The vase decorated with a beautiful image of two horses running on a mountain, with a bright red sun rising behind them. Around the base of the vase is a swirling pattern of clouds and wind, forming a beautiful backdrop to the central image. The horses themselves are painted with intricate detail, such as their flowing manes and flowing tails. Every muscle in their bodies is rendered with perfect accuracy, so much that you can almost believe they are actually galloping across the land.
In the lit corner of the Shop Wei Shen stares at the vase intensely carefully examining it, If someone were to see her they would think she was constipated. She got this beauty from a Stage Trial, in the setting of the game a Stage Trial is what the Players call the Scenarios they are dumped into when entering certain doors hidden carefully around the Safe Haven.
Though it's known as the Safe Haven to most Players, Certain individuals call it the Void. Why? Because when entering one of the Hidden doors that teleports you into a Trial, Players usually experience emptiness around them, hence the void. But in all honestly, players feel bitter calling this place a haven. Either way the Safe Haven is supposed to be a sanctuary and a transition space between the Stage Trials. It functions as a way where players can rest before diving into the next Stage Trial. That is if your still sane enough to handle taking on another Trial.
Wei Shen stands up with a sigh from her old arm chair carved from Rosewood, she stretches' slightly releasing built-up tension and fatigue. It's already become a habit of hers to stretch, its to be expected since every time she collects new antiques she stays hours and hours inspecting them and cleaning them. Though it's tiring, she feels a certain happiness just looking at them. They are kind of like her children.
Well what can she do, she is a hopeless Antique enthusiasts. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
She quietly observes her shop, her face stoic. The place is quiet... as if she was the only one in this world. It's quiet funny for her to use the word, 'World' when she herself remembers nothing. Unlike the other players who know who they are and remember their life on Earth, she doesn't. No one knows how or even when they suddenly opened their eyes to be stuck inside a game known as "Midnight Tales," that's right let me repeat that. Humans have become players trapped inside a game, though I am a tad bit old fashioned since Players now don't call themselves 'Players' but rather Performers. I can't exactly pinpoint the reason why, but I suppose they wanted to forget for a moment that they are humans trapped inside a game so as to save themselves from losing all hope.
But humans in the end will no matter lose hope when they've been trapped inside the game with no end in sight. Especially if they cannot remember how long it's been since they arrived. Even death offers no escape, as Performers are simply revived each time they die in the Trials. This endless cycle of resurrection only adds to their despair, slowly eroding their hope for escape.
Yet again, I'm being gloomy... (`−ㅿ−´)
But the issue isn't being killed or being gloomy, but whether Performers can keep their Sanity intact...
…In all honesty that has nothing to do with me, I'm just a nonplayable character inside this game that you see delivering lines that are cooked up by the game's AI server. It's like I'm reading a script that the developers and their AI overlords created for me.
Suddenly Wei Shen's eyes widen as she feels the familiar sensation of teleportation. The shop around her blurs, and she finds herself standing in the middle of a bustling market. People rush past her, speaking in a language she doesn't understand. She doesn't quite understand where she is, or much about this trial. After a few seconds a holographic display flickers to life before her, displaying the words "Stage Trial: The Merchant's Dilemma."
Wei Shen looks around, taking in the sights and sounds of the market. It's really loud…she thinks. She spots a stall selling rare antiques and her eyes light up. "Ayy, Jackpot," she mutters to herself. Though she would love to hurry over to the vendor, sadly she can't move unless the Performers arrive. She feels a bit ticked off, a frown plants itself on her face. NPC's always arrive before the players, I am one of those NPC 's of the game. But these NPC's bustling about are simply tied to a certain trial. Not all of them, tho.
She gazes at the holographic display to wash away her boredom, studying the words "The Merchant's Dilemma." She repeats the phrase to herself, trying to decipher its meaning.
( ╹ -╹)?
"Merchant's… Dilemma. What kind of dilemma could a merchant face?" She thinks about the various challenges a merchant might encounter, such as supply chain issues or competitor sabotage. But something about the phrase seems off. Sadly, I would like to point out that my senses never betray me. She senses that there's more to the true meaning of this stage trial's name than what meets the eye.
Then, in a flash of light, five figures materialize before her. She can tell that they are the performers, and her eyes narrow as she studies them for a few seconds. But soon she loses her interest. ( `−ㅿ−´)
The performers look around, taking in their surroundings, before their eyes land on Wei Shen. A few performers show a hint of excitement in their expression. One performer, a confident looking woman with long black hair, steps forward.
"Are you Wei Shen?" a performer that goes by the name Ling Fei asks, her voice firm. "The rare NPC helper who gives hints to Performers?"
Wei Shen smiles, her smile is clearly forced. She hears that question repeatedly lately, is it now a trend to ask an NPC this..? Slowly I nod my head ignoring the question entirely.
"Welcome, Performers. I'm here to brief you about the basic setting of this trial." She easily says this from the top of her head, how can she not. When she has said the same thing a thousand times, don't take my word for it. I don't exactly remember how many times I've said this. But you know what I mean.
The Performers quietly listen carefully, when Wei Shen goes quiet they become a bit puzzled and worried. They have heard a lot of rumors about this NPC. She's well known, that's for sure. Known for her cryptic hints and mysterious behavior. Each Performer recalling stories they heard about her, mainly that she appears only in a select Trials, at the beginning and then vanishes into thin air.
"What is this trial about? We need all the help that we can get." a performer named Kim Tae-Hwan breaks the silence.
I gaze quietly at them waiting for the damn AI to assign me something to say to them, honestly how the heck can they expect help from me when I don't even know where I'm standing.
Kim Tae-Hwan shifts uncomfortably, feeling a bit awkward that his question was ignored.
Ling Fei's eyes narrow, her mind already racing with possibilities. While a certain young girl, Mei-Ling Chen shows a calm expression, but her thoughts are in turmoil. It seems she and Ling Fei may be familiar with each other considering their close proximity.
Julian Styles' eyes dart back and forth, his agitation growing. Lucas Brooks' gaze remains fixed on Wei Shen, his face expressionless.
Suddenly, a soft ding echoes through the air, and Wei Shen's eyes flicker towards an unseen screen. Finally, about damn time she thinks. She reads the message, her expression unchanged. Then, she speaks.
"A wealthy Merchant, Known for his extravagant collection of rare artifacts, has gone missing. His disappearance has sparked a frenzy among treasure Hunters and collectors, all seeking to claim his prized possessions for themselves. The Merchant's most coveted artifact, rumored to Grant immense wealth and power is now up for grabs. Be aware, You are not alone in this quest. Many others seek the artifact, and they will stop at nothing to claim it. Before he vanished, the merchant left behind a cryptic message which say's: 'The answer lies in the heart of the market, where the price of greed is paid in full. Seek the shadow of the windmill, where the truth is hidden in plain sight.' Your trial begins now. Uncover the truth behind the merchants disappearance and find the artifact before it falls into the wrong hands."
You can bet yourself that I'm gonna be ready to have exquisite new collections fall into my hands!