Blood and Bones 3

"So let me get this straight," I spoke out loud, seemingly talking to no one. Yet, I awaited a response, a response from this system. "Every time I go to sleep, I'll be transported to this... place?" I wasn't sure if I could trust it. After all, I already tried to get out of this room, and every time I did, a disorienting flash of white light would hit me and teleport me back to the same creepy and empty settlement. And after trials and errors, I understood many rules of this ... World, one of them is that in a Safe House, The blue Panel replies to your question.

[it depends...all of This, is a warning and an introduction: if you change the course of history, you will taste the revenge of the blood you spilled and bones you buried within seven days. If you think you are the only human who got reincarnated in a different time, you are sorely mistaken.] 

In front of me was the same sky blue panel, with shining golden words that seemed to jump off the panel.

"So it's because of that tribe?" I thought to myself, the gears in my mind slowly turning. I furrowed my brow in concentration, racking my brain for more information. Suddenly, I shouted in realization, "How would I know that? How would I know that I am changing history?"

[Heheh, you don't!! ] 

"What !!" I was completely baffled and let out a shout of frustration, my face scrunching up in a frown.

[After all, we're just too bored to keep doing the same old things. Throwing reincarnated Humans towards the abyss is BORING!! We need something new and exciting to spice up our lives.

Don't worry, we will make sure you are also entertained the entire time! We will have a wide variety of deadly activities planned so that you can choose what you want to do. There will be something for everything, so you won't be bored for a second.

well .... as long you don't die, that is.] 

I couldn't believe my eyes. Millions of questions ran wild in my head, but I asked the most pressing one: "So if I don't change history, nothing happens to me?"

[Heheh, you could try. You could, of course, do nothing. But you must know one issue: we were judging your actions very favorably. You see, it's not our job to send you back where you came from. But Time? It's our job to keep it intact. So your very existence is offensive to us. We could sentence you to death in our land for a mere breath! Yet we chose not to. After all, too many laws are just too boring. We don't care about what you build or do since time is the perfect eraser tool. We only care about the blood you spill and the bones you bury. For us, a human life is the most precious thing.

There's no need to worry, you're not expected to work for free. In fact, there are many gifts and rewards in it for you! Your only job is to entertain us and make sure we have a good time.

For example, if you take care of that tribe, you'll have more men and slaves. And if you kill them here too, you might win something exciting. Who knows?] 

"Who do you mean by 'us,' and why should I care about what you have to say? I might as well just drop dead " I retorted back at them.

[It's perfectly natural to feel excitement when you read about gifts and rewards - after all, humans are innately greedy. However, we all know that you don't truly believe that, as evidenced by the fact that you're shaking with excitement. There's no shame in admitting that you want what's being offered, so go ahead and let yourself feel the excitement!] 

Yes, I was trembling with excitement. If this game-like system gave me rewards for killing zombies, then it was my only hope — my hope for a better life with more opportunities, more happiness, and less pain. But I need to make sure since I don't trust it. I need proof. I shouted with a toothy smile and clenched my fists.

"I need some physical, believable evidence! Otherwise, how would I know if you're actually the Devil or if this is just some sick, twisted game you're playing with me for your own amusement?!"

[Tedious!!

Even though it's typical for humans to be unrealistic, do you think the devil has so much free time that he will whisper into each human's ear? 

We can't understand how you think all of this is fake when it's all happening right in front of your eyes. Wasn't the breath you took earlier solid proof? Wasn't the zombie you saw and felt with your own hand earlier real enough? Yet, it wasn't surprising, not so much. 

And of course, it's for our own amusement! What do you think we were explaining earlier? It's a sick and twisted game for our own recreation! But we aren't the devil; we are much more terrible than him.

If it's to help you come to terms with your situation more quickly, we're more than happy to help.]

[Congratulations on your amazing progress! You have blown all of our expectations out of the water and have made incredible strides. We take back our previous statement of "no additional rewards" and would like to offer you a bonus for all of your hard work. Keep up the good work, and we can't wait to see what you accomplish next!

Note: It's sarcasm]

"It knows sarcasm?" I wondered skeptically as I read the blue panel. Rubbing my forehead in frustration, I waited for the proof.

Not even a second had passed from the previous statement when the new one came blaring through with the same 'Ding' it made earlier when I eliminated that zombie. Then, I read the proof attentively, and with each work I read, my frown grew deeper and deeper as I cursed under my breath, "Worthless? Me?"

[Ding!

You have received a worthless-To-Be Gift pack. This pack contains nothing of value and is a complete waste of time. Do not bother opening it.]

Do you want to open it (Y/N)

"Yes!" I said eagerly, my mind racing with the possibilities of what it could be. Maybe a flaming sword? Or unbreakable armor? No! Earlier it announced I gained 1 Exp! Could it be that it indicates I gain levels when I kill zombies?

[Congratulations! You have found one Honor point! This means you are doing a great job and are on the right path. Keep up the good work!

Note: still sarcasm ]

With my full attention on the 'Honor point', I ignored everything else around it. My gaze piercing the blue panel with golden words, I suppressed my excitement and asked out loud, "How do I use it?"

[When you wake up you will know ]

I quickly retorted "Can I come out?" While looking at the door, which was still barricaded by the beam.

[Well, that countdown was only there for more effect. Hehe, that "Noo" of yours earlier was perfect! On your knees, while shooting upwards, Hehe even the most experienced actors in the future couldn't have acted that well.

So, if you want to go out, just say "Out."]

"F*ck you! you ***** and you ******, you can *******" I cursed at the blue panel that was playing with my life, the anger that I felt trapped inside me for hours was let out by a mere curse, I felt good and shouted the keyword to come out. The adrenaline rushed through my veins as I cursed an unknown entity who I think is keeping time intact. Yet, I didn't f*cking care...

Unfortunately, I had miscalculated and was no longer able to focus on the blue panel. Maybe I was subconsciously trying to avoid seeing any reply from "them".

Alas, just when I felt myself falling backward, unable to get hold of something with my hands, I heard a creepy and throaty voice whisper in my ear: "Hehe, Indeed, we lost the bet. We thought you were spineless, but it seems that we were wrong. Know this Little Luke! We like it."

Chills ran up my spine and, for a split second, I closed my eyes and then opened them with a shout that echoed through my empty, darkroom.