Moments later, a notification sounded from the World Game Room app. Someone was looking for a challenger to join them in “First Escape.” Iliya thought about what the Moderator of Feed the Kitten had said, about how Feed the Kitten was the only pvp challenge available. It was always possible that other challengers had different options, but even if there were it seemed unlikely that Iliya would be pulled into them. Of course, as long as you were playing with other people it was impossible to predict what would happen. Best case scenario, he would have a teammate like Sherlock Holmes. The worst case scenario was that his teammate would be actively malicious and harm Iliya, turning the game into a pvp scenario. Most likely, his teammate would be a normal person, just like him. Someone who just wants to survive, and doesn’t want to hurt people if they don’t have to.

Iliya smiled, and accepted the request to join “First Escape.” A map popped up on his screen, directing Iliya to go to a building a few blocks away. Taking a deep breath, he began to walk over. Iliya began to set a game plan as he walked. Going in, he would assume the best about his assigned teammate. They’d work together, and learn from each other. Iliya would be nice, polite, and helpful.

The map led Iliya to a building that looked about three stories high. It was fairly consistent with the area Iliya lived in, affordable and safe enough if you weren’t outside at night alone. The restaurant at the ground floor of the building looked well taken care of, Iliya noticed as he peeked through the window. It was simply called “Noodles” and the menu offered different noodle dishes from around the world. The glass was clean, and had a few local fliers in the window, as well as an “A” rating from the health department. The furniture was neatly stacked, and the floors sparkled. No one seemed to be inside, which made sense as it was about seven in the morning and the restaurant didn’t open for lunch until eleven. Iliya had actually eaten at Noodles a few times with his roommates. The titular noodles were tasty and fairly priced, and the restaurant’s atmosphere was homey.

Iliya checked the map again. It seemed that he would have to find his way to the third floor of the building. Thankfully, there was a buzzer on the side of the building, next to a door that opened to the stairs for the building’s third floor. Iliya pressed the buzzer, a bit uncertain. “Um, hello?”

“Who is it?” A low, male voice responded immediately through the tinny box.

“I’m the other challenger here to be your teammate,” Iliya answered honestly.

There was a pause. “I’ll be down in a sec.” Within seconds, Iliya could hear the sound of footsteps bounding down the stairs. The door unlocked, and a man was on the other side. Iliya recognized him as someone he had seen in the restaurant a few times. Considering how he lived above it, he must have been the owner. Fairly young to own a restaurant, Iliya mused. The man was tall, easily a head taller than Iliya. He was Chinese, and had a handsome face with phoenix eyes and a straight mouth. His hair was short, and neatly styled. “Follow me,” the man instructed. Helpless, Iliya followed him up the stairs.

“I’m Il- uh, Red.” Iliya quickly switched to the nickname used in the game. He watched the man’s back as they walked up three flights of stairs. The man was wearing a thin black t-shirt, and his lean muscles were outlined through his shirt. Iliya felt inadequate when he thought of his own oversized hoodie he was wearing. “You own Noodles, right? My roommates and I love the food here.”

The man turned around when they reached the top of the stairs, and pulled out the key to the apartment building. “Thanks,” the man said with a small smile as he opened the door, and held it for Iliya. Awkwardly, Iliya walked into the stranger’s apartment. It was larger than his own, but much more sparsely decorated. Aside from a few chairs strewn about the room, there wasn’t any furnishing or decoration. The thin walls were peeling, and a few tiles were missing on the floor. Comparing this room with the restaurant, it was clear where this man spent his time, money, and energy. The door closed, and Iliya turned back around to make small talk with his new teammate. The man caught Iliya’s eye, then looked away quickly.

They stood in silence for a moment, Iliya shifting from foot to foot, before he decided to be brave and crack the ice. “So, should we be expecting any other challengers?”

The man shook his head. “Just the moderator.”

Again, silence.

“I think I remember-” The man started saying the second Iliya began asking, “so which games have you-”

Iliya blushed, and the man gestured for him to speak first. “So,” Iliya began again, “which games have you played? And what should I call you?”

“You can call me Wolf.” This time the man looked a little embarrassed. “And I only played ‘Feed the Kitten.’”

“Oh! Me too!” Iliya exclaimed. “So the games are the same… Hey, can I ask you some questions about your game?”

“Shoot.”

“What was your Moderator like? Was it a cat?” Iliya asked.

“A black cat,” Wolf confirmed. “Didn’t like being picked up.” This guy picked up the Moderator? Iliya had a feeling that was not something he should try again.

“Okay… What kind of person did you play against?”

Wolf frowned and crossed his arms. “An asshole customer. He kept trying to keep me from accomplishing the mission. Even tried slashing at me with one of my own knives. I stopped him.”

“What happened to him?”

Wolf just shrugged. “I don’t know. He disappeared after I gave the kitten some bread from the stash.”

Iliya gave Wolf a good look. It seemed like he hadn’t figured out that he and the customer had different missions. Iliya decided to tell him. Wolf just scratched at his hair and let out a soft “oops.” Iliya snorted out a small laugh. Wolf gave him a returning grin. He wasn’t very talkative, but Iliya appreciated that he was willing to play along and answer all his questions. Wolf would do just fine as a teammate. He cooperated with Iliya, and Iliya thought he couldn’t be all bad.

“Do you mind if I ask what ability you got? If you got an ability?” Iliya continued with his interrogation.

“Punching.”

Iliya squinted, confused. “So, you didn’t get an ability? Or your ability is just… Punching?”

“It’s just punching.” Wolf didn’t seem to think there was anything strange about this.

“Were you unable to punch previously…?” Iliya trailed off.

“No, I could punch.” Wolf didn’t seem interested in elaborating.

Just as Iliya was about to ask more questions, the door creaked open again. Something that was almost a person entered. This facsimile of a man was dressed in the uniform of a police officer, and would have looked completely typical if not for its four eyes. Noticing Iliya’s stare, two of the eyes closed and melted back into his skin. If the eyes had not been there open and blinking just moments ago, they would have been impossible to locate.

“I always mess up something,” the thing grumbled. Then it stood up straight. “Hello, challengers! I am the Moderator in charge of your challenge here. Follow me, please.” It turned right around and opened the door back up. Just where the staircase had been stood another room, one that could have fit right in with the apartment. The walls had the same peeling paper, and there was a strange damp spot on the ceiling, but there was one stark difference- this new room was completely filled. It actually looked lived-in. There was a neatly made bed, a desk and a chair. There was also a wardrobe and set of cabinets. An inconspicuous stool sat in one of the corners of the room. The officer stepped inside, and waved for Iliya and Wolf to do the same.

Once inside the room, the door closed shut. “First Escape is pretty simple,” the Moderator began to explain. “All you have to do is escape the room. That’s it. Clues are hidden around the room, and once you put them together you’ll learn how to get out of here.” The Moderator sat down on the stool in the corner. “I’ll be here if you have any questions.”