Diablo 4 Hardcore really is a very intense experience. If getting 1-shot by mobs wasn’t scary enough or a disconnect costing you all your progress terrifying enough… there’s always other players.
This isn’t exactly a new story, and if you’re playing Hardcore you really should know this already. But just never EVER use portals from players you don’t know. Or maybe from those you DO know either.
Not particularly original, but it’s hard getting those PvP kills in Hardcore! Hopefully the dead player was going to re-roll in the new season anyway.