stage three: LABYRINTH OF SHADOWS.

The info on the quest read, "In the labyrinth of shadows lies a thousand hidden gem"

Suddenly, another notification pops up on the screen.

Dear players, this is brought to you by "Not your concern". Players should be informed that finding at least, two of the hidden gems means qualification for the next stage. Failure to fine a minimum of 2 gems, means elimination.

After reading this, players started to inquire more about the gems and surprisingly, Not your concern responded to their questions.

Random player 1: "What if we steal them after others finds them".

Not your concern: "ELIMINATION!"

Random player 2: "can we play in teams"

Not your concern: " this is a question only a non legend material would ask, but it's also a perceptive question and as a matter of fact, the answer is '!yes!' " .

Random player 3: "what if I found 2 gem and my teammates found 1, can we qualify? Please reply"

Not your concern: "!YES! and each team can only be of two members,no more!,no less!".

Players asked and asked while the game was still ongoing to search for other players willing to team up.

Other players team up with each other to increase their chances of qualifying for the next stage. Thirty minutes passed yet Blaze still hadn't found any gem. Not even anything that looks like a gem could be seen….

He explored deeper into the underground tunnel where the further he gets the eerier it got.

He felt goosebumps but still continued anyway.

He explored deeper with other players exploring too and the interconnected tunnels looked even more damp with nothing but a candle brightening the way.

He eventually explored till he got to an open space (shore)with other players already there.

Suddenly, a player spotted an ancient jar, broke it and found a blue gem which he collected and kept in his inventory.

Seeing this, other players with Blaze began searching for any vase too.

Some were lucky enough to find a dilapidated old wooden box with a gem inside while others like Blaze only found an empty box/jar.

The entire space has been raided and only few was lucky enough to find a hidden gem.

All players, both teams and individual knew they had to cross the large body of water which stands between them and the opposite sides.

So, they manifested their skills.

Players whose character could fly, easily crossed, while players whose character couldn't stayed behind.

Blaze having been one of those unprivileged players, decided to swim across, just like the others were doing.

He was far away from the shore when he saw a hidden gem beneath the water and he dove down without hesitation.

Other swimming players too followed suit in hunt for the gems.

During the rush, many players whose HP wasn't enough to sustain their dive were K. Od and those who were able to collected the gem.

Blaze did work on his character stats so he wasn't worried.

Although the HPs of all players were depleting, they still hunt for the gem.

And fortunately, Blaze was able to acquire 3 gems before the rush was over, and also reach the surface of the water in time.

He got to the other side and entered the dimly lit tunnel with players following behind and before him.

He soon got to a spot where his headset vibrated with his gaming mouse.

When he got to the open place, it had a lot better lighting, but it was chaotic and deathly.

Players who'd gotten there before him, where battling ferocious beasts.

This is where the end of players who failed to find a weapon meets their doom. Even those who successfully did were having a hard time also.

Other players joined the fight and players who were KOd drops the content in their inventory as it meant the end for them.

They only had 40 minutes left to find the exit and for those who hadn't found a gem yet, to find it.

With the monster releasing tiny miniatures of itself to attack every player who were being cowardly enough to not fight, the scene became heated.

The chat box was exceptionally active and players' gaming headsets were buzzing and their gaming mice were vibrating non stop.

The Leaderboard was not to be taken lightly because every player competes to stay at the top 1 spot.

Blaze decided that it was time to go hardcore after all cheating was allowed.

He flipped open the book which contains all cheat and started using the ultimate cheats without wasting any more time after all he too, was playing for the price money.

He clicked combinations of keys and his mouse at the same time unleashing different types of super-attack to the giant monster releasing the tiny ferocious beasts.

Although he could play so well, staying at the top 1 spot on the Leaderboard was a hassle he was more than willing to endure.

Other players which knew the ultimate cheats were constantly using them. So, it was pretty tough to cling unto the top 1 spot on the Leaderboard.

Everytime Blaze would make it to the top 1 spot, he'd be pulled down a rank or two by other hardcore/experienced players.

At this point, they only had 20 minutes left and the HP of the Beasts was down by a third and Blaze stood on the 4th spot on the Leaderboard.

He knew other experienced players would be in the game, so he wasn't too surprised.

After ten minutes, the beast was almost out, so he rapidly released the tiny ferocious beasts and even started to land a ranged attack.

Blaze's HP was reduced multiple times to the extent he almost got KOd but he had some healing potions in his inventory so he was able to hold on so far and even crawled his way to the top 2 along the run.

They had less than 9 minutes left and many players were already K.Od and eliminated so, the fight and struggle became a whole level harder.

With players using their weapons to land a critical hit, it became a lot competitive.

Players with staffs were exceptionally good, not to mention those with a futuristic - double sided axe, a sharp bow and arrow that explodes upon contact with target, digital katanas that allows for easy yet hard slicing and the mecha gunners, they were bad. Shooting a big ball of energy bullet that explodes, creating a supersonic blast!!.

Just then, a random player known as Player00547 landed a critical attack which was a legendary cheat that no one except 3 people were able to perform with great difficulty...…