Logging into 'Odyssey' was the second biggest mistake of his life.
He should have known that a game with such a generic name could not bring any good.
But it was just too damn addictive. It wasn't even that special, like an exciting multiplayer or intricate world-building. Yet, once players logged in, they got attached, as if it were their second home. Calling it a trap wouldn't be too far-fetched. Once drawn into the flames, people didn't even realize they were burning.
Now the city was burning. People were being dragged out of their homes by an invisible force.
"What is happening?"
"I can't move!"
|Greetings, players of Odyssey.|
|You have been chosen.|
Those unaffected by the unknown force stopped to stare at the crack in the sky while those affected desperately tried to escape.
Looking at the glitchy screen before him, a single thought crossed Reis's mind.
'We're all such idiots.'
Unlike those being dragged out of their homes directly into the black void in the sky, he was still inside the capsule, unable to move.
|You have accumulated 1547 hours of game time within the 4320 hours since the launch.|
|The administrators have acknowledged your perseverance.|
'That's not even an outstanding number…'
|You have been selected by the system. Congratulations.|
He would have preferred nothing more than for this to be a fancy joke by the game. A new update that was too realistic and meant to give the players a good scare.
Although unaware of what was happening outside, the pain was just too much for him to believe that. He didn't know how to describe it. Would it feel like this if his veins were being ripped out of him, followed by his nerves, leaving the body numb afterwards? Or was it more like being electrocuted at a high rate? He couldn't say.
However, he could say that if the pressure got any heavier, his organs would burst.
The dark blue screen continued to pop up one after another.
|You will be directly transported to the MEDIAN. Please wait.|
'Maybe the capsule is malfunctioning…how do I get out…' In his mind, he knew that wasn't the case. But still, he tried to claw his way out. His vision blurred until he couldn't see anything at all. But even in this void, the painful feeling of being ripped apart didn't subside.
|Allocation in progress.|
'Let me out!'
'You can't keep me locked inside this capsule forever!'
It was a meaningless statement. The wind brushing against his skin indicated that he wasn't inside the capsule anymore. Whatever this dark void was, it held no trace of the multifunctional VR capsule of Esten's Gaming Cafe.
|User KDSFUY793457, your walk on Earth has already ended.|
'Bullsh*t!'
|The higher beings have decided your new role.|
|The system suggests you cooperate with the transmission for your own sake.|
'You can't do this! This is a human rights violation!'
The hollow voice didn't pay him any mind, no matter what he said.
|User 'Reis' identified.|
His already numb body went completely limp. How does it know my name? There was an extent to the info shared with ODS; his name wasn't one of them. It was a major breach of privacy.
|You have met the threshold to cross between worlds. You're one of the thousand players who have achieved this honor from server JDFH45354.|
What honor? He didn't want honor. 'Stop this nonsense!'
'I refuse!'
|Even if you find it hard to accept, this is your reality now.|
Before he could complain again, his body twisted from pain. "AHHH!" A coarse scream escaped his throat. As though he was being dragged out of his own body mercilessly.
|Do not resist. The more you resist, the more painful it will be.|
|Your role has been decided.|
His screams filled the space as memories were forced into his mind. Thoughts of unknown origin took over, drowning him in the echo of too many voices.
|Please do not resist. We do not wish to cause you pain.|
'Then stop it!'
|I cannot do anything if you do not calm down.|
'How do you expect me to calm down?'
Could anyone calm down when it felt like their insides were being ripped apart and built anew? Even machines couldn't do so. How could a living human being accept it? He had read stories where characters were brought into other worlds. Wasn't it to cease their pain?
'What crime am I being punished for?'
He couldn't remember doing anything deserving of this pain. 'Just kill m—'
"Is this it?" Cold air enveloped his body as a flat voice cut through his broken screams. "Why are you resisting so much? Others were just fine. You are causing disturbance in the MEDIAN." It felt like he was being pulled up by the collar, but no one had touched him. The non-existent arms shook him around like an object, as if trying to figure out the right way to hang a human like cloth.
That was partially true. The being was having a hard time figuring out which was the right way up because of his squirming. As a result, Reis was bound like a scarecrow in the end. "I don't understand what the fun is in observing these foolish creatures." The being muttered. "You're tainting my image, Earthling."
What did I do? You're the ones who dragged me here! I don't even know you!
"You think it's unfair, is that it?" The coldness seeped into his lungs. "But this was your choice."
'How was it my choice? How is being randomly brought into who knows where a choice?'
"Your choice to be a part of Odyssey." Reis wanted to punch this being in the face. He realized he'd feel much better if he could. "You can curse me out later."
His thoughts came to a halt. Can he hear me?
"I'm your guardian, of course, I can hear you. And you're disappointing me at the moment. Out of all the creatures in the universe, if I have to look after a frail two-legged beast, at least it could be a bit patient." Although Reis couldn't see anything, he could feel the mocking gaze of this being. "What a stubborn little creature. You'd rather writhe in pain than listen?" A wall pressed onto him from all directions.
|You mustn't hurt him.|
"I know what I'm doing." Trying to kill me? "Reis, is it?" The voice spoke, ignoring his inner lashings. "I do not know what kind of life you led, nor do I care. The transmission has already begun. This is your fate now."
"So stop fighting and preserve the energy for when you really need it. I'll guide the information to make it easier for you. Don't make it unnecessarily agonizing for yourself."
'Why do I have to endure—' The coldness reached up to his eyes, then his head. The previous stream of information made space for itself in every corner of his being. 'I don't need these! Stop!'
His words were ignored.
"You made a wish to the heavens? It seems you were quite desperate. Is that why you're so persistent? Because you have a wish to fulfil?"
'I did what?'
"I'll grant your wish."
'What wish?'
"And in return, you must win."
"Now go along. You've wasted enough time."
Thrown into the abyss, Reis cursed everyone out. The blue screen. The company that promoted Odyssy. The arrogant guardian, who was more like a thug. That was all he could do for now, an insignificant creature that could only hold a grudge.
That was how Reis's journey had begun. While the rest of the players were graciously accepting their position in the ethereal fantasy world of Odyssy, he had fought tooth and nail to escape.
But in the end, it was futile, and he had resigned to his fate.
He still held hope at that point. Odyssey had countless possibilities. Perhaps he could be a normal citizen living in a small village.
But that plan was short-lived, broken into pieces moments after opening his eyes with just a few words.
"Good Morning, Your Highness."