"Glad to know that it was all for something"
"I'm sorry, First. I never thought of that. I admit that I got angry with you for leaving me but… Thank you." I also apologized and said how much I feel bad towards him. My sincere message to him—asking for forgiveness and being grateful for what he did for me.
"Anytime. I'm sorry too and thank you for being alive." I smiled. I might not see him in person right now while in the game, I can feel his tone. After our dramatic scene, we are now planning how to solve the connectivity problem we encountered. First told me about how I did not die in Gehenna's fatal stare. He did something to my inventory as part of the game options in exchange for our communication and his control over me. Glad to know that it was all for something.
"There's a map here. You need to stay in a hotel first. In the meantime, we can use voice communication and describe to me where you are now then I'll give you the directions."
He mentioned to me that my life percentage is only 91%. It must have been because of the first encounter with Gehenna. To help him, I tell him and describe my position and environment.
"Okay, turn right on that street."
I just follow the directions he tells me to find the hotel where I will stay. While walking and getting cold, I asked him. "Can you still control me even if you can't see me?"
"That's the good news, yes I can. I can prevent you from an attack."
It's still quiet here and the streetlights provide light. It is dawn, so it was getting a little brighter and there were a few people walking. I'm getting tired because I have a wound making it harder to walk when it's snowing, and I walk quite a distance.
"Are you fine?" he suddenly asked. How many times has he asked me of this? First is really a thoughtful person.
"Yes," I don't want to worry him anymore. If we'll have better progress in exchange for my rest, then I'm willing to give it up.
"Next, sit on that bench for a minute." I was a little confused when he next gave me a weird direction. "I know you're hurt. I can tell it by your hard and heavy breathing. You also walk slowly and carefully even though that area has been cleared with heavy snow."
My eyebrows met at what he said. Did he find out I was injured just because of that? He cornered me and I had no loopholes. I just followed what he said. I sat on a bench. I think I'm in a park. It was mildly snowing on the side of the road but not in the middle compared to the heavy snow we had earlier. I saw that there were people cleaning the street and removing the snow.
"How did you know there was no snow on my path?"
"It has no sound—the sound of snow touching and rubbing against your leather shoes. Also, I can hear a sound of metal thing from a distant against concrete." He deciphered my situation just by the sound I and my surroundings produce. He already knew the snow was being cleared on the road. He told me to wrap a scarf around my wound, which I did.
"You're here"
I raised my head and looked up at the 8-story hotel. 'The Grand Chase Hotel'. I entered the hotel's lobby. Although this hotel is not too big, it is stylish and cozy. I met the beautiful woman who is smiling. She must be a receptionist
"Bonjour," She greeted me, I guess.
I raised my two eyebrows asking 'what did you say? Excuse me, please '.
"Que puis-je faire pour vous, madame?"
What is she talking about? I can't understand a thing.
"Um, can I have a room?"
"Quel type de chambre voulez-vous?"
"How're you?" I heard First's voice.
"First, why can't I understand what she's saying?"
I saw the woman frown. Probably wondering who I was talking to, I immediately turned away from the woman to talk to First.
"Oh, I forgot. This is a virtual reality game, the settings changed. Look what's outside."
When First said that, I looked outside the hotel and I was shocked...
Eifel T-Tower? Earlier I was near Big Ben in England and now there's an Eifel Tower!
"That's right. It changes from time to time. I'll now change the language settings. What language do you like?"
"English, please," I sighed from First's question. What other language should it be? Kidding.
"Affirmative"
If there's an Eifel Tower, it's in French what the receptionist said that I can't understand.
"You may now talk with her. There's money in your pocket. By the way, you can turn on our communication line by biting your lower lip once, and twice when you want to turn it off."
"Alright, I can do this. We'll talk later after I rest." I have bitten the lower part of my lip twice.
I confronted the receptionist again and took the smallest and cheapest room for me. I only need a solo room to save money for future use. I took the elevator to go to the 2nd floor. I exited the elevator and searched for room 205. When I found it, I pressed the device card instead of a key to open it. I went inside and saw a small bed, a small bedside table and lampshade, a cabinet, and a bathroom.
I took off my jacket, bonnet, and gloves. There is a heater and air conditioner to keep me warm. I also removed the scarf wrapped around my wound. I went to the bathroom to wash away the dried blood. After doing that, I laid myself down on the soft bed and fell asleep.
***
I yawned, stretched, and gaped. It's nice to fall asleep in this type of weather. I looked out the window and it was snowing. I looked at the wall clock opposite the cabinet. It's 9:00 am. I had six hours of sleep. My body feels refreshed. The Eiffel Tower is visible from my window. How I wish I always get to see such a view every day. By the way, I have to talk to First. I bit my lower lip once.
"Hey, how's the day?" I even preceded First to speak. He seems very eager to talk to me.
"I feel better." Funny how sleep can recharge a person's body and mind.
"That's great. Umm... there's..." he said hesitantly.
"Hm?" I asked him what he meant.
"You know... that thing after you wake up... on your lips?"
On my lips? I touched my lip and...
"Oh!"
"S-Sorry, I didn't mean to..." This is what he meant. "Hahaha!" I thought he would be sorry, but he just laughed.
Oh no. I forget that it's been over 5 hours and First can already see me on his screen. He just continued to apologize but with a mixture of laughter and teasing as I wipe my drool off my mouth. When I got up, I noticed that there were pamphlets, booklets, and fliers on the small bedside table. I took one and what is written here is all about the hotel. 'TGCH' are the acronyms of the hotel. I shrugged and took a shower. After bathing and getting dressed I spoke to First again.
"What are we going to do?" I asked him for a plan.
"You need to leave the hotel and fight those minions of Gehenna."
"What? He has minions?"
"Yes, our only goal is to defeat Gehenna. But I think we must first defeat the lower-class enemies and then we'll plan on how to trample their heinous leader."
"Where can we find the minions?" I didn't think that Gehenna would have such a thing. This would make the game harder to accomplish than it already is.
"I can detect some of them in Dark Street near the hotel." First can see the mission objectives of the game on his screen. He discusses everything with me in detail and asks for my opinion regarding it.
"For now, our first mission is to kill all of his minions. Gehenna has minions that's why he can murder his victims stealthy without any trace, witnesses, and even the police can't capture him." So, that's the purpose of his minions. That'll be one tough to crack.
"How can we fight them?" I'm starting to get anxious about this. After all, I am not used to fighting in real life not even in video games.
"There are weapons in your inventory. I'll select one of them and be in charge of your motion for combat fighting." I sighed. "Don't worry, they're just a bunch of small fry." First reassured me that he will do his best in maneuvering my weapon and movements.
I have turned off our communication to save time. I peeked out the window and it was still a bit snowy, so I put on a jacket, bonnet, scarf, and gloves. My wound is getting a good recovery since it was just minor. It healed more quickly than expected but there was still a trace of scratches. I took my room's card and left the hotel. I told First that we will talk later when I go to the Dark Street he mentioned. I insisted to move on my own until we find the Dark Street then First can freely control me if there's an attempt of an enemy attack. He agreed as long as I'm good with it.
There are people outside walking, strolling their pets, and driving their cars. Everything seems normal. I can ask someone where Dark Street is. I was still walking around and looking for signage of what the streets are called but I couldn't find one.
"Young lady, are you asking where that street is?" an old man approached and asked me. He is carrying an old basket and he wears dirty clothes.
"Ah, yes. I am kind of lost in here," I chuckled. "Why do the streets here don't have signages?" I asked him since I pondered why I see no single street labels here.
"There was an incident here. A number of houses and properties were damaged." That's why some of the lots here are empty, rugged, and unused. "What street are you looking for?"
"The Dark Street"
"Come, I'll lead you," I felt sorry for the old man, so I helped him walk because he was limping. I carried his basket which was quite heavy. I looked around. When the old man said that there was an incident, it didn't seem to be obvious at first glance because there are few establishments and houses with several people living in them. I thought they might have fixed and renovated their properties before the signages.
"Here we are"
Absorbed by my thoughts, it wasn't long enough, and we reached the destination. We are now in the so-called Dark Street. I got weirded out when my hair stood on end. The aura here is a bit eerie compared to the previous streets we've passed. There are no people except the two of us.
This must be called Dark Street for a reason.
"Thank you for guiding me here," I gave him the basket I carried.
"Bwahahaha!"
I was surprised by the old man's laughter. It took him for a while before he stopped. I feel awkward and shy. He grabbed his basket when he stared at me. A stern pair of brown eyes are currently staring at me that stoned me. Wait, those eyes with that kind of stare, I've seen that before…That laugh… Gehenna? No, Gehenna's eyes in his real form have bright red eyes. But why do I get the same Gehenna vibe as this old man?
I was even more surprised by his transformation. He got taller and looks younger aged 16-18 years old. His eyes became pure black staring deadly at me. He is now has a body of an ordinary young man. I think his eyes are the only part that didn't change. My eyes widened when I saw that there are two... four... They became six! Six of them came out from his back. They all look alike, a total of six clones. They are dressed in a black cloak. I immediately bit my lower lip once.
"First!" I shrieked into thin air as the seven monsters surrounded me with their deadly stare.
Is this really the Dark Street? Or did the old man lure me here? This is quite an isolated area.
"Second, be calm as much as you can. We are now facing them." Thank goodness, First is here with me.
"Them?" I pondered. Who are 'them'?
"The minions"
"Eh?!" the old man that turned himself into a younger version and cloned himself into six are Gehenna's minions? There are seven of them. First and I was the only two. "What now?" I admit that I've no idea in my mind right now. This is so sudden!
"Try asking them what they want"
I inhaled and exhaled to compose myself. "Y-You are Gehenna's henchmen, right?" I boldly questioned them.
"We are! And we're here to kill you!" a demonic strange voice came out to one of them who spoke.
"I am now activating your weapon... Okay, grenade, pistol, bow, and arrow, or a sword?"
I thought for a moment as the seven gradually approached me and planned to corner me. I also backed away while sweating from the cold.
"I don't know anything about that. Anything will work."
I knelt quickly to pick up the metal scrap beside my feet after I stepped backward to near myself in a trash bin. I swayed it up and down, left and right to the seven minions, but they weren't threatened even for a bit. They just grinned and stared at me sharply.
"I think the pistol will suit you-"
"Hurry up, First!"
One minion started attacking me with his fist targeting my face. I dodged it… No, First made me dodge it. I sighed with relief because he can successfully control being in the middle of a battle.
"There's a problem. I can't click the pistol as your weapon. I already tried others still can't."
What is the meaning of this?! The minion continued beating me up but First is good at keeping me out from those punches.
"There's a dialogue box. It says, 'solve the riddle first to activate the weapon that the system has chosen for the player'." First is confused as well.
"What riddle? Tell me," I requested. "Ah!"
I was staggered at the speed of events. Another minion attacked me, so I closed my eyes but I saw myself using my two hands to block the two clone's fists.
"First?" I asked him for a follow-up about the riddle he mentioned. For now, we can fight some of them with pure combat, but we will be needing weapons to outdo all of them.
"Because of the stupid system thing, I'll control you by combating without using any weapons for a while. While they're attacking you, I'll control your movements and solve the riddle."
The two clones backed away because I pushed them—of course, it was First.
Wait, he's controlling me, and he'll solve the riddle at the same time? Will be able to fight seven of them even without a weapon. Moreover, First will have a hard time controlling me as he solves the riddle. As I observe myself, I feel like I am doing some sort of mixed martial arts with an empty hand. The two of them continue to attack while the remaining five remained standing on the side. We're already having a hard time defeating the two what more if the seven will attack simultaneously? First and I continue to cast defense to counter their attacks.
"First, you'll take care of my moves. We can't beat them with this. Tell me the riddle, I'll answer." I volunteered to do so. First will use his mind for maneuvering my movements and his mind to create unpredictable defense and attacks. I will use my mind for solving the riddle and my body to fight the minions in combat.
"But-"
"Hurry!" This is all I can help First with. I know it's hard to comprehend two things at the same time.
"It's not really a riddle. There's only a clue given to solve this. The clue is 'The hotel where the player stays'."
"How did that turn out to be a riddle?"
"Look out!"
"Argh!"
"Are you alright?!" he asked worriedly.
"I can do it,"
A clone hit my left leg. In this game, I can feel real physical, emotional, mental pain. A big disadvantage on our part but this also means we can hurt and kill the minions too. I ignored the pain and let First do his work. He insisted that he also wanted to solve the riddle, so I let him. I can feel the skin, flesh, and bones of the clones every time they attack. Okay, time to solve the riddle.
'The hotel where the player stays''
That's the clue. Hotel? At 'The Grand Chase Hotel'. What's up there?
"Second, there's another clue. It' is 'Acronym Strokes'," First said.
Hmm... Hotel, Strokes? A kind of an illness as in stroke? Or the one when writing?
Wait, in the fliers I read earlier about the hotel, the hotel is also known by its acronym, 'TGCH'
What do the acronym strokes have to do with this? Does it ask how many strokes there are to write the letters T-G-C-H?
Let's try... T = 2, G = 2, C = 1, H = 3... 2 + 2 + 1 + 3 = 8
8 is the answer, I guess.
"There's a clue again. 'Co-character'."
Is my co-character First since he's my pair? Oh, but he's a player who controls the character in-game. It must be I, Fourth, Sixzen, Aiezen, Sectwen, and Aeith. 8 acronym strokes and Aeith (8th) is one of my co-characters.
The hotel and Aeith have a connection to solve this one.
"Another clue. 'Game categories' order'." Clues are slowly showing up.
'The Grand Chase Hotel' or TGCH. The TGCH has eight strokes on its acronyms. Coincidentally, the hotel has eight floors. And I also have a co-character, Aeith who is currently playing in another game category... now, what did Aeith choose again? We stumbled on my last chosen game category, 'The Firearm Assassination'. It asks the order of the game categories. I recalled the place where we selected our game categories. It was a rounded-shaped area with elevators surrounding us and we were standing at the center. It is hard to remember which game category is first since I didn't memorize the virtual door numbers written just the names of each door.
Remember it, Heavien. Recall it one more time. Wait, Author talked about first 'The MMA combat' then... second! Second among the game categories that Author mentioned was 'The Firearm Assassination' and mine is 'The Nightmare Enigma' which was sixth, the last one.
Apart from my number name, Second (2nd), what's with the second?
"First, any more clues?" This time I asked him. There must be a new one.
I was too busy solving the riddle that there are already four clones attacking me! No wonder First stayed silent because he too is busy dealing with them.
"Yeah. It says, 'Last clue: Room number…" Uh-oh, just one last clue remaining. I hope we'll get this. " 'then eliminate the number you got previously,' "
I stay on the 2nd floor of the hotel. My room number is 205. The number I got earlier as an answer is second so that's number 2. Is that 205 minus 2?
"First, try 203"
"Sure," I waited for his response. "It says incorrect." I am currently running away from the seven minions because we can't win like this. We can't commence an attack, purely on defense and running.
"How'd you get 203?" First asked.
"The second to the last clue, I got second as an answer which is number 2. I subtracted my room number, 205 to number two and got 203." My solution must've been wrong. No, all of them might be wrong. Ah! This is so hard.
"Second, a dialogue box appeared. It says, 'Riddle solved."
"Wait, how?" First made myself hide in an abandoned warehouse to buy some time while the minions are looking for me.
"Good deduction, Second. The last clue says to eliminate not to subtract. The answer is number zero and five."
It took me a second to get what he said. So, that's it. I should've eliminated number 2 in 205. How slow-witted of me.
"The screen shows the weapons that you can use." I let First choose whatever weapon he wants. "A sword. I'll click it."
Wow, a sword. That was a courageous move of him. My hands trembled when I felt I'm holding something in my right hand which is quite heavy. I looked at it and it really is a long sharp double-edged sword.
"I will be in charge of controlling you with the sword."
With the oncoming minions, I commenced my sword and ran closer to seven.
"Hya!"
I keep on wielding the sword. First is quite skillful in doing defense than attacks. This is a good strategy because we need a stronger defense because we're against these seven. As time passes by, I notice that my stamina, agility, flexibility, and coordination are greater compared to when I fight a single minion. Not only did I have a weapon, but my entire physique transformed as well. First can see the minions' vital parts on his screen so he strategized his moves and hit it on the spot to each of them. Each minion has different vital parts that serve as their both strength and weakness—arms, feet, neck, eyes, abdomen, head, and chest. We managed to hit a stab on the neck, eyes, abdomen, head, and chest while the arms and feet were cut into pieces. Yes, it's brutal that I held my stomach for long. All the minions died and turn to ashes. This battle was a great success.
Right after we finished all of them, I vomited. I felt very tired with every blow I made when fighting the seven. I have more scratches than before when I faced Gehenna. That is to be expected since we just fought seven of them. I sat on a bench. I stared at the sword I was holding. It is silver and had a sharp tip and edges. I lifted it and saw my reflection on its blade.
"Hey, are you alright?"
First turned on our communication. Either of us can turn it on or off.
"Yes, thank you."
After that, he also thanked and praised me because I answered the riddle correctly—he must mean 'almost' correctly. Anyway, that was a great team-up that we've had. I'm glad that my partner is First. And I hope he also feels the same.
"Take a full rest"
"I'm good," I stood up, planning to go back to the hotel or we'll talk about finding Gehenna, our major target to finally finish this game. "Let's go for Gehenna."
"Apparently, there are still eight minions, a total of fifteen."
I choked on my saliva and almost stumbled on a stone.
"Fifteen?!"
Why are there 15 minions then, I thought there are only 7 of them?
"Want to continue our first mission?" Ah, this is only the first mission which is to get rid of the minions but then there are 15 of them.
I sighed first. "All right. Let's finish the remaining eight today. And tomorrow, we'll do another mission." my persistent response to him.