This Novel incorporates a narrative voice that switches perspectives seamlessly, adding variety. The combination of the protagonist's introspection (first-person) and the broader perspective (third-person) is meant to evoke a fresh take on Novela, where stories typically stick to one viewpoint.
While this is a mock prologue, I highly suggest you read this portion of this the Novel, as it contains information that I believe is subliminally significant for understanding the plot.
Have a great read!
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It happened on my—Well... the farm.
It happened on the most usual of days, too. I remember like it was yesterday. I was routinely tending to the under-nourished bushels of mumble-leaves that occasionally grew sparse among the common patches. They were my number one asset, earning me a decent living for the most part, as they were highly sought after by adventurers looking to stockpile their inventories with mumble potions. Makes sense when you think about, because without them, casting spells when you've been silenced by a enemy Mage would prove impossible. But I digress.
This is about her. The moment I learned how much she truly meant to me.
I was on my last bushel when she'd knelt down next to me, her scent, her warmth, her... aura, all unchanging every single time she'd visit. Only this time, the purpose of her visit was different. Usually, she'd stop by to chat or inquire high level farming lessons, but in that particular moment, she whispered something in my ear, and just before I could respond… she was gone.
She left.
But no matter how much time had passed, I never forgot what she whispered in my ear, because it was more than just words, it was a promise.
"I have something I need to take care of," she said, "and I don't know when I'll be back, but I will come back. I promise."
But there was only one problem.
That was two years ago.
Since then, I've been on a journey to find her. To tell her how I truly feel. To ask her to become my wife. No matter if I'm just an NPC.
The wall of falling numbers hidden to the rest of this world may stop me from escaping now... but not forever. Because, just like i found the wall, I will eventually find a way. Even if it kills me.
"You here me, oh great wall! I will escape this prison and find her! BET ON IT!"
"So… we're just going to pretend like that guy isn't screaming at the open sea?" said the archer who leaned lazily against the log lining the campsite. "Anyone have any idea as to why?"
"Not a clue," the swordsman muttered, just as confused as the archer, while poking at the campfire as its flames dwindled.
"See Yuri, I told you letting another player into our party was a bad idea, " chimed the battle Mage, referring to the swordsman. "We really shouldn't be so trusting with everybody we come across. No matter how many potions they have."
"Yeah, guys, let's just… slip away and get outta here before he notice. Dude's crazy."
"Right."
"Yeah, let's ditch him!"
Their whispers were followed by half hearted tiptoeing that faded increasingly quick.
Except for one. One in particular hesitated, only briefly, before hurrying after the other. Sympathy, maybe. Didn't matter.
Those idiots thought I didn't hear them. They were wrong. I hear everything—every whisper, every insult.
An anomaly. That's what I've become.
My senses, sharpened by endless nights of searching for her, had grown sharper than anything I'd ever seen from the thousands of players I'd met on this journey.
Nevertheless, by the time I glanced back, they were gone, leaving only the scent of roasted squirrel meat and the faint hum of the Mage's levitation spell. Still, their confusion-inspired insults fell on deaf ears, as my mind was elsewhere. My sights… elsewhere.
That unwavering wall of 1s and 0s shimmered beyond the waves, vast and foreboding. Its ever falling green columns rippled, their glow taunting me with a cruel laugh that perhaps only I could hear—reminding me that no NPC escapes their fate. The wall was a prison, built to keep me and the others like me here.
But... no prison is eternal. Not for me. Not when she's out there.