Newbie's Quest: Awaiting Challenge
Chapter 12: Drink Up

Ethan Walker, shrouded in the intriguing world of the simulation, encountered a peculiar situation. NPCs, it seemed, were entirely blind to his ghostly minions. This unexpected twist in the virtual reality piqued his interest, offering a new layer of mystery to the scenario.

In the dimly lit security room, the portly guard, Johnson, clutched at his heart, his eyes wide with an almost comical terror. He stared at Ethan, who, with a mischievous glint in his eye, chose not to alleviate the guard's fear but rather to intensify it. "You didn't see that? Maybe it's visible only to me," he teased, adding a layer of phantom intrigue.

Johnson's reaction was dramatic; his eyes rolled back in sheer fright, teetering on the edge of consciousness. "Okay, okay, I was just joking, bro," Ethan quickly interjected, steadying the trembling guard. Johnson, regaining his bearings with a mix of relief and annoyance, chided, "Ethan, on your first day and already making fun of me?"

"Sorry, sorry, didn't expect you to be so easily scared," Ethan replied with a half-smirk. They made their way back to the security room, Johnson's heavy steps echoing down the corridor as he muttered under his breath. Ethan, a step behind, continued to guide the little girl, her hand tightly clasped in his.

He leaned down, placing a finger on his lips, signaling her to remain silent with a gentle "shush." Little Red Riding Hood, her expression blank and mysterious, nodded vigorously, her hand covering her mouth in a mimicry of secrecy. Johnson, rummaging through a jingling mass of keys attached to his belt, finally found the right one and opened the door to the security room. The flickering bulb above bathed the room in a gloomy, yellowish hue.

Introducing himself more formally, Johnson pulled out two hefty, dust-covered books, using them to barricade a broken window. He then drew the greasy curtains, converting the cramped space into something resembling a quaint, albeit neglected, habitation. He dragged out a pair of stools, placing them beside a table that had seen better days, and with a couple of coughs, motioned for Ethan to sit.

Ethan took his seat, the aura of the game's mystery enveloping him, as the little girl stood close by his side. Not eager to rush through the game by merely defeating monsters, Ethan understood the value of gathering clues, even at the risk of virtual peril. Omissions could lead to dead ends, a truth he had learned intimately through countless previous trials.

In this simulation, with the ability to pause and reflect at will, Ethan was determined to unravel the intricacies of this enigmatic instance with minimal iterations.

"Here's the duty roster, keep it safe," Johnson said, handing Ethan a well-worn notebook. It detailed a meticulous schedule from Monday to Sunday, with each day divided into morning, afternoon, and evening shifts, ensuring a continuous presence in the security room. Initially staffed by a team of six or seven, the roster had recently dwindled to just two names: Michael Johnson and Frank.

The name Michael Johnson was evidently an alias for the guard himself, while Frank, only mentioned by surname, remained an enigmatic figure, perhaps intentionally obscured by the simulation's design. The latest roster held no surprises, still listing the same two names: Michael Johnson and Ethan Walker - the latter being Ethan's guise within the simulation.

"Bro, did this Frank guy quit or something?" Ethan inquired casually. The mention of Frank caused a noticeable shift in Johnson's demeanor. "Ah, that Frank... we don't... we don't talk about him here at the school," Johnson replied, a hint of unease in his voice.

"Oh," Ethan acknowledged, sensing the delicate nature of the topic and deciding not to probe further. However, it was Johnson who now seemed discomforted by the abrupt end to the conversation. Guards are usually quite chatty, and Ethan's sudden change of subject seemed to leave Johnson yearning to share more.

"Frank was the guy before you, you're taking over his shifts," Johnson eventually divulged. He mentioned that Frank had been a part of the school's security team even longer than he had, marking him as a veteran of sorts.

Ethan, curious about the fate of the previous guards, pressed further. Johnson's expression darkened, his eyes shifting nervously as he lowered his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "Those guys... they all ran off, or... died. This school, it's not... it's not a safe place. There's... something haunting it," he revealed, a shiver running through his voice.

As Ethan contemplated this new information, his consciousness was simultaneously anchored in the real world, where he lay in a deep, simulation-induced slumber. The vehicle he was in sped

along the highway, heading towards the airport with the members of Avalon Guild.

Emily Johnson, restless and curious, leaned towards the sleeping Ethan, poking him gently. "Sleeping so soundly?" she whispered, checking his breathing. "He's still alive," she confirmed, relieved yet bemused.

Alex Johnson, undisturbed by Ethan's deep sleep, attributed it to the exhaustion of navigating the simulation. "Let him rest. We'll wake him when we reach the airport," he decided, before turning his attention to Susan Harper. "What's the situation outside?"

Susan, peering through her stylish pink-gold framed glasses, was engrossed in her laptop, her fingers dancing across the keyboard as she scoured through forums and media updates. "Reporters got a shot of Ethan getting into the car. There's a lot of speculation that he's likely to sign with us, Avalon Guild. It's rare for a newcomer to refuse such an offer," she reported.

However, Ethan had unexpectedly declined the offer. This development posed a complication for Alex. Avalon Guild needed Ethan's expertise to navigate the Huaiyin High simulation, but they also hoped to recruit him into their ranks. Ethan, however, had his own agenda and seemed unswayed by their offers.

"Let's spin the narrative. Announce that Avalon Guild and Ethan are deep in contract negotiations. It's beneficial for the public to believe he's close to joining us. It might deter other guilds from approaching him. As for Ethan... we need to secure his cooperation, at least until the Huaiyin simulation is cleared. Once we get everyone out, we can address his demands. We can't afford to lose such a talent so easily," Alex strategized.

He had a strong intuition. Once the Huaiyin simulation was completed, Ethan's reputation would skyrocket. With his years of experience in the guild, Alex had developed a keen sense for recognizing potential. Ethan was a remarkable replace. For Avalon Guild, securing a prodigy like Ethan permanently was a lofty dream. However, enlisting his services for a year or two would significantly enhance their guild's prestige and standing in the gaming world.

In his deep sleep, Ethan twitched slightly, showing signs of nearing wakefulness. Alex signaled the others to remain quiet. Ethan's eyes slowly opened, the blurred figures of his companions coming into focus. "Awake?" Alex asked softly. Ethan, still emerging from the depths of the simulation, took a moment to orient himself before nodding faintly.

"Susan," Alex called gently. She handed Ethan a steaming cup of tea. Gratefully accepting it, Ethan held the disposable cup with both hands, sipping the warm liquid slowly, his mind still entwined with his recent conversation with Johnson in the simulation.

Johnson had shared disturbing news: within a single month, Huaiyin High had been the site of three alarming incidents involving a Mr. Davis, Frank the security guard, and a sophomore girl named Parker. The ordinary school was now enveloped in a cloud of gloomy rumors, a melancholic atmosphere hanging heavily over it.

As Johnson continued his tale, he retrieved a thermos from beneath his feet. He grumbled about the challenging nature of his job, the school's imminent closure, and the delayed salaries. Ethan watched impassively as Johnson poured from the thermos, the sound emanating from the bottle distinctly unsettling, not at all like water.

Ethan's gaze followed Johnson's movements as he poured a thick, red, murky liquid. It arced through the air, carrying with it unidentifiable chunks, all cascading into a large enamel basin.

"Drink, drink up," Johnson urged with an almost childlike smile, pushing the basin towards Ethan. The scene was bizarre, almost surreal, with the heavy scent of mystery and danger hanging in the air.