Glitch Overlord: The NPC Who Hijacked the Gods’ Player Syste

Chapter 3: Running Out of Time

Jax stood in the middle of the crowded plaza, breathing hard through the pain. Blood ran down his side from the deep cut. His ribs ached with every breath and his arms felt heavy from blocking the sword. The small amount of power he had stolen helped him survive longer, but it was still not enough to beat a high-level player like CrimsonKing69.

The crowd around them had grown quiet. Players whispered to each other and pointed at the scene. An NPC was actually fighting back and hurting a real player. This had never happened before in the starter zone.

CrimsonKing69 touched his burned shoulder and glared at Jax with pure hatred. His face was red and his breathing came fast.

"You think that little spark means anything?" he shouted. "I will crush you right here in front of everyone."

He raised his glowing red sword again and stepped forward. The blade shone brighter this time as he poured more power into it.

Jax knew he could not win a long fight. His health was too low. One strong hit would send him back to respawn, and he might lose the small edge he had gained. He needed to be smart, not strong.

He glanced at Mira. She stood close by with her hands pressed together. Her eyes showed real worry now instead of empty scripted looks. Something inside her was starting to wake up too.

Jax took a slow step backward toward the edge of the plaza. He spoke loud enough for the crowd to hear.

"You call yourself a god, but you needed five friends to bully one janitor for years. Now that I fight back, you look scared."

His words hit hard. Some players in the crowd laughed. CrimsonKing69's face turned even darker with anger.

"Shut your mouth, trash!" he roared, and charged forward, swinging the sword in a wide arc.

Jax dodged to the side at the last moment. The blade cut through the air and smashed into a stone bench behind him. Pieces of rock flew everywhere. The impact shook the ground.

While CrimsonKing69 recovered from the heavy swing, Jax focused on the weak connection he felt to the player. He reached out with his mind and tried to steal again.

[Skill Theft Attempted: Minor Health Recovery]

[Partial Success. Host Body Strained.]

A small, warm feeling spread through Jax's chest. His bleeding slowed a little and some of the sharp pain eased. But the effort made his head spin and his legs feel weak. Stealing power took real energy, and his body was already tired from the fight.

CrimsonKing69 noticed the change and grew more furious. He cast another spell. A ring of fire exploded outward from his body.

Jax jumped back, but the flames still caught his leg. Burning pain shot up his thigh. He fell to one knee and gritted his teeth. The smell of his own burnt clothes filled his nose.

The crowd gasped. A few players started recording the fight with their in-game tools. This was becoming something bigger than a simple fight.

Mira moved closer without thinking. "Jax!" she called out softly. Her voice carried real fear and something else. Hope.

That sound gave Jax strength. He pushed himself up again even though his body screamed for him to stop. He threw another small fireball at CrimsonKing69. This one was a little stronger than before. It hit the player on the chest and forced him to step back.

CrimsonKing69 laughed through the pain, but his laugh sounded forced. "You are just delaying your death," he said.

He raised his hand for a bigger spell. Dark red energy gathered around his palm.

Jax knew this one would be deadly. He looked around quickly for any way out. The plaza had many small side streets and alleys leading away from the center. If he could reach one of them, he might lose the player in the crowd.

He turned and ran toward the nearest alley. His legs burned with effort. Every step sent pain through his cut side and burned leg. Behind him, he heard CrimsonKing69 shout.

"Get back here, you glitch!"

Heavy footsteps followed. The player was chasing him.

Jax ran as fast as he could. The alley was narrow and full of shadows. He turned corners sharply, trying to lose his pursuer. His breathing came in short, painful gasps. The small health recovery he had stolen was helping, but it was slow.

After a few turns, he ducked behind a stack of old crates and tried to hide. His heart pounded loud in his ears. He could hear CrimsonKing69 moving closer, searching for him.

"Come out and die like the trash you are," the player called out.

Jax stayed quiet. He used the moment to catch his breath and think. The system had given him a small new tool, but using it hurt. He focused once more and tried to steal something useful for escape.

[Skill Theft Attempted: Basic Stealth Movement]

[Success Rate Low due to Host Injury.]

A faint feeling of lightness came over his steps. He could move a little quieter now. It was not perfect, but it helped. The effort left him dizzy, and he had to lean against the wall for a moment.

CrimsonKing69's voice grew closer. "I know you are here. When I find you, I will make sure you never respawn again."

Jax waited until the footsteps passed his hiding spot, then slipped out quietly and moved deeper into the alley. He needed to reach a safer place before the Overseers arrived. The warning in his mind said they were only twenty minutes away now.

As he moved through the shadows, Mira suddenly appeared at the end of the alley. She had followed him. Her face looked pale and her hands shook.

"Jax, what is happening to you?" she asked. Her voice sounded clearer than before. Like the scripts that controlled her were breaking.

He stopped for a second and looked at her. For the first time, he saw real emotion in her eyes. Not just programmed loyalty. Real fear and care.

"I do not know exactly," he answered honestly. "But I am not going to let them keep hurting us. Stay close if you can."

She nodded quickly and stayed by his side as they moved together.

They turned another corner and found a small hidden storage room behind an old building. Jax pushed the door open and they slipped inside. The room was dark and dusty, but it gave them a moment to rest.

He leaned against the wall and closed his eyes. His body hurt everywhere. The cuts burned and his muscles felt like they would give out soon. But inside his chest, a small fire of determination kept burning. He had survived the first real fight. He had stolen a few small skills. And he had made CrimsonKing69 look weak in front of others.

That was enough for now.

But the pressure was growing.

A new warning appeared in his mind.

[Overseer Alert: Anomaly tracking intensified. Investigation team now fifteen minutes away. Hide or prepare for deletion.]

Jax opened his eyes and looked at Mira.

"We cannot stay here long," he said quietly. "They are coming."

Mira reached out and touched his arm gently. Her touch felt warm and real.

"Then what do we do?" she asked.

Jax took a deep breath, despite the pain. His mind worked fast even through the struggle.

"We get stronger, step by step," he answered. "We find a safe place to recover. And when the time comes, we make them pay for every time they hurt us."

Outside the storage room, the sounds of the plaza grew distant. But somewhere in the code, the Overseers moved closer. CrimsonKing69 was still searching. And the game itself seemed to be watching them with cold interest.

Jax knew the real fight had only just begun.