"Hahahaha. I'm truly going mad," Leo chuckled, unable to resist the absurdity of his situation.
Deciding to temporarily set aside the floating panel before him, he closed his eyes and tilted his head back, embracing the tranquillity of the forest.
In the stillness, he allowed the gentle whispers of the wind to wash over him, seeking solace in the calm it offered.
For a fleeting moment, Leo stood in silence, immobile, fully attuned to the serene ambiance surrounding him. Then, with a sigh, he opened his eyes and rose to his feet.
Despite his composed demeanour, a keen observer would notice the slight tremor in his hands, whether from the chilly forest air or the unease of the unknown remained uncertain.
Refocusing his attention on the floating panel, Leo acknowledged it once more.
───[ Character Profile ]───────────────
Name: Leonard Doe
Rank: *None
Profession: *Locked
Essence Point: 0/100
───[ Engraved Runes ]─────────────────
*None
───[ Skills ]───────────────────────────
Identify
Aetheria Standard Language
───[ Inventory ]───────────────────────
Weapon: *None
Armour: *None
Consumables: *None
Other items: *None
Coins: *None
───[ Quest Log ]───────────────────────
Quest: Unfamiliar Environment
───[ Party ]───────────────────────────
No party members
───[ Notifications ]───────────────────
*None
───[ Map ]─────────────────────────────
"Is this some sort of character sheet?" Leo muttered, his curiosity piqued. However, he quickly shook his head, acknowledging that although the panel resembled a game system he was familiar with, there were notable differences.
Leo scanned the panel once more, his attention caught by a term that intrigued him.
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"Map," Leo uttered aloud, the word resonating in the tranquil forest. He continued, "I understand the concept of maps, but how do I utilise it here?"
Almost as if responding to his question, another panel materialised beside the existing one, which had been present all along.
"It seems that I simply need to verbalise my intentions or perhaps mentally command this... interface," Leo mused, a self-mocking smile gracing his lips. "Seems like I'm already slipping into character," he thought, amused by his own situation, before redirecting his focus to the map.
The expanded map panel displayed a detailed depiction of his surroundings, with a prominent blue dot marking his presumed location amidst the dense forest.
It was evident to him that this representation aligned with his current position.
Wanting to avoid hasty assumptions, Leo exercised caution, meticulously observing his immediate surroundings and comparing them to the details presented on the map panel.
Leo noted a general correspondence between the two, although certain areas remained concealed behind a shroud of darkness, akin to a veil of fog. These obscured sections likely indicated unexplored territories.
"It seems the map employs a fog of war mechanism, much like some games I've played in the past," Leo muttered, drawing a connection between his current situation and familiar gaming concepts.
Curiosity piqued, Leo leaned closer to examine the map's features. As he did, he noticed a small magnifying glass icon in the corner, suggesting the ability to zoom in and out.
Intrigued, Leo placed his finger on the icon and slid it upward. The map responded by expanding, revealing a closer view of the immediate vicinity.
'It appears I can interact physically with the panel.'
With the map now enlarged, Leo discerned finer details of his surroundings.
The fixed blue dot represented his position, although his own figure was absent from the display, which only showed a holographic representation of the location.
If the map had the capability to show real-time imagery, it would undoubtedly be a powerful tool.
Wanting to explore further, Leo muttered, "Let me try moving and see what happens," his eyes fixed on the map as he took cautious steps toward the previously concealed areas.
As expected, the fog of war gradually dissipated, unveiling hidden sections of the forest. The map updated in real-time, reflecting his exploration and revealing the true nature of his surroundings.
"That's good to know," Leo murmured in a soft voice, satisfaction lacing his words. Equipped with a newfound understanding of the map's functionality, he resolved to embark on his quest to explore the uncharted territory.
"How do I close this interface, though?" Leo pondered, the question lingering in his mind. Almost as if in response to his thoughts, the interface vanished, leaving Leo with a wry smile.
"Whether this is a dream or reality, I'll accept it for what it is," Leo muttered, attempting to reconcile the uncertainty of his situation. He started to distance himself from his initial location, leaving a trail of footprints on the grassy forest floor.
"I'll embrace it as reality. If it's a dream, then I'll have a good laugh at myself for indulging in too many transmigration stories. If I've truly gone mad and these visions are a product of my own mind, well, how bad can it be?" Leo continued, trying to uplift his spirits despite the disconcerting circumstances.
As he ventured deeper into the forest, or what he assumed to be the forest, Leo found himself surrounded by towering trees.
The monotonous scenery was broken only when he stumbled upon an unexpected discovery—a well nestled within the forest. A perplexed expression crossed his face as he cautiously approached the enigmatic structure.
To his surprise, he noticed a ladder leading downward into the depths of the well.
"That's not weird at all. H-haha," Leo chuckled nervously, his voice betraying a hint of fear.
In all honesty, the finding was undeniably eerie.
A solitary well situated in the middle of an isolated, creature-less forest felt like the prelude to a horror story.
Just as Leo contemplated retreating to another location, a blue screen materialised before him, interrupting his thoughts.
Quest: [Unfamiliar Environment]
Objective Complete: Explore your surroundings.
[Leather Pants] have been added to your inventory.
100 [Copper Coins] have been added to your inventory.
Leo was about to release a relieved smile, seeing as he did not have to move around the forest like a pervert creep when another blue screen emerged, captivating his attention once more.
New Quest: [Secrets of the Well]
Objective: Explore the well.
Reward: Leather shoes and a shirt.
'Of course, it had to trigger a quest. Not exactly subtle,' Leo thought as he gazed down the well, only to be met with darkness. The sight reminded him of a famous quote.
"When you gaze into the abyss, the abyss gazes back at you," Leo muttered as the darkness in the well seemed to have shifted.