How was I able to use the Doors of Death before? It doesn’t make sense. I wasn’t saying the String whenever I used it before. There must be something deeper here.

Sharlan started experimenting with the Doors.

Hmm. They still seem to work like they did before so the ability hasn't changed at all. Except now, the condition for activation has changed. Hmm. If I wasn’t saying the words out loud, then they must exist in some other representation. There is only one other option.

Sharlan found some paper in the gang’s supplies. He then asked Bel to make him some charcoal using his Fire magic.

“Why do you need that?”

“Trust me on this. If this works, then this could be revolutionary.”

“Okay. Do your thing then.” He made the charcoal and watched Sharlan innovate.

Sharlan started writing down his String on the paper. When he was done, he tore the paper in half and the spell was released. Sharlan’s face collided with the ground as he didn’t think ahead and the Doors decided to rotate him into the ground.

He got up off of the ground with a bloody nose and proclaimed “I did it! I’m a genius!”

“Bro, I could’ve just told you that it works like that. Why not ask first?” said Bel.

“Oh….uh…ok. Cool. I guess I’m not the first then.”

“Yeah, that’s called Compiling the String. And the resulting rune would be called an Executable.”

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

“Wait a second!” announced Sharlan. “Lloyd! Lift up your shirt!”

He lifted his shirt and showed the writings on his back to everyone.

“What!? Is this a real String? This shouldn’t be possible!” declared Bel.

“Why not? I was able to write it on paper so why wouldn’t someone be able to write it on someone else?” asked Sharlan.

“It’s possible to write it but it would release immediately so there is no way he could have a String stay on for this long!” Bel countered.

“What why?”

“Well a person is constantly decaying, no?”

“Ah, is that so?”

“I’ve been feeling the effects of this String for quite a while. About a month ago, I realized that it was on my back and I thought that it was some kind of curse. Suddenly, Bel’s story actually makes complete sense!” said Lloyd.

“So does this mean that if I read it then I can use the magic in it myself?” asked Lloyd

“Well, considering that you didn’t know it was on your back, that probably means that it’s not your String because no one but the possessor of the String can write its Executable.”

“Wait!” Sharlan suddenly gained a couple of brain cells (probably cuz of the growing tumor) and looked at the Ogre’s staff and the RRR. “The staff is an Executable String as well! What about the RRR?” He looked all around the rock but could not find any words written on it. “What kind of magic does this use then?”

“It’s definitely an Executable since you smash it to activate it.” said Bel. “But I have never seen reusable ones before. I have no idea how that works.”

“Then why can’t I find any words written on it?”

“Most likely, they are written on the inside. It’s a very well constructed Executable that probably uses more than one String to work. At least that’s my guess. But, I’m more interested in how Lloyd is able to have the String permanently on his back. Can I take a look?”

He examined Lloyd for a bit but couldn’t come up with anything.

Sharlan told Bel about the Doors of Death before he lost them somewhere midway through this book. This only made the matter even more confusing.

Wait, Styx might also have an Executable pasted on him? Maybe it’s under his fur. Sharlan examined the dog and just as expected, there was a String.

“BĀRK BÁRK BǍRK BÀRK, BĀRK~ BÁRK BÀRK BǍRK” Shalan asked the dog and the dog replied in human “No. I don’t know who compiled this String on my body.”

“Wait what?! You can speak human this whole time?” Sharlan was astonished.

“Yeah. I just wanted to make you look dumb. Barking out of nowhere, lol.”

“Whatever. Let’s move on with the plot. Oh wait, that was supposed to be the narrator’s line.”

I must figure out the true nature of the RRR. But to do that, I must figure out how the Doors were working when I first made it to fairyland. Considering that the king was the one who planted the RRR for me to use, he must know something about its creation or at least have a lead to the creator. If I can find that, then I’ll be able to track whoever made it and force them to fix it. This is a gamble but it’s probably the best chance I have to survive.

“Guys, so here’s the plan…”