The transition into the dream phase was seamless for young Alex. One moment he was lying in his bed, the next, he found himself in a familiar yet surreal landscape—a mirror of the I.Zombie world from his console. Here in this dream phase, a trial ground, everything felt intensely real, far beyond the digital realm of his video game.
'Every time I close my eyes and enter those dream phases, it's like I'm jumping right back into 'I.Zombie', but it's way more intense and real. It's weird – whatever I do in the game, it kinda happens in my dreams too, which is what i already expected'
'It's totally awesome but also kinda scary. I mean, it's just a game, right? But in these dreams, it's like I'm actually living it. I'm learning to be tough, to think on my feet, to be the hero I always play in 'I.Zombie'.
Sometimes I wonder, am I just playing a game, or is the game playing me? Whatever it is, these dream phases are turning my game skills into real-life superpowers. And that's pretty cool. I can't wait to see what the next dream throws at me. It's like living in a game, but for real!"
The recent gaming session flashed in his mind. He had sharpened his skills in unarmed combat and with the axe, faced down level 1, 2, and even the formidable level 3 and level 4 creatures. As he expected; the ring on his finger, the mysterious guide in his bizarre double life, was now about to test him on those very skills.
But in this dreamscape, everything was magnified—the air was sharper, the sounds more vivid. He clenched and unclenched his fists, feeling an unusual surge of energy coursing through him.
Suddenly, a message appeared infront of Alex:
- Wave 1: One level 1 Boar -
In a mere instant, a level 1 boar appeared infront of him, it formed as if it was coded into the world, one pixel at at time, but at an unbelievable speed, and immediately charged at Alex.
It was time to put his unarmed combat skills to the test! His heart raced as the creature lunged. Alex dodged the tusks, and struck, his fists connecting with surprising force right in between the eyes. Without resting, he continued to punch and punch each blow he landed was empowering, yet a voice in his head reminded him that this was no game.
Here, every move, every decision held weight. He can't lose, the pain would be real.
'This is real life, I can't think of this as a dream. Everything here is real'. After throwing a few punches, the first boar fell. Once the boar fell, it de-materialized into nothing but air.
Another message appeared infront of him.
- 5 minutes before the next wave -
'Looks like this is a timed trial. I should use this time to rest up and regain all my energy'
After the 5 minutes were over, the familiar message appeared"
- Wave 2: Three lvl 1 Boars -
This time, three level 1 boars instantly materialzed infront of him.
'I think I understand what's going on. This time, this trial is to go through everything I beat in I.Zombie when I went from level 2 to Level 3. But I beat ten level 1 boars, five level 2 wolves, one level 3 Skulker, and one level 4 Whelplin' gulped Alex as he thought of what's to come next
The three level 1 boars did not hesitate initiate their charge. their coarse fur matted, eyes glowing with a feral hunger.
As the boars charged, Alex steadied himself. He knew he had to rely on his unarmed combat skills, skills he had honed in the game but never tested in such a visceral way.
The first boar reached him, tusks gleaming, and Alex sprang into action. He sidestepped smoothly, using the boar's momentum against it, and landed a solid punch on its flank.
The impact reverberated through his fist, a jolt of pain mixed with exhilaration.
The second boar joined the fray, its charge more cautious but no less dangerous. Alex feinted to the left and then swung to the right, connecting his fist with the boar's snout. The beast reeled from the hit, stunned but not yet defeated.
Meanwhile, the first boar recovered and lunged again, its movements more erratic. Alex, now in his element, ducked low and delivered a swift uppercut. He could feel the force of his blow as it made contact, the boar's grunt a testament to its effectiveness.
The third boar, initially hanging back, now charged with a ferocity that caught Alex off guard. He rolled to the side, narrowly escaping its tusks. Scrambling to his feet, Alex faced the beast head-on.
It was a dance of dodges and strikes, a test of endurance and skill. With each evasive maneuver, Alex's confidence grew. He ducked under a swipe and, seizing the moment, delivered a series of rapid punches to the boar's side.
One by one, the boars succumbed to his relentless assault. Their bodies vanished into the dream's ether, leaving Alex standing alone amidst the eerie silence. He panted heavily, feeling the rush of victory and the burn of exertion in his muscles.
The expected message appeared:
- 10 minutes before Wave 3 -
As he stood there, catching his breath, Alex realized the depth of his growth. He had faced these creatures with nothing but his fists and his wits, emerging victorious against odds that would have daunted him just days before. This battle was a testament to his newfound strength, a sign that he was evolving, becoming more than just a boy trapped in a game.
As soon as the 10 minutes expired, the message appeared
"Wave 3 - Six level one boars"
As Alex stood catching his breath from his recent triumph, the landscape of his dream phase shifted subtly, signaling the arrival of a new challenge.
Six level 1 boars emerged from the ruins, their eyes burning with primal aggression. This time, however, Alex felt a surge of confidence. He was ready to test the extent of his newfound unarmed combat skills.
As the boars charged in unison, Alex braced himself, his stance firm and ready. He decided to experiment with different techniques, to truly gauge his progress. The first boar reached him, and Alex swiftly dodged, using the momentum to land a powerful elbow strike onto its back.
The boar stumbled, surprised by the force of his attack.
For the second and third boars, Alex tried a different tactic. He lunged forward, feinting a punch to the left and quickly switching to a right hook, catching the second boar squarely on the jaw.
As the third boar lunged, Alex grabbed it by the tusks and, using his body weight, flipped it over his shoulder. It was a move he had seen in martial arts movies, now executed with surprising proficiency.
The remaining boars circled warily, sensing the prowess of their opponent. Alex took advantage of their hesitation. He charged at the fourth boar, delivering a series of rapid jabs that disoriented the creature before finishing it with a powerful uppercut.
For the fifth boar, Alex tried a high kick, a move he was unsure of but executed perfectly. His foot connected with the boar's head, knocking it down instantly.
The last boar, witnessing the fate of its companions, hesitated. Alex used this moment to close in swiftly, unleashing a flurry of punches that overwhelmed the creature.
His movements were more fluid, his strikes more potent, and his confidence at an all-time high.
He had not only defeated his opponents but had done so by experimenting with different techniques, each executed with increasing skill.
Alex realized that he was no longer just surviving these trials; he was mastering them. His journey in the dream phase was shaping him into a fighter, stronger and more versatile than he had ever imagined possible.
- 10 Minutes before wave 4 -
As soon as the message appeared, an axe and a shield mateerialzed infront of him.
'That's perfect. While I'm confident I can beat a wolf one on one while unarmed, it still presents risks. I'm glad I decided not to try anything above level one unarmed'
As watched the boars de-materialize, he equipped his weapons and took a moment to reflect on the fight. He marveled at how his body had moved, almost instinctively, responding to each threat with precision and force.
'Wow, I've really gotten the hang of this',he thought to himself, a hint of pride in his inner voice.
"The way I flipped that third boar... and that high kick! I didn't even know I could do that." He flexed his hands, feeling the residual energy from the battle.
"But I can't get too confident. Those were just level 1 boars. There's always room to improve, to be faster, stronger."
His thoughts were interrupted as the dream phase shifted again, the environment around Alex began to transform. The desolate, post-apocalyptic landscape melted away, giving rise to a new scene.
Tall, lush trees sprouted up around him, their leaves a vibrant green that formed a canopy overhead. Sunlight filtered through the foliage, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor.
The air was fresh and alive with the sounds of nature, a stark contrast to the previous barren terrain.
Alex took a moment to appreciate this change. The forest felt peaceful yet alive, teeming with unseen life.
- Wave 4 - Five level 2 wolves -