[You survived, which is quite impressive of you.] The Crospeya appeared in the air, with his mischievous smile. What a wicked thing; he must be planning something in his mind.
However, since it's a novel, their actions are predictable as long as I don't change the story. That is... I might have to do. It was only a theory; I wasn't sure yet.
I pulled myself up onto my feet, looking at my soaked white shirt and black pants. It was kind of uncomfortable, but that didn't matter.
[What are you going to do now?] Asked the Crospeya, his curious eyes were looking at him.
A faint smile appeared on my face, obviously. I knew what I would do with this little doll. Let him stay in his delusional mind that he has control over me.
Nevertheless, I whirled, facing the wall. I began to press it as my hands slid on it. Trying to find it. As I was doing so, I also kept looking at the shadows under the bridge.
The shadows were too deep and strange. The sky was cloudy, but still, the way the shadows dwelt there was another reason.
[Watcher 'Selfish Pig' is wondering what you trying to do?]
[Watcher 'Golden Moon Light' is looking at you with curious eyes.]
[Watcher 'Hero of Hundred Worlds' says you should be cautious of the shadows that lurk under the bridge.]
I know that it should come into notice, but not right now.
On the other hand, a message appeared before me.
[The first game has ended.]
[You have killed the most.]
[Kills: 8,745]
[An extra reward will be granted.]
[An extra 500 points will be added to the final reward.]
[Final reward: 1000 points + 500 points.]
Points would be used to increase stats like strength, speed, et cetera. When a game ends, the stats will be reduced; only a quarter of what you have increased will remain. Even if you increased your stats between the two games.
However, the real twist is now.
[Spend your points and win a legendary weapon.]
The system was offering me to spin the wheel and win a powerful weapon that will help me clear the other games. I would have if I were oblivious to this gambling fraud.
One in a hundred million can win this legendary weapon; there are two things you need to keep in mind. First, either you will get a completely useless item or you will get nothing. While the system will cheer you, 'the next time, you will get that legendary weapon.'
It's like a gambling addiction. Which you can never escape.
Blame me all you want, but there's nothing I can do.
I dismissed it and continued searching for the button in the wall. As I felt something being pressed a little, I instantly knew this was the button.
[Watcher 'Kind Devil' is surprised that you didn't spin the wheel. A great weapon had slipped out of your hand.]
[Watcher 'Selfish Pig' mocks you for not spinning the wheel.]
And yeah, these idiots were also taunting you for something like this.
A portion of the wall that was the size of a small cave opening vanished, and the sconces on the walls lit up, illuminating the inner passage.
[Watcher 'Kind Devil' twisted her eyes and looked at you with a dumbfounded expression.]
[Watcher 'Selfish Pig' looks at you with mouth agape; he questions how you know about this place.]
I was prepared for this moment; this would obviously raise a question. The Crospeya, who was silently looking at me, had his eyes wide open.
[How did you...?]
Finally I replied, "It's obvious, isn't it?" I kept my voice as calm as possible.
"These walls were never here before; here used to be a small passage."
That was a lie; there was never a passage like this here.
"Isn't it obvious there would be a way out? Just a guess."
However, the suspicious Crospeya wasn't satisfied with my answer; I know it had its own flaws. But I kept an unreadable face.
[Right.] He turned and said, [I will have my eyes on you.]
Better you should.
The Crospeya disappeared, leaving smoke behind before it disappeared with the breeze. It wasn't long before I entered the passage.
The walls were made of stone; cracks and fissures were found at bends where the ceiling and the walls met. As I took another step, several of the roots that were piercing out of the walls were moving. I stepped gingerly forward and kept my eyes on them.
I had nothing but a pocketknife, which I always kept with me. Checking fruit before buying is always safe.
There were movements around my feet as I looked down; I saw roots were swathing my feet as I shook them off.
Man! Can't I have a small break? I sighed and strolled forth as one of the roots that was thick charged at me. Wrapping his long tentacle-like thing around my stomach.
I punched it! I tried as hard as I could but there was no reaction from it. It stubbornly kept its grip tight.
I didn't use my pocketknife, not now. It wasn't the time.
[Watcher 'selfish Pig' is laughing at your weak punching.]
[Watcher 'Golden Moon Light' is disappointed with your weak strength.]
[Watcher 'Hero of Hundred Worlds' is watching you with amusement.]
[Watcher 'The entity of Arcane' is thinking about your next move.]
Move my a**, it wouldn't be that easy. Just then, a stone came flying at me. Although it was supposed to hit the roots, it struck me on the arm. Ow!
I glared at the person who threw the stone and saw an adolescent boy with his earphones in his ears giving me an apologetic look.
I darted him a glare. Have me free and see what happens to you, punk!
"I meant to hit the root," he shouted.
From that far?
I tried to wrench myself free, but it didn't work. The boy rushed at me without thinking and grabbed the roots. He tried freeing me, but with that weak strength of his?
"Take the knife," I told him.
As he took and cut the small roots, the roots retrieved back. And I was freed.
[Watchers are curiously looking at this odd boy.]
The boy felt eyes on him, and these words reached his ears like bell rings in his mind. He panicked suddenly, afraid.
He fell on the ground, shouting, "Wh--at is this? I hear a voice!"
I didn't mind and told him, "Get up; we have to start moving."
No introduction, no gratitude. I needed to hurry; the roots, for a while, wouldn't attack us since sharp objects traumatized them. The boy, Amberok Davenji, was up on his feet.
He strode forward; for a whole five minutes we both were silent.
"At least you should thank me for saving you."
Amberok said, demanding a thanks. I had a poker face, which suddenly turned to a smile.
"Sorry about that. Thanks for saving me."
There was nothing sincere in my words, only fake words. Hey, don't get me wrong, I always have gratitude for people who help me. I know what you don't know, so don't think too much.
"Stop," I told the kid.
Before us was a door with patterns embellished on it. On top of it were written words.
{The pain in one's heart.}
For a moment I was sweating. The place inside this door was the place that I made for the leading star, Maya Blake, on her other 'restart' to experience her painful past and to become stronger mentally. Obviously, it had more than just one purpose, but this was the real one.
I was hesitant; would I be seeing all the things, the ordeal of the past?
Nevertheless, I told Amberok and entered the place. Since there were two people, a whole new place will be made for the other person to have his experience of the past.
Amberok's figure turned blurry before perishing in the fog.
As I took my second step and closed the door, a sharp headache struck me. It was painful as I fell to my knees. Before me was a narrow path; I had to walk on it.
Like an erupting volcano, memories of the past surged in my mind. The surroundings were filled with my memories, just like in my mind.
The times when something bad happened to a friend, and I blamed myself or people that were once close to me.
Being bullied while I couldn't say a word and kept my mouth shut, inwardly always cursing and blaming my existence.
I had no relatives, only that one uncle who helped me a lot. I hated it when he lied when I asked him if the money he was spending was my father's...
The guilt of never being able to repay them back for what they had done.
Failing to make them proud.
Failing to make myself better and prove to be good.
Breaking the hopes of others while keeping my mouth shut.
Betrayed and misunderstood.
I came back to my senses when the voice of the system rang in my ears.
I have to endure this, and so I did. With my chest tightened and my heart beating faster, I tread forth. My face was sweating profusely.
Just a little longer...