to the clutches of an intricate delusion or hallucination, culminating in his surreal presence within this alternate realm.

"Hey, kiddo, are you still sleeping with your eyes open?" A grating voice suddenly invaded Aiken's reverie, jolting him back to reality. Before him stood a diminutive figure, appearing almost human but distinctively smaller, adorned with a pair of rainbow-colored, semi-transparent wings and sporting long, verdant hair. As Aiken grappled with the surreal scene, he couldn't help but question the severity of his ailment. The notion of seeking immediate consultation with a psychiatrist crossed his mind.

Swiftly rising to his feet, Aiken's hasty movements were intercepted by the small entity. "Hey, where are you going?" The sprite-like girl stepped closer, her small hands on his wrist, right where his burned skin was. A scar that shouldn't even exist within the confines of the game. Unintentional panic overtook Aiken, triggering a reactionary motion that inadvertently collided with the fairy. In an instant, Aiken observed an HP and MP bar hovering above the being, adding a layer of complexity to his puzzlement. The fleeting idea that the seemingly innocuous creature could be a potential adversary kept him on guard, prompting him to assume a defensive stance.

"Is that how you thank someone who just saved you?" The fairy's retort was laced with exasperation, accompanied by a dramatic expansion in size, transforming her appearance into that of a teenage girl. Caught off guard, Aiken was met with a punch from the transformed figure, resulting in a tangible, undeniable ache. Gazing at his now bruised body and a chest adorned with a bandage, Aiken's confusion deepened. He pivoted his attention to the enigmatic girl, his eyes tracing her features from head to toe. A sudden chop to his head quickly reprimanded his lingering gaze.

"You know, it's rude to stare at a girl like that," the fairy admonished, her actions reminiscent of a scolding mother. Nursing his throbbing head, Aiken couldn't resist a muttered response, "Like there's anything worth staring at..." prompting another swift chop to his head, akin to a mother chastising her son for his audacity.

"Who are you? What am I doing inside Letheon? Why—"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, I'll gladly address every question that's buzzing in your head. But let's take it step by step. I'm Althea, the Fairy of the Three Lights: 'Sun,' 'Moon,' and 'Star.' Consider me your personal health companion." Althea offered her introduction with evident pride, a self-satisfied air about her that hinted at countless rehearsals for this very moment.

"Huh?" Aiken's expression twisted into one of sheer confusion, projecting an unmistakable air of someone quite oblivious. However, his befuddlement soon gave way to a sudden recollection of a pressing matter he had overlooked. "Wait, what's the time?" His hand instinctively grasped Althea's shoulder, urgency threaded in his voice.

"H-Huh? Ah... it's 18:32," Althea replied, a touch of confusion mingling with her response. Aiken's reaction to this revelation was palpable – a mixture of disbelief and despair seemed to engulf him. It was as if his very will to persist had been momentarily extinguished, replaced by a potent desire to simply fade away. With a defeated gesture, Aiken tapped his wrist, prompting a note-sized, semi-transparent hologram to materialize before him. The visual display, albeit slightly distorted, remained legible enough to discern its contents.

[Aiken Clint]

- Level 1

- Class: Villager

- Title Count: ------

Stats:

Strength (5)

Stamina [HP] (13/15)

Intelligence (10)

Magic [MP] (---)

As Aiken's gaze remained fixated on his status window, a mixture of emotions churned within him. His thoughts were interrupted by the sudden appearance of a news update. Althea, curious about his actions, promptly nudged Aiken aside and seized control of the screen, her interest piqued by the unfolding developments. Although Aiken expected the news to be informative, his attention had shifted to a more pressing matter – devising various ways to rid himself of the presence before him.

"Heyo, guys~ This live broadcast is brought to you by me, SONG from ORION ARENA! As you all know, our Top 15 strongest user accounts are nowhere to be seen! Yep, all of them have vanished simultaneously. Even the current #1 user, Ms. Ram, remains absent – her gameplay and traces meticulously wiped. What's the scoop, folks? What lies ahead for the deserted Guilds? Could it be just a curious twist of fate? Keep your eyes peeled for more updates. This is Song, exclusively for Lethe Online gamers, muah <3."

Aiken was left dumbfounded, processing the weight of the information he had just encountered. Questions swirled in his mind, grappling with the meaning behind Song's words. Song's popularity was not lost on him, particularly among the male demographic. However, Aiken couldn't overlook the fact that Song was no more than an Artificial Intelligence, a creation stemming from the ingenuity of 'Syrup'.

The weight of the update weighed heavily on Aiken's mind, its implications stirring a whirlwind of questions within him. The accounts he and countless others had painstakingly built, pouring in their blood, sweat, and time, had been wiped clean. But why then was he still here, inside the game? Could it be a mere glitch? Yet, if that were the case, game administrators – the GMs – would have likely intervened by now to prevent widespread player impact.

Aiken instinctively tapped his wrist, his cursor hovering over the "Log Out" button. Just as his finger was poised to click, a sudden realization struck him. He mentally urged himself to adopt a more positive outlook. No more dwelling on pessimism, he resolved. However, as his finger descended to press the button, an unexpected glitch marred the otherwise smooth interface, lines of code smudging across his virtual screen. At that instant, Aiken's frustration and disbelief boiled over. "Oh hell, no! Not another Sword Art Online wannabe!" he exclaimed, his words emphasizing his mounting unease.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───