The morning sun filtered through the colossal canopies of the Forest of Eden, spilling golden light across the city streets.
But that light brought no peace.
As soon as Ethan and Elenya left the Adventurers' Guild, the human chaos revealed itself in its cruelest form.
Players sat on the ground, staring into nothingness.
Others walked in circles, muttering that they were trapped inside a nightmare.
Some tried to disconnect by force, clutching their own heads — only for the system to respond with blue blocking sparks.
Screams echoed.
Arguments.
Prayers.
Despair.
At the center of the plaza, a trembling man spoke, surrounded by broken players.
"We're going to die here… there's no way out! Sixty-six floors! It's impossible!"
Nearby, a girl sobbed uncontrollably.
"I just wanted to play for an hour… I just wanted… I just wanted to go back to my family…"
Ethan stopped.
That pain cut through him like a blade of ice.
Elenya took a deep breath.
"Ethan… if no one does anything… they'll destroy themselves before the first monster even does."
He looked around.
Living bodies… shattered souls.
It was time.
It was necessary.
Ethan stepped forward.
"Hey!"
The shout echoed across the plaza.
Players turned — some angry, some afraid, some simply… empty.
Ethan raised his voice.
"LISTEN!"
Silence spread slowly.
He inhaled deeply, remembering the flame he had felt when his magic first awakened.
"I know you're scared.
I am too."
Eyes met.
Tears were wiped away.
"But sitting here waiting won't change anything.
Crying won't.
Screaming won't.
Pretending this isn't happening won't."
He looked up at the digital sky, recalling Musk's announcement.
"We're trapped here. That's a fact.
But it's also a fact that we're players.
And players don't give up… they move forward."
A young man spoke, his voice shaking.
"But… sixty-six floors… that's too much…"
Ethan walked toward him.
"Then we climb them one at a time.
No one here needs to clear all sixty-six floors today."
He made a firm gesture with his hand.
"We only need to win today.
Tomorrow, we win tomorrow.
And then… the next day."
Elenya stepped forward, posture steady.
"I played during the beta. I know how this world works.
If we stay still, we lose strength, lose courage… lose ourselves."
She raised her bow.
"But if we train, if we fight, if we grow together…
this world may be cruel, but it's fair to those who fight back."
A girl with red, tear-filled eyes asked quietly,
"But… what if we die?"
Elenya answered without hesitation.
"Then we won't die.
Not now.
Not for nothing.
Not without a fight."
Ethan continued, his voice steady like controlled fire.
"We're not alone.
We have skills.
We have weapons.
And we have each other."
He clenched his fist.
"And we have a clear way out: clearing the floors."
Players began to breathe more steadily.
Some stood up slowly, as if something were being rekindled inside them.
"Every slime defeated is a step forward.
Every boar beaten is progress.
Every training session… is survival."
One player raised his beginner's sword.
"I… I want to fight too."
Another lifted a staff.
"So do I."
An archer stepped forward.
"I had given up… but now… I want to try."
Green icons began gathering around Ethan and Elenya, forming a silent circle of resolve.
Ethan smiled — simple and genuine.
"Good. Then the first step is simple:
Train.
Level up.
Learn how to survive."
He formed a small flame between his fingers. It flickered… but remained steady.
"If we're trapped… then we'll master this place.
The First Floor won't break us."
Elenya crossed her arms.
"Who's with us?"
"WE ARE!"
"LET'S FIGHT!"
"LET'S CLIMB THESE FLOORS!"
And for the first time since the announcement…
Fear weakened.
Hope breathed.
And the future felt possible.
Ethan looked at Elenya.
"You speak well," she said, smiling.
"I just said what I needed to hear too."
She laughed softly.
"Then let's lead by example."
And so…
With the flame of courage lighting their first steps…
The real game began.
End of the chapter.
Thank you for reading.
See you tomorrow.