Chapter 10 - Onto the second scenario
It was impossible to tell how much time had passed until then; Adam had become so absorbed in his books, notes, and tests on himself that he only reacted when the door to his room was violently pounded with thunderous knocks, and a very angry Mr. Li shouting from the other side.
“Hey kid, didn't you hear the alarm? The next scenario will start soon, even the newcomers are already here. Get out, now!”
A bit startled, the boy closed the book he was reading and tucked it under his arm, ready to take it with him to continue it later if he got the chance. It could be said that he had learned quite a bit during his long hours of study, and he needed to review each piece of information in his head as much as possible before starting the next story if he wanted to be a little bit more prepared.
First of all, he confirmed that he truly couldn't feel sleepy. Neither the sleeping pill nor the hours of constant reading had mentally exhausted him to the point of wanting to sleep, which allowed him to advance, finish, and understand five of the volumes he had bought. This, truth be told, excited him greatly. On the other hand, his basic needs such as hunger, thirst, and the need to go to the bathroom were completely unaffected by his "change" as he had more than once felt his mouth dry or felt his stomach growl.
"It would be better if I take some food and something to drink as well."
He thought while packing some cans of beans and two bottles of water into his backpack, mentally reviewing the other points he had discovered.
Something that strongly caught his attention was the concept of "cursed energy", that most of his new abilities claimed to use. After many tests and devouring the content of the two related books, he confirmed that it was something he did not possess. He even spent a few minutes sneaking out to the store area to investigate further, but the result had been clear.
⌠Search bar: Cursed Energy⌡ ⌠Filter bar: Generate⌡ ⌠Searching…⌡ ⌠Searching…⌡ ⌠Total Results: 1302⌡ ⌠Cursed Energy Origin Lv1: 5000pts⌡ ⌠Are you sure you want to buy “Cursed Energy Origin Lv1”?⌡ ⌠YES / NO⌡ ⌠Additional Information⌡ ⌠After purchasing, the user will be infused with a malevolent and supernatural force imbued with negativity. Cursed Energy is often associated with dark magic or occult practices, carrying a potent and harmful influence that can bring misfortune, sickness, or other adverse effects to those who come into contact with it.⌡ ⌠Cursed Vision Knowledge⌡ ⌠This energy is believed to originate from curses, hexes, or malevolent spirits, and its presence may linger in places or objects. Warning: Cursed Energy is harmful to any living being that does not have adequate protection.⌡ ⌠Hint: It is recommended to possess a skill or treasure that nullifies negative effects, or to generate resistance to curses to use it effectively.⌡
Not only was the cost of purchasing such energy extremely high, but the additional information made it very clear that it was highly harmful to living beings. While his new abilities required it to be used, there was no guarantee that his body could withstand it. After all, cursed energy wasn't a curse, and he still functioned as a regular living being.
While according to the books, there were ways to acquire this power naturally, doing so was extremely complicated and required extensive preparation. Adam didn't find it convenient to try that method either, which left him with the "simpler" method supposedly used by practitioners of dark arts—finding a cursed object. The books provided several examples, and Adam had analyzed each one, finally settling on something called the "Phantomcaller Ring", a Grade-C item that, to be honest, was the most affordable option he found without unnecessary risks. However, he still needed to save as many points as possible before purchasing it.
Once ready and with his backpack packed, Adam finally left his room for the lobby. It was as white and unfriendly to the eyes as ever, so he quickly located the three people with whom he had experienced the previous adventure. Drake seemed to have returned to his usual self, raising an arm in greeting to Adam with a smile. It was kind of soothing to see that he no longer appeared depressed. On the other hand, there was Kazue, who, unlike Drake, was no longer in her pajamas but wore a sporty outfit of shorts, a hoodie, and sneakers, as lively as ever.
“I told you, this is another reality and we will go on a dangerous mission to gain points and buy powerful skills!”
The girl seemed to be happily talking to a third person who was there, but they looked perplexed as they listened.
“I’m sorry, I don’t understand anything you are saying.”
It was then that Adam noticed the others present in the room. Not only was Li standing there with crossed arms, looking impatient, but there were also four new people, who appeared disoriented and frightened, something Adam couldn't blame them for.
Without wasting any more time, Adam hurried over to where Drake had started a discussion with the veteran.
“Why shouldn't we tell them what's going on? They're scared and have no idea what's happening; it could cost them their lives."
The blonde was arguing, clearly referencing the newcomers, yet Li didn't seem interested in what he was accusing him of.
“I didn't say we shouldn't tell them anything. I said I'm not going to tell them anything. It's always a hassle to explain the situation to rookies, and they might not even understand the language... I've said it before, everyone's on their own here. We'll only work together to overcome the scenario and live another day. Don't worry about the newcomers. If any of them prove to be useful, then I'll explain things to them after our return.”
“We could make them buy the translation option, it doesn’t cost any points, we can…”
“Did you forget what Teo told you lot the last time? The store closes before the start of the next story when new people arrive”
It was a hard pill for both to swallow, though Adam remained thoughtful for a moment despite not having said anything. It was true that, if his memory served him right, the time between their arrival and the start of the story was too short to explain anything in detail. There was also the language barrier, as demonstrated by the conversation between Kazue and the man earlier, and using the system to bypass it was not an option. While it seemed they were speaking the same language, it was due to the automatic translation they had purchased. They could very well be speaking in any other language, and they wouldn't know.
However, while he pondered what could be done, Drake turned around and hurried to position himself in the center, similar to how Teo had positioned himself the first time they arrived there.
“Hello!? Please pay attention!”
At the blonde shout, everyone present fell silent and turned to look at him.
“Please raise your hand if you can understand me. It's urgent to know if we can communicate”
Drake requested, looking around at the others anxiously. For a few seconds, no one moved or responded, causing the blonde to look concerned while Mr. Li clicked his tongue, visibly annoyed. However, to the surprise of everyone, a hand timidly went up—it belonged to the same man Kazue had been trying to speak with earlier. He appeared to be in his forties, dressed in a formal office suit.
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“I... understand, but I'm not very good at speaking it”
Upon hearing these words, the boy's face lit up, and he hurried to respond.
“It's okay, you don't have to respond in English. Speak however you want, I just need you to understand me”
“Oh… Okay then”
After this brief exchange, another hand began to rise slowly, this time from a young woman with wavy hair who had been sitting with her head between her knees until that moment.
“Me too… I can understand a bit”
“I think I can”
“I can understand a bit as well”
Next, one by one, the remaining two also responded—a pair of young adults likely in their thirties— indicating that they at least seemed to understand what was being said, at least for now, which greatly facilitated matters.
“Perfect, please pay attention... You've been transported to this place for some unknown reason, and shortly we'll be shown a text that contains a story we'll be transported into and have to navigate. Wherever it may be, it's extremely dangerous, and we must stick together at all times. Please, state your names so that…”
But his words were cut off by the same analog sound they heard the first time, echoing throughout the room like a ringing cell phone tone, which startled the newcomers and caused Mr. Li to crack a small smile.
“It’s starting”
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image [https://i.imgur.com/kU3tUnk.png]
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Just as last time, a giant screen appeared out of nowhere and a robotic but feminine voice began to read aloud everything that appeared. Adam quickly memorized the plot presented to them, taking mental note that, like the previous scenario, they weren't given a specific objective to fulfill but rather just narrated the setting of the world they would end up in. This reinforced his ongoing theory since the end of the previous scenario. There didn't seem to be a clear method to complete the story other than giving it a resolution, whatever that might be.
"Don't separate!"
As the student pondered, Drake gave the final instructions before a flash blinded them all, and they felt their bodies lurch as if they had suddenly plunged. Upon opening their eyes, the group of eight found themselves on nothing more and nothing less than a naval ship... Yes, a ship in the middle of the ocean, swayed slightly due to the unusual waves at that moment.
Due to his position, Adam managed to grab hold of one of the railings on the deck, a stroke of luck that Kazue and the newcomers did not share as they fell flat on the wooden floor. Meanwhile, Mr. Li seemed very happy with the circumstances.
“Oh, this is new, it's been quite some time since I had a story with a normal rank instead of those Punishments; I wonder what might have triggered them.”
While the others regained their footing and Drake helped them up, Adam began scanning the ship, focusing as he had practiced to activate his special vision. At that moment, nothing appeared, but he noticed they weren't on an ordinary boat. Despite its wooden structure resembling an old-fashioned vessel, it lacked sails. Instead, two huge tubes emitted a large amount of smoke, connected to what clearly was a red-hot boiler. Looking over the edge, he observed large propellers churning and paddling them forward.
"Seems like a normal steam-powered ship to me, although…"
But as he formed his own conclusions, his eyes finally gathered enough information to present him with the corresponding window of the transport they were on.
⌠Mini Steam Corvette - Rank E⌡ ⌠Additional Information⌡ ⌠A marvel of mechanical engineering and aesthetic design, blending elegance with futuristic steam-powered technology. Compact yet agile, it's adorned with intricate gears and clockwork mechanisms. Its hull is reinforced with riveted steel plating, giving it resilience against the turbulent steam seas it navigates.⌡ ⌠Cursed Vision Knowledge⌡ ⌠The furnace of the mini corvette ship is powered by a [PyroFlux Generator], an artifact resembling a glowing core encased in brass and iron with intricate gears and vents. It emits intense heat, harnessed from its inner combustion of rare, high-energy materials. Warning: Very volatile, if damaged, it will cause an explosion with a radius of approximately 1 km⌡ ⌠Hidden: Its cannons possess the skills [Overload] and [Pyrosteam Blast]. Using each skill once depletes the boiler's energy, requiring 2 hours to recover⌡
Interesting, to say the least, especially since the additional information emphasized the ship's core. Not to mention it indicated that they had some type of armament. Did this mean they were expected to engage in naval battles? Hmm, it seemed a bit too forced, but he would have more time to ponder that later. For now, the important thing was to share the information he had obtained with the rest.
“I got the info on this ship, please listen”
Adam spoke up, repeating everything he had read and explaining his theory.
“The setting was too ambiguous, I suggest we search for dry land before making any plan”
“I agree, this location is just too…Woah!”
Li had intervened and supported the boy's idea but, before he could finish his sentence, a violent jolt sent them stumbling again, though this time it wasn't due to the waves.
*CLANK, CLUNK, CLANK*
A loud metallic sound echoed through the place, as if rusty gears were grinding against each other, followed by another violent shake of the ship that made it very difficult to stand. No one understood what was happening, though, for four of those present, a chill ran down their spines, recalling a certain phrase from the scenario summary they were in.
*CLINK, CLANK, CLINK*
After a third jolt to the ship, they finally saw what was causing such chaos. The sea began to deform, and something emerged from the depths, revealing a huge, slender creature with water cascading off its body. A colossal mechanical serpent with a rusty appearance and eyes that shone with an intense blue color as if they were lanterns, loomed over them, emitting gear-like noises with every slight movement.
“This is not good”
Adam thought, knowing they could do nothing in their current position against a mechanical aberration whose mouth seemed capable of swallowing any of them whole. The beast turned its head to observe them, releasing a puff of steam from what would be its neck, confirming that these monsters were indeed purely mechanical creations, as if their steampunk appearance wasn't evidence enough.
The boy strained to focus all his strength on his goal, trying to gather information, but nothing appeared yet. He would have to keep observing for a few more seconds, precious time he didn't have. Without further delay, the mechanical serpent opened its jaws, revealing a grotesque array of sharp, rusty blades that moved like chainsaws, and lunged towards the larger group, including the newcomers, Drake, and Kazue.
The screams erupted immediately, and while the girl managed to leap aside and the blonde tried to push everyone away in a remarkably quick reaction for someone his age, it wasn't enough. The beast's jowl was too large, and although it didn't break through the deck, it did manage to ensnare two of the newcomers—the curly-haired girl and one of the thirty-somethings.
Their screams were heart-wrenching but quickly silenced, as unfortunately, there was nothing they could do to withstand those mechanical saws.
“NOO!”
Drake shouted at the top of his lungs, trying to get up and move towards the serpent's head, only to fall back when the beast withdrew its jaw and rose above the deck again, observing them and revealing its teeth now soaked in red. This caused both the man in the suit and the other young man to vomit uncontrollably, while Kazue stared at the scene in shock, unable to react or even stand up again.
Adam didn't know what to do; the space they were in was too confined to escape, and none of the little he had learned was of any use against a giant mechanical beast. Even his eyes seemed reluctant to provide any information. Mr. Li, on the other hand, had summoned his spellbook, but he was staring agonizingly at the mechanical serpent, clenching his teeth as if unsure if he could confront it. It seemed like the end; there wasn't much more they could do in that situation. But suddenly…
*WHOOOSH*
Sudden loud whistles were heard, followed by three powerful explosions right on the beast's head, causing a large amount of small metallic fragments to shoot out and rain down on the deck of the ship, including small luminous parts similar to what had been seen in the mechanical beast's eyes, which let out a metallic roar but remained steadfast in its position. It wasn't until the sea breeze blew away the smoke that the result of the surprising attack could be seen, leaving the serpent with only its lower mandible intact.
*CLINK, CLANK, CLINK*
Finally, pushed by the waves, the lifeless body collapsed backward, falling into the ocean and splashing all around. What had happened? While the rest tried to snap out of the shock, Adam could see Mr. Li running to one end of the boat, his eyes following the almost blurred smoke trails left by whatever had exploded in the snake’s head.
“Shit…”
When the young man was able to approach stumblingly, he understood the reason behind the man's curse... A huge ship, much larger than the mini corvette they were in, was approaching rapidly towards their position, waving huge black sails despite also having steam turbines, and on them was painted none other than a white skull.