Mike didn't know much about what was going on, but he knew people. This situation was dangerous and he needed to act now. In his day to day life he never would have worried about this much smaller and weaker girl doing something to hurt him. This was not his regular life. He sensed some kind of odd confidence within her. Like somehow she knew none of them were going to be a problem.
Seeing as she had played this at least one time before and maybe a number of times he could only guess what she may have up her sleeve. Mike at least knew. he had absolutely no tricks up his own sleeve.
Lisa paced back and forth. She didn't want to interfere while he playing as that would only make a loss more likely. She watched the older man like a hawk. Getting more enraged at his incompetence. The time ticked lower and lower. As the time ticked down she naturally got more absorbed in the challenge.
Ever so slowly I took the tiniest of steps. I tried to keep the position of my body the same as I slowly slide across the floor. Whatever happened was going to happen after this game was over I was pretty sure. I decided it'd be best to wait until the final 10 seconds in the challenge to really make my move. I put my back against the ticket dispenser. I moved as little as possible, so as to not attract attention as I slipped the 10 dollars in.
“What the fuck are you doing?” Lisa saw me pulling the ticket out. Realization dawned in her face as she learned I had just spent my10 dollars.
I'm sorry, you've lost the challenge*
She looked back at the older man who had just lost the game and the flashing of the box informing them of this. I took this chance and quickly opened the door and jumped through, ticket in hand. I quickly turned back wondering if she would make some kind of move on me or if I was really safe in here.
The thumb and pointer finger in her hand ran across her eyes and stopped at her nose. She shook her head. “Everyone is being such a fucking pain in the ass today. Can't a girl catch a break?”
“Bill! Quickly, buy a ticket and get your ass in here! Something is very wrong with her. I can't tell you how I know, I just do. You need to trust me.”
Bill instead of following my advice, became enraged. “Why did you go inside the room? Weren't the four us suppose to be a team?”
Lisa started to chuckle. The chuckle turned into a laugh as she nearly doubled over. This was just too funny. What a joke. “We're a team? When did that happen? Who said so? I never once thought of any of you as teammates. You think we're all thrown in here and suddenly I'm suppose to be on your side? You sound like a child.”
The middle aged man cautiously approached. “Lisa, I guess you're a little mad I lost the game. I know I screwed up. Maybe you could play the next game for me and give me your winnings. Then we can all get out of here.”
She looked at him with a blank face. It only hinted at the slightest bit of interest. No more than you would usually see on a normal person's face when they either watched a bird in a tree or a house being built. Nothing of real importance. Just another minor event that takes place which she will not care to remember in a week.
“I don't feel like playing games anymore. I tend to like to do this at the end just to play it safe and be sure the game has no surprises. But now seems like a pretty good time to ends.” Her hand had the motion of pressing buttons in the air. I thought she had to be doing something to manipulate some kind of game screen.
Once she seemed done pushing invisible buttons she reached her hand into the empty space and pulled out a dagger. It was as if she was pulling it out from behind an invisible wall.
“What the hell, where did that come from?” Bill was shocked during this time to see the change in her mannerisms but seeing the dagger appear from what was apparently nothing really set him on edge. It seemed like he still didn't understand that normal rules may not apply here.
“It is a very special knife. You're not allowed to bring any weapons from the outside world into the game. If you hold them then they won't travel with you and if you put them in your inventory they'll just disappear from it when you enter the game. The only weapons you can bring are items you bought at the game store. This dagger is very special. It can easily cut through human bone as if it were butter.”
Before the middle aged man could say anymore her hand flashed across his vision. When he tried to ask her what happened blood spurted out of his mouth. He touched his neck and felt a deep gash across it. In a single flick of her arm with the dagger she has cut his head nearly 2/3rds of the way off. As he looked around he felt his own head have an unfamiliar looseness as he turned.
His shirt and pants were getting drenched with blood as he became light headed. He took a step towards her but as soon as his foot hit the floor his knee gave out. He started to pass out.
Bill seeing this scene ran to the ticket dispenser. He desperately tried to push his 10 dollars in to get his ticket. Lisa wouldn't allow any more mistakes or potential prizes to get away. She wanted all the remaining dollars in her possession. While he tried to slip the money in he was stabbed through the heart. Just for good measure, she did it a few more times and then once more to the back of his head.
True to her word, the dagger seemed to easily go through his skull and he fell nearly instantly. She picked up the 10 dollars he held in his hand. She looked to the air in front of her. “Yes, I'd like to claim this money”. She said it as if the game asked her if she wanted to.
*Alter! Player William has been removed from the game*
*Alter! Player Donald has been removed from the game*
The boxes seemed to flash both in front of me and her. I noticed she gave them a slight look but generally just ignored them. She walked over to the dead middle aged man on the floor. I guess his name was Donald. She took the remaining money off of him.
She turned towards me “You know, if it wasn't for the bonus options you really would have ruined my plans tonight. I was looking forward to being able to reach a certain number of points today. It seems like I'll be able to reach it anyway. Still, I hate seeing a fish get away.”
She picked one of the games and bet 8 dollars. “Now, I would asked you to be quiet. I want to focus on this. I still have a chance to make a few more dollars before the time is up.”
“You fucking bitch! You just killed Bill and the older man. How can you be so heartless. What the hell did they ever do to you? Do you even understand the value of a human life?”
“Silence. While I can't kill you in here anymore, if you really piss me off there is nothing to stop me from trying to track you down in the outside world. Yes, it would leave behind an actual crime scene which could be troublesome, but I'm confident I’m smart enough to not get caught.”
Her game began and she had laser focus on it. It was clear by her tone she was serious about trying to hunt me down if I crossed her. With the way she felt about the lives of other people I wouldn't put it past her to at least attempt it if she felt too annoyed by me. I decided it was best to keep silent while she played.
I sat in the safe room and watched her. Who would think that such a young girl with a sweet angelic face could be so cruel and detached? She won her game and then instantly bet on another. She won that game as well. When she played the 3rd game, after looking at the vending machine decided to bet a lot. She lost that game but only slightly. It seemed to annoy her a great deal. I guess if she won that one she could tried for a really good prize.
In the last game she bet only a few dollars to minimize what she could lose. She won this game and checked the clock. 4:32 left.
She walked over to the vending machine. She bought a total of 15 point. She didn't seem to care that she was still dripping a little of Donald's blood even now. She put the cards and dagger in her inventory and walked into the safe zone.
Congratulations players Lisa Ann Heart and Michael Phillip Thomas. You have passed the game, as the only players to complete the game you will equally split the 16 total game points due to status bonus this will be doubled For Lisa into 16 points. Player Mary; Players Donald and William had 5 unused points each; would you like to receive their points as well with the Skill Point Stealer?
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
“Yes, I would.”
It finally clicked now. “So you killed them just so you could get extra point?”
“If it makes you feel any better, they were probably going to die at some point anyway. They clearly didn't have what it takes to play this game. You on the other hand, might have a chance to make it pretty far. Sure, you're dumb as a rock but that can be fixed with a little spending on intelligence. People like us who have a good mind for games and are able to focus on the task at hand can last.”
“You're just trying to justify why you killed them. You don't know if they could have lasted or not. Even if they couldn't last alone, if you had chosen to help them instead of kill them to take their points they could have lasted just as long as you have for all you know.”
She laughed at my comment. “You're just talking more dumb crap. No one in this game will ever out last me. I have what it takes to survive here. I play the game without regret or restraint and better than anyone else. After all. If you're the best player then you'll almost certainly never lose no matter who you're against.”
“You're acting like it's the players who are against each other and not this cruel game system itself.”
“But it is the players who are against each other in the end. You just haven't played enough to realize it. That's why I don't mind telling you this. You may be able to survive this game for a while but I can see right through you. I know you don't have it in yourself to beat me. That is why I don't mind talking to you. I was a little pissed you lived. It has been a while since anyone I played with has. Now I am starting to feel a little more impressed than anything.”
“So what happens now?” I didn't want to talk to her anymore than I had to. But if she was amused by me enough to give me information, there was no way I could turn it down.
“Well, you tell the game you wish to exit and then you are back were you started before entering the game. Any injuries will be healed. This whole place will disappear and it will be like nothing here ever happened. Wherever here really is anyway. Oh, don't get too comfortable though. You'll have to come back in a few weeks at the absolute longest. There will be a count down so keep you're eye on that.”
My eyes widened when she said I would have to come here to play the game again. She gave me a laugh and hit my shoulder. “Not with me silly, well, probably not. It's entirely random who you play with. I don't know how many people for sure play the game. I know they tend to add new people all the time and I would guess besides them there are thousands and thousands of vets.”
She put her hand on my neck softly and with her other pushed me against the wall. Not as to cause me pain. She had something else in mind. “It's so hard to meet people outside the game who really understand what it's like. The exhilaration and the thrill of it. Nothing beats it. Knowing every time you come you bet your very life and that when you win you become closer and closer to something like a god.”
She slipped her hand under my shirt. “And the blood. The first time I saw it I was shocked. The 2nd time I was fascinated. After a while I started to see the beauty in it. The way life lives by a razors edge in here. Everything feels heightened and primal. Before I came here I never knew I had such a side to myself. It makes you feel alive like nothing else can. When I first came here I feared death. Now I fear going back. How stale and dead that world is compared to this one.”
She undid my fly and rubbed me over my jeans. I felt her lips on my neck and her fingers pinching my nipples. “You know, there are absolutely no consequences here. We can do anything we want. Be free from all the controls of society and really indulge ourselves.”
She stepped back and took off her shirt. Her body saw so well developed for a younger girl. Everything looked tight and perfect. The black bra was clearly not needed to support her perky breast. Her stomach was tight and her skin was flawless. Her sweet and innocent face looked seductive and wild as she gave me a grin that put me in mind of a grin a lioness may have before her meal. She pushed rup against me. I could feel her chest pushing into mine and her hot bare skin.
“You like my body right? Believe it or not, before I came her I didn't look like anything special. This place changed it for me. Now I am the sexy goddess every man wishes he could have even if he tries to tell himself i'm too young. I know if I told those old dogs to come they'd crawl for me. Every test in school has become a joke. Every physical active has become easy. There is nothing I can't accomplish or get. Now I play only to see how high I can reach. What peaks are beyond these.”
She kissed me and forced her tongue into my mouth. I tried to push her off but she wasn't lying about her strength. It felt like I was pushing against steal. “Ahh, don't tell me you don't want it. Are you getting scared? Cause I’m so much stronger than you? Don't worry, I can't hurt you in here much. It's against the rules. Don't tell me you don't want me. I know you do. I can see your breath and pulse have quickened, not to mention that bulge in your pants. You remember what I said about no consequences here? That's true. No matter what we do.”
Her mouth came to my ear “You don't even need to put anything on before I let you put it in.”
“You killed my friend.”
“You're friend? You just met him. Don't be such a little bitch. Look, all of that got me worked up and now I want to let off some steam. Do you know how many men wish they could be in your spot right now? You should be on your fucking knees thanking me. Now no more of this whining. You could just tell the game to let you leave if you don't like it. We both know you want me. Just shut up and take off your pants.”
Was she really so disconnected from reality Did killing those people really get her so excited? Yes, I'll admit I was turned on by her looks and actions with me in this room. But I wasn't about to be her murder celebration fuck.
“You disgust me. I would never be with a psycho like you.”
She gave me a puzzled look. “You're actually turning me down? Me? Be serious. There's no way.
“Exit game”
*Confirmed, player Mike is now exiting game. At this time all magic skills will be disabled. Status points and other skills will still be optional. Thank you for playing and we hope you play again soon!*
“What the fuck do you think you're doing? We're not done he-” but he was gone. Twisted out of this existence before she could finish her sentence. Her was in utter shock. Did he really just leave her? HER? Who the fuck did he think he was? This little piss ant wouldn't give her the time of day? Was he insane? That motherfucking ungrateful, rude, idiotic, limped dick boy.
She kicked a chair in the safe room. It hit the wall and shattered. She leaned over another. Her breath coming quickly but not as quick as her rage. No one denied her anything. No one. This world was her play thing. She always got what she want now no matter what. Her breathing slowed and she stared at the wall. “You little... I'll meet you again. Somehow, someway I'll find you. When I do... I'll make sure to punish you nice and slow.”
*****
Make came to in the same spot he was before he left. He checked his clothes for blood. He thought when Lisa pressed up against him she may have gotten some on him. There was none. He smelled them. They didn't have the scent of blood or her. He really was back home.
He checked the status screen and game functions. It seems he now had 13 total points to spend and there was an alert and clock count down instructing him he had less than two weeks before he had to join the game again. It seemed this wasn't optional. He figured if he didn't join another game by then and let the count down hit zero.... Well. He could guess.
He recalled what Lisa said about using points to make her smarter and more beautiful. He looked at his own 13 points and his status screen. Surely he should have at least some for next game but why not see if it was true. He rook the 8 points he just won and put then in Intelligence.
MICHAEL PHILLIP THOMAS
AGE: 21
HT: 5’11
WT: 160
SKILLS: NONE
CLASS: N/A
HP: 20/20
MP: 0/0
LV: 1
STR: 12
INT: 15
DEX: 15
WIS: 15
STA: 10
CHA: 5
Points: 5
*Would you like to spend any points at this time or see point option screen?*
Immediately he felt a difference. He wasn't a genius by any stretch but he found he was able to recall more information he had previously learned at will and think faster. He did some difficult math he would not have been able to do before in his head. He wondered how much more he could improve if he put the other 5 puts in intelligence. No, he knew that wouldn't be good. He may need to use those somewhere else. Maybe now college wasn't so impossible though...
He decided to go upstairs to talk to his mother. He thought of the last conversation he had and realized how much he would hate if that was the last time they talked. He would never leave he on bad terms ever again. His life was no longer so certain to take such actions.
*****
3 months later.
Mike was back in college. He had played the game a few more times. Mostly with noobs and even with his helped most died. Still, he managed to make a few decent like minded allies and now had 3 people in his Party. He could easily text with them over the game. They tried to synchronize playing by entering the game at the exact same time when they had to go.
It usually didn't work, but sometimes it did. He didn't tell any of them about Lisa. By what information he'd gathered he figured her level was particularly high. That was one of the reasons he was determined to build his party and allies. He knew if he ever met her again he damn well better have some backup.
While he still hated the game he needed to admit his life had improved. His intelligence was now at a very solid 25, his Charm was at 15 and his strength was at 20. He still had a few points left over but always saved some for the next game to help tilt that in his favor he he felt he had to. He would need to go again tonight. He had arranged to have a member in his party try go in at the same time to meet him.
He said the same thing right before going in every time “Please don't let me see her again. Please don't let me see her again.” It was unlikely. But not impossible. Especially if they both kept living which he very much intended to do and was sure she would. He prayed he wouldn't come face to face with his greatest fear... or was it fantasy... again.
He had to be honest and admit before he went to bed that first night he couldn't help thinking of the things she did. They way she felt. Her smell. Her eyes. Her deadly smile. It took him 3 rounds that night before he could finally get the thoughts out of his head enough to go to sleep. Even that all being true he sincerely hoped he would never meet her again. As it so happens, about a year in the future that hope would not be realized. But that was only when thing started to get really interesting.