Author continued. "Here are the things and rules to remember: There's no time limit. The important thing is for you to finish your mission and win. The player is the only one who can control your movements when you are attacked by an opponent or in the middle of a fight. You can control yourself by communicating with your partner and telling them how they will control and uncontrol you. If you forcefully control yourself with your own will in the middle of attacks, your life percentage will be deducted. You can control yourself when there is no incoming fight. A player can only control the movements of the character, but not the character's mind."
Only First can control Second when there's an enemy attack. But she is free to move when there is no threat from the enemy.
This time, Second managed to raise a question. "Can we talk to our partners today to ask them which category to choose?"
Because it is so difficult for her to decide, she needed First's help. And because he was in control of her, it would be better for him to choose what game category. In case he plays video games in real life, they can choose a game category he likes or specializes in playing. This would give them a good advantage.
"It is not allowed. The player shall decide on what move the characters will make once they enter the settings of the virtual reality game. Only this time, the characters will be given an opportunity to decide on their own."
She bit my lower lip.
This is bad. I don't know First's choice and opinion. We will work as a pair, so we must work together to decide.
Aeith asked. "By any chance, are we going to get killed in the game, and if we lose the game?"
They all paused for a moment and fell silent. Yeah, why hadn't she thought of that quickly? This was purely a virtual world. If they fought but lost to the virtual enemy, would they die with their actual selves? If they didn't fulfill the goals and lost, would they die too? In the previous games, half of them had died already. Just imagining it, she couldn't handle this gruesomeness. Author was also silent for a while.
"Play so that you'll know the answer."
If Author didn't want to answer the question that was most troubling to their minds, they would just assume someone would die if they didn't win. They should expect the unexpected.
"Once you set foot on the ground where the setting of the game is, the player can automatically control you, and that's when your game has started."
They had different start times depending on their first step towards the virtual world.
"Choosing a career is hard because you're sacrificing your time, money, and effort, but choosing the categories in playing this virtual game is harder, for it will be the answer if your chosen career will be fulfilled."
Second was left in a daze after Author quoted something that left her speechless. That was deep. What Author spoke struck her. They still had a lot of plans on Earth, but those dreams could never be reached if they didn't choose a game category well. It all boiled down to whether they survived in this.
"Okay, enough of questions. 30 seconds will be given to you for you to choose and enter which game category suits your taste."
She didn't know what to choose yet. She was bewildered in the depths of her thoughts.
"Health Level: Stage 1 will start in 60 seconds..." Just wait! "Now!"
Oh no, it had already started.
Wait... focus, Heavien, okay? The analysis starts now!
The truth was, she already had her top 3 choices. She had no choice but to decide what she thought was best for both of them. First was 'The Coven's Domain' because there was magic, so it was pretty easy, although there was nothing easy in this game. Maybe First was familiar with games or shows that used magic. She didn't know why, but this one suited her liking best.
Secondly, 'The Elemental Wielding'. She felt like it wasn't too brutal because you would use natural elements. This one was about the same degree as 'The Coven's Domain' that administered magic spells closely related to nature manipulation.
Third, 'The MMA Combat'. She already had an idea and experience in basic self-defense. Her older brother had taught her because he belonged to a specific club when he was in high school. She might apply the things she learned in this game category somehow.
For her, 'The Coven's Domain' was the easiest. The remaining three that were not in her top three choices were pure bloody battles.
"Last 45 seconds."
Wait, wait... where was 'The Coven's Domain'?
She looked around. There! She was about to step into the fourth door, where 'The Coven's Domain' was, when she saw Fourth's back while she was running, and she was right in front of that door. For a moment, as she stepped on, the door lit up and opened like an elevator door. Fourth entered, and the doors closed. She gave her a peace sign and smiled sparingly. Suddenly, there was a light above the door, and it was now marked with a red label, 'RESTRICTED'. It meant someone had already entered that door, and that game category was no longer available.
That was an unexpected move from Fourth. She was always timid and emotional, but what she did today proved her wrong. She had become bold.
That was nice, Fourth!
Second was rooting for her. Good luck to her and Third! They would make a good team and would surely win this one.
She had to proceed to plan B! She had no choice but to do this. This time, she would run. There was a sign 'RESTRICTED' above the door of 'The Elemental Wielding'. She really didn't have hope anymore. And at least she was still in her top three choices.
"Let's go with Plan C then!" she mumbled to herself.
She was just about to turn around when Aeizen's speed preceded her. She still ran even though Aeizen was ahead, but Aeizen deliberately pushed her, so she almost tripped over her knees. Aeizen had already entered 'The MMA Combat' while there was no expression, nor did she look sorry for what she did to her. Aeizen had already entered, and she was gasping for breath. All her top three picks were gone!
She saw Sectwen enter 'The Zombie Catastrophe'. She gazed around, and it was just Aeith and her. So, the one in 'The Elemental Wielding' was Sixzen. They were so fast! And the only ones left were 'The Firearm Assassination' and 'The Nightmare Enigma'.
"Last 20 seconds."