"[... Responding to your initial doubts, these are the worlds to which you will be sent according to your choice. Since this is your first time entering a world through the orb, you have the privilege of choosing which world you will be sent to.]"
The letters appeared on the orb and illuminated slightly, as if seeking a faster understanding from Jacob about what was happening.
"[... Once you have selected a world, everything about the orb will be explained to you in detail.]"
"Are the worlds to choose from the same as the fictional ones if we consider the world's title?" Jacob's blood ran cold at the thought of these details.
"[... You are correct.]"
The orb responded to each of Jacob's questions, as if it were designed solely to answer questions. When he looked at the names of the world titles he could travel to, he felt like he was in a dream, closer to an illusion.
Jacob was taken by surprise, and not knowing what to choose, he began to think about the smartest and least deadly choice. He knew all of this was real, every tiny situation felt so real to him that he didn't want to make a mistake.
Remembering what he did most of the time before being arrested for involuntary manslaughter, Jacob wrote harsh reviews of all kinds of new books he found in his town's library, so he had obviously read something about the following options he had.
"[... Make your choice.]"
"[... World A: The Hunger Games
Difficulty level: ☆☆☆
...
World B: Apollo 18.
Difficulty level: ☆☆☆☆
...
World C: Blood Red Sky
Difficulty level: ☆☆☆
...
World D: Sweet Home
Difficulty level: ☆☆☆☆☆
Jacob looked at the worlds and then at the stars, immediately relating them to the overall difficulty of what he had to do. Therefore, based on the information provided, he chose 'The Hunger Games' world almost without hesitation.
"I choose World A..." Jacob murmured, his eyes fixed on the orb.
The letters on the orb disappeared, and a few seconds later, the orb processed his choice.
"[... Choice...
The Hunger Games...
Confirmed!
Preparing the journey...]"
"[...Confirm your choice?]" The orb finally asked.
"Yes, I confirm that choice..." Jacob said impatiently and nervously. The next moment, when he suddenly wondered if he could wait a little longer, his consciousness went black, and Jacob's body fell to the floor in his cold and lonely cell.
...
In a mostly white room, Jacob was awakened by the faint noises around him. When he opened his eyes, he saw a transparent glass panel just inches from his face while his body was in an upright position.
Alarmed, Jacob moved his hands forward and gently pushed the glass that was suffocating him. When his hands touched the glass in front of him, it opened easily.
Impressed by this bewildering scene, Jacob moved his body and quickly got out of what seemed to be a bed.
Upon exiting, Jacob could finally observe the place where he had been lying before, and it was a hibernation bed that he had only seen in science fiction movies and video games.
But without waiting for Jacob to carefully observe the place, a robotic voice resonated in the room.
"[... Welcome to the sub-zero world!
Chosen world... The Hunger Games...]"
"How does this work? Tell me, what does it mean by 'worlds' and how does it work?" Jacob immediately asked his questions to the room, which seemed to be controlled by an artificial intelligence, relieved to no longer have to read those letters protruding from the orb.
"[... Response... The worlds with titles you know as cinematic stories or renowned literature are worlds created through the power of the orb, and all information or rules are one hundred percent faithful to their original creation.
Ultimately, your choices are probably based on a judgment of your knowledge and then the difficulty it represents for the orb's owner to survive in that world. But as long as you are smart and take advantage of all the opportunities you have and will have, you will be able to survive without any inconvenience...]"
"Regarding the orb..." Jacob had a serious expression as if he didn't want to miss any of those words.
"[... Response: The Orb of Infinite Worlds is a mystical and powerful artifact that offers the user the unique experience of traveling to unknown worlds. This orb functions as an autonomous system that randomly selects the destinations and time periods in which users will be transported.
The orb also has the ability to rate the worlds according to different levels of mortality. Before the user is transported, the orb evaluates the destination world and classifies it on a mortality scale ranging from 'Low' to 'High' and an overall rating from one to six stars. This classification provides the user with information about the level of danger and challenge they will encounter in that specific world.]"
Jacob understood to some extent how the orb works; if this is how it operates, survival could require more knowledge and luck than anything else. Fortunately, he has the first choice, and according to the options, he hadn't made an incorrect selection.
Therefore, armed with this information, Jacob asked about the basis for rating the worlds.
"[... The aforementioned ratings are based on a combination of factors to assess the survival chances of an average person in the universes depicted in movies and TV series. Some of the criteria considered are:
Physical threat: The presence of physical dangers, such as deadly creatures, zombies, killer machines, or natural disasters, is evaluated. The more lethal these threats are, the higher the danger rating.
Available resources and abilities: Whether the characters have access to resources and abilities that can help them survive, such as weapons, specialized knowledge, supernatural powers, or advanced technology, is taken into account.
Level of organization and societal security: The stability and security of the society in which the story unfolds are evaluated. A world in chaos and disorder will have a higher rating than one with an organized structure and protections for its citizens.
Adaptability: The characters' and society's ability to adapt to changing and dangerous situations is considered. The higher their capacity for adaptation and survival, the lower the danger rating.
Scale and scope of the threat: The magnitude and scope of the threat faced by the characters are taken into account. For example, a worldwide or galactic conflict is considered more dangerous than one localized in a specific area.
Therefore, all of the above is considered in relation to the skills, experience, mindset, and adaptability of the orb user...]"
"[... Once you arrive at the waiting world, the roulette orb will come into play.]"