Race Against Time

Now that everyone was aware of the strongest player in the game, a sense of urgency spread through the group. They started moving with top speed towards the gate, but time was running out. Some players realized they only had four hours left to reach it. Aryan, Selena, and Kai were significantly behind the rest, far from the gate.

Kai frowned as he glanced back at the group racing ahead. "We'll never make it at this pace," he said, frustration creeping into his voice. "At this rate, we won't even get close to the gate in time."

Selena looked at Aryan, then back at Kai, a spark of determination in her eyes. "What if I use that skill Aryan gave me?" she suggested. "We could make it there faster, reach the gate in time."

Aryan nodded, catching her drift. "It's worth a shot. Let's do it." His voice was resolute, hiding the uncertainty in his mind.

The narrator took over, setting the scene. "It took all the players half a month to clear one layer of the game. Now, the story begins."

As they discussed their plan, Selena activated the skill Aryan had given her, a power that allowed her to move with blinding speed. She zoomed past Kai and Aryan, leaving them in the dust. Kai and Aryan exchanged a glance, and with a shared understanding, they started running, pushing themselves harder than ever before.

The landscape blurred around them as Selena's power propelled her towards the gate. Kai and Aryan struggled to keep up, their breaths heavy with exertion. The urgency in their movements was palpable; they needed to reach the gate before it closed.

As they ran, the narrator's voice continued, adding to the suspense. "Time was ticking away, each second feeling like an eternity. Players were moving with a sense of desperation, but some were too far behind. The gate would open for twelve hours, but if they didn't make it in time, they would be crushed to death."

The tension was thick as Kai, Selena, and Aryan approached the final stretch. Selena's speed had gained them precious minutes, but it was still a race against time. "We're almost there," Kai panted, pushing himself harder.

Aryan looked ahead, his determination renewed. "We can make it," he said, his voice steady despite the exhaustion. "We just have to move faster."

Selena's skill was their only hope, but as they neared the gate, a new challenge emerged. The gate would only open for twelve hours, and after that, it would close. Players would be trapped if they didn't make it through. "We need to move now," the narrator emphasized, the urgency clear in every word.

With a final burst of speed, Selena crossed the threshold just as the gate began to close. Kai and Aryan followed closely behind, their relief evident as they squeezed through just in time. The gate shut behind them, sealing the fate of those who hadn't made it.

As the players caught their breath, Aryan couldn't help but think of Kael. "How did he do it?" he wondered aloud. The mystery of Kael's strength hung over them, unanswered. But for now, survival was the priority. The story had just begun.