Cherreads

Chapter 3 - Hope And Belief

15 hours passed since Hak-kun Jeong or as he calls himself now, The Game Master announced that every player who logged in to The World Of Destiny are trapped here, unless they defeat every level boss and complete the game to be free. Some of the players accepted their new life here while the rest were in between already giving up and waiting for someone to rescue them from this nightmare.

The trio of Mystagun, Erza and Ling managed to find a place far away from the chaos and loud panicking noises. Ling is still in disbelief her mind in shambles. "This can't be real right, this is some kind of special event the developers set up, yeah it has to be"

"If this really is some special event then it's one fucked up event I'll tell you that" Mystagun opened his menu screen looking in his inventory. Erza is busy doodling on the ground her mind seeming to be elsewhere, suddenly she felt two hands on her shoulders. Looking up she saw Ling looking at her.

"You've played this game before right!, so you should know how to beat it right!" Her grip on Erza's shoulders tighten a bit. Staring at her for a bit a small smile appeared on Erza's mouth, grabbing Ling's arms she shook her head.

"Yes I've played this game before but I haven't beaten it, the farthest I made it was the 26th level boss. A group of players managed to make it to the 37th level boss however that's the furthest anyone's got" Erza tells Ling as Mystagun closes his menu screen.

He looks at Erza asking her a few questions about Hak-kun and the game he made. "Can you tell what you know about The Game Master and this World Of Destiny game" she thought for a moment clearing her head before answering him.

"Well the only thing I know about him is that he's Korean and that his name is Hak-kun Jeong in real life, other than that nothing much" Mystagun nodded at her as she continues.

She takes 5 steps forward as tells him what she knows about the game their trapped in. "The World Of Destiny was the first of its kind that allowed players to custom-make their own character, ranging from real life to fictional traits like abilities, skills, class, names and personality. It was said that this was going to be the first VRMMORPG where players would get to experience something like a different world, or our very own fantasy life" she looks up to the heavens as the breeze flows through her hair, turning her head to look at Mystagun.

"He was right, I played this game for a year but it felt like a lot longer in this world. Almost like I was in another world" she turn to look at Mystagun and Ling.

"From what you've told me...this game is not unbeatable"

"Something like that yes, but doing it on your own is basically impossible"

Mystagun closes his eye for a few seconds thinking then he opens eye. The calm look on his face indicated he might have figured something out. He clears his throat before speaking. "You managed to make to the 26th level boss on your own, while a organize group of players made it to the 37th level boss" Erza nodded her head. He turned towards Ling her body language portraying that she's given up hope.

Just then a idea popped into his mind, a way for them to beat this game and return to the real world. "I think I know a way lift everyone's spirit and beat this game"

Erza and Ling looked at Mystagun curiosity in their eyes.

_

Deep in a cave that is being illuminated by glowing mushrooms, a few players are mining for mineral crystal to exchange for money or other materials. Jiraya is walking through the cave, his eyes scanning the cave until he hears voices of people not too far from him. As he gets closer he sees people crouching down next to each other, walking up them he put his hand on one of their shoulder. "Excuse me"

The man turn his head while pulling up his goggle, his expression showing announce from being interrupted. "What the fuck do you wa... oh shit!" Managing to see his face clearly his expression went form announced to fear. His friend next to him got up and hid behind him.

"We're so sorry, he didn't mean it"

"Here just take the crystals" The man with the goggle and his friend threw their bags of crystals at his feet before running away. Jiraya looked down confused then eyes looked up seeing them running away.

"Hey wait! I just wanted to know.... how to get.... out of here" Jiraya took a deep sigh then continued walking still looking for a way out of the cave.

_

"First we need to give everyone hope, to show them that this game can be beaten" Mystagun said to Erza and Ling as they listened to him. He explained his plan to them on giving the players hope to beat the game their trapped in, by everyone one working together. "Erza you said that you were a beta tester for this game right, with means you should know where the 1st level boss is"

"Yes I was...but the 1st level boss doesn't have a particular spawn point"

"Can you explain what you mean by that"

"The 1st level boss can technically spawn anywhere but in the safe zone, it has a word or rather a speech trigger"

Hearing this Mystagun raised his eyebrow a bit surprised at what Erza said. "I'm guessing that you know what this trigger speech is"

Erza eyes widen a bit her expression showing him all he needs to know. Erza turns to look at Ling, seeing how her friend is slowly losing hope, she looks back at Mystagun nodding her head.

"Yes I do, but it is a bit embarrassing" Her cheeks starting to turn pink as she scratches the back of her head. "But if it means giving Ling and everybody else hope and belief, that we can beat this game. Then I'll do it. But I'm going to need you guys, so can I count on you guys having my back on this" She smiles brightly at the both of them. Mystagun and Ling simultaneously smile back at her nodding their head.

"Of course, you are my best friend so I'll have your back"

The three of them are standing in a triangle formation facing each other as Erza discusses her plan with them. "Once we start fighting the boss, video holograms will pop up to every player. They'll be able to see us beating the 1st level boss and that should give them hope" After going over their plan Erza then starts walking on to the snowy open field, as she reach a far enough distance from them, she then unequipped her armour and clothes one by one until she was standing fully naked.

'And now she completely naked. I see now why she embarrassed to do this' Mystagun thought as he raised his eyebrow.

Erza then equipped a red blood like armour and a headgear with two horns as she looks up to the heavens, she takes in a deep breath to clear her mind before she speaks in a loud voice. 'Oh heavenly father please forgive for what I am about to say' "I am Erza Igniscale demon-dragon!, I have come to take over this world and make it mine!!"

Her words echoed through out the whole snowy field, it was quiet until they heard something up in the sky. As something came down from the heavens landing shaking the ground beneath Erza's feet. "I am the guardian of this world and you will not take it over"

"Holy fuck your a lot bigger than I remember"

In the Town Of Level Zero multiple rectangle holograms appear in the sky where players are, showing the battle that is going to happen. Each other of them surprised by this.

The guardian grabbed his dorgen hammer from his back ready for the fight. Undead warriors started spawning near the guardian legs. "Sorry but none of you are my target"

They all rushed towards Erza swinging their swords at her, she light steps away from and towards the guardian. Mystagun and Ling used a speed boost that shot them towards the undead army. "Sonic boom!"

Boom!.

One of the undead warrior tried grabbing Erza's leg, suddenly his hand got cut by Ling as she and Mystagun are now fighting the undead warriors. Erza continues light stepping to the guardian, seeing her get closer the guardian swings his hammer back winding up for an attack. As she light steps in the perfect range the guardian slams the his hammer down on her, breaking and shattering open the icy ground.

Erza managed to dodge the hammer as she appears right in front of the guardian's face with a grin. "Are you looking for me" she uses a downwards fire slash staggering him.

Erza unleashed multiple fire slashes mid-air as she descending, the guardian swings his hammer hitting her the impact sending her crashing down and losing 25% of health. Ling heard that the impact of hammer connecting with Erza, she rushed through to undead warriors slashing her way through every single one them in her way. As she got away from far enough all the remaining undead warriors turned their attention to Mystagun, smiles appearing on all their faces seeing their smiles Mystagun smiled back at them.

"If your all so happy to fight me then come on... I'm waiting" Mystagun flicks his pointing finger equipping another sword to his hand. All the undead warriors rushed towards Mystagun, not backing down Mystagun charges onwards cutting down any undead warrior his blades comes in connect with, though a few of them managed to parry or block his attempts. Spinning his swords with his fingers as jumps and twirls mid-air getting a better angle of the undead warriors weak spots.

The guardian prepares for another attack winding his hammer so far back that his balancing on one leg. Gripping the hilt of his hammer tightly the guardian swings down with full force, Ling light step in front Erza blocking the guardian's hammer with her sword. The weight and pressure sinking her legs into the ground as her upper bends backwards. Erza smiled happily seeing her friend saving her. "Thanks Ling"

"Shut the fuck and do something!" Ling said as she struggles to hold back the guardian's hammer.

"Re-equip!" Erza's armour disappeared as she equipped a new lighter armour with two huge spears. She then dashed upwards throwing the first spear at the guardian's right shoulder, that made the guardian stumble back a few steps relieving the pressure on Ling. Erza then threw her second spear towards the guardian's left eye but he managed to dodge it moving his head to right.

All the players in the Town Of Level Zero were in awe as the are witnessing three players who are not afraid to die and take on this world. Seeing this some of them started to regain their hopes back, believing that they have chance to beat this virtual game world. "He dodged it, that lucky son of bitch!" A male player with a mask yelled out.

"Come you guys can do it!!" A female player with a witch hat also yelled out.

All the players in the Town Of Level Zero started cheering them on as they are watching their battle on the holograms screens.

The guardian grabs the spear stuck in his shoulder as he yanked it free. The guardian slams his hammer down preparing a high level spell as his surrounding begins to glow blue. As Mystagun kills of the last undead warrior he turns to look at the guardian, and dashed towards him yelling instructions for Erza and Ling. "Keep attacking!, don't let him finish that spell!"

Erza equipped a long singular katana as she and Ling focused their attacks on his hammer, as Mystagun got close he delivered a powerful sword attack. "Sword style... one thousand blades!"

The guardian spell got interrupted as his hammer is destroyed and receiving a thousand slashes in 3 seconds. His health now being dangerously low as his health bar flashes red.

The guardian stood perfectly still unable to move, just as the three of them were about to deliver their final attack, a huge shock wave burst from his chest sending them flying back.

"What now!" Ling said frustrated.

"Oh right... I forgot he has a second stage transformation" Erza said picking herself up.

"Well that's not good" Mystagun sees something shimmering in the sky. As it gets closer it seems that the object is a golden sword, the sword lands precisely next to the guardian as he now has a golden armour on and his health is half full. The guardian picks up the sword and points it at Mystagun. "Either your scared of me or your just that confidant"

They all rush to the guardian to attack him at the same not giving him a chance to react. The guardian crouch down before jumping into the sky.

"Oh you have to be joking" Mystagun said in disbelief at what he's seeing.

"That has to be impossible right" Ling is a bit confuse at how the guardian is able to jump so high.

"Hoshi Jūji Shuppansha" (Star Cross Press)

The guardian swings his sword horizontally and vertically forming a huge attack. The impact of Hoshi Jūji Shuppansha formed a giant cross on the ground incapacitating Erza, Ling and Mystagun. As the guardian landed on the ground he walk towards them his sword glows brightly the closer he gets to them, each steps he takes shakes the icy ground beneath his feet. "You've done well adventurers, but this is where it all ends"

In the far distant two male players are observing the on going battle. One of them has a scar on his left cheek while the other one has a butterfly tattoo on his neck. "Well now would you look at that. You think we should help them Jarrett" the man with the scar said cleaning his ear with his pinky.

"Ah sure why not. If we die it just means our time is up, but if we survive then that just means we get to live to see another day, alright let's go Nitro" the man with the butterfly tattoo said smiling. They cross their swords together forming a X with their swords, using a speed boost they dashed towards the battlefield dragging their swords on the icy ground. As they are getting closer they started bickering with each other.

"We're going to fucking die!" Nitro said smiling.

"We're not going to fucking die!" Jarrett said also smiling. This went on and on the closer they get to the battlefield.

"We're gonna fucking die!"

"We're not gonna fucking die!"

"We're gonna fucking die!"

"We're not gonna fucking die!"

As the guardian is walking he sees Jarrett and Nitro coming his way, now focusing his attention on them he unleashed a massive slash attack towards them. The slash destroyed the icy ground, suddenly he lost half of his health as a X mark appeared on the chest of his armour. The guardian was confused by this until he heard a voice behind him.

"Spacial Exchange" Jarrett and Nitro said in unison. "Alright you three it's time to wake up" Nitro said tapping the ground with his feet.

"Ignorant fools" The guardian swings his sword at them. Jarrett lays flat on the ground while Nitro jumped up and grabbing the guardian's hand dragging him down on to his knees, Jarrett launched himself upwards and as he's coming down his stabs his sword into the guardian's arm. As he tried to use his other hand Erza and Ling are also holding on to it. "Now Mystagun!!" They both yelled out as they could feel their grip slipping.

Mystagun swings his sword up activating a sword skill. "Beyond The Galaxy"

Swinging his sword down the sword slash cut the guardian in half and his health down to zero. The guardian's body broke apart into data and turning into experience points.

[Congratulations on the defeating the first level boss: The Guardian of the God's. You may choose the kingdom you want to represent.]

(1) The Spirit Kingdom

(2) The Theravion Kingdom

(3) The Trinity Kingdom

(4) The Heart Kingdom

(5) The Diamond Kingdom

(6) The Nyvaris Kingdom

(7) ....

"We did it, we actually did it" Ling sighed relieved that they were able to defeat the first level boss. "Thank you, the both of you"

"Think nothing of it" Jarrett said as handed Ling something.

"Um what is this"

"It's my info card. Don't be afraid to give me a call" Jarrett winked at her, this made her cheeks turn slightly pink. Seeing an opportunity Erza decided to tease her.

"See I told you'd make a good wife one day" Erza had a big grin on her face. Hearing this Ling's face went form pink to red instantly.

"Shut up!"

Mystagun extended his hand to Nitro showing his gratitude to them. "I hope we can work together from here onwards" Nitro took his hand in his shaking his hand with a firm grip. "So does that mean we're going to the same kingdom"

"I guess we are" Mystagun smiled although Nitro couldn't tell if he was or not.

"This should be enough to give the other players hope"

All five press the Trinity Kingdom. Their bodies start glowing turning into particle data as they are being teleported.

_

Inside a dungeon layed the dead bodies of a few players someone missing their body parts like a leg, arm, eyes even their stomach cut open. Some are even cut in half and decapitated as their blood ate splattered on the dungeon walls and floor. One female player is crawling on her stomach with only one arm her legs completely broken. "What the fuck... this can't be... this has to be... why isn't the game system alarm going off"

"Oh you poor soul. It's seems your are one of the few who wasn't chosen. Don't worry I'll explain everything to you and I'll be very gentle"

Step. Step. Step

Footsteps echoed through out the dungeon a male with a sadistic smile walk up the the female, grabbing a fistful of her hair as he pull her up.

"No wait... I'm not a girl, I'm just using a female avatar"

"Oh don't worry... I don't discriminate"

_

"Can you tell me your name" a female with long and curly white hair ask as her conscience is fading in and out. She holding her stomach tightly trying not to lose anymore blood, her breathing becoming short and heavy.

"My name is Jiraya"

"Thank you for saving me" she closes her eyes not having to strength to keep them open any longer. Jiraya picks her up on his arm as he carries her like a princess.

'I just found something out. In this world I am... a villain'

Tips: Sword users can use more than one sword at a time.

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