The Game Before the Fall

Chapter 78: Rescue. (Part 1)

Chapter 78: Rescue

James Thatcher:

James had been quite confident that he knew more than others. Despite having a career in streaming he had originally graduated from a relatively well-known university after completing a Master's degree in marketing. It wasn't out of pure chance that he saw success as a streamer. While much of it was spontaneous, in the background was meticulous planning and a fair amount of staging. Even in regards to Areithia he considered himself to be one of the most knowledgeable people. Despite his confidence, in the current situation, he was struggling.

"You call that a punch?" the girl who had kidnapped him from his apartment screamed aggressively at the combined crowd he was in. "Punch like you mean it! Breath and push. Focus your Aura towards your centre and lead it out to your fists! System? Fuck the System! Learn to live without it."

For James who had played his character of Crozen primarily as a magic user, he had only a bare use of Aura. Now however he was being pushed like his life depended on it.

"Oi Crozen! I see you there, no Mana!" Stella whacked his back with a paper fan. "Don't you dare try to make this easier for yourself."

"Christ alive," James swore beneath his breath as the stinging sensation from the fan faded. "Could you give us a damn break?"

"Did you just ask for a break?" Stella stared down at him. "You'll take a break when I say so. Yesterday you swore to do your best for Areithia and Earth. Where did that gusto go? I'm not just talking to Crozen here. All of you. You were considered Areithia Online's top players. Make a show of it!"

"Y-yes Ma'am!" the group called back. Doctor Retch, Bon-Hwa, Tiara, V.V and others. They had all been rounded up and currently, like James, were being pushed to develop their systems faster and reach their potential selves from the game. From the group two stood out, Maggie and Erin Storm.

"I swear it gets easier," Erin laughed beside them.

Doctor Retch heaved a breath, "I god damn hope so."

"No chatting!" Stella cracked the fan over Jame's back again.

"Hey, I didn't say anything!" he complained immediately.

Stella silenced him with a glare, "But you thought it."

It was then that the door to their training centre opened and with it a cool breath of air. Immediately the group heaved a sigh of relief, turning to their potential saviours.

Aria Friend, the sister of A.Friend, walked into the space, she grinned, "How's it going?"

"Not bad," Stella folded her arms and smiled. "Okay everyone, take a break."

James hit the floor immediately, heaving tired breaths. He wasn't alone as majority of the group soon laid flat on the foam matting. Aria looked on them and genuinely smiled.

"How do you feel?" she asked them as a group.

V.V. answered, not even bothering to try turn his head in her direction as he faced the ceiling, "I feel like shit."

"Yeah, I see that," Aria nodded. "But let's be honest, it feels kind of good, doesn't it? Would you really have been able to do all that before?"

There was a silence, but the clear answer was a begrudging no. They had all been pushed beyond their physical limits and even past the point of what normal humans were capable of. They were already superhumans capable of jumping several metres high and running at speeds that would be impossible.