Dark World Activated

Chapter 1: Dark World Activated

I blinked my eyes open feeling a weird sensation run throughout my body. Frowning, I stretched my body and yawned. My head was pounding terribly. No matter how hard I try to see, my vision was blurry,

My leg hit something and I cringed at the loud metal clink sound.

“Damn!” It was the empty drink can from last night.

I shouldn’t have gotten my ass drunk.

Trying my best, I lifted my body off the bed and gingerly went down to fetch some water. However, with each step I felt sore.

Only now, I checked my hands and was frozen on the spot.

It can’t be!

There were small scratches and bruises on my skin. I don’t remember getting involved in any such activity that could result in this!

What in the f**k’s name was happening around?

I rubbed my face in annoyance at the lack of memory and gulped some water. Since it was chilled, it felt good. Now, I sat on the bar stool in the kitchen and put my head down on the counter. The sleepiness was growing on me. I think I can do with more sleep.

*Electronic Jingle*

I shot up in my place and stilled.

“Good morning, Ivan. You have thirty minutes to win daily log-in coins.” 

I literally was scared and upset to hear that monotonous male system voice.

More than that, I was confused.

“What the hell is going on here?” I asked no one in particular; reflecting on last night’s events.

“You are a verified user of Dark World ARG. You need daily mission points to work efficiently and last long as per game rules. Time left twenty-eight minutes.”

My eyes widened. Still shocked and confused with a throbbing headache I knew one thing though- the system wouldn’t back down.

I jumped to my feet and dashed upstairs to get dressed and do whatever task the system meant to. 

Meanwhile, I cursed Kavin and myself for doing this irritating thing. God knows what’s happening. Am I still dreaming? Was it a part of it?

Pinching myself, I cried knowing it was as much of reality as the pain I felt. Now what!!!

When I was done brushing my teeth the electronic jingle sound appeared.

“Five points claimed.”

I frowned but realized what the morning mission was. The more it became clear the more I sulked and feared. This wasn’t what I wanted!

With a heavy heart and lingering doubt, I was done with my routine work. Now, all I needed was to have some breakfast.

“Congratulations, the daily log-in claims are done. Your next mission awaits at 41 street.” 

The fact that the system was aware of my every movement freaked me out. If that was the case, could it be possible???

My eyes grew wide as I recalled Diana!

Running to my car, I sped to her house. My eyes widened when I spotted a few cars cramming the road. It was unbelievable as the cars made no attempts to slow down or move out of my way. What was more shocking was the direction they drove; it was opposite.

“Damn!” I opened my car and tried to peek outside.

It seemed like the whole city followed the same rule except for me. It was baffling!

I quickly reversed my car in the short space trying my best to not be overrun by the approaching vehicles. Regardless, a car hit me on the other side, setting me off the direction.

Immediately, a bar appeared in front of me, disrupting my sight of vision. It took no genius guess to know that it represented my life bar!

Chill ran down my spine when the other car hit my car’s bonnet and I watched a small part of the bar turn red.

“f**k!”

I was thoroughly packed by the cars now. Either I hit them enough to push them back and lose a huge amount of life. Or, be pushed back by themselves from a single hit at a time.

There has to be a strategy.

My eyes spotted the barrel behind; it prevented my car from heading back. Either way, the GTA is getting real for now. Racing my car, I put the gear on reverse. It jerked and crashed through the barrel; flying downwards.

My stomach dropped with the height but I could only hope now. Immediately, the car bumped several times before it halted on the downward lane.

I checked for the engine to huff but it didn’t.

“Thank god!” I cried in joy and slammed on the accelerator.

The car went flying down the lane and I put the GPS on. With each passing second, the bar blinked, reminding me that I needed something to regain my strength. The f****d up part was that my body was actually drained.

I phished out my phone and dialed Diana’s number.

It went unanswered. Grumbling, I slammed my fist on the wheel; smoothly turning around the end of the road. Next I called Eric and waited.

“Hello?” His raspy sound irked me.

“Where the hell are you? Do you even know what’s going on?” I shouted and heard him shuffle around.

“Jeez, what got your pants twisted? Calm down!” He groaned and I am sure he was still hung-over.

“Everything’s messed up! That stupid Dark World f*****g s**t; it got real.” I barked and something went off.

“Are you high? What are you blabbering about?” He asked and this time I could punch something so bad.

“Get out of your bed and see it yourself!” I snapped and cut the call.

Calling him was a bad idea.

I needed to head to a hospital first.

When I slowed my car down outside the hospital. I spotted a businessman outside. He seemed like waiting for someone. Something about him was dark. He held a briefcase in his hand and kept checking on his wrist; impatiently.

I tried to walk past him but gasped.

He had no face!

It scared the s**t out of me!

It was just a skull with decaying mass and I puked the moment it became clear. This caught his attention and he placed a hand on my shoulder.

“Congratulations, super reward updated!”

I wanted to beat the s**t out of that system now.

Brushing off his hand, I took few steps back and asked-

“What do you want?”

He chuckled under his breath and extended the briefcase to me.

“Get your health redeemed first. We can talk later.” He clicked his thumb and surprisingly, the system halted.

The bar that was following me through the air now became dull in color and a ‘pause’ sign reflected in front of me.

“Hurry up now. There’s a minimum limit you need to survive for a day. I am sure you wouldn’t want to miss it.” He grinned and it was scary.

Instinctively, I ran inside and my head felt dizzy.

This was beyond my tolerance.

The inside smelled like blood. I ran and peaked through each closed glass door and my head spun. They were operating on un-anesthetized people. Their grin was wide and few patients cried out loud. 

There was no way I would stay here. Get the f*****g medical kit and go!

I ran from one door to another to find that familiar red box. To my dismay, there was none. This was frustrating now. When I ran back, I spotted a glass showcase hiding that box in there.

“Damn! How did I miss it?”

Cursing myself to have to go through the entire torture, I picked up a chair and threw it on the glass case. It shattered and I quickly picked the box and opened it.

As soon as I took a pill, a refreshing energy filled me. It was as if I got my eight hours of sleep. This was the only good thing that happened until now. Smiling, I walked out and my smile dropped seeing the businessman grimly waiting.

“Took you long enough, Game Slayer.” The chuckle sounded taunting and I hated him all the more.

“What is it?” I asked again, this time with a slight confidence.

“Here, these are your promised USD 50000 cash prize.” He extended his hand and my eyes popped out.

Is he serious?

I snatched the briefcase and indeed! My heart tugged and pumped loudly. This was it! I got my cash! 50000 for real! Damned!

“As expected.” His amused voice pulled me out of my trance and I turned to give him a disgusted look.

“So you are that Garfield dude? The developer of this game?” I asked, crossing my arms across my chest.

The case was set in between my legs; just in case, you know.

“Yes, pleased to meet you.” He showed his odd teeth proudly.

“Right now, a total of one hundred thousand players are connected to this game. Some having read the terms and conditions and others… like you.” His eyes landed on mine.

I shifted uncomfortably under his gaze.

“Since you have known by now your world is a part of Dark world now. The moment you put those specially high-tech designed head-view on; you were worked to be transported in this augmented reality.” He said and my eyebrow raised.

Does that mean Eric and Kavin aren’t part of it? What about Diana then?

I wasn’t sure how I felt about this. There was a mixture of happiness and sadness. Happiness that my friends and girlfriend were safe and sad that I had to face it all alone.

“Actually, I am sorry to disappoint you but that’s not the case.” He explained and my heart dropped in the pits of my stomach.

“What!” I asked not sure what he meant.

“Your body, including your head and all organs are under our control. A machinery is looking out on all the emotions you are feeling. That being said, we can hear your thoughts even without you saying it out loud. Since, you are part of the system now.” His explanation came as a blow to me.

“So, am I a puppet?” I asked, feeling s**t.

“Nope. That’s a wrong way of interpretation. It’s just that you are an individual sharing us access to your feelings, emotions and actions. Simple. It is part of the game’s development. We need to build the most thrilling, spine-chilling and unbeatable game for eternity. This was needed.” He said with such determination that I regretted it.

I regretted not listening to Eric’s suspicion.

“As for the confusion. When the system had access to your account list and you prioritized it; you invited them to this world. Apart from them, others are out of this world.” He explained.

My legs shook at the revelation. I slumped down on the road and face palmed myself. How could I have been so stupid?

“As per agreed, Diana Muriel is your security. If any danger occurs the first one to face will be Kavin Mathew, the second would be Eric Payton and last would be Mark Dough. In worst case scenarios, if you try to escape without completing any mission or defy the rules of the games; Diana will receive the worst.” He said calmly and my world came crashing.

No!

Not her!

My eyes closed while my heart clenched remembering her sweet smile and beautiful face. Her scowl and her warning--

“Ivan, this stupid gaming will lend you in trouble some day!”

Despite her anger, she was concerned. And look at me! I put her into massive trouble for the sake of playing a game!

Just because she had 1500 gold bars in her account that I needed to start the game, I risked her life.

“Can… it not be… reversed?” I asked and the guy laughed.

“No.” He stated and a surge of anger flowed through my blood at his taunting laughter.

“You piece of s**t! You and your f*****g damned company. How could you even do this?” I shouted, ready to launch an attack on him.

Immediately, he pulled out a huge sword and pointed it near my heart with a grim look.

“It was clearly mentioned in the terms and conditions. The system notified you and even your friend was warned about the same. You were impatient to skip it all. So, please don’t go on blaming any of it. Be wise and play the game until the end. We need those valuable results for my baby game.” He said and put the sword on my chest.

I stepped back but he made no attempt to come at me.

“It was my last warning. But I will leave a sample for you to take it seriously. Hopefully you know enough of the rules by now. Survive each day with maximum points. Do anything that you want. It’s the dark world anyway. Nothing will be held against you. Complete ten stages and fight the Master in the last one. If you are able to survive the apocalypse at last, you’d be transported back to your world without delay.” He assured and put the sword away in thin air.

Dusting off his coat, he looked at the wrist watch and sighed in disappointment.

“I am counting on the Game Slayer for the best results. Hope you aren’t going to disappoint me. Your resources will be updated once you reach 41st street. Good luck with saving your friends and yourself.” He turned but stopped.

“If you can, that is.” He smiled and left while I watched his retreating back in daze.

His words kept revolving inside my head and I couldn’t help but cry at the failure I became in one freaking night. Just a moment of casualness.

If only I would have stayed with Diana. If only I would have refused my friend when she turned over. If only…

With my head hung low, I cried…

“Game resumed. Ten minutes remaining…” The system came alive and I shrieked in agony at its stupid reminder.