He looked at the strange eyeball in his hands. It also stared back at him. Its reddish-green iris weirded him out a lot.
The Brain Eater restrained a shiver. Nes had told him to keep it equipped when the countdown reaches 0. He didn't know why, but she seemed so adamant on it he didn't dare question
After the numbers reached zero he noticed a clear lack of HUD presence in his view. He tried to will it in existence; he frowned when nothing happened. That was strange, maybe-
Before he could think of a cause he heard footsteps near him. Out of instinct, he hid behind a tree trunk. He leaned his head out and saw a small greenish humanoid that was picking berries from a bush. From the rancid smell emanating from it, he concluded it was a Goblin.
The Brain Eater let out the breath he was withholding. A goblin should not be a problem. Even if he was not that high-levelled, a goblin should be manageable. It would be easier if he had his spells.
When he thought of that, his memory seemed to react and gave him information on how to cast them. He frowned again. That was strange, it seemed like he had known these abilities for all his life.
While the heteromorphic being was busy thinking, the goblin had finished picking. It turned around and saw the strange creature's head poking from a tree. The green-humanoid started sweating, he could feel that this creature was dangerous. Though it noticed that it was not staring at him. He took the opportunity and ran for his life. He had to inform his tribe of this new being.
The Brain Eater came back to reality when he heard the Goblin running. He wanted to ask him for directions, for it seemed he was not in the previous location. He looked at the eyeball in his hand.
"Is it your fault Graeae?" he thought curiously.
He looked around for the first time and discerned that he was in a forest. The Brain Eater gave the tree bark a closer look. It had moss growing on one side of it and he focused so he could even see some strange insect on it.
"These are some amazing details"
From what he remembered he knew that musk grows on the north side of a tree. So the choice now was where to go. He looked at the direction the Goblin ran. South.
"South it is then"
He started walking with calm steps, trying to analyze the eyeball. He tried to move it away, the iris always stayed on him as a target. The fact that it did not even blink was quite unerring, but if it did without eyelids the Brain Eater supposed it would have been more freaky.
"How did this item disable my menu?"
He was taking it in strides but in truth, he was feeling scared. Without a menu, he couldn't log out. Though the fact that he still had access to his spells gave him hope. There is a way, he just needs to find it.
He grumbled, why had Nes given him Graeae? Maybe it was like a ticket for this new modality? But what kind meaning had a new game modality right after the game had shutdown? He sighed. Nes had some answers to give.
He squeezed the eyeball and it flew towards a tree branch. The Brain Eater panicked and raised his hand in vain. Only to feel pressure on his mind. He glanced at the item and saw that it had stopped. It remained there, floating.
"Does that mean?"
He willed it closer. The item obeyed and it flew in his open palm.
"It has a return property?"
He opened his inventory and put the eye in. It was similar to his spells; when he put his hand inside he knew what it had inside.While the mechanics intrigued him, there was another experiment to be done.
He studied his surroundings and noticed a wooden branch on the ground. He again tried to do what he did with the eyeball. The pressure was heavier this time, he felt his thoughts becoming muddled. The branch seemed to shiver and then it started floating.
"Telekinesis?"
He allowed the branch to fall. He remembered that his race was able of such things, though it did not have this impact previously or that strange mental pressure. It was mostly used to facilitate item collection. Now it seemed full-blown Telekinesis albeit a bit weaker on how much he could lift.
"Most curious, it seems almost like a different game." he thought amusingly
Could it be a demo play for a new game produced by the ones that made YGGDRASIL? While the idea seems interesting, forcibly having people play it sounds kind of illegal. He shrugged and continued his walk.
He reached the edge of the forest and saw a village. Maybe there he would find some answers.
He continued on his way. It truly surprised him what they had done with the game, it seemed more… real. They had even implemented a day and night cycle. He could feel the warmth of the setting sun and the cold winds of the night. He reached the village when the darkness of night had taken hold of the sky.
It seemed that even his vision in the darkness had changed. While he could only see various shades of grey, it was most helpful while treading in the road.
He stood in the village square trying to find an NPC. Maybe the NPCs too now sleep cycles? He was tempted to knock on one of the doors, but before the temptation could take hold his tentacles twitched. He could smell happiness? It was hard to put into words. He turned his back and saw a young little Human girl with reddish-brown pigtails and brown eyes. She was holding what doll in her hands.
"We have a naughty child here." he said humorously.
The child let out a shriek and the doll fell from her hands. Before it could hit the ground, the mysterious shadow figure used his Telekinesis to stop it and then he let it float in front her.
"We wouldn't want to damage your toy now would we?" his voice surprised him. It was deep and raspy, though the most unsettling part was that it sounded like he was underwater. He feared that she would not be able to understand his speech.
The Brain Eater's tentacles twitched, now he could smell fear.
"There is no need to fear me, youngling. I think you will find I am quite harmless," he reassured with a smile.
Thankfully the darkness and humans limited sight did not allow the child sight of such an abominable thing. She gingerly grabbed her doll, hugging it close to her chest.
"Good child," he praised "now, could you tell where to find this village Chief?"
It seemed the NPCs A.I.s were upgraded, they now seemed like truly living beings. He thought that maybe they would be able now to answer the Players requests, or maybe this was just a special event.
The child looked at where the voice had come from but her eyes did not permit her to see what it was, just that it was a tall and lanky figure.
"Are you a thief?" she hesitated.
He could now smell less fear in the air. Her question intrigued him. Was this event for Thieves? Maybe if you had that class she would give you a secret quest? He almost said yes, but then he thought that maybe it had a negative consequence if you were a thief.
While he was thinking, the poor little girl tried to get closer to him. His tentacles twitched, the smell of fear was slowly getting stronger. He looked down and saw the girl staring at him. He quickly regained his aplomb.
"I am a Mystic, little one," he stated
"Mystic?" she asked, curiously.
"Yes, I am the Mystic, Deimos," he announced "may I know your name?"
"I am Nemu!" she blurted.
"A pleasure to meet you, now-"
Before Deimos could ask his questions, a door opened. The light illuminated them both. The sudden flash almost blinded him. His eyesight had become more sensitive to light it seemed.
He turned his head and saw a well-built, middle-aged man, with white hair and a goatee staring at him. Deimos took the opportunity to present himself.
"Good evening, kind sir," he started "I am sorry to wake you up in the middle of the night but I am searching for the leading figure of this settlement."
He continued to stare at the Brain Eater. His pallid visage had regained some of its candour.
"Nemu, come here," he said, his voice barely more than a whisper.
The little girl stared at him. He just shrugged. She went to the other Human's side.
"You… what are you?" he asked cautiously.
"I am not the monster you believe me to be, that's for sure." he answered.
"What do you want?" as he was saying that, he hugged Nemu closer.
"As I previously stated, I would like to meet the leader of this village or the elder, whichever can give me an answer."
The silence continued. The heavy stench of fear, hung still in the air.
"If you want I can come tomorrow morning and then we can have this talk again?" suggested the strange creature.
"That would be preferable," the man answered, after a brief pause.
"Jolly good, then I bid you farewell" after having said that, he started strolling towards the village main road, which would lead him outside.
"Mhhh, these villagers seem pretty advanced"- he mused -"Can't imagine how a city will be."
The mole of information that this game worked with was astonishing. Cycles, NPCs personalities and reaction to players' very words. He remembered a game that had such an interactive world. It was called Sekandoraifu, it had such an extremely realistic world that some people took the lifetime membership contract. They were never heard from again.
Deimos stopped on his track for a moment. What was the name of that game producer? It was right on the tip of his tongue. Before he could recall it he heard someone calling his name.
He turned and saw Nemu running towards him. She stopped a meter away from him. His tentacles did not detect fear.
"You don't have a place to stay?" she asked curiously.
"That I do not."
"I can ask my parents if you can sleep in the stall."
Deimos smiled. He smelled fear in the air.
"Do I look that scary when I smile?" he thought depressingly.
He ruffled her hair with telekinesis.
"Do not worry about me, I can handle a little darkness" he claimed.
Her hands were on top of her head, the surprise could be smelled by his tentacles. She looked at him for a second, then nodded and went presumably home.
He continued walking towards the open fields that surround the village, a smile plastered on his face.
"Time to try some of these spells"
He woke up the next morning. He did not wake up naturally so he felt a bit groggy. He stood up and saw an army marching towards the village. He squinted his eyes. Their armour was not anything like he had previously seen in-game.
Deimos first thought that it was an enemy attack, but they were too slow in their movements. Maybe they were a platoon that would deal with the monster coming from the forest? His mind went to the Goblin he had seen.
He shrugged and decided to give a closer look. He tried to be as stealthy as possible. He could smell fear and happiness in the air. He was close to enough to see what was going on.
One of the knights, one wearing a plumed helmet, approached a villager. The moment he was in melee range he drew his sword and with a precise motion buried the blade in the man's side. He yanked the blade out, blood splattered on his breastplate. The knight raised his sword into the air and yelled victoriously. With a thunderous roar, the rest of them pulled out their weapons and charged.
They had no qualms in their slaughter, be it a child or an elderly. Deimos saw Nemu being pulled away by a young woman. One of the knights, after having scored his third kill, saw them running and decided to give pursuit.
Now Deimos had a choice: Fight or flee.
[Riven Hourglass - Stance]
[Unhindered Step]
The decision was already made.