[Level 4. Skeleton Thrall]
[Level 4. Skeleton Thrall]
[Level 4. Skeleton Thrall]
[Level 4. Skeleton Thrall]
[Level 4. Skeleton Thrall]...
At the display before me, my brain stopped working as if refusing to think.
Everywhere I looked, the same dreadful HUD greeted me.
[Level 4. Skeleton Thrall]
I took a step back and gulped loudly, following that was the harrowing motion of countless skeletons grabbing the rope that bound their body to the trees and then...
Ripping them apart violently!
CLACK! CLACK!
The sickening sound of bone scraping against bone could be heard as they crashed horribly to the ground. The height at which they had fallen from would have turned a person to paste but yet they simply got up like it were nothing.
The perverse nature of this macabre scene sent chills down my spine, causing my hear to pound even faster and my breathing even quicker.
Am going to die!
Just as I thought that, the skeletons suddenly crouched to the ground and begun to burrow it.
Huh?!
I stared at them confused.
Are they not... after me?
As that thought crossed my mind, a sense of relief began to surface. I wanted to let out a sigh but instantly paled when I saw what happened next...
Each skeleton violently yanked on a stump on the ground and pulled out something utterly chilling.
Gods...
I gasped and involuntarily took a step back.
In the hands of the skeletons were...
Weapons!
Indeed, each skeleton brandished various weapons in their hands. A weapon that seemed to be something only a sick mind could come up with. Each weapon held by the skeletons seemed akin to a torture tool.
Yet, that wasn't even what made the scene so disturbing.
"B-bl-blood!", my mouth shook when I noticed the dried blood that stained each weapon. The blood was a testament to those who had fell to the skeletons.
And... now...am... about... to become...one of them...
The thought of an encroaching death was so real that it ravaged my mind. The countless horde of skeletons which seemed infinite further cemented that horrifying thought into my mind.
As the horde slowly began to turn to my position, I performed a startling action.
I didn't even scream, I didn't even cry, I didn't even quiver, didn't faint but instead...
I laughed.
"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
The scene of my euphoric laughter before inevitable doom was so chilling that it seemed even the skeletons hesitated.
Then I spoke with a mad grin, "Pfft! How could I have been such a fool?!"
"You lot aren't even real."
I had gone crazy.
"You're just nothing but code!"
The fear of death had gotten to me.
"You can't kill me! Am real!"
I had lost to fear.
Just as I screamed that last sentence, several skeletons closed the gap, preparing to clobber me.
"Go on! Do your worst, fakes!"
CRASH!
Suddenly, the world seemed hazy.
Huh...did I get hit...?
My body wavered in the air and crashed to the ground, unceremoniously.
Utterly paralyzed, I laid simply staring at the night sky.
[You have been wounded.]
My daze was momentarily broken by the sound of the system and a strange warmth.
Ah....
Suddenly, I realized that the right side of my view was black.
I had lost my right eye.
[HP: 67/100]
Huh...a health bar...
"I've never seen it before...", I muttered softly.
My small moment of peace was broken by a familiar noise.
CLACK! CLACK! CLACK! CLACK!
Oh...right...those skeletons...
My expression turned indifferent at that thought, as I slowly awaited my arrival.
This is a game, right... so of course...if I die here, I'll simply lose the game and exit it...
"Exit this hell."
Yet, despite that thought, I felt a chilling premonition.
If I die here...I'll truly die.
"But...it's just a..."
I stopped myself and looked up.
The fear of death, the fear of darkness, the suffering, the injuries and most importantly...
The Pain.
Were they really all fiction?
Is this game really all fiction?
After witnessing, everything that has happened the conclusion I came to is...
No.
Untethered is more than what meets the eye.
Of course it is...
Never underestimate your enemy, always assume that he is dangerous.
I truly underestimated you Untethered...you're more than just a game.
I sighed as I stared at the sky.
Inventory Open.
Following my command, a weave of white sparks formed an outline stemming from my right hand before manifesting a silver uchigatana into existence.
[Equipped Item:] Silver Lining
I grasped the hilt and suddenly I felt invigorated, like a newfound power was welling up in me. I stabbed it into the ground, using it as support so that I could get up.
"You're called Silver Lining, right?", I said in a hoarse tone as I glanced at the sword.
As if responding to my words, the blade glistened in the pale radiance of moonlight.
I grinned and then took a fighting stance.
[Skill: Martial Arts has been activated – Kendo.]
"Then show me a ray of hope."
My voice reverberated in the cold expanse of the Wyvern Woods before being drowned out by the horrid sound of scraping bone.
...
[Name:] Remi
[True Name:]???
[Level:] 1
[EXP:] 0/100
[Skills:] Saturation, Ease of Learning, Seduction, Dexterity, Persuasion, Fire Affinity, Body Constitution
[Aliases:] Dandy, Marquess
[Debuffs:] Ease of Learning, Weakness, Distress, Unfanned Ire
Hmm...it's still the same...
I sighed and then looked away, turning to my boyfriend who was holding me from behind in a tight embrace.
We were floating atop the surface of the tranquil lake, the distant sound of the waterfall hitting the lake was nascent but could still be heard.
"What happened, Remi?", Dola asked upon hearing me sigh.
"Nothing, I was just checking our stats...it's still the same."
"Whatever, just ignore it. It's probably just for show.", he said as he rested his chin on my shoulder.
I don't really think so...
Suddenly, I felt a slight pang in my abdomen.
I blinked for a couple of moments.
"Dola, am hungry.", I said with a tone of realization.
"Huh, but there's no food...come to think of it...", he loosened his grip on me and looked around, "Maybe...one of those plants can be eaten...?", he spoke but his voice was filled with uncertainty.
I turned over to the plants and thought of picking one of them but then ultimately dismissed it.
I didn't want to leave the lake.
I simply turned to Dola and smiled, "Don't worry, we can find food later."
He smiled and then embraced me tighter, soon enough we fell into a state of bliss.