A Glowing Rock

"Anything more you want to ask? If not, then I shall take my leave. I also have to report what we just talked about to the Head." John mentioned.

"Actually, can you tell me what death from Aastra actually means?" I asked shamelessly.

"Nobody except the ones who give the punishment know what it actually is!" He said as we were moving outside the dining area. "It is said that the punishment is so gruesome that if the convict comes to know of it, they would kill themselves. I hope you will not actually try that and bring trouble in my direction."

'If only you knew the truth John! Anyways, why would I do that and ruin the plan?' As I said inwardly, I wasn't able to hide the denial from my face.

John looked at me and smiled, probably thinking that I was reluctant to kill myself. He then smiled and moved in the opposite direction as I moved back to the stable.

'People are not books; you can never judge what they truly are! Now I even doubt the real character of someone! It's as if everyone's just putting up an act unless life puts light on their faces and you see the real person!'

As I entered the stable, I ended my thoughts. Then, I just went to sleep without even thinking about the next day.

***

"Have you heard the news which is circulating about Alex?"

While mining the next day, I overheard my name from a bunch of people. They were mining a few meters away on my left. I looked at them curiously from the corner of my eyes.

'Have the news about my punishment already spread to the slaves? That was even faster than I imagined!'

Without slowing down my mining, I focused on my ears to listen to the commotion.

A young voice asked, "That brave Alex? What about him?"

Another rough voice resounded while saying, "You don't know? After that time Alex talked about escaping, someone filed a complaint about him. He has been served the punishment to die from Aastra!"

The young voice exclaimed with surprise, "Aastra! Just for that?"

Another cheeky voice said, "I wonde' who filed the complainth! He musth have 'eceived some greath reward!"

The voice from earlier who started the conversation, said again, "Now that you mentioned it, I regret not being the one who gave out the information. I could have spent a whole night with the breeders! He-he!"

'How naive was I to trust these horny idiots? And here I was, thinking that I'll save them once I'm stronger! For all I care, you all can mine for your whole life!'

I didn't want to listen to their rubbish for any longer so I shifted my focus back to mining. As I've rested for the whole day yesterday, I was planning to finish my quota as early as possible. I'll have to free as much time as I can from now on.

This morning, I've noticed one thing about my status window. My stat points were divided into two types. One was outside the braces which held the points that the System has provided. The other was the points inside the braces. These points probably depended on me.

If I were right, I could also gain stat points from workouts, diets and maybe from some drugs, like steroids! Although, I highly doubted that they existed in this world, and even if they did, I won't be in the favor of taking them!

It wasn't like I was unfamiliar with workouts to train my body. I've been to a gym regularly for two consecutive years when I was on Earth. Even though I quit the gym after the membership ended and I got busier in my job.

Still, I should start from the basics and see where it goes. Something is always better than nothing!

***

I walked back towards the stable under the dimly lit, dark sky. If I were to compare the time with Earth, I would say that it was 4 o'clock. There were no watches or clocks in here. Predicting the time without the sun or the moon would be so difficult, I didn't know!

'Maybe that's why so many religions worship the Sun and the Moon like Gods or Goddesses back on Earth! Without them, life would be so difficult! I still remember how happy I felt as a kid when I used to sit in a running bus and see the moon following me!'

Putting my monologue aside, I entered the stable. I noticed that nobody was inside as the stable was cold and silent. Without wasting a second, I quickly flushed out the rock that Princess Josephine had given me. This was the perfect chance to study the rock.

I noticed that the rock was slightly smaller than my palm and it was easy to grab. However, it was still big enough to be a rock and not a pebble. It had an irregular surface with smooth edges, like it was held multiple times in multiple hands!

The rock was black in color and had a magical glow to it. Actually, it was glowing brighter than the time the princess gave it to me! Still, the glow was only noticeable when viewed carefully.

I played with it for a bit. Throwing it in the air, slightly kicking it, holding it in my hand and trying to meditate, etc. but nothing happened.

An hour passed like that and I noticed that the shine of the rock has dimmed slightly. Afraid that I've somehow broken it, I placed it back into my inventory.

'Either the rock is supposed to be a lucky charm or the Princess has given it to me to use against the Knights if the situation turns against my favor. What am I even supposed to do? Hit the Knights with this rock?'

After contemplating over the rock, I noticed a couple of slaves returning back as they entered the stable. They were talking among themselves when they suddenly stopped as our eyes met.

The eyes which held respect for me when I just came into this world, were now filled with ridicule and a desire of entertainment. Of course, seeing how a dead man reacts to life is nothing but a form of amusement for these guys!

Not wanting to entertain these guys, I moved outside the stable. After finding a secluded corner covered with the shade of a small tree, I occupied it and started to warm up and then train my physique.

The knights, guards, and the Managers were already tasked with monitoring me. If they noticed that I've suddenly started to work out, they might get suspicious of me. I knew that I was being paranoid but I didn't want to risk anything. At least not now when the light of hope is still burning albeit a spark!

***

After working out and resting for a couple of hours, I realized that it was close to dinner time already. I got up, dusted my clothes and noticing that I wasn't monitored, I moved towards the dining area.

On my way, I noticed Mr. 'fan' walking alone. Before I could even think of what I should do, my body moved instinctively.

I moved closer to him and said, "It's been a long time since we talked. How is it going?"

"Huh? Alex? What are you doing here? I mean, how are you?" Mr. 'fan' was flustered after noticing me. His face looked like he has seen a ghost! From his body language it was clearly evident that he wanted nothing more than to just run away!

'Of course he wants to run away! I mean I'm already a dead man who is practically a ghost!'

I was shocked by these turn of events. I never realized that with just one week into this world and I've subconsciously made him my friend!

"Well Alex, I am really hungry, so I am going to go now." He scooted away as he said those words. He didn't even turn back to look at me. And thank God he didn't! If he did, he would have been more creeped out of my smiling face.

I was smiling, or rather I was laughing lightly on my own emotions! I thought that I was tough, that I could take anything as I was a grown adult. But I was wrong. Being thrown into a strange world, experiencing strange things and realizing that my life wasn't even in my control, I sought out company to comfort myself.

'I didn't even realize that I already expected him to sympathize with my situation. I didn't even know that I wanted someone's support so badly! I swear to God if some lady had sympathized with me before I realized my feelings, I would have fallen for her!'

That was far-fetched but who knows what would have happened. All there was left now was to focus on what was about to happen!

'I need to suppress this desire until it dies down! I cannot afford to be an emotional child when I already have something very big coming up!'

I ended my thoughts there and without wasting any more time, I moved towards the dining area. I already had a lot of things to do tomorrow so I needed to sleep early today.

***