We both walk over the pods, with everyone making way for the both of us. I hear some murmuring from the small crowd about getting the displays in the facility working so people can spectate the now very public fight.

  This whole situation clearly has gone far out of my control and I can only hope that I can beat this asshole and move on with this whole thing.

  As soon as two free pods open up, we each head inside. Finding myself unfamiliar with the pods, I’m awkwardly at a loss as to what the hell I’m supposed to do. Luckily for me, there are some instructions conveniently placed on the side of the pod for me to read. So I take a moment to understand what to do, causing the crowd to begin to accuse me of stalling.

  Once I figure out the gist of it, I open the pod door and lay down flat on my back, while at the same time equipping some sort of headgear attached to the inside of the pod.

  After a few seconds of not knowing whether I did something wrong, in the blink of an eye, everything around me changes, and I’m suddenly standing straight up inside a white room. In front of me, is some sort of menu, where I can pick certain games to play.

  Remembering that Regalius fellow mention the arena, I click on the one that appears closest to a standard coliseum type arena.

  Once I do, the world around me once again changes, this time into the center of a massive coliseum, the likes of which were often seen in roman times during the old-world on Earth.

  Crowds and crowds of what I assume to be fake people, cheer boisterously as I begin to read the options in front of me. Before I can click anything though, I get a pop-up notification.

  {Welcome to the Arena! Where might makes right and power dominates all! Please select a username, keep in mind, this username will be used in all future Gaming Pod experiences you may play! So choose wisely!}

  The message puts me on the spot, as I’m unwilling to delay this little duel any longer I pick my name.

  My first few tries are already taken. A shame because Mr. Sword would’ve been an amazing name. My next try is Mr. Sword Fellow, but unfortunately, that one’s been taken too. Deciding to continue this trend I have going I keep adding words until finally one lands.

  {Mr. Sword Fellow Guy Dude Man has been selected. Are you sure about your decision?}

  {Y/N}

  ‘As I’ll ever be.’ I think to myself before clicking yes.

  {Name confirmed! For our player’s safety, please select the type of identity scrambler you would like.}

  ‘What the hell is this?’ I ask myself before a series of options appear before me.

  {None}

  {Mask}

  {Mask and Skin Color}

  {Silhouette}

  ‘Uhm, mask I guess?’ I think before selecting it hurriedly, not wanting people to think I’m stalling.

  If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  {Please select your mask.}

  This time I’m presented with hundreds of thousands of options. Not willing to go through each one, I just select random. As soon as I do, it shows that I selected a simple white mask with a black geometric mandala pattern engraved on it.

  ‘Alright come on, hurry it up here.’ I think anxiously.

  {Congratulations! Your account has been registered and you may now enjoy the fully immersive gaming experience.}

  ‘Finally’

  Looking at my options, I select local duel, and I’m immediately teleported to a different arena, this one smaller in size and, instead of a sand floor, has some kind of metal tiled floor.

  Across from me I see a familiar punchable face sitting on the floor with his head resting in his hand.

  “Finally!” He says jumping up quickly, “Ha! I knew you’d be a coward and have a mask on! True men show their face behind their actions!”

  He then begins to stretch exaggeratedly.

  “No more stalling now! You’re about to learn the difference between bought talent, and true talent! And don’t forget, the whole gym is watching! So try not to look too sorry!” He says smirking as if he just said the most scathing thing in the world.

  Rather than entertaining him, I look around the unfamiliar place, taking in myself and my surroundings.

  On my hip, to my surprise, is my trusty sword.

  ‘Crazy that this place can quite literally replicate anything.’ I think to myself.

  I touch my face, and rather than feeling a mask placed there, instead there’s nothing, as if it’s not there at all. Also It’s confusing that I saw no eye holes in the mask, yet I can see perfectly fine.

  ‘Weird.’ I think quickly.

  Looking up, I see him still stretching and immediately I notice something wrong.

  ‘Where’s this guy’s weapon? Is he really that arrogant?’

  Just as I’m asking that, a countdown appears above the both of us, starting from ten, and slowly decreasing with each passing second.

  ‘Well, if anything, this should be a good benchmark on where I compare to other people.’ I think before quickly drawing my sword and entering into a ready stance, leaning forward with my muscles tensed. Across from me, I watch as Regalius squats down with one hand pointed forwards.

  As soon as the counter reaches zero, I pounce, speeding towards Regalius with all I can muster. Almost immediately, his plan become clear, as he begin to pelt me with various ranged attacks that, while not threatening individually, will quickly add up if I’m not careful.

  The projectiles themselves are quite eclectic, from ice shards to even poison orbs, it seems anything is on the table for this guy.

  I do my best to stay out of the way as best I can, but with the sheer volume of attacks he’s throwing out, some of them are bound to break through.

  And I’m proven right, as eventually I get nicked on the leg with an ice bolt, causing a small but noticeable wound to appear.

  Seeing that his barrage tactic is working, he quickly amps up the pressure sending projectile after projectile flying towards me.

  I duck under a lighting bolt, roll away from a fire ball, and jump away from a wooden spear, all in the span of a couple seconds.

  ‘At this rate, it’ll be a test of what can last longer, his mana, or my life!’ I think to myself, trying to find a way forward and towards Regalius.

  I make up my mind quickly.

  ‘Well, sometimes the simplest option is the best option.’ I think before begin my charge forward towards the projectile blasting man.

  I do my best to prioritize any object that may cause more damage than I would like, and just decide to straight up ignore anything that isn’t heading for anything major.

  Like this, I make my way forward, slowly at first, but eventually I step into the rhythm of things.

  I block a metal throwing star and dodge a lightning bolt, stepping forward and taking a nasty bruise to my arm from a thrown rock.

  This continues until, eventually, I manage to reach him and throw my sword towards his neck.

  Instead of panicking like I half-expected, he quickly maneuvers into a more physical fighting style, deflecting my attack with his fists and throwing out a barrage of punches towards me. Each punch having some sort of different color around his fist, clearly indicating his wide use of elements transfers over to his physical attacks too.

  Fists full of various shades of blues, greens, reds and any other color you can think of enter my vision, causing me to scramble at the surprising swiftness of the blows.

  ‘Holy shit! This guy’s better than I thought he’d be!’ I think as I block a pink covered fist heading straight for my face, sending me flying backwards.

  I deftly flip in the air, managing to land on my feet, but only barely. As soon as I look up to continue the melee, I see a black bone heading straight at my chest. I roll to the side, but just like before, a barrage of projectiles follows, sending me back to square one.

  ‘Goddamnit! This asshole doesn’t quit!’