"People either keep a secret for good or for their own good."
I was given a name that is strange to me, but this is better than nothing. I'm not used to being called a number, but I'm glad that I can finally call my friends properly. How strange this place is. It might be completely identical to Earth, but this one works wonders. We encountered a monster that we thought we wouldn't be able to defeat. It was a close one. We lived in a big and tall infrastructure that no one knows how it was built. It was not bad at all because, aside from living comfortably with unlimited resources, we were able to form bonds. Things got worse when more of us had died. These are no longer accidental deaths, but playing the game kills us gradually. Author's games that stole the lives of my friends. From clones, basketball, volleyball, crazy maze, flying monster, underwater, and this digital gaming world. All of these are absurd, but we have no choice but to be resilient. Toying with our minds and bodies has never been fun. But then I remember I have a purpose for someone. And it must be done with the strength and dedication I have. I don't know if I would forgive myself for not fulfilling it, but I'll give it my all.
"You will now play the Health Level: Stage 1, the virtual reality games!"
Why do I hear Author's voice?
Chapter 21
We were inside a glass tube. I was nervous because I had no idea what was going to happen. My nape also hurts, and I was able to determine the letter H on it. The weird thing is, I also saw First with the letter L on his nape earlier. I wondered what would happen in this game. When I opened my eyes, I was amazed at what I saw. We are six characters here inside the game and in the control room are the players. I was just silent as I stood because. We heard Author speak again. We were standing in front of the six doors. I'm here in the virtual reality world. I looked at it and it wouldn't have been the game I wanted to play. I could hear First's worried voice while controlling my movements. Although I'm not confident of myself, I'm glad that First is there to guide me.
What is this? Why do I hear a girl's voice? It's like I'm the one speaking. Is it a dream again? Probably just a dream because our memories often come back every time, we fall asleep then we suddenly wake up.
I slowly opened my eyes as if I had no longer got startled by my dream. I didn't see anything, but I only heard the voice of the girl speaking in my voice. I checked carefully where I was again. From the dark surroundings, everything gradually brightened. I shuddered when I realized I was still bound. I'm in a glass tube. I burst into tears as the helmet opened on my head and the backrest lifted. I loosened up and escaped from the shackles. We won. I immediately stood up, then I saw First come out of a door— from the control room. He approached my glass cubicle and its door opened automatically. Without hesitation First hugged me before he spoke.
"You're safe. Thank you," Traces of joy and concern are evident in his tone.
I hugged him too and cried with so much fear, happiness... everything. This level was successful for both of us. I slipped out of the hug, and he wiped away my tears.
"How's your wounds?" He immediately touched my arm and face. He's checking my wounds when we're still in the virtual world.
I checked my whole self but miraculously I didn't have a single wound or scar. I didn't feel any pain. I thought that maybe even the pain, scars, bruises, and wounds I got in the game were also virtual. I looked at the others. They also hugged as if they had just met again. Everyone embraced as a group and there were some who couldn't stop their emotions. There were tears, laughter, and so on. Some of us started telling the others about their adventure while in the game. So... why aren't Sixzen and Ninth here?
*bell rings*
Everyone was stunned when we heard the bell and saw that Author's hologram was in the middle.
"Congratulations, battle 10. You won the Health Level: Stage 1!"
"Where's Ninth and Sixzen?" Thirtwen is looking for them. He's also in tears because of his joy after the game.
"As for Sixzen and Ninth, they lost the game and died."
I had an idea why the two weren't here, yet I didn't expect what I thought was right. I refuse to even think about another bad news from Author.
"The character, Sixzen, died in the game because she is incapable. The player, Ninth, lacks compassion and collaborative thinking." Author added to his melancholic announcement.
We might not know every detail that happened to them while in the game, I can't stop wondering what Author meant by Ninth's lack of compassion and collaborative thinking. Sixzen is a kind and cheerful person. Even though we don't talk much but we've shared some memories. As for Ninth, he can be arrogant sometimes, but I know he's a cooperative person based on our team-based games. Maybe he was just going through something, yet he performs well with our team.
"You may now leave this place." Author declared.
After a few reminders Author told us we left that white building. When everyone got out, it collapsed and was swallowed up by the ground. We were left hanging because of the game and the death of our two comrades. We walked and our leader, Third, planned for us to return to our tents first if it's still there to rest. We are all tired, physically, mentally, emotionally.
***
LOCATION: Open space landscape TIME: Dusk
When I woke up, it was already dusk. Good thing the tents here stayed here after we played a game. I sat on my mattress and watched Fourth sleep soundly. I came out of the tent and saw Aeith's back. She is seated on the ground and seems to be deep in thought. When she felt I poked her, she talked to me.
"Hey there!" she greeted me then smiled subtly. I smiled back but she immediately averted her eyes to me. "Pardon me for what happened," she apologized softly.
I put my ear to hers. "Hm?"
"Why are you so slow, Second? Don't make me repeat it," she pouted.
I was a little surprised by her behavior. I looked at her. She locked her head on his knees.
I poked her right arm. "Hey, what's your problem?"
After a while, she faced me again. "I'm sorry for what happened when Author made us choose by the doors... I-I didn't mean to do it. That's the easiest thing for me. When I went inside, I felt guilty." And then she covered her face.
I pat her and stroke her short black hair. I smiled because of the way he was acting now. It was as if she wasn't Aeith I had known to be. The one who's firm and doesn't sweat over the small stuff.
"That's okay with me. Well, at first, I was really upset with you. Eventually, I am thankful that I went to the last door."
She raised her head and looked at me with a confused face.
"Because even I didn't like 'The Nightmare Enigma'. But when First and I played, I discovered and learned a lot from a virtual reality game and a virtual character. So, you have nothing to worry about, okay?"
Aeith hugged me tightly.
"Guys!" We both turned from the voice of the modest girl, Fourth.
She approached us and sat down. Aeith to my left and Fourth to my right. We embraced each other, and Fourth sobbed. She apologized to all the girls because she was the first to enter 'The Coven's Domain'. Although, Aiezen and Sectwen didn't mind at all because they didn't want it in the first place. She also said she saw me entering that category, but she went ahead of me.
"It was really bad for me. I had too many guns! On Earth, I held a real gun, and it was heavy, but in the virtual world, it's as light as a ballpen!" Aeith has begun telling us her story.
"Mine has a lot of witches and warlocks. I have a wand and can cast magic spells. It looks fun at first, but it is petrifying! I was really scared, but thanks to Third, he supported me. I almost didn't do anything in the game because he always controls me." Fourth is sharing hers, too.
The three of us continue to share our experiences within the virtual reality game. I was glad that my two best friends were safe. Even though they were almost exhausted, they did not give up and continued to fight just like First and I did.