Sean's life flashed before his eyes as he lay sprawled on the cold ground, drenched in his own pool of blood. The faint metallic smell filled his nose. Around him, the chaos of sirens wailed ambulances, police cars closing in on the school grounds like a swarm. Red and blue lights flickered against the walls, shadows dancing wildly as the ambulance screeched to a stop in front of him.
Three men in uniforms jumped out, rushing toward him. They lifted his limp, blood-stained body with practiced urgency, sliding him onto the bed inside the ambulance. A drip was jammed into his arm, the sting barely registering in his fading awareness.
One male nurse leaned over him, eyes narrowing at the sluggish way Sean's eyelids drooped. His tone sharpened with panic. "We are losing him!"
The others moved instantly,hands pressing against his chest, pumping in a steady rhythm as the machine beside them beeped in a cruel, slow decline. Then the sound flattened into a single, piercing tone. Sean's heart had stopped.
On the monitor, his life was gone.
And then—
A strange, glowing prompt appeared before his fading vision:
[ You Died ]
---
"Haaaaaaaaaaa! I don't wanna die!" Sean's own scream yanked him awake.
His breath came in frantic bursts. "Wait—I'm still alive? What happened? I'm sure I died… I even saw a prompt telling me so!" His hands flew to his face, feeling skin, feeling warmth, feeling life.
But something felt wrong. Very wrong.
His head throbbed as he realized the world around him was upside down. He tilted his eyes downward,only to see ropes digging into his ankles. He was hanging upside down like a piece of meat in a butcher's shop.
"Wait, what? Why am I tied up? And why does my body hurt so bad?" His voice cracked as he twisted, the rough rope biting into his skin.
His gaze swept over himself, and his stomach turned. Scars,fresh and old,ran across his arms and torso. Ugly bruises painted his ribs.
"Haaa… what's happening to me? Who did I offend? I made sure never to have enemies! Who would do this to me?" Panic chewed at his thoughts.
Suddenly, the rusty door to the dim room creaked open. Sean froze. Footsteps echoed, slow and heavy. His chest lifted with a small flicker of hope,maybe someone had heard him, maybe help was here.
But that hope died the moment three figures stepped inside.
The one in the middle caught his eye instantly,a broad man with a green dragon tattoo curling across his chest, the number "0" inked right at its heart. His presence filled the room like a storm cloud. Without a word, he walked forward, gripping Sean's head in one rough hand.
"I don't know what my daughter loves in you," the man said, his voice low but heavy.
Sean's words stumbled out in fear. "What daughter? Who would be foolish enough to fall in love or even date your daughter, sir? What am I even doing here? I've never dated any girl before! So how can I be in a relationship with your daughter, sir?"
One of the figures beside the tattooed man snarled. "Are you saying the boss's daughter isn't good enough for you?" His hand darted into his pocket, pulling out a gleaming knife.
Sean's eyes widened. His voice shot up an octave. "Please don't kill me! I didn't mean it that way! I'm serious ,I don't know who your daughter is! Please, don't kill me!"
The third man, standing on the other side of the boss, stepped forward with a smirk. "Then what do you say about *this*?"
From his coat, he pulled out a photo and held it up for Sean to see. It showed a skinny boy with messy black hair, thick glasses, zero charm, and a face that practically screamed "nerd." Beside him sat a girl with vibrant pink hair, bright blue eyes, and flawless skin that seemed to glow like an idol stepping straight out of a poster.
Sean's jaw dropped. That pairing didn't make sense. It was like seeing a trash can dating a supermodel.
The shock hit him so hard he forgot the life-or-death situation he was in. "Who is this ugly dude? I can vouch for my looks,I think you've got the wrong person!"
The man holding the picture blinked, then turned to the one on his left. "Did you beat this boy into a coma so bad he forgot who he is?"
"Nope. I made sure to beat him lightly. He only coughed a little blood," the other replied casually.
The first man stared at him. "Are you an idiot? Most people you 'beat lightly' end up dead."
Sean's thoughts were a mess. *What are they talking about? Beat who to death? Please, just let me go. I swear I won't tell anyone about you guys!
And then—another glowing prompt appeared before his eyes:
[ Mission: ]
Find a way to escape this situation
Reward for completion: +5 Strength
Sean blinked at the glowing prompt hovering in front of him.
"Eh? Escape? Strength bonus? What is this, a video game?!" he muttered under his breath. "This isn't the time for quests, I'm about to die!"
The man with the dragon tattoo narrowed his eyes. "What did you just say?"
Sean froze. "Uh… I said I, uh, *respect* your chest tattoo. Very artistic. Really brings out your… chest hair."
One of the goons snorted. The other jabbed Sean's side with the handle of his knife. "Stop trying to be funny, idiot."
Sean winced, the pain shooting up his ribs. "I'm not trying to be funny, I'm trying to be alive!"
The tattooed man took the photo back and shoved it in Sean's face again. "This is you. Stop pretending."
Sean stared at the nerd in the picture and shook his head so hard the ropes squeaked. "That's not me. Look, if I was that ugly, I would've… I don't know, worn a mask my whole life! You've got the wrong guy."
The goon with the knife stepped closer, pressing the blade near Sean's cheek. "You calling the boss a liar?"
Sean gulped. "No! I'm saying maybe his eyes are too honest and can't handle the truth."
The third man,the one who'd brought the picture leaned in with a grin. "Boss, should I slice off a little ear so he remembers who he is?"