The golden boss's collapse sent shockwaves through the city, both in-game and in the real world. Kael staggered to his feet, gripping the edge of a shattered wall for support. Liora was beside him, her chest rising and falling as she fought to steady herself. Around them, the streets were littered with fallen monsters, disabled players, and the lingering hum of neural feedback warning of overexertion.
Then, the notification appeared—blindingly bright, across every player's HUD, every screen broadcasting Deathrun globally:
"SPECIAL SPAWN ELIMINATED: Golden Leviathan DEFEATED. Rewards Distributed. New Threats Imminent."
Cheers erupted from players who had survived, while the global audience erupted in disbelief. Kael's screen displayed XP and rare loot credits that skyrocketed beyond the usual maximum. He felt a momentary thrill—but it was fleeting. Something in the system felt… off.
Liora turned to him, voice tight. "Kael… this doesn't feel right. The system didn't normally broadcast that kind of message. Not for a boss, no matter how big."
Before he could respond, the air shimmered nearby. A group of figures emerged, their avatars dark, familiar—but not friendly. Kael's stomach dropped. Among them were some of the players he'd counted as allies in previous dungeon runs, the ones who had laughed with him, fought beside him, even exchanged strategies. Their names hovered above their heads, but twisted with a strange crimson tint: "Corrupted".
One stepped forward, smirking. "You really thought surviving the Leviathan would earn you trust? Cute."
Kael's heart skipped. "What… what happened to you guys?"
Liora's eyes narrowed, scanning the corrupted allies. "I warned you. Some players… Deathrun doesn't forgive loyalty or friendship. It tests more than just skill—it tests trust."
The leader of the corrupted group—his former friend and dungeon partner, Ren—stepped closer. "You've been made an example. You survive the boss, get rewards, everyone celebrates… but the moment you think you can trust anyone, the game reminds you: it's not about friendship. It's about survival."
Kael's fingers tightened around his sword. Betrayal burned hotter than any neural feedback. These were the people he had relied on—people who had seemed loyal—turned into hunters under the game's control.
Liora stepped beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Kael… we need to fight. Together. But don't let your guard down. If the game can turn friends against you, nothing is safe."
The corrupted players advanced, their attacks swift and coordinated. Kael dodged a strike aimed at his side, barely managing a counter with a slash that forced Ren back. The neural interface screamed with pain as his body strained, each movement amplified by the game's relentless feedback.
The streets became a battlefield once more, but this time, Kael realized the game wasn't just throwing monsters at him. It was testing loyalty, exploiting human bonds, and punishing trust. Every ally could be a threat; every corner could hide betrayal.
Amid the chaos, a global chat notification blinked in red:
"PLAYER BETRAYAL DETECTED: Initiating Corruption Protocol. Further Boss Encounters Will Adapt to Player Alliances."
Kael swallowed, chest tight. He glanced at Liora. "So… it's not just the monsters we have to worry about. It's everyone we think we can trust."
Her expression was grim. "Exactly. And the Leviathan was just the beginning."
The city trembled as the corrupted players closed in. Kael gritted his teeth. Survival wasn't just about strength anymore—it was about outthinking the game, outlasting the lies, and surviving a world where death was only one wrong move away.
And somewhere deep in Deathrun's code, something smiled. The true trial had only just begun.