Murky stood there, completely frozen in front of him.
A puzzled expression was etched across his face. He couldn't make sense of the enigmatic message he had received from the nightmare system. His mind was struggling to comprehend its meaning.
Suddenly, a notification chimed, breaking the silence and echoing through his consciousness like a bell.
Ding!
In Murky's head, it seemed to be urging him to pay attention, but he shrugged it off.
The message unfolded before his eyes, revealing the existence of four distinct categories of nightmares.
[ To enter the new nightmare survival mode, a player had to complete a challenging task: successfully conquer the first nightmare survival and secure a place among the top one hundred participants.
[ If a player reached the top ranks on the first nightmare, they were rewarded with a safety net that protected them from death in the real world if they ever die in the new nightmare. Unlike if they are in the first nightmare, if they died in the first nightmare, they would also die in the real world.
[ However, there was a catch. If the player was surpassed by other players while facing their corresponding new nightmare, and their ranks have fallen to the one hundred and one or more, the safety net would become useless, leaving them at the mercy of fate in the second nightmare too.
[ Nevertheless, the rewards that awaited those who conquered all the nightmares were incredibly tempting… ]
The message went on, revealing an exciting opportunity for those brave enough to explore this uncharted territory of new nightmare.
Plus, if a player could reach the top one hundred ranks in each of the four new era nightmares, they would unlock rewards, depending on their ranks on each of the four new nightmares.
Murky stared at the screen, his mind racing with possibilities, when another system message interrupted him.
This time, it was about a player named StupidLove, a name that did not spark a curiosity within him.
Of course, because it was him.
The message revealed, Murky or StupidLove was a respected Champion in the nightmare 'Taming Thousand Hundreds of Dragons.'
The system asked a question:
Ding!
[ Should the player StupidLove enter the new nightmare? ]
A strong desire welled up within Murky, a longing that felt like something was missing from his own life.
In that fleeting moment, he found his answer.
It was a clear and unwavering "Yes," spoken without doubt or hesitation.
Deep inside, Murky felt a glimmer of confidence.
"Since I'm the champion in the first nightmare, it would be safe in there even without me possessing it," he mumbled.
His high rank in the first nightmare gave him some security against being surpassed by others. He knew that the nightmare survival itself would protect his avatar and preserve his existence.
That avatar, a reflection of himself, had a luck and talent far superior to lower-ranked avatars that are owned by other ranked players below him.
But amidst the triumphs lay a challenge. The points his avatar earned in the nightmares wouldn't contribute to his overall score.
They stayed confined within that realm, unable to affect his standing in the ranking.
Even if his clone avatar achieved great things in the nightmares, those points would be meaningless since it was controlled by the nightmare itself.
Still, Murky was confident he wouldn't be surpassed by others. After all, the nightmare points of others were too far from his nightmare points.
Even the one below him in his first world.
A bittersweet smile formed on Murky's face as he pondered his next move.
"Well," he said aloud, a mix of determination and acceptance in his words, "it's better to venture into the new nightmare than to wait here for a very long time doing nothing, hoping for a new week in that realm, the first nightmare again."
His gaze shifted to his outstretched arms, as if searching for hidden secrets. With a surge of strength, he clenched his fist, feeling the power coursing through him.
His muscles bulge, and his bones crackle with tension.
"I've been given an incredible reward, I can face any kind of Nightmares now," he said, his voice filled with awe and gratitude.
"The Draugrskins have granted me a Dragon gene, a lineage of unparalleled power that goes beyond the people around me. It's a bloodline intensity of the highest level, setting me apart from everyone else here, even compared to my Smilodon family bloodline."
Murky's words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of his revelation.
The transformation into a Draugr warrior, earned through a dangerous mission, was one of the most cherished gifts he had ever received.
But amidst the joy, a realization set in.
The points his avatar could earn in the nightmares, the feats he could accomplish, wouldn't contribute to his overall standing now since he's outside. They would be insignificant, like drops of water in an endless ocean.
Also Murky's absence from the nightmares meant others could surpass him, and his achievements would be overshadowed by those who remained in their first nightmare.
A determined glint appeared in Murky's eyes as he considered his options.
"Nevertheless," he spoke with conviction, his voice filled with determination, "it's just a minor setback. The new nightmare awaits, with its challenges and rewards. I will face them head-on."
He tightened his grip, feeling the strength coursing through his fingertips.
Suddenly, the system emitted a series of loud beeping sounds, capturing Murky's attention.
The noise echoed through the room, jolting his senses. As the beeping subsided, a vibrant message appeared on the screen in front of him:
Ding!
[ The player is male and will automatically select multiplayer mode. ]
Murky's eyes fixated on the screen, his mind struggling to comprehend the implications of this revelation.
Ding!
[ First, what is your name? ]
Reading this, a sense of déjà vu washed over Murky, leaving him stunned and confused.
He tried to make sense of it all, attributing the strange occurrence to the novelty of the nightmare he had just started.
His throat tightened, and he nervously swallowed, mustering the courage to respond. In a trembling voice, he uttered his familiar username, "StupidLove."
Without any delay, the system quickly displayed another message to him.
This time, it appeared as text on the screen.
[ Player StupidLove's second world: Progenitor versus Aliens series: 1 ]
The system message was announced.
As Murky read the words, he couldn't help but feel amazed. This second world was none other than his favorite series, Progenitor versus Aliens.
It was a fantastic movie-like creation that surpassed even his previous first nightmare with dragons in 'Taming Hundred thousands of dragons.'
Soon, excitement surged through him, mixed with a hint of nervousness.
"Is this for real?"
Murky exclaimed, unable to contain his surprise.
Progenitor versus Aliens was all about the intense battle between two alien creatures. Memories flooded his mind, bringing forth vivid images of the fearsome Weremorphs.
These grotesque beings looked like skinless and eyeless humanoids, resembling dogs.
Their enormous three-fingered hands had razor-sharp claws, making them a formidable threat.
Murky even remembered their most devastating weapon, the infectious rabies. Once someone was infected, they would turn into one of these nightmarish creatures, continuing the cycle of horror.
While the Weremorphs were deeply etched in Murky's memory, he also knew about the Progenitors.
These advanced aliens were famous for their insatiable thirst for blood. They were fierce warriors who absorbed the life essence of their prey, gaining power from spilled blood.
The more blood they consumed, the more skilled they became with futuristic, technologically advanced weapons.
This made them unbeatable on the battlefield even against the group of Weremorphs.
Suddenly, the system plunged Murky into darkness, blocking his vision completely.
Kachang!
He involuntarily jerked when he heard that unknown sound, feeling disoriented just like when he was thrown into the first nightmare of 'Taming Hundred thousands of dragons.'
Krooom!
A loud boom echoed through the void, and as the darkness lifted, a gentle breeze brushed against his skin, bringing a sense of calmness.
Murky could feel a noticeable shift, as if he had moved from a virtual world to something entirely real.
Suddenly, a bright burst of light appeared in the sky, taking Murky by surprise.
He found himself floating in the Earth's atmosphere, looking down at the continents, islands, and the countries they formed.
"Huh?"
He murmured, trying to make sense of the strange situation he was in. Even though nothing had happened yet, a wave of unease washed over him, making the hairs on his back stand up and alerting him to potential danger.
Ding!
[ The player StupidLove entered the first nightmare with an advantage. However, since the player has transitioned to this new nightmare, the advantage shall be nullified. No additional time allowance shall be given to player StupidLove. ]
The system message was announced, crushing Murky's hopes.
The harsh reality hit him, revealing that the time and preparation he had gained in the previous nightmare with Snow White were now lost.
It slipped away from him like sand, leaving him vulnerable and unprepared for the challenges that lay ahead in this second nightmare.
However, he already gained abilities from the first nightmare, so it didn't affect him that much.
Yet, a sinking feeling gnawed at Murky, suggesting that the loss of advantages didn't explain the sudden surge of fear he had felt earlier.
Ding!
[ The player StupidLove will now be transported to planet Earth.
[ Time: Medieval! ]