Chapter 12: The Box
"Ehehehe~ hello Hero~" (Fairy?)
This was the first time Marcus saw a real fairy. He was under the impression that fairies were smaller like tinker bell, however, the fairy was the size of a large infant! It was fluttering around Marcus’s head, leaving behind a trail of glitter. Placing it’s small hands on Marcus's cheeks, it gave him a kiss on the nose.
“Grrrrr... Woof!” (Diloria)
The forest started to giggle. The sound of children laughing came from every direction. The furry animals started to dispersed as the forest began to light up. One by one, children started emerging from the covers of the trees. Some were crawling, while others were flying in the air, but they all had one thing in common. They all were fairies. Like fireflies, the fairies glowed in the dark. They started to sing and dance around Marcus, a fairy festival had begun.
[Human!...It’s a human!...Human!...Hi human!]
The fairies started to swirl around Marcus. Brighter and brighter, the trees were vanishing from sight. Faster and faster, the fairies became orbs of light.
[Eheheh~...Human come play!...Human!...Eheheh!]
Marcus was getting nauseated. He didn't know whether it was the bright pulsing light or the sound of high pitch voices, but he knew he was going to throw up.
[Ehehe!...Come play Human!...Come join us!...Ehehehe!]
In the whirlpool of light, Marcus fell to the floor. A splitting headache. He started to gag. The feeling was worst than riding a roller-coaster. Marcus started to black out. All he could hear was the laughter of children echoing in his mind as his eyes finally closed shut.
***
It's Dark. Opening his eyes, Marcus found himself in a dark room. As his eyes began to adjust, he found himself lying on top a giant leaf. He stretched his body out. It was quiet.
“Hello? Is anyone there?” (Marcus)
[Groan...]
Sounds like someone’s there...
“Huh? Diloria! Diloria, you there?!” (Marcus)
“Eurf! Eurf!” (Diloria)
Thank god
Marcus patted his clothes. He checked if anything was missing.
Everything’s here
Marcus could barely see anything. It was really dark. The only light came from several holes, high up in the wall. Marcus decided to investigate his surroundings. He ran his hands on the ground as he crawled on all fours.
Dirt floor...
*Bump*
Marcus head collided with the wall.
Ow.... Hm... wall made of wood.
The whole wall was made of solid wood. Marcus was surprised, he couldn't find any cracks or joints in the wall.
Hm...corner...Eh?
Marcus hands felt something soft. It was smooth... fleshy...
“Erm...please stop that...” (woman???)
Marcus quickly retracted his hand. The voice of a women.
“Sorry! Erm, where are we?” (Marcus)
“So you’re new here....” (woman???)
“Here? Where’s here?” (Marcus)
The girl was silent. Marcus didn't like being ignored but he accidentally just groped her. He figured she was mad. As Marcus continued his investigation, he heard something familiar. The laughter of children.
[thud - thud - thud]
The whole room started to shake, something big was coming, it felt like a giant! The laughter kept getting louder and louder.
“Eeek! They’re back!” (???)
“God, please save us!” (???)
The ceiling started to rumble. The whole room became bright. Peering down on Marcus was the face of a giant child. The face of a fairy.
“Ahhhh! Run!” (???)
“Eeeek!” (???)
[giggle]
A large hand swoop down, picking up two humans. Marcus finally notice, the whole room was a wooden box. Several naked humans were running from the monster, while other laid motionlessly on the floor.
The fairy picked up a young boy and women.
“Ehehe, play! Lets play!” (Fairy???)
“Ahhh!” (boy???)
“Someone save us!” (woman???)
Marcus was terrified. What just happened? As the ground continued to shake, several more fairies came by, one by one, humans were being picked up like dolls. As everyone was crying in fear, darkness returned once again.
Marcus was still there. Still safe. He didn't know what the fairies were doing, but he could hear the screams of agony from outside the walls. He couldn't stand around, he had to get out.
“Hey! My name is Marcus. Is anyone there? Can anyone talk to me?” (Marcus)
A deep voice called out to him.
“Hey Marcus…. Name’s Tessel” (Tessel)
“Tessel! Please tell me what’s happening!” (Marcus)
“Didn't you see for yourself! Those sick fucking demons are torturing us! They play with our bodies like dolls, break us down, then heal us back up! It’s NEVER ENDING TORTURE!” (Tessel)
“...sorry…” (Marcus)
“For fuck's sake. It’s not your fault. Just pray you don't get pick the next time around” (Marcus)
“Please Tessel, has anyone ever escape yet?” (Marcus)
“Escape? Hah! Are you stupid? How the hell is anyone gonna escape!” (Tessel)
“Put we can’t just give up! There has to be a way!” (Marcus)
“Go through hell and back, then you’ll understand” (Tessel)
“Please, we gotta work together if we have any hope of escaping...” (Marcus)
“You think we haven’t tried?! Shut up kid. You’re getting on my nerves” (Tessel)
Marcus knew he was safe. He could easily log out when he hears the fairies coming then log back in. But he was more concern about finding a way out.
Though everything happened so fast, Marcus still remember what was inside the room. First was several small plants. They were in some sort of garden. Second, he notice dead insects. They looked similar to grubs or larva. Their bodies were half eaten, he assume they were eaten by the people here. Third, the wooden walls.
Marcus pulled out his axe. If the room was really wood, he should be able cut his way out. Going into a corner, he started hacking at the wall.
[thud-crack-thud]
Slowly, the prisoners began to murmur...
“Hey, is that you Marcus?” (Tessel)
“Yeah?” (Marcus)
“W-what-you have a sword?” (Tessel)
“Not a sword, an ax” (Marcus)
Everyone started to shout in joy.
“It’s an adventurer!” (???)
“He’s here to save us!” (???)
“A Hero!” (???)
Marcus couldn't care less about being called a Hero, but he had to get out somehow and he didn't mind if they tagged along.
“You can follow, but I can’t ensure your safety” (Marcus)
Three days have passed. Everyone besides Marcus was a NPC. Their stories were different but it always ended the same. Fairies would surround them and teleport them to the box. Some were trapped there for days, others months. As the sound of children laughter approached, Marcus quickly covered the corner with a giant leaf and log out. He didn't want to be picked by the fairies. But even more so, he couldn't stand the expression of agony and pain as people cried for help. After a few minutes, he would log back in, he continue to hack away.
[ping]
Through special action(s): (New) Hack beginner level 1
+increase blade’s penetration with repeated blows
+0.25% dmg per hit, capped at 10%
1 dexterity + 1 stamina
Marcus spent over 48 hours hacking the same spot with his axe. Because of his determination and high stamina, he managed to unlock his first attack skill. As he rejoiced, a gust of fresh air hit Marcus’s face.
An exit! Now more determined than ever, Marcus continued chopping away. Slowly, the hole grew, till finally it was big enough for an adult to crawl through. Everyone around Marcus was rejoicing. They were finally free. Marcus planned to escape when the prisoners came back from their torture. Marcus learned that the fairies would come every three days to play. Meaning they had three days to remain undetected.
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Later that day, everyone sat around Marcus at the corner of the box. He was giving them the last of his bread to eat. Marcus needed everyone, all 20, to be strong enough to run on their own. Marcus and Diloria were the first to exit the box. He checked if the coast was clear. Then tapping on the wall, one by one, everyone came out from hiding. Everyone took in their new surrounding. It was night.
The blades of grass were like trees. Small pebbles were like boulders. Everyone felt it. The feeling of being insignificant magnified. They were small, they were dust, they were nothing. Marcus waved his hand to gather everyone in a circle.
“Okay, I’ll lead. Stay close. If we get caught, scatter. I’ll come back to save you if you’re recaptured. Trust me” (Marcus)
Everyone nodded their heads in silence. They didn't trust those words but they had no choice but to cling on to any hope they could get. They headed out. Silent. Shadows of the night. They swiftly crossed the field in a line. Their hearts were pounding. Their bodies were ice. As they left the clearing, they all froze. They've reached the forest.
There was no more grass. Only barren land and gigantic trees. They looked up to see if there were any fairies flying around. Marcus knew they didn't have much time. Hunger, exhaustion, fear. The longer they stayed idle, the more dangerous it would be. Marcus took the first step. His back stood firm as everyone eye’s plead for salvation.
“We run” (Marcus)
Marcus was the first to start sprinting. One by one, everyone followed. The sound of insects swarming around struck fear in everyone’s heart. For them, they knew Marcus was an adventurer. Someone who came from another world. They saw how he could vanish and reappear. They were jealous. Marcus was guaranteed safety. However, they were bound to be caught, thrown back into hell and suffer for all of eternity.
Up ahead, one and a half miles (~0.8 km) from where they were, was a gigantic tree. The circumference alone would take 2 minutes to circle by foot.
[Hooo]
The moon vanished, a large shadow was cast over the fleeing villagers. Swooping down from the sky was an owl! A large gale of wind knocked everyone over.
[Kyaaa]
The owl has claimed it’s first victim.
“Keep running! Run for the tree!” (Marcus)
[Hooo]
One wasn't enough, the owl was out for more. Marcus equipped his hoe. It was the most sturdiest weapon he had available. As the owl swooped down, Marcus leaped forward, trying to knock it’s razor sharp talon away.
[thud]
“Kyaaa, DADDY!” (???)
It was impossible. Marcus was blown back several meters as the owl claim the life of another. Panic and fear set in. Everyone was screaming. Marcus got back up. He had to try again.
[Hoooo]
There were almost there, only a few more steps! Marcus braced himself. As the owl swooped in, Marcus leaped, he grabbed onto the leg! The owl soar up and perched on the tree branch. It was confused but only for a moment. A giant beak went in for the kill. Marcus knew that 'this is it'. He swung his hoe with all his might; right in the owl’s eye! The owl shriek. Marcus hoe was lodge in it’s eyeball! As the bird violently flapped it’s wings, Marcus equipped his axe and started hacking at the owl’s guts. After having it’s stomach punctured and legs mangled, the owl fell from the tree. What Marcus saw was a freefall to certain death. Marcus was panicking, in those mere 2 seconds of freefall, his life flashed before his eyes.
[Thud]
Huh? No damage?
Marcus got up. He won. Even though he fought such a fierce battle, he only received 41 exp. As the bird grayed out, it left behind a thigh and a feather. Marcus touched the feather, it suddenly shrunk to his size.
Ah?
Marcus knew how hungry everyone was. He didn't want the meat to shrink too. Marcus rejoin the group. The atmosphere was dreary. Everyone was huddling under the tree-root, clearly shaken by the experience.
“Who’s up for chicken?” (Marcus)
Marcus tried lightening up the mood. But he simply got no response. Not even a chuckle.
“Listen, I need someone to help butcher and cook the meat. If I touch it, it’ll shrink down to our size” (Marcus)
“...” (group)
“Hey Tessel, please!” (Marcus)
Tessel reluctantly helped. His normally haughty attitude has died out. Was it the near death experience? Marcus watched as Tessel hacked away at the bird.
“Hey Tessel! That’s enough! STOP!” (Marcus)
Tessel eyes were filled with rage. He keep hacking at the thigh with all his might. Marcus had to wrestle him down before he’d stop.
“Geez Tessel! Lets go back. Everyone’s hungry” (Marcus)
That night they silently ate the roasted owl’s meat. Everyone was cold. The group huddled in the corner, trying to stay warm.
For the next day, they continued their escape. This day was a lot more uneventful. It was safe. Everyone’s mood perked up as they were finally able to eat things other than raw bugs. Marcus planted several potatoes, carrots and berries for everyone to enjoy.
Though they managed to escape, they now had another dilemma. How will they return to their former size?
“-Status Window-” (Marcus)
[ping]
Status WindowMarcusFarmerLevel11 (17.2%)TitleGreen ThumbHealth774/1090Mana174/174Stamina120/350Charm5Strength128 (-64)Intelligence10Agility70Dexterity110Wisdom10Vitality36Nature94Fame20
Status: (Moderate) Shrink! (1/20 original size, strength reduce by 50%)
5% bonus exp for farming skill
Fire resistance: 9.7%Water resistance: 9.4%Air resistance: 9.4%Earth resistance: 9.4%
Ugh… Shrink? Maybe Matsuo will know what to do
Marcus signaled for everyone to gather around the campfire.
“I’ll be gone for 2-3 days...I need you guys to hide while I’m away” (Marcus)
“What!?” (???)
“You can’t leave us! How will we survive?!” (???)
“...” (Marcus)
“Please, we beg you! Please don’t go!” (???)
Marcus walked over to Tessel.
“Here, use this if necessary” (Marcus)
“...Thanks” (Tessel)
“Everyone, there’s enough food here for 3 days. I’ll be back as soon as possible” (Marcus)
The mood dampened again. No one was certain if they would be alive in the next three days. Not even Marcus knew what would happen. He closed his eyes. He couldn't muster the courage to say goodbye.
Log out
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