For a terrifying moment, I couldn't see anything—just that cursed screen floating in front of me, its red eyes burning into my soul. The doctor's voice was muffled, distant, like she was speaking through layers of thick glass.
Frantically, I swiped at the air with my right hand, trying to clear the screen like it was some annoying pop-up ad. But instead of empty space, my fingers brushed against something soft.
Foam? No—softer. Warmer.
For one blissful second, my brain short-circuited. It felt… nice. Like sinking into a cloud.
Then—WHAP!
The cord lashed across my knuckles, sharp as a snakebite. Pain jolted up my arm, and the doctor's voice suddenly snapped into crystal clarity
"—did you just grope me?!"
My stomach dropped.
Oh no.
Oh no no no.
I yanked my hand back like I'd touched a hot stove, my face burning. "I—I wasn't trying to—the screen—!"
She loomed over me, one arm crossed tight over her chest, the other gripping that damned earpiece-cord like a whip, ready to strike again. Her glare could've melted steel.
The screen's last line pulsed mockingly
{ LOCK YOUR EYES ON THE BLUE WORDS AND BLINK TWICE TO OPEN OR ACTIVATE IT }
Screw it. Anything to make this worse.
I blinked. Twice.
The screen dissolved like smoke, my vision clearing instantly—just in time to see the doctor's furious face inches from mine.
My heart pounded as I run towards the bathroom door and shut shut it, locking it behind me. The cold tile floor bit into my bare feet, but I barely noticed. All I could think about was that damn screen—and how to get it back.
"Open!" Nothing.
"Come!" Still nothing.
Then I remembered—the voice in the void, its last command before everything went black.
"Yes," I whispered.
BOOM.
The screen materialized instantly, hovering in front of me like a specter. The same red eyes, the same unnerving grin. This time, I took a deep breath and actually read it.
My gaze locked onto the {SEE CURRENT STATS (blue)} option. I blinked twice.
The words dissolved, reforming into
---
{ CURRENT STATS }
{ SPEED: 15% }
Pathetic. A toddler could outrun you.
{ STRENGTH: 10% }
You couldn't lift a gallon of milk without crying.
{ DURABILITY: 10% }
Paper cuts hospitalize you.
{ AGILITY: 20% }
You trip over air.
{ INTELLIGENCE: 50% }
At least you're not completely braindead.
{ ENERGY: 25% }
You need a nap after tying your shoes.
{ ACCURACY: 5% }
You miss the toilet when you pee.
{ REFLEXES: 9% }
A sloth dodges better than you.
{ STEALTH: 5% }
You could hide in an empty room and still get found.
{ TECH: 0% }
You think Wi-Fi is magic.
---
A single option pulsed at the bottom:
{ GO BACK (blue) }
---
I stared at the numbers, my stomach churning.
This is me?
A wheezing laugh escaped my lips. No wonder I'd gotten torn apart by that demon. With stats like these, I was less "chosen one" and more "chew toy."
The screen's grin seemed to widen, as if it could hear my thoughts.
I didn't know if all of this was real, but one thing was clear—I was way faster than before, and I felt more energized than ever.
Now, I'm not a big gamer. Growing up, I didn't get to play many games because of my bad luck. I had no friends, so I missed out on a lot. But since this was like a game, I couldn't wait to see how it would feel. Excited, I blinked twice at the {BACK} option, and the previous screen appeared. Then, without wasting time, I blinked twice at the {START} button. Suddenly, a message popped up
{WELCOME TO YOUR FIRST TASK, DEFEAT CRAGG WITHIN THE GIVEN TIME (5 MIN) AND GAIN EXTRA SYSTEM LEVELLING POINTS (SLP). NOTE: THERE ARE NO SECOND CHANCES IN THIS TASK. IF YOU DIE, THAT'S GAME OVER. WHATEVER HAPPENS TO YOU HERE HAPPENS IN THE REAL WORLD. IN OTHER WORDS, IF YOU DIE HERE, YOU DIE IN THE REAL WORLD.}
{CURRENT LOCATION: DESERTED ISLAND, VALLANCIA}
{TASK TYPE: VERY EASY}
{TASK OBJECTIVE: DEFEAT CRAGG}
{CLOSE SCREEN (blue)}
As soon as I saw the current location, I closed the screen. To my shock, I was no longer where I was before—I stood in the middle of a desert. Nothing but sand everywhere. My heart raced, and panic set in. But before I could even speak, the ground shook violently. A huge structure burst out from beneath the sand, forming right in front of me. Its door glowed with an eerie light.
Then, the screen appeared again on its own, showing an instruction, I had to open the door with the key in my hand. That's when I noticed it—I was holding a big, strange key. My hands trembled as I slowly walked toward the door. With a deep breath, I pushed the key into the lock and turned it.
CRACK!
The door made a loud sound before crumbling into the ground, disappearing completely. I hesitated, then took a few steps inside the giant hall. The moment I did, the door suddenly reappeared behind me, sealing me in.
The whole hall was completely dark. As I took a step forward, my foot tripped over something, and I stumbled. The moment I tripped, the entire hall suddenly lit up. Torches hanging on the walls flickered to life, their flames leading in one direction.
I followed the path of light, my heart pounding, until I reached a chamber filled with cages. The glow of the torches made the place look even creepier. I kept walking slowly, my eyes darting around. Then—I thought I saw something move.
I spun around, but there was nothing.
Shaking my head, I kept moving, unsure how to find the demon—or whatever I was supposed to fight. Then, I heard a whimper.
I turned sharply and caught a glimpse of something—a reflection in the dark. But before I could react, it vanished. Without thinking, I ran toward where I'd seen it.
Unlike the morgue incident, I actually felt brave now.
I walked forward again, counting my steps under my breath. Then—pain!
Something bit my shoulder from behind. I screamed, grabbing whatever it was by the neck and slamming it to the ground. The creature let out a groan before darting back into the shadows.
Breathing hard, I staggered back, clutching my chest. My eyes darted around the room as I heard soft, skittering movements. Then—another attack!
The creature leaped at me again from behind. But this time, I was ready.
I spun around and punched it with all my strength. It hit the ground with a whimper before dissolving into dust.
I smirked, gripping my wounded shoulder. "For real? Don't tell me this is how weak the so-called cage demon is—" for a brief moment I felt powerful, and the...
AGH!
A searing pain shot through my leg. I cried out as I turned—and froze.
They were everywhere.
The same creatures I'd just turned to dust—dozens of them—staring at me with glowing eyes. Their bodies were twisted, almost like dogs, snarling and barking.
Without hesitation, I bolted in the opposite direction.
They chased me, their claws scraping against the stone floor as they closed in. I ran for what felt like a mile, my lungs burning, but they never slowed down.
Finally, I burst into another chamber—this one empty, only few cages and hanging chains.
To my shock, the creatures skidded to a stop. Then, as if terrified, they turned and fled, leaving me alone.
I grinned, thinking I was safe—until I felt it.
Hot breath against my back.
Something was standing right behind me.