The air felt compressed, heavy.
Eiden's footsteps echoed through the abandoned hallway, where flickering lights cast cold streaks across the concrete floor. Two Hunters. One Scout. No more hiding spots. And no time left to wait.
Behind him, the system kept updating:
> [Hunter Boost Time Remaining: 2 minutes 17 seconds]
[Teammate: Medic – Approaching final generator]
[Status: Critical]
No sign of Lina. No sign of the Medic. No more illusions left to distract.
Only himself.
---
Swish.
A soft sound from above.
Instinct kicked in—Eiden jumped back just as a razor-sharp blade slammed into the spot he'd stood a second ago.
Stalker.
He hadn't revealed himself, but Eiden knew—he was close.
---
Eiden gripped the flash flare in his jacket pocket.
Using it now might be too early... but if he didn't, he might not get another chance.
One heartbeat.
Two.
He dropped the flare and hit the switch.
A blinding flash.
For a split second, a tall, shadow-cloaked figure recoiled, blade in hand—eyes flickering with killing intent.
> [Stalker blinded – 1.2 seconds]
"That's it?" Eiden muttered, then bolted in the opposite direction.
---
On the map, the yellow dot—Medic—flickered. Signal interference.
Not good.
He had to reach her before Reaper or Stalker did.
But now he could hear the other footsteps.
Heavy. Thunderous. Each one shaking the floor beneath him.
Reaper had changed direction. And this time, he wasn't chasing a decoy.
---
> [System Alert: Multiple Hunters detected in the area – Danger level increased.]
Eiden gritted his teeth.
"This match… is unfair."
Reaper had spotted him.
From the opposite hallway, the Hunter strode forward — each step seemed to squeeze the air tighter, creating an invisible pressure that crushed Eiden's chest.
> [Active Skill – Reaper: Death Miasma – Activated]
The air shifted colors. A thick cloud of grayish-purple fog spread outward, carrying the stench of rot and corpses. Vision blurred. Movement slowed.
"Damn it…"
Eiden tried to retreat, but his legs were growing heavier — as if countless hands were pulling him backward.
> [You are affected by: Death Miasma – Movement Speed -30%]
Then, another alert flashed.
> [Medic has completed final generator.]
[Exit route opening…]
Ping!
A familiar tone. But this time — filled with hope.
---
No hesitation.
Eiden triggered his passive skill – Speed Boost.
> [Activated: Speed Boost – +10% Movement when chased for more than 5 seconds.]
His muscles surged. Energy exploded down to his legs, propelling him forward like a bullet.
Behind him, Reaper roared — a guttural, rage-filled sound that promised death.
Eiden didn't look back.
There was no time.
---
As he reached the hallway leading to the exit, he saw the Medic already waiting, fingers on the gate switch.
> [Gate opening in: 10… 9… 8…]
But from the other side — Stalker emerged.
He materialized like a phantom, utterly silent, just feet away from Medic.
She didn't have time to react.
The blade swung.
---
Eiden shouted:
"Lina! Duck!"
She obeyed instantly — and the deadly strike whistled just above her head.
He dove forward, activating Phantom Clone — a perfect illusion of himself appearing right between Stalker and Medic.
Stalker attacked — striking the clone.
> [Illusion destroyed – Stalker stunned for 1 second]
Medic didn't waste a heartbeat. She triggered her healing skill and turned to support Eiden.
> [Healing Burst – Restored 50% of Eiden's HP – Eiden recovered.]
The gate opened.
They exchanged a glance — then bolted through together.
---
> [Congratulations: You have escaped.]
[Scoreboard: Rank A+]
[Unlocked: Skill Fragment – Illusion Lv.2]
---
Eiden collapsed onto the sand outside the game zone, drenched in sweat, heart pounding like a war drum.
"This match was… totally unfair," he laughed hoarsely.
"But I still won."
[Match ended.]
[Survival Time: 11 minutes 42 seconds]
[Status: Escaped]
Eiden looked up at the simulated sky above, a pale blue lit with flickers of white — like data syncing in real time. He exhaled slowly, but the tension didn't leave him. Every breath still felt heavy — like his soul hadn't yet caught up.
"Lina, you okay?"
The Medic sat beside him, wiping dry blood off her cheek. "Barely... But that match? The system totally overdid it."
Eiden gave a short nod.
Two escaped. But the other two… didn't.
> [Notification: 2 players permanently deceased – Neural link terminated.]
Eiden clenched his fist.
Every escape, every match, cost real lives.
You never got used to it.
You weren't supposed to.
---
> [Calculating match rewards…]
+100 pts: Escaped the map
+25 pts: Successful distraction (illusion)
+30 pts: Assisted Medic
+15 pts: Timely skill activation
Total: 170 pts
Rank: A+
> [You have received: 1 Skill Fragment – Phantom Clone Lv.2]
Eiden stared at the floating interface. The skill fragment hovered in front of him, glowing violet like a living flame.
Skill Fragments.
The only way Escapers could survive longer in this death game.
---
"We should rest at the Hub first," Lina said, standing up. "I need to repair gear and upgrade my healing."
Eiden was quiet for a moment, then nodded. "I'll follow in a bit."
She exited the loading zone, leaving him alone.
Eiden stepped toward the upgrade terminal, the shimmering circle of light that glowed at the center of the platform.
> [Use skill fragment to upgrade: Phantom Clone?]
→ [Confirm]
A ring of light surrounded him. The familiar image of his illusion formed again — this time clearer, sharper, now able to emit sound.
> [Phantom Clone – Lv.2: Creates an illusion that mimics player actions and emits distracting sounds. Duration +1.5s]
He exhaled.
It felt like he himself was changing.
Faster. Colder.
I have to get stronger...
Or I'll be next on that death list.
---
> [Party Invite: Lina – Medic]
→ [Accepted]
Eiden walked toward the light gate, returning to the Reality Hub — the center of this cruel virtual world.
Inside it, thousands just like him kept on playing.
Still alive — or slowly vanishing from reality.