Panic Shutdown and Door Betrayal
“Sertina? Sertina?”
“Wait, did she really just leave?”
The panicked voice of SniperVillain, the sniper villain, echoed hollowly through the mic. A ten-year veteran of internet streaming, a true old-timer in the broadcasting world, but he'd never dealt with a collab partner bailing right at the start like this. He was at a total loss.
Chat scrolled by so fast that even the bottom messages vanished in a second, impossible to catch.
“Uh... looks like she turned off her computer completely?”
Tier's flustered voice came through the mic. And naturally, the communities exploded.
(Clip of Sertina ending the stream)
(Clip of Sertina's expression darkening rapidly)
Normal folks tense up and can't talk on NewTube
└ I'd sub if you start a channel lmao
└ Fr lmao
After the chaos died down, I caved to Cha Eun-joo's nagging and reluctantly turned the stream back on. Felt like walking into a demon's lair on my own two feet, but she promised three days off after this—how could I say no.
The screen switched to a dim, eerie hallway, kicking off the horror game collab for real.
The goal was simple: find hidden items scattered around, unlock the exit, and escape. Of course, dodging the monsters blocking your way.
“Alright, difficulty... taking viewer requests, we'll go Hard!”
“Eek, Hard?”
“First time, do Easy, dude!”
As SniperVillain smoothly MC'd, I was deep in thought.
Sigh... how do I handle this mess?
It was just a game—no real death. Still, dying felt... off.
As I racked my brain, a flash pierced my mind.
Wait, you can die in a game and it's fine? Not reality. So... die as much as you want, no problem?
The moment I grasped that eternal truth, something dark and twisted stirred awake inside me.
This isn't a game. It's war.
No relaxing for a second in this brutal battlefield. Slack off, and it's irreversible doom.
Time to fight like it's war.
Perfect. I straightened up, closed my eyes.
“Hoo...”
One breath activated my dantian's energy, maxing out my senses. Heart pulsed, mana surged through arteries and veins, awakening unprecedented power.
Thud—
A deep resonance spread through my body. Thoughts accelerated to the limit, slowing the world around me.
Not enough. More, more. Way beyond this!
Guildmates' voices stretched, game screen stuttered frame by frame, chat froze, falling hair hung midair. Even the PC cooler's hum vanished, world plunged into eerie silence.
Senses vanished in transcendent thought acceleration. In that alien stillness, I slowly opened my eyes.
Good, success.
Only I moved freely in the frozen world. Like I'd escaped the world's shackles.
Finally, synced senses to consciousness for full control.
Released acceleration briefly—world moved. Maxed it again—froze. Eased slightly—crawled slowly.
This is plenty.
Time's flow was mine. Prep for horror game complete.
Game started. Our four characters spawned in an abandoned building.
“How 'bout we stick together early on?” SniperVillain said.
“Sure, whatever.”
“Items first!”
As guildmates chatted, my eyes scanned busily. Survival rule one: always check surroundings.
Cabinets for hiding everywhere, useful items for survival/escape, doors to delay monsters.
“Whoa, first horror game... atmosphere's creepy af!”
“Tier, you don't game much huh?”
“Nope! Controls feel weird still, hehe.”
One minute in. Something caught my eye at the far hallway corner—a faint motion rounding it.
I spun and bolted instantly—
—GRROOOOAAARRR!
“Agh! It's coming, run!”
“Shit!”
“Kyaaack!”
The monster burst out late; everyone freaked, chasing me.
SniperVillain marveled purely. “Whoa, Sertina, when'd you get so far ahead?”
“Her physicals are on another level. Saw her last horror game—insane.”
With thoughts maxed, nothing could stop me. Mapped the layout live, plotted optimal paths, executed flawlessly. Zero error.
Thud, thud, thud, thud, thud!
Monster's footsteps closed in. Rough breaths on our heels grew louder.
—GRROOOOAAARRR!
Early game, no items, simplest but fastest monster. No nearby cabinets to hide.
Door slam for time it is! I sprinted to the one ahead.
“Se-Sertina! Wait up!”
“Uwaaaaa!”
Guildmates stumbled after. I dashed through first.
And—
SLAM—!
Shut it before they entered.
“Uh...?”
“Sertina...?”
“Agh! Monster behind! Monster!”
“Hiiiyaack!”
“Move! Door won't open!”
I ignored their desperate screams, kept running forward.
Doors weren't the only way to buy time.