18 Gamemaster (2)

"Truly an unexpected surprise. Your odds of victory were 1:4; many people did bet in your defeat. They probably are cursing miss D'Vina and our little friend now." The gamemaster said.

The first thing that Aleen thought about the gamemaster was that he looked odd. Though he seemed human, something about him was non-human. Of course, besides his pink skin, his strangely jovial expression, or his weird chubby body.

The second thing that appeared in his mind, was fear.

It was a fear coming from deep inside him, like the fear he felt when he saw the beasts of the game for the first time, but more primal, more instinctive.

For some reason, Aleen could not shake the feeling that something about the man was wrong, that he was an existence fundamentally different from him; an existence above him.

However, he apparently was not the only one with that feeling. Aleen noticed that the level five were strangely silent, every one of them wearing serious expressions as if facing a terrifying enemy.

But before he could understand what was happening, the strange feeling disappeared.

When Aleen came back to his senses and looked to the gamemaster again, the sense of wrongness had disappeared.

Aleen exhaled the air that he was holding unknowingly and the level five around him seemed to relax too.

"Well, any of you have something to say? If not, I will announce the results of your game."

Though Aleen wanted to ask some things, he decided to wait after seeing the group's serious expression.

"Firstly, congratulations to miss D'vina Slew'nid Had'ning for her fifth consecutive victory. You had been in a streak from the moment after becoming level five. I have great hopes for your future.

"Second, congratulations to Aleen Hamill for surviving his first game and becoming a level two. You are the 132nd person in your world that becomes level two, and the fifth that learned a skill from the day when the manation process began.

"Thirdly, though many of you died during the game, the earnings we got through the broadcast were higher than anticipated; so you will get a bonus as stipulated in your contracts. Miss D'vina will get an especially large bonus. I hope that you find it useful."

Everybody but Aleen, that was unable to understand the man's words, nodded towards the gamemaster. Seeing it, the man spoke again.

"Very well, any of you want to say something?"

Aleen waited for a moment, but nobody seemed intent to speak, so, he raised hesitantly his hand. But before he could speak, the gamemaster interrupted his words.

"Not you, mister Aleen. Someone will answer your questions later."

"But–"

"Silence." The chubby man said firmly, and Aleen instinctively swallowed the words he wanted to say. He had the feeling that it was better not to enrage the chubby man.

"Nobody else has something to say? Very well, you can return to y–"

"Wait a moment." The ice-cold woman interrupted. "I want to take the boy like my assistant."

For a moment, everybody put an expression of astonishment. Then, the chubby man asked.

"Are you sure, miss D'vina? You know the implications of choosing an assistant, right?"

"I know." The woman nodded firmly.

Hearing it, the gamemaster smiled mischievously and spoke.

"Mmm, we don't know if mister Aleen is going to continue participating in the games from today onwards, but we can get mister Aleen's opinion meanwhile. Mister Aleen, what do you think about becoming miss D'vina's assistant?"

Aleen put a doubtful expression while the group looked towards him. He obviously did not have an idea about the meaning of becoming someone's assistant. But before he could ask, he heard John's words.

"Agree to it, boy. It's something good."

Hearing it, Aleen hesitated slightly before agreeing. Aleen knew that the only reason he survived was that the ice-cold woman, D'vina, helped him. He was sure that the woman could have killed him easily if she wanted. Besides, he doesn't have anything valuable enough for the woman to scheme against him.

Besides, the impression that he got from the woman after interacting with her during the game was of someone trustworthy and righteous.

"Very well. We will link mister Aleen's account to miss D'vina's once mister Aleen agrees to continue participating in the game. If mister Aleen chooses to stop participating, then we will inform miss D'vina of his decision."

After saying it, the gamemaster looked to the people in the hall once more before speaking.

"If nobody else is going to speak, I will give for concluded this game. You will be sent to your place of origin soon. Mister Aleen, someone will speak with you later. You can make your questions then."

Then, the gamemaster bowed slightly before disappearing from the place.

Aleen put a surprised expression seeing the man disappear mysteriously. But before he could say something, he heard the voice of the ice-cold woman.

"Your name is Aleen, right?" Aleen nodded and the woman continued speaking. "Pay attention to my instructions. If you decide to continue participating in the game, you will be assigned to be my assistant. Now, tell me, how much coins you have?"

Aleen put a doubtful expression before remembering the explanation of the woman about the AI in his mind. He thought about seeing his personal information; then, the words appeared again.

'Name: Aleen Hamill. Level two human male.

Age: 18 years old (The age is calculated following the interdimensional calendar).

Skills: 1. 'Unnamed'

Money: 71 UDP Coins'

Aleen read the information in his mind and noticed the number of coins.

"Hurry up, tell me how much money you have." The woman asked again.

"It says 71 UDP Coins. What can I do with it?"

"Only 71? I thought that you would have more. Whatever, I think that it's enough."

Looking towards Aleen, she put a serious expression before speaking.

"Someone will speak to you later. When it happens, you will ask that person about the things you can buy with the coins. He will show you a list and you must buy the things that I say. Remember you must buy everything."

Aleen nodded when he heard her tone. Then, the woman continued.

"You must buy the basics about mana manipulation, the basic information about 'Dimensional Paradise' and a sword. Buy the most expensive sword you can buy with the remaining money because it will help to protect your life later. Though the game provides free weapons, they are not so good as the weapons you can buy. Do you understand?"

"Yes!"

"Very well. I hope I can see you next time."

Once the woman said it, a pillar of light engulfed her. Then, she disappeared from the hall.

Before Aleen could say something, the same light engulfed him. Then, he was transported to another place.