Zerith Kingdom (2)

"Leaving trifles behind, I would like to inform your in more detail what will happen next," Sidquiel spoke in a monotone as if no life had been consumed moments before by his own hands.

"You will be tested, and depending on how you are evaluated, you may or may not gain access to the <Central Territory>. A place, as your may already surmise, and I have managed to mention, is in itself, a treasure of limitless abundance!" his voice rose toward the end high enough to be noticed.

"Of course, I won't deny it. It's dangerous."

"!?"

"Calm down, there is no need to bog yourselves down in worry. Just as a soldier must be prepared for war, you will not end up being different," Sidquiel tried to comfort the anguished hearts of the people gathered in the central square.

"To this end, they have been provided with an assistance tool that will give them greater adaptability to the environment to which they will be exposed from now on."

After that, and before questions arose, Sidquiel explained. "You must only utter the following words <See state> or failing that, wish it in your minds and without delay, it will happen."

Sidquiel took a millimeter long pause and said in closing. "As I understand it, it is a familiar idea on your world, Earth, is it not?"

Many hesitated but, in the end, succumbed to interest and intrigue.

Furthermore, as the Angel said, it was not a strange idea for them.

But expect everyone to be aware of that particular concept, originating from fantasy, would be to err on the side of naiveté and be foolishly optimistic.

After all, just as there were social class struggles, diverse tastes and hobbies were also.

However, the distrust and discomfort lasted a mere instant.

A holographic screen flashed before the retinas of those who followed Angel's instructions.

Sidquiel nodded. "As you can see, there you will find records about your <Existence> figured in numerical data and letters that are part of your cognition. If you concentrate on a particular record, you will be able to access more information. You can relax. No one besides you will be able to see your records."

They did not know the why of the last words, but privacy was always good to possess, wasn't it?

And immediately, before anything else happened, the initially reluctant followed the herd and marveled at what they saw.

It was like seeing someone's open gift at Christmas and not being able to bear to open yours.

In short, the hologram mainly projected its statistics. In addition, it also provided information such as name, gender, and age.

Those who have had the opportunity to play a video game were thrilled by a particular perspective, previously improbable, that quickly settled in their brains.

Who didn't want to have some kind of power and take to the skies or get away from that monotonous and unexciting life?

No one would turn down given a chance to accept.

Now, they certainly did not forget the invisible shackles under which they were restrained.

They looked at the Angel and tried to cool their parched throats with saliva. Even if they did not wish to participate, they were too afraid to challenge him.

"Before proceeding with the final part, I would like to point out a detail that is indispensable in its value and importance. In the <Status Window> you will be able to identify a record called <Rasgo>." There was no hesitation in Sidquiel words.

The crowd resumed their glances at their respective <status window> denoting their complete listening.

Sidquiel, after a while, seeing that most of the people were already properly situated, said. "Well, the <Rasgo> will be the skill, at least for this moment, that you will have to rely on the most and at the same time, depend on. It varies from person to person, so don't even bother thinking about the possibility that someone else might come to possess a <Trait> just like yours."

Sidquiel folded his arms and elaborated so that his words would alleviate as much as possible any potential dilemmas that might arise. "If you observe it closely, you will identify that he is comparable to some sort of superhuman power."

The eyes of some lit up, and others, on the other hand, noticed that their <Rasgo> was empty and looked at Sidquiel in confusion.

The Angel noticing this, added. "Ah, not everyone will be a carrier of a <Rasgo>. Just as a person is born with certain specific faculties and talents, the same may apply in this case." Sidquiel shrugged. "It is unfortunate, but I can't do anything about that. I'm sorry."

People felt dark clouds cover the future ahead.

Who knew what would happen from now on?

Having a weapon to protect yourself with was always better than not having one.

Otherwise, it would be to hope for the best, and that what may be at your disposal will allow you not to be at the mercy of danger.

"Anyway, that will conclude the first part," Sidquiel humanely clapped his palms to accentuate the idea he wanted to convey.

After those words, he raised his hand again, sharply shocking the audience.

Some lost control of their sphincter and a strong smell of ammonia wafted across the air: It was not a pleasant event to see or smell.

Back to Sidquiel:

A light rose, and a bluish yet dazzling liquid appeared from that as its origin.

The liquid soon condensed and formed a being of small stature.

His skin was green.

It had an elongated nose full of protuberances—a beer belly and a loincloth covering his genitals.

The green and, why not, ugly being carried a club in his elongated right arm.

"Goblin!"

Someone among the 10,000 people closest to the front shouted.

"Right. A Goblin," Sidquiel said. "This will be one of the many <Monsters> you will come to face."

The clear, reverberating sound of sucking in the air echoed.

Coming from a society that advocated peace, they were, unsurprisingly, reluctant to the idea of fighting.

The hit was even greater when they believed, however little, in the possibility of not getting into any kind of fight and getting out of this place unscathed.

"Each time you slay an existence you will absorb its <Essence> and be able to level up." Sidquiel smiled subtly. "Gaining stats and subsequently, power and strength."

"Amazing, don't you think?"

The information washed over the crowd with force born of a broken dam.

Even if they had come to expect it, the impact was not in the least diminished.

Not only that, but they noted the vagueness of what they had to eliminate to gain <Essence>.

They looked at each other uncomfortably.

Just like that, the little camaraderie they had formed dissolved without resistance.

Then, it happened...

"Hehe..." the Goblin chuckled.

"!"

It was a high-pitched, unpleasant sound.

Full of savagery and unadulterated evil.

He didn't move an inch. But the damage had already been done.

A shiver ran down everyone's spine, not of happiness but abject, unfathomable fear.

The closest ones retreated unceremoniously, and others froze like statues.

How can laughter be so frightening?

If a <Monster> like a Goblin already made them feel that way, what would be in store for their future encounters?

From what the Angel had said, this would only be one of the many <Monster> they would have to face.

Some of the younger ones were already on the ground crying.

Adults who had had an easy or overprotected path were soon added.

Phrases poured out into the world like a torrent: why me? should I have been a better person? I didn't say goodbye to my mother... among others.

That, of course, didn't fix the mood much.

The incident was so contagious that even those who still maintained their composure were absorbed by the memories of the past and the emotions generated during this brief but overwhelming period of time.

Having achieved its objective, Sidquiel nodded satisfied, and waved his arm. As a result, the Goblin soon vanished in thousands of bluish particles.

Sometimes it was more effective to see it with one's own eyes than to hear it from someone else.

Still, scaring the hell out of them would only be counterproductive.

"That would be all. I wish you the best of luck."

The Angel did not hesitate for a second to end the guide and meeting.

A black portal like the one at the beginning opened, and the winged being left as quickly as it came.

He seemed to be in a hurry.

Only after his departure did they realize that this was the case from the beginning, with his answers to the point, and leaving no room for resolving questions beyond those he considered convenient.

In any case, no one dared to stop him and demand anything from him.

They let out sighs filled with exhaustion.

"So... What do we do?"

Only the midday wind, covered with ash, accompanied the person's voice, and the many other murmurs.