As I walk in these dark and cold passages, I begin to think. Why was the bitch trying to remove me from her scheme? I was the strongest physically of us and we all got the same blessing and five 'Heroes' were better than four. The only conclusion that I have, is exactly that. I was stronger, both physically and non-corporeal. She implied that I have a strong soul, whatever she means by that. I just think she meant I couldn't be controlled and was a liability in her plans, I survived the summoning after all.
The knowledge I got from her is really handy. With it I can understand my situation rather well. I am currently in a so called place of dark trials, or 'dungeon' like the streetwise people call it. The power that she took from me again and the other thing she took? Her blessing was simply more power,adaptability and a so called integration in the system of her world, the other thing she took from me was more personal. You see with the summoning our bodies changed and we got a so called metaphysical 'magic core'. This magic core is forcefully connected to our soul and lets us use magic and [Status]. Magic usage is self explanatory but [Status] is special.
It lets us acquire [Skills] and through absorption of so called [Experience] can we gain a [Level Up]. Through [Level Up] we can gain [Statpoints] and with them we can get stronger, but this is not real strength. With these [Statpoints] even a weak child can become strong enough to lift a house, but this is not bodily strength but an extension of the magic core. The core uses the magic power of this world to strengthen the bodies of normal people. That's why one of the most severe punishments here is [Level Reset]. I think you know what that means. But she took exactly that magic core from me, that is also why I have lost muscle mass as payment for transportation. Without it, I cannot gain [Skills],[Level Ups]or [Statpoints]. I tried to gain the [Skill] [Night-vision] but after four hours in the dark, I gave up. I should have gotten it after 3 hours. But the only thing that popped up was [Skill Acquirance is impossible] and let me tell you I didn't give up because of this but because my eyes began to hurt. Strange.
Nonetheless I still have a fragment of [Status], which is the knowledge she „granted“ me and the possibility to see a representation of my current condition.
Good thing my „Stats“ are mostly in the twenties, because else I wouldn't have had a chance against other creatures. Ah, I nearly forgot, in this world there are many 'gods', and all of them have created beings, beasts, monsters,spirits and so on. Even my new friend has a magic core. I mean had because he's dead now... I mean deader...
As I grumbled a bit I saw a change in the ongoing walls, torches and wooden doors. A fountain with fresh water. Immediately I grabbed my empty gym bottle and shaker to fill them with water. After storing both back in my bag I begin to drink from it.
„Aah! Man, was I thirsty.“
As I turn away from the fountain, I feel a stinging pain in my arm.
„That guy was really strong, I am full of bruises.“
Did you think I would go unscathed from a fight with an undead Skeleton? I wish that would be the case, but no.
I continued my lone walk.
I think this all is real. I mean the pain is real. My body feels real. The sword in my hand is real. I am not dreaming, because if I were I could just wipe everything away with lucid dreaming. Well who knew that magic and all this stuff really exists?
I stopped.
Okay, think for a moment. Control your breath.
Let your mind become clear.
What do I have to do?
One: Survive.
Two: Sustenance.
Three:Find a way out.
Four: Find a way home.
What have I already cleared? I am currently in no danger. I have water, protein powder,a few spare clothes and a jacket.
Current objective? Find a way out.
With my goals clear I resumed walking and after a while in entered a big hall.
I stopped because I heard a crack in front of me.
„Oh... Hey guys.“
I turned around, marvelously of course.
„Don't mind me. Just a hallucination on your part.“
I begin to run.
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Just a few hours ago everyone was celebrating. The whole capital held a great festival for our new champions.
But during the festival me and my squad have been ordered to the royal palace.
As we arrived at the palace, we were guided to the conference hall by a servant. Inside were the Captain of the Guard and a priest already waiting for us. We bowed to our superior and proceeded to the lower seats. My squad is nervous because what is so important during a festival? A few bandits? Or something else?
The Captain speaks with a commanding voice.
„Sergeant, before we begin I must ask for your and your squad complete discretion.“
I look at my comrades. They nod.
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
„As you command.“
„Very well. You now that the ritual was a success right?“
„Of course, as always we have been granted with four young champions blessed by our main god.“
„That is the official version, yes. But right after completion, one of our oracles received a vision. In that Vision our Goddess stated that someone powerful interfered during the ritual.“
We are all shocked, only the priest and the Captain keep their composure.
„What?!“
„Calm down, please. Our Goddess, may she be praised, brought the champions swiftly to us and fought with this entity. This abomination was strong but she prevailed and smited it. Or so she thought. It survived and arrived in our world!“
It becomes completely silent in the room and even the air feels icy. How can there be a being that rivals a god?
„But do not despair! She took action and restrained his power.“
The Captain shows on the map in front of him.
„She has transported it in this dungeon.“
He points at a not well known location deep in a forest.
„It should be dead by now or fight a losing battle with the undead inside the dungeon. Your order is to travel there immediately and destroy it's corpse with the help of this priest by my side.“
The priest gives a radiant smile and a slight nod.
„It has taken the body of a man with ice blue eyes and the face of a true demon. If it should be still alive, execute it immediately!“
„But how do we know if it will be still there when we arrive?“
„Like I said, it is weaker than a newborn and should not have the strength to flee. This priest also has a blessed jewel where we can find it, no matter where it should hide. After you have acquired the corpse cremate it. Are there any more questions?“
„No sir, we will leave right now.“
„Good. Take the fastest horses we have. May the Goddess be with you.“
-------------------------------
„I am done for.“
I look at the sword beside me.
„Suicide? Nah, I am no coward. There has to be a way out of this.“
After I „met“ with the „nice“ group of „happy“ skeletons with their arsenal of lethal weapons, I ran away and tried to stay alive. I got two of them but for that, I received an arrow to my shoulder. I also managed to run into a small room and barricade myself in it. I sit sunken in front of the locked door, the burning torch and sword lie on the ground beside me.
The room is full of dust, a table, a chair and a few barrels in the corner. Oh, and corpses. Three of them. One mummified right in front of me and the other two in a gentle embrace. They look like wanderers or hunters and it seems they trusted someone you shouldn't trust. As far as I can tell they have been murdered in their sleep, because someone cut their throats and stole their weapons. If they even had any weapons to begin with. On the ground were many small bags but I found some half-dried sealed bottles. Seems to be so called healing potions, I wonder if they still work? Any way what should I do now?
I think as fast and as much as I can. But I don't find a solution.
„Behind me there are twelve skeletons that don't need any sleep,water or food. I am injured, can't grow stronger, can't use magic and imprisoned with three corpses.“
Sigh.
„At least I still have my gym bag.“
I watch at the ceiling with a sorrowful face.
„I am going to die here I guess.“
I begin to sing a few songs but it doesn't help me to get a better mood.
Wait.
I begin to devilishly grin.
There could be a way. Just a tiny hope that the 'gods' made a fatal mistake.
It could work. Well it's more like insanity, but at least I can try something.
I take the torch and put it on the holder besides the door. Then I take a small fragment of a loosened stone and put it in front of me on the ground.
Now here's the thing. No matter what you do in this world it will build up energy to create a skill, right? Now that I can't gain a [Skill] and this energy has no vent, maybe I can use it differently.
I take one of the old potions and put them on my mouth and with my teeth, I hold it. I sit down and aim my eyes at the stone.
And now I just focus.
Just focus.
Focus.
I can feel something building up in my head just behind my forehead. First it was just pressure but the longer I stay with this feeling the more it intensifies in vibration and pain.
After an eternity my head explodes in pain. It feels like someone has jabbed a knife in my head. Out of my eyes and nose blood flows and immediately I drink the foul content of the bottle.
As blood flows and my vision darkens I laugh like a madman.
Why?
Because the stone moved.