Reality overload Chapter 8: THE HUNT BEGINS

Read chapter 8 of Reality overload by Namizou on NovelPedia.

A forest clearing Moonlight dripping through the branches like silver paint poured over the world, catching on leaves, glinting off blades of grass, turning the whole clearing into a stage lit by a single celestial spotlight. "ARRRGH...!" A player's avatar dissolved into white particles at the boots of the woman who killed him. The particles drifted upward like fireflies before fading into nothing. Coins clattered to the ground, bouncing once, twice, before settling beside a wizard staff that rolled in a lazy circle. She didn't even watch him fade. She just sighed, bored, like the kill had inconvenienced her more than the victim. Her lackey hovered behind her, wringing his hands, shoulders hunched like he expected her to snap at him for breathing too loudly. He bent down to pick up the loot, fumbling with the coins as if afraid they'd explode. "Uh... boss? That guy was level one. You didn't even let him—" "He talked too slow," she said, flicking her hair back with a dramatic flourish that suggested she practiced it in the mirror. Her voice was smooth, sharp, and dripping with arrogance, the kind of voice that made you want to punch it and apologize to the air afterward. "People who waste my time deserve to respawn." The lackey blinked. "He said 'hi?" "And it took him three whole seconds." She rolled her eyes so hard it was a miracle they didn't fall out. "Pathetic." She opened her menu with a lazy swipe, like she expected the UI to bow to her. The holographic interface shimmered into existence, casting a faint blue glow across her face. The world notification hovered there, pulsing softly like it was nervous to be in her presence. ______________________________\\\\\\\_____ WORLD NOTIFICATION Player: Kris — LVL 2 First to unlock Hidden Class: Ice Princess First to equip Legendary Item: Battle Attire of the Ice Princess ———————————————///////——- The woman's lips curled into a slow, predatory smile, the kind that said she'd already decided someone else's fate and was now savoring the anticipation. "Well, well... look at this little snowflake." The lackey leaned in, squinting. "Uh... Ice Princess? That sounds kinda cute." She laughed. loud, mocking, cruel, the kind of laugh that made birds flee the trees. "Cute means weak. Weak means loot. And loot means mine." She tapped the notification like it personally offended her existence. "A level‑two nobody gets a legendary? While I'm out here doing all the work? Please. The devs must be drunk." The lackey nodded frantically. "Totally unfair. Completely rigged. Probably a bug." She stepped closer, voice dropping into a cold, smug whisper that slithered through the clearing. "She's new. She's clueless. She's wearing a dress that screams 'rob me.' And she's alone." The lackey hesitated, shifting from foot to foot. "We... we don't actually know that." She turned her head slowly, giving him a look that could peel paint off a wall. "She's level two." He shut up instantly. She sheathed her blade with a flourish, like she was performing for an invisible audience that she assumed adored her. "Spread the word. Quietly. Anyone who spots a girl with frost effects or a weird blue dress reports directly to me." "And if someone else finds her first?" Her smile widened, sharp, cruel, and absolutely punchable. "Then we take her from them. Obviously." She stepped past him, hands on her hips, strutting like she owned the entire forest and had personally signed the deed. "Tell the others we've got a new target. A legendary‑wearing princess who doesn't know how this world works." She paused, glancing back with a smirk that made the lackey flinch like he'd been slapped. "When I find her... she'll hand that gear over herself. With gratitude." "Oh... and make sure you sell that quickly. We don't want anyone asking questions, do we, my little gofer?" The lackey squeaked something resembling agreement. She vanished into the trees, humming to herself, a tune far too cheerful for someone who'd just murdered a stra