The Gene Gamer

"Isn't it a bit too dark and spooky here? I feel like something is going to come out of the shadows suddenly and devour us as one whole... I don't think we should participate anymore. Dying and losing a level is better than getting a troublesome curse" said Jin firmly. He seemed to be determined on leaving this place. 

After all, they were still newbies just now and the smell of death had gotten them scared. But they had steeled their wills to die now. So it wasn't as much as scary. After all, it was only temporary and they would revive soon. 

However, if they aren't careful, they could get some weird curse from this place that could really change their whole life. 

Compared to a curse from a Tier 5 Grand Arch-Mage, temporary death was something much smaller in terms of radius. 

If they aren't careful who knows if they will get some weird curses that could haunt them for life. In the end, they might just end up giving up on the game. 

The virtual game headset operated on consciousness and the game's character was heavily dependant on it. So if one gave up on the character, getting another character would have several drawbacks. 

The previous curse might just get carried onto the next character considering it was from a Mythical Mage. It was the same consciousness from before after all. 

"Relax, this place doesn't hold any curses or anything. Grand Arch-Mage Kutolys was a hero of his generation. He was with the holy church so there's no way he would use any curse" replied Liam leisurely. 

"..." both fell into silence. They were surely relaxed since Liam was so carefree but along with the relaxation came worry.

What if Liam was leading them to a trap?

This thought couldn't help but surface in their minds and make them tense. 

They really trusted Liam but it had only been two days since they met and how much could trust grow within that time? Even if they shared life and death experiences, the distrust between them still hadn't fully closed as they could revive at any time. 

The trust bridge had been built for sure but it was just so weak that it could fall apart at any time. And right now, this trust bridge was wavering, threatening to fall apart at any time. 

Those who were still on it could fall into the endless abyss at any moment once the person on the other side decides to cut the ropes. 

"Still, I think we need to leave. It's better dying than entering this place." said Jin decisively with a firm gaze. Anna who had been contemplating about what she should do sided with Jin almost immediately. 

After staring at them for a while, Liam sighed before saying. 

"Haa... you guys are such a trouble" 

Hearing what Liam said, Jin immediately raised his sword up as his gaze turned to an intense one. 

"What do you mean by that Liam" 

"I said what I said. You guys are a bunch of trouble. I'm done acting anyways; since you have come here, there's no way you'll be getting out now" as soon as he said that, a powerful pressure came coming out of Liam. 

His eyes turned red and the daggers in his hands suddenly changed to a pair of exquisite blood-red daggers with a black handle and a silver glow. 

Right now, he was exuding a powerful aura.

"Haha.. Why would I need them to deal with weaklings such as you two?" and just as sudden as the daggers appeared, they also disappeared quickly, leaving him bare-hand. 

This choice would've been foolish during a fight but with the power gap, even if Liam was bare-handed, those two could never beat him. 

"Ha! Leaving yourself without any weapon? You're underestimating me" even though Jin said this, he looked grave as he held out his one-handed sword tightly within his hands. 

"He, underestimate you? You weakling?" Liam said in a mocking tone. 

"Light of the sun!" the next moment, Jin came rushing towards Liam with a loud shout. However, due to the pressure from Liam, his movements were affected and his speed was decreased as well. Now, he was moving at a speed that even a kid could dodge. 

"Think you can hit me? Try it then" a small mocking grin appeared on Liam's face. 

But just after, it disappeared and was replaced with a serious expression.

"Ugh what? Why can't I move?!" 

Even though Liam tried dodging Jin's attack, it seemed like he locked in place, unable to move. And with a grave expression, he could only take the attack head-on. 

With Jin's attack came a bright yellow light and a surge of hot waves that spread to the surroundings. Even Anna who was a bystander couldn't help but get away from the fight. The surge of wave was depleting her hp. 

"Anna, run!" holding Anna's hands, Jin was seen escaping from the dark hall. 

He knew that this attack wouldn't hold off Liam for long. And he couldn't do the attack twice too, as he had depleted all the remaining special energy on it. 

"Ah, ah right! Wait what happened to Liam... no, no, no" she first seemed to be blank on the matter as everything had gone so quickly but after a while, she finally caught up and kept up with Jin. 

"Huff, huff" due to the attack earlier, his stamina was greatly diminished. Due to it, even standing was a problem to him now. 

He just wanted to fall on the ground and rest but the circumstances won't allow it. 

Why would a strong person such as Liam intentionally come here? It was obviously for a certain reason and this reason definitely can't be good. He can't give up on his character if anything else. 

This game was his hope and the key to getting out of his miserable life. If he lost it, he would fall into the abyss again with no sight of when the next opportunity will come, it might not even come at all.