Volume 1 Chapter 7

Unintentional Oblivion

*chirp* *chirp* (Birds)

....uh? Is that the sound of birds? I didn't expect that normal birds would actually exist in this world. Other than that, seems like its morning already. Time to get out of the bed, I guess.

...Huh? I... I can't move... my body feels heavy for some reason. I am covered with a blanket that is quite big proportional to my body size, which is so big that if I am to use it as a parachute, it will actually work. But for now, thanks to the blanket I couldn't discover the external force outside the blanket that is forcing me down.

Slowly, I tried wriggling out of the blanket. Reaching the top, I popped out my head and began surveying the surrounding. As I am about to turn my head around, I heard a laughter behind my back.

"Ufufufu, are you awake now little boy?" (???)

"Struggling yourself out of the blanket, how cute." (???)

Seems like she was the one that stopped me from getting up by keeping her hands on the blanket but that is nothing of the matter currently. Her laughter had sent chills down my very spine. Instantly, I knew that this person is dangerous and probably have enough power to kill me.

Turning myself around to take a look, what came into my view was a woman who appears to be in her 20's. Additionally, I also noticed that she possess the same trait as Nerai's, but her presence was so different that the thought of them being mother and daughter were completely washed aside.

Her fox ear and her hair seems to share the same color, I guess it's like a special trait for those under the fox bloodline. This woman have a slightly yellow and orange hair color or to be precise, blonde.

But the most important thing for now is that I need to analyze her and consider if she is a possible threat or not. At this moment, I guess I'd probably look like a little cat that is aware of an unfamiliar presence, with the exception that only my head is sticking out instead of the whole main body. Putting that aside, as I was about to begin analyzing her, she spoke.

"No need to be so alerted of me, little boy." (???)

"My name is Lisa, wife of Ramiv and the mother of Nerai, both of those two that you had been with for the past few days." (??? = Lisa)

Huh? This is Nerai's mother? But Ramiv had never told me directly about his wife, nor how do she looks like. As such, I cannot accept such statement being shoved into me without first confirming its authenticity. In a quite irritated voice, I retorted to her claim.

"Lies. You don't have the same presence that Nerai gives off." (Data)

"Fufufu, deny it if you want boy, but know this. You have piqued my interest, little one. As such, without further ado, I shall make you mine." (Lisa)

It is then that I have detected the shifting changes of the mana flow within the room and realize that they are being focused on one point, Lisa's hand. Momentarily, she is in front of me in point blank range with her hand forming to look like a snake's head. I have to gain some distance from her first, to ensure my safety.

Slowly, I begin accumulating mana just below my feet while trying to simulate as to how and where she is going to strike me down. But before I even have the chance to start, she has already started initiating her attacks.

"Here I come, boy! See if you can protect yourself from this!" (Lisa)

With that warning firsthand, her hand then begin moving so fast that I am even barely managing myself to catch the sight of its movement. And realizing almost too late, her target was my heart!

Unable to first calibrate the strength of the mana below my feet, I hastily commanded it to burst so that I can avoid the attack. The burst then propelled me like a rocket would. Except this time, the mana density was way too high, that I literally went flying out of the bed even with Lisa gripping me down, and got slammed into the walls in the process.

*WHAM*

"Arghh!" (Data)

Urgh, that hurts a lot. But without wasting even a second, I once again focused my attention upon my surroundings. In the event that woman had moved from the bed, I can at least predict her next attack, thus allowing me the chance to attempt evading once more. But to my surprise, she was instead simply sitting in the bed instead of lying down like before. Looking closely, she seemed as if trying to hold back her laugh while one of her hands was literally inside the bed.

What...?

Was I only being teased all along? Well now that if I consider about it, I never really felt any murderous intents oozing out from her. Not even the slightest feeling of it. Attempting to stand up, I ended up falling back thanks to the sudden pressure that my legs received due to the condensed mana bursting below it, causing it to become as weak as a toddler's leg. Temporarily that is.

Suddenly, instead of hearing her voice coming from on top of the bed while I am checking my legs, I can hear it as if she is beside me. Hold on, she IS beside me! Teleportation, I am guessing.

"Now, if you will allow me... up you go!" (Lisa)

"Wah! Let me down!" (Data)

"Hehe... sorry little boy. You are Data, aren't you? I've heard the story from my husband on how you placed quite the powerful debuff onto him and my little daughter." (Lisa)

Giving up on any effort to retaliate towards her action of carrying me, I replied with a little hint of apologetic feeling.

"Yes, I did. As such, I was accompanying them in order to help them expel the debuffs." (Data)

"There is no need for that, not anymore." (Lisa)

"Huh? What do you mean?" (Data)

Looking up to gaze her face while being carried, I pondered about on the meaning of that sentence. Witnessing my childish act, I can see is chuckling a little. ?....?!

What..... what's going on?! Why is she hugging me?

I wriggled around within her arms as a sign of refusal to her actions, but the only answer that I received afterwards was more pressure from the hug.

"Urk... Lisa... please, it hurts!" (Data)

"Oh, my bad. You were so cute that I couldn't refrain myself from hugging you (*smile*)." (Lisa)

"Please hold on a little, Data. We're going down the stairs now." (Lisa)

Slowly, she began descending the stairs as I was still being carried by her. It has been a while, but I noticed that some foreign mana of unknown origin, probably from Lisa has been coursing inside me, constantly getting in and out. It would appear that they are slowly healing my body by sucking in the irregular mana within me that pretty much represents pain and injury.

Of course, they only consume the irregular parts of the mana and leave the mana itself alone, because if it did not, it would only be called mana draining then.

"Lisa, are you healing me?" (Data)

"Yes I am. Right now, Ramiv and Nerai are out claiming their rewards from the Guild Headquarters for their mission and will probably be wandering around the city for a bit. So now is the perfect time for us to talk about something." (Lisa)

"But in order to ensure that goes efficiently, I need to ensure you are in your best condition. Ah, I'm done healing you, so you can stand on your own now. Sorry for carrying you around without permission. Well, I had fun though, ufufufufu. " (Lisa)

I have fully recovered? Ah seems so. I can stand on my own again, and my body doesn't scream of any sort of previous pain before. Now then, to get to the main point.

"Thanks for the help. So what did you want to discuss about?" (Data)

"My, my. Impatient aren't you? I guess that you haven't taken a bath for some time so I suggest you prioritize that first. I have warmed the bath for you before you woke up, so please do help yourself. The bathroom is just over there. Take your time, won't you? Fufu.." (Lisa)

Feeling a little bit creepy from that sinister laugh, I have no choice but accept her hospitality. Oh, wait a minute. I don't have any changes of cloth so what do I wear once I'm done? With that in mind, I ran back to Lisa who was going upstairs.

*pull* *pull*

"Hmm? Oh, what is this? Don't tell me you want to take bath with me together do you?" (Lisa)

"Of-of course not! I just want to ask, what am I supposed to wear after I'm done bathing? Because I did not brought any changes of cloths with me at all." (Data)

"Oh about that. I have prepared your cloths in advance, so please, don't worry about it and just enjoy the bath. You can find the cloths in the basket by the entrance to the bath tub." (Data)

"Okay, thanks." (Data)

After receiving my answer to the question, I quickly ran back to the bathroom to check out on the cloths she prepared for me. It was the same of the color as my starting robe, but had additional stuff, such as a hood for covering above my head and also considerably reinforced materials that appears to support while helping to control mana flow better.Hmm...

Stolen novel; please report.

"(*smile*).... Thanks for the meal on my eyes." (Lisa)

Huh?! I don't feel good but I feel like Lisa is intensely staring at me, but as I turned to look around, she was already gone. Oh well, time to enjoy the bath. But first and foremost, I better only take off my gloves inside the bathtub room before entering the tub. Some secrets should just be kept secrets, after all.

Now stark naked, I slowly entered the bathtub room. I wondered on how does water in this world get heated but as I took a dip, I understood. The water was heated with heat based magic of the weakest ones, because if a strong one was used, it would just evaporate in the end. It's faint, but I can sense Lisa's mana within the tub.

I don't know why, but I feel insecure with her mana covering my body so in the end, I override the mana within the tub with my own, as slowly as possible since I didn't know what will happen if I went too fast, not that I want to experience it, regardless.

While in the tub, the white gem on my right hand appears to be emitting a light that feels so nice and yet, so weak. For a while now, I wonder what these two gems really do since they have been staying on my hand for some time now. I should try re-analyzing these two once more later, since I never had the chance to do it when it turned into black and white.

.....

.....

.....

.....

Ahh... it has been awhile since I took a bath, or eternity if I were to consider the time I spent inside that void space. As I made my ways out, I wiped off the excess water off my body with a towel, took the cloths or robe to be precise in the basket, and wore them. It felt a little more comfortable and a little lighter. Furthermore, I can feel that my mana flow has improved and can be controlled better.

I think I should start venturing out the world, I have been doing nothing for quite some time. And it's about time I see the world that I am about to live in the future with my own eyes. Additionally, I have been relying on these people for a long time already, it's about time for me to be independent if I were to survive in this world alone, by myself.

Well then, time to get out of the bathroom, I sure took my time right there. I wonder what had Lisa been doing while I was in the bath. Oh there she is, sitting on a chair in what I'd call  the living room.

"Oh, are you done? Well then, please take a seat." (Lisa)

"Thank you for the bath and the cloths. I express my utmost gratitude for your hospitality, even if it was only to be a moment's whim. Sadly as it is, I cannot provide a method to pay you back, so this is the best I can do." (Data)

"Oh? What's this sudden attitude change? It's not cute, you know. Anyway, please seat yourself for now." (Lisa)

"Very well." (Data)

As I was invited to take a seat, guess I might as well take on it. Sitting on the sofa, I noticed the constant stare that came from Lisa, but instead of the usual weird stares that she had done to me before, this time it looked considerably serious. I wonder what the discussion topic will be about. Well, I better say something, because things are starting to get awkward here.

"Well then, what are we going to discuss about?" (Data)

"You said you were grateful, weren't you?" (Lisa)

"Yes, I did. Is there a problem?" (Data)

"I know I was carefree and everything before, but for now, I wish that you will answer some of my questions and with honesty, as well. Think of it as a way to pay me back. And don't try to lie, you do know how I can easily detect it as a fox myself, and how I can kill you instantly at the same?" (Lisa)

Uwaahhh, she's giving the aura of a mature and serious woman now. I seriously cannot get comfortable with handling such person, but since it's her, I might as well take it in. Hopefully she returns to her old state though, because it gets quite weird to see her like this.

But why is she threatening me with a kill threat? Does she not know that Traveler is immortal, or is it that she does not know that I am a Traveler?

"Yes, I will and truly, I am fully aware of your capabilities, at least by now for the lie detecting part." (Data)

"Ufufufu, well then, I'll begin. First of all, who are you?" (Lisa)

"Huh? Well, I am obviously a Traveler, and as you know, my name is Data." (Data)

"Huh... guess you didn't get it. Let me rephrase it... WHAT are you?" (Lisa)

"I don't get it, what are you trying to ask here?" (Data)

"Ufufufu, you think I didn't know? Of the fact that you are neither from the real world nor a part of this game? Oh, to emphasize it, in Mein Sof Online?" (Lisa)

"What?!" (Data)

No, no... it's not possible. How did she find out? And the term she uses, that's not a term that a People of The Land would usually make use of to describe this world! Just what is she?

"What...no... just who are you?" (Data)

"First of all, let me re-introduce myself. I am Lisa, one of the seven GMs that works to protect this game from any person or program that have the intentions of destroying Mein Sof Online. Under the disguise as a People of The Land, I can work freely without being suspected by players." (Lisa)

"A GM? You?" (Data)

"Yes, my dear boy." (Lisa)

No way, I did not expect a GM to be a People of The Land. That truly caught me off-guard.

"Now then, Data. Did you know that you are no more of a Traveler, but is instead a People of The Land now?" (Lisa)

"Impossible. I do not recall there exist a method that allowed someone to turn into a People of The Land from a Traveler." (Data)

"That is true. But there is exceptions." (???)

The instance that yet another voice was heard from my back, I expected it to be another GM. And it was true, but what came next was out of my expectation. The familiar face, violet clothes, blue hair, and that voice, it was none other than the one I had met during the disastrous 'Character Creation'.

"Rev...Revita??" (Data)

"Data!!" (Revita)

"Oomfph!" (Data)

"Ehh... you're making me jealous." (Lisa)

Revita literally just came running to me and hugged me. What is this difference in act compared to how Lisa does in front of me when she exposed her identity? Putting that aside, I pushed Revita back as I needed to continue the conversation because this may hold some information that is crucial to my very existence in this world.

"Wait, wait Revita... I know you're happy and everything. But first, I need you to explain what do you mean when you said that there is exceptions about how a Traveler can be converted to a People of The Land." (Data)

"Oh, I'm truly sorry! Well, Data, do you remember the attack during your 'Character Creation'?" (Revita)

The attack? Ah yes, the very attack that caused my dear 'Class Orb' to be snatched away from me. How can I forget such thing that made me lose my class and did not even get to pick a race?!

"Yes, I remember it as clear as day. Why with it?" (Data)

"You see, after I managed to escape from the room while leaving you behind, I found out that you weren't even a player nor a program originating from this game. But that isn't what I'm trying to say here." (Revita)

"The culprit that had initiated the attack, was actually another program just like you." (Revita)

Another program like me? Wait... why does it feels like I know about it?

"The motive of the attack was deducted to be that the program was trying to get hold of you, and even hijacked a Quest made by Revita. Which in this case, it was a success." (Lisa)

"True. Data, see the gems on your hands? Those were rewards that was given out by that program to you." (Revita)

"These gems?" (Data)

As they mentioned the about the gems, I instantly pulled my gloves off and revealed my gem. Thinking they won't be unfazed by it, I was utterly wrong as both of them went silent in the blink of an eye.

"Lisa... are you feeling it? Please tell me I'm wrong..." (Revita)

"I want to say so, but it's no doubt about it. That's.... that's.....the twin gem of the Beginning and the End...

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Author's Note :

I'm sorry but there is no tables for this chapter, I just can't find the right timing for it XD.

Regardless, thanks for reading this chapter.

And as usual, advise, suggestions, criticizing are always welcomed.

Reader's Input Required : Do you guys think that the story is advancing way too slow, normal, or too fast? Please do tell. :)