"Welcome to the Cave of Dying Meadows... You have unlocked the hidden boss."
An emotionless voice echoed through the screen as a path opened, revealing a cave with its entrance covered in entwining vines that screamed keep off.
Yet, just the sight of this was enough to get the blood of the livestream viewers boiling with excitement, their trembling hands typing rapidly on their keyboards. The live chat soon exploded:
"WT...F"
"Did dude just..."
"The actual fuck... Peakass really wasn't here to play."
"Damn, guys, I witnessed the rise of a legend!"
"Fuck fuck fuck!"
"Dude actually... fuck, I lost a bet, so I don't know if I should be happy or sad about this."
"To the commenter above, haha, I actually made a small fortune. Peakass is dope!"
Just as the comments expressing shock, regret, and appreciation flooded the screen, the avatar on the stream finally moved. The arrogant characters floating above its head clearly depicted the personality of the owner—Peakass.
And just as his name implied, he was a super asshole. His attitude was just as popular as his talent, making him one of the most controversial gamers in the gaming world.
While he was extremely skilled, having taken less than a year to attain peak status in the number one game in the world, Throes of Chaos, his extremely off-putting and despicable style of play made him disliked by most gamers. He would steal and snatch others' loot at any chance he got, trick teammates just to get a bigger share of the rewards, or even take everything for himself.
Still, he managed to garner a fair bit of fame since he was one of the few gamers who started from scratch. All his equipment had been earned through quests, missions in-game, and, well... other gamers he had looted from.
But no matter how bad of a rep he had, all of that was negligible compared to this achievement. He was officially the first to encounter the mysterious hidden boss of Throes of Chaos.
After this, his popularity was sure to skyrocket. Many players would regret their decision not to follow him. Sure, recorded versions of this moment would spread, but the wholesome feeling of witnessing it live could never be replicated.
Peakass knew that. But he knew even more what would cement his name in the history books, killing the hidden boss in his first attempt.
A smirk appeared on the lips of the heavily geared game avatar as it approached the cave.
"Saying hello and goodbye at the same time. Epic."
Dying Meadows was going down.
It was time for Peakass to shine.
And... Peakass really did shine. Well, his armor did, as it glided down the cave walls, the sparks from its collision with the wall yet to fade as the large-sized word "DEFEAT" hovered in the air.
The chat once again erupted.
"That wasn't even five minutes."
"Is Peakass overrated, or is the boss just underrated?"
"Hahahaha!"
"He has already done enough, though."
"He opened the door but couldn't conquer."
"Peakass wasn't peak enough... Hahaha!"
The surroundings around the avatar slowly morphed into a green and brown scenery—Peakass' base.
Just as the comment section was getting more heated, the livestream was abruptly cut off.
Removing his VR headset, Peakass smashed it against the ground, fuming. He had yet to see the comments, but he knew exactly what they would be about.
"Damn, that stupid hidden boss... just wait till I get my hands on you."
Again.
Groaning, he flopped onto his bed, his hands across his face.
He remained in that position until the sun settled on the horizon, its fading fiery tentacles dyeing the sky a shade of orange.
The motionless Peakass stretched his hands, his fingers searching until they grabbed his phone.
Flicking his phone toward his face, he unlocked it, then jerked up in fright.
"Shit, shit, shit iit's already 7 PM! Sis will be back anytime soon, and she will..."
Fumbling around while trying to organize the room, he stopped in his tracks as the doorbell rang.
He could already feel his heart drop in fright. He could be an ass anywhere, except in his sister's presence.
Taking a deep breath, he walked toward the door, his gaze randomly falling on the damaged VR headset he had thrown into a corner of their cramped apartment. His heart ached at the memory of its price.
Hearing the doorbell ring a second time, he jumped over a pile of junk food packaging and pulled open the door.
"Hey, sis! How was your journey?" he asked, leaning against the frame while deliberately blocking the view inside.
Standing under the dim corridor light, a young lady in corporate attire stood tiredly. "Hetic... but I'll be fine after a bit of sleep," she replied absentmindedly.
"Yeah... about that. Why don't we go for dinner first, and then you can sleep?" Peakass offered, a patronizing smile on his lips.
"...What's going on?" she asked, narrowing her eyes in suspicion.
"Huh? I'm just trying to be nice. You've worked hard," Peakass replied, still blocking her from peeking inside.
"Yeah, but you're only nice when something's wrong," she said, her suspicion and irritation growing.
"What? I am just trying to take you out for dinner," he defended, still obstructing the entrance.
"Well, I need to change and freshen up if that request is actually genuine." Amused, she stood with her arms akimbo, awaiting his reply.
"I don't want you to change. I like your outfit like this." A crazy excuse—but reasonable.
"Really...?" Her eyes were almost slits at this point.
"Yeah. It gives you a real mature look," he responded, avoiding her gaze.
"Then let me just drop my bag." She tried to negotiate, attempting to step inside, but he blocked her again.
"That isn't necessary either. You'll spoil the look." Shrugging, Peakass pulled out another excuse.
"Look, I don't have time for games, so move," she ordered, leaving no room for argument.
Holding her gaze and seeing the warning in her eyes, he sighed in defeat.
"Okay, okay.....but don't be mad," he surrendered, stepping aside.
Stepping into the room, she was immediately hit with the terrible state of the house. Dropping her bag in shock, she turned to Peakass, incredulous.
"Wh-a... Kiel, what the heck?! I asked you to take care of the place while I was gone, not transform it into a shit hole!"
"I know, and I'm sorry. Something shitty happened, an—" Trying to appear sincere, Peakass or rather, Kiel, bent to clean up.
"Something shitty? Is it about Lisa? You should've expected that when you moved," she mused, squatting down to clear some appliances from the way.
"Hell no! I meant Throes of Chaos. Lisa and I are still cool," Kiel snorted, a small smile on his lips.
"T-Trolls? What?" she asked, confused as she lifted a pile of his clothes from the sofa.
"You know, Throes of Chaos, the game? The one I told you I was popular on?" he replied, his excited words quickly dying down into a whisper at her expression.
"...A game?" She didn't even bother to hide the disappointment in her voice.
"Sis, I'm—"
"Kiel, I believe you are old enough to understand what shit is going on!" Gone was the teasing; now, her face was filled with disappointment and anger.
"Our mom is lying helpless in the hospital, and I am working my ass off to keep her from getting kicked out! If you can't help, at least don't put more on my plate!" she was literally fuming, her nails were digging into her hands.
Taking a deep breath she turned to face the wall, afraid that she might say something she'll regret
"Am trying too... It just isn't working out yet." still cleaning up, Kiel tried to make her see reason with him , hell he was angry too, he was trying his best too.
"Trying? You call shouting into a game trying? well maybe you should find something that would actually have an impact rather than just 'trying' " the young lady shot back in anger, immediately regretting her words only after saying them out.
"But its what.. I can do." Kiel whispered his back bent over, his bangs hiding his eyes, the lady couldn't see his expression but she could hear the hurt and helplessness in his voice and it made her heart ache.
Kiel stared at her back for an indefinite period of time and then Picking up the last piece of trash, he turned and left.
Sighing, the young lady turned towards the door, her wet eyes betraying her emotions, "I really am a trashy sister." she mumbled.
As she wallowed in self blame, her phone beeped in her bag, she walked to the bag to pick it and saw a message from the hospital her mom was admitted in. Straightening up quickly, her trembling fingers nervously tapped on it.
On the screen, a text that threatened to take her breath away popped up.
"Miss Voss, your mother has fallen into a coma. Your attention is urgently needed."