The acronym MMORPG stands for Massively Multiplayer Online Role Play Game, there are millions of games like this worldwide. The gamers can meet new people, communicate with them and even have fun with each other. However, there is one game that’s special. The players who played this game, disappeared in the real world once they die in a stage. No one knows what happened to them, not even the police.

‘They say the site can be accessed at noon and midnight, it always has to be the number 12 or you won’t be able to enter it.’ Your friend, Bast said as she sipped her juice. ‘Bast, you know I don’t believe in this kind of stuff. There’s no such thing as server portal opening at only a certain amount of time, if there is, it’s obvious that its’ a lie.’ You munched on your sandwich.

‘Oh well, I thought you might wanna play it since you’re a hardcore gamer. You play games like every single day! Since starting tomorrow is our first day of semester break, why don’t you give it a shot?’ ‘Why don’t you play it yourself?’ You retorted. ‘Because I at games, duh. Do you remember the last time I came over and you asked me to play Assassin’s Creed in multiplayer mode? You were practically laughing at me the whole damn time so hell no!’ She jabbed at your shoulder.

Once classes had officially ended, you whooped with joy and went back home. You slept as soon as you got back and by the time you woke up, it was already evening. ‘Sweetie, dinner’s on the table and take care of yourself. Your brother will be home by eight. Remember to check all the doors and windows before you sleep, okay? Bye!’ Your mother pecked your forehead and left.

Feeling bored, you decide to watch some shows in the living hall but nothing interesting was on so you went back up to your room. Switching on your computer, the screen came to life and you put your headphones on. Listening to a bunch of songs, play games and chat with your friends. Time seems to pass by slowly, your brother came home an hour ago and said he was going out again to meet some friends. You only nodded and continued what you were doing previously.

You started reading books and eventually it was midnight but you didn’t feel like sleeping, you remembered the game site your friend told you and you typed in the link. You felt annoyed when the only thing that showed up was:

Error 404

Page not found

‘Argh… Stupid website, why did I even bother?!’ You clenched your fists. It was only then you realized it wasn’t midnight yet and with only one minute away, you decided to wait and you refreshed the page again. This time, the game site actually appeared and asked you to register to play the game.

You decided to use Kiryuuin as your username and you had to customize character, you were given options to choose your powers, class and weapons. Among the power variations, you chose shadow and light. You became a female Blood Elf warrior, representing balance and duality and your mentor is Hyperionnyx—Guardian of Shadow and Light. Once everything was done and you were all set, you clicked ‘Done’. The screen became black and only a question in red appeared.

Are you ready for the journey ahead?

Without wasting time, you clicked ‘Yes’. The question dissolved into the darkness and three seconds later, the screen became brighter and engulfed you, pulling you into the game as you screamed. You were falling deep into a black abyss and that was the last thing you remembered.

Waking up in some kind of traditional wooden house, you found out that you were wearing a jumpsuit in black. You checked yourself and you became the character you had created for yourself, you tried slapping yourself awake in case this was a dream but unfortunately, it was real.

You’re now in the virtual world.

A woman clad in black and white appeared from above and hovered before you, she was beautiful. The character designers of the game really did well, the overall graphics of the place was excellent and you could experience everything with your senses like you do in real life. The air here feels different than the one in city.

‘Welcome, child. To the world of Sacred Mana of Eos, I am Hyperionnyx, Guardian of The Light and The Dark. You have chosen me as your mentor, brave warrior. You will now be taught in the ways of a warrior. Survive the tests, gain access to the tower of Decathronexos and gain the ultimate power to free those captured souls!’ She introduced you to the world of virtual reality.

As always, a beginner to a new game, it’s vital for you to learn all the basics and skills in tutorial. You were only given a wooden sword to practice on wooden dummies, everything you had on was basically Level 0. You learned how to swing you sword, how to block with a shield and even practiced how to shoot a light ball that caused a mini explosion. You’re a quick learner and in no time, you jumped up to Level 3 and gained new equipment.

You are given a task to slay monsters in a nearby field, by doing so will gain you reputation, gold, souls and some item drop. Killing them is an easy job since they’re lower level than you but things are about to get hard when you level up, as an experienced player, you know that this was bound to happen sooner or later.

Killing monsters with your own two hands felt alien since you have never killed anything in real life except mosquitoes and other pests, every swing, every spell you fired and every splattered blood that landed on your iron armour, they were very real. You had to speak to NPCs for more tasks in games but when you had to talk to one of them, it felt like a real conversation. One of them was a nurse working in an infirmary, her name is Joanna Greenhill.

‘How may I help you?’ She smiled sweetly as soon as you approached her. ‘I think you’re the one who needs help here, I will be glad to offer my service.’ She looked at all the patients around her, it looks like she has her hand full taking care of the sick and injured. ‘Yes, I do believe you will be able to help me. You see, I need to gather herbs but they only live in the mountain region. If you could fetch them for me, I could do something for you in return.’

You accepted the task and she told you to check my task list if you ever lost count of herbs needed to gather, you told her you’ll be back soon and you left. The task requires you to be at least Level 5 because of the monsters but oh well, practice makes perfect and acquire experience. You went to the field again, this time you beat monsters who were on the same level as you and one level higher, this was the best way to get to a higher level.

True enough, you reached Level 7 and something amazing happened. Hyperionnyx appeared before you once again and this time, she brought a gift with her. A huge white tiger almost the height of your shoulder, adorned with armour and a saddle walked towards you, it bowed down its’ head and spoke to you.

‘Oh great warrior! What will you name me?’ It boomed. ‘Ragestripe. I will name you Ragestripe.’ You spoke to the tiger. ‘Very well, mistress. A fitting name for me! I am Ragestripe of Byakko Clan! I will carry you into every battle and together, we shall crush our enemies with our might!’ he roared. ‘Ragestripe is your mount, you will train him and feed him. As he increases in power, so will you because he is now part of your soul.’ Hyperionnyx stated and left.

‘Mistress, night has befallen us. Do you wish to rest here? I will defend you from any fool who dares to attack you.’ You only nodded, feeling tired from the fight earlier. Ragestripe sat down and you leaned against his warm body, he did his best to shield you from the cold and his tail acted as a blanket. 'Rest, mistress. For you shall need your strength.’ He said and with that, your eyes closed.

When you reopened your eyes, you found yourself on your bed and it was already morning. You stretched yourself and went to the bathroom only to realize that its’ the start of your holiday, you don’t need to go to classes. But just before you walk back to your bed, you caught sight of the black stripes on your neck and they resembled Ragestripe’s.

Panicking, you tried washing it off with everything you can find in the bathroom but it wouldn’t come off. You got the crazy idea to wash it off with bleach but it was located downstairs and that meant you had to get past your parents who were watching shows in the living hall. You made as little sound as possible but your brother spotted you first.

‘Hey, sleepyhead! Come and eat breakfast or its’ gonna get cold!’ He beckoned you to come over and patted the seat next to him. ‘Do you notice anything weird on me?’ You asked as you grabbed your mug and drank milk. ‘Should I notice anything else besides your dark circles?’ He munched on cookies as he focused on the shows airing on the screen.

You then kept quiet and said nothing else, you were confused and you thought long and hard before finally coming to a conclusion. Maybe its people who play that game have marks of their pets, it acts like a bond or a covenant that binds a master to their pets. Those who don’t play cannot see the marks that are visible on the player itself.

Excusing yourself from your family, you decided to search the internet for more information. Ragestripe said he is a Byakko, Japanese for White Tiger. Byakko, a mythical creature that existed throughout the ages in Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Vietnamese myths, a great being that was said to appear when a king rules with absolute virtue.

You’re not a class president, much less a king. You have never led anyone before but for such a high celestial being to choose you, there must be something that he saw in you. Even in other games, the white tiger cannot be obtained at such a low level, either they have to buy it or wait for a very long time for it to be available to players.

It was already noon and you logged on to the site, entering the virtual world again. How the screen you into the game, you had no answer for it. You found yourself in the same position as yesterday, rested against Ragestripe. ‘I’m sure you have a lot of questions to ask, mistress. I sense a lot on your mind.’ He purred, nudging your arm.

‘Why did you choose me? You could’ve chosen anyone else who had a higher level, someone who’s worthy of you!’ You stood up, he also stretched himself. ‘I sense greatness in you, one you could not achieve in your world but here, you will and you shall make a name for yourself. I may not visible in the real world but I exist in your mind, the stripes on your neck binds me to you the moment you named me. It is a contract that I made, I do not regret it, mistress.’ His words gave you a surge of confidence and somehow you had the courage to do almost anything in the world.

‘Let’s go kill some monsters!’ You raised your sword and Ragestripe roared, charging towards the mountain. You spent hours completing tasks and levelling up, you became richer, more famous and had better equipment. You’re now at Level 30, five levels higher than the prerequisite needed to beat the first boss, the barbarian mountain king—Ironlance.

‘A tiny, female Blood Elf has come to challenge me? Very well then, I shall entertain you.’ You gritted your teeth, just because you had long ears, light greenish-blue sclera and irises, long blond hair and red armour doesn’t mean that you were meant to be taken lightly. Maneuvering Ragestripe isn’t the problem, it’s how Ironlance always strike his lance down and creating a series of shockwaves and making you lose your balance, decreasing your life. What’s even more aggravating are his minions in the form of wild boars.

The hologram statistics appeared on your forearm and you have only about 56% of health and 74% of mana left, it’s large enough for you to cast two powerful spells. ‘Lex Divina!’ I yelled, a silencing spell that rendered two boars unable to use a charging spell and ‘Magnus Exorcismus!’ The stone floor was covered in 7x7, glowing, holy yellow runes and blew everything in that radius up.

Because the spell area was large, Ironlance didn’t survive the blast and died on the spot with six other boars. ‘Well done, mistress! Your first boss enemy!’ Rage stripe congratulated. Upon completing the quest, as always, a beam would shoot down on you and rejuvenate you as you enter a new level.

You are now required to present yourself in a new area to help put more people, whenever you pass by someone, they’d whisper among themselves. ‘Hey… Look at that Level 30 Blood Elf, she’s got Byakko…! How on earth did she get him?’ ‘Dunno, maybe she’s a hunter?’ ‘Maybe she gained access to the black market?’ You ignored them, Ragestripe would occasionally growl at them and scare them off.

Every day, you’d repeat the same routine. When you log into the game, it felt like you spent hours in there when in reality, you’ve actually spent an hour. You’ve gotten to Level 50 in three days’ time, you’ve faced lots of boss battles but this one was a bit different.

Ragestripe roared in front of the castle as soon as you arrived, it wasn’t like him to act this way. Two fine young men walked out, from the looks of it, they don’t look like they were prisoners of the monster that has claimed to be eating people. You had a feeling that they might be the monsters themselves disguised in human form, it was just a hunch but you decided to be cautious.

‘Young lady, night has fallen and there are no other places aside from our castle. Why don’t you come into our abode and rest for the night?’ The taller one smiled sweetly as he invited you in. ‘Thank you very much but it appears that I have to decline your request. I have rested well on my journey before I came here, did you happen to see a monster that lurks by around here? I am here to take its’ head.’ You put your words carefully.

‘We have not—‘ The other one started but you cut him off as you drew your sword, Angurvadal is its’ name as it bursts into white holy flame, burning the blade but the heat did not affect your hand. ‘You think I didn’t know that it was you two devouring humans? Ragestripe can smell your blood all the way from the village and track it back to your lair, reveal yourself demon!’ You pointed Angurvadal at both of them.

‘She has both Angurvadal and the Byakko? And on top of that, she’s a Level 50 Blood Elf?!’ They whispered but you could hear them clearly, thanks to your natural attributes of being a Blood Elf. ‘If you’re done whispering which I can hear very clearly, I must be on my way to reach the tower.’ You said in an annoyed tone, Angurvadal sitting on your shoulder.

‘Foolish elf! You think you can reach that tower so easily without getting through us first? We will make you pay for your insults!’ They fused together and formed a two-headed dragon. Each heads roared at you, you and Ragestripe wasn’t the least fazed by that. ‘Ragestripe! Full Throttle!’ You yelled and he charged forward, evading the incoming claws of the dragon and slashed at the scales. The flames burned them away and the blade plunged deep into the dragon’s flesh.

With a few spells and sword clashing with claws that nearly took down the whole castle because of the dragon’s size and movements, with its’ long necks knotted together and its’ limbs tied down with a binding spell, you hopped off Ragestripe and walked towards it.

‘Any last words before I chop off your heads and cut out your heart?’ You pointed Angurvadal at its’ heart, the bright white flames responded by bursting even further like a flame projectile as a proof that it responds to me as its owner.

‘Please… Spare us, we swear on our pride as a dragon that we will never plunder any village again or eat another soul.’ They changed back into their human forms, beaten, bloody and battered. ‘If I do, will you promise that you will not eat me the moment I leave?’ ‘We will not, you have our oath.’ They lowered their heads. ‘Very well then, what would you give me in return for sparing your lives? But before that, give me your names.’ Reluctantly, they introduced themselves, the tall one is Changmin and the other tougher-looking one is Yunho.

‘To repay your gratitude, we will tell you where to find the next boss enemy and how to defeat them.’ Changmin said. He told you to get through the mountain pass and into the fiery, hellish realm of Tregaron where you’d find the Dark Valkyrie ruling over its’ demonic inhabitants. Before leaving, Yunho broke off his canines and made it into a necklace, presenting it to you. It was gross but Yunho said 10 luck is increased for each tooth acquired, since he gave you four, your luck attribute was increased from 40 to 80.

You rode Ragestripe all the way from your current location, Aramore into the dark forests of Blackridge where you slayed lots of monsters again to gain access into Tregaron which has a prerequisite of a minimum of Level 60 to enter. There were fewer players here, most of which were Level 65 and below, riding mounts of their own. Probably most of them didn’t survive the boss before and disappeared like the rumours said.

Levelling up became harder and requires lots of experience point so you alternated between Blackridge and outskirts of Tregaron to become higher level and more skilled. During this time, you acquired another new weapon that earned you a new title—Dual Blade Warrior. With Angurvadal in your right and Tyrfing in your left, you cut your enemies down much faster even though you had to sacrifice a bit of your health.

You reached Level 80, that was past the requirement for Tregaron and even the next place that was stated on the map, Frostford. Marching into the fiery palace, the Dark Valkyrie sat on her throne, served by her demons was bored and you walked in at the perfect time.

‘Ah! Something to entertain me! I was beginning to feel bored, there was no one who could rise up to this challenge!’ She babbled on and on about how everyone died before getting to this stage and you sheathed Angurvadal and Tyrfing then have Ragestripe charge straight at her. Unfortunately, the attack didn’t work.

‘You think such attacks would hurt me, amateur? Since you are wielding the power of Angurvadal and Tyrfing, both swords which are from my legend, I am able to negate their effects! You will not be able to use Holy Flame and Demon Strike!’ She cackled and summoned for her mount. A black Pegasus.

Changmin and Yunho revealed the secret to beating the Dark Valkyrie, instead of going straight for the rider, the Pegasus must be killed with both swords of different property, a strike to the heart will have an immediate effect on her. She will be weakened to a state where she’s extremely vulnerable.

Since Ragestripe couldn’t fly, he had to run around while avoiding the mini volcanoes erupting every now and then to catch up to the enemy. She fired a dark bolt and it struck you right on the shoulder but thanks to the armour you’re wearing, you only took little damage. She was furious when you emerged fine from the thick, black smoke.

‘I’m wearing the Armour of Sanctity, your dark attacks won’t work effectively against me.’ You said and slashed the Pegasus’s plate off, leaving its’ chest vulnerable for the next strike. Horrified, she started darting around from one place to another in an attempt to throw you off but you saw through her moves easily. Merging Angurvadal and Tyrfing together, both swords had Holy and Dark Properties and you pierced through the Pegasus’s heart.

The Dark Valkyrie fell down as her favourite mount gave a final neigh and faded away, seething in rage, she gave away all her calmness and headed straight for Ragestripe. Ragestripe however, is not as easily killed as her mount. He can withstand heavy blows even from bosses and still remain standing, he is part of you after all but for every damage he receives, the pain doubles for you and decreases your health rapidly.

Looking at the amount of health you have left in the holographic menu, only 25% more before you die and you don’t intend to die here. ‘YOU. WILL. PAY.’ She gritted her teeth as she clashed her spear down, a crazed look in her eyes. ‘Die!’ She yelled and pierced you with a spear in airborne state. You spewed blood, your swords clanging on the stony terrain but you smirked at her, surprising her.

‘You think, I’d go down like this? Not today! Demon Bane!’ A sigil appeared on the Valkyrie’s chest. She widened her eyes in rage, trying to claw the sigil away but it can never be removed. ‘You’re beautiful but too bad you’re evil.’ And with that, a final cry erupted from her before the sigil grew larger and eventually consumed her, blasting everything within that radius with a burning red light. Beating the Valkyrie and her mount, they left new items behind aside from souls and gold. A black and silver saddle and a black helm.

History was made as you beat the Valkyrie, even in real life, the players who played that game recognized you. ‘Hey, aren’t you the famous Kiryuuin who beat the Dark Valkyrie? The one who rides a rare Byakko?!’ A guy approached me, I could see his mark in the form of an eagle’s talon imprinted on the back of his hand.

‘How do you know it’s me?’ ‘You’re practically the only player in the whole world with Byakko stripes on your neck! And plus, you’re the only Level 80 player who made it through Tregaron! You beat the Dark Valkyrie and her mount with less than 30% health left, that’s super awesome!’ He gushed. ‘Am I supposed to feel happy or something? I thought there were supposed to be other players who made it through… Who are you anyway?’ You asked.

‘My apologies, my name is Tyran. I just got to Level 67 recently but I saw how you battled all the bosses, you got first in all the PvP arenas and damn, your Battle Power is like what? 1, 275, 009 in total? That’s pretty hard to achieve you know?’ He kept on blabbering but you only paid attention to little details.

More and more people started recognizing you, even though you didn’t really join world chat, the threads were all filled with your username. It was getting harder