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My feet aren't hitting stone. It's softer and... wetter. Mud maybe? Moss?

Anywho, our group is chugging along at a reasonable clip, but it still seems as if we're pretty far from our destination. There still isn't a single wall in sight, even with the knight's bright torches illuminating our immediate surroundings. The damp ground silences our footsteps and any occasional grunts or breaths seem to be dispelled by the thick darkness. Seems as if we should pass the time with some tunes!

Suit-guy glares at me, almost as if he's saying 'don't you dare'. Huh, I still don't know this goober's name, let's rectify that.

"Hey", I shatter the silence, "I'm Drew Peacock, who're you?"

Immediately, the group busts into laughter. All we needed was someone to crack the ice, because the heavy silence is now replaced with boisterous conversation. All the stress is gone and I can even see the knights noticeably relax.

"That's not your name, Matthew", he unperturbedly replies, "I am Tristan Lycanthi."

Somehow, I'm not even surprised that he knows my name. Oh! I'll have him guess my sign next!

Tristan glances over at the now-raucous group before continuing, "You seem to have the gift of the gab. Apparently it was not wrong to appoint you as their leader."

Spoken like a true Gemini.

"No", I reply, "It's human nature. We adapt. We survive. Even in impossible situations."

What's that look he's giving me? Respect? I had thought it impossible. Especially with my junk hanging out and in a bedsheet cape.

"Hmm, I would hope you can survive this ordeal. That would be optimal. ...Ask your questions. This trip isn't going to be quick", he says.

"Alright", I think for a moment before asking, "Where are we?"

Tristans smiles lightly and answers, "A good enough starting point, I suppose. We are in Tartrus Cavern, directly beneath the Noble District of the Great Citadel Reaxsc. It is called such because of its massive size; it is large enough to engulf the entire planet's surface"

He's risen his voice high enough so that the whole group can hear him. They've all quieted down and are intently listening. Catching on, I likewise speak up.

"Really? So, I'd imagine that'd only be feasible if your society had massive shipments of water and food regularly delivered to you. Probably something only an advanced, space exploring culture would be able to do. If so, you would have to be in a state of relative peace on the planet. So why summon us? Space orcs need killing or something?", I question further.

Tristan's half-smile breaks out into a full-on grin. 

"Ha! Spot on, Matthew", He enthuses "I have to start trusting the Viceroy more often. Her judgement about you was correct."

He sobers a bit before continuing, "It is as you said. Reaxsc is currently at peace. For now. You see, it is that very peace that threatens us. The people are growing restless, itching for battle, for our race is one of war. The peace we have now is not because there were no threats to contend with, but because every threat was either destroyed or enslaved. Soon enough, bloodlust will spill over into a war to end all wars.

Before that happened, an anonymous wizard completed the first summoning, proving that dimensions other than ours existed. At first, it was unimportant, but then we as a species begun to grow genuinely curious. Our magicks allowed us to not only reach out into other dimensions, but to spectate as well. For a while we simply watched battle and bloodshed in other worlds to satiate ourselves without collateral damage here, but we grew bored, tired of the same old thing.

...You are not the first group to be summoned, you know. And I doubt that you will be the last. It is all part of the solution that was formulated long ago. The high council likes to call it the jurmunge or Game in your tongue. The logistics and planning in their game was massive to say the least. It had to be, so that could keep our attention away from battle, permanently. It was theoretically impossible... for mortals at least.

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

So, our strongest and wisest sorcerers came together and wove the single greatest spell ever to be cast. We created life. It is akin to how your world wishes to craft AI, but your dream became our reality. We had our perfect Gamemaster, the Overlord of the Game. The very Game you were brought here for."

We were silent for his entire speech and it's continued well afterward.

For a while, we just walk without another word, each of us consumed in our own thoughts.

"...What is 'the Game'?", the blue haired girl asks. Huh, almost forgot about her. She's obviously nervous, but below than that I see something else... her tits. Ha, just kidding. She's quite curious.

(AN: Matthew being a total ass is on purpose. He doesn't share my views... most of the time)

Tristan doesn't even look back to reply, "It's easier to see than to explain, Cassandra. We're just half an hour away and when we get there, we can view an ongoing game on holoscreen."

"That reminds me", I chime in, "Why aren't you using modern technology instead of torches and medieval armor?"

He chuckles before replying, "There's really no set dress code for a guard, so these guys chose something that they liked from a recent game. Don't worry though, it's all enchanted to be very effective in combat."

Wow, I'm being escorted by a bunch of fanboys. How has my life come to this?

"Argh, boss!", a knight whines in a high-pitch, "Why'd you tell them? We wanted our first cosplay to be perfect! It's all ruined!"

All of them slump in depression.

I'm too shocked to even utter one word for the next half hour.

We finally arrive at a massive arch, leading off to a corridor. I notice as we continue that every single surface is perfectly smooth, with zero imperfections.

Soon, we reach a cavern with a massive metal disk, large enough for our entire group times twenty. We all step on top, but the knights stay behind. They sadly wave their farewells before they trudge back into the darkness we came from. Apparently we made quite an impression.

As the last ounce of light retreats, we are engulfed in darkness so black that it seems to suffocate us. It's not long before we hear a low rumble below us. Dazzlingly bright runes flash to life beneath our feet as the disk begins to ascend. My gut is uncomfortable for a moment because of the sudden rise, then I get used to it.

"... I just got some updated news on Mind Message, everyone", Tristan catches our attention, "We won't be meeting the king after all. We barely have time to go over the rules before your first game starts."

We all stand at rapt attention. What he says now will tell if we will live or die.

"In a few moments, you'll be brought to a new world. This world can be anything from a high fantasy setting to modern Earth with a twist. Most often than not, it will be something from your popular culture; movies, games, anime, books, and so on.  Listen to the Overseers instructions and try to complete the particular goal he has laid out for you. If you do so, it will garner you points. Use those points to purchase stats points, powers, skills, and equipment after the mission is over. You will have three days between missions. Do try not to die and be entertaining whilst you do it. People have 'disappeared' for being too boring, after all. Direct any more questions to the tutor when you arrive.

...Oh, and another thing, your complete freedom can be bought for one billion points."

Just as those last words reach my ears, I feel myself being consumed within a violent blue light.

I black out.