I was supposed to be on vacation.
Some newly discovered island, somewhere off the coast of Greece or Norway.
I honestly forgot. Don't judge me!
You're Judging me arent you
Its not like you know geography....
....You do? Well. Shush!
Anyways.
White sand, blue skies, overpriced cocktails. That's what I signed up for.
What I got instead?
This.
A crowd. Thousands of us. Packed together like in a glitchy MMO lobby, all staring up at the same damn thing in the sky.
A man.
Yes, you heard me right. A damn man was floating in the sky.
And not just any man. No, this one introduced himself with the confidence of ozzy Osborne and the flair of someone who definitely enjoys being the center of attention.
He said his name was 「Loki」
"Loki" had long green and purple hair. (Somehow pulling it off.) His face carved like a Renaissance sculpture, one of those where the artist was clearly in love.
And those lips? Chapped and scarred, but it weirdly worked. Like, Aphrodite-but-male levels of hot.
...Not that I was looking.
No homo.
Now, I bet you're wondering what led up to this, right?
You arent? Well screw you.
*
*
*
It was Saturday morning, the sun peeking from my blinds, but I was already busy packing my suitcase, filling it with clothes, some snacks, water, things of that nature.
I was supposed to be going on a free trip, courtesy of some sketchy travel raffle I apparently won after drunkenly filling out a form months ago. I don't remember doing it, which meant one of two things:
1. It was a scam.
2. It was a scam with free airfare.
Either way, I wasn't about to question a free escape from my dead-end job, 3 months overdue rent, and existential dread.
If I was going to get murdered, at least it would be with a scenic view.
"Hah... well, goodbye, shitty apartment. See you in a week... probably."
I gave the dusty hallway one last look before locking the door behind me. Bags? Packed. Outlets? Unplugged. Regrets? Surprisingly low.
Most importantly, I'd handed off my cat to the only person I trusted enough to not accidentally microwave him: my neighbor.
Couldn't leave the little guy alone, after all. Even if he was a furry little asshole with abandonment issues and a talent for knocking things off counters just to assert dominance.
Still loved him, though. Bastard.
*
*
*
"Are you... Orion Grey?"
The voice caught me just as I stepped out of the front gate of my apartment complex.
The guy standing there looked like a tourist. Purple Hawaiian shirt over a plain white tee and shorts. Shaggy black hair. Sandals, of course. The whole deal. He stared at me with these weirdly violet eyes.
Weird? Yeah. But not that weird. These days, people walk around with rainbow hair and glowing red contacts like it's nothing. Purple eyes? Thats fine.
Hell, even I looked a bit strange. Skin a bit tan, dark gray hair naturally in a full wolfcut that brushed past my shoulder blades. Always getting in my eyes. Teachers used to complain I was wearing colored contacts. My honey-gold eyes apparently weren't "natural" enough.
Whatever.
Still, I didn't flinch when he looked confused at my name. I was used to that reaction. Orion Grey isn't exactly a normal name.
Especially when you're not even Greek.
My dad named me. He liked stars, myths, and old books that smelled like they where from the ground.
He also thought "Orion Grey" sounded cool. Like I'd grow up to be some tragic greek hero or some brooding wizard. Joke's on him.
I can't even keep a cactus alive.
Hope you're doing okay up there, old man.
"Yeah, that's me," I said, raising an eyebrow. "And you are…?"
The guy stared at me, like I just told him I was Batman.
Two full seconds later, he finally spoke. Voice smooth as velvet, like he was auditioning for a perfume ad.
"I'm Laurent. I'll be taking you to the island."
"Well, Nice to meet you laurent."
He just shook his head and motioned toward the limo behind me.
Yes. A full-ass limo. Engine running. Back door open. Like I was Beyoncé's slightly less successful cousin.
"…All this for me?" I asked, pointing at myself like an idiot.
No response.
Cool.
Naturally, I got in. Because I'm a genius. And if a suspicious man in sandals offers you a limo ride to a mystery island, you say yes. That's just logic.
He slipped into the driver's seat, still not saying a word. I figured he was going for the whole "mysterious escort" vibe. Or maybe just really bad at small talk.
"So, uh… what can you tell me about this island?" I tried, half-hoping he'd hand me a brochure. Or at least say something vaguely cult-y.
What I got instead?
Hissing.
Smoke started filling the cabin. Some kind of perfume-scented knockout gas. Real classy.
I turned just in time to see Laurent's eyes go full glowstick, shining bright violet in the rearview mirror.
"Oh, come on—"
And then?
Black.
*
*
*
*
And that's how I got here.
Surrounded by, oh, I don't know...
'1235678910.'
Alot of fuckin people...
Loki then clapped his hands, releasing a large gust of wind that caused the majority of people to stop.
"Check, check—testing, testing—is this thing onnnnn?"
He tapped the air, like it was a mic. His voice echoed perfectly through the sea of bodies, no speakers in sight. His smile? Disgustingly pleased with himself.
"Ahhh, beautiful acoustics. Anyway!"
He spread his arms wide like some discount game show host.
"Congratulations! You lucky folks have been chosen to participate in the Main Quest. Don't worry, it's suuuper easy~"
He winked. Actually winked.
"We handpicked every one of you for a reason!"
That reason, I was 99% sure, was "Looked dumb enough to fall for a fake vacation giveaway."
"Now, the Main Quest is—"
"HEY!"
Someone shouted from the crowd, cutting Loki off mid-sentence.
His head snapped toward the noise like a cat hearing a can opener. I couldn't see who yelled—too many bodies in the way—but their voice rang out loud and clear, like it was being broadcast straight into my ear canal. Definitely intentional.
Loki blinked. Then tilted his head.
"Hmmmmmmmmmm?"
It wasn't confusion. It was that slow, dangerous curiosity
Like a Predator.
"I was promised a vacation!" the voice continued. "A week in paradise! Beaches, drinks, the whole thing! So who the hell are you supposed to be?!"
The crowd shifted. A few people mumbled in agreement, like they were suddenly remembering their brochures too.
Loki's grin widened.
"Oh?" he purred. "A vacation, huh?"
He floated a little higher, hands behind his back now, like a teacher about to drop a pop quiz.
"Well then, I do hope you brought sunscreen."
"Wha-"
Snap.
That was all he managed to get out.
One second, he was yelling.
The next?
Screaming.
A twisted, blood-curdling scream ripped through the air as black smoke erupted from the crowd like someone set off a human firework. The stench of scorched flesh followed immediately after.
People backed away in panic. Some shrieked. Others vomited.
I craned my neck, barely catching a glimpse.
The guy was still alive.
Barely.
Crackling black flames ate away at his body like it was made of paper. He dropped to his knees, clawing at his own face as it peeled like overcooked meat.
Loki floated above it all, smiling like a proud chef watching his soufflé rise.
"Tsk. Manners, my friend," he said cheerfully, clapping his hands again. "We don't interrupt the host. That's just rude~"
People tried to leave, trying to swim away, but where stopped by some sort of Invisible barrier...
The guy collapsed with a final wheeze, skin bubbling, eyes long since gone. A small ding sounded as a notification window blinked above his smoking corpse:
「Player #4402 has been eliminated.」
Loki gave the charred body a quick glance… then kept talking like nothing happened.
"Now, as I was saying."
He twirled in the air mid-sentence, arms outstretched like a game show host who just unveiled a brand-new car.
"Welcome to the Main Quest! You lucky few, well, eight thousand or so...Well, 7,999 have been selected by divine decree to participate in the most thrilling, blood-pumping, god-approved survival event of the century!"
He grinned. "No refunds."
The crowd was dead silent. No one dared interrupt again. Some people looked ready to piss themselves. Others already had.
I, meanwhile, was doing my best not to throw up from the barbecue smell.
Loki clapped again, a floating holographic screen blinking into existence behind him. It shimmered with gold lettering
[MAIN QUEST #1 – SURVIVE EKKLESION]
Objective: Don't die.
Duration: 1 Week
Rewards: 1,000 Coins
Failure: Death. Obviously.
"Simple rules, right?" Loki beamed.
"Just survive. Make some friends. Kill some enemies. Maybe get a sponsor. Who knows! Anything can happen!"
He winked. "And yes, for those wondering, there are prizes. Coins, skill books, items, you name it."
"We've even got vending machines now!"
Someone actually raised their hand. The bravery.
Loki ignored them.
"Anywho~ The first phase will begin shortly. But before that, why don't we spice things up a bit?"
He snapped his fingers.
And just like that, the ground beneath us shattered.
■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■
[MAIN QUEST #1 – SURVIVE EKKLESION]
Objective: Don't die.
Duration: 1 Week
Rewards: 1,000 Coins
Failure: Death. Obviously.