- First Person View (Amber) -

'There's so many doors.' I think to myself. 'Let's start walking then.' As I walked through the hall, weird things happened. 'Is that a floating fire extinguisher? It might come in handy later, so I'll try to grab it.' I try to grab the floating fire extinguisher but... 'It moved out of the way? Come on, get back here.' I keep trying, until it disappears.

*clack*

'Did it just teleport? Or did it fully disappear?' I muse to myself as I continue walking down the grayscale hallway. 'There's so many doors, I don't know what to choose.' Some of the doors have slightly different coloring, such as a dark brown, light brown, light gray or dark gray. As I walk through the halls, looking at the doors, I almost trip over something.

'Why is there just a wooden ladder on the floor?' I thought to myself. 'It'll probably be useful. I'll grab it.' As I'm holding it in my hands, the ladder suddenly started getting really warm, and kept getting warmer. 'Ow! Hot! Hot!' As I dropped it, it started turning red. 'I'm getting a bad feeling. I need to look for something to hide behind!'

As I'm nervously looking for an object to hide behind, I see a large broken exit sign. 'This won't cover me if I stand, but if I curl up, it should work.' As I rush over to the broken sign, I can hear the ladder making a noise that confirms my suspicions.

*crackle*

'That's not good. Quick, I need to move faster.' As I hide behind the sign, the ladder exploded, sending shards of wood everywhere.

*yelp*

'Oh god... that was close.' I though to myself, as I was looking at the wooden shards that almost pierced the sign. 'This game is... creative. It's so hard to forget this is a game.' I drop the sign and move on, trying to forget about what just happened.

'There's just doors everywhere.' As I'm walking through the level, I notice something weird. 'Is the level losing its color? I don't see as much brown doors anymore.' As I'm thinking this, I remember a very important feature. 'The journal! I can't believe I forgot about it. I'll refresh my memory for this level at least.'

[Journal opened. Select the category.]

- Levels -

- Sublevels -

- Negative Levels -

- Entities -

- Items -

[Negative Levels category selected. Select the negative level.]

- Level -1 | Grayscale Halls -

[Negative Level -1 selected. Generating description...]

[Level -1 is a long hallway that comprises of concrete walls and old carpeted flooring. Wooden doors are on each side, approximately 2-6 feet apart. These doors most often lead to various negative levels, leading to Level -1 being referred to as the "Negative Hub."

There are decorative items on the ceiling and walls such as ceiling lamps, inoperable fire alarms, broken exit signs, ladders, fire extinguishers, and blank paintings. The decorations have been reported to behave oddly, that being floating, exploding, and teleporting.

The hallway contains many fluorescent lights, with a buzzing quieter than Level 0. Some of the lights have light switches, though it doesn't work for every light. Air conditioning is present in the level, keeping it at -0°C (-32°F).

Level -1 creates new copies for every wanderer who enters, making outposts and bases impractical. The majority of the hallway is a straight line, with very rare dead ends, curves, loops, etc. Some hallways may even be narrow and enclosed, making it difficult to move through.

As one progresses, the saturation of the level will decrease, eventually resulting in the level being completely grayscale. One will begin to see static, and the level will begin to glitch out.

Entrances:

Find a whitish-yellow wallpaper in Level 0.

???

Exits:

Go through any of the various doors.

???

Description generated.]

'So the saturation of the level decreases as I go further. It turns into static? The level will even glitch out. I can't imagine what that's like in a real perspective.' I think to myself. 'This also explains the objects earlier.'

I return to walking along the hall. 'I do not want to experience the feeling of glitches on my body... It sounds weird just thinking about it.' Then the hall become different. 'Is that a turn? In a hallway?' I thought to myself. Though, I started to notice the bigger oddity. 'Is that a garage door? Again, in a hallway? This should lead me somewhere interesting at least.'

With a grunt of effort, I slide under the slightly open garage door. Then, I find myself in a weird parking lot. 'This is another place that was in the pictures. I think that means I'm going the right way.'

[Level 1 - Habitable Zone (NEW)]

[Class 1 - Safe | Secure | Minimal Entity Count]

[New level added to Journal.]

[You are the first to discover this level. Would you like to announce it?]

[Yes/No]

'Another first discovery? Don't announce.'

[Announcement refused. Title 'Level 1 Pioneer' is awarded regardless. This title can not be seen unless you wish it to be.]

'Now what does this place look like?' The surroundings seem to resemble a warehouse, with colder fluorescent lights hanging from the ceiling. With walls and pillars made of rotten concrete, it expands into many different areas. Occasional machinery, such as forklifts and cars, litters the areas. The place seems to have multiple floors, with large amounts of puddles of unknown liquid on the ground. (A/N: Yes, I took the description from chapter 1)

[Journal opened. Select the category.]

- Levels -

- Sublevels -

- Negative Levels -

- Entities -

- Items -

[Levels category selected. Select the level.]

- Level 0 | Tutorial Level -

- Level 1 | Habitable Zone -

'So now I have multiple levels documented. The only thing I don't have documented is entities, I wonder when I'll see one.' Little did I know, I was going to get that wish sooner than I thought I would.

[Level 1 selected. Generating description...]

[Level 1 is a large sprawling warehouse that features concrete floors and walls, exposed rebar, and a low hanging fog with no discernable source. The fog often coalesces into water, forming puddles on the concrete floor inconsistently. This level possesses a consistent supply of water and electricity, which allows for indefinite habitation. The level also possesses staircases, elevators, isolated rooms, and hallways.

Crates of supplies often disappear and reappear in randomly within the level. These crates often contain vital supplies such as food, Almond Water, batteries, tarps, weaponry, clothing, and medical supplies. They also can often contain nonsensical objects such as assorted car parts, boxes of crayons, used syringes, partially burned paper, live mice, mice in a catatonic state that have been injected with an unknown substance, shoelaces, loose change, and bundles of human hair. These crates should be approached with caution, but can contain valuable resources.

Crude paintings with no apparent meaning or origin appear are known to appear on the walls and floors. They are known to change in appearance and disappear when not in a direct line of sight or unlit. The light fixtures within Level 1 are prone to flickering and can fail at inconsistent intervals. When this occurs, supplies may vanish inexplicably, and hostile entities may appear.

These entities rarely attack in groups and tend to avoid light and large gatherings of people. It is advised to carry a reliable light source and sleep holding whatever items you wish to keep.

Entrances:

Slide under a garage door in Level -1

???

Exits:

???

Description generated.]

'This game is weird... Actually. Wait. I'm on the level I need for the beginner task. I have a feeling I should start walking this way.' As I walked out of the room, a second later, the lights had turned off. 'Why do I feel cold?' I slowly turned around and there it was. A bright smile, glowing in the dark.

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

[Entity: Smiler]

I saw the prompt above their head, but I didn't have time to pay attention. I ran. 'What the hell is that?! Run. Run. Run!' I sprinted in the direction I was heading before. Even though I didn't hear it following me, I still ran.

[New entity added to Journal.]

'Now I have at least one of everything documented. I'll check this later, I still need to run.' I ran and ran until I spotted something peculiar. 'Is that a wall of metal? That's my best bet at staying alive. I don't have any other options.' I started to knock nervously, afraid of angering the people inside. However...

*click*

*click*

*click*

As I turn around, I see the lights in the rooms behind me turn off, one after another, getting closer. I start knocking faster. The door opens, and as it opens I see a tall, strong woman with black hair and red eyes.

[NPC (Friendly): Athena (F)]

For a second I think I should run away, but one of their companions speaks first. They sound like they know what's going to happen. "Athena, bring her inside, the Smilers are coming." The woman who I now know as Athena yanked me in, eliciting a surprised noise from me.

*yelp*

Athena quickly closes the door. No sooner than a second later, scratching is heard against the door. I nervously wait as the scratching continues. Then it seems the Smilers gave up, as the scratching stopped. Now that everything is calmed down, I can see what the others look like.

The one who told Athena to bring me inside is slightly taller than average, and has dark brown hair and brown eyes. He also wears glasses and gives off a feeling of 'I know whatever you need to know.' As I focus on him, the game puts a prompt above his head.

[NPC (Friendly): Ether (M)]

I decide to look at the others. There is a man currently looking at the lights. As I look over and focus on him, the game puts a prompt above his head, as I thought it would.

[NPC (Friendly): Dell (M)]

Finally I look at what seems to be the leader of this base. They look androgynous but leaning more towards a man, being mildly tall. They have black hair and light blue eyes. I feel as if I saw some cyberpunk-esque, light blue wireframes in those eyes. I decide to disregard that, as I shouldn't question this stranger so much. Especially that their group saved me.

[NPC (Friendly): River (NB)]

'I wasn't expecting representation, but it's nice to know it's there.' I see the three members, barring the leader, walking closer. They seem curious about me. The leader speaks up. "Guys, relax. You're gonna scare them. First do your tasks, then talk. I'll brief them on what's going on." The three grumble, but comply. They seem excited that there is something new and friendly. Not just new.

I saw the three do their tasks, Athena going over to some sort of storage corner and grabbing car seats? 'I guess you can't exactly get normal couches here.' Dell went to the technology around the base, likely making sure nothing is faulty. Lastly, Ether went over and looked through some sort of database on the computer. 'If that's for levels, I'll have to ask about that later. Don't want another Red Rooms situation.'

River went up to me and started talking. "Alright, so welcome to the M.E.G. Outlands Outpost. I'll brief you on your job-" He paused for a second, looking exasperated. Then a notification appeared.

[Player Mortem_Saepe has died to: Smiler]

'Can he see these notifications? No, more importantly, someone died by an entity. What happens then?' River gave a look to...somewhere that said 'I don't care, I'm doing something else.' River continued his interrupted speech before. "I'll brief you on your job when all of you get here. You should probably take a break in the lounge area over there." River says as he points to a corner with car seats and wooden boards.

Ether seemed to have heard the conversation. "Leader, how do you know more people are coming?" 'I also want to know that.' River thought for a second before responding. "I've heard of a strange rumor about wanderers with special powers appearing in the backrooms, starting from Level 0. I think it's related to that energy incident, that's likely why I can tell how many are coming, and that they're coming here." 'That's an interesting thing to hear.' "Ah, I understand Leader.. I really want to know more about that energy..."

I decide to go sit down in a car seat. 'I guess this is why Athena was bringing out extra car seats.' As I sit, a notification appears.

[Beginner Task completed. New Task: Wait for the rest of players to find the outpost (1/15).]

'At least now I know how many players there are. And! I'm the first one here. Hehe.' I'm just laying on the car seat, with nothing to do. I decide to ask the Leader if there's anything I can do. "Um... Base Leader, is there anything I can do?" They looked a bit surprised for a second, before answering. "You could go to the physical training area." As they say that, I see Athena punching a metal block. 'That's metal! Can people become this strong in this game world?' "...Or you could look through the database on the computers. You'll only have the minimum clearance, however."

'Database... or physical training... Wait. I haven't looked at the Smiler in the Journal!' "Base Leader, I want to go on the database." They chuckled. "Are you another knowledge seeker? Doesn't matter, here. I'll restrict the database to minimum clearance. Don't want upper management getting mad at me for people seeing things they shouldn't have." 'Seeing things they shouldn't have? Is it things that make the organization they're in look terrible... or could it be some entries in the database are really hard to bear..?' As they're preparing the computer, I read the Journal entry I just got earlier.

[Journal opened. Select the category.]

- Levels -

- Sublevels -

- Negative Levels -

- Entities -

- Items -

[Entities category selected. Select the entity.]

- Smiler -

[Smiler selected. Generating description...]

[Smilers appear as a glowing white pair of teeth and eyes. They have been spotted often. It is rumored they have a physical body, that cannot be seen with the human eye. The physical body has been rumored to look non-human, alien-like, and with arms and legs bent in unnatural directions.

Smilers are attracted to light, and will chase anything they see with a light. A good way to distract a Smiler is by throwing the light source in your hand. The entity will only attack if you panic or retreat, or if a loud noise is made.

Do:

???

Don't:

Run away panicking.

???

Levels Found In:

Level 1

Description generated.]

'So what I did when I first saw it was wrong. Running away made it follow me. The database could probably fill in some missing parts.' As I finish thinking, I hear River start to come over. "Alright, I got it set up. Far right corner." I head over to that computer and sit down. As I sit down, I'm greeted by a screen.

[Clearance Level: 0]

[Available:

Levels: Level 0 | Level 1 | Level 4

Entities: Windows | Smiler

Items: Almond Water

Bases: RESTRICTED[

'I could learn something new if I select the levels I have already been to.'

[Level 0 Selected]

[Level 0 is a non-linear space, resembling the back rooms of a retail outlet. All rooms of Level 0 appear uniform and share common features such as mono-yellow wallpaper, damp carpet and inconsistently placed...

'Skip, skip...'

Exits:

No-clip out of Level 0 to appear in Level 1.

Arrive at the Manila Room by wandering a large distance in any direction.]

'There's some new things I haven't seen.' I suddenly get a notification, however.

[Journal Document Updated: Level 0]

'I'll go through some more things.'

[Level 1 Selected]

[Level 1 is a large sprawling warehouse that features concrete floors and walls, exposed rebar, and a low hanging fog with no discernable source. The fog often coalesces into water, forming puddles on the concrete...

Entrances:

Opening ordinary doors in many levels has a chance of leading here.

Exits:

Wandering down any extended hallway will lead you to Level 2.]

[Journal Document Updated: Level 1]

I was about to go read the entry for Level 4, when more players started coming in.

Chapter Word Count: 2,739