Lina Xiang sat in her classroom, the hum of voices and the scratch of pens fading into the background. It was a day like any other, a Friday—her favorite day. Fridays meant the start of the weekend, and more importantly, it meant she could indulge in her favorite pastime, pulling an all-nighter on *Demons and Dungeons*.
As the teacher droned on, Lina's thoughts drifted to the rare skill she had recently acquired in the game. She had spent weeks saving up for it, sacrificing little luxuries here and there, and finally, it was hers—the coveted Damage Reflection skill. A skill that could send damage back to the attacker and even store it for later use. It was a game-changer, literally. Everyone in the game wanted it, and she had it. The thought brought a small, satisfied smile to her lips.
She glanced out the window, her mind already far from the classroom, fantasizing about the glory that awaited her. With this skill, she could dominate the leaderboards, crush her enemies, and earn the rewards that came with being the best. And maybe, just maybe, she'd finally get that cash prize she'd been eyeing. It wasn't just about the fun anymore—there was real money on the line.
Lina looked down at her watch. *Five minutes* she thought with a sigh. Just five more minutes of this torture, and then she could be free. Free to dive back into the world where she truly belonged.
The minutes ticked by with agonizing slowness. She could practically feel the seconds dragging, each one a reminder that she wasn't yet home, logged in, and ready to wreak havoc. *Four minutes! Time doesn't move when you want it to* she thought bitterly, tapping her foot impatiently. She was sure she had been sitting there for way longer than a minute. The clock had to be broken.
Her thoughts returned to the game, and her excitement bubbled over once more. She pictured herself in the thick of battle, enemies falling before her as her new skill took effect. The thrill of the fight, the roar of victory—she could almost taste it.
Finally, mercifully, the bell rang. Lina was out of her seat before the sound had even finished echoing through the room. She packed up her things in record time, her heart pounding with anticipation. The weekend was hers, and she wasn't about to waste a second of it.
As she made her way to the door, a familiar voice called out to her. "Lina! Wait up!"
It was Mia, her best friend, and the one person who could slow her down, even for a moment. Lina sighed inwardly but forced herself to slow her pace, allowing Mia to catch up.
"Hey, Mia," she said, trying to keep the impatience out of her voice.
"You're in a hurry today. Big plans for the weekend?" Mia asked, a knowing smile on her face.
"Yeah, just some gaming. You know how it is," Lina replied with forced casualness, though her mind was already back home, booting up her computer.
Mia chuckled. "You're so obsessed with that game. But hey, if you win some cash, don't forget about me!"
Lina smiled. "Don't worry, I'll remember you."
They parted ways at the school gates, and Lina didn't waste a second. She sprinted home, her heart racing not from the run but from the excitement of what was to come. The moment she stepped inside her house, she dropped her bag by the door and headed straight for her room. Her parents weren't home yet, which was perfect. No interruptions, no distractions.
She booted up her computer, the familiar hum filling the room as the screen flickered to life. Lina's fingers trembled slightly as she typed in her login credentials. She navigated to her inventory, and there it was—the Damage Reflection skill, waiting for her. She smiled, a wide, almost feral grin.
"This is it," she whispered, her voice tinged with anticipation.
She equipped the skill without hesitation, and for a moment, all was as it should be. But then, something strange happened. The screen flickered, and the room around her began to distort. The walls blurred, and the floor seemed to tilt beneath her feet. Panic gripped her as she tried to steady herself, but there was nothing to hold on to. The world around her twisted and darkened until she could see nothing at all.
When she opened her eyes again, Lina wasn't in her room anymore. She was lying on the ground, the cool earth beneath her and the scent of grass filling her nose. She blinked, disoriented, as she sat up.
"Where am I?" she muttered, her voice shaky.
Her eyes widened as she took in her surroundings. She was in a forest, surrounded by towering trees and unfamiliar plants. This wasn't anywhere near her home. This wasn't even her world.
As panic began to rise, Lina noticed something even stranger. A translucent screen floated in front of her, displaying her character stats, health, and the Damage Reflection skill she had just equipped. It was just like in *Demons and Dungeons*.
"This... this can't be real," she whispered, her heart pounding in her chest. "I've seen this in anime and manga, but I can't have seriously been sucked into the game."
But it was real. Somehow, Lina had been transported into the world of *Demons and Dungeons*. Everything felt tangible—the cool breeze, the soft ground beneath her, even the faint rustle of leaves in the distance. Yet, there was no denying the game-like elements now part of her reality.
She was still trying to make sense of it all when a rustling sound came from nearby. Lina froze, every instinct on high alert. She had played enough games to know that rustling in the bushes often meant danger.
A figure emerged from the foliage—a goblin, small and menacing, with a wicked grin and a rusty dagger in hand. In the game, goblins were weak, easily defeated with a few hits. But now, face-to-face with one in real life, it was a different story.
The goblin lunged at her, and Lina barely had time to react. She stumbled back, her mind racing. Then she remembered—the skill she had just equipped. The Damage Reflection skill.
"Come on, work!" she thought desperately.
The goblin's dagger struck, but instead of pain, Lina felt a surge of power. The goblin was thrown back, its own attack reflected right back at it. It hit the ground hard, lifeless.
Lina stared at the fallen goblin, her heart pounding. She touched her head where the dagger had struck, but there was no wound, no blood. The skill had worked.
Her fear began to fade, replaced by a steely determination. This was no longer just a game. This was her new reality, and she had the power to survive in it.
She stood up, her gaze sweeping over the unfamiliar forest with newfound confidence. If she was going to be stuck here, she'd use everything she knew to stay alive. And with the Damage Reflection skill on her side, she had no doubt she could do it.
"Alright," she said, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Let's see what this world has to offer."
Lina didn't know how she had ended up here or if she would ever return to her old life, but one thing was certain—she was going to make the most of it.