GAMERS' WORLD TOURNAMENT
The arena was alive with energy—spotlights dancing across the crowd, fans waving banners, and cameras flashing from every direction. The host's voice thundered through the speakers, commanding everyone's attention:
"Ladies and gentlemen, let's welcome the one and only, the gamer who has shattered every record and claimed the title of the strongest in the world—the Gaming World Champion, Liam Aiken!"
I strode onto the stage, the roar of the audience washing over me like a tidal wave. The confidence in my steps matched the grin on my face as I grabbed the mic.
"I stand here today, undefeated, unmatched. No one in the world can beat me. I am Liam Aiken, the best gamer alive!"
The crowd erupted, but then—a voice, sharp and defiant, pierced the noise.
"I challenge you!"
The hall fell silent. My eyes scanned the sea of faces, landing on a young woman stepping forward. Her intense gaze, practically on fire, was unlike anyone else in the room.
She marched toward the stage, each step brimming with confidence.
"I challenge you to a duel, world champion," she said, her voice steady and fearless.
I chuckled.
"Challenge accepted, young lady."
The game began. My fingers flew across the controls, my strategies honed by years of experience. Yet, she matched me move for move.
"What the…?" I muttered under my breath.
Minutes turned into hours, and my calm demeanor began to crack. She was brilliant—every decision precise, every tactic unpredictable.
For the first time in years, my hands were trembling. My heart raced, blood pumping furiously. Finally, I'd found a worthy opponent.
But then… something felt wrong. Pain shot through my chest.
"Why… does it hurt?" I whispered. My vision blurred.
Darkness crept in as my head hit the keyboard.
(Cause of death: excessive gaming and high blood pressure leading to a heart attack. Lesson learned: always listen to your parents when they say, 'don't play too much.')
When I opened my eyes, I wasn't in the tournament hall. I wasn't even on Earth.
The sky above was a brilliant blue, dotted with fluffy clouds. The scent of fresh grass filled the air, and birds chirped melodiously in the distance. Towering trees formed a lush green canopy around me.
"This… can't be real," I murmured, sitting up. Years of gaming had taught me one thing—this wasn't Earth.
"Two possibilities," I began, holding up my fingers.
"Option one: I've died, and this is heaven.
Option two: My lifelong dream as a gamer has been granted."
Pinching my arm, I winced.
Pow!
"Ouch! Definitely not heaven."
I leaped to my feet, exhilaration coursing through me.
"That means… I've been reborn in another world! Woohoo!"
Grrr…
A low growl snapped me out of my celebration. My excitement faded as I turned toward the sound. A shadow moved in the bushes, its glowing eyes fixated on me.
"This is it. My first battle in the new world! Let's go!" I whispered, hyping myself up.
But then I froze.
"Wait… where's my special skill? My OP weapon? Isn't this where the system kicks in?"
System Synchronizing…
"Finally!"
Synchronization failed. Condition not met.
"What?!" I shouted. "What stupid condition didn't I meet?"
User is too mentally adjusted to the new world. System activation unsuitable.
"What the hell?! I'm too normal for the system?"
The shadow darted toward me. A massive beast emerged—a wolf, easily three times my size. Its blood-red eyes locked onto mine, saliva dripping from its fangs.
My survival instincts screamed at me. I turned and ran.
"No skills, no system—I'm so screwed!"
The wolf gave chase, its heavy footsteps thundering behind me. My lungs burned, my legs ached, but I couldn't stop.
"It's over," I whispered, as the beast leaped over me, blocking my escape.
I stumbled back, fear freezing me in place. The wolf growled, crouching low, ready to strike.
"This is it. I'm going to die again…"
Suddenly, a mechanical voice echoed in my mind.
System Synchronization canceled. New World Integration initiated.
A bright light shone, and a screen appeared before me.
Congratulations!
You have met the conditions to obtain the special Otherworlder Guide.
Conditions:
1. Get rejected by the system.
2. If you've met the first condition, it means you are absolute trash. So, the second condition is automatically fulfilled.
3. Face a life-or-death situation.
(Hope you haven't peed your pants.)
"What?! Did this system just insult me?"
Before Liam could process it, a tiny figure materialized before him—a girl with silver hair, wearing a flowing white dress, almost like a mischievous fairy.
"Yawn! Finally, a piece of trash I can recycle," she said, stretching lazily. "I thought garbage like you would never get summoned in this world."
"Hey, hey! Can you stop insulting me for one second?" Liam shot back, his face red with irritation.
"You're insulted? Pfft. Isn't that because you're pathetic?"
"Well, aren't you too ill-mannered for a so-called 'guide'?"
"Hah! Try waiting thousands of years for a useless excuse of an Otherworlder like you to show up. You'd end up like me too!"
"Oh yeah? Do you even know who I—"
Grrr…
"Oh, by the way," the guide interrupted nonchalantly, pointing toward the wolf stalking closer, "you've got about 30 seconds before that oversized furball stops fearing me and tears you apart."
"What?! What am I supposed to do?! Aren't you supposed to give me some special skill or something?!"
The guide smirked. "Hah! Special skills? Forget about it. If you survive the wolf on your own, I might consider helping you."
"What kind of scam system is this?!"
"Oh, looks like our little Otherworlder is just a weak, whining human," she said, rolling her eyes dramatically.
"Fine, you little... I'll show you why I was the world champion!" Liam snarled, ready to face the wolf.
A Few Seconds Later...
"HELP ME! I BEG YOU! IT'S GOING TO KILL ME!" Liam screamed at the top of his lungs, sprinting through the forest, the wolf snapping at his heels.
"Graaah!"
The guide floated beside him, amused. "Tch, so much for being a champion. Fine, I'll help you... but only if you answer this:
I'm made from a tree but not alive,
I help you walk or take a dive.
I can be plain or carved with care,
In games or fights, I'm often there.
What am I?"
"WHAT THE HELL?! Do you think this is the time for riddles?!"
"Answer it, or you're wolf food," she said smugly.
"Okay, okay! Think, Liam, think! What is it?! Uh... a cane!"
The wolf lunged, its claws grazing his side as he barely dodged.
"WRONG!" the guide said, giggling. "What are you, an old man fighting with a cane?"
"JUST HELP ME!" Liam yelled, his pride already shattered. "PLEASE, OH GREAT GUIDE, HELP THIS POOR BOY!"
(-99,999,999 Dignity Points)
"Hah! That's more like it," the guide said with a smirk. "You're finally learning how to beg. Fine, I'll give you a tip. See that stick over there? Use it. Fighting barehanded is just asking to die."
"Stick it is! Whatever you say, ma'am!"
Liam grabbed the stick and turned to face the wolf. He gripped it tightly, sweat dripping down his face.
"Now, here's a little advice: aim for its eyes if you want to live."
The wolf growled and lunged again. Liam steadied himself, his hands trembling but his resolve hardening.
"This is it," he thought, raising the stick. "My first step to surviving in this insane world starts here."
The wolf's glowing red eyes locked with his. Time seemed to freeze as the beast launched itself at him.
And then—
To be continued…[·_·]