FVR

Chapter Three.

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〘Congratulations!〙

〘Wave One. Complete!〙

〘A Chest Will Be Generated Based On Your Team Performance!〙

〘Title Unlocked: [First Blood]〙

〘Reward For Title: One Skill Point〙

〘Tile Unlocked: [First Level]〙

〘Reward For Title: Beginner Weapon Choice〙

〘Unique Title Unlocked: [Sole Group Survivor]〙

〘Reward For Title: Ten Skill Points〙

〘Reward For Title: 1 x Cleansing Strike〙

〘Reward For Title: Double Experience For Seventy-Two Hours〙

〘Time Until Next Wave:〙

〘22.59.59〙

〘22.59.58〙

〘22.59.57〙

His senses were on such high alert that every whisper created by the paranoia of his mind felt like an attack. He continued to kneel on the ground, his hands and head trying to bury into the hard stone that separated him from reality.

Shut up, he asked silently - the cries of the other players echoing in his mind.

Shut up, he begged - the sound of the wolf's teeth snapping as it lunged for his face.

"Shut the fuck up!" He cried into the abyss - remembering the words of the girl who had saved him moments before her own death.

He hit the ground with his hands and feet, trembling with a cold sweat. His mind raced with fear, imagining what might come next and what had happened to the others. A shudder rippled up his spine at the thought, as he couldn't be sure how much pain they had endured when they died or where they had gone.

Is it over for them? He questioned silently. Are they gone for good!?

His breaths came in ragged gasps, each inhale a struggle against the uncertainty of what lay ahead, and each exhale accompanied by a gripping fear in his heart.

Tears streamed down his cheeks, falling to the harsh ground below.

Every sound, every rustle, every distant echo sent a shiver down his spine and stood the hairs on his neck.

His ears strained, but heard only silence.

As he opened his eyes it became clear to him that the smell of blood that had so recently assaulted his senses had vanished along with the bodies. Yet, the haunting images remained clear in his mind: the decapitated head, the crushed body of the boy, and the pool of blood where the girl had stood.

Why is this happening? "I don't get it," he breathed with a raspy voice, "I don't fucking get it..."

He stayed relatively still for a few minutes, his breathing unsteady and his mind still ablaze.

What am I meant to do now? The weight of his helplessness and selfishness pinched at his heart. I could have helped... The realization gnawed at him, and he couldn't bear what he had done, or, hadn't done.

With invisible, blood-soaked fingers, he clawed at the floor, his actions driven by an inexplicable compulsion. This isn't real, Joel. This isn't real... He chanted the words inwardly like a desperate mantra, but with each repetition, the realization dawned heavier upon him as his fingers felt the sharpness of the floor on his sore skin - they were real people, enduring real pain.

"You couldn't help," his voice trembled, barely audible in the silent room as he lowered himself lower to the ground and wrapped his arms around himself. "You couldn't help." With a sudden surge of frustration, or sadness, he pounded his fist against the ground.

He shut his eyes and wiped away their dampness. He didn't want to see anything any more, or feel anything ever again. He just wanted to sleep; to escape the anguish that poked at his heart, and scratched at his mind.

With a desperate longing to escape, Joel pushed himself up from the frigid embrace of the stone floor, determined to break free from the confines of the chamber. Then, with cautious, and wearied steps, he walked across the room to the chest; his mind a turbulent sea of conflicted emotions, and an overwhelming sense to return to his bed.

The walls remained damaged from the battle, but there were no obvious buttons or devices, no levers or dials, just a few lanterns placed an equal distance from each other, offering what little light they could. The ceiling, too, displayed a simplicity in its design, empty of ornamentation or any real character. The reset after the battle had completely removed all the clothing, armor, and weapons as well. Joel turned back to double check, but even the dagger he used to kill the wolf had vanished. How the fuck am I meant to keep anything? The thought lingered in his mind, casting a shadow of doubt. Games were usually designed to teach the player and to move them linearly through a tutorial. Not this. Not this silence.

The chest looked plain, light green, wooden, with no lock. Joel reached out and the lid flipped open the moment he touched it.

Inside, sat two bottles of a green liquid, and one bottle of a blue liquid. In the corner of the chest sat a single gold coin.

He softly exhaled with a sigh, "wonderful," he whispered, flicking a bottle slightly.

His shoulders slumped as he hunched over the chest. He paused again for a moment, unsure on what to do next. His mind like a broken clock, ticking every few seconds to the tune of a thoughtless note.

"What... what kind of game doesn't teach you what to do?" He stammered. He reached out a shaking hand to pick up the gold coin and placed it into his pocket, then picked up the three bottles, assuming they were health or mana potions. "Is there magic in the game?" He furled his eyebrows, "seriously, who the fuck am I talking to?" He said with a regretful chuckle.

He picked up the bottle with the green liquid. I should be saving these, but I want this heartache to end. If there's a chance it can do it, it's worth the cost. He pulled out the cork, and downed its contents in one gulp. It didn't taste of anything; even water had more flavor. Almost immediately after drinking it, however, his headache cleared; the cuts on his fists healed, and the stinging sensation in his eyes vanished. Though his mental clarity still felt hazy, and the disturbing images still churned his stomach, he felt a surge of energy coursing through him.

Taking a deep breath, he exhaled slowly, his wide stare still holding back tears as they looked to his healed hands. This really is just a game.

Joel took a deep breath and exhaled loudly, then balanced the potions in his arm against his chest, and walked toward the exit.

〘Unforeseen Conclusion〙

〘Redirecting Player To Starting Zone For Cognitive Calibration〙

Huh?

A sudden bright light engulfed his vision, forcing him to shut his eyes. A rush of panic shot to his feet; his muscles tensing as he prepared to run away. When he opened his eyes, he found his surroundings had completely changed.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

Before him stretched an expansive grove, bathed in a soft, ethereal light that filtered through the vibrant canopy above. The gentle sunlight cast a tranquil aura over the green grass and tall trees, and danced on the surface of a pristine pond that nestled peacefully amidst the verdant foliage. The azure waters of the pond mirrored the sky above in such a perfect way that Joel felt it transcended what it meant to be beautiful. With a slowed, tired turn, Joel realized that the desolate chamber had vanished, replaced by the paradise of color and warmth. Yet, amidst the beauty, a sense of remorse tugged at him for leaving the place where so many had died. He took a tentative step in the direction of the room, but he didn't travel back. The entire area had completely changed, and that graveyard of invisible blood had gone with it.

As every blade of glass waved at his feet with the whispering breeze, his moment of remorse seemed to float away. A refreshing air caressed his skin as it moved through the lush leaves above him. His senses awakened to the wind carrying a sweet smell of berries and the earthy smell of dirt and grass. Sun dappled branches and leaves hung from standing trees to the mossy ground, blowing like drapes in the cool breeze. Gradually, the atmosphere chipped away at his wearied body. Gradually, it chipped away at his very soul.

Joel took a small step, and felt the earth bounce slightly as he walked; its soft soil experiencing the heavy steps of a living thing for the first time. He made his way toward the pond, accompanied by the curious buzzing of insects exploring his exposed skin as they fluttered around him. With a wave, he sent them darting into the bushes, which chirped with a cacophony of miscellaneous songs.

The fresh scent and the tranquil atmosphere enveloped him, transporting him into a dream-like state. Its serenity seemed too perfect to be real as it erased his earlier feelings of fear and regret, which faded like the morning mist.

Above him, birds jumped from branch to branch and flew from tree to tree, singing and dancing, calling and answering. The wind twisted the branches as they flowed to the tunes of their inhabitants. It's lovely, he thought, with his mouth slightly agape and the muscles in his face relaxing with every moment. The sereneness of it all felt blissful, even the air seemed to delicately wipe away the moisture from his eyes. All at once, the emotion he had felt seemed to vanish, but oddly enough, Joel didn't realize it was happening.

He placed the bottles on the grass before lowering himself with his hand on the dry earth to lay down. The grass tickled his palm as the sun kissed his exposed skin. It felt like drinking the potion, but better. All at once, his fatigue left his body. The tender warmth of the sun soothed the hairs on his face and embraced his body like a childhood blanket. His sadness had entirely faded away, now tempered by the heat of the sun. Everything worked together to relax him into a state of drowsiness. He yawned deeply, and closed his eyes, laying peacefully in the soft grass.

With his final thoughts of consciousness, he managed to think one lucid thought, unmarred by the sereneness of the world around him: I'm sorry, he said silently in his mind as he drifted off with exhaustion.

Truly.

***

As his consciousness awoke ever so slightly to the smell of the grass, the warmth of the sun greeted Joel by softly caressing his cheek - its soft glow speckled a sunny pattern on his skin. For a fleeting moment he felt weightless, suspended in a sense of tranquility.

The chatter of the grove nudged him awake as his eyes flickered open. Crimson hues illuminated his vision. He blinked, breaking through the blurred sleepiness. Colors split apart as his eyes focused and he realized he had dozed off.

A moment passed where he seemed to forget where he was, until a sense of panic made him jump to his feet.

I fell asleep! The thought of falling sleep after what he had seen nearly stopped his heart. The realization echoed through his mind as he scanned the bushes that now shook ominously. The prattle of unseen creatures behind the barrier of trees teased him with their indistinguishable laughter. Even the sun seemed to have dimmed.

His heart raced at the danger the loomed out of sight, as images of ogre's and wolves invaded his thoughts.

"AH!" He yelled, hoping to scare away the monsters that hid. "BA! WA!" He continued, unable to form real words in his frightened state.

A subtle feline murmur replied, sending a shiver running up his back. His body went cold as the sound grew closer. His breathing became heavy and his muscles stiffened.

Rustling leaves and turning stones rang out from the shrubbery, whispering of the threat that prepared to strike.

Joel's heavy breathing stopped in a final gasp as his feet dug into the earth, prepared to flee. Then, from the tangle of bushes, a narrow and tiny head emerged; its golden-brown fur stood out unnaturally against the verdant foliage. Beady black eyes surveyed the stranger, assessing him with a curious scrutiny before raising to meet Joel's wide-eyed stare. With cautious movements, the creature ventured out of the bushes.

"Meow," it said with a soft, familiar tone.

It's a cat?

"Meeeoow," it repeated. A calming cry that tugged at Joel in a nostalgic way.

No bigger than a kitten, with the sleek coat of a fox and the beady eyes of a feline, it looked unlike any cat he had ever seen. As he gazed upon the tiny creature, a wave of stillness washed over him.

"Hey," he choked. All of the tension in Joel's body faded into the ether - replaced with a wave of embarrassment.

"Meow!" It replied happily, wagging its tail. It walked cautiously towards Joel and rubbed its head against his leg.

"You scared the shit out of me, you know?" The tiny creature sniffed his outstretched fingers curiously. "The heck are you doing here, eh?" Joel murmured, lowering himself to sit next to it.

He ran a hand down its soft back, gently stroking its warm fur. Its moist nose pushed against Joel's hands as it purred. What's with this place? It's so... strange. The fog in his mind seemed to thicken with every passing moment, replaced with a naive sense of joy. His mind paused as his hand came to rest on the back of the foxlike kitten. Should I be going somewhere?

"Meow," it purred. Joel snapped back to the present moment with a pained smile. He picked up a stick and playfully teased the cat with it, who eagerly battled it with its paws.

It had such an abundance of infectious energy to grow the smile on Joel's dry lips, and a laugh with every poke or swift movement of the stick. As they played, Joel couldn't help but wonder at the stillness of where he had found himself: The grass felt soft and inviting. The sun embraced him like a blanket after a long day. The gentle caress of the wind seemed to massage his tensed body. Even the cat's claws were harmless against his skin. It seemed as if everything in this place had been crafted with the opposite intention of the chamber before - with every detail designed to only elicit peace and joy.

Lost in the moment, Joel found his worries and cares all drift away with every swipe of the cat's paw. For those brief moments, all that mattered was the simple nature of their companionship, and the joy of spending time with a living thing, before he regained a sense of awareness again.

It's a game, he had to remind himself.

"Do you know what I'm meant to be doing?" Joel asked. The feline purred back in response. "I thought as much. I need to figure out what to do," he said, rubbing its face as the cat rumbled in delight. He collected the two bottles then stood up carefully, as to not alarm his new friend.

Joel looked around, wanting some kind of sign or notification, but none came.

The flat grove should have made it possible to see any monsters, but they remained elusive. The only obstructions were the trees that stood with no rhyme or reason for their placement. I need height, Joel looked up, measuring the tallest trees, and the easiest ones to climb. Overhanging the pond stood a mature oak tree that towered over many of the others. With its low hanging and sturdy-looking branches to help his ascent, it made for a perfect lookout.

"Coming?" He asked.

"Meow," the little feline replied.

The grass beneath his feet cushioned each step as Joel walked, and a gentle breeze whispered through the trees in words he couldn't understand. It reminded him of somewhere, but the memory appeared faded. It had become less of a visual memory and more of a feeling - a feeling that he had been here before. Yet, with every new step, the memory faded, replaced with nothing but the current moment. He looked down at the cat and smiled, and a thought came to mind.

"You need a name..." Joel mused aloud. I don't know any good cat names, and he kinda looks more like a fox. He studied its walk, noting its playful sway of its fluffy tail, and the nimble nature of its paws as it stepped.

"How about Fluffy?" He suggested tentatively, uncertainty in his voice

"Meooowww!" it replied with an enthusiastic tune. Its bright eyes gleamed up to him with approval as it waved its tail back and forth. Joel couldn't help but feel relief, if not a little regret over such a common name. I wonder if Fluffy is too generic a name for such a unique creature?

Taking a deep breath, Joel turned his attention to the tree ahead. When they reached it, he mentally prepared himself for the climb. Been awhile... Leaving the potions on the ground, he took a breath, then placed his hands on a branch, feeling the rough bark beneath his fingertips, he tensed his arm.

"I haven't climbed a tree in years," he laughed, trying to find a foothold. He stretched his back out of habit, then bounced in place a few times to build his momentum.

Fluffy meowed his encouragement.

"Thanks, Fluffy," he replied, his voice hiding lingering uncertainty. Pressing his feet against the rough bark, he attempted to pull himself upward. His body felt heavier than expected, and his arms strained under the weight. Fuck, this is harder than I thought.

"Did you have to make it so fucking realistic?" He asked, hauling himself up and exhaling with the effort.

"Meow!" Fluffy said with a gleam in its eyes.

"Yeah yeah," Joel replied, "I know. I'm a wimp."

As he climbed, he found his thoughts narrowed to the task at hand. Each new branch, despite the rough bark, brought a sense of comfort. His mind focused on the present moment as he whimsically navigated upwards, threading through gaps, knocking away branches, and finding footholds as he climbed higher and higher. It didn't take long for his body to remember what his mind had forgotten - the freedom of movement, and the strength of his own body. As he climbed, he felt as though he were leaving something behind. With each movement, his physical senses heightened, but his emotions dulled - as if carried by the wind and burned away by the sun.

He was slightly out of breath once he reached the top; the effort of the climb tired him more than he had prepared for. No thoughts crossed his mind for a moment, not even of the vast landscape that law sprawled out in every direction. He felt empty, as if a veil had been drawn over his mind. As his eyes blinked away the light of the sun, he found himself a little more alert. A smile stretched across his face, though its origins were a mystery even to him.

From his current vantage point, he estimated he must have climbed about seventy feet. Clinging tightly to the tree, he surveyed his surroundings. The view looked mostly the same in every direction: a dense expanse of trees and lush foliage, as one would expect from the wilderness. But just ahead, in the opposite direction of the pond, emerged a small embankment; its gentle curve interrupted the otherwise flat landscape, and its peak seemed to descend rapidly out of sight. It seemed to be the only thing which seemed out of place in an otherwise perfect vista - a blot of paint on natures canvas.

That's where I have to go, he thought, squinting against the wind as it fluttered softly into his eyes. For a moment, his thoughts scattered with the breeze. He glanced down at Fluffy, who waited peacefully beside the base of the tree, a gentle reminder of the calmness he had found since waking up. A soft smile tugged at his mouth.

Joel's thoughts continued to drift. Despite the weight of sadness that should have gripped him, an inexplicable lightness lay peacefully in his chest. Each breath filled him with an odd sense of calmness. It should have been an unsettling contrast to the melancholy he felt before, yet nothing bothered him.

I could stay like this forever, he mused, his thoughts lingering on the stillness in the air, a whispered promised to the enchanting tranquility that surrounded him.