Episode 1 - Unlucky Chance

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My eyes felt heavy for some reason but I still forced them to open. I tried to rub my eyes and stretch like every time I woke up but then I realized my hands were tied behind the chair I was sitting on.

'No wonder the sleep was uncomfortable...I was sleeping on the chair...huh?'

My sight is a bit blurred but I can see a dark forest under the night sky around me.

'Where...? Wait, wrong question. Who tied me here and why?!'

I tried to remember what happened before I fell asleep but nothing crossed my mind. I struggled a bit to loose the rope but in the end the chair fell backward and I banged the back of my head on the floor.

Wait...floor?

I reopened my eyes and the sight of the dark forest was all gone, replaced with a small metallic room and chains around...like a torture place. Weirdest part is, the rope around hand is now gone, the chair too. It's like they've never been there at all.

I looked around trying to find a door to get out of this place and then I flinched as a 'beep' resounded inside my head.

[Welcome to the Underworld Labyrinth. Please input your name to be registered.]

"Wha..?" My brain stopped braining for a moment as I process the screen in front of me. Then, a thought crossed my mind.

"Ahh, it's that famous virtual reality game, is it? I see, I see." I nodded with a smile planted on my face like an idiot and moved my hand to type on a username but then I stopped. "I don't remember buying the set though."

No, wait. Does the VR game exist to begin with? As far as I remember, my world hasn't reached the era where it could recreate those VR functions like in animes or novels yet.

So what's this?

Well, for now, let's try playing along, I guess. I'll know for sure sooner or later. I'd rather sooner though.

My finger gently touched the screen and a holo keyboard appeared. I was stunned for a moment, experiencing this super high tech is everyone's dream after all. Maybe I was kidnapped to be some kinda new technology tester? I'm definitely telling my friends about this once I get back.

After struggling whether to write what name, I settled on my real life name and pressed enter. Then, another holo screen appeared before me.

[Hello, Jungmin. Please choose what class you'll be playing. Click on the class for more details.]

> Swordsman

> Mage

> Archer

> Assassin

> Tank

> Scout

'Oh, this is a game after all.'

I mean, it does say this is the Underworld Labyrinth, I guess. Anyways, normally I'd chosen the swordsman class without doubt but now that this is a virtual reality, it'd be scary to fight with ugly disgusting monsters close range, no? I clicked it regardless and checked the class details.

[Swordsman -Vanguard-]

The usual class chosen by almost all soldiers, wielding a sword and carry the offense.

Equipments: Longsword, Medium Armour Set

Specialty: Attack Chains

For crying out loud, this is not much details. Just a useless description and common knowledge, tsk. I clicked other classes too to check out their details.

[Mage -Midguard-]

A non-existent class in the real world but a very common one in games. Uses magic to attack and buff/debuff.

Equipments: Staff, Light Armour Set

Specialty: Massive Number Annihilation

The specialty sounds overpowered, but not really, I guess. If fighting against two or three enemy, I'm likely to die first. Not like a mage can solo anyways...mostly. Next is Archer.

[Archer -Rearguard-]

A great class that could greatly affect the battle based on the number. Shoot arrows from behind cover.

Equipments: Bow and Arrow, Light Armour Set

Specialty: Multiple Arrows Shot

...this is a labyrinth game, right? What's with all the descriptions that refers to warlike situations? Totally shady.

[Assassin -Midguard-]

Not so often found because of the hard control of skills, but yet very powerful if used properly.

Equipments: Daggers and Throwing Picks, Light Armour Set

Specialty: Quick Death

This one is fine, I guess. Maybe I should try this one? I'd really love to use throwing picks honestly, though my aim sucks.

[Tank -Vanguard-]

Quite a rare class because most people doesn't have the physical ability to handle heavy equipments. A good class and make great combo with archers.

Equipments: Greatsword or Longsword and Shield, Heavy Armour Set

Specialty: Damage Absorption

Mm, not my taste. Next.

[Scout -Free position-]

A common class for scouting areas and obtaining intels. Not very good with attacking and focused on agility.

Equipments: Shortsword, Light Armour Set

Specialty: Info Broker

This is a totally useless class if you don't have allies so I'm definitely not gonna choose that. All in all, I'd probably have swordsman, the best class for soloers. Doesn't look like I have any options to begin with, most classes are for people with teams.

I let out a sigh as I moved my hand to press the swordsman class.

[Successfully changed your class to Swordsman. Beginner's Equipments have been sent into your inventory. Changing class in the future will require a special item.]

I pressed the screen again and the inventory screen appeared with a set of Novice equipments and I clicked them to equip. Might as well enjoy the game as long as I can before I got logged out. I should expect bugs, maybe I was forced to join some kinda game testing program.

As the equipments stick onto me, the walls surrounding the room disperse bit by bit from the ceiling to the ground, revealing a narrow hallway in a fork with only the blue flames lighting the way. What a smooth transition, for a test. I'd definitely buy the game after it's released.

I walked along a random hallway as I hummed, thinking that I was lucky to be chosen as one of the game testers. Of course, I was a fool at the time.

Never would I expect what lies ahead of me, nor the cruel truth that will soon be revealed unto me. It was all I could do to keep my sanity stable.

It was all I could do to avenge my friends and allies.

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Infinite Level Labyrinth (Remastered)

Prologue

-End-

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