THE UNDEAD VIRTUAL WOLF MAN- IN A SURVIVAL DEATH GAME

Chapter 2: The City

"Welcome to Sector 47, Master Danny. Your digital ID has been verified. Here is your neutral link:" A silver robot hands over a small device to a young, tanned-skinned youth. 

Danny was tall, with his face obscured under his blue cap with a white hoodie over his head. A bright blue jacket layered on top of the hoodie and classic jeans, his striking white hair and blue eyes are hinted at, adding an air of mystery to his cool.

Danny stepped out of the transport pod for the first time and froze. The city in front of him rose like a giant dream of light and metal. Towering neon buildings climbed into the clouds, their sides alive with towering humanoid holograms of heroes, products, and news streams.

Massive digital screens showed live battles from across the city walls, while streams of text floated like glowing rivers above the streets.

Robot ladies in silver skin and hybrid cat humans and humans walked with perfect smiles, guiding visitors.

 Robot police patrolled in heavy black armor, glowing eyes scanning every corner. Electric cars hummed silently on magnetic rails. 

The air itself was alive with sound—voices, drones, and the buzz of digital life. 

The robot that handed the device spoke through comms in his head..

[ master! The lamb to be slain has taken the bait.]

The robot's hollow, round green eyes turned red as he looked at Danny, and attached the round black device to his ears. He pressed the round button in the middle of the device, and it clicked in with a translucent orange digital screen covering his eyes from his eyebrow down to the ridge of his nose. 

A bold title accompanied by the sound of an AI voice flashed before his vision.

Welcome to Arcade, neutral ear gear where the virtual world meets reality. With a click of a button, the neutral links pull you into the world of virtual reality and imagination, where you can interact with virtual animals and characters while you are in the real world.

A young youth with spiky golden hair in long white sleeves and black pants in a hologram computer room stares with his blue eyes at a large number of everyday people in the city, busy with their daily activities.

[The lamb to be slain has taken the bait]

He clicked on the message, it popped up, and he zoomed in on Danny's face, and then he screenshot him, then he opened another video. He pressed play and the video of a giant humanoid being twice the size of an average human. He grabbed a young man with dark hair and dark eyes who appeared to look like Danny. He grabs him and bites into Danny's flesh. Danny's blood drained and his face and body turned grey slowly transforming into an undead zombie. He paused the video then transferred the hologram image with the swipe of his fingers. 

Everyday people in the city, busy with their daily activities and suddenly a text video entered into their various phones and arcade devices in throught out the city.

As Danny walked, he could see cute fairies and bunnies, and virtual characters walking about in the city alongside humans. He could see virtual game-like HP spam floating on different cars, phones, and technologies, enjoying a digital experience. Some humans with similar ear gear talking with virtual hologram men in business suits. The AI voice continued. 

[As long as your ear gear is on, you can interact virtually. Artists don't need to draw on tablets or paper anymore, but draw in mid-air, and a holographic virtual reality of what you are drawing from imagination is formed by a stroke of your fingers and can be shared on all platforms. 

With life points, transactions are now made easily, such as payment of bills, rents, fueling of vehicles, electronic gifts, virtual shopping mail, mana stone exchange to virtual cash, and many more.

The youth in the hologram room continued to watch.

Danny continued on his pace while listening and looking at the translucent images on the screen when his wolf senses sharpened. His ears caught conversations blocks away, and his nose filled with a storm of scents—food stalls, oil, burning manna, and something rotten in the wind. The video text arrived before his vision. He was about to press clink when

A sudden boom shook the ground. Danny stabilized himself. 

In the middle of the square, a giant hybrid cheetah beast with red eyes that looked like a vampire crashed into the pavement. Its fang on his teeth was large, like an anaconda snake, and was not natural.

Standing tall on its back was a man in a flashy silver suit, a trench coat with fluffy animal fur flowing behind him. He had short black hair, dark glasses, and gold rings glowing on every finger. He smiled with his teeth open wide to the public, and his gold teeth were revealed.

His movements were sharp, clean, and full of himself. He pressed his hand forward, summoning glowing chains of light that bound the beast.

The crowd roared.

“Hero Adams! Adams! Adams!” a drone buzzed, hovering over him, and Adams' face flashed on every towering digital screen. 

{Our A ranking Hero- The leader of the Luna moon Guild has just taken down a raging vampire beast} A metallic sound echoes along the display.

The man lifted his chin, enjoying the cheers. He crushed the beast's skull under his boot, the ground trembling under the impact.

Before the crowd could calm, ten more similar humanoid lions and tigers, and hybrid cheetah-human monsters leapt out from different alleys, their claws shining under the neon glow and afternoon sunlight.

“Perfect,” Adams whispered, a smile on his lips. His rings flared. “More audience for my fame.” He stepped forward to fight. But then Danny froze.

His nose caught a familiar scent.

A helicopter descended from above. From it stepped elite scouts in sleek black exosuits, with futuristic weapons glowing with mana.

They spread out, guarding the one figure stepping down from the craft. The hologram text video of Danny appeared in her vision. She clicked on it. The zombie video played along with Danny's current photo. 

"So it's true. Danny is really alive." She announced, her blue eyes staring at an image.

[11 am at the meeting point. No guards]''. She brushed it off with her palm and walked on a high stage.

Her voice came first. Sweet. Clear. Magical and melodious. Instantly, the crowd of people recognized her. Robots, police, and citizens all left their posts running towards her. 

Her singing poured over the city with warm golden lights. Clouds above parted, glowing with a faint golden hue. The monsters snarled, but their rage calmed down as they lost their strength under the warm light. One by one, the beast fell to their knees, their glowing eyes fading as they collapsed in enchanted sleep. Their beast retracted to their human forms.

Floating motes of light drifted through the air like blessings.

“Anna! Anna! Anna!” the crowd screamed. Digital screens above switched instantly, flashing her image.

"Tsk! That digital idol spoils my fun." Adam clenched his fist as not a single member of the crowd was standing by him. He walked to his luxurious car and gave a command to a group of men. "Retrain those beasts. I have a meeting with the head of state."

"Yes, sir," He entered his car. Looking at Anna"

"The day i will kill you, Anna, is very close," He said distastefully

The plaza exploded with noise. Digital Phones rose into the air, live-streaming. Giant screens changed instantly to show her face.

“Anna! Anna!” the crowd screamed, like a wave of thunder. Her wavy dark hair fits with her clothing, dressed like a pop idol.

[Breaking News: Idol Heroic Anna Descends! Blessing Power Recorded—Luck Levels Rise Across Metropolis!]

Danny’s chest warmed. He couldn’t help but smile at the looks of her. His heart was beating. He remembers a memory with Anna back in his school days. His smile saddened me. "I guess you are far out of my reach now, Anna," he stretched his hand towards her from a distance.

 Then he turned with a saddened smile and walked away quietly. He arrives at a guild highrise building named Orientation Hall.

Danny stepped into a crowd in the Orientation Hall, which buzzed with noise.

 Hundreds of new hunter cadets filled the vast chamber, their faces a mix of excitement and fear. As they watched similar videos of Danny playing on their devices. Danny's face and head obscured by his hood and cap walked in casually looking at the hall.

Holographic banners of different guilds floated in the air, glowing with the guild crests.

A tall, light-skinned man in a dark suit and dark glasses walked to the podium. His eyes roamed over the numerous seats and the noisy cadets. He ruffled his brown spiky hair and grunted.

"Arhhhh Tsk! Explaining to the new hunter recruits this year will be such a pain in the neck," He slams his palm together and the attention of the cadets is drawn to the loud clap, and he announced.

“Welcome, cadets. I am Leonardo Raymond. Today, you will begin a journey that will decide your place in this society. To understand your future, you must first understand the past." He stepped forward, walking into the hall. The digital screen pops up a zombie apocalyptic image.

"As you all know, our world changed after two major apocalypses occurred in our world, which was the reason hunters in all sectors awoke with diverse magic abilities.

The first apocalypse occurred when the king of the bottomless pit awakened in our world through the hydrocollider created by our top scientist, Dr. Marcus Kael. May his gentle soul rest in perfect pieces." 

And everyone responded " Amen" , chuckling hard. Danny shifted his gaze from the screen in his vision, paying attention to what he was saying. 

"Because of his crazy time inventions, he unleashed the angel of the bottomless pit of hell known as Apollyon, who turned more than one-third of the human race into zombies reanimated by demons. 

Apollyon said he was humanity's divine punishment, and he left us with a prophecy that is unfolding its pages before our very eyes. The three days of darkness symbolize three years of darkness, which come with three plagues in the form of waves. 

The first wave, I believe, is an endless battle with the united armies of the world against the undead. This was the reason for the massive experimentation of hybrid humans and the search for the true purebred human wolves. The Government believes we need our own devils to kill a monster.

With these experiments, humanity fought and raised standards against the enemy, which helped the building of massive black metal walls and robot police, and the world moved in the blink of an eye to a virtual VR futuristic cyberworld where flying cars and bikes were the new trend, thanks to our very own creator of the arcade virtual device you all have on Laxus Schmidt.

The world collapsed, and smaller countries merged into one united by massive walls called sectors, which, as you all know, there are about 210 sectors in the world with each having a head of state known as the consul general- A position that is not contestable but appointed  by our heroic Emperor Tharsis Thorium. The first S-ranking hunter to ever awaken with the power of dominance that forces anybody to kneel before him.

After the Emperor then there are the elites or grand dukes who control the 210 sectors through the rule of each consul general. The monarchical type of regime where bloodlines inherit rulership and of course can only be terminated by the great Emperor Tharsis.

The second wave occurred with a shift of augmented reality and dungeon rift portal openings with demonic monsters invading the sectors and the world at large, and this brought a mana atmosphere that brought magic and the awakened ones we called Hunters.

 To become a hunter who can rise to a celebrity idol hunter like our S-ranked hunter, Anna Sinclair. There are three phases you must pass to be able to come under the jurisdiction of various guild masters of powerful, rich guilds, and the first, most powerful human guild that has more influences and branches in all sectors under the guild master Duke Gunther Broadwic is the Gunther guild.

The 2nd guild, which used to be the most powerful guild before they turned their backs on humanity and fell, is the Luna Moon Guild of the Wolves, whose leader is Beta Adam Barry. This is the theme of the second phase. Please study it before the next round.

The 3rd is the scout corps guild, which is a majorly hybrid human-monster that has strong ties to the military, and they are the reason why you are called cadet recruits. You must go for military training under their guild before anyone can join the guilds of their choice. It is headed by the vice head of state , Rachel Kael, the wife of the man who messed up the world.

 I don't know what Emperor Tharsis saw in her to appoint her as grand duke of the Scout Guild of all sectors, but I will say the effort to correct her husband's mistakes is useless. I consider her as foolish and useless as her husband.

The knight and reaper guilds are the 4th and 5th strongest, and many others with influences locally and internationally, having certain colors attached to their nobility." He stretched his hand into the room.

"This is why you see different digital banners advertising their guilds to potential awakened recruits because you are the price of fame and stardom." 

 The teacher’s gaze swept the cadets, his voice sharp now.

“And that is why you are here today. Guilds own the schools. Guilds can help your career if accepted. To be accepted and get a hunter licence, you must go through the three major phases."

Unexpectedly, a group of men in black suits pushed seven large black giant orbs connected to a mainframe computer in front of the cadets.

In the first stage, cadets will place their right hand on the magic quantum orb. It will reveal your magic affinity and rank, then the major process will decide your fate.

 The second is the sector's augmented battle that selects the winning hunters for the third and last phase and is the biggest international event. The virtual reality  game simulation showdown  known as Battle Royale. The winning cadets of various sectors in the 2nd process in all sectors will put on their ear gear and boot suit and log into the virtual reality with their digital ID and coordinate.

In most virtual reality game simulations where you are put on headgear, the game avatar appears as you enter the virtual world.  

When you turn on the device and enter the virtual world. You can choose to equip your character Avatars with your real weapons that suit your awakened abilities. Those who are participating in the combat can only use characters that show their real face.

The virtual teleportation boot suit tools take the gamer into a virtual reality where every monster and NPC is a player like you. Most importantly, all cadets can use their actual magic abilities as well as game abilities with the support of an AI boot suit. 

Every guild master, guild members, and hunters from all over the 210 sectors, and top political figures come in for entertainment to watch the virtual battle Royale of every cadet trying to become number one, and how they fulfill their missions with awakened abilities and intelligence. 

The guild masters can pick from S ranking to A to D awakened hunters to join their guilds, which makes their various guilds more powerful than the others.

This is where you do your best and show off your best talents because your fate depends on it. Well, that is for those who won the 2nd  combat phase. Those who failed the 2nd process can try next year".

A hand raised up. Leo nodded. " What's your question, master......"

"Craig Davidson, sir. What if we were not chosen at the third stage? What do we do?"

"Well, you apply for other guilds that are not important. They give you their license and you go with them but no first-class treatment. You work and get paid. Hunters of the third stage usually must be approached, no matter how weak they are. But those who win get the orientation hunter license, which comes with free travel and many baby treatments." He stretched his hand at the orbs, fully ready.

“Now, seven cadets, please step forward and place your hands upon the Orbs of Revelation, and the truth of your magic will be revealed.” The orientation master announced.

"Let's begin." The hall buzzes with noise.

One by one, they placed their hands on the orbs. Gray A rank Flames. 

Blessing S rank-Lightning. 

Ray A rank -Shadows.

 Silver light. Steel skin. Each awakens, earning gasps and thunderous applause. It continues until it gets to Danny and Craig Davidson. They both walked out and looked at each other. A young boy with dark eyes in his round glasses, Short spike hair, trembled as he placed his hand before the orb.

Marco Polo-D rank Tank shield master

Davidson- B rank mage Healer

“Next. Danny Kael.”

Danny walked in front of the Orb. After he received the virtual Digital ID for the showdown. He stepped forward. His heart hammered in his chest. He pressed his palm against the orb.

At first, nothing. Then black mist spread like rot inside the orb. Horrifying red sentences appear in the orb, and the instructor announces.

"Danny Kael! D rank—Undead Gigantification...?" Leo was not so sure of what he was reading.

The hall froze.

“Undead, like you mean zombie?” A female cadet's questions.

Another instructor whispered. "His name is familiar.  Kael, as in, is he not the son of Dr marcus Kael? I just saw an online video where he was bitten and killed by Apollyon, and then he turned into an undead. If this is true. This is big news," another instructor whispered, flipping his phone to make a call.

"He's cursed!" A student rumored

"I thought he was dead. How come he is alive? I saw him turn into an  undead in the viral video." Cadets began to make huge noises. 

 Leo walked up to him, removed his cap hiding his face, and asked, " I believe we have some misunderstanding with the similarities with your name and Facial looks. If I may ask. Are you really Dr. Marcus and Rachel Kael's son? The one who was supposedly dead and buried?" Danny turned to him coldly and narrowed his eyes.

"Well, I believe I am the son of the man you insulted. If I may correct something, sir.  My mother was appointed by the Emperor because she created hybrids that fought the war, and this is why the iron wall still stands today, and I am undead," Danny said to him

"Kkkkkkkyyyyyyyaaaah! Don't come any closer" Leo falls to the ground in shock. Pointing at him in a horrified manner.

"What I mean is. I am not dead, but my power is undead". Whatever Danny tried to say was covered up in loud noise.

Cadets stumbled back, their cheers turning into fear quickly. Even the prodigies looked at him with fear and disdain, and shifted quickly to aggressiveness. Swords and weapons with magic instantly ignited ready to slay Danny.

"Zombie"

Monster”

Danny turned into the orientation Hall in disbelief; he could feel the hatred and curses lying upon him. 

"My mother turned into a zombie because of what his father did. You think dying your hair white and using blue contacts will make us not recognise you. Think again you fool! Asswhole," A cadet gritted his teeth bitterly. 

 His heightened ears supernaturally listened to another instructor talking to a media personality in the hallway.

"This is big news! That famous son of Mr. Marcus is alive as a zombie, and he has the power of the undead. How is not look like a zombie, I don't know, but I clearly saw his live stream where he was bitten. Can you dig up more information on this quickly? I sent his profile photo to you."

" Yes"

"Where are you now?" the instructor responded 

" We are at the orientation hall. If you come here now. You will see him," Danny's eyes widened. He remembers his father's words. 

" The only one who wants to see you do well is a bloody thief."

While Danny was thinking of how to escape, the sunny afternoon suddenly turned red in an instant. 

Screams echo in the hall. All Cadets rose from their seats as the sky was transforming into a red color. 

"He is the one doing it. He is cursed. Lets kill him" Danny stretched his hand.

"No, I'm not the one doing that." Whatever he was going to say was covered in different opinions of him.

Cadets looked through the window, and Danny was among some cadets who walked out from the top floor of the building, curious about what was going on. 

The sky unexpectedly transformed into a night painted with blood. Helicopters and drones whipping the cloud above his head. A translucent black golden screen appears before his vision.

 [Visual focus Skills: Eyes of an hunter-,Activated]

Danny's eyes shifted from blue to red, with his gaze zooming in from a distant direction.

 His hand trembled, his feet shook as he stood on the edge of a high-rise building, looking at numerous heavy military helicopters with powerful machine guns hovering in the wind above, whipping through his white hair as well as many others who stood in shock with all eyes looking at the giant neon Digital screen on a cyber building wall. Nine skeleton demon lord giants rising on a stage.

Consul General Cunt hands shook as he walked alongside Rachel Kael, Adam Barry and five top guild masters. "The Emperor has ordered all sectors to prepare for war. Summon all robots, soldiers, hybrids, and all hunters in Sector 47. We will meet the enemies at the front lines. The third and final apocalyptic wave has shifted the real world into the augmented reality of monsters and demons. It has finally begun. All troops prepare for war"