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

Miles never knew what Sarissa's domain looked like on the inside, nut now, more than ever, he needed to talk to her.

She was the only one he knew – even if only by hate at first sight – who could help him.

As he stormed into the Union Guild's building, guards already posted themselves in a protective manner, assuming their defensive stances, ready for whatever the newcomer would do. But as soon as he stopped, looking lost, and found the makeshift lobby, walking straight in its direction, they lowered their guards.

"I need to talk to Sarissa, it's urgent." Miles said to the brown-haired girl at the desk.

"I'm sorry," she looked up from her chair, her glasses glinting under the white light in the ceiling above her. "The guild master only receives visits upon proper appointment, Mr-"

"Please!" Miles felt his eyes burning, but forced the tears back with everything he could. "She's the only one… Who can… Help me."

Ch68. Cry for help