The Three Day Survival Game

After my little disturbance, Karun, who was also nervous but managed to keep his composure, informed the guard that we would meet the guild members in the front hall. The guard quickly ran out to invite them inside. I took a moment to clean up my mess and gather my thoughts before heading to the front hall.

Entering the front hall, my head muddled as I looked at the tall shadows cast by the imposing figures ahead. As I stepped in, I saw some sturdy figures that matched the shadows. Three sat on the couch, while two stood at the back, murmuring to each other.

My gaze averted back to the people sitting on the couch as one of them rose to greet us, followed by the others. The one who stood up shook my brother's hand and greeted me with a humble bow. I returned the bow, pleasantly surprised by this gesture. It was a traditional way of greeting in our part of the country, especially when addressing the opposite gender. Whether it was a cousin, aunt, uncle, or friend, a simple bow was customary—a tradition I cherished. Unlike handshakes or half-hugs, which I often found uncomfortable, this form of greeting felt respectful and personal.

The man who greeted us looked older than the others, perhaps in his 60s, but he, like the rest of the Elite Guard, was impressively fit. I couldn't help but marvel at their physical condition; they looked like they had stepped out of a superhero movie. Each member of the Elite Guard exuded strength and confidence, their muscles toned and their stances alert. They had an air of readiness, as if they were always prepared for a challenge.

The one who greeted us had a rugged yet distinguished appearance. His dark hair was streaked with hints of gray, and a faint scar ran along his jawline, adding to his commanding presence. Despite his formidable exterior, his eyes were kind and conveyed a sense of respect.

We sat on the couch in front, and the old man initiated the plan. He wasn't much of a talker; after a brief introduction, he started outlining the plan. "I'm Gibbard, the leader of the Elite Guard," he said with a firm, authoritative tone. The two leaders got deeply into the plan while I unconsciously started scanning the other members, wondering how they managed to maintain such a high level of fitness. Every guy practically bulged muscles out of their shirts.

As Gibbard spoke, Karun leaned in, his interest piqued. "So, Commander Gibbard," Karun began, "I don't go with the ones stated in the document? I believe there is something more to it than meets the eye. Care to explain what it is?"

Gibbard nodded, his expression grave, as he began to recount his experiences. "I was among the first troops to arrive when the experiments began. It was a time of great uncertainty, and none of us could have foreseen the horrors that awaited us. Whether it was a stroke of luck or misfortune for the young masters to stumble upon this deadly game, I cannot say. However, the tech team saw it as a groundbreaking opportunity for discovery."

He paused, the weight of his memories evident in his voice. "As people began to venture into the game to uncover its secrets, most never returned. Only I managed to survive the perils of the first level and emerge back into reality. What lies within is beyond description, a true nightmare. The game is an assassination simulation, where participants are teleported into a world of danger and peril. If you die in the game, you die in reality as well."

Gibbard's gaze hardened as he continued. "In the early days, survival was a constant struggle. But with time, both the physical and tech teams devised ways to mitigate the dangers. We developed specialized suits to neutralize in-game threats and established secure communication channels to ensure constant contact. Thanks to these advancements, we can now navigate through two levels of the game safely."

He took a moment to collect his thoughts before pressing on. "Yet, despite our efforts, the third level remains a mystery. Those who ventured into it never returned, including the young masters. Your mission, ultimately, is to breach this elusive third level, which we hope is the final frontier of this deadly game. My team and I, along with our tech specialists, will provide you with the best support we can muster."

As Gibbard spoke, I couldn't help but feel a chill run down my spine. The gravity of our mission weighed heavily on my mind, and the realization of the dangers we faced in the virtual realm was becoming all too real. But amidst the fear, there was also a glimmer of determination. We were tasked with a monumental challenge, but with Gibbard and his team by our side, I knew we stood a fighting chance.

Karun interrupted, "And what is the reason to choose us? The chairman said we will know it once we reach."

That was the answer we had been pondering since the start of the journey—why us, of all the intelligent people the company has? Why were we chosen? The tension filled the room with gripping silence. Everyone's eyes turned to Gibbard, who seemed to bear the weight of an unspoken truth.