Everything is dark but slowly but surely a speck of light grows in my vision. Soon my vision returns to me along with an immense humidity and heat. I feel plants and dirt under my hands as I slowly rise from the ground and see the mass of sleeping bodies in front of me. One of them, Charlie, is rising but I ignore them in favor of looking at my wrist. I tap my watch and the screen displays the mission.

Mission: Survival

Survive 3 days

Points-

Mission Completion 1000p

Start Time: 4m 35s

Time Limit: 72h

Side Mission

Introduction- Inform the new people of the situation. 100p

Kill Yautja- 2000 C Ranked Reward

‘Fucking hell we never catch a break, ignore the zombie mission.’ I look up from my watch and search for Charlie. He is also raising his head from looking at his watch. We lock eyes and nod to each other. I take a step away from the newbies intent on giving Charlie the introduction points. I turn around and look out at our surroundings. On all sides we are surrounded by lush jungle. Leaves cover the ground along with various plants. Vines hang from trees and bugs crawl on the bark and amongst the roots. Beautiful multi colored birds flying through the air but no sound is made, not a single caw or chirp, buzz or boisterous click.

“Please remain calm and wait for the others to wake up before I start my explanation.” I hear Charlie say from behind me.

“What is the meaning of this? Where am I? Oh my god you abducted us didn’t you. Well you will feel the force of the law once daddy finds out who you are.” I hear a shrill voice yell out.

“Please miss remain calm. You have not been abducted and all will be explained once everyone wakes up.” Charlie says trying to placate the woman.

“That’s exactly what an abductor would say.” She accused. Charlie continued to try and placate the woman but she only got more hysterical. I chuckle at Charlie’s misfortune and continue to face away from the conflict letting my cloak hide me from them. More voice start to question Charlie as more people wake up.

“QUIET!” Charlie yells, frustration evident in his voice. “Good.” He says as everyone complies. “You must all be wondering why you are here. Well the answer is very simple. You clicked yes to the systems prompt for one reason or another. Now you have all been transported to a different place and given a task. If you would all look at your wrists you should see a pure black watch. Tap the screen and it should show you the mission section.” There was a pause as I presume Charlie showed them his watch.

“What does it mean survival mission? What are points and ranked rewards?” Someone in the crowd asked. ‘Interesting.’ I turned around and looked at the person who said that. The person with enough sense to ask questions turned out to be a young asian man in a suit.

“Good questions.” Charlie says as he looks at the young man and then at me. “A survival mission means that we only need to survive for a given amount of time in this case 3 days to complete the mission and acquire the rewards. Points are used to buy items, powers, genetic enhancements, etc. And before you ask you can buy freedom from this place but it will cost 50000 points. You might be asking yourself “wait we have to go on more of these missions” and the answer is yes. Not only will you need to go on more missions the missions you will go on will get more difficult as time goes on so if you were thinking about not spending your points then that would be a mistake.” After he finished speaking stayed quiet for a few seconds before nodding at me.

Charlie started to walk towards me but a man stepped out from the crowd and blocked his path. “Now what makes you think I’ll believe that bullshit.” The large man asked. He was taller than both Charlie and I and built like a truck with wide shoulders and biceps as big as my head.

“You don’t need to believe it.” Charlie says as he tries to walk past the man. The man sticks his hand.

“I don’t need you to tell me that but I do need you to tell me the truth.” He says while look down at Charlie. Charlie, ignoring the obvious attempt at intimidation, pushes the man’s arm away then walks past. The man looks at Charlie incredulously as he walks past him. “I said wait.” He says as he tries to block Charlie’s path again.

“Are you really going to take this Charlie.” I ask.

Charlie arrives next to me and answers,”Yep.”

“Ok then.” I answer back then look into the crowd once again. “Hey kid.” I yell as I point to the young asian man. “Follow us and don’t get in our way.” I command.

“Why?” He asks.

I smile at him with my black needle like teeth.”So you don’t die.”