5 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 one 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 suffering the attack of the monster, none of his bones was broken. Aleen was sure that such an attack was enough to leave him in a wheelchair for the rest of his life, but his body had only a few bruises (though it was very painful).

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

Furthermore, though he was not 100% sure, Aleen seemed to feel 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's strangeness.

Aleen thought about 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 those thoughts in his mind, Aleen tried to stand. The woman began to walk again when she saw it.

"Hurry up, though you are a complete weakling, your modified body is enough to endure such a level of injuries. A level-one cannot kill you so easily."

"… Modified body? Level-one?"

"You don't know?" The woman asked with a strange expression on her face. "From what remote corner of the universe are you to don't know such a basic thing."

Aleen could only smile wryly on 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 we are… Or why I'm here…"

"Is it so? You don't know about Dimensional Paradise?"

"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.

"Dimensional Paradise is an interdimensional event that picks individuals from many different dimensions to fight inside an arena. It 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 begin to understand.

"All kinds of people from many different species and cultures participate in this game. The problem is, most level-one are unable to contend against the least dangerous things inside this place. Due to 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 was only 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.

"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 participants for the games. And if your world is unable to produce a level-six 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 was completely stunned. Slavery? It was probably the craziest thing he heard today, and he sure heard a lot of crazy things."

"… What is a level-six?" He asked after a bit of hesitation.

"Heh." The woman smirked. "You better don't ask about it. Not even I am a Level-six yet; you better think about how to survive today's game."

Aleen could not help but lower his head embarrassed. The woman said that the terrifying monster that attacked him before was only level-one. how strong was a Level-six 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 the world could be conquered so easily right? All those weapons must be of some use.

Though he wasn't sure about how effective earth's weapons were 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 that. Probably a mix of both.

"Stop." The woman said. "There is trouble."

She held her ear carefully as if hearing something. Then, she looked in the direction they came from and wrinkled her brows.

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

"... Should we go back?"

"No." She answered. "There is only one 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 about the other humans?"

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

"Heh, you better worry for yourself first. 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 for me 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."