บท 55: Dungeon Dive (IV)
Every once in a while, Snow's group found unmarked graves that made Snow uncomfortable. A skeleton would pop out, almost like whack-a-mole as Snow quickly cast her spells. It would take a moment for her light magic to set in to squander the appearance of the skeleton that wanted to grab her ankle and pull her into the grave. This wasn't a one-time occurrence, but a constant reminder as they appeared.
The whole level was riddled with the sign of death that it brought a very dreary mood. Only Red seemed to be unaffected by the feeling as her peppy self tried to keep the spirit uplifted, which helped.
Mike and Dairen knew their way through the intricate maze-like area, allowing them to move through the third floor. Luckily for them, this level was easy to pass through mostly because of Snow light ability and Mike's assistance as well. Where Mike was able to use small increments of beginner light magic without any difficulties, which were more potent than an average light mage caster, but it didn't compare to his lightning magic.
It took a bit of time for Snow to help relearn some of his controls. His light magic would splutter and snap out before getting to the target as his magical control was a bit pitiable.
Zombies and skeletons rose from the grave, trying to kill them to become one of their own. Snow would whimsically throw out a few light spells that disintegrated the skeletons' curses, which scattered the bones onto the ground, making it impossible to fight back.
The scenery barely changed until they made it to the warp gate. The fourth gate was centered around a sizeable overbearing mausoleum with colorful decorations. Snow could see dark marks on the very walls reminiscent of the past boss fights. Some in the shape of a burnt-out human figure. She grimaced and looked away. They entered the portal.
Snow felt the same sickening fall, eventually landing. She stepped out, hot, humid air smacked her in the face, reminding her that she had entered into a different zone.
Before her were endless trees that reminded her of the jungle. The heavy vines that entangled the trees like weave. Most of the trees blot out the light, making the ground floor a bit difficult to see. If it weren't for the pockets of light that peeked through the small openings, they would have had to bring out their lights to light up the forest floor.
They traveled in a seven-person line with Mike leading the front, Dairen in second followed by Red, Snow, Tamaki, Mr. Everrett, and Tommy. Tommy was the best choice to cover their rear as he understood how dangerous it was behind. He was also the most advanced out of the group as he would react quickly if something did happen.
Strange animal sounds could be heard from above and below. Everyone was tense as they knew that danger was very close. Mike brought out his machete to cut through some branches and bushes as they pushed through the thick jungle that seemed to laugh at them wherever they went. It wasn't a pleasant journey, but Snow was glad that there were some forms of sound of life compared to the previous three floors.
Snow gazed up into the trees. She noticed that it was becoming dark; she called out to Mike. "Hey, Mike. Do you know any good spot to pitch up a tent?"
"Yea," Mike replied. "We will make it to a marked campsite soon," Mike replied, pushing a fern aside as he stepped through. "It's not too far away from here. Probably not even half a mile from the markings that are left behind on my screen."
"On your screen?" Snow asked, "Did you bring a digital map with you?"
"No, I have a magical map I can conjure up that can be used. Almost like a holographic screen."
Snow tilted her head, unsure what he was implying because she didn't see any holographic screen that he was talking about in front of him.
"I think it must be what Players can do." Red quickly catches on, "you guys have innate ability to map out the place, don't you?"
"Something like that, but it's very basic. It's not like the one Snow has back at her place with that giant map that can zoom in and out to check out certain terrain." Mike shrugged, enjoying the walk through the forest. "Dairen should have one as well."
Red excitedly asked, "Does this mean all you Players have them too?"
"Yes."
"That's amazing." Red blurted out, her eyes twinkling from finding something out. "I knew you guys have some kind of weird status, leveling, and experience points from my understanding but now a map. Definitely, game-like for sure."
Mike chuckled. "You don't know the half of it. You NPC are a bit too life-like in interaction, almost as if your A.I system is flawlessly perfect and feels real."
"I'm sorry. Did you just call me an A.I?" Red puckered up her lips. "I keep hearing that word NPC from you Players that it makes me feel weird. We are real, you know."
"I want to believe that Ms. Red, I presume? But the function of this world is too game-like, almost virtually identical to earth, but it's not magic and all. Our world isn't made of any magic, and death is real. Here, if we die, we just get slapped on the hands and come back alive in our world with a closed account. Not like that's going to do much for us. I'm going to bet that the game company will install some kind of resurrection points soon or something to allow us to come back and respawn." He threw out such ideas casually, just stating his random thoughts. "If only that bug were fixed, we will become almost immortal like." He laughed.
Snow realized what he meant, Players who can die and revive without consequences almost like an undead legion. Such immortal beings would bring a calamity into this world. She shivered. Why and what were the Players brought here? Why were they given such a game-like quality? She didn't know. Her curiosity rolled in her mind to one day figure out this mystery.
"Then how do you explain the item transfer," Dairen replied. "All those magical stuff that we bring over to our world, don't you think it doesn't make sense? This world is real, Mike. Can't you stop believing it's a game?"
"No." Mike flatly denied. "The company had told all of us that this world is a game, even the Gods told us to play it like a game." He pointed out, refuting Dairen's words. "If the Gods and the company said this is a game world, why not? Why go through the extra length in thinking otherwise."
"Because it's strange and the Gods did not say it's a game world." Dairen flatly replied, shaking his head at Mike. "There have been too many instances where this world is real. My God had not stated this world is a fake."
"And your God is?"
"The God of Light and Dark."
The group gasped, while Snow smacked her head at Dairen for speaking such words.
"You talked to the God of Darkness?" Red almost gibbered at her words; she stumbled a bit before she caught herself.
"Yes."
Even Tommy and Tamaki almost crashed into one another upon hearing such words. While Mr. Everett, who was leisurely peeling an apple, slipped and nearly cut his fingertips.
"How?" Red spoke baffled by his statement. "The God of Darkness barely replies to anyone. And did you just say, God?"
Dairen was unsure why Red would think like that. "I just prayed and gave a simple offering of a Blood Flower."
To hear such a simple method baffled Red, mostly because the answer was right there in front of them, and nobody did such a simple action. Most of the offerings were extravagant or sometimes a belonging of their mortal enemy to seek revenge.
Even Snow knew that the God of Darkness was picky with the offering. Not anything could be given to get an answer.
What was more mind-boggling was that Dairen used a Blood Flower: a flower born from the battlefield of the dead carcass of a soldier. It was unsanctified to use such an unholy flower as offering that it didn't cross anyone's mind. Most would have turned away from the flower because of its smell and light curse that came with it. This scared many people from even touching one for fear of getting cursed.
"You've been cursed?" Red asked, wondering if there was any gain from giving a curse offering. She came up next to him, taking a good look at his body and magical aura. When she had felt a small pulsating energy that wasn't his, her eyes lit up.
"Yes, a light one, so it's not that big of a deal, but the blessing is a lot more stronger than the other types of offerings." Dairen casually said, "Something about a three-day curse of getting lightly cut from pocket knives if I have one. Which I don't."
But Snow could see a few areas of his skin with light bandages that were wrapped tightly. She now realized why.
"Impressive," Red spoke awed at her findings. "Did you hear any revelations?"
"Sometimes, but most of the time is just a simple blessing if you can deal with the curses that come with it, so it's not a popular God to serve or talk within the Player community."
"Either way to get a response from the God of Darkness is something, but you worship both is very rare," Red spoke, she poked his bandaged arm as he pulled back. "I'm going to try this out later when we are back at the camp."
"I wouldn't do that if I were you." Snow replied, trying to deter away from the conversation. "It's a God of death. Not many can handle such blessings."
Red thought it over. "You're right. I don't think I would be even able to either." She looked over towards Dairen and then threw the idea out the window. "Either way, I learned something new." She was satisfied with the information obtained.
Snow let out a silent sigh, happy that Dairen didn't get too much in trouble. She noticed that most didn't care nor ostracize him for his belief and instead seemed to see him a new light. Such reactions were a lot different from what she had gotten when she was a kid.
"Wait, one more thing." Red was about to ask another question. "Why not Gods? Why a God?"
But before she could get an answer, a loud guttural roar erupted from the bushes as a giant tiger size creature jumped, pinning Red down. It was Demon Tiger with its lightning design coat, twisted horns, and big claws that slashed downwards.
Red screamed in fright as she struggled not to get eaten or crushed by the Demon Tiger. She barely got impaled by its claw.
Snow reacted quickly. Her magical tattoo flashed on, giving her claws and her usual Dragon Armor look. She slammed her nails into the side of the Demon tiger as it screamed out in pain and focused on Snow instead.
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