The Fragmentor

Khe. Khe. Khe.

Ugh. That infernal laugh again.

Whether it was the light in the room or the sheer annoyance I felt from it laughter, Maerion didn't seem as terrifying as it had last night.

"What do you want from me, Maerion?" I asked.

Its grin widening.

Let's say... I can enable the skill for you.

But you'll need to do something for me during the next mission.

I narrowed my eyes with suspicion curling in my chest.

"What is it?"

Khe. Khe. Khe.

It's an easy thing only.

it said half mocking.

"Yeah, I doubt that," I shot back.

Maerion flinched and vanished. Before I could react, it reappeared behind me. Its long clawed finger touched my shoulder lightly that sending a cold shiver down my spine.

Kira, Kira, Kira.

Didn't you notice how little time you have left?

I clenched my fists.

If you agree to make contract with me, Kira,

it leaning closer,

buy this one instead..

My screen flickered abruptly as though Maerion itself was scrolling through it. Its long hand and fingers extended across my shoulder pointing to a bracelet that suddenly appeared on the screen. It was a sleek black bracelet with a thin purple line running down the center.

ITEM NAME: The Fragmentor

ORIGINATOR: DreamEater999

PRICE : 55,000 coin

DESCRIPTION: Functionality details are classified or undisclosed

"Is this DreamEater999 you, Maerion?" I asked sarcastically.

It flew from behind me then vanishing and reappear directly in front of me again.

Stop playing the fool.

It growled showing grin sharp.

Just buy it. And don't even think about buying that stupid scythe.

With that, it disappeared again leaving only its laugh in the room.

***

That night, I couldn't sleep. My mind churned restlessly fixated on the fact that I still hadn't unlocked the Shadow Summoning skill.

Tomorrow the alliance activation would begin. Participants could choose to form alliances or remain solo. Either way they're qualified to the next mission if they successfully unlocking the assigned skill.

I lay on my bed staring at the screen hovering in front of me. My instincts screamed not to trust it but Maerion's mocking words echoed in my mind

Didn't you notice how little time you have left?

I sighed deeply. It seemed like I didn't have a choice.

Taking a shaky breath, I muttered, "Purchase The Fragmentor."

The system responded instantly.

[PURCHASE COMPLETE. ITEM NAME: The Fragmentor. Access STORAGE to apply the purchased item]

The sound of laughter suddenly bursted.

Khe. Khe. Khe.

Kira, Kira, Kira.

Suddenly shadow rose around me. Everything went dark.

When I opened my eyes, I found myself back in the same place where I'd first met Maerion.

Maerion floated mid-air in front of me, grinning wickedly with his sharp teeth gleaming.

So you're ready to make a contract with me?

"Tell me, Maerion."

Before I could process his response, my head erupted in pain. My vision blurred and suddenly I was somewhere else.

I stood in the void of outer space. Everything was pitch black and cold. For a second I was immersed with the peaceful of its silence.

Then, out of nowhere a meteorite hurtled toward the void colliding violently. The explosion birthed a massive swirling black hole. A brilliant light erupted from the collision blinding and overwhelming. I shielded my eyes with my hands trying to process everything.

In the blink of an eye, I was back in Maerion's place.

Khe. Khe. Khe.

His laughter grated on my nerves.

"What was that?!" I gasped half furious.

That, was just enough sightseeing for now.

It floated closer and its glowing eyes boring into mine.

Kira, Kira, Kira.

You came for the skill, didn't you?

Well then… here you go.

Maerion darted toward me and stopping mere inches from my face. Its long clawed hands reached out and gripping my face on both sides.

Enjoy, Kira.

Khe. Khe. Khe.

A wave of raw energy surged through me. I felt electrified as every fiber of my being was being unraveled and stitched back together. Tendrils of shadow coiled around me and tightening like a second skin.

Before I could process the overwhelming sensation, I found myself back in my apartment. The glow of the city outside cast faint patterns on the walls.

A system message appeared in front of me,

[Skill Unlocked : Shadow Summoning]

[Status: Qualified for Dimensional Rift Mission]

***

On the third day, all participants were asked to gathered on the city central. The memory of the LARP event haunted me as soon as I saw the familiar layout.

"You ready, Kira?" Garis glanced at me.

I nodded silently.

***

Earlier at the training center, the guides had instructed us to form teams if we wanted to. Most of the elementalists quickly choose the Light mages as their catalyst. It is natural only since it was said that life was born within the light. Doesn't took much time for teams to be formed, mostly with one Light mage and six or more elementalists. Meanwhile the four of us Shadow mages were more likely to go solo.

"Hey, Kira. Can I join your team?" A familiar voice coming from my back.

I turned, startled. "Uncle Garis? Are you serious?"

He nodded with a small smile. 

"Didn't Flora died in the absence of light?" I asked genuinely. 

"Well.. not really. Moonflower bloom in the night."

I frowned, "Yeah, but you're no moonflower. You're a Rootman."

He burst out laughing. "So, does that mean my application is rejected?"

"Hell, no!" I blurted out before I could stop myself.

We both smiled as we added each other as a team from the screen just like following someone on social media. 

***

Then usual voice echoed in the air.

[Initiating Transmigration Process to Earth-457]

[All participants, prepare for immediate transfer]

The entire central area lit up with a blue glow emanating from the ground beneath us. My chest tightened as the sensation of being pulled apart and pieced back together surged through my body. A sharp ringing filled my ears and my vision spun wildly.

When the sensation subsided, I dropped to my knees and clutching my stomach as nausea overwhelm me.

The air was thick and full with scent of rust and decay. An orange haze blanketed the sky. The landscape was full with corroded machinery and industrial ruins. Pools of smelling chemical water dotted the ground.

"Kira, are you okay?" Garis's voice snapped me out of my daze.

I looked up to see him scanning the surroundings. There was no sign of the other participants.

"Where is everyone else?" I asked in panic.

"I don't know," Garis replied while his gaze fixed on the horizon. "Where the hell is this?"

Before we could make sense of the situation, two people from afar sprinting toward us. A woman with short brown hair and dark skin with a thin blade snapped on her side. A large man wearing a gas mask and a quiver of arrows strapped to him.

"Told ya it was light from the portal!" the woman said to the man beside her as they came to a stop in front of us. Her gaze shifted to me that still on my knees and fighting the urge to vomit. She crouched down.

"Are you okay, dear?" she asked gently.

I glared at her. "Where is everybody?"

"If you're asking about the rest of the participants from your earth, they're send scattered across this world."

"What do you mean?"

"Well," she said with a slight smirk, "you didn't think just a handful of you would be enough to clear this earth's mission, did you?".