Chapter 23: A Warning For Shade

"Are you the one they refer to as the Head Reaper?" Asked the blonde-haired player. He wore a very displeased look across his face as he asked his question.

"You've got quite some nerve," replied Shade in an uninterested tone. "You ambushed my team and now you have the audacity to question me. I don't like being interrogated so buzz off."

The player frowned. He was quite unamused by Shade's choice of words. Slowly, he then raised his hand as if to send a signal to his comrades. This was when they all pressed their weapons closer to the throats of the captured members of Team Shadow Liege.

"It seems you don't understand the position you're in," continued the player. "I was told that you seemed like the type to do whatever you felt like without caring for anyone else. However, I'm sure you understand the importance of having a team, don't you? It would be unfortunate if they were to die just because you refused to answer my questions."

Shade narrowed his eyebrows. He was now becoming extremely annoyed. He hated nothing more than being blackmailed by others. However, he knew that this person before him had a point. Losing his team now would serve as a major setback.

"I'll ask one more time," continued the player. "Are you the one they refer to as the Head Reaper?"

"I don't care for dumb names. My real name is Shade Adler, but a few people have referred to me as the Head Reaper."

Upon hearing Shade's name, a shocked expression came over the player's face. It was as if he was somewhat familiar with Shade's name. However, he quickly calmed himself as if to push the thought aside.

"I see. You're the one that I have business with then," he replied.

"Who the hell are you anyway?"

"My name is Kaiser Drake. I'm a commander-leveled soldier in the ME Organization and I'm here to give you a warning."

Shade's eyes widened with astonishment. He hadn't expected him to be a part of the ME Organization. Shade saw this as the perfect opportunity to gain more Intel.

"The ME Organization you say? That's funny given that I was looking for more of you bastards. I have a few questions for you myself."

"Don't humor yourself. As I've stated, I'm only here to give you a warning."

"A warning?"

"A few days ago, there was a report of two soldiers from the Organization who were killed. Both their heads were taken by someone known as the Head Reaper. The following day, a referee in charge of one of the matches on the First Stage filed a complaint that a player was seeking more information on the ME Organization. It turns out that player was you, correct?"

"And what if it was?"

Frown lines then filled the face of Kaiser before he responded. It was quite evident that he was seriously enraged.

"The Organization has personally sent me to give you a warning. That warning is to desist from seeking more information on the ME Organization. If you continue to do so despite the warning given, then you and your team will be hunted and killed!"

"Okay. So what's the ME Organization about anyway? Why'd you create this game in the first place?"

Kaiser could hardly believe his ears. Despite the warning Shade had just received, he still dared to ask more questions pertaining to the Organization.

"It seems you have no intention of ceasing your search for information on the ME Organization."

"Never said I was going to. I still have a ton of questions for you though, so let me know when you're ready to listen."

Though Kaiser was annoyed by Shade's impudence, he couldn't help but laugh.

"I can't tell if you're just stupid or brave. Normally, I would kill you for your arrogance but I was only sent here to give you a warning. I'm forbidden from harming a player without authorization."

"If you want to kill me so badly then wouldn't it be better to answer my questions? The more information I gather about your crappy Organization, the more they'll want me dead, right? They might even send you to kill me personally. Who knows?"

"Heh- You've got guts, I'll give you that. Fine, what do you want to know?"

Shade was slightly surprised that Kaiser had agreed. However, this was the perfect opportunity to gain answers to his questions.

"Firstly, I want to know what the ME Organization is about and why they created Survival Zer0," began Shade calmly.

"Hmph... The ME Organization is an organization created by the government. Its sole purpose was to create Survival Zer0 so that live experiments could be carried out on 10,000 human beings now referred to as Players."

"Huh..? The government? And experiments? Why the hell would the government want to run experiments on people?"

"I hate to say that not even I know all the details. What I do know, however, is that the game is made to test how well modern-day humans can survive in adverse conditions. This is why you're placed in a game with your lives on the line. Everything you do in this game is recorded from how you interact with others, to how well you deal with unknown entities and most of all how easily you can take another human being's life just to save yourself. It is all data that the government is collecting as an experiment."

Shade was slightly confused. He didn't understand why the government would force an experiment on innocent people in the first place. Was the government truly that corrupt?

"I see... Next question then," continued Shade. "Are you familiar with someone in your organization by the name of, Rein?"

Immediately, Kaiser's eyes were filled with shock. Due to his reaction, Shade could tell that he definitely knew something.

"When you had told me your name earlier, the thought had crossed my mind but I pushed it aside thinking that it was a mere coincidence. But since you've asked about Rein, I guess it must be true. You're his brother, aren't you?"

Shade didn't give an immediate response. At first, he wasn't sure if the Rein he had heard about was truly his brother. But now he was almost certain that it had to be him given Kaiser's reaction.

"How can you tell?" Asked Shade.

"Firstly, there's the shocking resemblance you both share. Next, your last name is Adler, the same as Rein's. I didn't even know that he had a brother who was trapped in this game."

"If you know him then I have a message that I want you to deliver. Tell him that his younger brother is going to find him then slit his throat like a damned goat!"

Kaiser then went silent for a short moment. He didn't understand the reason why Shade would want to kill his brother. Was he even strong enough to do such a thing in the first place?

Carefully, Kaiser then looked closely at Shade as if to inspect him.

"Hmph... How pathetic. Your rank is only Expert and yet you think you can kill Rein. I doubt you'd be able to even leave a scratch on him."

"It's fine if you want to underestimate me. I'm going to kill you too the next time I see you. You'll understand then."

Kaiser then frowned with an evil grin across his lips. Slowly, he then took a single step forward. This was when something happened that even startled Shade.

As soon as Kaiser stepped forward, the ground beneath his teeth shattered like glass. A strange aura also radiated from his body which resulted in the exertion of very strong pressure. The pressure was so great that Shade could hardly even stand.

"What the hell-" murmured Shade to himself.

"I'm sure the game has already told you that once your rank reaches the Advanced level, you'll gain access to special abilities. I could crush you like a bug right now if I had the authorization to do so. Know your place, trash!" Cursed Kaiser.

Shade hissed. He couldn't tell what had just happened. It was as if a powerful force had been pressing him to the ground.

"I can see that you're confused. You're probably trying to figure out what just happened. I'll tell you, Head Reaper. That's the gap in strength between you and me," explained Kaiser.

He then turned himself around and began walking away before signaling his soldiers to release the other members of Team Shadow Liege.

"I'll be taking my leave now, Head Reaper."

"Wait," called Shade to him. "I have one last question. How were you able to tell that my rank was Expert?"

"Hmph... You don't know how to do such a simple thing? If you focus your eyes on a player hard enough, their rank, health bar, and experience points will appear."

Shade then did as he had instructed. He focused his eyes on Kaiser intently before his rank appeared. To Shade's surprise, Kaiser's rank was already at King. That was the second-highest rank in the game.

"Well, I'll at least deliver your message to your brother, Rein," continued Kaiser. "But the next time we meet, I'll make sure to kill you..!"

comment 0 comment

Vote

SEND GIFT

Load failed, please RETRY