MrBoness

-- WSA 2025 Entry --

“Five… Four… Three… Two… One…”
As the countdown towards the new year went on to the last second, Miles looked up to the sky, just as everybody else did.

In the middle of the crowded street, Miles for once felt like he belonged. Being a teenage gamer, living with his parents, and trying to build a life as a streamer, he did not feel like leaving his room every day.

But there, in the middle of that crowded street, with everyone around him paying attention to the sky, the countdown on the digital billboard, and mostly anything else but him., Miles felt like a ghost.

A welcomed ghost, but a ghost, after all.

With a smile on his unseen face, he looked up as the countdown reached one, and everybody sang in unison.
‘HAPPY NEW YEAR!”

But Miles’ eyes widened as he watched in utter horror, and curiosity, even, hovering above him, a holographic screen with a few lines of text written in it.

All around him, although he did not pay much attention to it, a few other people seemed to experience the same situation.

[Updating home-world 39515’s version]

[Version 20.25 update brings a lot of fun and games with the new and improved survival mode]

[Do you want to convert your previous avatar to home-world 39515’s latest version?]

[Yes] [No]

“Survival… Mode?” Miles’ lips quivered.

Before he could think of anything else, though, the people around him began to scream…

Mad Hatter's Guide to Clearing The Game

The battlefield was a storm of fire and steel, the remnants of Sarissa's flames still smoldering in the ruins around them. Rain hissed as it met the embers, sending up curls of steam that coiled like ghosts between her and Miles. Her heart pounded against her ribs, her breath coming in short bursts as she held her stance, sword gripped tight, flames flickering at her fingertips.

Miles stood opposite her, unmoving. The eerie red glow of his mask's eyes cut through the misty darkness, and he watched, waiting. He had barely broken a sweat. If anything, he looked amused, the mask's eyes glowing even brighter in blood-red.

Sarissa had always known he was holding back. She had seen glimpses of his true speed and precision, but now, there was no mistaking it. He had been toying with her, but not anymore.

She exhaled sharply, pushing down the doubts clawing at the back of her mind. This wasn't just another fight. This was pure, raw survival. She wouldn't lose.

Ch51. RE: [World Quest] (9) - Against time