"They’re coming!" Katjenka’s sharp call tore through the stuffy dungeon air. The insectoid creatures poured out of the two corridors she had pointed to. Not three. Not five. There were dozens. Their many-legged limbs clicked in a deafening chorus on the damp rock, their almond-shaped heads swiveled greedily. The rumbling from the depths of the cave grew louder. The dungeon was no longer a peaceful place.

"Get ready! Formation!" Leo ordered, his voice cutting through the rising panic. He immediately activated his Archfiend skill. A clear mental impulse ran through the group, and they felt their attacks against these creatures become sharper, more precise. He had already adapted damage dampeners from Clara and worry diminishers from Walter. Now he concentrated on directing the supporting magic to the most threatened group members.

Markus Brandt, the warrior, stood at the front. His spear quivered in his hands. His eyes were wide, a mask of fear and determination. The first three beetles charged at him. He cried out, thrust and his spear hit. A crack. The beetle staggered. But the next one was already coming. Katjenka whirled her axe, its blade flashing in the semi-darkness, and severed one of the beetles’ legs. The creature staggered, its screams echoing through the cave.

Luna was a shadow dancing among the creatures, her daggers tearing off limbs, stabbing at weak points. She was fast, deadly, her stealth allowing her to avoid being hit. Clara Becker held up her healer’s staff, worry for her children still hanging over her like a veil, but she concentrated. Golden light flooded over Markus as he was struck again and again. Healing (physical) took effect.

The monsters did not stop coming. They pressed in from all sides. Katjenka’s ranger map glowed with red dots. The group was cornered. The floor became slippery with burst beetle corpses and a sticky liquid. The air grew thick with the smell of rotting flesh and ozone.

Markus gasped, his armor littered with dozens of hits. A monster snatched at his arm. He struck, but another one grabbed his leg. His breathing became shallower, faster. Panic threatened to overwhelm him.

"Markus! Concentrate!" shouted Leo as he tried in vain to use his adapted skills on everyone at the same time. The flood was too great. He directed damage dampeners at Markus, trying to reach him with worry minders. But Markus’ trembling became stronger. His eyes were fixed only on the gaping jaws in front of him.

Another beetle jumped at him. Markus screamed and raised his spear, but his movements were slow and uncoordinated. He stumbled. His foot got caught in a carcass. He fell.

"Markus! No!", Katjenka shouted, her voice rising in anger and despair. She wanted to rush to him, but two beetles blocked her path.

The creatures pounced on the warrior lying on the ground. A swift, cruel tearing. Markus screamed once more, but the scream quickly turned into a gurgling gasp. In a last flash of his soul, Leo saw the system interface light up in front of Markus’ eyes, pulsing red, then go out. The young man’s body began to smoke and shrink, dissolving into a pile of gray dust in seconds. All that remained was his level 1 armor, the spear and a small leather pouch with some coins and a few monster feelers.

Silence. A dreadful, absolute silence, broken only by the crackling of the approaching beetles.

Katjenka stared at the spot where Markus had been lying, her axe sunk. Her anger gave way to a deep, cold shock. Walter Steiner approached her and raised his staff. Clara collapsed for a moment, her hands in front of her mouth, tears streaming down her face. Death. Real death. In the middle of the "game".

Leo Richter, his gaze still fixed on the cloud of dust, felt a cold sting. One variable eliminated. Efficiency of the system. But at what cost? The red dots on Katjenka’s map continued to flow. More bugs. Much more. The dungeon was merciless. And the game had only just shown how deadly it was.