Off Limit System

[LEVEL GAME 11: THE CITY]

[Name: Ethan Mannon]

[Classification: Tank]

[Status: Novice +1]

[Gold: 27,400]

[Armor: Shield Treachery's Iron Bulwark level 25]

[Item: Harpy's Wing, Wizard's Crystal]

[Power: +95]

[Buff: Harpy's Inferno, Wizard's Lumen]

[Skill: Eternal Shield +5]

The holographic status appeared on the screen as Ethan emerged from the subway exit. He glanced around, and other players, including Miriam and Dane, began to materialize. The three joined forces, with Miriam taking the lead, swiftly running away from the other players. She led Ethan and Dane around blocks of buildings, in and out of structures, as if they were navigating a maze.

"Do you really know the way, or are you just leading us astray?" Dane protested.

"Of course, I know." Miriam stopped and then led Ethan and Dane to hide in a lobby.

They waited until other participants caught up, swarming the building they were in. Miriam let out a relieved breath.

"If we head directly to our destination, we'll be ambushed by other players, Dane," Miriam explained.

"So, you're trying to mislead them?" Dane questioned.

Miriam confirmed Dane's question.

"Where is that tower?" Ethan asked.

"A few miles east from here. The television tower, that's where the serum is," Miriam checked her weapon, then stood up. "Without obstacles, we can get there in an hour."

Ethan also stood up. "What do we do with the serum afterward?"

"You take it and inject it into yourself. Then it's done."

The woman walked through the building's corridor, heading towards the backstreet. Their footsteps echoed since there was no one else inside the building.

Ethan wondered how many serums the game provided. "Are we returning to The Medieval immediately after injecting the serum?" Ethan asked again.

"Yes, that's what I remember." Miriam nodded. "But if you get bitten, you only have thirty minutes to find the serum. And if not..."

"You turned into a zombie?" Dane interrupted, his tone sounding anxious.

"No, you have to restart the game and be declared a loser," Miriam replied grimly.

Suddenly, a holographic screen appeared before Ethan's eyes. He was startled as he read the message.

[Greetings, The Chosen Player. We would like to offer you another task. If you agree, press ‘yes’.]

 

Without much thought, Ethan pressed 'yes.' Dane watched as Ethan's finger pushed something in the empty air.

"What are you doing?" Dane asked.

"Just checking items. Who knows, there might be something I can buy," Ethan replied.

"Collect your money and create item build-ups. Find the necessary items, then use the money to reforge," Miriam advised.

"Okay." Ethan nodded.

[Your second mission is DARE]

[You will be rewarded when the biggest dare has been carried out]

 

Dare? Ethan wondered. What kind of challenge could you successfully complete this mission? Did Ethan have to complete it at this level? But then he remembered the first challenge he received when he spoke honestly about his health to others. This mission may have encompassed both the gaming and natural worlds.

Although Ethan couldn't fathom why it had to be him who received it.

Miriam opened the back door, and suddenly, a figure rushed towards her.

"Arrghhh!!" Miriam screamed.

Ethan immediately rushed forward, pushing away the zombie and attacking Miriam. From outside, zombies also surged in.

"Run! Get out of here!" Ethan commanded.

Dane grabbed Miriam's hand, and they shot bullets at the zombies trying to surround Ethan. Meanwhile, he continues to fend off the zombies with his shield.

"Ethan, come on!" Dane shouted.

One of the zombies lunged at Ethan from the side, and he couldn't dodge its attack.

"Damn!" Ethan yelled.

An arrow flew and pierced the forehead of the zombie that was about to bite Ethan. Miriam and Dane turned around, seeing Chloe was already there.

“Hurry!” said Chloe.

Ethan immediately joined his friends, and they quickly exited the building. None of them said anything after successfully passing through the zombies. From a distance, they could hear explosions and gunfire. Undoubtedly, other players were facing the same problems.

Ethan felt something different about Chloe; the young man knew Chloe was in mourning. Still, she held up and participated in the game with extraordinary mental strength.

"Chloe, I... well, my deep condolences. I am so sorry for your loss," Miriam said, glancing at Chloe.

Chloe nodded quickly. "Thank you."

Dane just tried to give a sympathetic smile, although he looked very solemn.

"I will keep playing and finish this damn game," Chloe said with frustration. "I won't let my father's death be in vain."

"Is it true that your father died because of OFF LIMIT?" Ethan asked cautiously.

Chloe pointed to the sword hanging from her belt. "I found this in my father's coffin. With condolences from the game, as if mocking me."

The others stared in disbelief while Chloe cursed in frustration.

"As if they want to erase the crime by giving my father's sword as a memento," Chloe whispered. "This game is insane!"

"In that case, we have to win this together," Miriam said. "I won't let you face it alone, Chloe. Revenge for your father's death must be avenged."

Dane glanced at Ethan. He didn't dare to comment. Women often did that, encouraging each other for strength.

As for Ethan, he thought, in the end, there could only be one winner in the game, right?

If they were participants at the pinnacle, then who had to sacrifice?

"At the upcoming intersection, we'll turn left, then cross the bridge, and the tower is across there," Miriam diverted the conversation. "I think our mission will go smoothly."

"Well, I don't want to stay here too long," Dane replied.

As they turned, their steps suddenly halted. A few hundred meters ahead, there was a large horde of zombies. A lot of them. They strolled, spinning in place. Their numbers reached the bridge like an endless sea of blackheads.

The four young people retreated slowly, stepped aside and hid against the wall. They couldn't pass through a horde of possibly thousands of zombies.

Miriam looked in shock. "How are we supposed to get past the zombies? The only bridge is our way to the tower!"