Ready Player Two discussion

When saving the world there are usually hostages but what if nearly the entire world was a hostage? This is what Wade Watts had to deal with in the book Ready Player Two by Ernest Cline. Wade Watts was forced to save the world after the new release of the ONI technology by finding the 7 shards to make the crystal whole. Who would do such a thing? James Halliday's computer version of himself trapped every ONI user and forced Wade and his friends to put the shards back together. With only one life Wade and his friends have their backs against the walls as time runs out.

Evaluative Question: Is it a greater act of Mercy to save others or to save your friends and those closest to you?