Isaiah opens his eyes. Just to see that he is falling down from a very high altitude. When he glanced at his sides, he can see darkness and the round shape of a light blue planet. The game didn’t send him near the city but instead he is near space.
“Heeeeeey!!! Why the hell is my starting place from space!!?? Seriouslyyyy!!! Elestus is down theeere?!!!! You developers are having too much fun with the gaaaaaaaame!!!!!! Is it because of the “Random Fate Factooooooor”!!!!???”
Isaiah, resigning to his “fate”, can only hope nothing worse happens as his velocity is gaining more momentum. Praying hopefully that nothing really happens.
“Please!!! Just be a bad dream!!! I just wanted to play the game, damn it!!”
*Ding!
New Passive Skill “Adrenaline” acquired
His wishes weren’t heard unfortunately. A transparent crowd of people of different races, in the middle of the Elestus, are all trotting on a market. Then, they noticed Isaiah. When they noticed him he is still far away from the sunny skies.
“Hmm? What’s that?”
”Hmph…The game is getting crazier and crazier”
“Ugh…..Now it’s a meteor huh.”
The crowd, as fast as they could, dispersed away from the very center of the place. Isaiah landed at that spot very hard as his landing wasn’t especially soft and it created a little explosion that a strong breeze of wind spread to the whole surrounding. Fortunately, he got up uninjured and coughs as he is covered in dust. The group of people realized what Isaiah is.
“Shoot… He’s a player too!”
”He must have some secret quest…”
“How high is his level or stats…?”
“Wow. He looks handsome…”
“He probably changed himself…”
Several players murmur, which aren’t audible by each other, about the new existence in front of them, which is Isaiah.
He rid of the dusts all over his body and looked around, wanting to know his surroundings.
“Hm? That’s weird. How come I didn’t die? Also, why are there some transparent people?”
He is then greeted by an unknown elderly bearded man, who wears a rune-adorned suit, a bladeless silver hilt and pants suited for combat, without warning.
”Greetings, young man, you must be a drifter. Am I correct?”
“A drifter?”
”Yes, young man, we call people who can’t interact with themselves, right now, as Drifters.”
“So it’s like the word for freedmen or foreigners of this game huh” said Isaiah inwardly.
”Can I ask but what are those apparitions?” points Isaiah to the ghostly crowd.
”Hahahahahaha!!! They are your fellow drifters.”
“Huh?”
“Yes, they also came from your world. About 432 years ago, the voice of our planet once told us immortal men and women of different ages and races but comes from the same world will come from this year. She also warned us that their temperament can change very fast. If you want to know when you can interact with one of your kind, follow me.”
”Uh-huh… So there are other players already. Possibly from the eastern part of the world since some have Asiatic features but some looked like Europeans. Maybe some Australians and Americans too and there are also some Africans there. It’s possible too that they changed some parts of their appearance. They’re also transparent and maybe I’m the same too for them. Now I understand what that AI meant with not being able to interact with them. I can’t hear any sound from them even though they’re moving. It’s like Dark Souls all over again.”, read Isaiah in his thoughts.
Isaiah followed the elderly man. The transparent people and the residents also looked shocked as if it shouldn’t be possible. But suddenly the old man stopped.
“Before I forget it, my name is Mythus Grey. Count of The Sky City Elestus. I am also a chronicler and one of the guardians of the history of our Queendom.”
“Oh! No wonder those people were shocked. I’m somewhat getting VIP treatment. Pretty sure something smells very fishy about this”, thought Isaiah in his mind. His distrust almost surfaced but before it happened, he greeted back.
“Oh! Where are my manners! My name is Isaiah. Isaiah Wolffram.”
He then shakes his hands with the count with a cheerful smile and without any restraint. And then…
*Ding!
Familiarity increased with Mythus Grey
*Ding!
Familiarity increased with Mythus Grey
*Ding!
Luck has increased by 20
Charm has increased by 20
Meeting with the Count of Elestus have increased your Fame by 20
Title “Acquaintance of Mythus Grey” acquired
A voice tells him that his luck, charm, fame increased and he is now an acquaintance with the count.
He doubts it in his thoughts:”How come it’s so fast!? Aren’t you a little bit too friendly with me!? And wait a minute...I have a Charm Stat?! And are you someone like Rodriguez the Star Sage, who’ll give a unique secret class??!!”
“You know, you reminded me a bit of my son. Your manners are just like him.”
“Oh! My god! I’m only saying “Oh! Oh! Oh!” all the time in my mind right now. Is that also similar to your son, old man!?” screams Isaiah in his mind.
They continued walking and Isaiah then asked the count:“Count Grey, how similar was your son to me?”
”Please, just call me Sir Grey”
“Then, Sir Grey, how similar was he to me?”
”Let’s see…You both are a bit shameless and think too much about unrelated things”
”Ugh. Am I that easy to read?”
”No, of course not. As the count of this city, I am expected to meet other people. Over time I then knew how other people think, work and what drives them.”
“Wisdom huh…”
”Yes, exactly Isaiah. Without wisdom we wouldn’t know how the world works.”
”Then can you please guide me around the city and then teach me how the world works?”
“Of course, I like it when the younger generation wants to expand their horizon”
”But there’s a possibility that I’ll outlive your son or grandchild”
“Yes, I know of it too. You “Drifters” are a lot that can outlive us easily but in my eyes right now you’re still a young man”
After awhile they finally arrive to the southeastern part of the city where the count wanted Isaiah, a floating ancient Greek-like temple in the middle of the sky, with floating giant stone slabs as stairs. Once again, the transparent people and residents are surprised with Isaiah’s not-so-normal personal guide.
”Isaiah, this is the place, to know the time when you can get in contact physically and communicate with your fellow drifters. Gaia, our goddess mother, placed them all over various cities and will be gone once all drifters can interact with each other. There are timers in there that show how many days are still needed and they’ll be converted in hours, minutes and seconds if the time is near. Our planet also told us that you ‘Drifters’ live in various countries and are divided in certain time zones like ours. Each of those temples have different forms in each city and show Drifters their own certain time zone. We, inhabitants of this world, can’t enter these temples but Drifters can. If you excuse me, I’ll wait for you here on this particular spot.”
Isaiah goes to the direction of the temple but not before turning back.
“Wait! Do you have some writing tools?”
“Ummm…Yes, I have since I still update the history of our queendom from time to time. But for what use do you want them?”
“I want to write the days when a certain group of Drifters can communicate other Drifters.”
“I have some spare tools. I’ll give this special paper to you too as well but please give my replacement pen to me in one piece.”
“Hehehe..Don’t worry. I fell from up there”, points Isaiah his finger in the sky, “And I’m still in one piece. Besides I’m just going to the temple and go back and give you back your tools until my business is done”.
Leaving Grey alone, he tries to climb the stairs fast. Between the stairs he is then surprised by his growling stomach and by a female voice inside his head.
*Ding!
Your Satiety has decreased below 10%
Eat food and drink water to fill your satiety again
He then realizes just now that this game also follows a bit the rules of reality with the exception of the voice updating him about his status. He was filled with adrenaline from sky diving and walking while talking with the count, who is an AI, all the time before, that he wasn’t able to appreciate the new world. He looks around at his body, notices his dirty clothes and a large brown bag behind his back and opens it to see what’s inside.
”Aha….so instead of the usual 9 rye bread and an empty canteen, I get 3 big flatbread and a big pot-formed canteen full of water and some coins that I don’t know how much worth they are . It’s possible that the “Random Fate Generator” had something to do with it. Well…better than rye bread that I always hear in fiction as having terrible taste.”
After eating a bit of a flatbread, he remarks that it taste good. He also remarks how good Amalgam implemented a different variety of senses as he tried a variety of things like touching the stone plate below him, smelling the air and so on. After eating ¼ of a flatbread and drinking 1/8 of the water, the voice tells him his satisfaction rose and he tries to summon a pop up to see his stats by calling “Show Stats” as he felt he is near full. But nothing shows up. He also tries with “Show Menu” but nothing shows up as well.
”I’ll ask the old man later about it. Wait! Do they even know about stats attribute, skill or game menu? I’m pretty sure this game isn’t meant to be too realistic. It’s possible that there is no gameplay and story segregation like with a license board in Ivalice since Ivalice is always ruled by laws. Maybe it’s like where I’ll get some status plate showing my stats. Hopefully my class is still undecided”
He reached the temple and entered it, to see that other players, still transparent to him, looking at the timers. Each of them shows different countries. Instead of hours, they show days in Gaia’s time.
“New Zealand and a part of Russia seems to be the first one after 21 days. Next is…..”.
As he skimmed through all timers a large piece of paper, which Mythus gave to Isaiah, is now filled but letters are written very small you have to squint your eyes.
[21 Days] - New Zealand, Russia
[33 Days] - Australia
[36 Days] - Australia
[39 Days] - Korea, Japan
[45 Days] - Australia, China, Singapore, Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia
[51 Days] - Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam
[69 Days] - Russia
[75 Days] - Belarus, Bulgaria, Turkey, Egypt, Greece, Ukraine, Finland
[81 Days] - South Africa, Netherlands, Hungary, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, France, Spain, Germany, Serbia, Austria, Czech Republic, Poland, Italy, Croatia, Belgium, Switzerland
[87 Days] - Ireland, Morocco, Portugal, UK
[93 Days] - Ghana, Iceland
[99 Days] - Uruguay, Argentina, Brazil, Canada
[105 Days] - Canada, USA, Chile, Paraguay, Puerto Rico
[111 Days] - Venezuela, USA, Mexico, Canada, Peru
[117 Days] - El Salvador, Canada, USA, Guatemala
[123 Days] - USA, Canada
[129 Days] - USA
[141 Days] - USA
*Ding!
The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
Intelligence increased by 2
New Active Skill “Inscribe” acquired
Then the days, written inside the square brackets, took his attention as they glow.
“Ah! I forgot to ask him what so special with this paper but whatever. I’ll go to him now anyway.”
As fast as he could, he run down to the direction of place, where Mythus is without regard of his life that he could fall from the sky. In his mind it isn’t that he doesn’t care that he could fall it’s just that he always wants to get to his goal very fast whether it’s small or not. As soon as he got to Mythus, the voice updates him again.
*Ding!
Stamina increased by 2
Agility increased by 2
It seems he overexerted his speed that it increased his stamina and agility but doesn’t know how much his stats are right now.
“Well, aren’t you a fast one, Isaiah. You know it was a reckless thing to do running down those stairs. I fear for your life even though you’re immortal because the distance from here to down to the surface is very far away. If you were revived it would be down there and not in the city and it’s pretty dangerous for a Level 0 drifter like you. You would be killed again and again. There were already 17 cases of them since. I could save only 4 of them as I checked the bodies of the others that they have severed ties to their own body. Gaia also said that they will be able to come back just in another body. But a penalty will be incurred to them that they need 30 days to come back again”
“Phew…Thank god I didn’t fall. I would hate it to begin anew again”
In his mind to start again at the very beginning would mean his time being consumed. He then realized that the count mentioned about him being a “Level 0”.
“Sir Grey, you mentioned about me being a “Level 0”. What does that mean?”
”Ahahahaha!! I’ll tell you mostly everything you need to know tomorrow but before that we need to go to a world registration centre and you can sleep in my manor later”
”World registration centre? And why the good treatment?” asked Isaiah confused.
“Ahahaha!! As I said I’ll tell everything mostly you need to know tomorrow. So for now just come with me”.
As the count said it, Isaiah can only nod and he thinks this is much more reliable than some info from other players, who are right now vying each other. Even though his plan was to make friends it is actually second place to his actual plan from buying the gear and game: To enjoy the game itself. In the past his greed for enjoyment in every kind of games is so great it could destroy the fun of his opponents and for his teammates. It still leaves him some pain that his fellow players don’t get the same thrill as him when losing or winning.
Soon the transparent people have now begun to see that the Count of Elestus is guiding one player. All of them thought of making friend request to that particular person could be very profitable in the future. But the closed interaction right now doesn’t allow it for them. So for now they could only follow them.
The count then brings Isaiah west of the temple to a windowless structure with glass dome roof. A line of players are anxiously waiting. The building was clearly important if not they wouldn’t be here and the young man in front, who blocks the entrance wears probably an expensive robe with runes on it, with grim-looking guards behind him.
The man in a robe then speaks out loud, „Sir Grey! It’s a pleasure to meet you now”, and together with the guards bowed before him.
“Now, now. No need for so much formality Aldin”
“Oh! Now I know why I'm kind of fine with him. He’s a little bit similar to my grandfather from my mother’s side”, remark Isaiah in his mind.
His mother’s father is a kind of man who is humble and likes friendliness. Also a kind of man who appreciates his children and grandchildren. His friendliness also rubbed a bit to Isaiah but just to the people he can trust like Mythus even though he’s an NPC. What’s more jarring is that when Isaiah looked at Mythus much clearly he has the uncanny look of his grandfather from his mother’s side.
Right now Isaiah was given stares by other players when Mythus said, „I wanted to bring this young man to register him by myself now”.
Aldin retorts, “But Sir, all of them are already waiting since 5 hours to register themselves as residents of this world and we still have one undergoing the ritual”.
“Is that so? Very well then”, suddenly Mythus shouts, “All of you who are trying to register shall come in with a group of 10 people! I will be the supervisor and I will hasten the ritual to 30 minutes!”
”But Sir would it be alright with your mana?”, asked Aldin worryingly.
“Hmph! I may not look like it but I’m quite proficient when it comes to magic and my mana pool is much larger than the mages inside”, said Mythus with confidence.
“The old man seems to have some pride when it comes to questioning to his abilities just like my grandpa. Now when I think about, he said about being a chronicler and mentioned wisdom meaning his intelligence must be high since being a chronicler would be writing new parts of the history and learns from it as well. But he gives of something like being a fighter as well. That sword hilt on him has no blade and he surprised me when he neared me like he was an assassin. He must have a secret class no doubt but what kind”, in Isaiah’s mind many thoughts came to him.
“Isaiah for a while, you can look around a little bit. We will be finished for about 2 hours”.
”Actually I have no problem to wait from here outside. I plan to wait for your guidance tomorrow as you’re very reliable.”
”Ahahaha! Then please wait for awhile.”
After 2 hours Isaiah woke up from his little nap and all of the other players are gone who wanted to register except for the ones who are observing Isaiah from before and after from afar. Their disgust show because of him has the possibility of getting a special quest.
“Grrr!!Got ahead of us aren’t you?....”
”No way will leave you alone…”
“We will be persistent….”
”Hehehe…I’ll stalk you till the end of the world….”
Aside their invisible hostility Mythus invites Isaiah inside. Before they got inside he told Aldin something as they got inside the doors closing by themselves.
”Sorry to have you wait outside, Isaiah. I supported the mages inside to accelerate the registration process for others”
“It’s no problem. I need little bit of mental rest too. I’ve got so many information in one day.”
“Haha! Since you’re alone in the process it should probably only 20 seconds.”
As soon as they got to the middle of the building Isaiah sees that the sun was shining down brightly through the glass roof and a tree, about the height of a child, which holds a purple orb at the top. Isaiah is then pushed to go to the tree.
“What should I do now?”
”Put your hand on the orb and wait. The fellow mages and I will do the rest of the procedure.”
As he neared the leafless tree and put his hand on the orb, the surrounding mages and Mythus surrounded him. Together they made a formation and below Isaiah a large purple pentagram have appeared. The mages seems to struggle because of this but Mythus show no sign of it. After about 20 minutes the ritual was finished. Isaiah wondered why it took longer than the promised time. He sees the mages very exhausted that they can only sit down. But Mythus is still indifferent and he then spoke to Isaiah.
“You have now acquired your own status plate”
”Huh? What do you mean?”
”Try speaking “Show Attributes” and you’ll see.”
Just as Mythus said Isaiah did that and an A5 window appeared.
NameIsaiah WolfframLevelRace???0Main ClassNoneCharisma15Number of Subclasses0Dexterity15Number of Titles1Luck20Fame20Infamy0Health150Mana170Vitality15Intelligence17Strength15Wisdom15Attack15Defense0Stamina17Charm20Agility17Satiety20%Number of Resistances4
“Heh…? Am I a cheat? And it seems there are some stats that I should have gained by myself and that I’m not completely human”
Seeing the expression of Isaiah Mythus speaks to him.
“Isaiah, I can answer your question that troubles you but first hide your plate for now and follow me to the manor.”
Before they got out of the building the count somewhat casted a magic spell to Isaiah and to himself. The count knocks the door 3 times and opened by guards from outside. When they got outside and passed the other players, who were waiting for Isaiah, Isaiah notices that they aren’t even aware that they are already gone from the building and doesn’t even perceive both.
As they got on the main middle road Isaiah asks Mythus.
”What did you do to me and yourself?”
“I just casted a magic spell that hides your true identity. Just now those drifters probably thought that we were one of the mages. The mages also changed positions from time to time to recover mana while you were napping outside.”
”Ugh..I’m kinda ashamed…”
“Worry not Isaiah. When I was in your age I slept whenever and wherever I can”.
“Were you a former adventurer?”
“Yes, I was before until certain circumstances forced me that I was obliged to serve the queendom”
“It must be a long story huh.”
”Yes, it is a long story.”
”By the way, are pets here available? Because I see no dogs or cats or any of them.”
”Hahahaha! You’ll see them soon enough.”
*Ding!
Familiarity increased with Mythus Grey
“Huh? That little conversation was somewhat enough..?” thought Isaiah.
With their direction to very north of the city, they finally arrived to their destination: The Manor of the Greys. When they got to the manor it was sunset but the count said that it should be near night by now. At the very high altitude it seems time will be a little bit confusing. At the gates of the manor the guards greeted the count with a salute, meaning the spell wore off and when they entered the house they were then greeted by about 50 maids and butlers. Isaiah was shocked by their numbers.
“The count must be very crucial to the city itself and much more wealthy than I thought.”
Within Isaiah’s mind he is amazed by the count and then his stomach makes loud sounds and a window appears on his side.
*Ding!
Your Satiety has decreased below 10%
“Hahahaha!! You must be hungry since you ran fast from those stairs and that ritual took 1/2 of your satiety. Am I right?”
“Uhh… Yes?”
“Hahahaha!! Then come on and eat with us!”
“With us?”
”Yes, the guards, the maids, the butlers and all of the personnel are going to eat with us too!”
When he got to the dining room, a variety of dishes have covered the whole table. The table itself was very long that there are 100 seats but no one sat on them. Guards, maids and all of the personnel of different races (humans, elves and dwarves), all of them ate together with Isaiah as if it was a festival. Not very typical to happen in a house of a noble. As soon as they heard the count hitting a bronze mug, he speaks out loud to the others.
“I have an announcement to you people. I have found a successor for the title of the count”.
All of them murmured at each other and Isaiah took their attention after awhile. Isaiah feels a little uncomfortable being stared at and at worst feels that something unexpected will happen.
While pointing his finger to Isaiah, “Yes, my successor is him. Isaiah Wolffram”
*Ding!
Title “The Successor of Mythus Grey” acquired
“Eh?”
<--Chapter 1 Chapter 3-->