MMORPG: Surviving a Death Game with a Glitched System

There was one variable even Ash knew he could never control: people.

’People are irrational.’

Their ego, selfishness, and jealousy always trumped logic. Too many times had some of his ranked games been lost because someone got upset they weren’t ’the carry’ and decided to AFK.

Ash hated those losses ripped from the jaws of victory, but he could at least dismiss them as due to those pesky, uncontrollable factors.

For that reason, he never tried to control people. He never tried to ask or demand anything. Because the moment he tried would be the moment he accepted their actions as his responsibility.

That he accepted their failure as his.

’People are way too irrational.’

No, it was even simpler than that...

’They’re not me.’

Even if he did shotcall, the calls would be beyond the understanding and capability of others.

So, instead of dumbing himself down, he built himself, and only himself, up.

However...

’I don’t have much of a choice here...’

The current situation demanded some level of cooperation.

There was no next game button. There was no second chance after defeat. In this world, game or not, death was death.

Ash still felt it best to trust himself and only himself. Nor did he care if another trusted him; however...

’At the bare minimum, I can’t have them distrusting me.’

That was one factor, despite its volatility, he needed to grasp.

So... he was left with one option. Reveal the source of his confidence.

Ash extended his hand and said:

"Here."

Claude craned his head like a lost puppy while staring at the outstretched hand.

"Huh...?"

But, taken by curiosity, the tall man slowly reached out his own. The moment his fingers brushed Ash’s — or should’ve brushed Ash’s — his expression shifted into something unreadable.

"What the fuck..."

Scratching his cheek, Éloi asked:

"What’s wrong, Claude?"

In response, Claude pushed his hand further, extending it entirely into Ash’s until the two were superimposed.

At the sight, Sandra and Éloi failed to suppress their surprise.

"Ah! What the hell?!"

"Are you a monster?!"

Finally drawn by the commotion, Nora glanced over, her bright teal eyes settling upon the impossible sight. Yet, with little to no change in her expression, Nora looked back off toward the volcano.

’She’s peculiar...’

Had she already known somehow?

’I’d been fairly careful to hide it...’

Maybe his tail had clipped through something — he wasn’t adept at controlling the new appendage yet.

’Maybe... but I guess there’s no use fretting over something so trivial.’

It was revealed now, so what did it matter when Nora knew?

Sandra began to ask something, but Ash cut her off while pushing his hand through to Claude’s elbow, causing Claude to reel his hand back in shock and awe.

"What—"

"I don’t know. Ever since I woke up, my body has been like this. Thankfully, after activating my skill, I can interact with the world; but the moment it ends this phenomenon returns. And, no, this isn’t a skill or something to do with me being the Champion. One way or another, it seems my system broke..."

Claude, inspecting his own hand as if there was something wrong with it, said:

"Wait, so that means—"

"Yes. Enemies cannot interact with me either. I took the liberty of testing that fact in the tutorial."

Éloi began chuckling.

"Ah, that must be why you took so long!"

"Hmm..." Claude closed his eyes and began ruffling his hair, nearly cutting his hand on his own horns as his face twisted in intense consternation. "Errgh..." Then, after a long, hefty sigh, Claude said, "I don’t exactly like putting my life in your hands, but it would be best to confirm if this is a livable location."

Claude cast his gaze down the slope of the mountain, through the thick foliage the Totem had no chance of squeezing through.

"You’re confident you’ll be able to reach there and back unharmed?"

"Yes..."

"Alright then, I have no objection to you going alone."

"Neither do I!"

"I-I’m still worried. That..." Sandra pointed to Ash’s hand, "is hard to trust... That doesn’t prove you’re invincible. It proves we can’t touch you. But what if something else can? No way you could have tested everything in the tutorial."

Ash let his eyes drift over the girl with peachy hair.

"Correct... but at the very least, I will act with caution, as if I can be harmed."

"Saying that makes me feel a little better, but still..."

Éloi turned to Sandra and gave her a warm smile.

"It’s alright, Sandy—"

"Please don’t call me that..."

"—Epitome is already a god-tier gamer! Now he has a god-tier glitch at his disposal. If you know who he is, you should know we’re in good hands."

Sandra cast her hazel eyes downward.

"I guess you’re right."

Ash scowled...

’I wouldn’t exactly call it a god-tier glitch...’

He could easily see how it could be perceived as such. But, to Ash, there was way too many ways to take advantage of him and his situation.

Not caring to stick around or answer any more questions about his constitution, Ash began to walk around Claude. Claude didn’t move out of the way, even letting Ash’s arm pass through him. Though he did give a good shiver at the creepy sight and scoot away.

’So, my body goes through other players’ equipped items... good to know.’

"Wait... before you go..." Éloi closed his eyes while rapidly tapping his feet. Then, in a flash, his eyes shot open and he pointed at the pike in Ash’s left hand. "Isn’t that overpowered?!"

"Unless I activate my ability, it doesn’t do any damage..."

***

Watching Ash’s back disappear into the brush, Claude shook his head.

’This situation is already unbelievable... and now... that... I was starting to see this place as a new reality, but perhaps we are in an actual game after all.’

Éloi smiled as he fell down in the grass and stared up at the empty sky above.

"Ah, I wish I had that cool ability! I wonder if he can walk through walls..."

Claude looked down at the handsome man acting like a little kid, and smirked.

’I really am glad someone like you is around...’

Someone who could throw around a genuine smile so carelessly.

Claude may not have exactly shown it, but...

’I’m scared.’

He clenched his fist.

’I’m so... so scared.’

Tears tried to claw their way out of his eyes, but he desperately stifled them.

’I don’t want to be here.’

He’d been trying to act strong for the people around him.

’I want to be home.’

For the woman in the same situation who’d been hysterically crying, he decided to be the rock to anchor her reality until she could sail on her own.

’I want to see my daughter.’

But his own mind drifted wildly, caught in a perilous storm of doubt and fear.

’I want to see my wife...’

And now, he’d just put his only chance toward that conclusion in the hands of a stranger.

If Ash died before activating the Totem, Claude’s hope died with him.

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