章 27: Episode 7-Ender's Game (1)
I walked through the broken remains of the Macy's mall.
(It's... incredible.)
I remember reading a lot of stories that were centered around the apocalypse, such as the "Last Kids on Earth," which was written by Max Brallier. I also remembered watching episodes of the Walking Dead with my mother.
There was something so infatuating about the Apocalypse; I would always imagine myself living in one. There was something alluring about living in a world that had no humans remaining in it.
(Humans ruin everything in the first place.)
It was a childish thought, but I blamed humans for everything. Humans polluted the Earth, overcrowded it, and complained about the Earth dying. I had deep hate for them.
(Maybe that's how I received my Anger Lord attribute.)
When I watched Thanos use the Infinity Gauntlet to eradicate half of the living beings in the universe, I was actually rooting for him. Thanos was shown as a villainous person, but he also had a different side to him in the MCU. He wanted to return back to his home planet. When he did, he made a farm for himself. He wasn't obsessed with power as well; he used the Infinity Stones to destroy the Infinity Stones.
He was such a villainous person, but I still admired him. Except in the original novels, and comics. I think Thanos was a simp, who tried to kill half of the universe to appease "Lady Death." Marvel Cinematic Universe Thanos was cooler; I could relate to him.
(I can also relate to Kim Namwoon.)
There was a reason why I read TWSA in the first place. It was mainly due to Kim Namwoon. He was really murderous, but he seemed to genuinely care about Lee Jihye, and it was always funny when she turned him down, or ignored his advances. It just shows that kids would still be kids, and people would always try to look for love. I continued to walk through the mall, until I was at the fountain again. There wasn't much left of it.
(Damn, I did this....)
It was crazy. My Flame stigma was strong, and igniting Flare Zombies allowed me to cause massive explosions.
(Maybe I can use this to my advantage.)
There were several items on the Dokkaebi Shop that allowed Incarnations to control the undead; crowns or scepters were examples.
(Maybe I can become a Demi-Lich, similar to Acererak from Dungeons and Dragons,) I thought.
I turned on my phone, and began reading my favorite novels, such as "Ready Player One" by Ernest Cline. I sat on the ash ridden ground, and began to read. Rereading always calmed me.
(I could type some random names into the Dokkaebi Shop search bar, and see what pops up.)
I began to concoct several strategies, but I had to take my personal funds into consideration.
(How much money do I have?)
I pinched my thumb to my index finger, and held it. Soon, my coin balance was showing.
[Coins: 129,666]
My eyes almost bugged out from my head. It was a lot of money compared to other Incarnations. I felt pretty rich; sadly, I knew this was cheap pocket change compared to richer Constellations and Dokkaebi.
I opened the Dokkaebi Shop. Incarnations only received five searches a day, but I worked around this by typing plausible names.
(Let's see.... I need to buy skills, and check for any items. I'll do that after I'm done reading though.)
***
I bought two things from the Dokkaebi Shop. One of them was a skill called [Naked Setting.]
When I read the synopsis, I saw that this skill actually belonged to a Viceregent named "Runald, the Naked Saint."
Apparently, this [Naked Setting] allowed the user to become physically stronger by being naked. It seemed really perverted, but it was useful to me. I burned my clothes a lot, so having such a skill would be perfect if I incinerated all of my clothes by accident.
I took some notes about the skill. Apparently, it belonged to a God called Geshtalt. Geshtalt was an Ancient God that lived in a place called Depth, and he made this setting to fight people who used armor.
Alas, there was a caveat. Someone who used the [Naked Setting] couldn't kill people who were naked. It meant that I would have to momentarily deactivate the [Naked Setting] and reactivate it.
I read more of the synopsis of the [Naked Setting.] It was written by the Naked Saint, Runald.
[This setting is great! There is power in being naked! Anderson, my previous goddess used this setting, and Jaehwan (my second god that I worshipped) used this setting as well. It's awesome! Buy this [Setting] for 20,000 coins! Being naked is awesome!]
Truthfully, I felt as if the Naked Saint was a little kid who liked exhibitionism, but I bought the skill because of the applicable use. Still, I shuddered. I didn't want to use this skill. I didn't want anyone seeing my naked body.
(Okay, moving on.)
The second item I bought was called [Crown of a Lich.]
This crown costed 10,000 coins, and would allow me to control the undead. I checked the item description, and saw that the gem encrusted into the center of the crown allowed the user to control the undead. The rest of the crown, which seemed to made from solid gold, was relatively worthless.
(I'll keep the entire crown for now, but I'll tear off the gem and stick it onto a helmet if I find one.)
[Constellation "Egyptian Thought" is interested in your purchases.]
Oh, that reminded me. I had to talk to the Constellations now.
"Oh, if any of you are wondering how I survived, I had George force the hearts and blood of Flare-zombies into my body. This infected me with the virus, but my Flame Stigma and willpower allowed me to survive."
[Constellation "Egyptian Thought" has written this in their Book of Thoth.]
[Constellation "Secretive Plotter" finds this interesting.]
[You have been sponsored 1000 coins due to your exposition.]
[Constellation "Secretive Plotter" is glad that Incarnation "Ethan Nakamura" is alive.]
[Constellation "Anti-Confederacy" wishes for Incarnation "Ethan Nakamura" to find Incarnation "George Machen."]
[Constellation "Snake-Cutter" is interested in Incarnation "Ethan Nakamura."]
I began to ignore the messages, and look for George. He might be on patrol; he was a Marine.
***
I found George. I saw my backpack was next to his feet. I slowly approached him, but figured that I was too silent.
(I remember when I unintentionally scared my mom so much. Everyone tells me I have really light footsteps.)
I approached George. He saw me. He seemed surprised and concerned.
"Ethan!? Is that you?!"
"Yep, I'm alive!" I said cheerily.
"I-I thought you died...."
It seemed as if George was about to cry again. No one really knew this about him, but George was a very emotional person; he was also a sympathetic crier. Tears were about to leak from his eyes, but I made sure to show that I was okay.
"George, I'm alright! Look, it's me!" I took off the hood of my jacket, and showed my face.
"But.... you're skin is black... and the right side of your face is completely black... like a scar," he said worryingly.
"Ah, that's just because of my flame stigma."
[Constellation "The Black One, Lord of Muspellheim" says that Incarnation "Ethan Nakamura" looks respectable.]
I looked towards the sky, and gave a thumbs up.
(Sure, Surt. Sure.)
I didn't want to say it aloud to George, but I thought my appearance was pretty cool.
"Uh, how are your.... body parts?" George asked hesitantly.
"Oh, my left leg and my right hand?"
I checked those body parts. They seemed pretty much fine. They regrew quite quickly because of the Flare-zombie virus. Although, I could see the veins in my hands, which were ebony-black. My flesh and skin was also incredibly red.
(I want to see my body temperature.)
[You have used Bodily Temperature Meter!]
[Current Body Temperature: 93 Degrees Celsius]
(Hmmm.... I'm not feeling any discomfort; it's probably due to the Flare-Zombie virus; it allows me to handle this heat.)
"Well, thanks to you, George, I'm alive."
"Uh, Sergeant Major Nakamura?"
"Yes?"
"I have to tell you something.... Well, when I was trying to save you, I heard your voice telling me what to do."
(Oh, that was just me.)
"Oh, that was just me. I think I became a soul for a short moment, and advised you."
George seemed really shocked by my declaration, but he accepted it quickly.
"I destroyed the Bulbs of Flare and Disease, sir."
"That's good. That will decrease the Flare-zombie infection. The Flare-zombies fed off from the Bulbs."
"Sergeant Major, what do we do now?"
"Well, we can enter three dungeons in the mall. That's what the scenario contents said."
"Oh... right."
"Also, I want a promotion," I said this as I stared towards the sky.
[Nebula "The Congress of America" are staring at Incarnation "Ethan Nakamura."]
[Nebula "The Four Fathers" are staring at Incarnation "Ethan Nakamura."]
[They have unanimously said to Incarnation Ethan Nakamura: "It doesn't work that way."]
"Didn't I do something cool? George and I destroyed the Bulbs of Flare and Disease."
[Nebula "The Four Fathers" are debating your bravery.]
[Nebula "The Four Fathers" are staring at Incarnation "Ethan Nakamura."]
[They will debate whether you deserve a promotion. They will contact you in a few months.]
(Oh, bloody hell.)
***
After George and I became reacquainted, we walked together through the decimated mall. We found a small theater.
[You have encountered a hidden scenario!]
+
[Hidden Scenario-Cinema Dungeon]
Category: Hidden
Difficulty: A
Time Limit: None
Rewards: 30,000 coins, ???
Failure: Death
Creators: Simulation; Authorized by the Dokkaebi Bureau
Overall Evaluation: Only one Incarnation may enter one movie. There are three movies to choose from; the two other movies will be locked when one Incarnation enters a movie. The Incarnation will become a random character in the respective movie. If you die in the movie, you die in real life. Make it to the end of the movie to exit the dungeon.
+
I finished reading the hidden-scenario contents.
(Hmmm, let's see which movies there are.)
I saw three movie posters. I saw Steven King's "The Shining," which was made into a cinematic film in 1980. I saw Ernest Cline's "Ready Player One," which was directed by Steven Spielberg and released in theaters in 2018.
(That movie sucked. Thank god I checked out the DVD from the local library, instead of paying for a ticket.)
I saw the last movie poster. It had Tom Cruise's face on it, and had red lettering that spelled "The Last Samurai."
I remembered seeing that movie when I was a young child. It was one of the many movies that fueled my love for the sword. If I remembered correctly, Tom Cruise was the starring actor, and he played the role of a traumatized soldier that fought in the Civil War, and in the Indian Wars.
He was supposed to train the Emperor's new army, which consisted of conscripts that lacked combat experience. He was supposed to teach western warfare tactics to them, but outside forces made Nathan Algren (Tom Cruise's character) fight traditional Japanese warriors, who still wielded katanas. He was actually taken as a prisoner of war, and was kept in a village. In that village, he found peace for the first time in his life, and learned Japanese discipline.
It was quite a sad journey, though. In the end, Western weaponry was introduced into Japan, and the traditional warriors were killed by Gatling guns. The Imperial Army had won, but even they realized that the samurai were admirable. Katsumoto - the chief of the village, and a respected samurai - wanted to commit ritual suicide, or "seppuku." Tom Cruise's character fulfilled his wish by stabbing him in the stomach. In the end, Nathen Algren was the "Last Samurai" that carried the samurai spirit.
(If I remember correctly, the Kanji for samurai was the same Kanji for scholar.)
I really wanted to go into these movies. If I went into "The Shining" - and survived to the end of the movie - then I might receive an increase in my mana, and a strong skill regarding mentality.
(Although, I already have Fragment of the 4th Wall, which seems to protect me well enough.)
If I went into "Ready Player One," I might receive a gamer attribute, similar to Yu Junghyeok. Within TWSA, Yu Junghyeok actually had a private attribute called [Pro Gamer.] I thought about entering the movie, but the film sucked so much, I didn't even consider it for too long.
That left "The Last Samurai." I wanted to go into that movie, and actually learn about Japanese culture and combat techniques. Sadly... I might not be able to become the main character of the film. I might become a side character that could die.
I looked towards George, who was reading the scenario window.
(They have similar characteristics.... George is a traumatized soldier, and they inherited a Historic-Grade Fable that dates from the Civil War. If he was to enter the movie "The Last Samurai," he would have a higher chance of surviving,) I thought.
"Hey, George?"
"Yeah?"
"Only one of us can enter this dungeon."
George squinted his eyebrows in frustration and was about to say something, but I interrupted him.
"George, I think you should go into the movie, "The Last Samurai" starring Tom Cruise."
"Why?"
I didn't want to speak my true mind. I didn't want to conform a fable onto George, just because he showed characteristics that belonged to a movie. I decided to spin my argument in a positive light.
"Well, I think you should go in there. Japan is a super cool place, and you could learn a lot about the culture...."
George looked at me as if I was an airhead and said, "But the movie is tragic.... And all the warriors die."
"Well, all the Asian ones do. But you're a white guy, so you'll most likely become Tom Cruise, who survives to the end of the movie," I countered.
"Well, how about we don't do this at all.... It seems dangerous. Maybe we can find a different dungeon," George said fearfully. "We have access to three other dungeons."
[Constellation "Anti-Confederacy" wants Incarnation "George Machen" to go into "The Last Samurai."]
[Constellation "Anti-Confederacy" has seen "The Last Samurai" many times, and can help Incarnation "George Machen" survive.]
"Wait, what?"
It seems that George was shocked; it seemed Ulysses S. Grant saw a modern movie. I decided to use this fact as an argument point.
"If you go into the dungeon, you can have Anti-Confederacy help you. George, I really want you to enter this movie. You could become stronger. I can have my own dungeon. There are three in total; you take this one, I take the other, and we can divide the last one."
"A-Alright. I'll go, Sergeant Major Nakamura."
I saw George Machen enter the movie. If I was right, he wouldn't need any help regarding the contents of the movie. He watched that movie so much with Jael, especially when they were teenagers.
(If I'm right, George will make it to the end of the movie. It happened in the original novel.)
I wondered if George would be a good actor. He was really handsome; he had the charisma of Leonardo DiCaprio, and the humbleness of Keanu Reeves.
(Although, objectively speaking, he looks better than both of them. He'll definitely become Tom Cruise's character.)
I walked away from the cinema dungeon. I walked around for a bit, until I found the next hidden dungeon. It was located in a Barns and Nobles.
[You have encountered a hidden dungeon!]
+
[Hidden Scenario-Literature Dungeon]
Category: Hidden
Difficulty: S+
Time Limit: None
Rewards: 50,000 coins; Legendary-Grade Fable
Failure: ???
Overall Evaluation: Only one Incarnation may enter one book. There are a plethora of books to choose from; all the books will be locked when one Incarnation chooses a book to enter. The Incarnation will become a random character in the respective book.
+
I walked amongst the shelves. I saw a myriad of novels from my favorite authors. I saw unofficial Minecraft books; such as the "Gameknight999" series written by Mark Cheverton, and "Diary of an 8-Bit Warrior," which was written by Cube Kid. I also saw Rick Riordan's series, such as "Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard." I also saw "Five Kingdoms," which was written by Brandon Mull.
These books taught so many things to me. Sadly, these books were too PG-13. I needed a darker story. I walked into the Sci-Fi section of the Barns and Nobles, and looked for a specific book.
(I hope it's here,) I thought apprehensively.
The [Literature Dungeon] wasn't covered in Yu Junghyeok's 1863 regressions, or through Anna Croft's side stories. I was basically going into this dungeon blind, and with minimal information. I made sure to read the scenario contents carefully. It was very high-risk, high-rewards.
(The reward though.... it will be worth it. I have to take the plunge,) I rationalized.
After wandering the bookstore, I found the novel that I wanted. I saw the author's name at the bottom: it spelled "Orson Scott Card."
I saw the title of the novel. It said "Ender's Game."
This would be the novel I would enter. "Ender's Game" was a space opera, which was written by Orson Scott Card. It was time to fight the Hive Queen.
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