Jessica, with the Moniker, fire witch in Apocalypse, logged out of the gaming pod after reaching her gaming limit. She meticulously freshened up, had her meal, and was resting, Apocalypse playing within her head. It was a game to be played with utmost seriousness, as it decided the future standing of the humans on Earth. The beautiful sceneries were a thing of wonder to her. She drifted quite quickly into her fantasies and imagination, only to be called by a maid. Jessica was the daughter of the Lark Corporation—a large conglomerate and one of the leading business enterprises in the country. Jessica never lacked anything—money, attention, care, or someone to talk to when she needed it. Her parents were the family-bonding type, always doing their best to make time for their daughter.
"Pardon my intrusion, my lady, but we have a guest, and I'm afraid he has no intention of leaving until he sees you," the maid said respectfully to Jessica.
"Who's this guest?" Jessica asked plainly.
"It's Young Master Kyle, my lady," the maid responded, causing a frown to be etched on Jessica's face.
Jessica always felt repulsed whenever she spent time with Kyle. His advances toward her were extremely infuriating. He had survived countless slaps solely because of his parents' name and wealth. While feeling annoyed and seriously contemplating not going, Jessica rolled her eyes and fought back the frustration, knowing full well she had no choice but to meet the annoying young man.
"Alright, relay my information that I'll be with him soon," Jessica said before walking toward the wardrobe and finding a simple yet dignified outfit to wear.
Kyle sat arrogantly while waiting for Jessica. Others might have found it hard to believe that he was a guest with the way he carried himself and acted—giving tasks, shunning workers that displeased him, his arrogance knowing no bounds.
"I'll not allow you to treat this place as your home. You're a guest here, Kyle, so act like one," Jessica's voice could be heard, filled with an underlying threat.
Jessica made an appearance before Kyle, and the latter couldn't help but smile brightly upon seeing her beauty, which never failed to amaze him and make him want her more.
"What do you want, Kyle?" Jessica asked, hoping to end the conversation as soon as possible. She felt extremely uncomfortable being stared at by those eyes that didn't even hide the fact that they wanted to strip her of every single piece of her clothing.
"Ah, Jessica, ever so beautiful. I wonder what the limit of your beauty is," Kyle said with a mischievous grin on his face.
Jessica rolled her eyes at his words, not even allowing them to cause any ripple in her heart.
"That's not the answer to my question, I believe, Kyle," she asked again, the warmth in her voice drastically reduced.
Kyle noticed this but was unbothered. Waving his hand to dismiss her coldness, he finally stated his purpose.
"I plan to meet with all the potential overlords of the game. As you're already aware, it's not just a simple game. It's a game that decides the fate of everyone on Earth," Kyle said with a smile. "The absolute power within the game, therefore, should go to the powerhouses that deserve it, not some random player. I'm proposing for all the big players to rally together and take out a thorn in our side—Nemesis. We can't allow him to grow stronger. It will be detrimental to our control over the game flow."
Jessica shook her head at Kyle's words, clearly uninterested in whatever plans he had.
"Well, you can go find others who share the same goal as you. I don't plan to target a player just because of some fickle thing called domination."
"Come on, stop acting all innocent and clean, Jess. You and I know better than anyone how important removing an obstacle in our path is. After all, your help made the downfall of the Austins' family possible," Kyle said, his voice laced with playfulness and a hint of mockery.
Jessica's face grew cold immediately. "I warned you to never reference that event, did I not?" she said, her voice icy, all warmth disappearing from her eyes.
Kyle was unbothered, clearly enjoying the situation.
"Poor Greg. If only he knew that the family of those he called friends orchestrated his parents' deaths and divided their wealth like hungry vultures, how heartbroken would he be?" Kyle said, a cocky smile plastered on his face.
"Shut up!" Jessica screamed, Kyle's words cutting deeply and bringing back memories that led to her overwhelming guilt.
"Ah, your parents praised you, if I recall correctly," Kyle continued. "It seems you played a vital role in the success of the plan. Everyone must be so proud of you."
"You see, unlike the hypocritical you, who caused the boy untold anguish and now hides in shame and self-reproach, I've been with him, consoling him, ensuring he never loses hope, instilling it within him. It won't be fun if my toy snaps, you know," Kyle continued, controlling the pace of the conversation.
"You're a cruel, bloody master. Even after what our family did to him, you still stick around and manipulate Greg. Do you really feel no sympathy for him? He's been nothing but a good friend. Even when his parents were alive and still the wealthiest in the city, he never once showed arrogance toward us and always treated us as friends..." Jessica said, her voice heavy with sadness. She trailed off, trying to rein in her emotions and refusing to cry—she would not give Kyle that satisfaction.
"Bah, don't be pathetic, Jessica. Who cares about a dog's feelings over his own? Greg is just some toy I enjoy playing with. His sister will soon join the fray. And oh, your secret kindness toward him hasn't gone unnoticed—the tuition fees, the threats to his workplace, the help securing a decent salary. You do so much while staying hidden. Don't tell me this is your way of seeking forgiveness. It doesn't come close to what was taken from him," Kyle said, disdain dripping from his words.
Jessica's world crumbled. The truth she had been running from was cruelly brought to light by Kyle. Her heart ached so much she wished she could bury herself. As a child, desperate to please her parents, she had never imagined her actions would cause such massive consequences, ruining the life of someone she greatly valued as a friend.
Kyle's voice cut through her thoughts. "Oh, and some useful information you might like to know—I've finally been given the go-ahead by every family involved to ensure someone doesn't gain the strength and abilities to dig for the truth and fight back. Greg and his sister will be joining their parents soon."
Kyle laughed maniacally, anger visible on his face. After Greg chased him away, his fury grew, and he decided to put him in his place. The decision to silence Greg, approved by all parties involved, ensured he wouldn't rise again—especially not in Apocalypse.
Jessica's face turned ashen upon hearing the news. Her heart tightened, and her mind went blank. Without thinking, she went to her room to change, no longer caring about Kyle's presence. Meeting Greg was now of utmost importance to her. Kyle saw this and smiled. He didn't try to stop her—she wouldn't do anything to put her parents in a tight spot. Telling Greg, Kyle believed, would be foolish and useless.
Once more, Kyle underestimated Greg and his abilities—a truth he would soon come to realize.
*********
Greg and Annabelle had also reached their limits and logged out. Greg was currently checking his strength in the real world. Yes, it's what you're thinking. 20% of his current stats giving him strength that was enough to reach the possible strength limit of a human, surpassing of such limit closer than it is farther. He was greatly pleased about it and decided to do some basic training to get accustomed to his new increased strength, Annabelle joining the training. While the sibling duo were practicing, the doorbell rang, and Greg decided to stop his basic training practice to get the door.
"Jessica," Greg said, acknowledging the person waiting at the other side of the door, his eyes trying to hide the emotions he felt.
"May I come in?" Jessica said weakly, waking Greg from his wandering thoughts.
"Of course," he said, granting her access to the house, curious over the reason someone that stopped interacting with him for some years decided toshow up in his house.
Annabelle peaked at the guest and was amazed by the beauty of the lady in front of her. 'Never knew my brother had such a beautiful friend,' she thought before scrambling away after seeing her brother's death stare. "Would you like coffee or something else?" Greg asked, his voice not carrying any emotion which Jessica did not fail to notice. The realization that Greg was keeping her at arms reach at the moment more painful than she expected.
"What brings you here Jessica? You decided against being friends with me all these years, to finally visit now, tell me, what's the reason, I'm curious," Greg asked, not even planning to beat around the bush or sugar coats his words. Jessica stared at Greg for seconds, the decision to take gnawing at her mind. After minutes of self battle which Greg watched keenly, she finally decided to speak. "Greg, your life is in danger, not just yours but your sister's as well," Jessica said, finally deciding to drop the bombshell.