Off Limit System

The Casual is a portal on THE MEDIEVAL's western edge. Its threshold curled into an inverted U and was fashioned of solid, earthy stone. A dark hole in the middle with no apparent edge. Dark.

And there it was, the portal.

Several players pass through the gateway. Several gathered around the gateway, as though expecting teammates or friends. Yet, many players decided to go solo, whether they were newbies to THE MEDIEVAL or experienced.

Ethan and Dane stopped at the portal and observed the people who were there.

"Do we just go in?" Ethan indicated the portal's location.

"I think so."

"You don't sound sure."

"They just said enter The Casual." Dane raised his chin at the people entering the portal. "Just go in like that."

"Alright," Ethan said, nodding.

The two were about to walk towards the portal when Ethan's shoulder was gently gripped. As the young man turned his head, Miriam was already standing behind him.

"Newbie!" she said cheerfully.

"Hi," Ethan replied in nervous.

"I forgot your name, sorry." The red hair grimaced.

"Ethan." The twenty-two-year-old then motioned with his hand to the figure beside him. "And this is Dane."

Miriam and Dane both nodded hello.

"Are you heading to The Casual to hunt?" Miriam stared at Ethan and Dane in turn.

"We've never tried it before.”

"Really? You," Miriam asked, pointing to Dane, "what's your level?"

"Two, Ethan and I," Dane said.

Miriam's eyes looked at Ethan confused. ""You're level two? Your shield is for higher levels. Where did you get that? The champion reward can only be chosen after you enter level three."

"He killed a lot of coyotes in the first level," Dane said. "So much so that he has enough gold to buy a new shield."

"Oh, is that so?" Miriam just cocked one brow. "That's great."

"I just got lucky," Ethan replied, clearing his throat softly.

"You know what? The game gets really difficult when you get to level three. Many fall at the beginning, because they lack strategy," explained Miriam.

"How advanced are you? Your level." Ethan asked.

"Fifteen," Miriam said.

Ethan and Dane were completely fascinated. Even passing two stages felt like death. How could a woman who appeared to be alone overcome every challenge on her own? Ethan wondered.

"There are a lot of cooler ones," the woman added casually.

"But you're still amazing to me," Dane chided.

"I'm trying to hold on, and get to safety. Because this game is so hard," said Miriam, half complaining. "Do you want to come hunting with me? I need some items before entering level 16."

The two young man exchanged glances and nodded. Although who knew what would be waiting for them in The Casual? But at least, entering the portal with someone experienced would certainly be much safer. Perhaps.

Ethan attempted to be watchful, because those who appeared nice might turn out to be the most difficult foes he would confront later. . Including Miriam, who seemed friendly. Nobody knew if she was a wolf disguised as a sheep.

Miriam was the first to approach the portal, and the holographic screen materialized in front of her eyes. With tight expressions, Ethan and Dane flanked Miriam.

"The City. A team of three, "said the woman calmly.

Ethan felt something sucking into the hole within seconds, and both of the young man's feet walked smoothly through it. In the darkness, his body drifted and spun, his breath suffocating him. He shut his eyes.

Oh my God, his thoughts shouted.

...

Ethan lurched out of the portal, the bright sunshine causing his eyes to squint. He stepped out of the subway. Ethan's vision nailed the impression of a vast metropolis with tall buildings and roads. The city, on the other hand, was deserted. There was no one person traveling back and forth.

Ethan gazed at the caption on the holographic screen after touching his right temple.

[The Casual: The City - level +10]

[Name: Ethan Mannon]

[Classification: Tank]

[Status: Greenhorn]

[Gold: 1400]

[Armor: Shield Treachery's Iron Bulwark level 25]

[Item: None]

[Power: +25]

[Buff: None]

[Skill: None]

 

"The Casual for levels higher than ten?" muttered Ethan in disbelief.

He started to realize that neither Dane nor Miriam were standing near him. Their figures were supposed to arrive, but they did not. Ethan thought that he should wait a few minutes.

He stood there alone for one, two, three, and up to five minutes.

Ethan was certain that something was wrong.

"Damn it, where am I supposed to look for them? Did Miriam set me up on purpose?"

Ethan couldn't stay there any longer, especially when his instincts sensed danger. Ethan strolled along the deserted sidewalk with caution. His shield was ready at arm's length. A breath of wind blew across his body.

He came to a crossroads and was unsure which direction to go.

Recall that individuals enter and exit through portals. If this was referred to as The Casual, it meant that there was no specified mission to complete. Folks came to The Casual simply because they needed something. Ethan, supposedly, could easily get out of there.

"Should I go back?" he sighed, confused.

Even though it was The Casual, he remembered that even The Casual had levels. Ethan was not going to push himself by playing a game above his present level.

Ethan turned right, intending to return to the subway entrance from which he had come. He heard a gunshot from the right, although it was a little faint. As far as he could figure, it came from behind the high-rise buildings.

Following, gunshots were more audible.

Ethan's curiosity kicked up, and he dashed towards the direction of the sound.

Ethan's shoes were slightly echoed in the empty area, and he turned right at the next crossroads. Dane and Miriam were racing towards him when he noticed them.

"Run, Ethan!" Dane shouted in panic.

Numerous figures chased Dane and Miriam, human beings with consistent behavior. Their growling caused his hair to stand on end. The scent of carrion made Ethan nauseated, and he just stood there frozen.

Miriam grabbed Ethan's arm and half-yelled, "Are you deaf? Run, you idiot!"

Ethan confirmed what was following them once more. A herd of mindless humans, their bodies bleeding and some missing limbs. Or an empty stomach.

"What is it?" Ethan hissed in disbelief.

He took a step back, while Miriam and Dane were already fleeing to safety.

"It's a horde of zombies!" said Dane.

Miriam burst out laughing. "Welcome to The City! RUN …!!”