We stand face-to-face with the black dragon, its massive body radiating a terrifying aura. As it charges up for its next attack, panic sets in.
- Run, man! Run! This is insane! - Tom yells, extending a hand to help me up. - Get moving! Faster!
Meanwhile, chaos erupts in the chat:
What the hell is this??
This isn't a fight; it's a massacre!
Hey, I'm new here. What's this game?
Welcome to RuneVale!
I struggle to get to my feet, grimacing in pain. - I can't... My leg's broken! - I shout, glancing at the dragon growing larger with each step. Bright yellow lava drips from its mouth like a molten river, and its speed is terrifying.
- Go, Tom! Save yourself! My loot isn't worth it! I'm done for!
Tears welling up in his eyes, Tom shakes his head vehemently. - No! I won't leave you! - His voice cracks with emotion. - I can't watch you die!
He plants his hands on my back and begins to shove me forward. - Even if you tell me to run, I won't abandon you!
The chat hits its peak with 52,000 viewers. Everyone is silent, watching the scene unfold with bated breath.
The dragon growls, its deep rumble vibrating the air around us.
Suddenly, its black scales begin to glow a searing yellow.
- IT'S ABOUT TO EXPLODE! - I scream as Tom continues to push me. My trembling hand rises, and I point at the enormous chunk of molten rock flying toward us, ready to engulf us in its fiery embrace.
A notification dings:
"You've received a 10,000-yen donation: 'Tom, keep pushing! I believe in you!'"
The chat explodes in encouragement:
Push him, Tom! Save Drakin!
Tom, you're a hero!
Tom, marry me! I want your kids!
Lava crashes down, sealing off three of our teammates and blocking every escape route. Tom, thinking quickly, casts a water spell, creating stone pathways to try and cross.
But the lava keeps pouring. Tom barely manages to make the ground stable before another massive chunk of molten rock crashes down. Alone, he might have escaped. But with my broken leg, I slowed him down.
We were engulfed by the magma. My character and Tom were incinerated almost instantly.
The chat erupts in a wave of emotions:
Damn it! Back to grinding for that armor...
Poor Tom... He didn't deserve this.
I wasn't mad about losing my gear. No, I was furious because Tom had lost everything. His loyalty to me had cost him everything he worked for. If it weren't for my decision, we might have both survived. Over 52,000 people had just watched me fail miserably.
Overcome with rage, I slam my fist on the desk. I didn't notice the mug sitting at the edge. It tips, spilling its contents directly onto my glowing RGB computer.
- DAMN IT!! - I shout, realizing the gravity of what just happened.
I leap toward the computer, reaching to turn it off, but just as I do...
Time freezes. I can see myself reaching for the cursed, water-soaked computer. I feel... nothing. No heartbeat, no breath, not even pain. My vision dims, and everything fades into darkness.
Suddenly, I hear a chirpy voice.
- Oh, hey, you're awake! How are you feeling, Mr. Streamer? Can you hear me?
I open my eyes to see a small, pink-haired girl peering at me. She bends down, staring directly into my face with wide, sparkling eyes. Her lips are tiny, her nose petite, but her gaze is almost unnervingly large.
- Hello? Anyone home? Yoo-hoo! - she waves a hand in front of me.
I blink. My position feels familiar-bent over as if I'm still trying to yank cables out of my PC. Wait... Why can I see her? Where the hell am I? Why am I not near my computer? The girl puffs out her cheeks in mock frustration, then sighs dramatically. She walks to a chair near a white desk in the all-white room around us. Everything feels sterile, like some kind of heaven knockoff.
- Still rebooting, huh? - she mutters, slumping into the chair. Flopping into the chair like it's been a long day
- Where am I? What's happening? And seriously, who even are you?! - My voice cracks as I finally find the courage to demand answers.
She raises a hand, gesturing for me to calm down.
- Easy, easy! Big guy You just woke up. Don't overdo it. But hey, congrats, by the way! - she beams at me with an annoyingly cheerful tone.
I pinch the bridge of my nose, trying to think. My last memory... RuneVale. A dragon. Then nothing. I glance at my hand, half-expecting it to still be gripping a keyboard.
- Why the hell am I not at my computer?!
The girl tilts her head, her smile becoming oddly apologetic.
- Sooo... about that. You, uh... died.
- WHAT?! - I stagger to my feet, my heart pounding.
She nods casually, as if talking about the weather.
- You spilled water on your precious RGB gaming setup. Got electrocuted. Super unlucky!
I stare at her in stunned silence.
- ...No. No way. You're telling me I died... because I spilled water on my RGB setup?
She gives me a thumbs-up like this is some achievement
- Bingo! And at 17, no less. Super tragic!
My hands clutch at my hair as I try to comprehend the sheer absurdity of this situation.
- That's the dumbest death anyone could possibly imagine... - I mumble. The embarrassment is suffocating. - I hit my peak 52,000 viewers on my live and I die mid-stream?!
Unable to hold it in, I drop to my knees. My arms wrap around myself as the weight of the humiliation sinks in. Tears threaten to spill, but I swallow them down.
The girl's cheerful tone softens slightly.
- Uh... yeah, I get that this is kind of a touchy subject...
I glare up at her, wiping my eyes. - Then WHY THE HELL did you congratulate me for dying?!
Her eyes light up, and she leaps from her chair, clapping her hands together.
- Because! Dying in such an epically stupid way qualifies you for a SPECIAL reward!
I blink at her. - ...What?
Her grin stretches impossibly wide.
- The gods took pity on you, Mr. Streamer. For dying at 17 and in such a dumb way, we goddess are giving you...
