Chapter 27.1
Chapter 27.1
TIME: 02:26/09/13/2040
Allied Guilds: Hero, LEON, Zenobia, Anastasia, Six, Ren, Bridget, Blade, Agnes, Guerre, Dunkelheit.
Twelve guilds had initially embarked on this quest, but with the Indian guild Akash’s withdrawal, only eleven remained.
“Don’t destroy Zone 11, please.” Judai whispered to the shadowy figure who, despite repeated pleas, seemed fixated on his watch. This was the ninth time he’d asked. Beneath the inky black robe, the man’s red eyes flashed.
Shade. The genius player who, since Escape’s launch three years ago, had never relinquished his top rank. He was only twenty-one. Shrouded in rumor, he never revealed himself in the real world. Consequently, his gaming addiction was common knowledge.
“Maintaining rank one requires constant gameplay. Isn’t that obvious?”
“Our guild leader…it’s not about that.”
Judai, maintaining a relatively close relationship with the Korean guild Hero, was one of the few players privy to Shade’s circumstances. He’d mentioned having no family.
Meeting outside of Escape is practically taboo.
It wasn’t forbidden. Why would it be? Friends in a hyperrealistic game like this should be friends outside, too.
But Escape was… different. The terrifying realism of the characters. The permadeath. It all contributed to a world distinct from reality. Thus, bringing in-game relationships into the real world was uncommon.
For Shade, Escape was reality. His family, his friends, existed solely within this digital world. His fierce dedication had a story.
“Two hours.” The moment the ‘6’ on the clock flipped to a ‘7’, Shade, silent until then, rose. All eyes swiveled towards him.
“Remind everyone to remember their positions.” With this curt warning to Judai, Shade leaped into the teleport. A flash of light, and he vanished. Those watching, faces tense, rose one by one.
It was time. Time for payback against the monsters that had trampled them. Judai regretted not making it an even ten warnings. He had a feeling Shade wouldn’t hesitate to wreak havoc in Zone 11.
And that premonition solidified the moment he stepped out of the teleport with his comrades.
***
Necromancers, commanders of the dead, are not invincible. Their inherent fragility as mages is well known. However, overpowered characters exist everywhere.
Tank, damage dealer, healer. Shade was a tank-damage hybrid. ‘So what if his summons take the hits? As long as he doesn’t.’
“Holy s**t. I’m actually seeing this.”
A colossal skeleton, its skull scraping the ceiling, dominated the landscape as they entered Zone 11.
“[Respice post te. Hominem te esse memento. Memento mori!]”
The skeleton, draped in a massive robe like its master, unleashed a chilling shriek. Serpientes swarmed towards it like ants. It was a spectacular sight. Zone 11, reminiscent of the panopticon, had a single, open ceiling and a central shaft plunging into the depths below. The skeletal giant, standing at the bottom of this abyss, swiped its hand, obliterating the Serpientes clinging to each level.
With every swipe, tens, hundreds of Serpientes plummeted into the central void. Crimson eyes in dark sockets swiveled, seeking the next victims. A true emissary of hell.
The Serpientes’ sharp teeth were useless against the giant’s bones. What could they possibly bite?
“[Memento mori!]”
With each shriek, lower-ranked players clutched their ears, paralyzed by fear. Some bled from their ears.
‘If hell exists, it must look like this.’
This was a world rank one raid.
Even Judai swallowed hard, staring at Shade’s legendary summon, a sight he’d witnessed only twice before.
“What… what’s it saying? What language is that? English?”
“Latin.” An Italian player, who had been dumbstruck by the spectacle, answered the terrified question.
“‘Respice post te. Hominem te esse memento. Memento mori.’ ‘Look behind you. Remember that you are mortal. Remember you must die.’”
Discussion
0 CommentsReactions
No comments yet.