404: Reality not found

*This chapter is a continuation of the story 404: Reality Not Found.

Our alliance, ZHSq, was steadily growing. Among the new members, DanSun quickly became an integral part of our crew. She fit perfectly into our circle, her activity and friendliness elevating the energy in the group. Together with EHHHSAN, I kept a close eye on our former alliance, the Dark Lords. We had made a silent vow long ago: One day, we will burn them down.

Day by day, our small crew gathered in the game. My real life, meanwhile, remained stagnant. Work was just a blur, a mere obligation before I could dive back into the virtual world that had become my true reality. Amphetamines fueled my long, sleepless nights, letting me push harder for our alliance’s progress. I was proud of what we had built together, even if it came at the cost of my personal life.

The days in Doomsday: Last Survivors were repetitive yet fulfilling. Alliance chat buzzed with conversations, plans, and camaraderie. We battled hiveminds, hordes of zombies, built towers, upgraded technology, and fortified shelters. A month passed in the blink of an eye.

Then JoeDoe arrived. He was a Polish player from another region who settled near our main fort. We hit it off immediately. JoeDoe was just as active and friendly as the rest of us, a perfect addition to the team. His presence bolstered our might, and together we managed to claim a few villages and expand our territory.

Yet, our alliance still suffered from a lack of active players. DanSun and I decided to recruit from her former alliance, ONU. Despite her efforts, no one from ONU was interested in joining us. Frustrated, we chose another path—war.

Armed with DanSun’s knowledge of their forces, we began building towers toward their main fort to the west, crossing the mountain and securing a critical bridge she had once claimed. When our towers reached their fort, we launched our attack. But to our horror, the fort was not as empty as our scouts had reported. A player far stronger than we’d ever seen was camping there. His name was Ntinos, with a staggering might of 40 million.

The battle was devastating. I lost over 150 000 tier-3 troops, and DanSun, along with the others, suffered significant losses. Fear gripped us all. If Ntinos retaliates, he could destroy everything we’ve worked for.

But instead of striking back, Ntinos sent me a message. He introduced himself as a wanderer who had joined ONU to help defend them. To our surprise, he was kind. He apologized for the destruction and offered to stay with us temporarily.

Ntinos helped us rebuild, sending resources and teaching us advanced game mechanics—things we never knew. He taught us the importance of troop strengths and weaknesses, strategies for protecting weaker players, and the value of cooperation. He even advised us to establish good relations with the regional government alliance, 595G NewHopes. His lessons reshaped our perspective.

After a few weeks, Ntinos left. But we never forgot his generosity and wisdom. In honor of him, we added a note to our alliance description: Friends: Ntinos. Ntinos left a mark on us that went far beyond the game. He had taught us that strength wasn’t just about might—it was about how you used it.