The hidden keys
As the group stands in the mysterious castle, Kevin breaks the silence. "Why were you following us, and what happened to you?"
The boy with the Sun Skill takes a breath before explaining, "While I was moving with the group, I stumbled upon a legendary chest."
Emily, intrigued, asks, "What's that?"
Zoey rolls her eyes. "Seriously, Emily, you don't know what a legendary chest is? Don't you play games?"
Emily shrugs. "I don't play games much. I only play this VR game because my dad is a shareholder of Kakze."
Zoey takes on the role of the explainer. "Okay, let me break it down. In games, there are different types of chests with rewards. They range from bronze, silver, gold, diamond, legendary, to mythical chests. The more elaborate they look, the better the rewards they contain."
"I see," Emily replies.
"That's correct," the boy confirms, pulling up his menu. A moment later, a massive, ornate chest materializes before them.
The legendary chest is a sight to behold, almost too magnificent to be real. It stands taller than a typical person, made of shimmering gold that reflects every bit of light in the dim castle. Intricate carvings cover its surface, depicting epic battles and ancient symbols that seem to glow faintly with an otherworldly light. The corners of the chest are reinforced with silver, each one adorned with a large, gleaming gem that pulses as if alive. The lid is arched and topped with a row of sharp spikes, giving the chest an almost menacing aura. As the group approaches, they can feel the heat radiating from it, a reminder that the rewards inside are not easily won.
"Whoa," Emily, Zoey, and Kevin exclaim in unison.
The boy continues, "I was trying to open it when suddenly, all of you disappeared."
"Okay, let me give it a try," Kevin says, drawing his sword. With a swift motion, he plunges it into the chest. The chest glitches momentarily before it clicks open.
Inside, they find a treasure trove of items. Among them are four particularly striking objects:
1. **Action Gate Key**: This key is sleek and metallic, with sharp edges and a rugged, utilitarian design. It's forged from a dark steel that seems to hum with energy, and when held, it feels almost like a weapon itself. Engraved along its surface are symbols that depict explosions, weapons, and intense battles—everything that screams action.
2. **Magic Realism Gate Key**: This key has an ethereal, almost ghostly appearance. It's crafted from a translucent material that shimmers in the light, with colors shifting like an opal. The design is delicate, with swirling patterns resembling smoke or mist. Holding it gives off a sensation of something between reality and fantasy, a perfect representation of its world.
3. **Sci-Fi Gate Key**: The sci-fi key is a piece of futuristic technology in itself. Made from a sleek, alloyed metal, its surface is embedded with tiny circuits that glow with neon lights. The key seems to pulse with a steady rhythm, like a heartbeat, and its shape is a series of geometric angles that give it a high-tech feel.
4. **Fantasy Gate Key**: This key is the most ornate of them all, a work of art in itself. It's made from a rare, enchanted metal that gleams with a golden hue. The design is intricate, with a dragon coiled around the length of the key, its eyes made of tiny emeralds. The handle is shaped like a wizard's staff, with a gem that seems to radiate a soft, magical glow.
---
"So this is where the gate keys are," Emily says, eyes wide with realization.
The boy nods. "And I entered the Fantasy World Gate with you guys because it was the last gate closing. I need something in return, though—I'll give you the rest of the items if you help me."
"Okay, what do you need?" Kevin asks, intrigued.
"I need a map. Mine was destroyed during the game's glitch," the boy explains.
Zoey doesn't hesitate. "Fine, I'll share my map with you."
A notification pops up in front of the boy: **MAP SHARING WITH PLAYER ZOEY**.
"Thanks," he says, a note of relief in his voice.
"So where exactly is this place, and what's the storyline here?" Emily asks, glancing around the castle.
Zoey pulls up her map, examining it closely. "According to this, there's no boss in this area, and the storyline connects to Peak and Lagoon. We need to head there first."
"Okay, I'll be on my way then," the boy says, turning to leave. But before he can take a step, Kevin suddenly senses something.
"Someone is…" Kevin starts, but before he can finish, the boy whirls around, drawing a weapon.
The scythe is unlike any weapon they've seen before. Its long handle is made from a material that seems to capture and hold sunlight, glowing with a warm, golden hue. The blade is curved and razor-sharp, forged from a metal that glimmers like molten gold. As the boy moves, the scythe leaves a trail of light in its wake, as if it's cutting through the very air itself. At the base of the blade, a small sun is engraved, glowing with the same radiant energy that powers the boy's Sun Skill.
---
In one swift motion, the boy slices through the air, and the head of an unknown attacker goes flying. The figure's purple hair flutters as the body disintegrates into pixelated fragments, disappearing into the air. Above the spot where the body stood, a message appears: **RESPAWN IN 13 SECONDS**.
"Who was that?" Zoey asks, her voice tense.
"I don't know," the boy replies, scanning the area.
Kevin's senses kick in again, and he turns just in time to block an attack from another assailant. This one is muscular, with black hair and a hand encased in rock, clearly using some kind of earth-based skill.
"Why are you here?" Kevin demands as he struggles to hold off the attacker.
The purple-haired player respawns, shaking off the dust of his recent death. "We were sent by the boss to kill you guys," he answers coldly.
"Hey, Kevin, these guys are…" Zoey starts, her voice filled with sudden realization.
"They're what?" Kevin asks, still grappling with his opponent.
"They're real players like us," Zoey finishes, her voice filled with dread.
Kevin's grip falters as the realization sinks in, leaving him momentarily speechless.
The battle rages on as the group faces their new, deadly foes. With the revelation that their enemies are real players, the stakes have never been higher. As Kevin struggles to regain his composure, the question remains—how will they survive this confrontation, and what other surprises await them in this unpredictable world?