Chapter I: Scarlet Poison

Light.

A bright and primitive light befalls me – a piercing pale radiance – so powerful that I couldn't possibly see through it, so powerful that I can't withstand it, so powerful that I can't comprehend it.

Overpowering and blinding.

Then—

—suddenly and brazenly, a slim glimmer comes, a glimmer of vivid colour. And from this glimmer, shapes come to life. And from these shapes, I see.

I see a world so colourful and radiant, an oh so very magnificent world – one where a vivid azure sky thrones supreme, one where a splendid gold shines upon everything, one where a luxuriant green surrounds me.

Seemingly, I find myself in a forest, with verdant falling leaves, vibrant flowers, colourful mushrooms, clear puddles and of course vivifying trees. And this very same forest doesn't seem to end in sight, whenever and whatever I set my eyes on, a resident of this magnificent viridescent green domain greets me – it truly is a big forest. A big forest with a developed ecosystem and flora, harbouring diversity and sizeable old trees that could very well retrace untold millennia of history.

But... Am I dead, truly?

If so, this is quite the unbelievable prospect to find myself in the upper plane without having to face judgement, trial or something remotely similar to what these men in robes said. Well, it isn't that unexpected as I don't believe in any kind of religion or spirituality. After all, retribution and rewards are for the believers, not for the miscreants.

Thus, I am maybe not quite dead? Or is it more complicated?

For the present time, it is useless to ask so many questions. I need to collect more Intel about my rather strange situation first!

Thus, I first approach a somewhat clean puddle of water, before setting my sight onto its reflection.

And I see a perfectly inhuman being – for, it is too perfect.

It is a small being adorned with fragile and delicate features of a pale colour, with slender curves – emanating an unfamiliar feminine grace and elegance, akin to the preciousness of porcelain. It is a being adorned with long straight raven black hair, reaching shoulders' height, flowing like silk. It is a being adorned with big round eyes of a charming scarlet red coupled with long eyelashes – eyes that seem to reveal nothing but a cold emptiness. It is a being adorned with an enrapturing and well-proportionated face, with thin rosy pale lips, a small nose, eyebrows neither too big nor too small, a round chin and small rosy ears.

Cute.

I also remark that this being is completely nude and... in its inferior body, there is nothing more than a pale smoothness, no genitals in sight – be it male or female.

Definitely not human. Definitely not of this world. And yet, from henceforth, this being seems to be me.

I then try to touch the puddle of water with what seems to be my hands. Yet, I couldn't feel much if not for the vibration and minim flow of water. Even though, I could see that I very much indeed touched the puddle. I try to move even more, but there isn't any more sensation.

I look around, right and left, before inhaling and exhaling.

I feel nothing, not even air or oxygen, as if this body doesn't have any need to respire. However, I still could very well smell my surroundings, meaning that this nose of mine isn't but a mere decoration.

Next, I take a fallen leave before bringing it into my mouth. It has no taste and I feel nothing. No sense of taste, then no need to eat?

Finally, I stop all movements and shut my eyes in order to concentrate on my close environment. And I hear, I hear the flowing of a river, I hear animals, I hear steps, footsteps – they are rapidly approaching.

Quickly, I open my eyes—

Too late, a presence is right here, right behind me.

I then turn, to see a rugged and smiling man with a moustache, of brown hair and blue eyes. He wears some kind of light armour, but more importantly, he has a sword pointed at me – with hostility radiating all over him.

He says something, I don't understand. He looks around, left, and right – paying attention at his surroundings – before coming directly at me.

He comes with an estoc attack, trying to pierce me right in the chest.

My instincts help me dodge to the right. And while dodging, I sweep in the puddle – trying to disperse as much water as possible on the enemy.

It distracts him for one second and that is enough.

I take a breath and then take my legs as quickly as possible and flee. There is no way in hell I can win this fight! I run, I run as quickly as possible – traversing fallen trees, vegetation and whatever green obstacle.

I don't look behind; I just continue on. I run, I advance, one step before the other. Left foot, right foot, left and right, all the while pressing my body's weight.

Far, I need to go far, as far as I can. My legs have to do it, my legs have to ensure and assure my very own personal survival, really I don't want to die... After all, dying is painful; even if everything that has happened so far could have been nothing more than a dream.

I run, I run. One branch cracks here and there, one branch nearly trips me, one branch pretty much hits me and fiendish leaves fall onto my eyes, thus blinding my vision temporarily – despite it all, I run. I run, for this is all I can do.

Then, I stop in my tracks, right next to a hollow tree. And finally, I release the breath I took earlier... It feels good, honestly.

I finally look behind.

Nothing.

That man couldn't follow me? Or did he stop early on? Whatever, what really matters is that there is now a predator and a prey in these woods and– I am the unfortunate prey.

What a mess. A foreign language – unlike any others –, a medieval swordsman, an unknown environment, an unknown body, a prey and a predator. A foreign world, then?

Definitely, I died on that day. For, this is no longer the reality I knew. No, this is something of a completely new scale! The thesis of the Japanese isekai could no longer be discarded. Once upon a time, I used to read these kinds of stories and– a somewhat common pattern can be extricated from it all.

I sigh.

How complicated. Now what? What should I do?

First, I need to survive. Then, what follows, follows. As for the present moment, I need to somewhat get rid of that man – he is a terribly dangerous nuisance. After all, he knows of my very existence, if word gets out – if he gets out of this forest alive – things will get complicated...

Accordingly, I need to trap him, interrogate him and swiftly execute him.

To accomplish such a feat, I need to know how he detected me in the very first place. After all, he couldn't just find me with his mere instincts – that would be quite strange and be too simple, oh so very simple. Yes, there is something more, something mystical – magical even.

Evidently, I have no idea if this world harbours any kind of magic and it would be dangerous to assume so without first verifying but... this world doesn't seem to be any kind of 'normal', especially more so with the presence of the seemingly anomaly called me.

Then, perhaps I emanate some sort of aura, peculiar to my being? Though, what? A smell, a special colour? That, I don't know.

Thus, I decide to experiment. And to do so, I shelter myself in that hollow tree near me – I wouldn't want to be interrupted after all. Then, I close my eyes again, before concentrating on my very being. And maybe, maybe I could find – see even – something of interest.

Dark.

There is something inherently dark, empty and cold – like an all-aspiring abyss, leaving nothing and absorbing everything. Then, it expands, it expands, it inflates, it takes place – it is no longer me. Yes, it is more, it is no longer my very own miniature garden – for, it seats itself outside.

Red.

Now, a scarlet red appears before me – an irresistible aura, so attracting and beautiful – that enwraps all of my being. It can't contain itself, it can't limit itself – it doesn't just envelop my being. No, it covers more, much more – a boundary all around me, even, has been detained in this enrapturing scarlet.

«Confirmed. Extra Skill [Magic Sense]...successfully acquired».

Curious.

Thence, I know. An aura of glamour and scarlet doesn't shy away from cloaking my very person in quite the indiscrete manner. It isn't then surprising that that man found me.

And as of now, I have to get rid of this aura that all too seems to be mystical and out of norms – and if not possible, minimise it at its utmost.

But how so? I have no idea, frankly… Then, a basic trial and error?

From my miniature garden, I seek. I seek a genesis, an essence – and this is the darkness in my centre. From it, I seek weakness and restrain. And instinctively, red is flowing back to its origins. The core in my being is being filled and is no longer empty, no longer dark – it is now a beautiful scarlet.

Scarlet has been tamed, and the aura is no longer permeating the very atmosphere I stand in. From now on, nothing – absolutely nothing – distinguishes me from nature itself.

Thus, I open my eyes, before showing a small smile.

Success.

With this feat done, a certain need arises: the need to relocate. It wouldn't do to remain in the same place that once welcomed my aura so strongly.

So, I go out of the tree. I look left and right. It's the same emplacement, nothing has changed and nothing has moved. I let out a breath, maybe it is relief that is washing over me.

Then, I take a simple wooden twig, which is laying on the dirt, before throwing it in the air.

It falls, before pointing right in the eastern direction. I now know where to go. To the east, then!

-x-

What should a prey do first and foremost when a great danger awaits it? Flee? Do nothing? Attack back?

Well, the first answer would seemingly pose itself as the logical choice but... it's only worth a penny if my knowledge of this very world wasn't that crude, which is unfortunately not the case, at all. The second answer is unfathomably a stupid death sentence, which doesn't leave much to comment. As for the third and final answer, it is my sole and unique choice.

Attack back, this is my choice and this is the point of no-return. But ultimately a question arises: how? How can I beat this man?

The answer is that I need a weapon but not necessarily something of physical calibre, not something that has to cut, to pierce or even smash. No, I'd need something subtler, quieter and absolutely fiendish: poison.

Not quite the usual type of poison but nonetheless one that comes in handy, especially more so in the context of a forest – for, it is a perfect match: asphyxiation.

I raise my head towards the sky, and a bright azure shines. The sun is radiant, sitting itself high and is seemingly warm and hot – but more importantly, a strong breeze washes over my whole body. This is midday.

I smile.

The intertwining of poison, asphyxiation and a forest could only give rise to something beautiful. And this something could only be fire, of course. Fire of a beautiful red, a beautiful red that will leave this forest asunder and a beautiful red that will send my foe to the Shadow Realm.

However, such a task – lighting a fire – isn't quite easy to accomplish as it requires three specific conditions to be fulfilled: providing a combustible; an oxidant; and an activation energy. In this case, the combustible would be the very forest itself with its woods and absolutely flammable vegetation; the oxidant would the air I inhale, which contains the oh so wonderful and necessary oxygen; and finally the activation energy would be—

I have no idea whatsoever.

Well, not exactly no idea but I unfortunately am neither a scientist nor a survivalist that possess the quite colourful knowledge of lighting a fire from seemingly thin air. The necessary conditions are nonetheless known to me, but without the necessary inputs, I can do but naught.

I sigh, while pinching my nose.

But then, I stop in my tracks, before quickly concealing myself behind a tree.

Interesting.

There is an encampment, sitting right in front of my person – though quite the small one with one sole tent and an extinguished fire, coupled with a few animal's hides and meats there and here. If I had to guess, it probably is the camp of that filthy man.

And from the looks of it, that man has at the very least been staying in that place for a few days. No wonder he found me so quickly.

How spiteful...!

I then look at the surroundings, and visibly this camp is situated in quite the flat and open place, relatively free of trees and whatever green obstacles – in sum, it is what we call a clearing.

Now, what to do? Should I try to inspect the camp? Even try to steal something or... wait and analyse his very schedule before ambushing him?

I don't know if that man actually went back to his camp. But if I could detect my very own aura, maybe I could detect that man's own? And well, there is nothing wrong in trying.

Thus, I first close my eyes. Then, I seek, I seek any vibrations, any waves of anomalous nature. And... nothing.

Absolutely nothing comes to my self, except the bearing of insignificant animals and plants. Yes indeed, there is no trace of something even remotely mystical or seemingly dangerous. There is nothing wrong in brief.

And that's where I find the whole situation disconcerting. So much tranquillity could very well prove itself to be a fatal, to be nothing more than nefarious trap. Evidently enough, I am no dumb rogue in a classical DnD game, I don't really want to take my chances here.

However... the opportunity sitting right in front of me is all too good to pass upon, especially more so if I wish to act on my plan!

Thus, I give one last look at the surroundings and seemingly, there is nothing remarkable. Then, I take a breath, before sprinting right into the camp – as quickly as possible.

Now, I stand inside. I reanalyse the camp and I see that this camp is rather well done with proper foundations, attaching it to the earth, with notably all these cords. Next, I look at the fire, there are some embers left and a bit of cooked meat – I assume that this fire has been lighted this morning.

Then, I set my sights at the tent. I take one rock, before throwing it inside. And... I am lucky. There are no detection traps, nothing has been activated after all – no sound, no smell, no action.

Thus, I ultimately enter the tent.

The interior is relatively cool, fresher than the outside. As for its composition, there is a small sleeping bag, made out of wool and fur; a lantern coupled with a bottle of oil; some clothes; and a dagger that seems tasked with cutting up animal's hides.

I smile.

There are many interesting items in there but regrettably, I couldn't just loot everything without consequences. I could only take the oh so convenient lantern and oil bottle alongside the knife – for, it furthers my interests. The rest would have to wait.

Then, I open the oil bottle and spread approximately two-third of its content inside the tent. Next, I go out of the camp as discreetly as possible, in order to leave no trace whatsoever.

If that man isn't an idiot, he could very well sense something wrong within his camp – and my plan would in this case very well fails. But he could very well be prompted to investigate this rather strange odour of oil permeating his very own tent – and it would make me very happy in this case.

If nothing works, I could still try some sneak attack on him, with that knife of his. And if that too doesn't work, I will just flee, forsaking the man entirely.

For the moment however, I could only wait, wait for the man to come back. He, after all, has some needs to fulfil as a human being, namely eating and sleeping.

But how regrettable that I didn't know any kind of poisonous mushrooms in this forest... He would have eaten the best plate of his life then.

-x-

I inhale one single puff of cold air.

The warmth of the golden dawn is no more, in its place a pale light befalls and envelops the dark Overworld; and in its place a cold breeze covers and cowers everything. Yes indeed, night has fallen and with it, that man has come back.

The man has come back, seemingly tired – evident from the slight bags underneath his eyes – but also bloodied, as he is transporting the carcass of a deer upon his shoulders.

He then deposes the dead animal near the campfire, before taking a dagger to cut it down.

After that, he relights the fire, then cooks his meats in an all too brutal manner, not minding where blood and flesh land. Seemingly, he makes a soup with some herbs and meat. After that, he takes some sort of book – a journal presumably – before inscribing something in it with a plum, for who knows how long.

I tap my fingers against the tree.

The man then takes out something out of his pocket – something white in nature, that looks some sort of tissue – all the while smiling. He contemplates it for one whole minute, before storing it away in a somewhat mindful manner.

And ultimately, that damnable man enters his tent one last time.

I wait some seconds, before discreetly approaching the still alight campfire, all the while making sure to make no sounds – no breath could be heard and my steps are as light as a feather. Then, I lit my lantern. I don't throw it, for it would alert the man and jeopardise the whole of this operation.

This is why, I advance myself right in front of the tent before setting my lantern ablaze – breaking it in the process. And finally, a beautiful scarlet comes alive, spreading its wings and thus engulfing the oil-filled tent.

With it, I discreetly part way with the camp to then hide myself behind a tree. After that, I once again set my sights on the camp.

And I can't help but be delighted.

A beautiful scarlet red has come and with it, the very camp and air itself have been engulfed. Everything burns, from the tent to the rotting corpses of dead animals to the forest – the beautiful scarlet red doesn't stop, it can't stop. Thus, it expands and expands unendingly.

Then, a sound echoes and I hear, I hear a terrible, appalling and frightened voice – it a scream. But it isn't just a scream, no, no, there is a multiplicity of them. That man is suffering, he is hurt – for, he screams and screams.

And so, the man comes sprinting out of the tent – with a deservingly haunted look – inflamed and burning. His flesh is turning asunder, to black and red – his clothes are no more, and his face is melting. He tries to grasp his own neck, seemingly grasping cowardly for air but fails lamentably.

Then, his very knees fall onto itself and the man falls. Even then, the man pathetically continues on and grasp onto the soil, trying to escape all the while ramping.

Should I be magnanimous and put him out of his misery? Or wait, and possibly interrogate him?

Well, it doesn't really matter in the end. It isn't like I could really learn anything from him as my knowledge of this world's language is rather unsatisfactory; and I didn't really prepare a bucket of water beforehand to extinguish him.

A pity, but the man has to die that way – and really, approaching a dying and cornered animal is also quite the imprudent idea. So, I continue on watching the man struggling. And really, it feels funny – it is like watching a mere insect, an ant struggling and grasping on straws even though it is for naught.

The man disgustingly continues on, advancing with his hands – all the while a beautiful scarlet is enveloping his very self. He continues on and on, seeking salvation and respite. He continues, he continues—

–and then no more. The man moves no more, for he is nothing more than charred flesh. Will can't always triumph, can it?

My face seemingly warms itself with a smile.

Thus, I go out of my hiding place, before throwing my knife onto the man's head – just to be sure. Then, I advance to the man's emplacement and take the knife back. He's dead and well dead.

Next, I look back at the camp and at the bright scarlet engulfing it, and... I can't help but feel shame. Yes indeed, I feel shame for wasting abundance and resources – after all, I won't be able to loot much after this ordeal. Hopefully, the winds won't be too strong.

I look once again back at the dead's man corpse before me and discomfort contorts my body as the man has been utterly mutilated – with red flesh exposed, blackened carbon rearing its ugly head and pieces of bones revealing themselves.

So, this is what it means to kill someone by burning them alive... No, this is what it means to plainly kill someone, that seconds ago was still a living human being.

I don't feel distraught, I don't feel nauseous, I don't feel disgusted, yet I don't feel joy – even though he was a disgusting man that I viewed with much contempt.

I bring my hand over my heart, there is no beat. And I can't help but feel empty.

Then—

—a vivid pain overcomes my self and before a scarlet red envelops my being.

«Congratulations, Artificial Mystic Doll, you have earned the achievements [First Blood] and [Pyromaniac]. And with your first achievement acquired, the Unique Skill [Alternative – Garden of Lies] can now be used.»

W– wait, what!

AN:

For the update schedule, I won't promise anything as my younger self did - after all, I don't have as much time as years ago. I am now in university and it's time-consuming, hell even, especially more so with the blocus and exams coming...

As for the story itself, there isn't as much planning as before as this is more of an adventure story. So, really feel free to suggest any type of adventures you would want to see.

Besides that, I appreciate any kinds of feedback! And I certainly welcome constructive criticism!