As Marcus lay sprawled on the cold ground, the oppressive weight of despair settled on his chest. The wolf—massive, emaciated, and driven by an insatiable hunger—walked closer, its eyes glinting with a predatory gleam.
"If it's true...then, am gonna die in this f*cking game." He thought.
But as he almost lost hope, fully prepared to be devoured. Suddenly, as the wolf jumped over him and was preparing to devoure him, a dagger come from behind him, direct to the wolf's neck and it fell down as blood sprayed from its neck, Marcus opened his eyes, and to his surprise, the wolf lay lifeless at his feet.
Confusion coursed through him as he remained motionless, grappling with the unreal nature of the moment.
"Good to see you alive," a voice echoed through the stillness. Marcus looked up to see a stranger leaning against a tree, a smirk dancing across his lips. "It seems luck has favored you today."
"You killed it!" Marcus gasped, disbelief evident in his voice.
"Who else is here" the stranger replied with a chuckle as he glances around. "But.. anyway, you're welcome nonetheless. The voice you heard guiding you? That was me.... and it looks like I get to take a point for killing the wolf ."
Marcus squinted, trying to wrestle the puzzle into clarity. "Excuse me... what do you mean?"
The stranger laughed, sensing Marcus's bewilderment. "Ah, I'm Mathias, and this is my fourth time playing the game."
"Game? What game?" Panic bubbled beneath Marcus's skin as he struggled to comprehend.
"Welcome to Drerealm," Mathias replied. "A world that reveals itself in your dreams. I guess you activated yourself when you played virtual for five minutes that's why your here, guess your lucky to meet me, or else you would be meat for the wolves by now."
Marcus's heart raced. "Wait... I was playing game but it ended!"
"From now on, that doesn't matter. You choose to play the game first , but now, the game chooses you. There's no escape." Mathias grinned, relishing the fear on Marcus's face.
Marcus's mind whirled with the implications. "You can't be serious," he whispered, dread settling in his bones.
"Quite serious, my newbie friend," Mathias continued. "But we need to move. This world is dangerous, and there are creatures lurking that would enjoy a fresh meal."
As they trekked through the twilight forest, Marcus felt a tangible weight from the unknown manifesting around him. "Can we take a break? I'm exhausted," he managed to whine after what felt like ages.
"You can rest... Only if you want to be food for the wolves." Mathias's warning sent a jolt through Marcus, and he immediately stood upright, shaking off the fatigue in fear.
Eventually, they reached an inn nestled among the trees. The pair stepped inside, where a warm glow and chatter welcomed them.
A group of players—three women and seven men—sat around a table, chatting animatedly as they a wait for the patriarch who is the NPC of the game
Joining them, introductions flowed. Susan, Mary, and Joan smiled warmly. The men—Mark, Luke, Joel, Sam, and Jack—were less welcoming, eyes scanning the newcomers with a scrutinizing gaze. Few moments later , another players emerged from the door and they were John and Louise.
Soon, food was served, and the atmosphere shifted to that of camaraderie—until shadows darkened the room.
As food dwindled, a veil of anxiety cloaked the group. Marcus couldn't shake the feeling of impending doom. "What happens when we sleep?" he dared to ask.
Mathias shrugged, indifferent. "For most, it's just sleep, but some like to tempt fate…"
Later, as exhaustion finally claimed Marcus, he settled beside Mathias, his gaze drifting to a pond outside. The water lay still and empty, but something dark caught his eye—a shape that vanished as quickly as it appeared. "Just my imagination." He dismissed the thought, trying to lull himself to sleep.
No sooner had sleep begun to take him than a sudden bang shattered the silence, causing Marcus to jolt awake. "Mathias!" he cried, but the older player remained lost in slumber.
Turning to the window, he gasped. The pane was rattling violently, and the air grew thick with terror. He instinctively began to chant verses from the Bible, desperate for protection. The banging continued, louder, more vicious, and Mathias stirred reluctantly.
"What now?" he muttered, annoyance flashing in his eyes.
Marcus pointed helplessly. As Mathias turned, horror etched itself on his face—the figure at the window was a grotesque young woman, half-human, half-serpent, her tangled hair obscuring her face. A deep gasp echoed through the inn as two men burst past them, fleeing.
A scream erupted from the next room. "Please don't kill me!" It was Mark, paralyzed with fear. The other players rushed to him, finding fresh blood pooling beneath. It wasn't Mark's—but the sight led their gazes upward.
On the balcony, Joel lay lifeless, his body twisted among a disarray of blood. Panic rippled through the group, cries mingling with shock.
"What happened? Who did this?" the women whispered, fear quaking in their voices.
Jack who wasn't also new in the game rather it was his fifth time playing this game , began to look around but there wasn't any sign of suspicion, he turned and looked at Joel's lifeless body.
"He violated the taboo," Jack chimed in confidently, breaking the stunned silence.
"Taboo? Dude, What are you talking about?" the newbies exclaimed.
Jack leaned closer, his voice lowering, conveying urgent wisdom. "In Drerealm, every action has a consequence. Break the rules, and death isn't far behind; the game ghost will kill you..."