Shimmon, Christy, Haytham, and Saland found themselves abruptly yanked from wherever they were, the familiar flicker of teleportation depositing them in a stark, white-walled chamber. The air hummed faintly, a byproduct of the unseen technology that had whisked them away. Countless screens, dark and silent for now, clung to the metallic walls like dormant eyes. Several sleek, black desks stood scattered across the room, their surfaces uncluttered.
Their attention was immediately drawn to the figure seated before them. A woman, perched on a black swivel chair, one leg casually crossed over the other. Her black bob haircut was a sharp contrast to the vibrant blue streaks that dramatically swept to her right. A pristine white lab coat draped over her frame, and black-rimmed glasses perched on her nose. But it was her eyes that truly captivated – the stark white of the sclera, the piercing azure of the irises, and the deep, endless black of her pupils.
A wave of recognition washed over Saland. "Sylene... it really is you?!" he exclaimed, his voice a mixture of relief and alarm. "What in the world happened to the VR WORLD?! And where have you brought us?"
Sylene's voice, when she finally spoke, was steady and composed, a stark contrast to the chaos her words described. "After the four of you departed the VR WORLD," she began, her gaze unwavering, "Sayler... an adversary both you, Saland, and Haytham have tangled with before... he returned. He defeated the supreme admin and seized control of the VR WORLD, fundamentally altering the game's very systems. That sudden, jarring shift in the landscape? That was his doing. You are now within Sharon's laboratory. It has become the sanctuary, the rallying point, for all the admins who managed to survive. Sayler has enacted a cruel decree: anyone who meets their end within the game is permanently expelled. There is no respawn, no second chance."
A frown creased Shimmon's brow. "I... and I believe Saland, Haytham, and Christy can attest to this as well... we faced opponents whose abilities defied the usual parameters. Furthermore," he added, a hint of unease in his tone, "I witnessed something... unsettling. The very soul of my adversary seemed... corrupted, somehow twisted."
Sylene's expression darkened. "After his victory over the supreme admin, Sayler claimed that title for himself. And just as Andrew possessed the ability to bestow power upon us admins, Sayler has granted fragments of his own soul to his loyal hunters. This power... it's called the 'fragment of corruption.' It grants them abilities they would normally never possess, or it monstrously amplifies their existing skills, twisting them into a vile, corrupted form. That twisted soul you witnessed, Shimmon... that was likely the effect. But there's a far more sinister implication. Each time a wielder of a fragment of corruption falls, that piece of Sayler's soul returns to him, making him stronger, more formidable."
Haytham's eyes narrowed in thought. "But how could he have amassed such a vast force? So many devoted allies?"
Sylene sighed, a hint of weariness in her voice. "While we admins were embroiled in the last, desperate war against the glitches, Sayler quietly infiltrated the VR WORLD once more. He began a campaign of insidious propaganda, spreading promises of a new world, a world where those who followed him would be lavishly rewarded. A world free of rules, free of restrictions... with him as the sole, absolute authority. For many players, weary of the established order, this was an irresistible opportunity to overthrow the admins, to forge their own twisted version of 'freedom.' Sayler orchestrated insurrections across the VR WORLD, creating chaos and division, allowing him to strike at the supreme admin unhindered. Once in power, he elevated his five most devoted followers to the rank of commanders, establishing a rigid hierarchy within his growing army. To each of them, and to countless others, he gifted a fragment of corruption. Their primary directive? To hunt down and eliminate any remaining admins and any player who doesn't subscribe to Sayler's twisted ideology."
Christy's voice was soft but laced with concern. "What... what is his ultimate goal?"
Sylene's gaze drifted slightly, as if peering into the unknown. "His true objective remains largely shrouded in mystery. But before the supreme admin fell, he managed to send me a coded message. It read: 'When in the air, on the land, and in the sea the three portals shall open, the three protectors shall be born. Whosoever defeats all three protectors shall claim the three keys that unlock the final portal, a gateway to the greatest of treasures, the sphere of fate.'" She paused, a heavy sigh escaping her lips. "I've scoured Sharon's databases here in the lab, desperately seeking information about this 'sphere of fate,' but the details are scarce. Even Sharon was investigating this supposed artifact. The only concrete information I could unearth in her archives is that the sphere of fate was allegedly created by the Game Master himself... the creator of our world, who passed away last year. Sharon's notes suggest that this sphere is capable of granting any wish, and that it chooses its own wielder. Its current location, its purpose... all remain unknown. However," Sylene's eyes regained a spark of determination, "the supreme admin's message gives us a crucial lead. It seems that to obtain this sphere, we must defeat three powerful bosses who will manifest in the sea, in the air, and on the land. Portals, or some similar phenomenon, will likely appear, and we must overcome these protectors to claim the three keys. We must secure the sphere of fate before Sayler can lay his hands on it!"
Saland's expression was grim. "I can only imagine that the likes of Bruhsuperdoom and Benamoth are already among his forces. We alone... we simply aren't enough to face a challenge of this magnitude."
A small, confident smile played on Sylene's lips. She rose from her chair, her movements fluid and purposeful. "Sharon's laboratory is no longer just a research facility. It has become the central hub of the resistance. All the surviving admins have gathered here. Come," she gestured towards a doorway, "it's time I introduced you."
Sylene led them to the edge of a wide balcony overlooking a vast chamber. Below, a gathering of thirteen individuals engaged in hushed conversations. From their elevated vantage point, familiar faces emerged from the crowd – Sting, Ken, Rabajen, Grimborg, and Rick. But eight others were strangers, their identities and abilities unknown.
To their left stood a group of four admins. The first was a tall, muscular man with short blonde hair, a single defiant tuft falling over his forehead. His blue eyes held a warm smile, and he wore a simple white outfit. Behind him, the hilt of a black sword peeked out from a yellow scabbard. Beside him stood another admin, clad in practical green and black armor that concealed everything but his head. His brown hair was neatly trimmed, and his dark eyes held a serious, unwavering gaze. He carried no visible weapons. Next to him was a striking woman with long, black hair that shimmered with hints of violet, cascading to her shoulders. Her pink eyes seemed perpetually bored as she rhythmically chewed gum, occasionally blowing a small bubble. Her attire was a sleek, form-fitting black dress paired with short black heels. The final member of this quartet was significantly shorter than the others, her gray hair pulled back into a tight ponytail. She wore a functional white jumpsuit overlaid with plates of a dull gray, metallic-looking material, mimicking armor. Her blue eyes sparkled with an optimistic light, and two dagger sheaths were strapped to her hips.
Sylene provided introductions and insights. "The blonde swordsman is Kairasu. He's an exceptional blade master. His innate ability grants him incredible speed and allows him to unleash lightning-fast strikes. The armored man is Heichell. He's a peerless healer, the best support you could ask for in a fight. The gum-chewing woman is Narasa, a master of poisons. She can concoct concoctions that are lethal to her enemies. And the shorter woman is Atlatia. She's a formidable close-quarters combatant, wielding two daggers that she can seamlessly connect with an iron chain for greater reach and versatility."
Their attention shifted to the four admins on the right. The first was of average height, with black hair and warm brown eyes. A subtle, almost predatory smile played on his lips, revealing slightly pointed teeth. He wore a tight-fitting black suit, and strange black gauntlets and boots adorned his limbs, pulsing with lines of vibrant orange energy. Despite his unassuming stature, he possessed a noticeable build. Next to him stood an admin in elegant brown and green attire, matching trousers completing the ensemble. His brown hair was neatly styled, and his dark eyes held a thoughtful expression. He held a spear with a wooden shaft and a distinctive three-pronged iron tip. Beside him was a woman with long, flowing black hair and striking fuchsia eyes. She wore a classic black Japanese school uniform, a red ribbon tied neatly at her throat. A long nodachi rested in a scabbard behind her. The final admin in this group had short hair, a curious blend of black and violet hues. Her pink eyes held a gentle demeanor, and she was dressed in a flowing purple and white kimono. Of average height, she carried no apparent weapons.
Sylene continued her introductions. "The man in the tight black suit is Riagard. He's an unparalleled expert in hand-to-hand combat. His agility and speed are astonishing, and his physical strength is immense. The man with the spear is Sarake, Heichell's younger brother. Sarake is a highly skilled spear fighter with the unique ability to manipulate roots, using them for both offense and defense. The woman in the kimono is Hyldia. She's a master of spatial arts, capable of creating spatial slashes that can tear through dimensions, creating portals or severing intangible targets. And finally, the woman with the nodachi is Halvia. She's an exceptional swordsman whose innate ability allows her to generate devastating shockwaves with her blade."
As Sylene finished explaining the abilities of the newly introduced admins, a single, sharp clap echoed through the vast chamber. All eyes turned towards the source – Sylene herself. To her right, Benamoth materialized, his imposing form radiating silent menace. To her left, Bruhsuperdoom appeared, his presence equally formidable.
Sylene's voice resonated with newfound authority. "Today, as never before, the VR WORLD stands on the precipice of destruction. As you all know, Sayler has irrevocably changed the very fabric of our world. But," she paused, her gaze sweeping across the assembled admins, "there remains a flicker of hope. Andrew's ultimate sacrifice has provided us with a potential path to victory, a cryptic message hinting at our salvation. We know that three formidable bosses, guardians of the land, the air, and the sea, will soon manifest. Therefore, I have assembled the teams that will confront them. Our collective objective is to seize all three keys by defeating these powerful adversaries before Sayler can. With these keys, we can claim the sphere of fate and shatter Sayler's ambitions. To that end, I have designated four teams."
She began to outline the assignments. "Atlatia, Heichell, Narasa, and Kairasu, you will face the boss of the air. Halvia, Riagard, Sarake, and Hyldia, your target is the boss of the land. Saland, Haytham, Shimmon, and Christy, you will confront the boss of the water. And finally," Sylene's gaze turned towards the familiar faces of the veteran players, "Shimmon, Grimborg, Sting, Ken, and Rick, your mission lies in the treacherous sands of death. You will create a diversion, drawing as many enemy forces as possible, allowing the other three teams to operate without undue interference. Naturally, I will provide all teams with detailed instructions and the precise locations you need to reach."
Atlatia raised her hand, her brow furrowed. "And what will you be doing?"
Sylene's response was firm. "I will remain here at the laboratory with Benamoth, Bruhsuperdoom, and Crowar. We will act as your central command, providing crucial support and guidance from this base. Prepare yourselves, for the battles ahead will test your limits."
The teams were set. Their roles defined. The first true spark of the revolution against Sayler had been ignited. The fate of the VR WORLD hung precariously in the balance.