The flickering light of a torch guided Zihad down a narrow, moss-covered stairwell hidden behind a crumbled section of the ruins. The sounds of battle and player chatter had faded behind him, replaced by the occasional drip of water echoing off damp stone walls. Here, deep beneath the Forest of Beginnings, lay an area not found on any map, nor mentioned in any forum post.
Exactly the kind of place Zihad loved.
He moved cautiously, Phantom Reaper's hood drawn low. Every step echoed ominously, and the torches mounted to the wall looked... too realistic. He wasn't sure if it was the lighting engine or something more. As he descended, lines of ancient runes etched into the walls began to pulse faintly with a soft blue hue.
"Hidden Quest Detected: The Forgotten Sanctum."
A whisper from the system message echoed in his ear. No fanfare, no light burst—just a cold, simple line of text. Zihad smirked.
"Finally."
At the bottom, he entered a large chamber bathed in the light of glowing crystals. The air was thicker here, heavier. Ahead, towering stone statues stood guard over a cracked seal embedded in the floor. The silence in this chamber wasn't natural—it was manufactured. Artificial.
"Sanctum Guardian detected," Zihad muttered, eyes narrowing. He readied his scythe.
With a low rumble, the largest statue stirred.
[Boss Encounter: Sentinel of the Forgotten Sanctum - Level ???]
Zihad grinned. "Now we're talking."
Back in the Real World – 3:14 PM, Zihad's Room
Zidan sat cross-legged in front of the TV, watching stream compilations.
"Bro's nuts," he whispered, watching a slowed replay of Phantom Reaper dodging an instant-kill cleave with frame-perfect timing. "Who even is this guy?"
Beside him, their mother peeked in. "He's still inside that game?"
"Yeah. Don't worry, he eats through the pod's system. He's good."
She sighed, concerned but supportive. "Just make sure he gets rest."
Zidan nodded. "He's doing more than just playing, Ma. I think... he's building something in there."
Back in the Game – The Sanctum
Zihad's scythe clashed against the boss's obsidian blade, sparks flying. The Sentinel was fast. Far faster than anything should be at this point in the game. But that didn't matter. He wasn't just any player.
He vanished mid-swing, reappearing behind the boss, his magic weaving through the shadows.
"Spectral Decay."
Black mist surged from his body, seeping into the cracks of the boss's armor, draining vitality. The AI controlling the boss adapted quickly, switching into a magic-resistant stance.
"Good," Zihad murmured. "Learn faster."
Their battle raged for minutes that felt like hours. Every blow was a test, every dodge a calculated risk. He wasn't just fighting for experience or loot—he was testing the game's limits. Testing his limits.
Then, with one final sweep, the scythe cleaved through the core.
[Boss Defeated: Sentinel of the Forgotten Sanctum]
A deep chime echoed.
[Hidden Class Advancement Opportunity Unlocked]
Zihad's breath caught.
He hadn't programmed this.
To Be Continued...