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 night air was heavy with the stench of charred flesh and burnt decay. The battlefield was silent now, the echoes of Diego's radiant power still lingering in the ruined streets. The golden glow that had enveloped him moments ago was gone, leaving behind only his shaking, pale form in Miles' arms.

"Come now, Dee, I'll let you piggyback on me, so you can get some sleep." Miles whispered, his lips curling into a soft smile that Diego was not able to see. 'I'll take care of everything while you dream…'

Diego smiles weakly as Miles knelt beside him, his heartbeat loud in his ears, throwing Diego softly on his back.

Diego's chest rose and fell in shallow, unsteady breaths, his face was slick with sweat, and his body was unnaturally cold despite the lingering warmth of [Holy Light].

His little brother had saved them both, but at a cost Miles wasn't sure he fully understood yet.

Ch80. Pain as a teacher (4) - [Blood Pact]