MADman-Chapter 11: Goverment’s arrival

It was only a matter of time before the ripple effects of Gok's actions reached the real world. The disappearance of China's population, the destruction in Slaveland, and the sudden shift in the global order had drawn the attention of every major power. The Infinite Blade's swing had left traces—not just in the game but in reality—and governments worldwide were scrambling to piece together the mystery.

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Gok's Apartment – Morning

Gok sat at his desk, staring at the Infinite Blade propped against the wall. Its gleaming surface seemed to hum with energy, casting faint shadows in the dimly lit room. He couldn't help but feel uneasy. Every time he used the blade, the line between the game and reality blurred further.

A knock on the door broke his thoughts. He turned sharply, his instincts heightened from years of playing Rankers. He approached the door cautiously and peered through the peephole. Outside stood two men in black suits, their demeanor screaming "government agents."

"Mr. Gok Sun Ji," one of them said loudly, his tone firm yet calm. "We're with the Global Intelligence and Security Taskforce. We need to speak with you."

Gok's heart sank. They've found me.

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The Confrontation

The tension in Gok's small apartment was suffocating. The two government agents were professional, their movements calculated as they approached the Infinite Blade, now resting against the wall like an unassuming relic.

One agent reached out cautiously, his gloved hand trembling slightly as it closed around the hilt. "Unbelievable," he muttered. "It feels alive..."

Before Gok could react, the other agent pushed him down with brutal efficiency, pinning him to the ground. His head hit the floor, stars exploding in his vision. Despite his gaming prowess, in the real world, Gok was helpless.

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"Stay down, Mr. Gok," the agent growled. "For your own good."

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The Unexpected Visitor

As Gok struggled against the agent's grip, a strange chill filled the room. It was an unnatural sensation, like the air itself was being twisted and distorted. Without warning, a figure materialized in the corner of the room—a man in a worn brown hoodie, his face partially obscured.

The man's golden eyes gleamed with an otherworldly intensity, and a chilling smile stretched across his face. He moved with an eerie silence, his presence dominating the small space.

"What the—" the agent holding the Infinite Blade began, but his words were cut off.

The hooded man placed a strange cube, shimmering with faint blue light, against the agent's chest. The moment it made contact, the agent froze, his body locked in place as if time itself had abandoned him.

The second agent drew his weapon, but the hooded man was faster. In a single motion, he flicked his hand, and the time cube expanded, trapping the second agent in a similar stasis.

Gok, still on the floor, stared in shock.

The hooded man turned to him, his smile widening. "You're a miracle," he said softly, his voice resonating with an almost hypnotic rhythm. "Like me, but not yet."

"What are you talking about?" Gok stammered, his voice shaking.

The man didn't answer. Instead, he tossed a small, folded note onto the floor beside Gok. Then, with a slight nod, he vanished into thin air, leaving no trace of his presence except for the frozen agents and the note.

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The Note

Gok scrambled to his feet, his heart pounding. He picked up the note with trembling hands and unfolded it. The writing was elegant yet cryptic:

RAT. One of the 13 Zodiacs.

You're not alone.

The words sent a shiver down Gok's spine. He looked at the agents, still frozen in time, and then at the Infinite Blade, now pulsating faintly as if it had been stirred by the hooded man's presence.

"Thirteen Zodiacs?" Gok muttered to himself. "But there are only twelve in the Zodiac..."

The realization hit him like a bolt of lightning. Whoever this "Rat" was, he didn't belong to the traditional Zodiac system. He was something... different. Something beyond comprehension.

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The Hall of the Zodiacs

As the Chapter drew to a close, the perspective shifted to a grand, shadowy chamber. The Hall of the Zodiacs was a place shrouded in mystery, its walls inscribed with ancient symbols and constellations.

Thirteen thrones stood in a perfect circle, each one unique in design, reflecting the essence of its owner. Twelve of the thrones were obscured in darkness, their occupants hidden from view.

But one figure was visible—a man seated on a throne etched with intricate carvings of rats and mazes. The brown hood of his cloak concealed most of his face, but his golden eyes shone brightly, filled with mischief and cunning.

The man—Rat—leaned forward, his smile as unsettling as ever. "The miracle has been found," he murmured to himself. "Let's see how the game unfolds."

The hall echoed with his quiet laughter as the scene faded to black.

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