The Mysterious Game: The First Level

Evern's voice erupted with a frantic urgency, cutting through the tranquil ambiance of the surroundings. "Andy! Look behind you!" The words hung in the air, and as if choreographed, the group turned in unison, their hearts pounding like drums in their chests. What met their eyes was nothing short of a nightmare—a colossal hippopotamus, its massive bulk swaying as it lumbered toward them, jaws agape in a terrifying display of raw power. A wave of panic surged through them like a tidal wave, and instinct took over; they scattered in a frenzy, legs pumping in every direction as they sought the safety of distance.

But Andy stood frozen, rooted to the spot, her eyes wide with terror as the beast advanced. Time seemed to slow in that horrifying moment as the hippopotamus lunged forward, its enormous jaws snapping shut with a terrifying force before it vanished back into the shadows of the murky water, leaving Andy's friends in a stunned silence. They exchanged frantic, bewildered glances, confusion and dread etched deeply across their faces as one of them stuttered, "What happened to Andy?"

Just then, a strange and unexpected sound shattered the tension—a rush of air followed by a heavy thud. To their utter disbelief, Andy plummeted from above, crashing onto the ground in a bewildering display. She pushed herself up, adrenaline surging through her veins, a sense of urgency driving her movements. As she glanced at her palm, a cold shiver enveloped her. The tattoo she had once proudly displayed—three bold lines—now bore only two, a stark and disturbing indication of something far graver.

A feeling of dread washed over her, and she exclaimed, "Guys, the tattoos represent our lives!"

Leo's voice quivered with unease as he asked, "But… what if all the tattoos just completely disappear?"

Evern's features darkened, the weight of reality crashing down upon them. "Then I guess it means we will die in real life," he stated, his tone heavy with foreboding.

Amera's breath caught in her throat, disbelief knitting her brow as she thought aloud, "Are you serious?"

Evern met her gaze with a somber nod, the severity of the dire situation settling like a dense fog around them, swathing them in an oppressive blanket of fear and uncertainty.