The Gaming Master

Chapter 3– Klaus’s POV

The holographic message flickered in the rain, glowing a faint blue against the darkness.I looked back to see if I was the only one seeing the message but then no student was right behind me. As the torrent hit my body. 

I simply stood still staring at the message. And suddenly the countdown began. 

> [SYSTEM MESSAGE: BECOME THE ALMIGHTY GAMING AVATAR WITH A CLICK.]

> [YES] / [NO]

I stared at it, my breath uneven. The rain poured around me, but I didn’t feel cold. Instead, a strange warmth spread through my body, like an electric current surging through my veins.

Was this real?

I clenched my fists, feeling the wet fabric of my sleeves stick to my skin. My logical mind screamed that this was ridiculous. That I was exhausted, cold, and hallucinating. But another part of me—the part that had suffered endless humiliation at Felix’s hands—whispered that maybe, just maybe, this was real.

And what did I have to lose?

Nothing.

With a deep breath, I reached forward and pressed YES.

For a second, I held my breath, waiting for something—anything—to happen.

The screen blinked.

Then it disappeared.

I frowned, standing there like an idiot as the rain continued to pour. I stared at the empty space where the message had been, waiting for some kind of dramatic transformation. A surge of power. A second message. Something.

But nothing happened.

The warmth in my body faded, leaving me shivering. The rain suddenly felt colder, harsher. I let out a bitter chuckle.

Of course.

What had I expected? That I would suddenly gain superpowers? That the system would transform me into some kind of godlike gamer overnight?

I shook my head, my soaked hair sticking to my forehead. Stupid.

Dragging my aching leg, I limped home, water dripping from my clothes with every step.

I was too tired to make dinner. I opened the rusty little fridge I was having and stared inside. 

All I had left was two pieces of ramen. A stark reminder of my poverty stage and the need for me to hussle more and get some money. 

But I barely even have the time for my double shift. Kluas has encroached on my days. Bombarding me with tons of assignments and laundry activities. Sometimes, it is even scary to go to school but I know one thing, if I don't show up. 

I was going to be at his mercy the following day.

I was freezing and exhausted. I peeled off my drenched clothes, tossed them into a pile, and collapsed onto my bed without even bothering to shower. My mind replayed the message over and over, but by the time sleep took me, I had convinced myself it was nothing more than my tired brain playing tricks on me.

[ THE NEXT-DAY] 

Morning came too soon. Sometimes I wished it never did. 

I woke up sore, my leg throbbing, my body stiff from the previous night’s misery. With a groan, I dragged myself out of bed and into the bathroom. The reflection staring back at me in the mirror looked terrible—dark circles under my eyes, messy hair, and an overall haunted expression.

But there was no time to dwell on it.

I had a long day ahead. I ran into the bathtub to have a warm bath and i was soon on my way to work or should I have said school. Don't blame me if I don't know the difference between both anymore.

Same routine, same misery.

Dragging myself through my morning classes, running errands for Felix, listening to Celine whine about her assignments. By now, my academic performance was slipping, and I could feel the weight of it pressing down on me.

I used to be a good student.

But Felix made sure that was no longer the case.

Between doing his work, handling his girlfriend’s assignments, and barely scraping through my own studies, I was drowning.

I was barely holding on.

And worst of all, nobody cared. No one cares about a limping boy who was running from pillar to post. I believe everyone was having their own problems to deal with or perhaps, I was merely invisible. 

Felix’s influence was too strong. If I failed, if I lost my scholarship, it wouldn’t matter to anyone. They would all just laugh.

I clenched my fists.

I need to do something… before it’s too late. How do I get out of his form grips, I don't know. 

I was limping toward the school gates when it happened.

A soft DING! echoed in my ears.

I froze, my eyes darted around to see if the ping was from someone close by but then, no one was around me. But then a blue screen materialized in front of me, just like the night before.

> [DING!]

> [THANK YOU FOR ACCEPTING THE GAMING AVATAR SYSTEM.]

> [GET READY FOR YOUR FIRST MISSION.]

My breath caught in my throat.

It was real.

The system… it was real.