A Gamer's Infernal Journey

"So hot!".

That's the first thing that came to his mind as his eyelids fought sleep.

Yet, they snapped open the next second, an icy shiver running down his spine. 

"What's wrong with my voice?!" 

Guttural sounds echoed, causing his limbs to tremble and a knot of dread to tie around his heart.

'W-What is happening? Where am I?'

He leapt to his feet, clutching his hammering chest and gazing at the unfamiliar surroundings.

Instead of the LED illuminating his room in bright, shifting colors and his comfortable bed, he only saw darkness and smelled putrid, stale air.

DING

A sudden noise made him jump in alarm while something slashed at his back.

"ARGH!"

In pain, he gazed behind, but nothing stood in the darkness. Yet, he gulped upon noticing his own body. 

Eyes wide in horror, he glared at the short tail protruding from his lower back. Then, at his small clawed hands and feet.

Before he could make sense of anything, another sound sent his thoughts into chaos as a holographic window appeared.

Menacing green flames engulfed its frame, forcing a painful gulp down his throat. Fortunately, text appeared, giving him something to focus on. 

[Welcome to the demon realm. You have been selected to reincarnate as a Lord. Conquer this realm of fire and ashes, become its uncontested ruler... or die trying.]

"What? No! Am I dreaming? Ouch!"

Fresh blood rolled down his arm as his trembling nails dripped scarlet liquid. Everything was real, or he had become a madman during his sleep. But it made no sense.

Yesterday, he aimed to reach the master rank in his favorite game, but today...

The shifting text drew his attention back to the window despite his confusion.

[Loading Lord interface]

Name: Please enter a name

Full of incertitudes, yet knowing he needed this bizarre window's distraction to keep dread away, he complied.

After entering his name, a long list of statistics reminding him of RPG games unfolded before his enlarging eyes.

Name: Adam

Race: Lesser imp

Affinity: demonic energy

Talent: F grade (Upgradable): I'm a gamer!

Job: /

Class: /

LVL: 1

Exp: 0/20

HP: 10/10

Vitality: 1

Strength: 1

Agility: 1

Demonic essence: 2

Free attribute points: 0

Items: Lord's badge.

Note: You are close to Baal's territory. Recommendation: Leave or die. 

"An Imp?! Like the weakest demons?"

He roared as he read his race, forgetting about his turmoil and his gamer's instinct awakening.

It was just too infuriating to him.

"I should be a Hecatonchires or superior demon!"

He continued to read, fuming at the situation's ridiculousness.

Fortunately, he found solace in his talent. Despite its low rank, it was at least upgradable.

"Beggars can't be choosers."

He sighed, then coughed, almost choking on his saliva at the note.

"Baal? As the strongest demon in mythology?!"

Dread's icy fingers clutched his heart as the depiction of the tyrant he had seen in games resurfaced. More than a demon, he was often the ultimate hidden boss with surreal stats. After collecting equipment of outrageous quality and boosting their stats to the limit, only the most seasoned gamers had a chance against him. And even then, they needed a perfect strategy to do so. Yet, he stood inside that terror's territory?

His teeth chattered as he looked at the window for a minute before a wave of panic engulfed him. Without wasting a second and ignoring the other notification noises he kept receiving, he scrambled through the darkness, a single idea fueling his steps: escape!

After minutes of charging, his steps echoing as the sole sound breaking the silence, a distant light illuminated the cave's interior, igniting a sliver of hope in his heart.

'It's the exit!'

He huffed, his chest tightening and throat burning as he saw the distorted and ominous trees outside.

Keeping an eye on the note, he raced in the wild, his short frame bolting in the distance despite his weak physique. The flames replacing his hair danced and swirled in his wake as the buzzing of wind rattled his ears. Ignoring the beasts' angry howls, he dashed between the distorted trees, praying to go unnoticed.

*****

Meanwhile, far across the demon realm, a shadow moved through the red skies. Baal, the strongest of all demons, surveyed his vast territory, his eyes narrowing as they locked on a distant figure scurrying through the forest.

With a simple gesture, he crushed a trembling lord under his hand, barely noticing the blood splattering on the ground.

His lips curled into a cruel smile.

"You're next."

****

After an hour of sprinting, Adam collapsed to the dry ground, his rising and lowering chest the only sign of life in the dreary place. But he had done it. He was out of the tyrant's territory.

Note: Read the notifications!

With a begrudging glare, he swiped the window, making another text replace it.

[Drop your lord's badge to the ground to start your exciting journey!]

[A seven-day grace period shall be offered to every new lord. Use it wisely.]

[Recommendation: Build your territory along resource-rich areas, develop a territory speciality and use your chat box to trade with your friends!]

Sprawled on the ground, a frown dripping ink creased his brows.

"I'm too close to Baal. Seven days, then what? He'll just stomp on me like an ant. No, I have to run further away."

Determination flashing in his eyes, he rose, ready to travel for as long as necessary until he felt safe.

However, another notification alerted him.

[Talent's daily use available. Use: Yes/No]

Frowning and confused, he pressed on yes.

A wheel suddenly appeared. The prizes of different kinds and colors painted on its parts surprised and confused him simultaneously. 

Without him doing anything, it spun, the rattling of the arrow echoing against the metal to shatter the silence.

His heart hastened in his chest, and his eyes sparkled.

"Get me an SSR draw!"

Surprisingly, he felt a wave of excitement overwhelm his despairing situation. After all, he had noticed weapons, making this talent a potential solution to his predicament.

Gradually, the wheel slowed, then stopped on a paper drawing, making him curse his luck.

[Congratulations on obtaining a random teleportation talisman!]

His curses stuck in his throat, his fists trembled, and his eyes widened.

"Anywhere is better than next to Baal's territory. Quick, use it!"

His ardent desire caused the item to materialise in his hand. Guided by instinct, he shredded it before a bright light engulfed his figure.

[Designating random location]

DING

[Teleportation initiated. Good luck in the human realm's Ashwood barony's territory!]

"Wait, what?!"

His voice died down as his body disintegrated into light particles, leaving nothing behind but the memory of a short imp and the snarls of the approaching forest's beasts. 

When light returned to his eyes, he gazed in shock at the lush plain he landed in. A gust of fresh air blew in his nostrils, making him gulp it with joy and disbelief.

"It teleported me into another realm altogether. Hahaha."

Yet, his chuckles died down the next second.

No matter the time, realm, or mythology, no one liked demons.

He had to hide and build his strength and territory. Then, complete this game-like challenge of conquering the realms.

"No matter who decided to make me start as an imp, watch as I turn into a veritable devil. Even Baal won't hold a candle against me in the future!"

Who said he would accept his grotesque situation? Armed with his gamer's experience, he would flip the board if he didn't like it.