Chapter 3 Part 5

After, abandoning his base and any hopes of rebuilding any sort of shelter, Cris was still wandering in the grassy field. He was determined to reach the mountain in the distance. Shortly, after departing the safety of his spawning zone he decided on his new plan, where he could just hide and craft basic things. Picking up any materials on his way that he could use to make anything without going too far off the path to the mountain.

At what he considered the half way point Cris looked up and saw what look like the sun going down.

I guess, night and day do exist in here. I have sometime left but I really do not want to be walking around in the dark. Who knows what is lurking out there.

The image of the purple hoodie killing that person pop up in his head. Cris did not see anyone else since then and if he did what would he do? Would he able to brutally murder someone when push came to shove? Would he be as lucky when the sun goes down? These thoughts riddled his mind as he made his way to the mountain. But before he could go any further a huge wooden chest came in sight.

Is this a trap? Bait? Loot? Or one of those surprises the proctor mention about?

Not wanting to risk anything at the moment, Cris quickly and quietly rush over to some trees to the side. His gut and gamer instincts were telling him something was not right and that he should wait a little bit. Hiding among the trees he decided he was going to observe for some time and if it was clear he would go for it.

Nothing happen for a few minutes which felt like hours. The wait was now getting to Cris he was getting anxious, nervous and restless. Part of him wanted something to happen so he could leave. The other part of him was telling him to go for it. As he was weighing the pros and cons someone made their move onto the chest.

The person came from the same patch of trees where Cris was hiding at and was making a beeline to the chest. Cris gulp as he watch the person reach the chest and opened it. The person broke out into a victory dance and then ended it with a striking pose.

Heh, I guess it did have something good in it. Maybe I should…

Cris looked at his hatchet in his hand gave it a thought but before he could make a decision.

BANG!

A gunshot was fired from really close by which put a sinking fear in Cris. Before he knew it the guy at the chest was on the ground with a red cross over his body.

Dead from one shot?!

The shooter wearing a ghillie suit stood up from the pile of rocks on the other side of the field holding a long barrel rifle and was slowly making his way to his kill.

Cris could only watch as the shooter made his way to the chest. When he reach there he fell over as well. For a brief second Cris saw a blur fly towards the shooter follow by another one. Another person covered in leaves stood up from the long grass. He was holding a long bow and now was making his way to the chest.

Did the hunter just get hunted? And where are they getting all this camo?

As soon as the bowman reveal himself two others step out of their hiding. One with a great axe with a gray hoodie with the hood up and blue jeans, came from the opposite direction. The other wearing a brown monk like robe also concealing his face, wielding a long spear decided to join the fray. All of them were squaring off around the chest waiting for one of them to make a move.

A 3 way stand off? Should I join? Should I pick off the winner?

Deciding not to join the battle royal in fear that other people might be lurking waiting for a chance to pounce. Cris quickly left the battle and went back on his way to reach the mountain. After getting some distance from the trio he found himself on what looked like a dirt road.

Before he got the chance to get off and avoid detection a silhouette of figures could be seen in the distance with the setting sun at their backs. Cris froze as he knew he made the mistake of being spotted.

BLAM!

Staring at the shadowy figures, one fell over after the sound. The remaining figure kneel down besides the fallen and noticed Cris.

Cris could barely make out that figure but he did manage to catch a glimpse of his facial expression. It was a cheerful and friendly expression with a bright smile. He wave at Cris and was running towards him at full speed with something in his hand.

Is that…a shotgun?

A single pipe shot gun came in sight and the cheerful person who was carrying was still coming at Cris. Not wasting a moment, Cris was running full speed in the opposite direction. The person was still waving at him gesturing him to wait. Every few minutes he would fire a shot which would barely miss its mark.

The chase lasted for about ten minutes and it ended when Cris reached the mountain. Picking one of the numerous paths he managed to give the shotgun holder the slip. Using this brief reprieve from his pursuer Cris took a minute to catch his breath. He was a bit irked of how people could be so wild and aggressive once they are in a virtual world. The thought of the possibility that these applicants do not care about passing but just liked the fighting and killing.

The chase left him nearly exhausted mentally not so much physically and with the sun going down, time was running out. After a small break he went back on his way trying to make his up the mountain. Wandering through the labyrinth of narrow passages he stumble across a wooden fence. Behind the fence was a tall massive wooden tower in the shape of a “T”.

Damn, whoever made this definitely passed? How did they do it? I guess hiding in there you are safe.

Admiring and getting a bit jealous of the tower, multiple explosion could be heard coming from the tower. Black smoke was rising from the side and the top of the tower, as more explosion could be heard. Watching for a few more minutes shadowy figures could be seen falling off from the top of the tower. Cris was astonished that such a building marvel could be so easily taken down.

Eh, I don’t know. Something this big just puts a big target on you. I guess this mountain is not safe after all.

The sun was now almost gone making it extremely difficult to see. The burning tower in front of him was more of a signal to others and he decided to quickly leave the scene. Using whatever light was left Cris was navigating through the passages and heading down the mountain. It wasn’t a few minutes before it was completely pitch black. Almost tripping and falling down the rest of the way Cris decided to call it a day.

I can’t see anything…if only I had a bit of light. Maybe I can…

Opening his panel he noticed that the panel itself gave barely enough light for him to see in front of him. Placing his hand on the wall to help him guide his way he slowly made his way down the path. With the panel open Cris carefully found his way to ledge he could camp out on. The ledge was overlooking a vast pit of darkness on the side of the mountain. The sight made him a bit nervous that one wrong step he will fall off and be devoured by the night.

Looking at his panel he managed to collect over 100 points by picking up stuff on his way up here. He was so close all he has to do is get the last few points and survive. Cris looked up to the sky, saw it was completely void of a single star or a light. Part of him expected a sea of stars or at least some light but this complete darkness was a bit scary.

He sat there thinking how long does night last here and what he should do. He stared at the emptiness expecting the solution will come to him. His mind started to wander of how he got from his first time arriving in Axis and thoughts of what he experience so far. The one thought that kept flashing through his mind was “what is Terminal”. In other games their systems were simple and easy to understand, there were talent trees and skill points. Terminal felt more like real life with screens, there was almost no gaming aspect. Even with these added features did not help him understand at all. Would everything become clear once he becomes a resident? The wind blew made him quiver for a second, an exclamation point appeared near his HP bar. 

[COLD: ALL ACTIONS TIMES INCREASE BY 15%]

Cris gave a wirily smile to see impairing effects were still a thing in here. He quickly opened his panel to look for a way to warm himself up and maybe create a little bit of light. Browsing through his panel’s crafting tab he saw a flamethrower, flashlight, night vision goggles and finally a campfire. He saw he had only enough to create a campfire, Cris was about to place the campfire in his que until he saw a flame in the distance.

Seems like someone had the same idea like me.

It wasn’t even a few seconds before multiple gunshots could be heard and flashes of light were seen around the flame. The flame was flickering and then extinguished but the firefight did not end there. Muzzle flashes and the gunshots continued, after each shot Cris could barely make out a shadowy figure in the distance. Cris decided not to go with any source of light and to stay up to keep watch. Taking out his hatchet and curling himself up in a ball he put his back against the mountain.