Klein collapsed on the bed, his body screaming in exhaustion. The battle had been grueling, but he had emerged victorious. With a deep sigh, he closed his eyes and let the weariness wash over him.
After a rejuvenating rest, Klein made his way to the dining area, where everybody was gathered to eat. He saw Casseos and the rest sitting on their own table, they too saw me, so they gesture to me to come, so I walked towards the table, after all a single man could not win a battle, I need a group.
As I sat down, I was met with Casseos taunt greeting, I was greeted by lirean, jax, zephyr and a new girl whose name is Aria. I guess she is a new addition to the group, or am I the new addition, because I could see that she have great chemistry with the group, it almost make me look like the odd one.
As I began to eat I started to reminisce about my own family on the dining table, even though we were only four we have great chemistry. Me and my sister will always bicker on the table, my mum will try to stop us, but we won't listen, we may stop talking, but we will still be bickering with our eyes, my dad will just eat is food as if he was oblivious to what is happening.
It almost bring tears remembering about it, because now we can never be completely together even if I go back to Altier. After thinking this, I continue to eat peacefully, while listening to the bickering of Jax and Aria.
It almost looks like they are boyfriend and girlfriend, maybe it is just my hormones speaking, after all I never had a girlfriend, or even friends that are girl in my life, maybe only my sister because I don't consider my classmate friends. After all back then I didn't want to make friends knowing that we will all separate in the end, so I just stay on my own, unwilling to deal with the heartbreak of making and losing friends.
But now I will make sure to make and cherish it this time around.
As I continue to eat, a question was thrown at me by the beauty besides Casseos.
"Hey Klein, how is the recovery going?" Lirean asked with a little bit of concerned on her face.
"Slow but steady," Klein replied, rubbing his eyes. "The last battle was a doozy."
Casseos chuckled. "You are telling us. We heard the ruckus from afar,. You are getting stronger, the little chick who was so feeble has grown into this man, even though most of your match are always one, by an air breath."
Klein also chuckled. "What can I say I was lucky."
"Well that's one hell of a luck you got there." Casseos said.
The group spend the next few hours sharing stories and sharing tips. Klein listen intently, absorbing their experience and insight like a sponge. As they spoke he realized he had grown since joining the group. They too have grown too, he tried using his inspect on most of them, he was unable to view their profile, it means their level is too high for him to view. This makes him wonder, what do someone strong like Casseos want with him.
But even with all that, they have become his support system, they had became his confidant in this unforgiving environment.
As the days passed, Klein continue to battle along side his group, their synergy and trust growing with every victory. In his spear time he visit the dungeon reaching up to floor 6, he even try to drag his group with him, but they said the dungeon no longer benefit them again, he asked aria, she said that she likes to hunt alone, so I didn't disturb them again.
I grew stronger, that now am in between the iron and bronze level(that is in between level 10 and 11).
Two months flew by in a blur of battles, laughter and camaraderie. Klein skills improved, his strength grew, his reputation grew, and his accomodation was upgraded. Now he his leaving all alone, ah it feels nice.
Despite the harsh realities of hell's paradise, Klein found solace in his friendship and personal growth. As he settled into his new quarters, he smiled, knowing that he found an anchor to hang in this unforgiving place.
But as they say, the good times never last.
An alert was send to their watch on the third week of the new month.
Klein's watch beeped, signalling an urgent message, he was in the grand atrium at the time, so he looked around and saw that he was not the only one who received an alert.
The message was breif: "Report to the dining room for important information."
Curiosity piqued, Klein join the other in the dining room. The atmosphere was tense, with an air of anticipation hanging heavy in the air. Suddenly, the door slid open, and a figure strode in, immediately the surroundings became quiet when they nothing the air and aura around the mysterious man, it was the aura of supreme and extreme confidence and authority.
"Welcome, prisoners," the man declared. His voice booming through the room. "I am administrator seraphine, the master of this domain. You have all been giving the opportunity to participate in a unique experiment - a game like no other."
Seraphine's eyes gleamed with excitement. "You will be connected to a revolutionary machine, where you will play a series of game under a time limit , transporting you to a virtual world. The twist? This machine multiplies your pain times 5, so any pain you feel will pain you do much, and as an additional reward to all of you, if you die in the game, you will die in the real world. No exceptions.
The room felt silence, shock and fear etched on every one face, while some smile could been seen on some people face. Seraphine continued, "you may form teams, but they may not exceed seven members. Or if you are brave - or foolhardy - enough, you may face the challenge alone. The choice is yours.
Klein mind raced with anticipation and fear for the game, he was also a little bit curious. A game where death seems permanent does sounds interesting, what reward could he get? at least if death is real, then the rewards in the game should be real? And what otherworldly secret lies in this game.
Orion smiled widened, as if he savoured the fear and trepidation of the prisoners. "The game is called eternal realm." It is a realm magic, monsters and ancient secrets. Even us don't know the full extent of the game, so you will serve as our lab rats and also a sense of entertainment for us, you will have the chance to explore, battle, and strategies your way to victory. But remember time matters, because those who fails to teach the end when the timer reached the end will automatically die, permanently!
Klein's thought raced with the implications. He glanced around seeing people contemplating the information. Casseos eyes narrowed he then made a chuckled sound, he then said "this will be fun", aria face was paled, her eyes wide with fear and. Lirean just seems to have a bored look on her face, like she was tired or she have better things to do. Jax and zephyr looked at each other and grin in anticipation for the game.
A voice then said.
"Can we choose not to participate? The voice barely a whisper.
Immediately seraphine eyes locked eyes with the person and said.
"You can choose not to participate but that is if you are willing to die now, this is a nation of rights, so don't be afraid you can choose not to participate, so who won't participate?
Nobody answer, the place surprisingly became more quiet, even the too gang failed to raised their voice.
Seraphine then said.
"If no one will talk, let me continue, the game will start in three days. You will be briefed an the rules and mechanism beforehand, until then consider your strategy.....and your mortality."
With a flourish, seraphine vanished like he was never even there, but the air and the foreboding tells otherwise. Klein felt a chill down his spine, not a chill of fear but a chill of excitement. Three days to prepare for a game where death seems permanent "so interesting" he said.
...................................................................................................................what lies in the game and will Klein be strong enough to survive it............................................... please vote for my book, add to your collection and also refer it