A strange, icy sensation crept from my toes to my head. All around me, darkness reigned, with no sight on the horizon. It felt as if I were drifting, caught in a dream. I tried to call out to Amelia, but my voice failed me.
Am I dead? Have I failed Amelia? Time seemed to stand still, days passing without answers to my mounting questions. Regret consumed me for not trusting my instincts. I should have intervened with Amelia while I had the chance.
What did that letter mean? Even in my panic, its words echoed in my mind. What is this "System"? Who are the "Players"? And why us, or specifically Amelia? Is it her extraordinary strength or her uniqueness that led to our selection? I wonder what happened to her...
I pondered for a moment and concluded that the letter might be a magical or divine object, perhaps even from God. Despite lacking parental tales, I had heard of ancient stories featuring fantastical elements, seemingly impossible in reality, like Aladdin and his wish-granting genie, or Cinderella aided by a fairy.
Were these tales real or just myths? Honestly, in my current predicament, I couldn't be certain.
Lost in thought, a floating image with orange borders and letters emerged, issuing various messages:
[WARNING: ERROR...]
[...]
[WAITING TIME EXCEEDED...]
[PLEASE BE PATIENT...]
[...]
[ANOMALY DETECTED]
[...]
[SEARCHING FOR SOLUTIONS...]
[PLEASE BE PATIENT...]
Though absent physically, a wave of anxiety swept over me. The appearing words lacked coherence, yet I sensed my unwelcome status. Summoning courage, I attempted to shout for assistance, for guidance to Amelia, but to no avail.
[THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION!]
[AN AGENT WILL BE DISPATCHED TO YOUR LOCATION]
An agent? Like a messenger? How could anyone reach here? It was a void. Was this image mocking me? Would I be forever trapped? As despair consumed me, a figure emerged from a violet hole, reminiscent of the one that swallowed Amelia and me.
To my astonishment, the figure was non-human, its form reminiscent of creatures plucked from the pages of a storybook. It drifted towards me, devoid of mouth and bearing an expressionless countenance.
Without uttering a word, the enigmatic being manipulated a ring on its right hand, conjuring yet another floating image. Though its contents remained obscured, I couldn't help but note the uncanny speed at which it unfolded.
Before I could even begin to comprehend the situation, the figure closed the image and departed through the same void without so much as a glance in my direction. Just as swiftly as it had appeared, it vanished.
Shortly after the beast vanished, the image reappeared, seemingly back in full operation.
[WELCOME, DEAR PLAYER]
[DUE TO A FATAL ERROR, YOU HAVE BEEN TRANSPORTED ERRONEOUSLY TO THE WORLD OF ERLMA]
[WE APOLOGIZE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE THIS MAY HAVE CAUSED YOU]
[IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE ASK THEM NOW]
Suddenly, by some magical means, my voice was once again able to emerge from my mouth, so I took the opportunity to request to be returned to Earth with my friend.
Mao – "If this is a mistake, could you bring us back to Earth, me and my friend?" I said, hoping that all this was just an easily fixable error.
[SORRY, BUT THE SUMMONING IS PERMANENT. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO GO BACK]
I was shocked. Was it then impossible to leave?
[AFTER MANY NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE ADMINISTRATORS, YOU HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO STAY DUE TO OUR ERROR]
[HOWEVER, YOUR CHANCES OF SURVIVAL ARE VERY LOW. TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, YOU WILL RECEIVE A RANDOM SKILL AS A GIFT]
Another image appeared before me, showing several black cards bordered in gold with a question mark in the center.
[PLEASE SELECT A CARD BY PRESSING ON THE SCREEN IN FRONT OF YOU]
I followed the instructions and clicked on a random card. The other cards disappeared and mine flipped over, revealing a purple card adorned with numerous details:
((
COMPETENCE CARD
[UNIQUE]
Level 1 –
<
Passive –
[Description]
-
Perceive the energetic aura of individuals in the vicinity at a certain distance. This unique ability allows you to detect and interpret the various energy emanations coming from people according to the color and intensity of the aura. However, mastery of this skill is still rudimentary due to a level of competence that is too low.
-
[Effects]
• Increased sensitivity to the emotions of others.
• Displays individuals' auras around their bodies.
[Limitations]
• Sensitivity to emotional or energetic overload, which can lead to fatigue or confusion.
))
After finishing reading the card, it disappeared, and the image began to write again:
[THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION]
I tried to interrupt to ask the image a question, but before I could, it continued:
[SORRY, BUT TIME HAS RUN OUT]
[YOU WILL BE TRANSPORTED TO THE SYSTEM FOR EXPLANATIONS IN 5... 4...]
"What? Please tell me what's happening," I said with a troubled tone in my voice.
[3... 2... 1]
[TRANSPORTATION IN PROGRESS]
My vision started to blur, and before I knew it, I was lying on a freezing floor, gazing up at a gray sky devoid of sunlight.