[Game Start]

As the window screen dissolved, Alan’s eyes slowly fluttered open, and he found himself reclined on a comfortable sofa within a homey living room. The room’s wooden floor, the pristine white walls, and the unpretentious yet inviting furniture all painted a vivid picture of a typical suburban American household. Sunlight streamed in through the window, casting a warm glow upon the surroundings, and the gentle rustling of fresh leaves outside provided a soothing soundtrack to the tranquil morning.

His gaze moved to the window, revealing a picturesque suburban street lined with orderly rows of houses, each one boasting well-kept green lawns and the comforting shade of trees. This serene view contrasted starkly with the ominous World War-themed setting the game had presented in the quest.

A mere 10 seconds into the game, a notification flashed on Alan’s Game Link

[Round Special Condition]

[Hunger Effects Multiplier x 2]

Unlike the previous round, which lasted only 12 hours and thus exempted players from experiencing the effects of hunger. But it was a known status effect that a player needed to deal with. Every 12 hours, players were required to consume food; failure to do so would result in the onset of the hunger status effect.

[Hunger Level 1: Stamina Regeneration -10%] 𝗈𝑣𝑙xt.𝗰𝒪𝓶

[Hunger Level 2: Stamina Regeneration -30%]

[Hunger Level 3: All Stats -20%, Stamina Regeneration -50%]

[Hunger Level 4: All Stats -50%, Stamina Regeneration -80%]

[Hunger Level 5: Immobility]

[Hunger Level 6: Death]

In a standard round, the mechanics of hunger meant that if players didn’t eat for 72 hours, they would meet their demise. However, with the 2-time multiplier in play, this implied that the debilitating hunger effects would be added to players every 6 hours. This accelerated pace would culminate in death after a mere 36 hours of food deprivation.

Many participants had anticipated that the second round would span several days. In preparation, some had brought along a meager supply of sustenance. However, the revelation of the 2-times multiplier caught them off guard. Even the two rations the military provided before the game’s commencement were inadequate to soothe their growing anxiety.

In such a nerve-wracking scenario, the majority of players instinctively gravitated toward local kitchens and diners, driven by the frantic quest for food. This behavior mirrored Alan’s own action from the last round. Yet, unbeknownst to most, something far more profound was unfolding beneath the surface.

Knowing what will happen, Alan strode out of the house, his footsteps echoing purpose. Stepping through the front door onto the patio, his gaze was met with a truly disquieting sight.

The canvas of blue and white sky above was marred by a scene of chaos—dozens of military airplanes, and thousands of parachuting soldiers. A surreal storm of humans plummeting from the sky transformed the serene neighborhood into a battleground.

Simultaneously, a notification materialized in Alan’s mind.

[Warning: Danger Will Arrive in 3 Minutes]

[You Received F Level Quest: Do Not Get Captured]

Summoning his resolve, Alan drew a deep breath and made a beeline for a parked truck on the street. Knowing it was locked and time was of the essence, he decisively shattered the window and unleashed a barrage of loud honks. The cacophonous noise rippled through the serene suburban surroundings, catching the attention of others who were still engrossed in their quest for sustenance. Calls for companions echoed amidst the clamor.

With mounting urgency, residents spilled out of their homes, their faces registering alarm as they swiftly comprehended the danger descending from above. Among them, Daniel burst out of a nearby house, his voice reaching a fever pitch as he shouted, “MR. D!!”

At that very instant, a deafening crash reverberated through the air, and Alan’s instincts took over. His voice rose above the chaos, commanding everyone to seek cover. “GET DOWN!!”

Simultaneously, a fragment of the plummeting ship struck a house, igniting an explosive eruption that jolted the surroundings. The impact reverberated through the air, a visual and auditory shockwave that left everyone in its radius reeling.

Responding with lightning reflexes, Alan dashed to Daniel’s side, providing support as his companion scrambled to his feet in the aftermath of the explosion. Concern painted his features as he ensured Daniel’s safety. “Are you okay? Let’s move, now!” His words, laced with urgency, conveyed the gravity of the situation as he helped Daniel to his feet. They couldn’t afford a moment’s delay.

In mere seconds Alan was leaving the truck, a dozen players were already out on the street and one rushed toward the truck trying to drive it away.

But before the vehicle could gain significant distance, a menacing presence emerged—a group of armed men, Merle and the rednecks, stood resolute in the middle of the street, their assault rifles aimed menacingly at the retreating truck.

“Get the fuck out of the car!”

Merle and his group of rednecks have successfully secured a car and were ready to go as planned. Not willing to get behind, Alan moved swiftly alongside Daniel, zeroing in on an aging sedan parked nearby. His hands moved deftly, making short work of hijacking the car just as the ominous crack of gunfire sounded from above.

TAR TAR TAR TAR TAR

His senses were on high alert, Alan shouted, “Take cover!” It was a warning that echoed urgently as bullets whizzed through the air, danger cascading from the sky. The paratroopers, relentless in their assault, opened fire on the ground below.

To his astonishment, the girl from across the street, Vicky, responded with a precision shot that found its mark in one of the descending threats. Her sharpshooting prowess elicited a surge of surprise, multiple bullets hit their mark perfectly.

The girl however was so excited that she stood up frozen in the middle of the street, becoming an easy target by the other soldiers.

“What are you waiting for? Hurry up!” Alan shout. With his senses on high alert, Vicky bolted toward the sedan and claimed her spot, while Alan sought refuge behind the car, returning fire as necessary to stave off the encroaching threat.

In the heart of the chaotic battleground, a flurry of activity unfolded. Paratroopers flooded the area, converging on the ground and readying their weapons. Amidst the tumult, a surge of players sought refuge within the car, each driven by the desperate need for safety and escape.

“Drive now!” Alan’s voice, laced with urgency, reverberated through the chaos. Time was of the essence, and every second counted.

“What about Milo and Luis!?” Daniel exclaimed, his foot hesitating on the gas pedal.

A chorus of pleas arose from the player outside the car, and without waiting for Alan’s permission, Vicky swung the car doors open, letting them in.

Bullets continued to whiz through the air, prompting Alan to maintain a steady barrage of cover fire to deter the advancing threats.

In the midst of this chaotic scene, a group of paratrooper soldiers, clad in grey military uniforms, had amassed, forming a line on the street. With assault rifles at hand, their gunfire relentlessly targeted the sedan, driving Alan, Daniel, and the rest to hunker down inside for cover. On the opposite side, the crimson gunner and his redneck compatriots were locked in a fierce firefight against another faction of soldiers.

“Dammit!! we are pinned down!!”

This was the risk of taking the car as it quickly become the enemy combatant main target.

Alan’s heart pounded as he poised himself to leap out of the car and engage the enemy. But before he could take action, a deafening crash shattered the cacophony of battle. A truck plowed through a garage door and crashed upon the group of soldiers.

“Mr. Alan!! Este bien!” The voice cut through the chaos, and Alan’s gaze turned to see Luis, the Mexican man, in the driver’s seat of the truck. Beside him was Milo, their faces resolute and determined.

With the path now open, Alan wasted no time. “Let’s go!” The command was met with a surge of action. The sedan’s engine roared to life, the wheels spinning as it accelerated forward. Beside it, the truck roared in tandem, one driven by Luis and another by Merle and his gang of rednecks.

With determination fueling their every move, the three vehicles raced across the street, navigating the chaotic landscape of battle.

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x