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"Are you insane? You heard the announcement, going through the defenses is a suicide mission," Jungkook scowled at my decision. "Why can't you just stay here? There's nothing wrong with this place. We could all happily live out our lives here. If we try to leave, we could die."
"This isn't home, Jungkook," I say calmly, despite the fact that Jungkook is incredibly worked up and the situation is tense. He looks away from me, his face scrunching up in anger and his nostrils flaring.
"You should all carefully think about what you're going to do. If any of you want to join me, then be ready to leave by tomorrow morning."
Namjoon stands from the couch. "I'm going."
I lift an eyebrow. "I said carefully think about it," I repeat, "I doubt you were able to think everything through that quickly."
"My mind is made up, I don't need time."
I nod my head in response, being grateful that I have at least one friend to accompany me on my journey. It seems that no one is as certain as we are on what decision they'll make, so I excuse myself to my bedroom to prepare to leave. Part of me wants to stay. This place ensures my safety, I could be happy with my new family, have a new life, a life where I can take care of myself. It tempts me, in all honesty, because Jungkook is right, there's nothing wrong with this place. In a lot of ways, it's better than the real world. The fact that I have to fight my way back to leave Elysium, the fact that I could die, makes it even more tempting to stay. No one would blame me, especially Mama, I'm sure she'd even prefer that I stay here where I'm safe, but I've made up my mind. I'm coming home to you, Mama, so please don't be worried, I have a good friend that will take care of me on my journey, and make sure I don't do anything too foolish on my way back to you.
I sift through my inventory, taking out and selling anything that can't serve any useful purpose for me on my journey, only keeping the necessities. Once I make more room, I'm able to fill my inventory with things like weapons, bandages, different potions, flashlights, and new clothes because I don't think skater skirts and dresses will be practical for my new mission.
I find the map that the game announcer was speaking about earlier, the one that will help you find the different game bosses and give you clues on what they're like, and download it. As soon as I do, a message pops up on my holopad.
"So you've decided to become a warrior for Elysium's players. We appreciate your bravery and sacrifice. To help you in your journey, we've prepared a few things to take with you once the download of the map is completed. Good luck!"
When the download for the map is done, just as the message said would happen, a package appears in my inventory. I open it, excited to see it's contents. In it is another message, saying that each day, three meals will be given to me, along with water. The fact that it's free is very convenient. The only other things in the package is a healing potion, the most expensive one you can buy, and another message that says whatever ammo I need will be refilled every day.
