BECOMING A GOD ONLINE

3. SHIT

“Where the fuck is the teleportation portal?” Michael yelled on top of his lungs, but all he received was silence. The only response was the thundering roar of the monster, getting closer and closer.

Michael cursed under his breath as he ran as fast as his legs could carry him, but his legs felt like lead, heavy and slow.

The monster's roar grew louder, and Michael was sure that the monster was right next to him. Just when he looked back he saw the monster swiping at him. 

In desperation, Michael darted into a narrow alleyway, hoping to lose the creature, and luckily he did with its claws swiping just a few meters away from his face, but even then, its force threw him off balance.

Luckily, the werewolf-like creature continued into the distance. 

Every bit felt so real—his heartbeat and everything. He couldn't tell the difference between the so-called “Virtual” and “Real.”

“You should hurry up and go to the Ground of Awakening, you won't survive a day without powers.”

Still reeling from the shock of a moment ago, he failed to notice a girl with striking long red hair leaning against the wall.

Her eyes were black and fixed on the two daggers in her hands, which she brushed against each other. She also had a serious expression on her face.

She wore tight-fitting armor that showcased her developing curves. She looked like she was just his age. Her wear seemed to be black with thin red lines like veins running around the fabric.

Ground of Awakening? Who wants to know about the Ground of Awakening?

Michael's only surviving thought was to get out of this place fast.

“Where is the teleportation portal, please?” Michael asked, wiping the sweat from his face.

He really didn't want to stay here a second more.

The girl's hands paused, and then she looked at Michael with an unreadable expression. It went silent for a bit, and the only sound was the distant roar of the monster.

Then, without a word, she pointed her dagger in the direction the creature had disappeared.

“Over there,” she said.

The girl pushed off from the wall. She sheathed her daggers and began walking away, her long red hair fluttering behind her like a fiery banner.

“Hey, what do you mean ‘over there’?” Michael called out. He was confused.

He really hoped she didn't just point in the direction that scary monster ran to.

The girl paused, her back still turned to him, but didn't respond. She continued walking, disappearing into the alleyway, leaving Michael alone once more.

Michael tried to chase after her, but it seemed like she was never there. She was gone.

“Damnit.” Michael stomped his foot on the ground.

Michael slowly emerged from the alley. He first scanned the outside with caution.

He was still scared and could remember how close he was to death just now.

The street was chaotic, filled with the sounds of screams and shouts, and surprisingly, corpses littered the ground.

But another sight drew Michael's attention.

Michael's gaze was drawn to a group of archers in the same uniform atop a nearby building, firing arrows at the monster as it rampaged through the streets.

The creature roared in pain as some of the arrows hit it. The wolf-like creature howled furiously.

Michael watched in awe as the battle unfolded.

The archers’ skill and precision shocked him.

Michael wanted to stay and watch more, but he really didn't like this place.

With the archers distracting the monster, Michael looked around and finally found a building with the words:

TELEPORTATION PORTAL

This should be it...

Michael whispered to himself as he approached the building.

People were rushing inside, seeking refuge.

Michael joined the crowd, pushing his way through.

He glanced back, seeing the monster continue to roar and the archers' arrows still flying toward it.

Inside, he saw multiple portal-like doors, each one glowing with a soft, pulsing light.

The doors looked magical and strange. Michael didn't think much, though.

People were dashing through the portals, and without hesitation, Michael followed, jumping into one of them.

Before Michael entered, he didn't forget to shout, “Log out!” as he didn't know if there was any formality. Not like he cared.

“I really hope there is nothing wrong with him.”

“Well, let's keep hoping. He is still breathing at least.”

“Is this the game's effect? How weird.”

“Maybe it's not? Because I can only see my bracelet. I can't see his, and it's not on him either. Maybe I should give him CPR in case he fainted.”

Opening his eyes slowly, he saw Alex’s face so close to his, their lips almost touching as Alex stared at him curiously.

“Shit!!” Michael cursed under his breath as he pushed Alex away with almost all the strength he could muster.

Nothing scared him more than the last sentence he just heard. If anything that tragic happened, it would be a scar for the rest of his life, especially when it was going to count as a first kiss.

But something he heard caught him by surprise.

The bracelet wasn't on him?

Indeed, it wasn't. As he stared at his hands, he couldn't see it.

It was... gone?

“What’s wrong, bro?” Maya asked, noticing his unusual expression.

“The bracelet. I wore it, but I can't find it on my wrist,” Michael replied.

Just then, something surprising happened.

The white bracelet reappeared on his hand, seeming to come out from his body.

“What the hell?” Alex’s eyes opened wide. He couldn't believe what he just saw.

Maya and Michael were also speechless.

Michael was shocked by the new discovery, but he didn't really mind.

Maybe, just maybe, that was how the bracelet was for everyone.

He was already late for school and had to get going, as even Alex might be punished because of him for coming so late.

“Let it be for now. When we get back from school,” Michael told Alex, who was looking at his own bracelet with excitement.

“How was it? And when did you get the bracelet? Was it cool?” Alex threw a series of questions at Michael.

“In school,” Michael replied.

“What do you mean by in school?” Alex asked.

“He meant he will tell you about it in school,” Maya rolled her eyes as she prepared to leave.

“Bye, Mike. Bye, Alex.” Maya waved them goodbye.

Michael washed up, wore his backpack, and zoomed out of the house with Alex.

On getting to school, just before Michael could settle down,

A huge-looking guy came up to Michael's desk, hitting it hard to drag his attention.

“50 cents.” The boy said loudly, stretching out his hand in front of Michael.