Into The Unknown

"Fear is the most primal weapon. If you can make the predator doubt, just for a second, you've already won."

Ethan stood there as the goblin approached them, the herd also closing in.

*If I don't do something in the next few seconds, we'll be completely surrounded,* Ethan thought, clenching his fists.

*Think of a way out, Ethan. You always come up with a solution. Think, think, think,* he urged himself, keeping his eyes locked on the goblin so it wouldn't catch him off guard.

The goblin continued closing in, smirking as if mocking him.

Ethan glanced back at Leo and, with a scream, rushed at the goblin.

The goblin was taken aback by the sudden outburst but quickly steadied itself, recognizing its prey's desperation.

But Ethan wasn't trying to scare it away. The moment the goblin hesitated, he plunged his hands into its two massive eyes.

The goblin roared in pain, falling onto its back.

*Now's my chance—I just have to run!* Ethan thought, trying to pull his arm back.

But the goblin grabbed his hand.

*Brains and courage can't always overcome raw strength,* Ethan thought, struggling with all his might.

Even blind and bleeding, the creature refused to let go. Then, with a swift motion, it bit off a large chunk of Ethan's arm.

"FUCKKKK YOUUU!" Ethan howled, thrashing, punching—doing anything to break free.

The goblin didn't care. It enjoyed the taste, chewing the flesh and savoring every bite.

Laughter.

Ethan suddenly noticed the chuckles growing louder. He had been so focused on the goblin that he hadn't realized the entire group had surrounded him.

As 586 goblins circled him, Ethan's punches slowed. His body and mind shut down completely.

*It's over… At least they're not paying attention to Leo. But without me, he'll die too. Why does everything bad happen to me? First, Dad disappeared, then we got thrown into this nightmare. And now… this?*

He watched helplessly as the goblins laughed. He gritted his teeth, blood dripping from his ruined arm.

The goblins stepped closer. Then another step.

Hands grabbed him—dozens of them. Sharp claws and daggers tore into his flesh.

He screamed.

They didn't stop.

In under a minute, both his arms and legs were severed and devoured. Only his torso remained. His consciousness flickered. His vision darkened.

Then, as his chest was split open—

POP.

A red screen appeared before him.

Stage 0 cleared

Condition: Survive for 10 minutes

Survivors: 2

[Good job clearing the tutorial. You'll soon be teleported to one of the lobbies of Echospire.]

Ethan and Leo were both consumed by a flash of light.

*I see a light… Maybe I'm finally in heaven…* Ethan thought.

Then he felt himself falling.

His senses snapped back. The pain was gone. The exhaustion vanished.

But he was still falling.

*Was that all a dream? No, it can't be—I can still remember the pain. What's happening? Where's Leo? Is he alright?*

Countless questions flooded Ethan's mind as he braced for impact.

THUD.

His body hit a smooth marble floor. He groaned, but the impact was nothing compared to the pain he had just experienced.

"I hope that didn't hurt too much," a calm voice said.

Ethan looked up.

A blond man with pale skin and long hair stood before him. He looked old. Slightly behind him stood a younger girl, likely around Ethan's age—seventeen at most. Her black hair complimenter her sharp and, serious features.

"You…" Ethan had so much on his mind that he didn't even know how to respond. He just stared.

"It's alright. You must be overwhelmed. I was like that too when I first arrived," the man said, offering Ethan a hand.

"My name is Lucian, and the young lady behind me is Annie. We both arrived here just like you—five days ago."

"We were part of the very first group, along with a few others. Since then, new people have been dropping in every day… but most of them probably die in the tutorial." Lucian spoke while showing Ethan around the lobby.

"What is happening…?" Ethan rubbed his forehead. This was too much information to process.

"Don't worry, you'll get used to it. I'll show you around the main lobby, and then we'll head back to the lodging," Lucian said with a reassuring smile.

"Sorry to interrupt, but did you see a small boy? He looks a little like me." Ethan said, cutting in. *If Leo isn't here, where did he go? Did the goblins get him?*

"No, but he might have fallen into another lobby. We already have four members here," Lucian replied.

Ethan kept staring at him, unsatisfied with the answer.

"Ugh, it's always so hard dealing with newcomers," the girl behind Lucian finally spoke up.

"It's alright, Annie. You go back to the lodging—I'll handle this," Lucian said, patting her head.

Annie nodded and left without another word.

"Sorry about her. Don't worry—she's really nice once you get to know her." Lucian smiled, but Ethan barely registered it. There were too many unknowns to make sense of this situation.

He wasn't even thinking straight anymore—just absorbing as much information as possible.

"Okay, I'll try my best to explain, but even I don't know everything. I'm just like you—I just happened to arrive five days earlier," Lucian said, clearing his throat.

"This place is a lobby. People are sent here if they survive Stage 0"

"If you had died in the tutorial, someone else would have been transported to Stage 0. This cycle continues until all seven parties are full."

"Oh my god! my head hurts," Ethan said, irritated.

"You can ask me anything—I'll try my best to answer," Lucian offered.

"There's too much going through my mind… I don't even know what to ask." Ethan ran a hand through his hair, trying to calm down.

Lucian placed a firm hand on his shoulder. "I know this is overwhelming, but you can't afford to lose your calm. This might feel like a fantasy, but it's your new reality. The sooner you accept it, the better."

Hearing those words helped Ethan focus.

*I have to figure out what's going on. Find Leo. Get back home and, Panicking won't help.* Ethan prepared himself, determination returning to his gaze.

Lucian, seeing that Ethan had regained some composure, continued.

"So, like I said, this giant blue hall is the lobby. There are seven of them—one for each party. Each party can have up to five members."

"When we get to the lodging, you'll see a timer on the front gate. That's how much time we have left to prepare for Stage 2."

"What about Stage 1?" Ethan asked.

"We cleared it," Lucian replied proudly.

"I still don't understand much," Ethan admitted, tilting his head.

"Well, I think everything will make more sense after you experience Stage 2. There are only twelve hours left," Lucian said as he started walking toward the exit.

Ethan followed him quietly.

"Let's go to the lodging and get you geared up. We don't want you to die immediately."