Once there was a boy named Alex who was considered one of the biggest streamers on Twitch. Known for his charismatic video game commentary and engaging personality, he had amassed a huge following. Every video he uploaded drew thousands of viewers, who were captivated by his unique style and infectious enthusiasm.


    One day, Alex received an unexpected package from a company he had never heard of—XX''s Games. Intrigued, he opened the package to find a sleek, mysterious-looking game disc. Accompanying the disc was a letter from the company, praising his streaming prowess and expressing hope that he would feature their new game prototype on his channel. The letter hinted at revolutionary gameplay mechanics that involved damage per second (DPS), but it was vague about the specifics.


    Excited by the prospect of exclusive content, Alex announced a special live stream where he would play the new game. His viewers eagerly awaited the event, curious to see what XX''s Games had in store.


    On the night of the stream, Alex set up his equipment and launched the game. The title screen flashed a cryptic name—"The Gauntlet of Shadows." The graphics were stunning, and the atmosphere was eerie, instantly drawing Alex and his audience in. The game began with a tutorial that explained the DPS mechanic: the player''s health would gradually deplete over time unless they defeated enemies quickly enough to earn health pickups.


    As Alex progressed through the levels, he noticed something strange. Whenever his character took damage in the game, he felt a sharp pain in the corresponding part of his body. At first, he dismissed it as a coincidence, but as the game grew more intense, the pain became more severe and harder to ignore.


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    His viewers, oblivious to his discomfort, cheered him on as he navigated the treacherous virtual landscape. Determined to entertain his audience and prove his gaming skills, Alex pushed through the pain, thinking it was all part of the immersive experience XX''s Games had promised.


    However, the pain soon became unbearable. With every hit his character took, Alex felt his own strength waning. His vision blurred, and his hands trembled as he struggled to keep playing. The chat was filled with concerned messages, but Alex, sweating and pale, tried to reassure his fans that he was fine.


    As the game reached its climax, Alex''s character faced a formidable boss, and the DPS mechanic went into overdrive. Each second felt like an eternity as Alex''s health, both in-game and in real life, plummeted. Desperation set in as he realized that the game was somehow linked to his physical well-being.


    Finally, unable to endure the agony any longer, Alex collapsed, the game still running on his screen. His viewers, horrified, watched as his webcam feed went dark and the game continued without him. Panic spread through the chat, and some called emergency services, providing Alex''s location in hopes of saving him.


    When paramedics arrived, they found Alex unconscious but alive, his body showing signs of severe stress and injury. They rushed him to the hospital, where doctors worked to stabilize him. The mysterious game was confiscated for investigation, but XX''s Games was nowhere to be found—their website, social media, and contact information had vanished without a trace.