'What does she mean by that?'
Aectaeon's curiosity was provoked by Luluwa's words.
He wasn't the least bit concerned in the explanation about transmigrating into different worlds. Until he was able to experience it for himself, he wouldn't regard it as a part of his reality.
Hell, even the idea that he was in a separate dimension from Earth had yet to catch up with him.
However, out of all the things that Luluwa had said, the word 'battlefield' captured not only his interest but also his ire. The corners of his eyes twitched as he tried to suppress his anger.
{ "The Obelisk is reserved for the players who are transitioning between worlds. To put it simply, this will be your temporary home." }
{ "But, first and foremost, let us establish the timezone we will be using in the Obelisk." }
Four rectangular panels -- one facing each main cardinal direction -- shortly appeared around Luluwa. They weren't totally opaque, just enough to hide Luluwa's figure behind a rough silhouette.
Following that, lines of text arose on the panels one by one. Aectaeon patiently read every word that came into view.
'What are those? If I remember correctly, some of those are the names of the worlds where the other players originated.'
Before the word 'Earth' could fully be formed, Aectaeon roamed his gaze around the area to scrutinize the reaction of the players. He was trying to discern who among the players came from the same world as him. Well, it wasn't that difficult of a job in the first place. Within the crowd, there were hardly a few who felt human to him, much less look like one.
'Three people, huh, I wonder how many people here are from earth? Three is too small of a number. To start with, how many individuals are even in this so-called Obelisk? The crowd appears to be never-ending.'
As Aectaeon had observed, the crowd within the Obelisk was far too many to be counted. And, because the area where they were gathered had no evident boundaries, it was more difficult to estimate.
Since the panels had yet to list all the names of the worlds, Aectaeon decided to divert his gaze towards the basement of the Obelisk. Strangely enough, he couldn't see a single soul running around trying to find safety.
And it hit him.
'They lost their lives that fast?' Aectaeon thought, swallowing a groan. 'We can lose our lives that easily? But they lost their lives here, not in their worlds. Can they even return to their homelands? If I die, will my mother even see my corpse?'
It wasn't an exaggeration to say that Aectaeon wasn't afraid of dying. However, that's only until he can rest assured that his mother was free from burdens. After all, the sole reason why he was thriving so hard was to give his mother a better life.
He still wasn't afraid of dying at that moment. However, the uncertainty that he wouldn't be able to go back made him all the more terrified.
'How many hours have passed ever since I've arrived here? If not hours, how many days? Is my mother trying to find me? Did anyone even notice that I've disappeared?'
Aectaeon felt disgusted by the beads of sweat that riddled his body. He had forgotten to change his clothes ahead of sleeping, so they clung to him stickily. The sensation added to his discomfort, making him furrow his eyebrows deeply.
Before he could even dive further down his consternation, Luluwa's voice pulled Aectaeon back to his present.
{ "Players, we will now choose the time structure that Manus Celer Dei will be following." }
'That Luluwa keeps saying 'we' even though we have no say in this. Way to sound disparaging.' Aectaeon said to himself, levelling his breathing consequently.
On the screen, the columns upon columns of names instantly merged in the middle. Then, the names started to flash individually at breakneck speed. Not even one of the players could read a single letter.
No later than a minute, a single name finally emerged victoriously.
{ "Players, the verdict has been given." }
{ "The structure of time used in this world will be your basis for the duration of your stay here in the Obelisk." }
{ "It's the structure of time in a world called Earth. As a consolation, I'm glad to inform you that it's the simplest out of all the choices. You can all study the time conversion related to your respective worlds once this gathering is over." }
Aectaeon wasn't the least bit pleased with the outcome. As a matter of fact, he could care less about the time structure. What he wanted was to gain answers to the questions that continued to bother him.
{ "Now that we have sorted out our time structure, I will move on to the main regulations of the Obelisk." }
{ "I will only provide the ones that should not be violated by any means. Failure to comply will result in punishment to an equal or greater degree." }
Even if he wished to quell his curiosities right at that moment, Aectaeon figured that it would do him good to listen. Every place was entitled to implement its own regulations. And for one to live in peace, one ought to heed the regulations.
Aectaeon closed his eyes and inhaled as much air as he could. After a couple of seconds, he exhaled through his mouth alone. Once he opened his eyes, a new resolution could be seen in them.
'I will find the answers to my questions by myself. There is no way that I will beg for them.' Aectaeon then smirked, showing him gritting his teeth. 'If I want to get out of this place, I just have to play their game. Very well, I will play as much as they want.'
The man cast a gaze on Luluwa. He didn't hold back on putting anger in his eyes, hoping that Luluwa could sense them somehow.
{ "The regulations that I will be announcing are only applicable to the first fifty floors of the Obelisk. Beyond that is a lawless world for the strong and determined." }
{ "In the beginning, we have summoned a little over 5,000,000 individuals from different worlds. However, close to 300,000 opted to not participate." }
Hearing Luluwa's wording, Aectaeon felt impassioned. He snorted and thought, 'Not participate my a*s. Is death not in their vocabulary?'
Right then, Luluwa's eyes landed on Aectaeon, much to the man's surprise. A smile -- less cordial, more threatening -- appeared on the young girl's countenance.
{ "Death will never be the right term for what will happen to the quitters, dear players." }
{ "Death is the term for mortals whose souls have left their bodies. Furthermore, death can only happen inside the domain of mortals. Among them are your worlds." }
{ "However, within the Obelisk, death is obsolete. Your souls will stay in your bodies, no matter the circumstance." }
{ "Your souls will forever linger in the Obelisk. You will never ascend to whatever heaven or descend to whatever hell you believe in." }