This is the 14th of us spending our time in the 5th part of the maze. The time right now was 6pm, and we were preparing to go back. However, Searing insisted for us to head on along to the next corridor before we went back, we all sighed and listened to Searing. We went to the next corridor and sure enough there was a door, and we all took a peak inside. The boss was a lion, with a round shield and a katana. A male lion, standing on two lion legs. With a like like face, he was completely naked in exception of having his waist covered with a white and red belt. His katana, had a yellow blade with a black hilt. A simple yet striking katana.

Since we saw the boss, I told everyone to fall back. After we teleported to Shinpong, we all started spreading the news. After that we all returned to eat and then retired off to our rooms. We were tired, and wanted to get enough sleep for the boss battle tomorrow. When fell into my bed, I let my eyelids take charge as I drifted into deep sleep. I heard knocking on my door, as my eyelids lifted up. I shouted: “I’m trying to sleep dammit, what the fuck is the time?” The knocks continued, so I got up and looked at the time. It was, 3:30 am? What? Who would want to wake me up this early? I got up and I headed towards the door.

It was Searing and Rosie, with Rosie sobbing in Searing’s chest. I allowed them in and they sat down, as I asked: “Why’d you call me this late?” Searing answered: “Our memories came back.” I asked: “Well, why don’t you tell everyone?” Rosie answered: “Because, the truth will simply frighten everyone else.” I asked: “then what’s the truth?” Searing started speaking: “It all started 1 year ago, after the war.

1 Year ago, Death Simulation facility

It was after me and Rosie’s honeymoon, my identity as a ex officer of the Duguo military was exposed after investigation by China. When me and Rosie were out on a date in Hong Kong, we were surrounded by several police officers. We were arrested for “spreading anti Chinese propoganda”. However, we weren’t bought to the local police station, we were bought here. Into the podium for where the death simulation was held in. We saw kids, in the podium on the beds. Rosie was devastated to see the amount of empty beds, however I held her and told her: “Everything’s going to be alright, as long as we have hope.” However a soldier in the back heard us, and took Rosie away. According to Rosie, she was tortured sexually, mentally and physically. Forced to endure to facilities officer’s “experiments” and she still stood strong despite a year of that. I on the other hand was tortured and whipped. Hungry dogs, were sent in my cell and ate my flesh. After that, they allowed me to heal and did it again. After a year of torture, we were allowed together. And, I asked Rosie what happened to her, and she revealed that we had a child all along before we were captured. He was born under these conditions, and according to the scientists he would be a experiment subject. We were then gathered along with the other prisoners of war, and forced to go into the same machines that was used into the Death simulation. However, luckily for us they put the wrong info for us and put body scan data we had before we were all tortured, for our avatars. We were memory wiped for our previous tortures, in order to put the fear of us being tortured again.

All the women were continuously tortured in different ways which I will not speak of, by the Kobolds. While us males were whipped and punched. Once we had got to nearly 0 hp, we were healed again like before and whipped, burnt punched again. The process repeated for 3 weeks. After that, the Kobolds brought us all in and executed us. Rosie said her final goodbyes to me, and I did too. We were the last in line, and you know what happened next.

Inside the Death Simulation

Searing concluded: “Even if we were successful in the Death Simulation, we would be executed immediately. It’s just that they don’t realise we’re here, but it’s too late for us. But promise me one thing, rescue our child. Please!” He and Rosie got on their knees and begged me. I told them: “Stand up, I will make sure that I rescue your child when I leave here.” Searing said: “One last thing, since I was the highest ranking Duguo officer they had captured in that time slot. The head of all this came to greet me. Remember the man you fought? I could never forget the way he spoke and his voice. That was, the head of the Death Simulation: Zac Chung.” So that’s why he wasn’t afraid.. I thought. Rosie spoke: “Please, don’t tell this to everyone else. We shouldn’t frighten them.” I then said: “Alright but, if I’m going to help to raise your child tell him his name.” Rosie and Searing looked at each other, after a second Rosie said: “Tom, Tom Ng.” Searing smiled sadly: “So named after my Captain in the war huh, good name.” Rosie nodded and said: “Thanks a lot Jason.” I nodded, and the couple went back to sleep, with Rosie crying still.”

I was stuck in my thoughts, for the entire night. Why did I have to bear the burden, I already had enough burdens. It was my decision to help the kid that called us for help to kill the PKers. It was my decision, that brought the deaths of around 30 people in the clearing team. It was my fault that man had died in the first boss. Why? Was life this unfair to me? I couldn’t say no to them, it was their final wish. I understood that there was less than a 1% chance of me rescuing them. I was broken. Overcome with burden. However I had no choice but to fix myself the next morning, I knew Searing and Rosie didn’t have much longer to live. And I couldn’t tell everyone else. In the next morning I was silent, in breakfast people tried to talk to me. But I brushed them off, Searing and Rosie looked at me probably thinking to themselves if it was the right decision. After breakfast, I wasn't my usual calm collective self. I was more quiet, more dependant. Searing sighed, it was obvious he knew that it was a mistake telling me. Everyone went towards the teleporter and went towards Shinpong. However, one person stayed behind. Hailey. Hailey slapped me and shouted at me: “What’s with you! This isn’t the Jason I know.” I said: “Mind your own business.” She said: “Answer me.” I took her towards one of the benches nearby the teleporter and began explaining the whole thing. My burden, Searing’s story. Everything. After that Hailey listened and she cried. However she managed to say: “Searing obviously didn’t want you to cry. He chose you for a reason, and do you want him to think that he chose wrong?” I said: “No..” She continued: “Searing and Rosie are prepared for their deaths. It doesn’t have to be only your burden. It’s theirs, it’s not your fault. You once said that to me, and I’m saying it back to you. It’s not your fault that those 30 people died, it’s not your fault that Searing and Rosie has to die sooner or later. It’s the government’s fault. Now stop blaming yourself and get back up, show your resolve to clear this simulation and become the Jason which I know, and.. love.”

I got up, after hearing Hailey I finally understood why Searing had chose me instead of others. He wanted, to teach me that not everything is my fault. That man was a better leader than all of us, but he chose to lead in the shadows instead of in the open. I stood up with courage once more and both me and Hailey teleported towards Shinpong and ran towards the Clearers Square where everyone was waiting. Luke asked me: “Hey what took you so long?” I answered: “Heh nothing.” Luke replied: “So Hailey managed to talk you out of your depression huh.” I nodded and I took my place in the Clearer’s Square’s stage.

Outside the Simulation

In the observation centre for looking inside the simulation, a subordinate of Zac’s called out Zac: “Sir, it appears one of our prisoners. Former Duguo army 1st lieutenant Searing and his wife Rosie has not died by the Kobold execution. What shall we do?” Zac walked over to this man, and looked at his screen. Zac replied to his subordinate: “Use a administrator command code and force kill them, but do it painfully.” The subordinate replied: “Yes sir, I’ll get right on it.” Zac said: “Serves those filthy Duguo militants right, making chaos in our fair land. I shall exterminate the last of their soldiers today.”

Back inside the Simulation

Around 200 people, which were high levelled enough and ready to fight the boss gathered at the Clearer’s square. I began my speech: “Thank you all for coming here, as you all know half of the previous clearing party has been wiped out at the 4th boss by the Darkfist guild and the boss. The Darkfist, was led by the man managing this simulation. I have my doubts that he might come back, but let us put that behind us. If he was defeated once by us, he can be defeated again!” I paused, and everyone cheered: “JA SON JA SON JA SON!” I continued: “If we can defeat the man who manages this, then the rest of the bosses can also be defeated. As long as we work together and we work hard, we can do this!” Everyone cheered. So, I concluded the speech: “LET US SHOW CHINA, WE ARE NOT YOUR PLAYTOYS, WE WILL DEFEAT THIS AND SHOW THEM OUR STRENGTHS!” Everyone cheered: “JA SON! JA SON! JA SON!” Searing looked at me approvingly. I looked back and he said: “Good job.” I nodded. I shouted once more: “TO VICTORY!” Everyone then followed me running towards the teleporter and teleporting to the town closest to the Dungeon.

From the town, we all marched on into the dungeon. In front of the boos room’s door, which was made of white stone with golden vines on it s it’s patterns. I shouted: “Ad Victoriam!” And I entered the boss room. The boss room was a square room, with a round circle in the middle. The boss, which was a Lion was standing in the middle. The lion quickly rushed towards us, in the speed of sound. It quickly managed to kill 8 players using it’s sword skills in one blow. However, despite that we didn't give up. I shouted: “Shielders, stand in front and block, rest of you attack!” However, this boss was smart. The boss leapt up to the air, and charged towards all of the attackers. We were all outmatched and were knocked to the ground making our HPs at yellow, and I knew once it’s sword skill’s cool down was up we would decrease in numbers again. Searing shouted: “Everyone listen!” We all looked at Searing, and he said: “Surround the boss, and pair up. One defender in the front and one in the back!” We followed his instructions and I realised what he meant. This boss, was a agility type. If we trapped it in a cage, no matter how fast it went it couldn’t dodge. The boss, which was obviously starting to feel desperate charged at Searing. Searing shouted: “Now tankers! Shield him and hold him there!” The tankers close to Searing shielded the boss’s attack, and Searing said: “All attackers unleash your sword skills!” We all leapt in and unleashed our sword skills, overkilling the boss. When it was nearly dead, I unleashed mine Infinity Slashes and finished it off. I managed to get the rare drop! I was so happy, a katana which stats could potentially surpass mine! We were all cheering: “Searing! Searing! Searing!” With Searing being hugged by Rosie like he was a hero. Man, that dude sure knows how to make his girl happy and proud of him. I laughed happily seeing that they were having a good time. I even forgot about the things he said to me before, because of this happy moment. Surely, this simulation wasn’t all sadness.

But, I was wrong. Something suddenly happened to both Searing and Rosie which I could’ve never understood why it happened at that exact moment.