Zuol-Ki navigated the quiet corridors, heading towards the strategist's quarters. His mind buzzed with the frenetic energy of his recent duel, the strange shop interface, and the pressing mission at hand. The hushed hallways of the training center felt surreal after his recent experiences, almost like walking through a memory.
Upon entering the strategist's quarters, he found the man engrossed in studying a holographic map. The intricacies of the shifting lines of territories represented on it appeared both intriguing and intimidating.
"Ahh, Zuol-Ki," the strategist acknowledged without raising his gaze from the map. "You're alone?"
A nonchalant smile played on Zuol-Ki's lips. "It appears so. Jeok-Myung seems to be... otherwise engaged."
The strategist raised a brow, a hint of curiosity flashing in his eyes before he proceeded, "Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to infiltrate the enemy's stronghold. We have reason to believe they're in possession of a significant artifact that could decisively swing the war in our favor."
Before Zuol-Ki could form a response, a translucent screen materialized in front of him, displaying three options.
"[Please select an option:]"
▶ [Accept the mission]
▶ [Refuse the mission]
▶ [Ask the Strategist if he has any snacks]
Zuol-Ki had to stifle a chuckle at the absurdity of the third option. The system, it seemed, had a warped sense of humor. However, the gravity of his current situation sobered him quickly. With his coins spent on the Idiot's Coins, he didn't have a life to spare. The once straightforward choice now felt laden with risks. But, refusing was not an option either. After a brief pause, he gingerly selected the first option.
▶ [Accept the mission]
"Very well," the strategist's voice pierced through Zuol-Ki's silent musings. "Remember, Zuol-Ki, the balance of this war may well rest on this mission. I trust you understand the gravity of this task."
Zuol-Ki merely nodded, his mind already racing with strategies and plans. However, as he left the room, he couldn't shake off the precarious feeling of his current life predicament. With no coins left, his safety margin had vanished completely. Each decision now carried a heightened risk, including the possibility of his permanent end in this odd existence.
Outside, he found Jeok-Myung waiting for him, leaning against a nearby tree. His fellow disciple was wearing a smirk that seemed irritatingly confident, almost as if he knew something Zuol didn't.
"Ready to move out?" Jeok-Myung asked, a note of challenge in his tone. In response, the translucent screen appeared once more in front of Zuol-Ki:
"[Please select an option:]"
▶ [Tell Jeok-Myung about the mission]
▶ [Keep the mission details to yourself]
▶ [Pretend to be a chicken]
Zuol-Ki stifled a chuckle at the absurdity of the third option. The humor was a bizarre touch in this otherwise grim existence. Shaking his head, he turned his attention to the first two options.
Choosing to reveal the mission's details to Jeok-Myung felt like the most sensible decision. After all, they were going into this together. Besides, Zuol-Ki had to admit, despite their personal conflicts, Jeok-Myung was a skilled fighter. If they were to survive whatever was thrown at them, they needed to work together.
With a resolute nod, Zuol-Ki selected the first option.
▶ [Tell Jeok-Myung about the mission]
"Listen," he began, catching Jeok-Myung's attention. "We have a mission. And it's not going to be easy. But we'll have to stick together if we want to get out of this alive."
Jeok-Myung quirked an eyebrow, a clear sign he was intrigued. "Well, well... You're more serious than I thought. Alright then, Zuol-Ki, I'm listening. What's the mission?"
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
Once again, the choices screen appeared:
"[Please select an option:]"
▶ [Reveal everything about the mission]
▶ [Reveal some details about the mission]
▶ [Chicken out and do a chicken dance]
Zuol-Ki stared at the last option in disbelief. "What the fuck is up with these chicken options?" Shaking his head, Zuol-Ki prepared to make his next decision. It seemed his surreal reality was becoming even stranger by the minute.
Zuol-Ki eyed the options and found himself gravitating towards the second choice. He did not trust Jeok-Myung completely, given the revelations about Elder Han, but leaving him in the dark could prove even more disastrous and suspicious.
▶ [Reveal some details about the mission]
Deciding to reveal just enough to keep Jeok-Myung invested in their mission.
"We're headed to a hostile sect on a task of great importance," Zuol-Ki revealed cautiously. "Stealth and discretion are of utmost importance. That's all you need to know for now."
Jeok-Myung's eyes narrowed, but he didn't protest. Instead, he murmured, "Intriguing, to say the least. Seems like today won't be as dull as I expected."
Before Zuol-Ki could respond, the options resurfaced:
"[Please select an option:]"
▶ [Plan the infiltration mission with Jeok-Myung]
▶ [Go alone and leave Jeok-Myung behind]
▶ [Go Back To The Training Halls]
Without a second thought, Zuol-Ki selected the second option
▶ [Go alone and leave Jeok-Myung behind]
He simply didn't trust Jeok-Myung enough to have him as part of such a critical mission.
"I think it's best I handle this mission alone," Zuol-Ki said firmly, meeting Jeok-Myung's surprised gaze.
"Are you serious?" Jeok-Myung laughed, seeming more amused than offended. "Well, that's a bold move, I'll give you that."
Zuol-Ki ignored the jest, his mind already buzzing with strategies for the mission. The system beeped, drawing his attention to a new set of options:
"[Please select an option:]"
▶ [Start the mission immediately]
▶ [Train before embarking on the mission]
▶ [Throw a tantrum over Jeok-Myung's mockery]
Taking a deep breath, Zuol-Ki selected the second option.
▶ [Train before embarking on the mission]
As much as he wanted to rush into action, he knew better than to jump in unprepared.
"I'm going to need some time to prepare," he said, looking at the startled faces around him. "This mission isn't something we can just rush into."
Jeok-Myung's smirk faltered slightly, replaced by a somewhat contemplative look. "Very well," he finally conceded, crossing his arms over his chest.
The system beeped once again, and a new set of options appeared in front of Zuol-Ki:
"[Please select an option:]"
▶ [Use the training grounds]
▶ [Use the library for research]
▶ [Seek guidance from the Second Strategist]
Focusing on the screen, Zuol-Ki selected the second option
▶ [Use the library for research]
As much as he was tempted to choose the training grounds, he had a hunch that he needed more knowledge on this mission. The library seemed like the best choice for that.
With the decision made, Zuol-Ki left the Second Strategist's office and headed straight for the library. He spent hours pouring over ancient texts and scrolls, trying to gather as much information as he could about the mission's objectives and potential dangers.
The library was a labyrinth of shelves, each filled to the brim with countless scrolls and books. Zuol-Ki walked down the dimly lit hallways, his fingers brushing over the spines of countless works of knowledge.
Hours turned into a day and then another. A hushed conversation drew his attention, eyes narrowing in concentration as he observed Jeok-Myung and the Second Strategist. Their hushed conversation hinted at plots and schemes, things much larger than he initially anticipated.
His eyes shot open as he heard the keyword, 'Mission'. The whispers that followed seemed to confirm his worst suspicions about Jeok-Myung. Zuol-Ki's grip on the ancient scroll tightened, his heart hammering against his ribs.
Once the pair had dispersed, Zuol-Ki cautiously ventured toward Jeok-Myung's quarters. The room was austere, reflecting the discipline of its occupant. However, his eyes were drawn to a peculiar scroll tucked neatly under the bedding. Carefully extracting it, he unfurled the parchment, revealing a detailed map. Locations were marked precisely, leading trails and secret paths that could only mean one thing.
Beneath the map was a letter detailing secret meetings with the rival sect, the one Elder Han was a part of. The evidence was right there, in his hands. His teeth gritted as he read through the damning proof.
"Fuck...I knew it," he murmured, clutching the evidence in his hands. The realization was a bitter pill to swallow, his supposed ally was a traitor. His mind raced, grappling with the implications of this newfound information.
"[Please select an option:]"
▶ [Confront Jeok-Myung right away]
▶ [Inform the Second Strategist]
▶ [Use The Han sect's secret art—Misty Steps of 1000]
A wry chuckle escaped him as he read the third option, "Well, aren't you handy?" He murmured, looking at the floating text. He knew this art from his previous run, a useful skill indeed. With no time to lose, he reached out for the third option
▶ [Use The Han sect's secret art—Misty Steps of 1000]
the room around him blurring as he stepped into the shadows, leaving the traitor's quarters behind.