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 collided painfully with a pile of metal scraps and bones, coughing up a mouthful of blood.

'You didn't have to kick me this hard, dude…' He thought, but his thoughts were hazy.

He had no time to dwell on anything. His [Doppelganger] was already on its way to buy him the time he needed, clashing with the Revenant with every ounce of its remaining strength.

It was now or never. Every millisecond counted.

And so, he summoned the [Ether Teapot], which materialized in his hand from the familiar – comforting, even – storm of colorful sparks.

As soon as the teapot and the crystal teacup took shape, Miles poured it and drank.

He did not even have to wait for the magical, fragrant and flavorful liquid to reach his stomach. As soon as it touched his tongue, Miles already felt its effects.

The healing of his wounds, the strength coursing through his veins, the energy filling his soul.

Ch113. Calm after the storm