Concern gnawed at Max. Mathias, with a penchant for helping newcomers in the game, often entered the drerealm to guide players through their dangerous quests, risking his own progress and safety. It was a noble cause, but Max who was also their group doctor couldn't help but worry that Mathias's selflessness would ultimately be his downfall.
"You should reduce your constant entry into Drerealm," Max had cautioned one evening, as dusk settled over the virtual world. Mathias simply nodded, fatigue in his eyes as he made his way to rest, readying himself for their upcoming adventure together.
When the long-anticipated day arrived, they found themselves in the midst of an ancient forest, where towering trees stretched out their gnarled branches like ancient sentinels.
Among the familiar faces from their past adventures, Marcus and Mathias spotted Mary and Jack from the EXTRA company, and the famous Noel, the owner of the white tiger group, also nicknamed as White Tiger, joined them, along with a cadre of other players, Neil, Moses, Trevor, nick and khons
"What the hell is this place?" whispered khons, his voice laced with unease as the haunting call of distant birds contrasted against the ominous crackling of the forest around them.
Fear prickled their senses, but determination drove them forward as they approached a quaint, grass-thatched cottage nestled between the trees deep in the forest.
"Please come in..."
A warm, inviting light spilled from the windows as the door creaked open, revealing an elderly woman, her wrinkles a testament to a life filled with stories. She was at he early eighty's .
"Welcome, travelers," she beckoned. "Stay the night, and in the morning, you may depart."
They settled in for the night, enjoying a simple meal around the flickering fire. As their bodies relaxed into the cozy setting.
They had to spend the night there as they a wait for instructions from the NPC who happened to be the old woman.
" Am sleepy."
Mathias, ever the weary sleepy wanderer, nodded off, his head drooping against his chest. Marcus chuckled softly,
"You should be named Mr. Sleeper instead of Mathias."
" As long as it doesn't affect my sleep."
Morning dawned with golden rays filtering through the trees. The old woman prepared breakfast, then shared her plight:
"I lost ten valuable spears in the forest. I am too old to search for them. Please, help me retrieve them within seven days."
She handed out supplies, a clear indication of their commitment to the task. The group dispersed into the forest, but with the vast terrain and looming trees, uncertainty encroached like shadows at dusk.
Untile they collect all the ten spears they weren't supposed to come back.
Noel approached Mathias, showing him a photo on his phone.
"My people said this is your sister. She's beautiful."
Mathias's face darkened.
"Even if she is, you wouldn't be a good husband," he muttered, the tension rising.
"Let's focus on the task at hand," Mathias urged, trying to brush Noel's remarks away, but the unease lingered in the air as they floundered through the woods in search of the spears.
Suddenly, a spine-chilling scream echoed, pulling their focus away from their search.
Rushing forth, they stumbled upon Moses and Nick, lying lifeless on the ground, blood staining the earth around them. Their bellies were cut by a sharp knife.
Mathias slowly began to inspect the scene carefully, his heart sank as he noticed the beads clutched in their hands , he stood up slowly and walked away from the scene.
He had already seen what he wanted to know.
As they treked deeper, Trevor, saw two spears from a far, or rather , they all saw the spears, but Trevor enticed by greed, darted to pick up two spears that had lain nearby.
Mathias , Marcus and Noel stood still as they watched him.
But as he got close, his attention was captured by a stunning bead, glittering seductively in the dappled sunlight. Ignoring the warnings, he snatched it up with a greedy grin.
In an instant, a knife slit through the air, piercing Trevor's belly. He fell to the ground, clutching his wound, shock overtaking his features. The forest fell silent, broken only by his agonized gasps.
Hel...p!
Marcus ran fast to help him but it was too late.
"I was right… the beads are a taboo!" Mathias exclaimed, horror gripped his heart as he turned to Marcus, who stood frozen in shock.
With urgency, they backed away from the area, with the two spears in their hands. the laws of the game swirling ominously in their minds. It was already dusk and it would only be safe if all the remaining players are together.
No one knew what would be of the night.
They needed to regroup, rethink, and find the spears—their lives depended on it. As long as they managed to get the remaining spear within few days then the death rate will also decrease.
But as they were still treking, while glancing around as they searched for the other seven remaining players, they found khons struggling with his life ,as he lay on the ground. His month full of white foamy saliva and his eyes inside down, while his body shaking.
" What's wrong with him...."
" Now l have to worry more when l leave this dame place." Marcus muttered
What did you just say?
Guess am gonna be sucked from work, if more people die."