PICK A WEAPON

Melissa's POV

“The rules are violently simple. Stay alive, or die nicely," The system announced casually as though reading a weathermple. Stay alive, or die nicely," The system announced casually as though reading a weather forecast. “Each player possesses a number engraved on their shoulder. The number indicates your rank, and your ranks indicate your likability value. Here your likeability value influences your standard of living here. There are 101 ranks in total."

My heart sank to my stomach.

My hand instinctively ran to my shoulder tattoo.

If the ranks were only 101, did that mean I was the most hated player.

I glanced around the room, my eyes twitching as they fell on a frail old woman with white hair clenching on her wheel chair for dear life.

Her skin was pale, white as though blood deprived. Her limbs trembling as though she could fall dead any moment now.

How exactly that sickly woman had managed to rank higher than me was beyond my comprehension.

Yes maybe I am a little chubby, but at least I am sure I could defeat that woman in a test for speed.

My fingernails dug into my skin as I tried suppressing the urge to yell but just as I was about to blow a fuse, the system's voiced chimed in.

“Now without further ado, gaze upon this beautiful weapons of mass destruction," It screamed, its voice rising with excitement.

Before I could comprehend what was actually going on, the walls broke open, and a line up of never before seen weapons surfaced in its place.

The beautiful pieces of silver gleamed in the dim light.

My mouth fell open, as I drooled at the perfectly sculpted weapons of every size and design.

As the dust settled, the floor began shaking violently.

The room immediately fell into chaos with people screaming left and right.

Then came a small self–contained room erupting from the floor.

My heart raced, filled with uncertainty.

I tried grabbing onto the nearest pillar for stability but unfortunately there was none.

As soon as the rumbling started, it stopped and a menacing laughter echoed through the humid air.

“All this panic for a small weapon room. I hate to be you guys when you come face to face with the seven gate-keepers of the underworld."

“Seven gate-keepers?"

Was that another mission?

When exactly can we get a break in this sick game?

I wondered, glancing around panicked, but apparently I was the only one who felt that way, everyone had this carefree demeanor engraved on their faces.

I rapidly masked my fear, framing a carefree expression. If everyone was going to pretend that this wasn't scary, I would do the same, no more Mrs sensible.

“There are a total of 101 weapons, each one possessing an ability granted to the use upon merger. Note: only the original owner of a weapon can fully access a weapon's power so choose wisely," The system shrugged, laying emphasis on every word. “Player 1, get into the box and select a weapon."

Quickly, a handsome young man dressed in a charcoal black fitted tuxedo stepped forward. He had sparkly black eyes and hair, he had a high nose bridge and full red lips.

He looked like the kind of Mafia boss any woman would want in her life, but was too ashamed to go out with because of his imposing figure.

I had to admit this game was filled with attractive men, too bad I had developed phobia for that gender after the betrayal in my previous life.

The man stepped out of the crowd, casually striding towards the tiny room. He stepped in, and shut the door behind him.

As the door clicked shut, the floating comments I so hated resurfaced.

“Gosh! who else thinks Player 1 is way too sexy to be human?" An onlooker by the name Army358 wrote.

“I know right. He looks as though he fell straight out of a W*****d novel," Another chipped.

“I would do anything to get my hands on all of that. It's a good thing that plastic girlfriend of his poisoned him else we would never have gotten this rare opportunity to openly lust over him," Another added with a wink emoji.

The next came with a laughing emoji.

“You got that right. I can't wait to see his crown jew, I bet it's massive."

I rolled my eyes, mentally cursing myself for having eyes.

In a twinkle of an eye, a massive screen appeared in the middle of the room, followed by an electronic voice.

“Player 1 has chosen a weapon," It announced and there came text flooding the large screen:-

Name: Earthshaker

‎Appearance: A massive, rusted hammer with a glowing magma core.

‎Stats: High damage, low speed.

‎The room immediately erupted in gasps as Player 1 walked out with the exact same weapon described on screen.

So it was true we could have any weapon we desired as long as no one else grabbed it first, this revelation came as a blow to everyone's face.

In the twinkle of an eye a line had formed infront of the room's door.

Each weapon more captivating than the last.

Number 50 was the rude stranger from before his weapon was the most breathtaking of all.

Its stats were as follows:-

Name: "Soulcutter"

‎Appearance: A dark, curved scythe with an ebony wood staff (6 ft long). Intricate silver etchings (like skeletal vines) crawl along the edge. At the base, a crimson gem glows faintly – said to pulse with every soul "harvested".

‎Stats:

‎- Damage: High melee + possible "soul drain" effect

‎- Range: Long sweep (hits multiple foes)

‎I waited and waited, and finally it was my turn.

I swallowed hard, my limbs trembling as I stepped in.

My heart raced with anticipation as I glanced up at the shelf, but what I saw left me utterly speechless.

It was empty, with only small rusty pair of daggers. Everything about it was a let down, especially the stats .

‎Name: Twin Fingers

‎Appearance: Two petite, razor-sharp daggers (4 inches each). Black leather grips fit snugly between fingers. Blades etched with cryptic symbols glow softly when enemies near.

‎Stats:

‎- Damage: Quick, stealthy stabs (low damage, high crit chance)

‎- Range: Close combat (bonus in tight spaces)

A spark pain tore through my chest.

“Come on, so I don't even deserve a decent weapon?

I lost everything and this damn game can't even offer me a fighting chance." I mumbled to myself my vision blurred with rage. “Screw this sick Demon games."