Rustle
Cough
"Wooh, it's dusty here"
Samur said as he waved his hand on the air to shove off the dusts
The room he entered was much more- a lot actually more spacious than the rooms on the second floor
He thought 'Probably because the hallway here is much more shorter and dim so they instead made the room bigger'
There was a two person bed in the middle while on both other sides there are four more single-person beds
Samur crouched down as he groped around under the beds searching for something
Clack
Samur's hand stopped as he felt something, he felt that it was something long and thin so he held it and pulled it out
Revealing what he caught, a smile appeared on his face as he said "I finally got it"
Gripping on it he muttered "The charger...there really is one even in this place? Seriously?"
"Hmm, now all we need is a place to plug it...ah! There's one!"
Samur run over towards the very edge of the right side of the bed as he plugged in the charger
He narrowed his eyes as to observe and feel it, after some seconds later he muttered with a smile "It's working"
"Alright, then..."
He stood up, walked and opened the door a he said "Hey, I found a char...ger?"
Samur looked around the hallway but didn't found Eru
Samur blinked a couple of times before going our and opened the rest of the doors one by one as he asked "Hello?"
.
"Hey, are you there?"
.
"Low?"
.
"Ya still alive?"
.
But after finishing examining all the rooms, he still didn't find Eru
He muttered with a pout "Did he left me?"
"Don't tell me he already went back to the second floor-"
Whoosshshshs
Samur suddenly felt cold, that sound wasn't any normal wind nor the snow outside, It was something else
But what is it?
He didn't know why but subconsciously, he turned his head to face the dead end wall of the hallway
"Gah-!!"
Suddenly, an incomparable pain rang through his head as he fell to his knees
"Ahh-! Ah-ahh!"
It was so painful that his eyes turned blurry and moist, this was different from what he had experienced
Ever since he was a child he had experienced all kinds of pain but he got used to it and never made painful sounds nor felt teary from it
Clutching his head tightly, countless images flashed through his head
- Big sis &#^#
- Big bro Eru is still so distant to us, what are you trying to copy my style?
- Haha even until now you still can't catch me, how do you expect to kill me if so then?
- Hero this hero that isn't that tiring? I'd rather be the villain if so
- You are much more younger than me so I'm your senior and listen to me don't listen to that hot tempered bastard always cussing at me and saying that he'll kill me but he can't even catch me hehe
Gasp!
After some moments later, Samur let out a deep gasp as he inhaled and exhaled
His chest heaving up and down very fast as there were sweats on his face
He thought 'What is...that?'
'Who-...who's memories is that...no, wait...i, i don't get it...'
Samur's red eyes shook as he calmed himself down, it was so sudden and yet even though the pain subsided, there was still traces of it
'That was not an illusion...it felt...real, but...'
'Those...it felt like those are my memories but at the same time...not?'
'I, I don't recall meeting any of those people in the memory even before I got in this game...'
'Eru, I know I just met him in this game, he never appeared in my life before...'
'Even the other people in that dream also never showed up in my life'
'However, why does it feel like I know them?'
'They don't appear unfamiliar to me...how?'
He then looked up and stared at the wall, he didn't know why but he muttered "Big bro...Eru..."
***
- Why, just why?
The kid looked up and both of them made eye contacts
Eru looked down coldly at him before reaching out his hand-
- Ah...
The kid flinched at Eru who's hand was passed on his hair
Eru just looked down coldly at him as he said "The reason you're still alive is because someone out there is still waiting to meet you, someone you also want to meet"
The kid, slowly widened his eyes as he stared Eru with an expressionless face but contratry to that, his eyes showed expectations
That's when-
"Is that what you thought I would tell you?"
The kid's face immediately froze as it's vertical pupil shrank back even further
Eru removed his hand on the kid's hair as he moved it towards the neck of the kid before-
- Ah...
Eru grabbed the kid's neck as he said coldy "The only reason you're still alive is because you never once thought about dying nor killing yourself"
"You only spoke those words buy you never had the will to die nor live, it's simply just you having no interest in reality"
"It's because you're emotionless and so felt empty that you have no desire for anything"
"That's all there is to it"
"That's why-"
The grip of Eru's hand on the kid's neck tightened as he added "-it's useless to show me such illusions of the past me"
That's right, the kid Eru is strangling is none other than the kid version of himself who was still not taken by his father at that time
Slowly, the kids face lowered before he suddenly disappeared as an illusion
Eru then looked up at the dark void as he said "What are you even trying to make when you show me that?"
"Perhaps, sympathy or hate?"
The voice did not answer and instead showed another illusion, this time, Eru froze.
Infront of him, there was a boy who was a little shorter than him
The boy had a light blue hair, his eyes held different color of irises, the right side was white while the other was blue
Beside his eye there could be seen a small black mole similar to Eru's
The boy smiled as he said - Come here Ru
Just then, a much more smaller boy passed through Eru like a ghost as the other simply rushed towards the boy with the blue hair
The smaller boy was another version of Eru of when he was young
The young Eru looked up at the blue haired boy as the other stroked his hair
The boy said - Since we can't afford much, I can only give you this - after saying that, the boy pulled out something from his pocket as he handed it over to the young Eru
Young Eru received it as he unfolded his hands to see a pair of blue sapphire earrings
- I couldn't afford one so I made it myself
- What did you even use to create this?
- I found the blue gems in the lake
- Hm
- What, you don't believe me?
- No but I don't care, thank you for giving me this gift
The blue haired boy smiled as he said - Here let me help you put it on - saying that, he picked up the blue earrings and attached it on young Eru's ear
The blue haired boy then once again stroked young Eru's hair as he said - Since you accepted my gift, there is no returning it alright?
Young Eru just plainly nodded as he said - Fine
Wizzzshsh
The illusion was then replaced by another scene, this time, young Eru was standing infront of a grave
After some moments later, young Eru held touched the earrings on his ear before turning around as he was about to leave
Eru subconsciously also touched his earrings but didn't bother to chase and stop the young Eru
Until now, his expression remained indifferent, no hint of negative or even emotions were seen
The voice (Examiner) watched Eru closely before it gave in and the surroundings of Eru instantly changed back
Before Eru's vision turned completely black, he heard the voice say - I didn't expect there is such a human like you
- Most would fall into despair or be sad, if not then they would just ignore it, but you-
- You didn't felt any fear, no, to be more exact, you didn't felt anything
- You're different
- Well, whatever, you pass the test congratulations
...
Eru opened his eyes and saw that he was back before he entered the wall
He remembered that the Examiner said he passed the test and so he stretched out his hands back to the wall
Like earlier, his hands passed through it but this time it stopped half-way through it
Eru felt something inside the wall and grabbed it before pulling it out
After pulling it out, he saw that it was a red jacket and he then thought 'I finally got it'
This red jacket was known as an A - Rank item which a player can wear and store items in it
This jacket allows a player to enter a space that can be visited any time they want and store or hid in items, it was similar to the space coat item
Ofcourse other players except the owner can enter it
The red jacket held in his hands was too small for him and the other players, that's why the best host to give this is-
"Eru?"
Eru heard a voice and turned around, there he saw Samur standing and leaning against the wall with the charger in his hands
Eru nodded and walked towards Samur, he secretly examined him and found that he was still the same but...
'Something changed... what happened while I was away?'
Samur's gaze then lowered to look at the red jacket Eru is holding
He asked "Where did you get that?"
"I found it while roaming around" Eru answered nonchalantly and lied easily just like breathing
"Oh, is that so?"
Eru was tired already and didn't bother to explain as he handed over the red jacket to Samur and took the charger before going towards the stairs
Samur was startled at this simple yet fast trading as he stared blankly at the red jacket in his hands
Samur's lips curled up into a smile as he stared at Eru's fading back as he thought 'Liar'
He saw everything, he saw that Eru just appeared infront of the wall then grabbed the red jacket from inside the wall
What's more, those strange unfamiliar yet familiar memories of his is still a mystery
It was very strange...
He licked his dry lips before putting on the red jacket before following behind Eru.
Eru looked up at the floating yellow screen above him and saw;
============================
Hidden Task [Unlocked]
[
Difficulty: A
Penalty: Death
Reward: Space Jacket [S - Rank]
+
Status: [Cleared]
============================
Just then, another screen appeared beside it
[Constellation 'Abyssal God' is yawning]
Eru looked up and thought 'He's not surprised that I passed it much or less found it, he probably already see through some of me'
'It's fine aslong as he doesn't do anything that will hindrance me and put the protagonists in danger'
'Or else...'
.
.
.
.
'...I wouldn't hesitate to destroy this game itself'
***
6th Day
[00:19:45:44]
Knock Knock
Austin woke up from the sound of 'knocks' on his door as he slowly sat up from his bed
Just as he was about to open the door he suddenly remembered something
'If it was that kid then he would've just entered the room without knocking like he usually do!'
'Then, who-'
Austin trembled when he thought that the person knocking is not Samur but someone else
Thinking of this, he shut his mouth close and didn't speak, wanting to be misunderstood by the other that there was no one in the room
He then heard the other spoke "Hey, it's me, Nathan, are you there?"
Austin didn't spoke and tightly shut his eyes, covering his mouth to not make any noise
Nathan outside didn't got any replies and sighed as he thought 'Maybe he isn't here or maybe he is still asleep...I'll just come back later and ask him if I find the chance to'
Step Step
Hearing the footsteps fading from the outside, Austin breathed a sigh of relief
He then remembered what happened last night
Those cold eyes and smile of Samur, that feeling of being helplessly wrapped by a large snake
But even so, after everyone left and they were alone, he remembered the hint of sadness in those scarlet eyes of Samur
He thought 'I wonder how that brat is doing right now...'
Gasp!
Austin gasped as he shook his head and said to himself "Me?! Worried about that brat?!"
Austin couldn't help but scoff at himself for worrying about a person like that
Click clack
Suddenly, the door was tried to be open by someone and Austin flinched as he made a sound but immediately covered it in realization
His eyes were shaking but then heard a voice from outside
"Hey are you just gonna lock yourself up there and make me rudely wait outside?"
The voice was small with a little bit of teasing
This was the voice that Austin was very familiar with, and probably a voice he will never forget
His tense body relaxed as he was about to stand up only-
Bang!
"Ah- *Cough* w-what-?!"
Austin stared dumbfounded at the door that has it's lock broken by Samur
"Oh, you're still alive, you weren't answering so I thought something happened to you"
Samur nonchalantly said as he crossed his arms
"Hah?! You could've just waited for me to open it, why did you have to break the only thing keeping me safe?!"
Austin couldn't believe Samur's manner and scratched his head irritatingly
Samur: "Stop whining already, let's go"
Austin: "Huh? Go where?"
Just then, Austin looked behind Samur and saw Eru standing looking somewhere else
'Ah, isn't that the guy who I saw that time?'
Eru was impatient as he said "I still have to meet 'someone' so you do your role" saying that he left and went to his room
Samur peaked at Eru's door with eyes full of curiosity but sighed as he turned around and walked away
Austin followed along immediately as impulse from always being with him
His gaze shifted on the red jacket Samur was wearing as he thought 'Where did he get that? It looks new and fine...'
Alas he wasn't able to find the time to ask this question as he thought it was irrelevant and not sooner both of them stopped infront of a door
Like Samur's habits, he casually opened the door without any warning or asking for permission
After so, he smiled and greeted the person inside as he said "Hello!"
"Ah...? H-Hello aswell..."
Nathan inside was dumbfounded, he blankly greeted Samur back
After someone opened the door so sudden, he was so startled and was about to attack just to see the kid
He then saw Austin on the side and looked back at Samur
Samur asked with a grin on his face "Would you like to have a conversation with me?"
Nathan's face immediately turned serious, he didn't need to ponder as he already thought about talking with him and so he nodded
"Great" Samur said with an obvious smile in his eyes as both of him and Austin entered the room before closing the door.
***
Whooooooshhshs
Eru looked at the window, the snow was getting stronger and stronger as the temperature kept decreasing
Fortunately for him, because of the trial he got a little warm
Those reddish pink organs contained some warm which made him a little relax, afterall it was very cold right now
But he still wouldn't want to experience that as it felt uncomfortable
Just then, a figure emerged from the shadows and a woman in white dress appeared
Seeing her, Eru looked at her as he said "It's almost time"
The mother narrowed her eyes as she immediately realized what he was saying and so nodded
Eru looked back to stare at the window as he muttered "Today is the day"
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
"Let's finish this game and get over with it"
***
Cozbi looked around the hallway with sharp eyes as he whispered "System, how much time is left?"
[System1972: 16 hours/ 39 minutes / and 56 seconds until the game ends, host]
"Tsk" Cozbi clicked his tounge as he quietly walked, ears perked up to any possible sound he may hear
That's when-
- He's the imposter?!
Cozbi's eyes widened as he heard that loud shout, immediately he followed where the sound came from and quietly walked towards the certain door
He leaned his ear on the door, carefully listening to the conversation
- Shh! What are you an idiot? Why would you say it out loud?!
- Ah! I-I'm sorry...
- Then, since we now know the truth, we should keep this hidden. It's best to pretend that we are still oblivious to the fact that he is imposter
As Cozbi listened to this, his face turned ugly as he thought 'What, did they already found out that it was me?'
'There's a chance they could be bluffing, but...'
'...That voice, it's probably that damn kid! Then, there's no doubt he already suspected me and told them about it'
'Even though they have no proof it will all be unnecessary in this game as just simple accusation with the vote of everyone can already led to one's demise'
Cozbi then listened more to the conversation and heard them say-
- I'll stay by Miya's side
- Hm, Austin would be here to back you up incase he attacks
- Then, what about you?
- Me? Heh, I will make him reveal everything by himself
Cozbi heard the mocking tone of Samur and couldn't help but clenched his fist tightly, he thought 'I see, so that's your plan?'
'So that already gives me the answer you have no evidence'
'If so' A mischievous smile appeared in Cozbi's lips as he thought 'Then it's easy to finish this'
Cozbi them slowly and quietly walked away as he whispered "System, what is the limit of my cloning today?"
[System1972: The maximum is only six clones]
"Tsk, why is it only six?"
[System1972: Have you forgotten? For the past five days you have already used four out of your maximum ten clones for a week]
Cozbi rolled his eyes as he stroked his chin and carefully pondered on his plan
After some moments, a grin appeared on his lips as he thought 'Hehe, that plan might work'
'There are six of us left and there are six clones that I could summon, I could separate them leaving only three clones left to possibly summon if so'
'Not bad hehe'
With a smile on his face, Cozbi left.
***
Samur leaned against the door and listened outside
He couldn't hear any footsteps but he did heard some breathing that seemed to be excited
He grinned as his eyes narrowed in delight and joy
He thought 'He took the bait'