FIRST ATTACK

Melissa's POV

I gazed down at the rusty silverware in my hands, and a gut–wrenching pain shot through my chest.

Next thing I knew... a teardrop pricked the corner of my eye.

This was it. My death sentence.

I knew I was destined to die a quick death, but I didn't expect it to be so soon.

“Player 101, step out of the box at once," The system said, its voice hinting at annoyance.

Letting out a deep breathe, I stepped out of the box.

My steps were shaky as I walked into a flight of laughter.

It was the players, their gaze fixated on me, as they rejoiced over my failure.

“It's safe to say, we know who is dying first," One of the other players said between fits of laughter. She was a pretty blonde with sparkling green eyes, and perfect features.

Her eyes were watering from her intense laughter.

“It's such a pity, but I'd rather it be her than the rest of us. After all we need pretty faces to keep the game interesting," another chimed in.

I rolled my eyes, my lips narrowing into a thin line as I turned away from them only to be confronted by more stupid floating text.

“OMG! Player 2 is such a sweet soul. She smartly put that smug witch in her place," Mrj2004 commented.

“You can say that again Mrj2004, player 101 is trash and should be treated as such. I can't wait for the game to begin already so we can get rid of that witch already," Nelly34 wrote.

I let out a cold, contentious laugh.

I wasn't surprised. This world– like most was controlled by beauty standards, and influence. They were willing to fawn over that bully cause she was as cute as a doll.

And as for me– I could burn for all they care cause I was not nearly as pretty.

I don't blame them though... That is just the pattern of life.

Who cares? I am done letting people get to me.

Taking in a sharp breath, I turned to the sparkling ball of light, and said something that made the other contestants tremble.

“Hey, dumbass," I called out, my voice filled with impatience.

Just then a loud gasp ran across the room, all eyes drifting to me with curiosity, and disgust.

“Are you referring to me human?" The system's cold voice echoed. Its tone hinting at confusion.

“Yeah! duh!" I said, nonchalantly rolling my eyes. “Open the door already so I can take this trashy trinket for a test run."

The room fell silent as the words concluded from my lips. The confused stares of onlookers, growing ever so slightly.

An air of suffocating tension loomed over our heads.

Then suddenly came a hellish laugh which scattered the peace.

“I see you are in a hurry to die. I like that," The system giggled.

I didn't flinch. Instead I fixated on the glittering ball, my face expressionless.

“Very well then, you may leave," The system shrugged, and just then a gigantic portal opened up at one end of the room.

It's bright, white light threatening to blind me.

“You have two minutes to exit the bunker, or die," The system announced, and the room immediately plunged into chaos.

“Way to make things more dramatic systems," I snarled with an unimpressed sigh.

Quickly, the players began jumping in one by one.

I on the other hand was in no such hurry.

I'd prefer they survey the environment for me.

A couple of seconds later the room was almost empty, with just a few players standing idle at the side.

I strutted towards the entrance, ready to jump in, when he resurfaced.

My arrogant savior.

His mask was gone now, revealing his dazzling face.

He had a lollipop clenched between his perfectly white teeth, his monstrous weapon resting on his right shoulder.

With his killer looks, weapon, and face he could easily pass for a male lead in a dark fantasy novel.

He brushed past me, whispering the words. “Perfect weapon choice princess,"

To most women that might sound like a compliment.

But not me... I knew better.

He was insulting me– Telling me that my choices were pathetic.

A wave of anger coursed through me.

I clenched my fist, ready to give him a piece of my mind, only to turn and find nothing.

He left, he irritated me and ran off.

Well... I wasn't going to let him off the hook this time.

Letting out a sharp breath. I braced myself, jumping legs first.

A blinding light hit my face, followed by a loud roar.

When I opened my eyes again, I was back in that dark street.

As expected all the players stood rooted in place. Their eyes twitching like they had spotted something scary, probably the monster from before.

My heart skipped at that revelation.

Stiffly I turned my neck to the direction of their eyes, only to come face to face with a scene that almost caused my eyes to fall off.

There they were, a dozen or so half wolf– half owl creature, with human like nose, ears and limbs.

‎Their large red eyes fixated on us with unblinking gaze..

‎Their large, white, sharp gleamed in the dim lighting.

‎They stormed their tiny human legs against the marble, leaving behind patches of pus.

‎They let out a loud roar as though trying to communicate with one another.

Their breath smelled of decayed meat, and a metallic scent of blood.

That was when I heard it– there was a deep, drawl, masculine voice in my head.

“Prepare to be our dinner, Humans," The voice said nonchalantly.

A cold sweat broke on my forehead.

I looked up, my eyes locking onto the largest of the Devourers.

It had this predatory look on its face, like it was trying to establish its dominance.

I glanced around confused, worried.

‘Was I the only one hearing that voice?'– I wondered but before I could even conclude, the heartthrob from earlier stepped forward, his magnificent hammer clutched in his grasp.

“Stand back. I will handle this," He announced, his steady voice like a lifeline for us.

After all he was number 1 for a reason.

“You got this Tyler," Another player chatted, that was when I knew what his name was.

“Tyler" a beautiful melody. The type of name a male would have.

A small smile tugged at the side of my lips.

My heart was still racing but there was this assurance that came with his intimidating presence.

Tyler stood before the biggest of the Devourers, raised his hammer and spoke.

“Hear me, demon. Tonight I'll put an end to..." Before he could conclude his head was chopped clean off.