“I wonder when it started...”
Walking down the empty road under the midnight moonlight, Keiran pondered when did the world started being so stale to him. Every day was a repeat to him. He woke up, got ready for work, left for work, returned from work, and ate, showered, slept, and repeat. His girlfriend broke up with him because she felt they weren’t good for each other anymore.
They have been together for 4 years during the last two years of high school and the beginning of college. After college started, Keiran’s girlfriend always made excuses that her schedule was very busy with work and school. Keiran knew better than that of a crappy excuse. He knew she was definitely hanging out with that guy in the sports club.
She never admitted to it but Keiran’s friends already told him otherwise. She told all the people in her circle that Keiran and herself had no relationship whatsoever just so she can get closer to her goal. Knowing that it was a waste of time, Keiran broke off all connections with her. But because Kieran’s abrupt disconnect made it seem as if it is her fault, she did everything she can to make Keiran’s college life horrible. Bullying, blaming, framing, anything that would make Keiran the bad guy.
Having enough of it, Keiran dropped out of college and decided to start working instead. For the past year of working, his life has become stale. It was mundane like black and white.
The only thing keeping him sane was the company of his dog. A 6 year old Alaskan Husky. Who would’ve known what would happen to him otherwise.
The crickets cried on the side of the road while Keiran walked his way home. A young man with short brown hair, average height of 5’6, and sharp facial features that can be considered decently handsome. Matching that with the moonlight background makes a seemingly lonesome picture.
Opening the door to his apartment, Jumpy, his dog, was already sitting waiting for him.
“How’s it going Jumpy?”
The dog jumped in happiness.
Looking at his watch it was only 12:30am.
“Do you want to go for a walk to the convenience store Jumpy?”
“Arf Arf” his tail wagged furiously horizontally.
Putting a leash on Jumpy, Keiran locked the front door and started heading out to towards the convenience store 3 blocks down the road.
The neighborhood is usually pretty quiet this time of night but it seems a lot of people are working late today because there are still many cars returning home.
While walking, Keiran noticed that his shoes was untied. Bending down to tie his shoes, Keiran felt a slight tug on the leash.
“Arf Arf”
For the brief second that he felt the tug, Jumpy ran after something in the shadows. A bright figure of light flashed throughout the dark night. The roaring sound of a vehicular engine sounded swiftly on the street.
Without Keiran being ready for it, it's as if something else has strongly yanked the leash. It was strong enough that a grown adult was flung like an arrow on a taut string.
“Wha--”
Keiran flew into the road and like hitting a brick wall, stopped precisely in front of the bright lights.
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*Kabang*
The driver quickly got out of the car and she was scared out of her life. She had never thought she would hit someone. She dozed off slightly and as soon as she did, someone was hit. Knowing she would be in trouble because she was drinking, she quickly returned to her car and drove off. Hearing the noises of a wreck, the neighborhood lit up while people were fussing their way outside.
Keiran was glad Jumpy was safe but also surprise and angry at who the driver was. It just happened to be Sarah, his ex-girlfriend who did all kinds of things to him during college. Lamenting his ill fate with Sarah, Keiran questioned the non-existent Gods who govern the world why his fate was so terrible. While his consciousness was fading out, a voice, serene and smooth, sounded out in his mind.
“Congratulations, you have been chosen to partake in the Game of Gods.”
“In this game, you have the power to achieve anything you want in life as long as you have the will and strength to reach it”
“You will……”
Keiran’s consciousness completely blacked out foregoing the rest of the information.
******
*Drip* *Drip* *Drip*
“Ugh….”
Waking up lightheaded, Keiran found out that he was not wounded at all.
“Am I…dead?”
“Why would you be dead?” a voice sounded over Keiran’s head.
Keiran looked upwards to find a red-haired youth around the age of 19 or 20 frowning at him.
“What do you mean?” Keiran asked.
Keiran can be considered decently smart in school with an average grade point average of 3.98, but this is way out of his reality.
“Did you not also hear the voice like the rest of us?” the red-haired youth complained.
Adjusting his vision and looking around the room, Keiran noticed that there were many different ethnicity, gender, and occupations in the room. The room was like a massive underground prison cell that existed during the medieval age. It was damp and dark with very little lighting.
“Where are we? You all heard a voice?” Keiran questioned.
“Why are you asking so much questions?” The red-haired youth scoffed.
Thinking back, Keiran did hear voice but he was on the verge of death. Now that he think about it, he should’ve been dead with the injury he had.
Seeming to have thought of something, the red-haired youth excitedly snapped at Keiran
“You, what’s your stats like?”
“Stats?”
“Yeah, stats. The voice mentioned that your starting point depended on the condition of your body when you were transferred.”
“Condition of my body?” Keiran frown deeply. He was fraught with a sudden bad premonition.
“How do I check them?”
“Did you not even listen at all to the information that was provided?” the red-haired youth berated.
“Just say it like a command. Don’t worry, no one else can see your stats unless you give consent to show another.”
“Here, I’ll show you mines first.”
“Stats!”
“Display!”
A transparent dialogue-like box in games was shown in front of Keiran’s face.
==========
NAME: Darrell
RACE: Human
AGE: 19
JOB: NONE
LEVEL: 4
ATTACK: 12
DEFENSE: 8
AGILITY: 9
ENDURANCE: 12
SPIRIT: 6
MAGIC: 4
=========
“Apparently, the average stat point of an adult is 8.” The red-haired youth explained.
“You try it, don’t worry, I don’t need to see it.”
Sighing in relief that his privacy was kept, Keiran followed the red-haired youth’s directions.
“Stats”
=========
NAME: Keiran
RACE: Human
AGE: 21
JOB: NONE
LEVEL: 1
ATTACK: 1
DEFENSE: 1
AGILITY: 1
ENDURANCE: 1
SPIRIT: 1
MAGIC: 1
==========
Keiran frowned upon seeing his stats knowing his premonition was true.