4. The Game Master
The Game Master continued to address them.
"You have been called to this world to save it. A powerful and malevolent force has corrupted the beauty of this land. The tower reaches up to the galaxy of stars, and an evil unfathomable has been born. There are hundreds of floors—climb to the top and stop this evil from destroying the world."
Matteo couldn't suppress a yawn. This was the same lengthy introductory speech he already knew. Literally all 100 of the beta testers have no reason to hear this—it's just classic gaming propaganda.
"If you reach the hundredth floor and defeat the great evil, you will be allowed to return to your world."
Matteo's eyes widened—so did those of the veteran players who had played the game before. He could hear murmurs rippling through the crowd.
"What's this?"
"An update on the difficulty, I think."
"But it can't be serious, right?"
"Yeah, it's probably for hype factor."
Matteo knew exactly why they were panicking. No one knew how they had ended up inside the game in the first place. At first, someone might have thought it was a dream, but there was no way everyone could be dreaming about the same game they had just downloaded. No number of people could share the same delusion.
And then there was the blinding light that had consumed them, bringing them to this strange world where they were now trapped. But… is 'trapped' even the right word? Matteol thought.
"For those of you who might think this is a prison, know that it is not," the Game Master continued. "This is your chance to be seen as heroes, as saviors of this world. The key to returning home lies on the hundredth floor—at the peak of the tower."
To the veterans, this announcement sent a wave of unease through them. The hologram started moving, gliding smoothly in the air, generating a faint wind pressure as it hovered above. Matteo felt a deep chill creeping up his spine.
"Why the hell does this feel real? Am I having a concussion right now?"
The Game Master went on.
"You see, the world of Neon Solaris is a hundred-floor tower, with each floor being its own unique world and landscape. Clearing a floor opens a portal to the next, and then the next, and then the next. Simple, isn't it? I am its designer, but I cannot interfere directly in its matters. So, I had you, my flock of sheep, summoned here."
A sense of panic began to stir among the players.
"At first, I wasn't sure if it would work, but the testing went well—though the results were rather poor. To ensure things turn out better this time, I am introducing the party system."
Matteo's eyes widened. A party system? He can't mean…
"Yes," the Game Master continued. "For the 100 sheep who participated in my little test before, you will now be shepherds to a new flock. There are five hundred of you here. If I divide you into parties of five… well, that would certainly be more interesting. Since soloing didn't seem to work in the test, this is the next best approach."
Matteo had a lot of questions, but as he thought about the party system, he couldn't see anything inherently wrong with it. The only reason he had made it as far as he did—becoming the last surviving player in the beta—was because he had some help and, admittedly, a bit of luck.
When things got rough, relying only on yourself was hopeless.
But putting his faith in others? That wasn't his style. That was the real downside of being in a party. If someone defected or became weak, it created a gap in the team—a vulnerability.
"Shit… what are you playing at, Game Master?" Matteo muttered under his breath.
"Hey! This wasn't in the beta test!" someone shouted.
The Game Master stopped mid-air, tilting his head. His expression shifted into a look of exaggerated shock—clearly faked.
"Did you not hear you insignificant mouse?" he said, his tone mocking. "I made an improvement, since it seems humanity's strength might be in numbers."
"And what if we don't climb the tower?" another player asked.
The Game Master's fake shock vanished. He frowned—a twisted, sadistic expression spreading across his face. A single look from him made the hearts of almost everyone in the crowd feel like they would jump out of their chests.
"You die."
Silence followed.
"If you form a party that becomes inactive for too long, you die. If you don't clear certain floors within the given time frame, you die. And if you disobey me? Guess what?" He grinned widely. "Yes, you die."
A woman from the crowd let out a choked sob. "But this is supposed to be a game!"
The Game Master smiled again—just as unhinged, just as unnerving. His voice dripped with amusement.
"It is a game. To me."
His words sent a cold shiver through every single person there.
"You will be the ones dying here," he added. "I suggest you get started."
And with that, he vanished.
The square descended into chaos.