System Fall

Lydia was a Player Killer. The dagger she brandished, known as Last Kiss, held a significance far beyond that of a regular weapon. It was part of a unique series of daggers bestowed exclusively upon those who had claimed the lives of more than ten other players during the Beginning Tutorial.

The true power of Last Kiss lay in its ability. With a single lethal strike, its wielder could steal the Skills and a portion of the status possessed by their unfortunate victim. It was a blade of ruthless efficiency, granting its owner a unique way to get stronger. . However, its true nature remained hidden beneath a deceptive façade.

Last Kiss was also a poisonous blade and contained a fast-acting paralytic poison. It only paralyzed whomever or whatever was struck by it, there was nothing painless about it.

Selene had one of those daggers. In a rare moment of openness, she had confided in me about its true nature, I had never asked her just how she had earned it, or a justification. She’d saved my life at one point, and that’s all I needed to know about what kind of person she was.

Lydia proved to be nothing like Selene, her actions revealing a cold-bloodedness that Selene had never possessed. She had executed her plan flawlessly, carrying out a murder in plain sight while escaping without a trace. However, I alone held the knowledge about the true nature of her dagger, Last Kiss, and I couldn't risk drawing the attention of the formidable [Admin]. Not at this moment, at least.

 

"So, we need to ensure a clean death for the chosen one," Kenny muttered, his hand running through his hair in frustration. "The challenge lies in deciding who will be eliminated."

 

Kenny's gaze shifted towards me, and soon, the others followed suit. Sensing the weight of their attention, I tightened my grip on Legender, emphasizing my readiness. "If my name is voted, be prepared to face me in battle. I assure you, none of you will walk away unscathed. You may think what you want, but crossing swords with me will lead to your downfall."

 

"Yes, Nick is right. He's capable, that much is evident," Lydia chimed in, turning away from me. The remaining nine individuals began discussing among themselves, casting occasional wary glances in my direction. A quick deliberation ensued, and soon their decision became apparent.

 

"We should choose Annie," one of the group members suggested. "She's the oldest among us, and it's only fair that she be the one."

 

The others nodded in agreement. "Yes, age should be the determining factor here," another chimed in.

 

"It's settled then. Annie it is," Kenny concluded, his voice carrying a sense of finality.

 

Annie, displaying a surprising level of composure, approached me. Her shoulder-length brown hair, streaked with strands of grey at the roots, framed her forehead. Clad in a faded pink overcoat, black pants, and worn-out brown loafers, she showed no visible signs of distress over her fate.

Annie's fate was seemingly sealed as the group reached a consensus based on age. The suggestion that she should be chosen due to her seniority was met with unanimous agreement, with nods of approval rippling through the room.

However, a few individuals couldn't help but voice their concerns. "Wait, hold on a second," one of them protested. "Choosing based on age alone seems unfair. We should consider other factors, like skills or usefulness."

Another person joined in, expressing their disagreement. "I don't think it's right to simply cast someone aside because they're older. We should be valuing the experiences and wisdom they bring."

Before the dissenting voices could gain momentum, Lydia interjected with a sharp retort. "Well, would you prefer it was you? We're all facing the same fate here, and we have to make a decision. Annie is the logical choice. Let's not waste any more time debating."

Lydia's words silenced the protests, effectively quelling any further objections. The group reluctantly accepted Annie as the chosen one, understanding that the decision was made to ensure their own survival.

With the decision made, Kenny concluded the discussion, his voice carrying an air of finality. "It's settled then. Annie it is."

Annie, displaying a surprising level of composure, approached me. Her shoulder-length brown hair, streaked with strands of grey at the roots, framed her forehead. Clad in a faded pink overcoat, black pants, and worn-out brown loafers, she showed no visible signs of distress over her fate.

"I'd like to have a final word with that man," Annie announced, causing everyone's eyebrows to raise in curiosity. She approached me and lightly tapped her temple, activating her [Status]. In a low, almost secretive voice, she spoke, "Since you didn't vote for me, I might as well pass this on. I won't be needing it anymore."

 

[System Fall Notification]

 

Title: One Sided Arrangement

 

Player Annie has initiated a trade with you:

 

Trade Details:

Player Annie offers the skill [Eyes of Legacy].

Player Annie requests [Nothing] in return.

 

Additional Information:

Extra Points to be gained from this trade:

 

Agility: 1.9

Strength: 1.3

Endurance: 1.1

Mana: 0.7

Please confirm whether you accept or reject this trade offer.

 

"…Why?" I asked, my gaze fixed on the trade offer displayed before me.

Annie met my eyes, a glint of determination and resolve shining in her blue orbs. "Don't let them go unpunished."

I hesitated for a moment, weighing the potential benefits and risks. Ultimately, curiosity got the better of me, and I accepted the trade. Annie nodded, and with a purposeful stride, she turned and walked away.

Lydia trailed behind her, disappearing into the shadows with a silent step. The two of them had a shared purpose, and I knew Annie wasn’t long for the world.

With a deep breath, I opened my menu, my attention drawn to the newly acquired skill, Eyes of Legacy. It wasn't a skill I had planned on obtaining at this stage, but it held promises and advantages that intrigued me.

The skill level for Eyes of Legacy didn't start at the usual 1.00 but at an astonishing 22.10, reflecting the level at which Annie had possessed the skill. Intrigued yet cautious, I activated the ability. As I scanned the room, my eyes fell upon tiny cursors floating above everyone's head, depicted as small green diamond shapes. However, it was the darker-than-black cursors hovering above Lydia and an unnamed man that captured my attention. With focused intent, I delved deeper into their essence, and to my surprise, a wealth of information flooded my perception.

The things I learned from their cursors hinted at their sinister and chaotic natures, their true selves obscured beneath their masks. Sensing the potential dangers of such knowledge, I quickly deactivated the skill, suppressing its intrusive gaze. While passive perception skills had their advantages, they often carried noticeable side effects, and I couldn't risk exposing glowing, otherworldly eyes that would undoubtedly draw unwanted attention.

Startled by the unexpected depth of insight, I hastily willed the skill to shut off. Passive perception skills were undoubtedly advantageous, but they often came with noticeable side effects. I couldn't risk drawing unnecessary attention to myself by revealing glowing, otherworldly eyes. Yet, my brief use of the skill had already unveiled a valuable piece of information—I noticed that Annie had a letter tucked securely in the pocket of her coat.

Just as I processed this revelation, the door to the waiting room swung open, and Zagren, the enigmatic figure, stepped inside. His presence brought a subtle shift in the atmosphere, and I instinctively braced myself for what was to come.

“[Congratulations on making this difficult decision. I understand bidding farewell to a fellow companion must have been tough. Please accept my condolences. However, we must now proceed. Please exit the waiting room. The clean-up will be taken care of.]” The bot's voice lacked any hint of genuine empathy, its words devoid of emotion. Its efficiency in delivering the message was almost chilling.

As the bot departed, the side door remained open, inviting us to leave. The rest of the group eagerly filed out, their eagerness to escape the room palpable. Only Lydia and I remained, lingering in the solemn aftermath of our collective decision.

Lydia glanced at me, her eyes filled with a mixture of curiosity and a hint of mischief. "Aren't you going? I want to stay here a little longer. Reflect on things," she said, her voice betraying a sense of feigned sorrow. It was clear that her true intention was to scavenge the bodies for any valuables they might possess.

Suppressing a sigh, I met her gaze, determined not to let her see any weakness. I knew her game all too well. Beneath her facade of mourning and offering condolences, she was driven by greed and opportunism. "You seemed quite adept at this. It's almost as if killing comes easily to you," I remarked, a subtle reminder of her true nature.

Lydia's response came swiftly, her offended tone laced with a hint of defensiveness.

“What are you trying to do Nick?” Yet, her eyes betrayed the flicker of anger within her. We locked gazes, a silent battle of wills unfolding between us. She had no inkling of my true level or the information I possessed. Moreover, she remained oblivious to Annie's parting gift, which added another layer to what I knew would be an inevitable fight between me and her.

"You know what I mean," I replied, a hint of annoyance in my voice. Then, a sudden realization struck me. "Annie mentioned that she had something for me, but she said I could only take it from her pocket after you were finished with her."

Lydia crossed her arms, her pink bangs partially obscuring one of her eyes. "Did she now? It seems she neglected to inform the rest of us."

"Unless you're her next of kin, I don't see why she would share that information," I retorted, a touch of irritation seeping into my tone. "After all, it was you who ended her life. All of you," I added, giving them an exasperated look. "Now, are you going to move or not?" I kept my sword unsheathed, the gleaming blade catching the light from above, a silent warning to back down.

"Fine," Lydia conceded, her voice laced with a mix of frustration and defeat. "But this isn't over," she whispered as she departed, her words barely audible. It was clear that our animosity toward each other remained unchanged.

As I activated Eyes of Legacy once again, a flood of details bombarded my senses, details I wouldn't have bothered with under normal circumstances. I could discern the precise location of Lydia's fatal stab wound, the tear in the fabric caused by the dagger, and the pallor of her lips and complexion, all serving as reminders of the life that had just been extinguished. I felt like a detective, scrutinizing the scene with newfound clarity.

 

However, what truly caught my attention was a small white envelope discreetly tucked within the inner lining of Annie's pink coat. Carefully, I retrieved it, the side stained with blood. There was no seal or letter visible at first glance. When I unfolded the white paper, it appeared blank to the naked eye.

"No," I observed, my energy depleting slightly as the skill worked its magic. "There is a message here." The paper bore faint, barely discernible strokes, as if written with an inkless pen, leaving behind subtle impressions of letters that could only be felt with the gentlest touch.

Without the skill I had recently acquired, deciphering the message would have been impossible. The skill granted to me by Annie seemed to hold the key. I activated the Eyes of Legacy, I realized that the letter was not written in plain English but rather in a perplexing gibberish. Each word followed a unique cipher, with even-numbered words shifting forward in the alphabet and odd-numbered words shifting backward. Furthermore, each word had its own distinctive key based on its position within the sentence.

To make matters more intriguing, the deciphered result did not resemble any known language. With the skill, I processed the information at an accelerated pace. The sheer speed at which my brain functioned affirmed the accuracy of my decoding. I discovered that the message was written in Commons, a language that had yet to exist.

In a future where the surviving players hailed from diverse cultures and languages, the need for a universal means of communication had arisen. The creation of Commons had addressed this necessity, ensuring a common language for individuals from various backgrounds to converse. However, it was not obligatory for everyone to learn it. As a Frontliner accustomed to working in diverse environments, mastering Commons had become a prerequisite.

My mind was now flooded with questions, far outnumbering the answers at my disposal. With a mix of anticipation and trepidation, I began to read the enigmatic message:

"To whom it may concern, the reader of this message…"