Assault Game!

This isn't heaven, there's no Judge.

———KIRAGI———

I jolted awake to hear *kwin kwin* sounds from the other side of the wall, probably something like the blades or a fan or an old windmill.

I was in a sealed room. Like the kind that was used to imprison drug lords and influential people. It had no opening, apart from a rectangular slot on the door inches above the ground. This slit was covered completely.

I take in my surroundings and concluded that whoever brought us to this place was nice enough to make the living conditions bearable. They neatly folded five sets of clothes and five sets of underwear to match, at the head of my small size bunk bed. Two matching pairs of heavy safety boots were positioned where my morning legs would go (Besides the bed, when you want to get up... )

Apart from that, a jug of water, a wristwatch, a notebook and pen, and a military-type dagger were all neatly propped on a small desk, which was accompanied by a wooden chair.

“ Should be the Ontario MK 3 Navy Knife. It has a good grip and could be retracted from the sheath with ease. Pity I don't have any knife-throwing skills.”

On my left was a small door that led to the bathroom and toilet. Simple and efficient.

Wait,

“What is...?”

In the direction I turned, I saw a letter positioned on top of the notebook. I had glossed over the book before but I could swear I did not see it.

The letter was folded nicely and was even scented with rosemary perfume. I hesitate for a split second to get my bearings before I open it.

‘Kiragi Lancet.

Reading this means you've successfully completed the first level of our game: Assault World. Congratulations.

The world is the most unusual thing the big bang has given us, yet extraordinary in every way.

Your multi-billion dollar life had little meaning to you. The nigh pleasures of life you had did not give you enough satisfaction. Isn't it time to give up that life?—

The letter stopped here. Did they need me to make a choice?

“Isn't time to give up this life, my arse. I spent hundreds of sleepless nights to make my dream company become a reality. I built every single thing I have with my own two hands. This is something I can not give up.”

I almost raise my eyes from the letter before I stared in shock, the words, how did the words disappear?

But it did not stop there, I watched as new words appeared character by character. I flip the paper around thinking it was made to give off optical illusions, but I couldn't see the old words.

Intrigued, I read on.

‘Feeling hesitant? Or maybe doubtful. Say, don't you want to play a game? This time so real you can even taste it. So hard it'll leave you gasping for the next level, so delusive you can do anything, be anybody, do anything.

Isn't this your wish? To play a game?’

“My wish? Yes, yes it is, I've always wanted to fall into a game. A fun game that'll keep me away from reality. My wish—”

‘Is to play a game?’

Isn't this your wish? To play a game?’

“My wish? Yes, yes it is, I've always wanted to fall into a game. A fun game that'll keep me away from reality. My wish—”

‘Is to play a game?’

“Yes, to play a game. Is there a game like this? the type I can find in a novel, a game that could go on and on forever. In a game, I could be another person. Something to just keep me off from the harsh reality.”

.

‘There is one. Do you dare?'

I chuckled a bit with the letter ever forming new words in my hands.

“Do I dare? It's not that I do not.”

‘Do you dare?’

“You see, I have a weak body, but I have always wanted to play in the premier league. My story can be found anywhere in the dreams of millions of males.

In the end, all I knew was to make money and a little knowledge here and there.

Actual things have never been my hobby. So I paid to get into their friendly competition, but I f****d up. I f****d up real bad.

I-I couldn't dribble a single person! I ran for only three minutes and was completely wasted. Even when the players were purposely being at their worst, I did not score a goal.

The greatest f**k up was when I reached the goal post. The goalkeeper felt it was best to keep the face of the person that would sign his paycheck of over a hundred thousand dollars, just for a match.

He stood where he was doing nothing... Nothing at all!

I reached in his 18, ran a few feet closer, the goal post was right in front of me,

But I let it slip!

I shot the ball but it didn't even touch the freaking post.

That's when I decided that I'm going to hate reality till the end of time.

I can't do anything”

I prop back weakly to my bed. My dreams, why are they too far, too impossible?

Words appeared on the letter again,

‘There is a way. A chance for you. Finish the competition on top and gain your wish’

“Do you think am stupid? To enter this deadly test that could waste me anytime, just to have some freaking skills in football?

Fuck! I-I'll play wonning-11 or freaking DLA to my heart's content.”

( not real names of esport)

‘Laughs. Don't beat around the bush. Trying to play smart would only help you this far.

Do you dare?’

“Do I dare, why would—”

I smile wearily because whoever was writing this knows me down to the color of my boxers.

Using the example of soccer was only a ruse. I had something bigger in mind, a dream to fulfill. Can this place give me what I want? I had no idea.

But I know escaping was not an option. I've died once already. Sawed into two by those bastard zombie-like things.

Maybe my assets have been long shared with the managing body and companies with my shares. Those fat losers. Since they thought I was dead, their minds would heave a sigh of relief, thinking all their weak points would be forever buried with me.

I did not have a family to go back to, and honestly, they were a lot of people who would write and even sign my name with blood if they see one of those ‘hate letters’

Accept or not?

‘Pick up the watch. Welcome to the game’

I hesitate when my hand was hovering over the watch.

I shake my head and lay back on my bed.

“No rush, No rush. Let's enjoy the feel of phony freedom for this one hour.”

Though the letter had a tone of a negotiating merchant... I believed the writer could show up with the abilities of the devil to force me to sign up if I refuse.

“Or maybe it's just my paranoia. It made it sound like I can refuse their offer and go home. Ash, This is not like me.

Deep breath, calm, deep breath ”

But pictures kept popping up in my mind, and the video of how Dorian killed the first man was replaying when I struggle to clear my head.

“There are rules, and then there are lies. If I know how to play with their rules then I'll have a good start. But I don't know what is real and what is fake.

They are putting up this mysterious air to cover their faces. What is the goal of this game?

Is it being screened on TV like a type of Survival show or big brother. But there is literally no gain using high techs and killing us like chickens.

Or is it shown to a sort of devil cult group that gets their feelings off weird antic as these?

That'll explain why there's been so much death in just 6 or 7 hours.

Yet there's still an important aspect to ask of, what did Dorian do?

That black hole, whatever thing he did was out of the world. Can't he completely decimate the US army with an ability like that? Or maybe they are the puppet master behind the White House?

Aish, what am I thinking.... Deep breath, calm, deep breath ”

“Letter, if I want to leave this place, would you stop me? Or would Dorian”

The words were drawn little by little on the paper, but my eyes stared hard at it, finally, a could read what it said,

It was just four words, and an emoji,

‘What do you think?’

The emoji was a smiley face doning a hijab... Then a guillotine pressed just above it.

My hands fall to my side helplessly.

“I'm doomed, ain't I?”