Authentication

776.

That was the exact number of unique permanent death sequences that this game has put my favorite character through. And when I say unique, I really mean it. These deaths weren't just throwaway events or just copy and pasted haphazardly. They all had their own special dialogue, in-game CGs, and HD cutscenes. Why did the developers go out of their way to design and program 776 different ways for a beloved character to die permanently in a game? Because they're fucking crazy bastards. 

[Ingrid wa- ]

Shit. Make that number– 

777.

A familiar music track emanated from the screen. It was something I heard while watching other people complete their playthroughs of the game. A track that any veteran who played this game could recognize upon just a second of it playing. Yet, I never heard it directly from the game, since this would be my first time clearing the dark fantasy game, Ash Reaver. I stared in disbelief at the flashing monitor, as it started to display a cutscene that I thought I would never see.

After thousands upon thousands of hours and enduring over 700 bullshit deaths trying to clear this game with my favorite character intact. I finally acquired the happy ending with the character no one else could save despite many attempts. I let out a sigh of relief, and a smile unknowingly formed on my face when I saw that my favorite character, Ingrid Solanna, made her signature picturesque bright expression. Seeing all the major characters get together and celebrate made my heart warm, but the fact that Ingrid was there too made it all the more sentimental to me. 

[Congratulations! ]

[You have attained the "Tears Reclaimed" Ending. ]

[You are the first to attain this Ending. ]

[Having met the null character death clause. ]

[You will be awarded shortly! Being the first to accomplish such a feat. ]

I did hear that players did get exclusive titles and merch from the dev team if they managed to do something extraordinary with their game. Like clearing the game blindfolded (no sound) or with all stigmas on. Honestly just knowing that my favorite character even got a happy ending was enough for me to say that all my effort was worth it, but hey I suppose a special title is also a nice bonus.

[Your achievement has been processed! Sending your —prize— to your account! ]

[Error. To receive your prize. An update is required to your account. ]

[Do you wish to begin the download?]

[0/300 gigabytes]

Holy crap 300 gigabytes for a prize? That is almost half the storage space needed for Ash Reaver to run properly. These devs must really have thought that no one would be insane enough to clear their game with Ingrid breathing. In fact, they put way too much effort in killing her. Honestly, this feels like another prank by the devs trying to find another way to sully Ingrid. It's even causing the text to glitch a little bit.

After pondering for a while, I decided if it wouldn't really be that big of a deal if I just went through with the download though I did have to uninstall a few games. I was really curious what this prize could be, but I wouldn't find out till morning since this download was going to take the rest of the night. As I throw myself onto the bed, I find the strength in my body leaving quite easily, and drift to sleep having something to look forward to in a very long time. 

A sleeping man is illuminated by a flickering screen. It has been transitioning from white to black over and over again at a speed that would make any person's head dizzy just by looking at it for the good portion of the night, a sprawl of text soon appears in the midst of the blinking screen.

[Download complete. ]

[Identification has been acquired. ]

[Essence has been registered. ]

[Unconfirmed User has been detected. ]

[Proceeding to exit. ]

[Failure to quit. ]

[User: Citrus Lady has performed a system override. ]

[Link established to Server. ]

[Astral Transversal in process. ]

A light enveloped the whole room and it expanded outwards. For a moment, it seemed like the sun had risen in Seoul. Then everything went dark. Like a reverse solar eclipse. When the light ceased, the man had vanished.

[Authentication: Complete ]