Deadly whims.

A strange phenomenon started happening a few months ago. One by one, people around the world seemed to vanish, only to appear on this strange dark web website that rose in popularity. Gossip started, then rumours. Live videos of those same missing people were found on it, showcasing them in a different world, only to be brutally murdered or to die in awful conditions. The word spread quickly. Soon enough, the website blew up in popularity. Hundreds of thousands were watching. Those taken away from this world weren't people who had previously died, nor people who had nothing left to lose. But rather, those who had everything to lose: a family, a loved one, a career, a comfortable life. Their misery and despair were made so much more apparent moments before their deaths.

The environment was the same: in the woods of what seems to be a fantasy medieval era. Those transported to the other world would appear in one of two places, both as deadly as the other. Some died of starvation, some to creatures, some to bandits, or even people guarding the border between both kingdoms as they failed to identify themselves. Every time one died, the next ones watching would gain knowledge on how to avoid those deaths. But for those blind to the truth, their lack of knowledge would prove to be a quick death.

First, it was by the hundreds. Then, the thousands. If one died, then another would appear in the following hours or the next day. From young to old, from weak to strong—it didn't discriminate.The world was known as Glarion. A fantasy world where superhuman strength and magic weren't so uncommon. "Players" would gain skills upon being thrown in. Kills provided experience needed to level up. Just like your usual RPG. It was assumed that the one pulling the strings was a god of sorts.

After breaching the thousands, one single individual managed to go further than most. Won a few fights and reached the first "checkpoint." An assassin was sent after precisely one week to kill the victim. He put up a good fight, but unfortunately died. Following his death, the next few players were more carefully chosen—either for their strength, intelligence, or experience. As if they were heroes or champions of mankind. The first few did insanely well.And then, came my turn..