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Chapter 9 - chapter 8 - The horror world of hunted part 1

The Task Unveiled

"You three shall be sent into a Virtual Horror World,

developed by Tech Totem Tecto, under the Techbits Company."

"You will enter without powers.

You must survive one night as specific characters—fully roleplayed.

If any of your avatars stay alive until the limit…

You earn a divine chance."

 Avatar Assignments (Roleplay Mode)

Adira becomes Lena, a renowned dragon slayer—brave, proud, and haunted by past failures. Laro becomes Vikko, a mischievous jester—playful on the surface, hiding dark secrets beneath the laughter. Gransavia becomes Utlopa, a solemn exorcist—calm, precise, and burdened by visions of the dead.

They are not just wearing masks—they are living these roles.

Morning Inside the Horror World

The simulation begins.

The sun rises over a fog-drenched carnival—Ventro Carnives, a company built on illusion, dread, and performance.

Crowds gather. Music plays. Costumed workers prepare for the Year's End Carnival Festive.

At the center stands Makro, the Carnival Boss, voice booming through static-speakers:

"All performers—do your job best.

Today is the Year's End Carnival Festive.

We've spent 89,000+ Neuro Coins on this setting.

No errors. No failures."

He points to the three avatars:

Lena, you lead the Dragon Slaying Show—make it thrilling. Vikko, you run the Circus Performance—no glitches, no breaks. Utlopa, you conduct the Ghost Exorcism Ritual—make it believable.

"This is Ventro Carnives' sacred showcase.

Make it perfect.

Or be replaced."

Around them, dozens of performers in surreal costumes prepare their acts—some smiling, some trembling.

The three Totems, now fully immersed in their roles, nod and step into character.

 Cut Scene Ends

The screen flickers.

The simulation deepens.

The horror hides beneath the glitter.

The carnival ends.

The clock strikes 10:00 PM.

Fog rolls in like forgotten memories.

Makro, the Carnival Boss, shouts from the main tent:

"Pack up! Let's move on!"

Performers scatter. Lights dim. The festive illusion fades.

 The Gate Seals

At 10:25 PM, just as Makro exits the park gates—

A massive iron door slams shut behind him.

Inside, Lena, Vikko, Utlopa, and two children—Franko and Jhonko—are trapped.

Makro yells from outside:

"I told you—fast, fast!

Now I'll call the police.

Stay inside the shrine place and don't move…

Or you're going to die."

 The Glass Curse

Suddenly, a floating pane of glass rises from the ground—spinning, glowing, humming with cursed energy.

Utlopa leaps onto it, channeling her exorcist instincts.

She grabs Vikko's jester cannon, aims, and fires.

The glass shatters mid-air, shards swirling like spectral blades.

They reform into glowing letters:

HORROR WORLD BEGINS

WELCOME, 5 CONTESTANTS:

LENA, VIKKO, UTLOPA, KID FRANKO, KID JHONKO

Then the shards vanish into mist.

Avatar Awareness

Vikko chuckles, eyes scanning the eerie surroundings:

"Interesting. First, let's find the kids and get them to sleep.

We're okay with horror—but they're just children."

Lena nods, her dragon-slayer instincts kicking in:

"Good choice. But we need to understand what our avatars can actually do."

Utlopa agrees, voice calm but firm:

"Great plan. Let's test our limits.

Let's find out what these roles truly mean."

The shrine doors creak open.

The simulation deepens.

The horror begins.

The shrine flickers with spectral light.

The simulation deepens.

Each Totem begins to explore their avatar—body, skill, and fate.

🐉 Lena – The Dragon Slayer

Adira, now fully immersed as Lena, examines her reflection in a cracked mirror.

"My avatar is female… blonde braid, custom blade on my belt."

She taps her wrist. A tab opens—a glowing interface of power.

Power Display: Activated

Class: Dragon Slayer

Skills:

 Dragon Mist – blinds enemies with spectral fog 

Dragon Smash – high-impact melee strike

 Light Burst – radiant energy blast

Lena frowns.

"These are for killing dragons…

What can I do against ghosts?"

 Utlopa – The Exorcist

Gransavia, now trapped in the body of Utlopa, sighs.

"My body is heavy… male… black hair… no jewels. I dislike it."

She opens her tab.

Power Display: Activated

Class: Exorcist (Low Tier)

Skills:

 Exorcism Beginning – basic spirit banishment

Exort Ghost I – minor ghost repulsion 

Veil Protection – weak spiritual shield

Utlopa mutters.

"Low level… limited range.

I'll need to improvise."

 Vikko – The Jester

Laro, now embodied as Vikko, stretches his limbs.

"I'm a jester? What a bad match.

Male avatar… red hair… handsome build.

But no wind moves? That's an insult."

He opens his tab.

Power Display: Activated

Class: Jester 201

Skills:

 Bomb Burst – explosive trick attack

Sword Dance – rapid blade flourish

Dagger Throw – precision ranged strike

Vikko scoffs.

"No wind techniques.

These avatars are mismatched.

But no problem… let's see who survives."

Suddenly, the air ignites.

A massive Ferris wheel, engulfed in blue fire, spins violently—its speed unnatural, its heat spectral.

 First Warning

Vikko spots it first, eyes wide:

"Run fast—or die by the Wheel of Fire!"

The ground trembles. Screams echo from unseen corners.

Utlopa grabs a nearby popcorn cart, hurls it leftward to distract the wheel's path.

"Move! Now!"

The group—Lena, Vikko, Utlopa, and the two kids—sprint full speed into the fog.

The wheel vanishes.

 The Shop of Illusion

They stumble into a nearby shop—warm lights, crowded with people.

A stranger asks:

"Why were you running?"

The three avatars exchange confused glances, breathless.

They sit outside the shop, trying to recalibrate.

An old grandma sits beside them, smiling gently:

"Purchase this shop for 2,000 Neuro Coins, please."

Vikko frowns:

"I don't have money."

Suddenly—

The shop explodes.

Ash and friction scatter. The walls peel back, revealing rotted wood and cursed sigils.

The grandma transforms—her eyes glow, her smile sharpens.

She is a foxy lady spirit, cloaked in illusion.

Outside, the Ferris wheel returns, spinning silently.

Counterattack

Vikko, without hesitation, activates his skill:

Bomb Burst!

The explosion clears the path.

He grabs the others and runs.

The group collapses onto a grass field, breath ragged, limbs trembling.

"It's problematic," Lena mutters.

"We've been running nonstop for two hours."

Vikko scans the horizon, eyes sharp:

"Lena… I have a thought.

Is the Ferris wheel following us again?"

The grass begins to darken.

The wind stills.

The field shifts.

The Scarecrow Appears

From the center of the field, a scarecrow rises—stitched from shadow and straw, eyes glowing faint orange.

"I am here," it says.

"Are you ready to face a challenge?"

Utlopa steps forward, cautious:

"What challenge?"

The scarecrow's voice crackles like dry leaves:

"Simple.

Stand here for two hours.

See everything.

Feel everything.

But do not move.

If you win… I give you pumpkin seeds and snacks.

Because you don't know how to face horror."

Roleplay or Reality?

Vikko scoffs:

"What is this? Facing horror by standing still?

Are you roleplaying?"

The scarecrow tilts its head:

"I'm not roleplaying.

I'm real."

Suddenly, the field trembles.

The group panics.

"Ghost! Ghost!" they shout, running in all directions.

But Utlopa stays.

He plants his feet.

He stares at the scarecrow.

"I accept your challenge.

Let's see who wins… scarecrow."

The group—Lena, Vikko, and the two children—continues their escape, breathless and wary.

They reach the north side power plant, its towers humming with spectral energy.

Utlopa is missing—left behind at the scarecrow's challenge.

🦊 The Fox Spirit Returns

Suddenly, the foxy lady appears again, cloaked in illusion.

"Let me sell you my shop," she whispers.

Vikko steps forward, eyes sharp:

"Take this to the shops.

Give me yours.

It's a fair deal."

The fox spirit smiles.

"Thanks for the purchase."

She vanishes.

🎡 Ferris Wheel Returns

The Ferris wheel of blue fire reappears—spinning faster, louder, more violent.

Vikko grabs a rope, leaps onto the wheel mid-spin.

He activates:

⚔️ Sword Dance – slicing through cursed gears 💣 Bomb Burst – detonating the core

The wheel explodes in a burst of spectral light.

🎮 Horror Quest 1: Completed

Horror Quest 1: Burst the Wheel – Completed

🎉 All avatars level up +1

🧠 Horror Points acquired

Vikko unlocks a new skill:

🎡 Ferris Ride – mastery over cursed carnival mechanics

He turns to Lena:

"I got it.

This isn't just a horror show.

We must win to power up.

If we don't… we'll die."

 Horror Quest 2: Completed

Horror Quest 2: Purchase Ghost Shop – Completed

The foxy lady is now revealed as Foxia, a familiar spirit tied to Vikko's past.

"Awesome," Vikko grins.

"I beat it with the highest wins."

 Outside Totem Contest- 

In the divine broadcast chamber, Verot speaks to the viewers:

"What a show!

It's like a game!"

But Tecto, Tech Totem, interrupts:

"Wrong.

Each quest cleared…

makes them more hunted."

Verot smiles:

"Wow.

Awesome show."

The field is silent.

Utlopa stands beside the Scarecrow, unmoving, watching.

From the mist, four masked figures emerge—cloaked in shadow, voices low and bitter.

 The Demon Conspirators

"Our money's gone," one growls.

"No deaths in this carnival. It's a scam."

Another nods:

"We are Acenti Demons.

We failed our mission—all because of that fool, Carnival Boss Makro."

A third whispers:

"But now… five people are trapped here.

Let's give them death."

 Scarecrow's Whisper

The Scarecrow leans toward Utlopa, voice like rustling leaves:

"Don't speak.

Don't move.

They don't believe in ghosts or spirits.

Wait 20 minutes… then do whatever you must."

Utlopa sighs, eyes narrowing.

 The Waiting Game

Twenty minutes pass.

The demons sit, drinking spectral wine, laughing.

"We'll make an explosion.

Burn the shrine.

End the game."

 Horror Quest 3: Completed

A glow pulses from Utlopa's tab.

Horror Quest 3: Completed

 Reward: Summon Familiar – Scarecrow Added

 Ghost Exorcism Skill: Extended +1 Level

 The Strike

Without warning, Utlopa leaps.

He summons the Scarecrow's Sacred Blade, forged from haunted straw and spectral steel.

He slashes through the demons—swift, silent, precise.

Then he runs.

 Panic and Revelation

The demons scream:

"Ghost! Ghost!"

They flee in the opposite direction.

Suddenly, a wall of floating glass shards appears before them.

The shards rearrange into glowing words:

"Sorry. Welcome to Horror World."

Suddenly—

A shadow on horseback emerges.

The Dullahan, headless rider of cursed realms, charges toward Vikko.

 Vikko's Counterattack

Vikko leaps onto the Ferris wheel, rope in hand.

He activates:

Sword Dance – slicing through the wheel's cursed gears , Bomb Burst – detonating the wheel's core mid-spin

The explosion staggers the Dullahan—but it's not enough.

 Lena's Divine Strike

Lena appears, blade glowing.

She activates:

Light Burst – a radiant strike that pierces spectral armor

The Dullahan collapses in a burst of ghostfire.

Horror Quest 4: Completed

Horror Quest 4: Defeat the Dullahan – Completed

 Lena gains:

Familiar: Ghost HorseFamiliar: Dullahan Spirit

Vikko, stunned:

"What? That was my prayer!"

Lena, calm:

"Wrong.

First, we need to analyze the ghost shop."

 Utlopa and the Missing Kids

Suddenly, the group realizes:

"The kids are missing."

The ghost shop is closed.

Utlopa reappears—inside the shop, holding both children.

"Let me use the Scarecrow Familiar to help them."

He places the scarecrow at the door.

The shop glows faintly.

The children begin to wake.

 Outside Broadcast – Totem contest- 

Verot, Totem of Speech, addresses the viewers:

"Amazing.

They survived Chapter 1 of the story."

He smiles.

"Now… Chapter 2 begins.

In the shop.

At night.

Already 18 hours passed.

Let's see what happens."

The screen flickers.

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