Chapter 4: Another World: [Abyss]

January 14, 19XX

After disembarking the airship, I took a moment to observe my surroundings and relax. Streams of steam were emanating from the vehicles and houses, and I couldn't help but laugh at how the Steam City truly lived up to its name.

I then boarded a wooden vehicle that resembles a caterpillar, it looked similar to a train in the modern era. Placing my bag on my lap, I looked out the window and sighed. This will be a very long journey to find the [End] of the story.

….

After hours of travel, I finally reached the Guide Examination site. It was a desolate place, devoid of any buildings or people. The only thing that stood before me was a massive double gate.

I examined the gate and let out a sigh. Even a gate that could lead to hell is still a work of art. The symbols etched onto the wooden door were deeply imprinted, each with its own story. I placed my hand on it, tracing the embedded symbols, and felt as if I could envision the creation of the structures.

After finishing fantasizing over these, I took a deep breath and held my bag tightly, closing my eyes I muttered "Well, here it goes" before entering.

….

As soon as I walked in, I was hit by blinding lights that seemed to pass right through me. After they faded away, my eyelids twitched before I finally opened my eyes. I was taken aback by what I saw. Other players had described it to me, but I couldn't help but be amazed. All around me was nothing but darkness, as if I had stepped into a forest that embodied darkness itself.

Just then, white aura-like suddenly appeared before me and formed into lines. [Welcome dear [Defendant] to the world [Abyss]]

Seeing this I knew that this was made by an examiner and so kept silent and focused. [For this [Trial] the [Defendant] are tasked with finding the 'Core of Light' a midst the shroud of darkness. I wish the best of luck to the [Defendant] in escaping the [Trial]]

[Before the [Trial] officially begins, every [Defendant] has their own channel and can be guided by the [Judge]. The [Judge] can give tips and clues about the [Trial] but! They won't easily give these away~]

Reading this I nodded my head in understanding, I know much better than anyone what these [Judge] are capable of, I also know what their purpose is and greed.

[In order to attain these, the [Defendant] needs to get the favor of the [Judge] for them to give out clues! So please try your best to gain their favor ability!]

After these words fell, the white aura-like disappeared and finally, only endless darkness was left. I sighed inwardly and pondered on what should I do before finally, I have decided and walked forward through the darkness without any source of light. I've thought about it and knew I could make torches, but that would be a terrible idea. In a world where there is no light, of course the 'beings' that lives here will be attracted by it. In short, it would only make me a target of unwanted attention.

Speaking of attention, I think it's time now. I stopped and placed my hand on a tree nearby to straighten myself, after some time, I finally spoke. "Open Channel"

In an instant, the familiar white aura-like appeared again, but this time, it was different from before. Words were formed inside a box-like shape of the white aura-like and after so, I was finally able to read the words properly

[Judge "Ares" has entered the channel]

[Judge "Iris" has entered the channel]

[Judge "Dionysus" has entered the channel]

Seeing this I almost whistled out loud, how come three [Judge] already appeared on my channel? Mostly, even a single [Judge] is already hard to obtain to watch your channel.

[Judge "Ares" is surprised and says "So there really is a [Defendant] who has no mana!"]

'Ah, so that's why so many has already logged to my channel, maybe the title of my channel says something like "Over here! This person has no mana and yet they joined the [Trial]!" or something like that' I thought and sighed helplessly. Shaking my head, I moved forward while groping around for something to hold on through the darkness.

[Judge] are beings that could be anything, but one thing is certain, they are 'beings' that are more powerful than anyone could think of. Similar to 'Earth', I a [Defendant] can be called an anchor while the [Judge] are the viewers. The [Judge] can comment and give clues to the [Defendant] while in [Trial] and so many wanted to gain their favor ability. The [Judge] can also sponsor a [Defendant] which will make the latter stronger. In the eyes of the [Defendant], [Judge] are the most powerful and valuable beings which made many worship them.

But for me, this are just bullshits. Powerful? Heh! When the world [Theos] was invaded by the [Outer Gods] where were they? Did they even tried to help? No! They just abandoned the world and the people that worshiped them. This is why I despise them.

When I was playing the game, I didn't cared about them that much since I was not a [Guide] anyway, only a [Guide] can see the messages of the [Judge]. But this time is different since I'll become a [Guide]

Just as I was groping around I suddenly sensed that the flow of air around me changed, from being hot to cold which made me stiffened. Frowning I reached for the gun in my bag and thought 'There's a monster nearby'

[Judge "Dionysus" says "I'm impressed. This [Defendant] has the ability to sense nearby enemies despite not being able to see or detect them with mana."]

I did not have the time to read the message and just kept silent while holding the gun. I counted '1, 2, 3…' but still there was no sign of attacking. It did not let my guard down and instead only rose it even more. 'Why is it not moving? Is this monster a high level one and has intelligence? Or, is it playing with me?' countless of questions came to my mind but in the end, I couldn't get my answer, not yet at least. I calmed myself down knowing that panicking won't do me any good

Having no light is a good idea so that I won't attract any attention, however the downside is that I can't see anything at all, so how am I suppose to fight the monster? I thought I could take it down just by using my senses only but it seems that it's much more difficult than it seems so

"Hoo..." Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes and focused, where would the monster attack me?

Left?

Right?

In front?

Or at the back?

Maybe above?

No. It was none of those, if this monster is indeed from here, from the [Abyss]. Then most likely, it would prey on it's prey by attacking from--

--Underneath!

I quickly leaped forward as a sharp claw suddenly emerged from the spot where I had been standing. Before I could catch my breath, the monster vanished back into the ground. 'This is bad' I thought and closed my eyes again, trying to calm down and sharpen my senses

"Phew" Opening my eyes I pondered on how I can escape from this situation when suddenly, the familiar white aura-like lines appeared before me

[Judge "Iris" says "I can give you a skill that will make you able to see through the darkness"]

My eyes widened after reading this, is she for real? What surprised me even more is that she spoke to me. The [Judge] "Iris" whom I've heard from the other players before said that she did not speak the whole time she was with their character. So why did she suddenly spoke now?

Furrowing my eyebrows, I know there is no such thing as free in this world, so I asked "In exchange for what?"

I waited and waited until finally, she replied back to me.

[Judge "Iris" says "Save my [Defendant]"]