11 Rubick

Jayce, Lianna, Colin, and Jackie sat together in a rare moment of silence, savoring the flavors of the vegetable soup that warmed their bodies. The rhythmic sound of slurping intermittently punctuated the tranquility surrounding them.

As Jayce emptied his bowl, a sudden notification materialized before his eyes.

[You have consumed Chicken Vegetable Soup. Vitality increased by +2 for 1 hour]

[Your skill VIP15 has made this boost permanent]

...

"Jackpot!" Jayce's heart leapt with excitement. This was the moment he had been waiting for. The snickers and jeers from those who mocked him for using daddy's credit card now seemed insignificant in comparison.

With an ear-to-ear grin adorning his face, Jayce couldn't help but feel a surge of pride. However, he masked his elation with a modest smile when Colin raised an eyebrow inquisitively.

"You seem quite pleased with yourself," Colin remarked, curiosity lacing his words.

"Oh, it's nothing," Jayce replied with a coy smile, downplaying the significance of his achievement.

[Ahem, can you hear me? Testing, 1, 2.]

Then, a voice resonated within Jayce's mind, startling him to his feet. He scanned the room, searching for the source of the unexpected communication, his expression filled with astonishment. It felt reminiscent of the system's monotonous voice, yet distinctively different—lively and playful.

"Jayce, what's wrong?" Colin asked, his concern evident as he rose to his feet, gripping his sturdy kite shield with resolve.

[Welcome to Calamity: World's End expansion]

Jayce's eyes widened in trepidation, his mind racing as he listened to the voice echoing in his head. Seeking reassurance, he turned to his companions and asked, "Can you hear that voice too?"

Confusion etched on their faces, Jackie and Lianna exchanged glances before shaking their heads in unison.

Before he could figure out what was going on, the voice continued.

[First of all, I'd like to thank those of you who have made this possible. Your support is greatly appreciated.]

The voice sounded sincere, however there was a malicious undertone that could be heard beneath the flowery words. Jayce was shocked, this had not happened in his previous life, making him confused and disoriented.

[Don't worry, you're not going crazy. Only our supporters can hear my voice right now, let's call it a little perk for helping us out.]

'Supporter? How did I support this?'

[We will put up a list of our supporters so you can see and even message each other should you be so inclined. However, please do not tell those around you of your status, otherwise I'm afraid we will have to… Permanently ban your account.]

Jayce paled at the mention of a perma ban. Considering the game had merged with the real world, he could only assume that a permanent ban would mean getting killed.

Suddenly a list materialized in front of Jayce, stunning him.

Let Me Cook - Class: Chef

Steel Heart - Class: Guardian

Shadowstrike - Class: Shadow Assassin

Flamecaster - Class: Inferno Mage

Swift Arrow - Class: Ranger

Stone Hammer - Class: Paladin

Storm Caller - Class: Sorcerer

Divine Healer - Class: Cleric

Iron Fist - Class: Berserk Monk

Life Warden - Class: Druid

Arcane Blade - Class: Spellsword

Songweaver - Class: Bard

Voidwalker - Class: Warlock

Blood Reaper - Class: Slasher

Frost Whisper - Class: Cryomancer

'What in the world is going on?' Jayce's mind raced as he tried to comprehend the situation. The list of classes had left him baffled and unnerved. The fact that he saw his own name, "Let me Cook," at the top of the list only added to his anxiety.

The implications of being labeled as the game's number one supporter filled him with a sense of dread. What would it mean for him? What were the prerequisites for such a role? Questions swirled in his mind, causing him to tug at his hair in frustration.

As Jayce tried to make sense of his predicament, the list suddenly vanished, replaced by a popup window. Before him appeared a mysterious figure, shrouded in an air of enigma. The humanoid figure donned a mask and a large tophat, its black jacket seeming to be made of swirling shadows. The mask bore a chilling smile with sharp teeth, while glowing red eyes peered through the eye holes, emanating an eerie aura.

The figure gracefully bowed, its long and slender form adding to its ghostly appearance. It introduced itself as Rubick, captivating Jayce's attention with a mix of curiosity and unease.

Rubick's voice resonated with amusement as it delivered its message.

[For your efforts and as a reward, starting tomorrow morning at 8am, we will have a little competition to make things interesting] Rubick announced, relishing its position of power.

Jayce felt a shiver run down his spine, uncertain of what this competition entailed. The unsettling humanoid figure bid them farewell, blowing a sinister kiss before vanishing from his sight.

Feeling a headache coming on, Jayce massaged his temples. 'What is happening?'