Progress Toward the Unknown

The artists find a presence other than theirs, It is their first encounter with another person!

Valvesteen and the rest stop in their tracks. Both sides looking at each other silently, not knowing what the next move might be.

'…Is he a citizen here? Or could be another player, I may not know every artist in Kush…What's with this sharp look he's giving us? It's really discomforting!' Says Grey in his mind.

'...His clothes are a total mess! It's unbearable to see… They look so dirty and ripped off!' comments Amare.

Nina feels the danger and awkwardness of the situation, she backs off a little behind her protector. Suddenly!! This mysterious person -who literally looks like he's just back from a war he lost everything in but his life- walks towards them!

Valvesteen. "He's coming towards us, don't make any foolish acts but stay focused and prepared at the same time."

Rosaleen. "..He must be from here, just let him go his way for now."

Danielo. "…But Princess Elisabeth, Isn't it better if we just ask him?"

Rosaleen. "Don't be stupid, we can't risk it for now… Look at him, does he look like someone you can ask?"

Few moments later, only few steps separate the man and the artists!

3steps…2steps…1step. Their hearts beat faster and harder with each step…However, he ends up just walking by them without saying or doing anything!! Indifferent of their existence.

They were relieved, but also surprised and a bit disappointed that that was it.

"…He didn't even look at us!" exclaims Leyla.

Marco. "…this was very weird and uncomfortable! What's with these people…"

Valvesteen. "Maybe it's the fact they're not real humans, they're not made to interact with the players…Just serving as motions to give the game a realer feel to it!"

Rosaleen. "Yeah…Just like I predicted."

Valvesteen. "..It's all good Nina, you have to get used to this for the time being. Come on, let's continue discovering the place!"

….

…

..

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*Aedificium, Apertio*

Levon had just finished his in-depth research, he stood back on his feet and resumed walking the roads of the labyrinth.

'…That was a lot of information, now I understand well what that old man said. "It was something beyond understanding "' Referring to Robert.

'…I still feel a bit tired and heavy, thankfully regaining health can be done in different ways…Since I can't obtain a healing potion right now, walking is the only way available.

I actually prefer it, my daily routine wouldn't change much from how it was in Babel.

However, there is still the risk of coming across another cultivator who's ready to duel…But no, I have the right to reject the duel… 5 times over is the limit. Or else I lose 1 of the 2 lives I have.

Either ways, I don't see myself having to reject 5 consecutive duels. Now that I completed 2challenges, I'm almost halfway into being a 2star player already, only two more left. I wonder how the rest of players are doing, him especially… Surely some of them have lost a life fighting the Psema…

With only one life remaining, you're constantly thinking of elimination. Every step and decision counts, while that is putting pressure on their minds, it will also push them to perform on a higher level…

That is why I must think there is only one life, a real one… One where if I die here, I die everywhere. There are no second chances, I've let myself be in a bad position earlier and that cannot happen again! I can not lose.'

While talking to himself, reassuring and arranging his thoughts in the process, something out of the calculations and expectations of Graham occurred! The watch displayed a new message in front of him saying:

· Congratulations, you have completed "The Will to Live" challenge!

· Truth obtained: 1%

· Percentage of Truth: 2%

· Next Challenge: Kill 3 Psemas

· Obtain The Moving Bullet

Levon's surprise was clear on his shiny beautiful eyes after reading it, for two reasons!

'…What..That's it? I completed the challenge!? How come… I did accept it earlier, but I've decided to read the rules first before doing anything else.

Could it be, that what I said in my mind just now was what the challenge is about?

The will to live… in other words, it could also be the will not to die. This is really unexpected and random…

Hahahah…How funny!' a genuine laugh gets drawn on Levon's face, realizing the irony and the coincidence of his success.

But very shortly after, he wipes it off!

'Obtaining the moving bullet… I wonder what is it this time around. But, 3 Psemas! That's a challenge 3times harder than its previous kind.

I also obtained The Bronze Shield, I won't be as defenseless and open… even if its stats are very low compared to the other 4 kinds of shields. I won't worry much about being hit, but it's still 3 of them simultaneously…

Doesn't matter!!

I've collected all necessary data about the Psema. It can't throw at me something I don't know by now. That is why my next made strategy cannot and will not fail, due to absence of any outer and unknown factors.

While I regain my health back to 100%, I have enough time to think of the most efficient and satisfying way to kill them all. I've read there are semi-open places in each region of Aedificium, maybe I should visit one before taking this next challenge.'

Levon asks the watch to locate it for him, and so it does.

'Hmm…" Apertio Space" is the name. Not too far away, besides I'm certain I'll meet a player or two there. Getting some other information will be valuable as well, it is possible they underwent challenges different than mine, places other than I've been in…Let's see!' And so, Levon follows the direction given, with a determined and focused look.

The journey he, and everyone else is having…is full of the unknown, yet he's not looking back at what he left behind, not showing any signs of doubt and uncertainty. It's as if this is where he belongs!

Nevertheless, it is a journey far longer than even he is anticipating. What's awaiting him, may again put him in a state even far worse than the one he left behind.