Chapter 3 – Death Game (3)

“First rule.” The woman said after drawing out the sword from the beast’s body. “Never to leave my side for more than a hundred meters.

“Second rule, no speaking. It’s bothersome.

“Third rule, always be vigilant of your surroundings. If you want to live longer in this place, you must never lower your guard, no matter where you are or who is with you.

“Fourth rule, my words are the law. You must obey my words without question, no matter the order. Believe me, you are not important enough for me to plot against you.

“Do you understand?”

Aleen nodded his head seriously. He never thought that the firsts words he heard from the woman would be a group of rules.

Well, at least it’s better than before. It would have been better without my body hurting so much though.

Strangely, despite the attack of the monster, none of his bones was broken. Aleen was sure that such attack was enough to leave him in a wheelchair at least, but his body only had a few bruises (though it was painful enough).

At least Aleen could confirm that his body was different than before. Though his greater stamina could be explained like an effect of the increased adrenaline to cope with the circumstances, Aleen was sure that adrenaline was not able to stop bones from breaking.

Furthermore, though he was not sure, Aleen seemed to remember something moving inside his body when the beast attacked.

He wasn’t sure what it was, but he had the feeling that it was the reason for his body strangeness.

Aleen thought of asking the ice-cold woman about it, but after remembering her second rule, he discarded the idea. Now, he was even surer that it was better not to offend this woman.

The more beautiful the rose, the bigger the thorn huh…

Looking at it now, he could understand why none of the strangely-dressed people was interested in taking him with them.

… Nobody wants to carry a burden with them.

With these thoughts in his mind, Aleen tried to stand. The woman, seeing it, began to walk again.

“Hurry up, though you are a complete weakling, your modified body is enough to endure such level of injuries. A Level I cannot kill you so easily.”

“… Modified body? Level I?”

“You don’t know?” The woman asked with a strange expression on his face. “From what remote corner are you to do not know such a basic thing.”

Aleen could only smile wryly in his mind. C’mon, I don't think that London is a remote corner, right?

Shaking his head briefly, he spoke.

“I don’t even know where is it… Or why I’m here…”

“Is it so? You don’t know about the Dimensional Battlefield?”

“First time hearing about it.”

“… I see. I guess I can explain a bit to you on the way.”

Putting a serious expression on her face, the ice-cold woman moved her gaze to the front while she explained to Aleen.

“The dimensional battlefield, or Dimensional Paradise, is an interdimensional event that picks individuals from many different dimensions to fight inside an arena. This is something like a game. People that participate can earn great rewards after winning the game. Of course, you carry the risk of dying inside.”

Dimensions!? What the hell is this!? Aleen tried to process the woman’s words, but the woman continued speaking before he could end.

“All kind of people from many different species and cultures participate in this game. The problem is, most skill-less people are unable to contend against the least dangerous things inside this place. Because of this, the administration provides the most basic enhancement to them for free. It enhances their body strength and amount of mana. If you circulate your mana you can notice that–”

“Wait wait wait! Mana!? Like magic!?” Aleen interrupted surprised.

The woman directed a frigid gaze to him after being interrupted. Then, with an expression of annoyance, answered.

“Yes, mana. What? You don’t know about it?”

Aleen’s expression was a mix of shame and astonishment. He only was able to shake his head after trying to process the information unsuccessfully.

“Hmm. I guess I know what is happening now.” The woman said with an expression of understating. “Tell me, do your world knows about other dimensions.”

Aleen shook his head briefly.

“I see. Your situation is pretty bad then. Your world probably is located in a recently discovered dimension. It means that it’s subject to the interdimensional laws of newly discovered civilizations.”

“… And what does it mean?”

“It means that the game had the freedom to choose from your world’s citizens for participants to the game. And if your world is unable to produce a level VI in ten years, it probably will be subjected to slavery or something like that.”

“… Slavery!?”

“You know, like serving to someone against your will.” Answered the woman indifferently.

Aleen could not believe what he was hearing. Slavery? It was probably the craziest thing he heard today, and he sure heard a lot of crazy things.”

“… What is a Level VI?” He asked after a bit of hesitation.

“Heh.” The woman smirked. “You better don’t think about it. Not even I am Level VI yet; you better think about how to survive today's game.”

Aleen could not help but lower his head when he heard it. The woman said that the terrifying monster that attacked him was only Level I. how strong was a Level VI then?

Shaking his head, Aleen eliminated those thoughts of his head. The woman was right, his current problem was how to survive. He could worry about the end of the world later. Besides, it was not like his world can be conquered so easily right? All that weapons surely are of some use.

Though he wasn’t sure about how effective were earth's weapons against an organization able to perform interdimensional travels.

Aleen continued advancing with the woman while keeping a look in his surroundings. The pair met with another pair of monsters in the way, but the woman killed them instantly. Aleen was unable to see her movements. She simply moved her sword and the monsters were gone.

Aleen wasn’t sure if he was amazed or terrified after seeing it. Probably a mix of both.

“Stop.” The woman said. “There is trouble.”

She held her ear carefully as if hearing something. Then, she looked towards the way they were coming before shaking her head.

“It looks like the base is being attacked.” She spoke with an indifferent tone.

“... Should we go back?”

“No.” She answered. “It’s only an enemy so he's probably only probing our defenses. It’s better is we find their base quickly.”

Aleen nodded quickly with a troubled expression before following after her. The woman, probably noticing his expression, looked towards him and asked.

“What? Worried for the other humans?”

Aleen hesitated momently before nodding. It wasn’t something to be ashamed.

“Heh, you better worry for yourself. You are probably in more danger than them.”

“But you are here with me, no?”

“Me? I’m only protecting because you can make things easier later. But at the same time, I’m taking you to the most dangerous place of all.”

Aleen could not understand the woman’s words. But when he was going to answer, the woman paused briefly before accelerating.

“Let’s go, someone found the base.”