Off Limit System

The deeper they went, the darker and quieter the forest became. The air was so thin that it was hard to breathe. No sign of Ulrich or the group of Harpies was pursuing him. It was just a lifeless, terrifying forest.

"Aren't we lost?" said Chloe, after they hadn't spoken for a while.

"I hope not," Ethan replied.

He was trying to convince himself that they were on the right path. In fact, he had been the leader of the way, following Ulrich's lead from the beginning. He looked at the broken branches, the torn bushes. They would all be trapped in the forest if Ulrich had gotten lost.

"Does anyone know if OFF LIMIT has a time limit? For each mission?" asked Percy suddenly.

The others looked at each other in turn. They shook their heads in unison.

"I don't know, we only got a few hours for one mission," Dane replied. "Even at the beginning, I failed right away."

"You got bit by a coyote?" Percy stared at Dane in horror. "I was lucky to escape," he added.

"I wasn't bitten. As the coyote chased me, I slipped and fell into the ravine. Done." Dane chuckled.

Percy's eyes widened, and he asked, "Really?"

Dane nodded. "I just felt my body float; then I woke up in the real world. And my whole body hurts."

Chloe laughed softly.

"You, Chloe? Did you get your chance to play?" asked Percy.

Chloe gave him a wry smile. "My early playing days were almost like Dane's. For two days, my body felt like it was falling apart."

"So you've already lost one shot? Out of three chances, right?" Percy looked concerned.

Both Dane and Chloe nodded.

"I lost two in the same place; THE FIELD." Percy swallowed. "I was about to give up hope, then I saw you get up and run into the woods."

"I followed him too," Chloe pointed at Ethan.

Percy exhaled heavily. "Leaving the other players behind made me feel bad. But I had to do it."

"It's a game, Percy. There are no emotional ties," Chloe commented lightly. As if to emphasize to Dane that she had nothing to do with Ulrich.

"So far, we've all made it. And we should get out of this game alive," Ethan said optimistically.

"Thank you, Ethan. And I'm very grateful. The mission wasn't to win the war," Dane added.

"I just thought the wizard wasn't there. Didn't the commander say from the beginning that we were to fight the Wizard soldiers," Ethan said.

"I think you're a genius," Percy chuckled.

"No." Ethan shook his head quickly. "It just crossed my mind."

"It's a game that seems to use not only your muscles. But your brain as well," Percy replied.

They felt a light breeze, and their breathing was less heavy. It was a sign that they might have reached the other end of the forest. Ethan's eyes caught sight of a torn bush with fallen tree trunks. He also saw bloodstains on the ground. The others noticed as well.

Chloe ran directly to the blood on the ground. "Ulrich must be injured," she said in a worried tone. "Where is he now?"

"He's probably already reached the castle," Percy pointed out.

He was the first to notice that the top of the building jutted out from the edge of the trees. The castle was built on a hill, visible from where it stood. This seemed strange to Ethan because he was sure he couldn't see the shape of the building, even though he had been looking straight ahead.

"Well, that's good. Ulrich can ask the wizard if there are any bandages," Dane said lightly.

"At least sympathize with someone who might be hurt and need help." Chloe shook her head.

" He's got a lot of gold and can buy things to treat his wounds." Dane shrugged. "I'm not unempathetic. But with all that blood, it's almost like he's creating a drama."

"Ulrich probably didn't have time to clean up the blood. Did it occur to you to clean up your own blood in the heat of the moment?" Chloe fumed.

"Stop arguing," Ethan said. "The sooner we get to the castle. The sooner we find out what Ulrich's condition is."

The argument between Dane and Chloe was not continuing; the four of them quickened their pace out of the forest's edge. The wizard's castle was clearly visible. It sat on a hill with a long, rocky path leading up to it. The track was about two meters wide, with tall, yellowing grass along the sides.

Percy bent down and looked at the ground. There were still spots of blood.

"Looks like he's still hurt, but I don't think he's bleeding much," Percy said. Then he got to his feet. "I think your friend has reached the castle."

"These bloodstains make it clear that he's badly injured," Chloe commented.

"There is less blood. If you're badly hurt, you'll bleed more," Percy corrected.

"Are you a doctor?" asked Dane.

"Ah, no. I'm just a farm boy. I have some experience with injured cattle." Percy smiled faintly. "The tracks of injured cattle indicate their condition."

"That's new knowledge to me," Chloe chuckled. "Thank you for making me another step smarter."

Percy's face flushed red. "Gosh, it's nothing. It's just what I know from experience."

"Well, experience teaches you everything," Ethan said.

After two hundred meters, they came to an empty-looking castle. The gate was wide open, looking rusty and neglected.

Cautiously, the four entered the castle courtyard, the floor of which was made of rough stone. It was even mossy.

Suddenly, a holographic screen appeared.

[Game Level: 4 - THE WIZARD]

[Name: Ethan Mannon]

[Classification: Tank]

[Status: Novice]

[Gold: 17,400]

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

[Item: Harpy's Wing]

[Power: +75]

[Buff: Harpy's Inferno]

[Skill: Eternal Shield +3]

It was a surprise. The gold that Ethan was rewarded with after passing level three increased significantly. Not to mention the level-up title, which made Ethan smile. He still doesn't understand what the items obtained from killing the harpy are used for, including buffs and skills.

There was also something strange. Ethan saw a small exclamation mark in the bottom right corner of the hologram screen. Curious, he pressed the screen. Then a message appeared. A confirmation, actually.

 

[Welcome to the OFF LIMIT SYSTEM. This is a golden opportunity for you to become the sole champion of the game. WITHOUT DIFFICULTY]

 

Ethan's eyebrows knitted together as he subconsciously muttered in a half-whisper, "Sole Champion?"