9
788words
"Do you know why your completion rate plummeted? I just whispered a few lies, and they believed me instantly. You're such a fool."
Through the overwhelming pain, I mentally screamed for customer support, for a moderator, for anyone to help.
But there was no response. Only silence and terror.
She brought the blade to my throat, drawing a shallow, stinging line. Blood welled up and trickled down my neck.
"You know what's really beautiful?" she whispered, her eyes wide with manic joy.
"I had them alter the underlying code. If you die by my hand, all the affection points you've painstakingly collected... they transfer to me. But don't worry," she crooned, tracing the blade down to my abdomen.
"I won't let you die quickly. Where's the fun in that?"
The scalpel plunged into my stomach. I screamed again, a raw, ragged sound, as she slowly dragged it sideways.
The world dissolved into a haze of unimaginable agony. She ranted, revealing every twisted truth, every manipulation, carving her confession into my skin.
But then, in the doorway behind her, four figures appeared. Silent. Horrified.
I had gambled, and I had won. I knew Scarlett wouldn't be able to resist gloating. When Xavier had injected me with the sedative, I had managed to palm the cufflinks Scarlett had given him—a tracking pair.
He must have used them to find me.
Now they stood there, hearing every vile word, seeing every brutal action.
Scarlett froze, sensing their presence.
But before she could react, I used the last of my strength.
My hand, slick with blood, shot out and clamped over hers still holding the scalpel.
I drove our joined hands downward, plunging the blade deep into her own heart.
Her eyes widened in shock, then glazed over.
She crumpled to the floor.
Xavier was the first to move, rushing to my side and shoving her body away.
He gathered me into his arms, his whole body shaking. "Lily... God, Lily... I'm so sorry... I'm so sorry..."
Damian sprinted over, grabbing a nearby sheet and pressing it desperately against my stomach, trying to stem the bleeding, but it was hopeless.
The blood just kept coming.
Joseph stood frozen, staring at Scarlett's body in utter disbelief.
Grayson looked at me, his face a mask of pure agony.
I didn't have any anger left for them. I just felt... empty. I spat a mouthful of blood onto the floor and spoke, my voice a faint, broken whisper.
"I never blamed you... I knew... you were just deceived..."
Damian, his eyes red and brimming with tears, pressed harder on my wounds. "Lily! Stop talking! Save your strength! I'll save you, I swear I will!"
Xavier and Grayson were both crying, trying to form words, apologies that would never be enough.
Joseph finally snapped. With a roar of rage, he began punching Scarlett's lifeless body again and again, screaming about getting justice for me.
But I wasn't looking at them anymore.
My eyes were fixed on the progress bars only I could see, floating in my vision.
One by one, they ticked up—100%... 100%... 100%... 100%.
A final, bloody smile touched my lips. And then, I let out my last breath.
I left them there, in that room of blood and lies, their faces frozen in despair and horror.
My eyes snapped open. I was back. Back in my familiar, cramped room. The hum of my computer was the sweetest sound I'd ever heard.
My interface glowed, showing all four affection meters maxed out at 100%.
Without a moment's hesitation, I sued the game company for endangering a player's life. The evidence was undeniable. I won. Easily.
And I knew Scarlett was still trapped in the game, her consciousness logged in.
With the massive settlement—billions—I bought the struggling game company for a pittance. I took control.
And I started rewriting the script.
First, I made her play through my story, beat for beat. Every betrayal, every ounce of pain. And just when she thought it was over, hoping for her own logout...
I initiated a loop cycle.
She would live it again. And again. Forever trapped in that hell.
As for those four male leads? So quick to believe anything they were told without a second thought?
I gave them their memories back. All of them. And I dropped them into new storylines. Ones where they got to experience firsthand what it was like to be falsely accused, to be bullied, to have everyone turn against you.
Let them see how it feels.
Forgive them? Oh, hell no. That was never an option.
