Damon And Goons

Players could choose from a variety of classes, each with its own unique abilities and skills. The classes were broadly divided into two categories: Magic and Tech.

Magic Classes:

- Swordsman: Skilled in melee combat, using swords and shields to protect themselves and their allies.

- Berserker: Fierce warriors who excel in close-range combat, dealing massive damage with their brute strength.

- Mage: Masters of elemental magic, casting powerful spells to attack enemies from a distance.

- Cleric: Healers who use divine magic to mend wounds and protect their companions.

- Assassin: Stealthy fighters who excel in ambushes and critical strikes, using daggers and light weapons.

- Summoner: Magic users who can call forth creatures to fight on their behalf.

Tech Classes:

- Hunter: Equipped with powerful high-tech weaponry, capable of taking down enemies from afar with precision.

- Forger: Engineers who create both magical and technological weapons and tools.

- Cyborg: Enhanced with cybernetic implants, combining physical prowess with advanced technology.

The game's mechanics were designed to be both challenging and rewarding. Players earned experience points (EXP) by completing quests, defeating enemies, and exploring new areas.

Leveling up increased their stats and unlocked new abilities. The virtual world was dynamic, with events and challenges that changed over time.

August was very much knowledgeable on the aspect of video games and had even once dived into a business relating to it in his original world but this was unlike anything he had ever seen before.

He couldn't imagine the buzz such a game would have created if it had been on his earth.

August decided to stop thinking about this in the meantime and focus.

Activating his stealth abilities, August blended into the shadows and moved silently through the underbrush.

He encountered the first group of Skrawlings, their reptilian bodies glistening in the moonlight. Drawing his dagger, he dispatched them swiftly, each strike precise and lethal. The system notifications popped up, confirming his progress:

[ Level 2 Skrawling Defeated: +10 EXP ]

[ Level 2 Skrawling Defeated: +10 EXP ]

[ Level 2 Skrawling Defeated: +10 EXP ]

Despite the small increments of experience points, he knew that every bit counted. As he moved deeper into the forest, he came across a Thornback.

<< Level 4 Thornback Engaged >>

Its spiny shell glinted ominously as the creature hissed, revealing its venomous fangs.

August circled it cautiously, waiting for the right moment. When the Thornback lunged, he dodged to the side and struck with his dagger, the blade finding a weak spot in its armor. The creature collapsed, and another notification appeared:

[Level 4 Thornback Defeated: +15 EXP ]

He continued his hunt, taking down more Skrawlings and Thornbacks. The repetitive nature of the task was becoming exhausting.

Each kill brought him closer to his goal, though the progress felt painfully slow.

As the hours passed, he decided to take a break and review his strategy. He sat down on a fallen log, opening his menu to check his current status:

_________

Level: 12

EXP: 8215/25000

Gold: 185

August sighed; 'Manual labor sure is difficult.'

However, he very much welcomed the challenge. Since the game seemed to be the best chance at changing their fate, he wouldn't give up.

"Alright, let's keep going," he said while standing up and stretching. "There's got to be a way."

---

Every day, August ventured into the Forest of Shadows, fighting the same low-level beasts: Skrawlings and Thornbacks.

The repetitive nature of the tasks weighed on him. He felt like he was going in circles, unable to break free from the confines of the village.

The Tree of Life quest, which required him to reach the mystical tree protected by a magical barrier, seemed unattainable. He had tried countless times to approach the tree, but each attempt ended in failure.

As August prepared to set off into the forest once more, a sudden notification appeared before him, accompanied by a trumpet fanfare:

[World Announcement: Congratulations to the party of five for being the first to complete the C rank Sweryvn Lord Quest!]

[Players: Ice Queen, Lustful Fairy, Demon Blade, Soaring Eagle]

August paused and stared at the notification with a look of awe. World announcements like this happened whenever a party or a player was the first to achieve something significant.

[System Notification: Ice Queen, Lustful Fairy, Demon Blade, and Soaring Eagle have been awarded unique items and titles for their achievement.]

'Some of the top players in the game uh?' August wasn't surprised by the announcement, but it did serve as a reminder of the vast world beyond the village.

While he was stuck here, other players were making groundbreaking progress, achieving feats that seemed out of reach.

The names of the players echoed in his mind, especially Ice Queen. Her reputation as one of the top players in Enders Light was well known.

"Challenge on..." August smiled before proceeding further.

He would turn his envy for their achievements into fuel to push forward and attain unprecedented heights...

Or so he thought.

-

Hours later, August stood at the edge of the forest, staring at the Tree of Life in frustration.

He had tried again after getting some armor and yet he failed to gain enough resistance to reach the tree.

A system notification suddenly appeared:

[Reminder: You have been logged in for an extended period. It is recommended to take breaks for your health and well-being.]

August let out a sigh, knowing it was time to log off. He couldn't afford to neglect the real-world responsibilities waiting for him. He opened the system menu and selected the log-off option.

"See you soon, Enders Light," he muttered while watching the vibrant world around him dissolve into darkness.

He felt a gentle jolt as he was pulled back into reality. The pod's hatch opened with a soft hiss, and he removed the helmet.

It took a while for his blinking eyes to adjust to the dim light of his room.

The moment he stepped out of the pod, he heard a commotion coming from the living room. His heart sank, and he rushed out to see what was happening.

The living room was in disarray. Sophia stood by the doorway with a frightened look. Two burly men were overturning furniture and shouting threats.

A man in an expensive-looking blue suit and a spider tattoo on his neck stood in the center of the room. His expression was cold and calculating.

The man who was known as Damon turned to face August with narrowed eyes upon his entry. "August Clementine. You owe a significant amount of money, and it's time to pay up."

August felt a surge of anger upon witnessing this sight.

He stepped forward, trying to shield Sophia from Damon. "I'm working on it. I just need a little more time."

Damon's eyes glinted with malice. "Time is a luxury you no longer possess. You've been given plenty of chances, and now it's time for consequences."

Sophia clung to August's arm with terror filled eyes. "Please, we just need a bit more time," she pleaded.

Damon smirked as his gaze shifted to Sophia. "You see, your lovely sister here could make for some valuable compensation if you can't pay. Being a slave to one of my wealthy associates who prefer girls of certain ages would certainly help take care of the debt."

August's blood ran cold. The thought of Sophia being taken away was unbearable. He didn't know if these were his emotions or that of the real August but he was not going to sit back and let this happen.

He clenched his fists while trying to keep a steady voice. "You can't do that. I'll get the money, I promise. Just give me a little more time."

Damon's expression hardened. "You have one month. If you don't have the money by then, I'll come back. And believe me, you won't like what happens next."

With that, Damon punched August hard in the gut, causing his knees to buckle over in pain.

"August!"

Sophia screamed while kneeling to hold her big brother.

August looked up with a defiant and icy expression; 'I'm going to make you regret that.'

Damon's goons continued their rampage, trashing the living room before finally leaving.

As the door slammed shut behind them, August clutched his stomach. The pain from the punch was sharp, but the fear for Sophia's safety was even more overwhelming. Tears were streaming down her face as she kept holding onto him.

"August, are you okay?" she asked with a trembling voice.

Although the pain made it hard to speak, August nodded. "I'll be fine," he reassured her. "I'll figure this out."