I lay back on the cold, concrete-like floor, feeling its roughness beneath me as I looked up and muttered, "So… you chose me?"
Lilith crossed her arms, looking somewhat annoyed. "Yeah, as I mentioned before..."
"So, what's the mission, anyway?" I asked.
Lilith's face scrunched up, troubled. "Well, uh… it's complicated. Let me explain!" she said, a little flustered. Suddenly, the endless red walls around us shifted, morphing into a massive screen displaying an enormous map covered in strange symbols and foreign letters.
In an instant, Lilith's clothes changed, transforming into something that looked suspiciously like a teacher's uniform. She even held a long, wooden pointer in hand.
"Alright, student... uh, what's your name?" she asked.
I raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you supposed to know that? Oh, and since you're into these costume changes, mind switching mine? I'm not too keen on this drag queen get-up."
Lilith smirked, her eyes glinting mischievously. "Mhmm… why should I? Hahaha."
At this point, I almost preferred death to spending another minute in her company. She waved a hand, and my clothes morphed into black jeans, a white shirt, an expensive-looking watch, black shades, and leather shoes.
"Better?" she asked, clearly enjoying herself.
"Yeah. And the name's Ken," I replied, rolling my eyes. "Figured you'd know that already."
She shrugged. "Well, it's complicated. Normally, we can access someone's memories, but… yours are all fogged up. Looks like you're in the same boat."
I sighed. "Figures."
Lilith pointed to the screen. "Alright, enough chit-chat! I introduce you to... New Oasis a world of opportunities, where you'll compete against others to obtain a wish!"
My face dropped. "Wait, I'm not fighting a demon king? No evil race to conquer? This is… kind of disappointing."
Lilith crossed her arms. "Hey, be glad you're even alive! Now, on the screen, you'll see Oasis a massive world with everything from bustling cities and small taverns to snowy mountains. When you enter, you'll be dropped into a random spot with nothing but the clothes on your back and… 5,000 coins."
"Coins?" I asked, bewildered. "What are they? How do you earn them? What are they even used for? Why 5,000? Does everyone start with 5,000? Is that a lot or a little?"
Lilith put up her hand to pause me. "Hold on, I'll explain everything."
She continued, "Here's the deal: there are 10,000 'Players,' and you're one of them. Before these games started, spirits like me were chosen for a bit of, uh… entertainment. Each spirit was given a number by a massive roulette. That number decides how many coins we get to start with for our player. I, uh… happened to land on 5,000."
I groaned. "So even in luck, you messed up?"
Lilith scowled. "Oh, forget it!"
I laughed, patting her shoulder. "Relax, Lili. I'll help you out. Don't worry."
She eyed me, her expression softening a bit. "Alright, here's how things work: In New Oasis, you earn coins by challenging other players. When two players agree to a duel, a 'referee' appears to oversee the game. Referees come in all shapes and sizes, you'll see. If a player doesn't want to bet, they can decline, but 10% of their total coins will be taken, and they'll get a 24-hour penalty, banning them from challenging anyone else."
She continued, "During a duel, you can wager any amount of coins. If you lose, the other player gets your wager. Violence is permitted unless the game rules prohibit it. But if a player dies outside of a game, all their items vanish, except for something called 'Gems.' There are 8 Gems in total, and if you collect them all, you can open the gate at the center of the Oasis to reach the deity who will grant you your wish."
She gestured to the screen. "Spirits like me also serve as your 'Shop.' You can buy anything, as long as you have the coins for it. Just say, 'I want to buy…' and the item. You're the only one who can see your spirit, and we can't interfere with games unless they specifically involve us."
The screen flickered, showing an enormous map of Oasis filled with detailed landscapes and icons. "Most players have already arrived," Lilith said. "In four days, an opening ceremony will be held, and the 8 Gems will be randomly given to players. The Oasis has been open for 10 days already. So, are you ready to leave everything behind and join the games?"
I yawned and mumbled, "Yeah, yeah. Ready and willing."
Lilith glared at me. "Are you even paying attention?"
"Yeah, I'm listening. Don't worry," I said, stifling a laugh. "But… leave everything behind? I mean… aren't I dead?"
Lilith's face turned serious as the screen shifted, displaying a hospital room. My heart skipped a beat as I saw myself lying there.
"No way…" I whispered. "That's… me? I'm still alive?" The realization hit me hard. If I lost here, I'd face my crimes and with all the people I've hurt everything I have done I will probably spend my life In prison or may even face the death penalty at worst!
As I felt my unconsciousness leave my body as I started upon It endlessly.
I snapped back to reality as Lilith's arm touched my shoulder. Her voice softened as she whispered. "Listen, it's tough to process, but like Musashi Miyamoto said, 'Do not, under any circumstances, depend on a partial feeling.' I'm betting everything on you, Ken. I have my own wish, and I'll do whatever it takes to make it come true. So, can you do the same and help me?"
I smirked, raising an eyebrow. "You quoting my Musashi Miyamoto book now? You know I treasured that, you damn thief."
She smiled. "Now that's the spirit! Let's go!"
As I walked toward the glowing white door, a thousand thoughts raced through my head. Lilith floated beside me, keeping pace.
"By the way," I asked, smirking, "will you give that book back?"
Lilith gave a coy grin. "Mhmm… no."
"Oh, come on!" I protested. "That's unfair!"
"As Musashi said, 'Never be jealous,'" she teased.
"You're annoying as hell."
Stepping through the door, I felt a rush of warm air. My shoes sank slightly into soft ground as we emerged on top of a big hill overlooking a vast landscape dotted with houses, farms, and a large, bustling tavern in the distance. A forest bordered the scene, and the warm sun and gentle breeze felt surreal.
"So… this is it?" I whispered to myself. "No going back."
After a moment, I turned to Lilith. "How much is a white cane?"
Lilith's eyes went wide. "A white cane? Isn't that for the blind?"
"Yeah, trust me. I have a plan."
She sighed. "Alright, that'll be 1,000 coins."
I nodded. "Fine. I want to buy a white cane."
With a shimmer, a sleek white cane appeared in my hand. I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of it.
As I mentally mapped out the Oasis based on Lilith's display, a strategy started to form. If those big cities are about 40 kilometers away, they're likely to attract a lot of players. Statistically, a gem is more likely to appear in such a busy area. I'm sure others have come to the same conclusion.
"Alright then," I said aloud, "Let's start with the tavern; seems lively enough for a game or two."
I gripped the white cane and slid on my shades, taking careful steps toward the tavern, doing my best impression of a blind wanderer. Just as I reached the door, a voice chimed in from behind.
"Hey there, need a hand, mate? Looks like you could use it."
Something felt off. Why would anyone help, especially here? I kept my guard up.
"Don't take it the wrong way," the man chuckled. "Until the opening ceremony, you're no threat to me. So I don't mind lending a hand."
Inside, the place was buzzing people laughing, clinking glasses, some already playing cards. At a table toward the back, I spotted a strange creature with a white and purple sheen, possibly a referee. I made my way over to the bar, aiming to draw as little attention as possible.
"Can I get a drink?" I asked, intentionally looking away from the bartender to keep up the act. He came over, a tall, mustached man in jeans and a shirt that read Cent, his dark eyes studying me.
"House specialty for you?" he offered.
I hid my surprise. Ten days in, and people were already talking about house specialties? But as he passed me the drink, I noticed something a flicker of suspicion in his eyes, as if he saw through my act. His gaze lingered just a second before he turned to another customer.
Across the room, I focused on a card game. Watching two rounds was enough to catch the pattern: subtle, coordinated, but clear as day to someone like me. Three players, working together in sync. I didn't know the game rules, but it was obvious they were playing the others, keeping their bets low to avoid drawing attention.
Remembering the white-suited man, a familiar frustration surged. These cheats, taking people's wishes by deception, needed to be stopped. And I was determined to be the one to do it.