Chapter-3
"Let's see," Max spoke as he clicked on the skill, 'Universal Eye.'
Suddenly, another small screen popped up in front of him.
[Skill Name: Universal Eye]
[Grade: Legendary]
[Description: Peer into the essence of reality with this extraordinary skill. No illusion can thwart its insight.
Universal Eye not only grants unparalleled perception within your current world, cutting through illusions, but also imparts comprehensive knowledge about any subject. Additionally, as you traverse new realms, this skill offers detailed insights into each world, providing a concise yet thorough understanding of their unique characteristics and challenges.]
[Mana: 10 Mana/Use.]
"Hmm... This writing style is mine. I wrote every single skill's description of the MMORPG game in this same style," Max spoke as he closed the screen and stood up from the ground.
He then sat down in his seat again and picked up a pen from the pen stand.
Max looked at the pen and spoke, "Universal Eye."
Suddenly, a very small screen popped up right above the pen.
[Name: Pen]
[Description: Used to write down things on paper or other objects.]
"Okay, so... This skill works like the 'Appraisal' Skill that I created in the game," Max spoke with a neutral expression.
"Hmmm...?" Suddenly, Max felt something.
[Mana: 10]
"If the skill used 10 Mana... Then how come I still have full mana?" Max questioned.
Suddenly, an idea came to his mind.
Max picked up a small, round paperweight from his file and used his skill on it.
"Universal Eye."
[Name: Glass Paperweight.]
[Description: A fragile piece of glass that is used to hold papers in place.]
After using the skill, Max immediately opened his status screen and looked at the Mana tab.
[Mana: 0]
1 second later...
[Mana: 0]
2 seconds later...
[Mana: 0]
3 seconds later...
[Mana: 10]
"3 seconds to fill up the Mana, just like the game... The Mana state is programmed to restore a player's mana by 20 every 3 seconds.
Although it may look like a very good amount in the starting levels, it will feel way worse after level 20," Max spoke as he started thinking about it.
Max closed the skill tab and opened the inventory once again.
"What is a travel stone?" Max questioned as he clicked on the travel stone.
Suddenly, two options popped up in front of him.
[Info] [Use]
Max clicked on the 'Info' option without thinking twice.
[Name: Travel Stones.]
[Description: Can use these stones to travel to a different dimension, different universe, or different reality.]
"Okay, these things are new to me, and according to this description, I can use these stones to travel through an alternate reality.
Does this mean like, multiversal travel?" Max questioned.
'In the present situation, I have more questions than answers, and this feeling is very scary.
Today I understood one thing that every scientist says... 'The most scariest thing that humans fear is the unknown.' Max thought as he closed the tab and clicked on the last square, that had a small gun-like icon inside it.
[Would you like to open the 'Rare Artifact Box' ?]
Max immediately clicked on 'Yes.'
[Opening the Rare Artifact Box]
[You have Obtained a Rare Artifact {Aetherian Compass}]
"Aetherian Compass? That's new as well... I haven't heard of such an Artifact in the game," Max spoke as he clicked on the Artifact.
[Info] [Use]
Max immediately clicked on Info.
[Name: Aetherian Compass]
[Rank: Rare]
[Description: This enchanted compass guides the holder through different realities, pointing the way to what the User's Heart desires. This compass can also reveal hidden realms and treasures.]
"A compass... That can guide me through different realities? and it points the way to whatever my heart desires. That sounds good... I guess and-" Before Max could say anything else.
A crimson red screen popped up in front of him.
[Warning: Quest's Time limit is Over.]
"Ah... I forgot about this Quest," Max spoke with a calm expression.
[Getting results...]
[Quest Failed.]
"Well, not the first thing that I failed," Max replied with a calm expression.
[Punishment will be given.]
"Heh... What are you going to do? Spank me?" Max spoke as he smirked a little and tried to close the screen but failed to do so.
"What the hell?"
[Transferring...]
Max started feeling something inside his body.
"Ouch... Ouchhh.... Heyyy.... Ouchhh."
Suddenly he felt as if thousands of needles are going right through his body.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH." Max cried out loud in pain, and suddenly his body disappeared from the office.
Suddenly Max's computer screen turned green, and only one line flashed on it.
[Welcome, Player-546.]
Swish
After flashing the message, the screen turned off on its own.
....
'What happened? Where am I? Am I fucking dead?' Max questioned himself as he tried to open his eyes but couldn't open them.
Suddenly he felt something rough and wet, grinding against his cheek.
Max didn't freak out instead he calmed down and tried to think the way out of this situation with a cool mind.
'What is this disgusting stench?' Max wondered as he forced his hands to move, but he was in a very tight space.
After trying very hard, Max finally moved his hand and touched his eyes.
As soon as he touched his eyes, Max felt a very sticky and thick slime-like material sticking to his eyes, and it was the reason why he couldn't open his eyes.
Max slowly rolled his hand over the liquid and tried to remove it by doing so.
His efforts weren't in vain though, after 3 minutes... Max finally stripped off the sticky substance from his eyes and succeeded in opening them.
As soon as Max opened his eyes, he noticed that he was inside a very tight circular space, that was green from all sides and it was made out of the same sticky material that was covering his eyes.
"What is this?" Max spoke as he looked around and noticed that the chamber was sealed from below and it was opened from the upper side.
'I was inside my office a moment ago, and now I am here...? How? Wait, don't tell me... I wasn't dreaming or am I dreaming right now, too?' Max questioned himself.
Hisssss
Suddenly he heard a sound coming from above.