Chereads / Adventure Till Death / Chapter 4 - Chapter 4: The Rules of the Game

Chapter 4 - Chapter 4: The Rules of the Game

The Demon Host Announces the Rules

The demon floated ominously above them, his wicked grin still plastered across his face. His voice boomed again, sending chills through the survivors.

"Now that the choices have been made, let me explain the rules of your new reality. There are six rules that govern the Adventure Till Death game. Follow them, and you may survive. Break them, and you will meet a swift, gruesome end."

He paused, savoring the tension that hung in the air. Then, with a cruel flick of his wrist, the rules began to unfold.

Rule 1: Hunt to Survive

"To survive," the demon began, his voice turning colder, "you must hunt. And not just for food—no, you must hunt monsters and demons. They are the key to your survival. Defeat them, and you will gain strength. To truly claim their power, you must consume their hearts. The more hearts you devour, the more powerful you become. But beware—some monsters are not as easy to kill as they seem."

A low growl could be heard in the distance, and the survivors tensed. The world was already full of dangers, but now they had to hunt them, feast on them to gain power.

Rule 2: Player Interaction

"You are not alone in this game," the demon continued, his voice laced with menace. "Others will be your allies… or your enemies. You can choose to team up with fellow survivors, but remember—your survival depends on your strength. You can also kill other players to absorb their powers. If you eat their hearts, you will take all of their abilities for yourself. Be careful who you trust… and who you betray."

The words hung in the air like a dark promise. Some survivors exchanged nervous glances, unsure of what to make of this revelation. Could they really trust anyone?

Rule 3: Points for Survival

"To live, you must earn points," the demon continued, a twisted gleam in his eyes. "Points are earned by defeating monsters or, if you're feeling bold, killing other players. But remember this: without enough points, you will die. The longer you survive, the more points you will need to stay alive. Fail to earn enough, and your life will be forfeit."

A sense of urgency began to settle over the survivors. Points. Survival. The pressure was mounting, and they had no choice but to play along.

Rule 4: Weekly Battle Royale

The demon's grin widened. "Every week, there will be a Battle Royale—a brutal test of your strength. All survivors will fight each other in a massive arena. The victor will be granted a unique skill, one that will make you even more dangerous. But beware—the competition will be fierce, and only the strongest will survive."

The survivors exchanged uneasy glances. A battle royale? A weekly reminder of how fragile their existence truly was.

Rule 5: Clearing Layers

"To truly escape this nightmare, you must conquer the layers," the demon announced, his voice growing darker. "There are 1,000 layers in total. Each layer is guarded by a Demon Warlord. Defeat the Warlord, and a giant door will open, allowing you to progress to the next layer. But there's a catch. You have only twelve hours to escape through the door. Fail to do so, and the door will close… and you will be left behind to face a brutal death."

The survivors shuddered at the thought of being trapped in one of these layers, with the clock ticking down against them. How many of them would make it out alive?

Rule 6: Anime Powers

The demon's tone shifted, a strange excitement seeping into his voice. "Oh, and one more thing. The monsters, the powers… they are all inspired by the anime from your original world. Those of you who are fans will find familiar abilities, weapons, and creatures here. Your knowledge will be both a blessing and a curse. Some of you may recognize the monsters you face, while others will be lost, unsure of what to expect. But remember, no matter what you know, survival is the only thing that matters."

A murmur rippled through the crowd. Some of the survivors looked thrilled, their eyes lighting up with excitement at the prospect of anime-style powers. Others, however, recoiled, fear creeping into their expressions. What did it mean to fight monsters that came straight from their fantasies? Would their own weaknesses be amplified by these strange powers?

The boy listened intently, his heart pounding with excitement. Every word from the demon only fueled the fire inside him. This… this was the adventure he had always craved. The rules didn't frighten him—they exhilarated him.

The Boy's Excitement

His mind raced with possibilities. The moment the rules were revealed, a dark, hungry part of him stirred, a part he had long kept in check. This game, this twisted survival challenge—it was everything he had ever wanted. Adventure, power, and the opportunity to dominate those around him.

"This world is mine now," he muttered, his lips curling into a twisted grin. His eyes gleamed with a hunger that could no longer be ignored. His heart raced—not with fear, but with exhilaration. He wasn't just a player in this game. No. He was meant to lead it. He would consume the hearts of monsters, of players, and grow stronger with every kill. He would be the alpha among them all, the one who ruled this world with an iron fist. No one could stop him.

The Game Officially Begins

The demon raised his hand high, his voice booming once more, this time with a twisted delight.

"START YOUR ADVENTURE TILL DEATH!"

A blinding red light surged outward, engulfing everyone in its path. The world twisted, the landscape shifting in an instant. The survivors felt their feet lift from the ground, their bodies pulled in every direction as they were scattered across the first layer.

When the light faded, they found themselves in a vast, dark forest. The trees towered above them, their gnarled branches twisting like skeletal hands. The air was thick with an oppressive sense of danger, and the sound of growling echoed through the forest. Somewhere in the distance, something monstrous stirred.

The boy stood tall, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. This was it. The adventure, the game, the power—it was all right here, waiting for him. He looked around, scanning the survivors. He knew the weak would fall quickly. And the strong? They'd be his to dominate.

"This is where the real game begins," he whispered to himself, a dark smile spreading across his face. "Let the hunt start."

The adventure had truly begun, and for him, there was no turning back.