See vers

A faint voice called out, echoing through the haze of Fren's dream. It was distant at first, like a whisper carried by the wind.

"Fren… Fren…"

He stirred, his arm draped over his eyes as if to block out the intruding sound.

"Mmmm… five more minutes, Dad…" he mumbled, clinging to the remnants of sleep.

But the voice grew louder, more insistent, and sharper than before.

"Fren… My—"

His eyes snapped open, the darkness of his room pressing down on him. His heart raced as he sat up, blinking at the shadows.

"Weird dream…" he muttered, running a hand through his messy hair. "Who was that?"

The question lingered in his mind, but he shook it off with a shrug. It was probably nothing—or so he thought.

Scene 2: The Everyday Mask

The school bell's shrill ring echoed through the bustling hallways, signaling the end of another mundane day. Fren sighed as he stuffed his books into his bag. Around him, students buzzed with chatter and laughter, their energy a stark contrast to his own sluggishness.

Kai's grinning face appeared beside him like clockwork.

"Yo, Fren! PC café later? Let's grind and show everyone who the real boss is!"

Fren hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck. "Uh, I dunno. I was thinking of helping my dad—"

"Come on, man!" Kai cut him off, throwing an arm over Fren's shoulders. "You've been so boring lately. Live a little! One game. That's all I'm asking."

Fren sighed, defeated. "Fine, fine. But if you get us both banned for raging again, I'm leaving you there."

Kai's grin widened. "Deal! Let's wreck some noobs!"

Scene 3: The Shift

The PC café was alive with the hum of computers, the clattering of keyboards, and the occasional outburst of laughter or frustration. Fren and Kai settled into their seats, the glow of their screens casting faint shadows on their faces.

"Alright, let's go!" Kai said, cracking his knuckles. "Try not to drag me down this time, Fren."

Fren rolled his eyes. "Says the guy who got us killed last time because he was eating chips mid-game."

They dove into their match, but as the minutes ticked by, Fren couldn't shake a growing unease.

"Why does it feel so... off in here?" he thought, glancing around.

The usual lively atmosphere felt subdued. He noticed several players slumped over their keyboards, unmoving.

"Hey, Kai…" Fren nudged his friend. "Is it just me, or is everyone here... weirdly quiet?"

Kai didn't even look up. "Huh? Dude, focus on the game. You're feeding again!"

Fren tried to focus, but the eerie silence gnawed at him. When Kai suddenly slumped forward, snoring, panic set in.

"Kai? Kai!" Fren shook his friend's shoulder, but he didn't respond. He stood, scanning the room. Every other player was slumped over, lifeless.

"Hello?! Anybody?!" Fren's voice echoed, met with deafening silence.

He rushed to the counter, only to find it abandoned. His phone buzzed faintly in his pocket, but when he tried to call for help, the screen flickered and died. The café lights began to dim, flickering ominously before plunging the room into darkness.

"This is insane," Fren whispered, his breath quickening.

Suddenly, the lights returned, but the café was unrecognizable. The once-modern room had become a crumbling ruin, its walls etched with glowing, sinister symbols.

"What… What is this place?"

Scene 4: The Sword and the Shadows

A creak shattered the silence, freezing Fren in place. Footsteps echoed through the room. Heart pounding, he ducked under a nearby table, peeking out to see a pair of boots enter the room.

The boots belonged to a mysterious girl wielding a sleek sword. Her sharp eyes scanned the space, her movements deliberate and precise.

"Okay, cool," Fren thought. "A girl with a sword. Totally normal. Definitely not losing my mind right now."

Before he could process her presence, the wall behind her warped unnaturally, and a grotesque creature burst forth.

The girl didn't flinch. With fluid grace, she drew her sword and cut the monster down in one strike.

Fren's jaw dropped. "Did she just… kill that thing? What the hell is going on?!"

As she turned, Fren accidentally shifted, his shoe scraping against the floor. Her eyes locked onto his hiding spot.

"Who's there?"

"Crap. She saw me," Fren thought, scrambling for a plan. He grabbed a nearby chair, holding it up like a makeshift shield as he emerged.

"D-don't come any closer! I've got a chair, and I'm not afraid to use it!"

The girl stared at him, unimpressed. "A chair? Really?"

"I-I'll have you know this is… uh… solid oak!"

She rolled her eyes, sheathing her sword. "Put that down before you hurt yourself."

"Not until you tell me what's going on!" Fren demanded. "Who are you? And what was that… thing?!"

The girl sighed, crossing her arms. "You're in the Territory of Monsters. And if you don't stop yelling, you're going to attract a lot more of them."

Fren laughed nervously. "Territory of Monsters? Yeah, sure. Makes total sense. Next, you'll tell me I got here through a magical portal or something."

"Actually… yes," she said, deadpan.

Fren blinked. "Wait, what?!"

Before she could elaborate, the wall behind them exploded, revealing a massive, snarling beast.

"Great," the girl muttered. "I'm out of energy."

She grabbed Fren's wrist. "Run!"

"Run?! Are you kidding me?!"

They sprinted through the labyrinthine ruins, the monster close behind.

"You said you're out of energy!" Fren panted. "Can't you do… I dunno, a half-spell or something?!"

"What do I look like, a vending machine for magic?!" she shot back, casting a quick spell to take out one of the smaller creatures.

"Great! Now do the other one!"

The girl groaned. "Oh, sure. Let me just pull some more magic out of thin air!"

They burst through a massive door just as the monster lunged. A magical shield flared to life, slamming the creature back.

The girl smirked at the frustrated monster. "Aw, what's wrong? Big scary monster can't get in?"

Fren collapsed against the wall, his chest heaving. "What… the hell… just happened?!"

The girl leaned against the door, catching her breath. "Welcome to the nightmare, newbie."

They both turned toward the massive door behind them, its surface glowing faintly with intricate carvings.

Fren swallowed hard. "What do you think's behind it?"

The girl's lips curled into a mischievous grin. "Only one way to find out."

With a deep breath, they pushed the door open, their faces lighting up with shock as the chapter ended.