1 Lord of Hell
The year was 2035, a time when the world had finally accomplished full dive virtual reality. In their cosy yet unremarkable apartment, Alex was alone, while his girlfriend, Emma, had embarked on another day of work. As she departed, her chestnut hair flowed gracefully, and her bright blue eyes exuded a sense of purpose that he found both comforting and envy-inducing.
In contrast, Alex was at a crossroads in his life, currently jobless and searching for his place in this evolving world. The apartment, bathed in the soft morning light, felt both familiar and foreign, a place where he contemplated his next move.
He laid on his sofa, his head covered by a white helmet, his virtual fingers idly scrolling. Each scroll sent a metronome ticking sound to his head as if his life was ticking away the. Around him, mismatched furniture somehow coalesced into an atmosphere of warmth, though today, an undeniable sense of restlessness hung in the air.
He gazed at the expansive selection of virtual reality games displayed before him. Amid the myriad of choices, one game's title boldly stood out—**"Lord of Hell."** He grew bored of the mainstream shooter games and clicked on it expecting something similar, yet, there was something disconcerting about it, a glaring absence of reviews. No one had ventured into this digital abyss, it seemed.
Curiosity sparked in Alex's mind, but it was swiftly tempered by disdain of 0 star reviews on this game made by an unknown company, the game stated it had been out for a few years now too. His virtual finger hovered over the icon, a symbolic pause before the unknown. The absence of a star rating cast a shadow of doubt. Why had no one played it? Was it plagued by game-breaking glitches or lackluster content?
His brow furrowed, and a faint frown played upon his lips. "Zero stars," he muttered to himself. "What kind of game deserves such a dreadful rating?"
A sigh escaped his lips as he wrestled with the idea of delving into the enigmatic world of **"Lord of Hell."** Doubt danced on the periphery of his thoughts, a persistent nagging that threatened to dissuade him.
"What if it's a cheap cash-grab, or worse, a virtual wasteland?" he wondered aloud. But in the end, a peculiar blend of curiosity and the monotonous humdrum of his life led him to click the download button.
Time passed like a slow-moving river as he waited for the game to download. The apartment, once bathed in sunlight, now seemed to dim with uncertainty. Anticipation and unease hung heavy in the air. A single bead of sweat trickled down his forehead, a tangible manifestation of his nervous excitement.
When the download finally completed, Alex instantly clicked play and found himself standing at the brink of an unknown digital realm. His character, a mere silhouette in the encompassing darkness, awaited his commands. The void around him seemed to pulse with anticipation, the air charged with the unknown.
Then, it happened. A voice, subtle yet commanding, resounded within his mind, and the room seemed to shiver with newfound vitality. The system, the enigmatic overseer of this virtual dimension, spoke with a hypnotic authority.
[The user is granted permission to customise their character's appearance as they imagine, and can change their form at will] the system declared.
Alex's eyes widened in astonishment. Never before had he encountered a game offering such boundless possibilities. His virtual hands trembled with excitement as he contemplated the limitless canvas before him. The dark void that enveloped his character pulsed with a surreal energy.
Thoughts raced through his mind. How could a game grant such unparalleled freedom? Who had crafted this digital riddle, and why had it remained hidden from the gaming world? Doubt continued to gnaw at him like an insatiable beast.
But Alex's curiosity only grew stronger
"So i just…imagine it right? Hmmmm. What about that guy i used to draw when i was an edgy child haha"
The room fell into silence, broken only by the soft hum of the apartment's ventilation system. Alex closed his eyes, surrendering to the vivid depths of his imagination.
In the boundless expanse of the digital abyss, his form began to shift and contort. He envisioned a transformation that transcended the limits of reality, a metamorphosis that would liberate him from the mundane. As his virtual essence fluctuated, his everyday self was replaced by a visage that defied imagination.
From the original inky dark silhouette of himself, a towering figure emerged. The transformation was a stark departure from his real-world self. His once-scruffy brown curls surrendered to long, slicked-back white locks, reminiscent of a regal lion's mane. Four imposing black horns adorned his forehead, 2 on either side, with the slightly lower horns being smaller than those above, arching backward in a display of grandeur and menace. Golden runes etched into the horns and his ashen-gray skin, weaving intricate patterns of gold and crimson.
His once-ordinary blue eyes transformed into eerie crimson orbs, exuded an enigmatic calm as well as a cold and calculating sharp look. His nose took on a slightly pointed, dragon-like form, adding an air of mystique to his appearance. When he smiled, his mouth stretched impossibly wide, revealing rows of teeth, each one sharper than the last.
Draped in a flowing black robe akin to the Grim Reaper that was left open at the front to show his 8 pack off, he unfurled two colossal wings made of bone, their surfaces engulfed in black and purple flames. As the transformation settled, Alex stood tall—a commanding figure that dwarfed his former self. An eight-pack abdomen and a height of seven feet and one inch completed his striking new form.
His virtual self was a breathtaking contrast to his real-world identity, a devilish and charismatic entity, far removed from the ordinary. He gazed upon his transformed self with a mixture of exhilaration and disbelief. The transition was both exhilarating and disconcerting, an escape into the extraordinary, if only within the confines of a digital realm.
As Alex confirmed his astonishing transformation within the game, his mind was filled with an avalanche of sensations. It felt as if he had found a game he would finally enjoy, and for a long time at that, and the maelstrom of emotions that gripped him was almost overwhelming.
"This is... this is amazing!" Alex couldn't help but mutter aloud, his voice trembling with excitement. He could feel his heart racing, a wild mix of exhilaration and wonder coursing through his veins. The prospect of becoming the Lord of Hell, ruling over a domain of chaos and darkness, was nothing short of mind-boggling but suiting for his inner child who was once an edgy little kid.
[Welcome to Lord of Hell, Alex,] the system's voice chimed in his mind, almost as if it were right there with him.
"The Lord of Hell... Ha, SICK! I'm the lord of hell! Hahaha," Alex exclaimed, even though he knew he was alone in his apartment. The room seemed to close in on him, and he could barely contain his enthusiasm.
The game's mechanics and possibilities unfurled before him like a vast, uncharted territory waiting to be explored. [To create hell properly you are required to gain points,]
the system's message continued to resound in his head,
[you can gain hell points multiple ways, reaping souls, souls that die in a state of extreme fear are of higher quality, creating chaos, or spreading the belief in hell to more people! After gaining these points you can buy land for your hell, buildings, demons, even abilities for yourself, and much more!]
"What the heck, it's almost as if this game is made for me hahah!" Alex's real body lay on the sofa in the apartment while his mind was fully immersed in the virtual reality game. He couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of it all.
He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "Okay, Alex, focus. This is your chance to escape the monotony of everyday life. To be someone extraordinary, even if it's in a virtual world." His own reflection of himself before him seemed alien—those crimson eyes, that sinister grin. It was a transformation that both exhilarated and unsettled him.
A prompt once again resounded in Alex's head
[Before the next instructions, please choose a title you wish for everyone to address you as…..]
"Hahaha, it just keeps getting better!" Alex couldn't contain his excitement as he considered the possibilities that lay before him in this new virtual world.
As he contemplated the potential of not being just a regular guy leading a mundane life, a mischievous grin spread across his face. "I could just spend my time on this game while Emma brings in the real-world dough!"
…..
[Very well…..Scythe. Your title has been registered,]
the system responded, seeming to acknowledge his choice.
Chuckling to himself, Alex mused, "Scythe... Yeah, that sounds cool and badass. Why not, right?" With a shrug and a sense of newfound identity, he was ready to embrace this adventure.
[Welcome Scythe, to your newfound home, hell.]
Alex found himself enveloped in utter darkness,
'What hell?!'
Nothing was before him and the virtual mirror of his own reflection had vanished long ago, yet he felt he could make it appear again at any time. His confusion was palpable, and he couldn't help but blurt out.
"What the fuck?"
A voice, originating from the game's system, responded to his distress. [User Scythe, please, calm down. You cannot see anything as you have not created your hell yet. Would you like to receive the starter pack?]
A surge of excitement overcame Alex once again, and he eagerly exclaimed, "YES!!" Without a moment's hesitation, he extended his hand into the void, half-expecting to feel something tangible in the real world. To his amusement, nothing occurred in reality. However, in the virtual realm of the game, a list of items materialised before him.
[You have received:
- 100 acres of land
- x1 legendary ability: instant transport
- x1 rare demon
- x1 gate of hell
- x1 legendary weapon: The Lord's Scythe]
Suddenly, the barren void showed something other than endless darkness, a sprawling, fiery landscape—100 acres of crimson, hilly terrain devoid of life floated in the void below Alex.
One hill stood out amidst this fiery expanse, boasting an ashy-black hue and a cavernous entrance that beckoned Alex.
From within this cave emerged a demon, a creature that seemed to have sprung from the darkest myths and legends. Its tall, furry, black form was bereft of clothing,from the neck down its body was covered in black fur, which resembled that of a werewolf. Its head was that of a werewolf skull with swirling horns of bones protruding upwards
Alex was taken aback, astounded by the creature's lifelike appearance. In a moment of disbelief, he muttered,
"What the... No way. Is this really a game? It looks exactly like real life, even better, in fact! Zero stars, my ass!!"
As he marvelled at the immersive environment and the demon before him, a new prompt appeared.
