Chapter 1: Disappearance
My name is Clay, and I am a digital artist who creates digital book cover and illustration for writers.
3 years ago, a game called "Live and Die" was released, an MMORPG survival game.
It took me a while before finally trying it out as my online friend, whom I never even met, one day recommended it to me.
I didn't think anything was wrong and so gave it a shot. Who would've thought that I'd become addicted to it? Everyday playing it over and over again for about 5 hours straight.
Sometimes, this addiction became a burden to me, making me neglect my job as a digital artists. Fortunately, the addiction did not lasted long. Still, I continued playing the game for 3 years.
December 24, 20XX
[12:01am]
Inside an apartment, i brewed a coffee in the middle of the night and placed it beside my computer desk.
Stretching my limbs, i exhaled cold breath and looked out the window while taking a sip of my coffee.
Snowflakes begun pouring down outside, and the cold temperature causing my window to be covered in a thin layer of frost.
[-Ding!]
Hearing the familiar notification sound ringing on my computer, I raised my eyelids slightly to look at it.
Pressing the mouse of the keyboard, a blue holographic scroll appeared on the screen, replacing the blank white page.
「Alpha918: Hey! Are you okay? Is everything fine in your place?」
Reading the message, I became puzzled and replied.
「You: I'm fine, what's the matter?」
In just seconds, a response immediately came from the other party.
「Alpha918: Thank goodness you're fine. Haven't you seen the news yet?」
「Alpha918: Oh wait, I suddenly remembered you're in the Philippines...」
「Alpha918: Hmm, maybe I should consider going there now since it is safe!」
I did not understand what he was talking about and decided to search on my phone about the latest news in South Korea.
This person, who's nickname is Alpha918, is the only friend I have, although I haven't seen him personally or even in video calls, I still consider him as my friend.
We've met online when I was sharing my digital art works on the media when I suddenly received a comment, saying how they were so mesmerized by my works and that they want to learn how to draw in my art style.
Anyone with basic knowledge would not share their secret of success to a person who they don't know and so I responded politely that I cannot do so.
But the other person did not give up and kept trying to do drawings in my art style, sending me pictures of their progress.
Somehow I did not feel bothered nor annoyed, but instead found it amusing.
One day, they showed another one, and that's when I found that they perfectly copied my art style.
Anyone would be angry, if this secret to success was revealed then my purpose would be gone.
But at that time, I smiled and even congratulated the other party.
Then, they suddenly revealed that they are working from a Writing Company and would like me to have as their book cover designer.
I was stunned and immediately searched for their company's name, thinking that they might be scamming me.
But to my surprise, what they've said were true and I was able to confirm that this person is indeed working for that company as a special book cover designer aswell.
They said that they wanted to do a collab with me and after some consideration, I agreed. And after that, we became friends.
We then revealed each other's country and found that he was living in South Korea.
Searching online, I found something that made me completely silent.
[Breaking News!]
[Date: 12/23/20XX]
[Time: 05:25:56]
[#Alien Invasion?!]
[At around 5 in the morning, people suddenly started disappearing all of a sudden, and this is not just a metaphor, people literally disappeared out of thin air, turning into holographic pixels similar to a video game!]
Reading this, I found this utterly ridiculous and shook my head as I heaved a sigh.
They really know how to get people's attention.
I scrolled down and opened another article.
[#Doomsday?!]
[Date: 12/24/20XX]
[Time: 05:34:28]
[The people who disappeared finally came back! Appearing out of thin air with the same holographic pixels!]
[But most of the people who disappeared, died?!]
Thump!
My heart suddenly pounded and my breathing became haggard slightly. My fingers trembled and my lips parted.
"...What?"
Dead? They disappeared then suddenly came back dead?
Just as i was shaking, countless of notification suddenly sounded.
[-Ding!]
[#This strange phenomena is now also happening every single countries!]
[-Ding!]
[#The Government of every country started a meeting, but just as they were live they all also disappeared?!]
[-Ding!]
[#What will happen to the world now?!]
"What, just what exactly is going on?" I couldn't help muttering to myself, feeling a cold shiver ran down my spine.
Thump! Thump!
My heart rate increased and I started to feel difficulty in breathing.
Closing my eyes, I did the common inhale and exhale technique as my breathing returned stagnant.
After taking a deep breath, I shook my head and decided to divert my attention first, fearing that I might have a panick attack if I engrossed myself on this matter much longer.
So this is why he messaged me huh, I didn't know that this "aliens" are now starting to take over Earth.
"Tsk." I clicked my tongue and focused my gaze on the screen, pressing the app with a symbol of a scale.
I think it's best if I just play the game for now, although it is still a survival game, I don't feel fear at all and even find it exciting, so this should keep me entertained until all of this is resolved.
I mean, what could an ordinary citizen like me do in this situation actually?
[Start Game?]
[Yes] [No]
Seeing the two options, I licked my lips unconsciously and closed my eyes before clicking on the "Yes" option.
----
5 hours later passed and it was now 4:45am.
Stretching my sore limbs, I scratched my hair and felt tired all over.
"Ughh, I want to sleep...but I can't! I'm almost done with the game!" I exclaimed as I pulled my hair.
"Alright! Let's go!" As I said that, I continued playing as my eyes darted over between left and right.
After minutes passed, i panted and pulled away from the computer slightly, leaning against the office chair.
Then, at the screen shown was a bright golden scroll.
[Congratulations to player "CW" for reaching the "Epilogue" of the story and completing the game!]
Seeing this, I slowly closed my eyes and mumbled softly, "I won..."
"I finally finished the game...for three years, I've finally- reached the epilogue."
My lips were open, taking in air before curling up into a grin.
"I did it!"
"Oops! Dang! I forgot to ask about his situation!" I exclaimed in horror and immediately texted Alpha918.
You might be wondering why I do not call his name and also speaks of his nickname, that was because we had a stupid bet.
2 years ago, we made a bet in a battle royal game and whoever wins gets to decide whether we should reveal each other's name or not.
I agreed and won, deciding that we should keep our names a secret until we finally see each other personally.
Until now, we haven't had the chance to meet each other since I still lack money and he seems to be busy too.
Although we never did a video call, we have done a call before.
After doing a call, he picked up the phone and I instantly heard his voice, sounding all groggy.
- Hey, what's up?
Hearing his tone seemingly fine, I sighed with relief and said, "It's nothing, I just wanted to check on you."
"By the way, I have a great news!"
- Huh? What is it?
"You are not gonna believe this, but after 3 years of playing, I've finally done it! I've completed the game!"
-....
Hearing no response my smile stiffened and I asked in a low voice, "Hello?"
-...You-
"Me?"
- You are amazing! I'm pretty sure you know this but only 12 people have completed the game so far, and you are the thirteenth!
"I know! Isn't this amazing? I-" Just as I was speaking excitedly, my heart suddenly tugged and my pupils instantly contracted.
Slowly, I lowered my eyes and saw something horrifying!
My legs, my torso, my arms, they were slowly starting to disappear, turning into holographic pixels.
The articles before suddenly came to my mind and I screamed.
"Help-...!"
Thud!
Beeeeeeeeeeep!
-Hello? Are you still there?
- Hello? Hey! Are you still there?
- Hey! Speak up!
In my room, only the phone could be seen glowing, lying on the floor without anyone to be seen.
Specifically, without me at all.