SWNOVELXO Chapter 12: // The truth about Marni & the First City
The battle is finally over. Those who were trembling in fear for their lives now cheered with everyone as they saw their rewards.
The stone torches remain lit with spheres of electricity, the door was still closed but something obvious was that it was finally over, even if there was more, they would finally be able to rest properly, hoping that a city or a village is their next destination.
Cho Jae-Hwa wiped the sweat off her forehead with a piece of cloth from her old clothes as she walked slowly towards Hyeong Hae with a smile on her face.
"We finally did it, huh? Congrats, miss Hae."
"Right? It was taking so long I was wondering if we would go down before the ruler... Not to mention, even after being hit by that giant thunder you were able to move perfectly. You're amazing!"
Hyeong answered with a grin on her face.
"No, no, if anything, you are the one who is amazing miss Hae! You barely have any fighting experience besides today and you were able to go even faster than me!"
Hyeong looks at the palm of her hands, brushing her left palm with her thumb, thinking about what to say next. She exchanges some looks that are quickly turned away from Jae-Hwa, seemingly guilty.
"Truth be told, I also don't know why. As the battle went on, I felt my senses become duller and everything looked slower than normal. Every swing I made felt like breathing, it was something regular."
Jae-Hwa offers her hand to hold, keeping it tight as her toughts wandered deeply.
"Do you remember that skill? Everlasting Resilience... I think that may be it."
With a sigh, Hyeong let her eyesight wander, most likely seeing her skills panel. She closes her eyes, breathing in deeply as she held her hair with her free hand.
"I don't know if it is, but it feels like cheating."
"It probably makes you stronger the less health you have and the more will to continue fighting remains in you."
"Even if that's the case, it feels wrong. I thank this skill, of course, it helped a lot after all, but I was able to reach level five in a day and I know the required amount of experience to raise it by one... This should not be normal!"
"L—Level five!?" It was certainly not normal as it made even Jae-Hwa jump in surprise and release her hand.
For her to reach level five, she needed a hundred and thirty-five experience. No matter the amount of contributions Hyeong did in the battle, or the amount of experience she had obtained normally, the amount should not had even reached half of what was needed.
Does her skill also mess with the amount of experience she receives? But then how did she level up twice? I never even thought it was possible since the experience is always reset.
Jae-Hwa kept her mean expression as her thoughts overflowed, worrying even the courageous leader. Suffering internally, the woman with golden hair clenches her fists, looking at the ground she was sitting on painfully.
"Sorry."
Hearing her apology for something unnecessary, the spear user snaps out of her trance filled with thoughts.
"No, no, there is no need to apologize! If anything, you should be proud that you have such amazing skills, miss Hae!"
"But right now, you were..."
"I was just trying to understand how you leveled up twice. I didn't think it was possible so..."
A moment of awkward silence passes between them. Only after one of them coughs, attempting to continue the conversation, does Hyeong start an explanation, right after a loud sigh.
"If I remeber the information right, I obtained some experience, leveled up and then the processed repeated itself again because of my battle contribuitions."
Jae-Hwa stores her weapon in her inventory, crossing her legs as she let her mind relax.
"Then it should be the same case than me, the only difference is that I only got enough for a level. Do you um... Have anything else amazing?"
"Amazing? I sure do, but the more I look at it, it is something that does not belong to me."
Both fidget with their hands, nervous and tense while engaging in the conversation. The worry that her reaction might have been too much for Hyeong sinks her heart.
Meanwhile, Hyeong takes out from her inventory two different items, one clear white orb and a crystal.
Jae-Hwa runs her fingertip on both the items' surface, shortly after reading the information panel that appears hovering on top of it.
"That ball looking thing is a
Wait, aren't these the ruler's powers?"
A skill orb just as it looks is used to obtain the stored skill, meanwhile an element crystal is made to infuse a weapon with a certain element. Not only it seemed like extreme luck to obtain something like this on the regular, but considering both belonged to Terazus, the ruler of this domain, made it even more rare.
"You see what I mean? Even if these things have limitations, I feel like I don't deserve them." Hyeong held the objects tightly with enough care to not break them, but enough anger to want to.
"Please do not say that. I'm sorry that I hurt you, but in this world that we are now, these powers are what will allow you to survive and protect those that you care for. It is not cheating or anything like that when it means that you will surive."
"Is that right...?" Putting it close to her heart as per the instructions displayed to her, the skill orb goes inside the leader's chest and vanishes. A painless process but still strange nonetheless. "I guess that is one way of seeing it. Then, I will do as you say, at least I won't feel as bad for having this... Also, did you really think I was hurt by a kid's words? I'm nearing my fourties in a couple of years, I don't have the psychological for that!"
The older woman laughs as she makes Jae-Hwa stunned by descovering her age. With how preserved she was, she definitely thought she was younger.
As the laugh continued, her husband walked over to both girl's side, being stopped by the disturbing noise of metal scraping on metal.
In the center of the room was a pillar no taller than one meter emerging, without warning or hint that it would even happen. The fighters stayed on alert while those that were filled with fatigue simply got up hoping it wouldn't be an annoying battle about to happen.
The symbol of a hand was engraved on the top of this simple construction, somehow small and fitting enough for Jae-Hwa to place hers on top. Even without words or sounds, it was calling to her, despite not noticing.
As her fingers start investigating the texture of the gravure, two panels appear side-by-side from thin air on top of her, wide enough for everyone to be able to see. When her hand was completely in place, a text appeared in the panel on the left while an image of the settlement appeared in the one on the right.
"Is that...Marni?"
The image was in fact a video, searching around until it found the defenseless red wolf girl that was now awake, sitting on the same ruined stairs as always. The dark cloth covering her body didn't allow her to see the little girl's face, but the swaying red tail was enough.
"What is the meaning of this?"
"Do you know her, Jae-Hwa?" Hyeong approached calmly behind her, holding hands with her lover.
"She's from this world... Marni is the reason I started fighting and her quests were the reason why I had to fight the ruler... But I don't understand why the panel is showing her."
Those present audibly gasp for an unknown reason. Upon looking behind, all Cho Jae-Hwa could see was the wide opened eyes of those who she helped protect, moving their eyes left to right, reading the text that was displayed.
The moment her eyes were directed to the arrays of words and her lips read some of it, her react was no different from the rest of them.
"What the hell is this?
...Non-Sentient Species number twelve report, Marni..."
A report about the existence of Marni was shared publicly, unconvering what was hidden from the players and stating the latest occurrences.
—NSS #012 REPORT—————————
Subject is of the rare Crimson Wolf race, possessing their common traits of red hair and tail and golden eyes.
RE Protocol #04 - Subject was brought to the Terazus's chamber along with other NSS, attempting to defeat the domain's ruler without the assistance of a Handler.
As configured to value relations higher than the usual level, subject was forced to protect her companions.
With the door still open from another Handler, subject obtained status ailment
Remaining NSS ceased functions.
After 00:04:35, subject has ceased functions.
———————————————————
"Experiment has failed...? All this time she was just an experiment?"
In reaction to Jae-Hwa's words, static infiltrates the panel, completely erasing the displayed report. Without any sound but static, words started emerging as if someone was answering her questions.
[Yes. Just an experiment.]
Everyone feared but still managed to obtain the courage necessary to make their own questions. Asking who they were or how they could return home.
[Only one of you know me. No one gets out.]
It's the system!
She could not believe that it had returned, the will of the system had returned to torment her again.
"What the hell do you want?" She could only tighten the grip on her fist and clench her teeth as there was no other apparent way to punch whatever was behind the system.
[We want you to know. Marni has suffered. Especially because she was born in this place, she was killed, played with and more... And yet she always returned.]
"What are you trying to imply?"
As every message passed, static would cover the panel's screen and clean the previous statement.
[She always comes back as someone different. Last time she was a dancer, and oh did the forgotten ones like to have fun with her. Now she was a fighter that thought it was possible to escape this maze with just three of her dear, dear friends.]
[This time, let's see... She will be a fortune teller, doomed to forget others and even you.]
The rage was building up inside Jae-Hwa, barely being able to hold her anger in her fist, let alone her expression. Her eyes closed, trying to make it seem like a bad dream.
[From the start, she was just a pawn. A tool to make the forgotten ones want to fight. You think there were times when she was being herself? No, that ended years ago, after her first reincarnation protocol.]
Mindlessly activating her skill
Without thinking things through, her fist rushes to the short pillar of metal, landing a punch that is able to not only create a deafening echo but also leave a dent on its structure.
"Shut up already, you damn punk! You think it's okay to play with the lives of other!?
Just you wait, the first thing I'm doing after being out of this dungeon is digging your face to the ground!"
Hyeong had to intervene the girl's explosive emotions, holding her body close to her, making her incapable of throwing another punch. One was already enough to make her skin bleed and bones be slightly broken.
[That is cute. But I told you, there is no way out. There is only forward.]
The circle dilimited by the ruler Terazus started to glow a yellow, followed by the inside of it that covered everyone's feet.
[The teleportation sequence is starting. Don't worry, I will stop bothering you from now on. I don't want them to find me after all. You just need to know one thing, though.]
[Forget it. You can't save her. Noona.]
"Wait up, you bastard! I'm still not done with you!" As her scream reverberated in everyone's ears, a blinding light overwhelmed their eyes. Cho Jae-Hwa was now on the ground, clenching her bleeding hand as both Hae and her husband stood by her side.
Their eyes were closed, hoping to end whatever was happening. That is when they finally heard a distinct voice.
"Oh are you the forgotten ones? Welcome, to Carsenia."
As their opened, the starry night sky made them gasp in awe, tears streaming down their eyes as they finally were contemplating signs of human civilization.
There were many houses that were made to resemble those in the eastern middle-age, mixed with some components more futuristic and fantasy-like.
"Show me your hand."
While the guard that welcomed the players moved them to the side of the portal-like stone they were standing, Hyeong Hae ripped a piece of her shirt and bandaged the girl's hand as best as she could.
"Don't stay so down, okay? I mean... We finally got away from that labyrinth, we can finally see the stars and maybe even sleep in a comfy bed."
"You don't understand. Marni was stubborn, but enough for me to remember my little sister. She was like one to me, I can't just move away from her."
"...You read the texts as well, right? No matter who was writing it, the little girl will apparently forget you."
Tears start leaving Jae-Hwa's eyes, her vision pearls shining like jades amidst the night sky. Her arms fell to the floor out of hope.
"I know that. The longer I stood in that labyrinth, the more memories vanished from her head. I know the system was not lying, but I can't just ignore this whole situation."
Hyeong's lips opened for a short moment before closing again, eating her own words before deciding to say them.
"Get a grip. You remember what you said to me, right? In here, we need to survive, so don't go losing your will to live just because of that. If she won't remember you, then it's the same as if she moved on from you.
Keep fighting the way you see better, you yourself said that the first thing you'd do after leaving was kick their ass, right?"
"A little more brutal than that, but yes."
"Then what are you faltering for!? If you can't even keep a promise for her, then why did you come all this way? Was it for nothing!?"
A little chuckle escapes the spear user's mouth, despite the tears. The scolding was too similar to her mother. Even if was someone being mad for her, it was more reassuring for the young lady than anything else in this moment.
"I guess I just need some time to think about what I need to do next."
She smiled, but the pain was still transparent in her face.
"That's right. You have been doing a lot for everyone, no one will judge you for taking a day or two off. Also... It would be better if you kept that system thing or whatever it was away from everyone's ears."
"It's okay, I also don't think any of you would enjoy knowing."
Now standing, the trio proceeds to listen to the guard's explanation, although the recent events still cloud Jae-Hwa's mind.
"This is Carsenia, the town adjacent to the first domain. Although you must not have been to other domains yet, most of them have a city or town connected with it. To access any of them, you just need to us the same portal you came through."
As she takes glance to the side, she could see more groups of people coming from the portal and being greeted by the different guards.
As her only reaction, she raises her hand and questions aloud where the other people are coming from. Sure, the labyrinth as big, but the group she was currently in had everyone. No one stayed behind.
"Some come from other domains or cities, but those being greeted by my fellow coworkers come from other instances of the Voltaic Sludge domain. You see, whoever created it liked to see the weak suffer, so they created multiple instances of the same domain with only one shared destination: this city."
That sounds like something the system would do. Maybe even this guard could be being controlled... But it said it wouldn't bother me again...
"Well then, changing topic." The guard continued. "To the west you have clothing and everyday necessities stores, to north you have battle-related stores, east has inns and bars, that sort of thing and finally south has medicine stores and the cathedral. If you want to use your luck and try to get a blessing, that's the place you should aim for."
Barely anyone had noticed yet, but the portal was in the middle of the city, surrounded by houses with two stories and either wood or metal framed windows. Some had the first floor as a store, while others had the whole building.
The ground felt and behaved like real stone and grass, the air was clean despite the amount of metal on the buildings. She was truly, finally out of that suffocating place. She could touch the trees placed in some of the corners of the central street and feel the rough texture of the wood. The running water on the ground protected by tubes of reinforced glass also seemed fresh.
"This is where my explanation ends... Oh, also since most Forgotten Ones don't seem to realize, in your terminal system there should be ways to register your companions in battle so you can later communicate with them. As some have explained, it's like calling someone on a pho...ne? But telepathically.
Now truly, everyone, have a good night."
As the guard leaves, groups start being formed. With Jae-Hwa, only Hyeong Hae and her husband stay to talk for a moment.
Hyeong is the first to push conversation.
"So... What will you do now?"
"I guess I will look for a room to sleep and to think things through."
"We will as well, but first I have to find a place to bathe, I'm so sticky with sweat that I can't take any longer."
Jae-Hwa gives her a short laugh before searching around her system for what the guard had explained. In the corner of her vision, she notices a small menu.
"I would also prefer to take one but the fatigue is stronger. Mind if I register you as friends? Just so we can communicate in case it's needed."
"Of course, no problem."
—FRIEND LIST————————————
Hyeong Hae
Myo Dong-Sun
———————————————————
"Thank you, ms. Hae."
So his name was Myo Dong-Sun.
After waving each other goodbye, Cho Jae-Hwa heads east to where it is filled with people walking the streets and in the bars enjoying a drink.
She visited at least 4 inns, asking for the cheapest room they had, but even then it either went out of budget or it was simply to expensive for her.
On her fifth try, she chose a seemingly humble-looking inn, with a simple entrance and two floors. Inside, a lady with white aimless eyes greeted her.
"Welcome to The Clear Resting. Is it a room for just one?" Some flowers decorated the reception area along with paintings of different landscapes.
"Umm... Yes, but I am a little short on money. How much is your cheapest room?"
"If you are short on money, you can use on of our upstairs rooms. It is ten credits for five nights. Is that all right with you?"
Jae-Hwa's demeanor lit up knowing that she would finally be able to rest in a bed of her own after so long.
"Yes, of course. Please and thank you!"
"Well then..." The lady, with a graceful composure and gentle voice, takes a key from below her desk and places it on her hand.
Different from the usual, a panel appears on top of the key, showing the price it takes.
"Press the confirm button with your finger and the payment will be done."
Doing as told, her index finger presses the 'confirm' button lightly, noticing that ten credits were subtracted from her status.
"It's already late, so you can go ahead and sleep. The room is the number twelve."
Twelve again.
As she thanks the lady and goes up the stairs, she feels the wooden texture and sound, filling her with nostalgia for the real world.
The door to her room was simple, wood with a bronze handle. As Jae-Hwa pushes the key in and savors the sound of the key opening it, she encounters an average that could be found in the average fantasys story.
A bed, a bedside table and a dresser. However, the most important item was the clock that was nailed to the wall, displaying twenty-two thirty-five o'clock (22:34).
"It's already so late... Let's just forget for now. Yeah, that's the best thing I can do... My mind can't really think of anything else."
Jae-Hwa threw herself to the bed with her clothes still on, not bothering to even change to something more comfortable or to sleep beneath the sheets. Sleeping away her worry, letting her future be decided tomorrow.
—CURRENT STATS——————————
PLAYER NAME: CHO JAE-HWA // LEVEL: 4 <0/135 EXP>
BLESSING: none
TITLE: Giant Slayer
HEALTH: 52/140
DAMAGE: 20 (+7) // DEFENSE: 24 (+6) // ENERGY: 0/40
WEAPON: Ceremonial Metal Spear
ARMOR: Hunter's Garb
SKILLS:
CREDITS: 35