Chapter Text
PLACEHOLDER
Just joking, i just want to see who is the idiot who is going to report this fanfic XD .
Still for the ones who are interested in the fanfic (that i doubt because no one is commenting and i fucking gived up already in getting a comment) , i am rewriting some parts since i made Yuri act a bit OOC
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Once, worry had been his constant companion, a shadow that clung to his every thought. But at this precise moment, he couldn't even recall what he used to be so concerned about. It was the first time in so many years that he was truly happy.
Neither the thrill of hunting in the forest nor playing different types of video games, especially zombie games with his virtual reality glasses, had ever helped him to smile.
But this experience was different. Everything in this virtual world, everything that the NerveGear could offer him, felt incredibly realistic, even better than his virtual reality glasses – the last gift he ever received in his life.
Hunting in the forests used to be fun, back when it was just a hobby he shared with his parents. Now, it had become a grim necessity, a way to earn money since his parents had died in that accident. Hunting was no longer enjoyable because he had to return with prey to sell or face the horrors of hunger and an empty stomach.
The fact that the whole village thought he was "cursed" didn't help either. If it weren't for the kind shopkeeper who was the only one to speak to him and sell him the much-needed ammo for hunting and food, he would have starved long ago. There were days when he couldn't hunt anything and had to go to sleep with an empty stomach. There were also days when he lacked the motivation to go hunting, days when he contemplated aiming at his own head and...
Enough of dwelling on memories; Kenta was here to relish the present. With that determination, he strolled into a bustling café to sate his appetite, the sweet aroma of coffee filled the air as he took a seat and perused the menu.
Before long, a friendly female waiter graced his table, ready to take his order. Her voice carried a pleasant, melodic tone that matched the inviting ambiance.
-So…1 cup of coffee and 1 parfait… Give me your name so I can call you - said the female waiter with a pleasant voice.
- My name is Kenta - he answered.
The waiter efficiently noted down his order, and Kenta, his fingers absentmindedly tracing the contours of his undercut blonde hair and fair skin, waited with anticipation. It didn't take long before his order arrived , first, a steaming cup of coffee, and then the parfait.
First, he took his time to enjoy the aroma of the coffee, and then he sipped the cup. Each sip made him feel really good; the taste was simply amazing. Then he decided to taste the parfait.The sweetness danced on his virtual tongue, each flavor distinctly defined in a way that transcended the limitations of reality. It was clear that the NerveGear managed to imitate flavors with exact precision, or perhaps even enhance the taste of food from the real world.
As he exited the cafeteria lost in his thoughts , he crashed into a girl who had a heavy box that fall in the floor, producing a loud sound.
- I am sorry - a girl with coral pink hair said while she tried to grab the flyers in the floor,
Kenta, realizing he didn't feel any pain despite the heavy impact, gradually relaxed. In the real world, a blow like that would at least hurt a bit…but this wasn't the real world .
-It's fine, after all, while using the NerveGear, it's impossible to feel pain - said Kenta, after that he went back to the cafeteria, just ignoring the girl who was still grabbing the fallen flyers
-Hey , let me help you with that - said a man with a scarf, while starting to grab the flyers in the floor as well , but then he decided to check one of the flyers
-LIterature Club, uh? -
-Yeah…we are trying to recruit new members …but we didn't recruit anyone yet - said the girl with pink coral hair …so now we are trying to see if here people want to join
-Sounds interesting, i want to join then - said the man with a scarf
-Great -the pink haired girl…well, my name is Sayori , what's your name? - she asked with a smile
-Akrem - he answered
-Its a curious name - Sayori said , a bit perplexed by that name , after all it wasn't a common Japanese name , but she didn't press to avoid being rude to the new member of the Literature Club.
Kenta who was eavesdropping the entire conversation thought the same , but if he learned something is that sometimes it is better to not be too curious , so he walked back to the cafeteria to order more food, eating that parfait and coffee left him desiring for more food.
Meanwhile Sayori took the new member to the cafeteria where a group of 3 girls where talking
-Do you think he is dead , Monika ? -asked a pink haired girl
-I hope not Natsuki , but the last time we saw him the zoom call cut after a loud explosion…- answered a long coral brown hair girl - It was our fifth club member and we weren't be able to replace him yet - said another one who appear to be the leader
-I just hope he is fine - answered Yuri
-I have good news - said Sayori while bringing “Akrem” - we have a new member for the Literature Club
-Hello there - said “Akrem” -
But in that moment a waiter spilled the a dish of spaghetti that landed in “Akrem” face
-Hey, mas cuidado - yelled “Akrem , the purple haired girl who were sad, suddenly raised her face , looking at Isaac
The rest of the girls looked at “Akrem” as well, even while using that scarf his brown skin and his clearly accent make him stand , Monika was the one to recognize him , then Sayori and Natsuki at the end looked at him
-Well….i could explain everything….just not here - said “Akrem”
-What the,,,i can log out - a voice interrupted what “Akrem” was about to say.
Kenta, who was in the cafeteria as well eating a whole pie to forget his agony, tried to log out , but when he attempted to log out through the menu, he found that the option, though present, was displayed in black. No matter how many times he clicked on it or tried accessing the help option, nothing happened.
-Screw this¡ - yelled Kenta
He walked though the cafeteria and then he spotted Monika, even if he didnt liked to speak with people , at least he tried to ask if she couldnt log out as well
-Oh, hello Monika, didnt realize you were there- said Kenta a bit surprised , who did not expected to find her there , he most likely imaginated that she would be either having a reunion with his literature club or studying or whatever
Anything but testing the nervegear
-W-whats happening? - said a purple haired girl who looked very scared , but trying her best to stay calm…
Wait a minute... purple hair? Kenta had always dismissed it as a myth, but a distant memory of his father's words resurfaced. His father had once mentioned a rare genetic mutation that resulted in just 0.01% of the world's population having naturally purple hair. Kenta had thought it was just one of his father's typical jokes, but now, seeing it firsthand, he realized it was true.
And behind her there were two more girls , one appeared to be around 12 years old with pink hair while the other with coral pink hair even at the actual situation looked pretty enthusiastic.
But the surprises didnt end there, because he also noticed the same man with scarf he found before .
-For some reason, i am not able to log out , probably a bug, after all this is a beta testing - said Kenta calmly, he wanted to believed that this was just a bug, and everything would back to normal…as normal as things could be to him , but something , the same instinct that helped him to survive in the forest was telling him that this was only the beginning of something even worse
-None of you can log out ? - said an “Akrem”, still with an scarf covering his mouth and part of his brown skin face
But before he could continue, he noticed Monika's gaze. It was a look that conveyed recognition, as if she had seen him before, not a look typically directed at a stranger.
-No, i cant log out ….Mierda- said the young man with an scarf
Kenta didn't understand the last word. He struggled with his own native language, let alone Spanish. However, Monika, who appeared to be fluent in Spanish, reacted to it.
-Sorry…sometimes i can be a bit impolite ….the point is that i suspect this is not a normal bug- said the young man with a scarf covering his mouth
At the same time, more and more people were realizing that they weren't able to log out , the option to do so had disappeared from the menu, leaving them with no way of leaving the virtual world…hopefully that would be temporary.
At first they thought that probably that was a bug or an error , but when they tried to find the admin, they couldn’t because he was no longer connected
The situation took a turn for the worse when a powerful earthquake rocked the virtual landscape. Panic rippled through some of the users, causing even Sayori, who was always such an enthusiastic girl, to sprint in fear. The young man with the scarf quickly seized her hand to prevent her from getting separated from the group.
-¡Calm down Sayori¡ I know you are scared but if get separated from your group it will be worse
The young man with the scarf then brought her to Monika, instructing Monika to keep a close watch over Sayori, while he surveyed their surroundings, gauging the reactions of the other people.
The strange stuff was far from ending, because then in a matter of seconds , everyone bodies started to glow and everyone was teleported to the main square, full of now scared and confused people who one second was laughing and drinking and eating like they were on vacation and now, they were staring at a red sky that looked that was about to vomit a lot of monsters.
Yet, the true nightmare had yet to reveal itself. As the crowd took in their unsettling surroundings, they noticed groups of NPCs stationed at the main access points, armed to the teeth with military gear. These NPCs donned military-grade armor, wielded assault rifles equipped with scopes, and some even sported modified EOD suits.
Turrets stood sentinel at strategic locations, and highly agitated military dogs barked nervously, as if anticipating an imminent threat. White drones, armed with menacing machine guns, patrolled the square with their robotic eyes scanning the perimeter. The entire army of NPCs appeared ready for war.
But this wasn't about to be a war, no, even in wars at least you have some idea what to expect, but here all the 20000 poor souls were about to face the unexpected
-What the….., is that the army ..but this is supposed to be a sort of simulation for making friends online…not a war game- said the 12 years old looking girl
-Maybe its a joke that developers are doing to us - said Sayori trying her best to convincer herself and the others that everything will be fine
-If thats a joke, then its a cruel one - said the 12 yeas old looking girl
-This looks oddly similar to…….no…no - said Kenta while looking at the red sky
However, any hope that this was merely a horrendous system error was shattered when a colossal, distorted face materialized at the center of the main square. His words would alter the fate of the now terrified 20,000 NerveGear users.
-At this point, I am sure plenty of you realized that you can't log out, and no, it's not a bug...It's YOUR REALITY NOW …but first, let's be real and let's reveal who is under the disguises that you call “avatars” – said that distorted face
Then, a brilliant blue light blinded everyone for a moment. When their vision returned, they no longer bore the forms of their virtual avatars; instead, they all appeared as they did in the real world.
-This is ZAO or Zombie apocalypse Online , and now you are trapped here…survive if you can, win and you will be able to escape …..but if you die here , you will die in the real world as well - said the big distorted face
Upon hearing those words, Kenta quickly realized he was now trapped. He had transitioned from being a hunter to becoming the prey. However, even with this sudden realization, he managed to stave off panic or screams. Four years surviving in the unforgiving forests had taught him to remain calm even in desperate moments when his life hung in the balance.
But the rest of players have mixed reactions to this , some high school students still though that was a joke , a sort of very cruel joke so they didnt enter in panic, of course, the distorted face was determinated to show them the cruel reality of their actual situation.
-I am sure some of you still thinks none of this is real or maybe that this is a sort of very cruel and elaborated joke …lets see how you think after that -
A screen materialized in the sky, displaying a scene where one of the scientists responsible for overseeing the NerveGear attempted to disconnect a player's device. Everyone watched in horror as the NerveGear emitted an electrical discharge, instantly killing the unfortunate user and frying him. More scientists then appeared, collecting the lifeless body and placing it in a body bag.
-WE ARE GOING TO DIE - screamed Natsuki
-Now that i have your attention ….all of you have 1 hour …not only to process all of this but to choose a class ... .what will you choose? A brave army recruit with an assault rifle? A cop recruit? A smart biology student who can use his intellect to create special items that no other class can create? Or a healthy fitness enthusiast that can outrun everyone? Every class will give you an advantage and hopefully all of you will be able to use it well when the zombies knocking at your doors -said the distorted face
-Fuck you, my dad is going to sue you only if his private army doestn find you first and kill you ¡ - screamed a girl who appear to be a daughter of a rich CEO based in her very expensive clothes
-Sure, sure ,good luck trying to find me in a underground lab…..yeah i know your father, THE MAN WHO HELPED TO MAKE ALL OF THIS POSSIBLE….maybe not the most important, but he for sure played a part …and for the ones who still dont believe me , all of you are free to search in internet in your menu how his father invested a great fortune in Argus - said the distorted voice
Now a great quantity of players were looking at the rich daughter of a CEO, some with surprise after hearing such revelation , some with anger since his father helped to make his nightmare a reality that now they were trapped, and even one of them who couldnt resist his anger though that girl , with a solid punch sent her to the ground of the main square , and then proceeded to kick her very violently with the clear intention of ending her life , but suddenly when he was about to kill her then he find out he couldn't move his limbs .
-Not so fast man , I know some of you want to get violent …but killing players is not possible yet…not at least after 1 hour, the grace time that i am giving all of you to process all of this and of course…to choose a class.- said the distorted face with a smile
Then again a screen appeared in the sky, in the screen all the players could see he showed a great group of life support machines connected to their bodies in the real world .
-Before i forget ..don't worry about your bodies in the real world , they are connected to life support systems of high technology, so none of you will die in the real world…as long as you don't die in the game - assured the distorted face
At least, that was one less thing to worry about , but that did not eliminate the fact they were still in great danger
-And what will happen after 1 hour? - asked Kenta, unsure if that distorted face would want to answer his question , but still he had to try
-Lets just say that i hope all of you will have to be ready to run…and for the ones who didn't a choose a class at that time….well, too bad for them
Kenta who actually spent a decent number of hours playing zombie vr games already quite though what was about to happen….but he wouldn't share that info, at least , not yet
-I almost forgot to say how to win the game ….there are three ways, one is to defeat all the 50 zombie bosses located in the quarantined city where all of you are , second one is to break the army blockade…good luck with that if you try and the third one is….a secret…only the most perceptive ones will be able to find this way…the rest of instructions are in the manual…good luck…all of you will need it -
Then the distorted face disappear from the sky, but not the red sky, making the now 20000 players of this death game even more nervous, specially the part in 1 hour something would happen
Something horrible, something that would shake everything.
With just an hour left, Kenta couldn't afford to stay idle. He knew he had to make a critical decision: selecting a class. He hesitated, considering his options carefully.
As he scrolled through the class choices, Kenta weighed the pros and cons. He wasn't exactly known for his academic prowess, so he quickly dismissed the biology student class. The thought of being an athlete was tempting, but he also knew that surviving in this virtual nightmare would require more than physical prowess alone.
The police recruit class seemed like a sensible choice, given its balance of skills. Yet, when he glanced at the final option, "army recruit," something clicked. First, his father was in the army so Kenta quickly felt like this was a class for him, second, he felt some familiarity since that class started with an assault rifle , and in single fire mode, it was almost the same as shooting a hunting rifle .
Without further hesitation, he navigated the menu and selected the army recruit class. In an instant, his attire transformed into military fatigues, and a set of starting equipment appeared in his inventory. He knew these items would be invaluable in the days to come.
But not everyone in the plaza shared Kenta's calm demeanor. Some players were frantically trying to open the menu, struggling with the unfamiliar technology. They were the ones who had never been avid gamers or technology enthusiasts, and now they found themselves thrust into a virtual world they could barely comprehend.
Still, there were only 50 minutes left so Kenta decided to start reading the manual but it was quite large, and his reading speed wasnt the best, but he knew who to ask
But something that he dont wanted to do , its to depend on others…so he decided at least to read the most important parts of the manual ..after that he quite understand a bit what to do
Then he saw someone approaching to him, at first he decided to go away , going in groups was just not his style, and being a hunter for so many years make him grow used to be a lone wolf
But when he realized who was, he decided to at least hear what she had to say
-Are you interested in joining the group? , in that way we would have more chances to survive whatever is going to happen in 1 hour- said Monika
-No - reply Kenta in a dry tone, he quite appreciated Monika, but not that much - not my style - he added
But he though it for a while and at the end
-Listen…if wasnt for you , i wouldnt understand half of the subjects of high school so tell you what…i help you to survive the so called initial chaos…after that we are even - said Kenta to Monika
-I will help as well - said the same player with a bandana covering his face and with brown skin who previously asked if they couldnt log out - going in group is the best option at least in the initial chaos
-Going in a group means being more visible to zombies and players but its your choice- said Kenta …still …if we are going to be a group we have to at least know our names …my name is Kenta..and yours?
-Isaac - said the man with the scarf
-I am Natsuki - said the looking 12 years old girl with pink hair
-Damn I know corporations are cruel but Argus just overdo it..…trapping 12 years old girls - said jokingly Isaac
- ¡I dont have 12 years old¡- screamed Natsuki
-She actually have 18 years old …we all four have 18 years old - said Monika, while at the same time trying to calm Natsuki who appear to be a bit angry about being called a 12 year old only because he have a small body
-She doesn't look like someone who have 18 years old - said Kenta , causing Isaac to laugh
-Oh, and who is the purple haired one? - asked Kenta, not because he was actually interested in her, but because he wanted to know the name of everyone , after all it was needed to build confidence if they were about to face an unexpected danger together
But she didnt answered, keeping quiet
-Oh, her name is Yuri…she doesn't like to speak to strangers so much - said Monika
-Not me either , but sometimes its necessary - replied Kenta - after all communication is necessary for survival, even animals know that , if she keeps being like that is highly likely she is not going to surv…
-Stop….- said Isaac looking fiercely at Kenta, Kenta wasnt the type of man who would get easily intimidated but at the same time, while he looked at Akrem eyes, he didnt saw a person, he saw a demon , a hunter , not someone who hunted animals like him but someone who could and would hunt people …so he decided the best course of action was to stop talking , he definitely didnt wanted to anger him
-Heh, its fine , i am not the most talkative person but here i am , alive …lets just say i come from a very dangerous place - said Isaac - also , even in the story of the world, there are plenty of shy people in dangerous situations who actually managed not to only survive but to be the best, to leave an impact in the world deserving to be in history books
-Thats right, if wasnt for that kind of people we wouldnt have plenty of technological products that everyone can enjoy and use - said Monika, and also the shy purple haired girl now looked in a better mood than before while Kenta preferred to stay quiet.
-Lets choose a class already - said Monika - as for me, i heard clearly that biology student can create items that no other class can …so i am choosing that class
-But that would make you to be in a disadvantage if you ever had to face another player with army recruit or police recruit or athlete - said Kenta
-That wont be a problem, i can choose army recruit and help with combat - said Sayori
-And i can choose athlete as well- added Natsuki -
-What about you Yuri? - asked Isaac - i mean i dont want to rush you , but time is running out.
Yuri was a bit nervous, but after hearing him , she calmed down a bit and after thinking for a while….
-P-policewoman - said her
-I think its a good idea, as for me the decision is easy enough, army recruit - said Isaac while he clicked in the option to choose that class
Eventually everyone chose the class they already said they would choose , and they were surprised now they received their equipment , for the girls it was the first time in their lives they ever grabbed a ranged weapon
For Kenta and Isaac, not so much, Kenta used to hunt in the forest with a rifle and Isaac who were used to handle ranged weapons .
-Since we are a group, i actually think its better if i share this info with all of you- said Kenta but Isaac interrupted
-We are about to be invaded by a lot of zombies - said Isaac interrupting Kenta
-Probably plenty of people is going to die in the initial chaos then - added Kenta
-Not if we stay together - said Monika
-I say others, not us - replied Isaac - but of course at least in group we have a chance
-So…i assume all here have some sort of experience in zombie games ? - asked Monika - I mean even if i didnt have too much time to play zombie games at least we touched the topic at least once or twice in the literature club
-I don't even remember the last zombie game i played ……but i promise that wont be a problem…-saying Isaac smiling -
-I am sure of that - said Kenta replying a bit nervous - what about the rest ?
-Fun movies, but only we are at another side of the screen not when zombies and us are in the same side - replied Sayori
-At least we wont have to worry about the part of “one bite, you are down” - added Kenta - after all in the manual it says that we are kinda inmune but that every attack made by a zombie fill a bit the infection bar …if the infection bar is full then…..- his voice trailed off, leaving the grim implication hanging in the air.
Even if Monika didnt know so much about zombie apocalypses , she quite remember the time that for homework, she read Roman history, specifically the part about formations…maybe that could help?
-First…dont go too quickly…even if there is limited spots in the safe zones the goal is to survive, not to reach a safe zone quickly - said Monika
-Its like when there is an earthquake…usually more people die when trying to get out of building than the ones who try to exit at a normal pace - added Isaac
-Exactly, thats a good way to summarize it - replied Monika happy that Isaac appear to understand to concept quite well, even the rest of them along with Kenta nodded
-Also try to only use ammo when necessary , i know in the middle of the heat of battle you could panic and use full auto, so now the ones who have an assault rifle as starting gear equip it and put it in single fire mode …..for the only thing full auto or semi auto is good is either for suppressing fire or for killing an human quickly - said Isaac
Everyone heard to Isaac , and the ones who had assault rifles as a part of their starting gear equipped it and set it to single fire , to avoid wasting ammo.
-I think we should try to get a car when all of this will start so we can go faster than the rest - said Kenta
-Its not a bad idea but streets are going to be full of players, zombies and probably more things - replied Monika - Unless its a armored vehicle, in that case we could go without problems , so if we can get one of them, lets take it - she added
-Even if we have to kill someone we have to get an armored vehicle if we have to opportunity - said Isaac while grabbing firmly his assault rifle
But then he realized that wasnt his old unit , but a group of young people who probably never used a weapon , of course not counting Kenta who was used to fire long rifles to hunt in the forest.
-Also we are 6 of us…when we had to move three will go at front and three at the back ..i volunteer to go at fron…- said Monika but Isaac interrupted
-No, you are the one who have the lowest combat skill due to your class , you go behind - said Isaac
-But i ….-
-Thats why classes exist, every class specialize in something , we are going to need your mastery in crafting items and you will need our combat proficiencies - said Isaac
-Listen ...to be honest being in the front is going to be dangerous and even if it is…i won't force anyone to…
-Its fine, i will go in the front - said Isaac - at least zombies dont use guns
-I can go as well - said Kenta - i am used to move in danger situations…not in group but it shouldnt be that different
Meanwhile, Isaac decided to inspect his inventory but accidentally removed the scarf covering his face. Fortunately, no one saw his face, so he quickly equipped the scarf again.
Well, no one except Yuri, who at first looked as if she recognized him from a long time ago. Then she appeared surprised and then...
-I -i will go at the front as well - said Yuri
-NO¡ I will go at front…after all i have more stamina due to my class and an sport armor so it will be easier for me kill zombies - said Natsuki
-I could….- tried to said Sayori but Kenta quickly shook his head from side to side , then Sayori stayed quiet
-I strongly disagree with this…if Natsuki want to go at front , then let her- said Isaac
-I k-know i can - said Yuri
-Monika- said Isaac , like waiting that Monika would dissuaded Yuri
-Going at front is not going to be easy - said Kenta - its highly dangerous but hey…..its your call, at least you didn't panic that much
Isaac was about to hit Kenta with his assault rifle but then at the same time he realized that too…she didnt tried to run away like Sayori or she didnt start screaming like Natsuki …of all four, not taking Monika in account, Yuri even if shy, she already showed that she could keep at least calm enough , at least better than the others
-F-fine ….go at front….but dont get separated of me - said Isaac
-I wouldnt - said Yuri with confidence
Kenta couldn't help but mutter a comment under his breath - Get a room already - He said it quietly, not wanting to anger Isaac but he couldn't deny the amusing tension in the atmosphere.
-We have a plan already…we already choose our classes …we just have to wait until the timer reach 0…as for me i will try to craft something…my class come with a portatil lab so i will make full use of it - said Monika
And then , 1 hour passed , by that time at least 98% of the people already choose a class and the ones who didnt , chose whatever class to avoid facing the danger without one
As the timer reached zero, the first thing that happened was the sky returned to its normal color. In other circumstances, this might have calmed everyone down, but in this dire situation, it only heightened the collective nervousness among the 20,000 players.
-¡Almost….and done¡ - said Monika - and she handed 1 bottle of pills to the three brave front liners who would be the ones who would face the most danger going at the front of the formation, formed by three persons in the first line who would be Isaac , Yuri and Kenta , the ones who would mostly be in danger the most, while in the back line were Monika, Sayori and Natsuki who would be supporting the frontline and making sure that the frontline wouldnt be attacked by the back
-This bottle of pills have 2 charges …every one of them can cure half of your health points in 1 second, at difference of the bandages that need more time to apply - said Monika
-Thanks - said Isaac while putting the bottle of pills in the inventory
-That biology student class its gonna be very useful for sure - said Sayori
Then an alarm started sounding and a white flash blinded everyone for some seconds……
And then the nightmare started, a huge horde of 400000 zombies surrounded the main square , rotten corpses in various states of decomposition started growling , looking at all the fresh prey ubicated in one place , the army npcs didn't waste time and started to shoot, supported by the turrets and the drones , but that only would help to buy some time for the players who would now have to run
Monika group already known about what was about to happen so everyone quickly adopted the formation they already discussed while at the same evaluating the situation
Things looked desperate , but at least they were together …at least they had a chance …compared to hundreds of players who just freezed in place , unable to understand what they were looking
One thing was certain: thousands would die, and the situation would only deteriorate further.