Game Over No Way Out

Chapter 2: The First Challenge

After School…

Ava and her friends arrived at the gaming center, where the seniors were already waiting. The leader of the senior group leaned back in his chair with a smirk.

"Welcome, Ava. Have a seat." He gestured toward the gaming setup. "So, are you ready to lose today? Hahaha."

Ava crossed her arms. " Let’s just get this over with."

Jake chuckled. "You’re confident, huh? Well, let’s see if you can back it up. Today, you’re going down."

Sam, Ava’s childhood rival and friend, clenched his fists. "Watch your mouth, Jake. You lost last time, and you’ll lose again."

Jake smirked. "Oh, this time, it’s different."

The air grew tense as everyone took their places. Ava slipped on her gaming headset, her fingers tightening around the controller.

The massive screen in front of them flickered, the ominous title appearing in bold, glitching letters.

[ Game Over No Way Out ]

A chilling robotic voice echoed through the speakers:

"Welcome, players. Before you begin, please listen to the instructions carefully."

The background of the game was eerie—glitches flickered across the screen like static, and shadowy figures moved in the darkness.

"In this game, you must complete three levels. Each level will test your survival skills, intelligence, and instincts. Only those who adapt will make it out."

Ava’s heart pounded in anticipation. The seniors whispered among themselves, but she ignored them.

The screen displayed a single button.

To begin, press ‘START.’

Ava and Jake locked eyes. "Let’s begin," she said, clicking the button.

The game glitched violently before everything faded to black.

Level 1: The Arena of Echoes

A distorted voice rang out:

"Level 1: The Arena of Echoes."

The black screen faded into a vast, deserted coliseum shrouded in mist. The floor was cracked, the stone walls lined with eerie, hollow statues. The sky above was a swirling vortex of dark clouds, and the air was heavy with an unnatural silence.

Ava’s avatar materialized at the center of the arena, her digital body glowing faintly. Across from her, Jake’s avatar appeared, shifting into a warrior clad in dark armor.

"In this level," the voice announced, "your greatest enemy is yourself. Every step you take will create an echo—an afterimage of yourself that will hunt you down. The echoes are fast, unpredictable, and relentless. Survive for five minutes, and you pass the level."

Ava’s grip tightened on the controller. "Shadows that chase you? Interesting."

The countdown began.

3… 2… 1…

START!

The arena came to life.

Ava took a cautious step forward. The moment her foot touched the ground, an exact copy of her appeared—shimmering, transparent, but deadly.

The echo turned its head sharply toward her, its eyes glowing red. Then, with inhuman speed, it lunged.

Ava dodged just in time, rolling to the side. But the moment she moved, another echo formed from her new position.

"Damn it, they multiply with every step!"

Jake was already on the move, sprinting forward without hesitation. More echoes appeared behind him, hunting him down.

The first victim fell within seconds. One of the other seniors screamed as their echo caught them—the moment it touched them, their avatar shattered into pixelated pieces, vanishing from the game.

A message popped up on the screen.

[ PLAYER ELIMINATED. ]

Ava’s heart pounded. "This is no ordinary game."

She had to think fast. Moving carelessly meant creating more echoes. Standing still meant the ones behind her would catch up.

Jake dodged another attack, breathing heavily. "You scared yet, Ava?"

Ava smirked. "Not even close."

She needed a strategy—and fast.