POV The Hero:
The vast empty spaces yawned between the tall, solemn columns of volcanic stone supporting the towering ceilings far above. Light filtered through high stained windows, depicting images of dragons and casting elongated shadows across the cold marble floor.
Each footstep and sound echoed as a dozen players wandered around, their weapons drawn in their hands.
"They took even the throne! Look at this; there is nothing left!" The three-meter-tall, green-skinned player in the front pointed at the empty elevated podium that should have housed the royal throne.
"Did we just win?" Another player, a girl in a skimpy skirt with a pair of cat ears peeking from her hairline, whispered, gazing at the majestic but abandoned throne room.
"We must have won! Just look at this; we have conquered their king's palace."
The hero, looking at his compatriots' behavior, only shook his head, already knowing the brutal secret of the game-like system.
