To The Next Level

Player 2

-Christopher

The game was as amazing as Chris hoped it to be. Most of his powers were aimed towards speed and regeneration, with some working on the strength aspect. He tried to keep his skills even, but doing so meant training would have to take up more time then he was sure to be able to spare. There were also ways to level up using money, but Chris decided against it. He thought it wouldn’t be so wrong to play the game the same as everyone else, without having to take the fun out of it by buying everything that only helps him look cool. He didn’t want to be just another teen who was handed a silver spoon in his mouth. Even though he was that type of teen.

Chris played through the game for some time, evolving through the ranks. He was unable to deny that it wasn’t easy and still hadn't found any team to join, despite it being the game's overall purpose. He was stuck training and preparing himself just as he did in real life. His best friend Mason was gone for a few days due to business, leaving Chris with no way of troubling him to participate. Otherwise they would’ve played together, leading to a much different experience.

It was awkward talking to random strangers in the hangouts, so Chris didn't go there very much . Even though he found it cool that group hangouts had little mini-games in them. He could only write things he saw as future references for his business. All the people near his rank were nowhere to be found, and joining others below seemed like a waste of time, and of course not as fun.

And just as Chris was playing, out of nowhere he received a message. A lower-ranked player by the name of A-Zender . The individual wanted to participate in a 1v1, which was possible because it was considered sparring among heroes.

Feeling bored, Chris graciously accepted. He didn’t want to discourage them from playing against someone better, but it may or may not be true that he held ulterior motives of his own.

The round began slowly as Chris decided to start off easily. He did his best to at least make it look like his opponent at least had a fighting chance against him. It looked hopeless, however, as each of his attacks dealt one-hundred PD (physical damage) out of their fifty bar of health. Chris calculated that they had slow regeneration, so even without trying, the game was going to end quickly. Or so he thought.

Chris was about to deal the final blow when his opponents' health bar shot up to four thousand, and with one punch his character fell to his death. The once low ranked player now stood in front of him with a laughing emoji alongside their Platinum ranked character. Chris’s jaw hit the floor, but he quickly cleared his throat and lifted up from its initial shock. He didn’t yet understand what had happened, and decided to get answers by confronting the player.

He accused them of being a hacker, though in all reality he was nothing short of embarrassed.

"Don't you know Platinum heroes can hide their rank dude? You really are a rookie aren't you?”, the person mocked, before Chris could retort.

"Want a free rematch? I have no problem throwing the game. It'll help save you face, and I didn't come to win anyway. I just wanted to see if people would fall for it", the person continued to ramble on.

Could they make it any more clear how incapable he was? At the thought, Chris couldn’t help but grind his teeth together, glaring at the screen towards this person who had insulted his pride, gaming skills, and intelligence all in a single blow.

It was frustrating and not to mention a huge impact on Chris’s self-established ego. They even had the nerve to ask if he wanted to play another round, as if he was so incompetent that he’d need them to throw the game.

"That won't be necessary; I could win on my own merit. After all, I started off easily because I thought you were weak".

Okay, so maybe Chris was bluffing. He knew he stood no chance, but it was hard to allow someone to step all over his pride like that. Even if it were true that he had no way of beating them. Chris wanted to plant inside them a considerable amount of doubt that he had a chance. To bad it didn’t work, because he was faced with a formidable opponent.

"Ohhh, you're a big shot now are you," they messaged, and you could tell by the tone that it was meant to be taunting. "I guess we're going to have to verse each other again then to see who's the best," they teased, seemingly enjoying the reactions of the other person.

"Fine", Chris started to admit. "I know I can't win but if I wanted to, I could just buy myself all the equipment and the ranks", he replied out of desperation. "You're lucky this rich boy plays the game for the experience", the parting boast leaving from his lips with an instant regret following after.

Chris only needed a reason to feel "better" than the other person, and sadly that was all he could come up with. It felt wrong to speak that way. It wasn't his usual style, but for reasons unknown, that person brought the worse out of him. They had an attitude, and it kept Chris on his toes. He didn't have any decent comebacks to reply to them with. Chris was your typical teenage rich boy, spoiled beyond imaginable limits. It wasn’t surprising for him to throw a few fits once in awhile. We all have a past we're not proud of.

"Wow, a man that can admit they've been defeated? Okay, even though you think I somehow care about your money, you just earned yourself some of my respect. Why not let us be friends, Chris", the person said. Seeing the person's message the word "man" with such a condescending tone, Chris realized the possibility of him speaking with the opposite gender.

How did he not notice the overall attributes of their characters were feminine? Was he such a geek to allow himself to be completely immersed in the battle of a virtual world? "OH NO NO NO, I DID NOT JUST GET MY ASS HANDED TO ME BY A GIRL", He replied back to the messages in caps. For some gamers, messaging in caps made them feel like they were expressing a loud voice, as if they were talking in person.

"Were you expecting some boy disguised as a girl? I know it's weird for girls to play games like this at times, but personally, if I like it, I do it. Not every chick comes to play and relies on the abilities of the guys, or simply plays to show a sense of feminist superiority. In the game, it's best to refer to me by my handle, not by my gender or anything, and don't worry, I'm not saying you are doing so. Just want to make sure we won't have any misunderstandings before we continue this friendship. Now where were we? Oh yea hey I'm A-Zender, a die-hard gamer, nice to meet you", she said in such confidence.

Normally, the feminist talk would annoy Chris. He was all for women being themselves. He didn’t care, but he never thought it was reasonable for girls to treat guys as if they all were the same monsters that society would make them out to be. And for some reason, a lot of the girls he met at games tended to do so without even speaking to the boy first.

Chris was amazed at how well she explained the way she felt about gaming. It was like looking from a different perspective, which he never did so often. He empathized with gaming girls, because it would bother him too if he were to be surrounded by people shocked that he’s a girl simply because it's not common. From Chris’s standpoint, he could consider himself on a similar boat when it came to reality.

There was something about that smart mouth of hers that he liked, so surprisingly he found himself saying the simple word of approval. "Alright, I guess we were friends then; it's an official thing darling", Chris teased with a smile she could not see.

At least he would have someone to play the game with, not to mention she was OP (overpowering), and probably had a connection to a group of other high-ranked players he could join. It definitely seemed like a win-win situation.

"If you call me darling ever again, our friendship will be over," she messaged with an (xD), causing him to release a chuckle of his own. Next thing he knew, they were venturing the game together as if their fate was sealed.

He spoke a lot through text, getting to know each other while making sure to remember not to give out any personal information. Every gamer knew, including your personal life in the gaming world could end up dangerous. After all, it is a stranger you’re speaking to, and who knew what was really behind the screen.

It turned out, she wasn't in any groups with people because she hadn't been playing the game very long. The fact that she was already as strong as she was and in such a short amount of time, made Chris believe that she didn't have much else going on in her life. In that sense, he could very much relate.

Some would say they were bots, no, lives playing games all day just to be good. He, however, didn't see the difference between doing that and playing a sport. It takes time to be good at something, and what's better than getting good at something you're interested in?

Chris didn't expect to add anyone on the game. He always loved to go solo, but sadly, playing this meant being social with other players. And despite his dislike of being around other people, Chris took a risk and began his journey of the unknown.