TAK TAK TAK TAK TAK TAK TAK TAK TAK TAK TAK TAK TAK TAK...
His fingers nimbly operated the lines of code from the program he used to play Eden Zero, checking if everything matched what he wanted. Without even realizing it, his fingers danced over the keyboard, manually installing the latest update on this fragile, outdated computer.
Strapped to his head was the VR gear for Virtual Heroes, allowing him to control and monitor the ga simultaneously. All he needed was to tweak the settings for the automated movents he had already programd into Eden Zero’s latest update.
In truth, it wasn’t just that ga: Castle Conqueror, Mobile Impact, Celestial Universe, League of Knights, Legion Warfare, Phoenix Fire—all had been modified by him so they could be played at the sa ti, no need to bother with manual, fingers input.
He had always been that lazy. But that didn’t imply he underestimated other players.
PHYUU PHYUU BYUUU CKLAK! BAZINGG SINGGG ZINNGG DESINNGGG!
"GA OVER! VICTORY! CONGRATULATIONS! YOU ARE THE WINNER!"
Still, the reason he refused automatic installations was because he truly enjoyed tinkering—modifying installations with the familiar strings he used back in his days as a ga developer. And when he thought back to it, the whole thing felt nostalgic, like sothing he used to do during night shifts at work.
"Great job, [MIDNIGHT’S IRL NA]-san! Your performance as a ga developer is incredible! Would you be interested in developing your own ga at this company? You will be the lead developer too."
The offer was so tempting.
I an, how often does a ga company make such a tempting offer?
But apparently, it was a dream that is too good to be true.
"I’m really sorry, [MIDNIGHT’S IRL NA]-san. Your VR-based ga concept is indeed excellent, and you’re clearly proud of it. But, unfortunately, we can’t disregard current business needs. The MMORPG market is too competitive right now. You understand the current situation of this company, right?"
His heart shattered hearing that, as though his rights had been stripped away.
He was too naive—and perhaps, too obedient.
Hearing those words, he simply nodded.
No expression.
No words.
Just silent acceptance, then he left and mourned his fate.
The project he had worked so hard on—gone and wasted, just like that.
"Don’t be sad, [MIDNIGHT’S IRL NA]! Never give up! I know you’re an amazing ga dev!"
Said one of his subordinates. He ignored them. That, too, beca part of the backdrop to his resignation—one that had initially been rejected.
He then issued an ultimatum by seizing the asset that was rightfully his—yes, Project Zero itself.
DRRRRTTT
Without realizing it, after that nostalgic mont, gleefully playing gas on both his PC and in VR, crushing his enemies, his phone began to vibrate.
It disrupted his imrsion, sparked curiosity, and he checked it imdiately.
(1) NOTIFICATION
[FRIEND REQUEST]
@rei_x.0 wants to be your friend.
[ACCEPT] [REJECT]
"Again...?"
He muttered, noticing a pattern that felt too familiar, as if intentional.
The word rei, aning "zero" and also "nothing," underpinned that userna.
He had always lost to them.
Even the profile picture was the sa: a teddy bear sitting on a chair.
And again, it happened in a ga where he had never been defeated.
This ti, it was Counter-Terrorist Mobile they were targeting.
A first-person shooting mobile ga that had nothing to do with his project.
So weird.
Could they have been after this whole ti?
He wondered, now uneasy. Still, without putting much thoughts, he tapped [ACCEPT].
Then suddenly, a new ssage popped up in the corner.
It seed to be the usual boring introduction—that trademark of theirs.
From: rei_x.0
[Long ti no see... are you ready to lose again? Hehehehe.]
He clenched his fists, feeling belittled. Then replied:
[Be honest. Who are you really? Don’t be a coward. I’m sick of these gas.]
He still rembered when he was defeated at last year’s Virtual Heroes annual competition. Yes, that was the one and only recorded loss.
Just that one.
But that loss alone had made him sick.
As if soone had been toying with his emotions from afar.
DRRRTTT
Not long after, another notification ca through. He quickly checked the app.
[Hey, don’t be so stiff. C’mon now. We play gas to have fun, right?]
They replied, like soone who had been watching him for a long ti.
[I already know who you are.]
He bluffed, trying to challenge this user intellectually.
[Oh, proud of yourself huh... just guessing from its usernaa and already getting cocky? Still not tired of losing again and again, I see.]
[How about we make a deal?]
[A deal? Isn’t it pointless? I already know I’ll lose anyway.]
[Woah woah, chill, buddy. Rember, we play for fun, not to win.]
[So here’s my offer... let’s play this mobile ga—just one match. One-on-one.]
[Whoever wins... the loser has to do what they say. Deal?]
Midnight stiffened upon hearing those deeply belittling words, as if playing with them was utterly pointless.
As if the ga was already over before it began.
Because for sure, he was destined to lose.
In other words, the ga had been rigged from the very beginning.
And it seed like the chances of winning were almost nonexistent.
To be precise, if there were any at all, probably around 0.000001%.
He tried to think rationally, searching for a way out.
[That kind of ga sounds too la for , you know.]
[If you really want to have fun, then let’s just play—no stakes involved.]
[Oh ho ho ho... you really are interesting...]
[Mid.]
"Hey... hold on... that’s not my na."
He whispered under his breath.
[Oh really, Midnight? If it’s not Mid, then what is your na then? Should I leak your real na too, hm?]
Honestly, he had only been stalling for ti.
But upon seeing that ssage, his eyes darted around the room for hidden caras.
This place was supposed to be the safest hideout in the world for him.
But now, the feeling of unease flooded his thoughts, knowing he had been watched.
[Oops, did I just get caught? Hehehe, my bad teehee~!]
"Damn it..."
He muttered, visibly annoyed now that he knew what was truly going on.
[Oh yeah, by the way...]
He tried to inhale deeply, to calm himself down not to stress out.
His heartbeat quickened.
Sothing was off.
His mind started to fog.
His phone lit up again.
The last notification slipped in like a whisper haunting the room.
[Are you familiar with survival gas?]
(TO BE CONTINUED...)
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