Invocation

They abandoned me. I got trapped by NPCs and cannot play anymore. But I expected this already. Seeing that I have to quit after playing for this day, I wonder what happens when I quit the game.

When players quit playing, their body inside the game will still be lying on the ground, sleeping, just like in real life. Other players can move the body and can even kill it. If the body isn't dead already, the player will be back in their body. If not, they will be respawned in the respawn area.

So, I wonder how will the NPCs react while I was away. So sad that I can't enjoy their reaction. But it can't be helped.

Then, the door opened. unknown raised his head to have a look. A female NPC with long and dark blue hair walked in. She is wearing a simple black coloured long skirt.

Epsilon: "I am Epsilon. I will be one who guides you to the training ground."

unknown: "Heh, even if you say so. How am I gonna walk towards there."

unknown glanced at the chains clinging on him.

Epsilon: "And now I am going to free you."

unknown: "Oh? Aren't you worried about me attacking you afterwards?"

unknown tilted his head and asked.

Epsilon: "Even if you defeated me, there are others outside. Do you think you can escape with just yourself?"

Epsilon walked towards unknown and freed unknown using a key.

unknown: "Well, I suppose you're right. So now I just have to follow you, right?"

Epsilon: "Correct."

unknown followed Epsilon while looking around and completing the map in his system. Just in case he has to escape one day.

unknown: "So… What are you guys planning?"

Epsilon: "…"

unknown: "Not saying, ehh?"

Epsilon: "Shadow asked me to bring you to the training ground."

unknown: "Shadow?"

unknown has an image of the player Shadow in his mind immediately. But he couldn't imagine any connection between them. So, it's probably just a coincidence that they have the same name.

Epsilon: "He is the leader of this organization."

unknown: "I see."

unknown: "So this leader of yours is training me to work for him?"

That's weird, I never thought that my words could gain that much trust. It must have some tricks hidden inside. Gotta be more careful. unknown thought.

Epsilon: "I don't know. My job is to guide you to the training ground. That's it."

unknown: "I see."

It seems it is useless getting more info out of her.

After a while, Epsilon and unknown reached the training ground. There are already a bunch of people at the training ground which some of them unknown seen already when he was rescued at the research station.

Epsilon: "This is the place. Now I may excuse."

Then Epsilon turned and walked upstairs. While unknown exclaimed that he walked even deeper into the base by heading lower. He took a glance at Epsilon then turned his head and took a proper look at the people.

There were a bunch of interesting lifeforms at the training ground. Human looking humans, super power humans, some definitely not humanoid humans, human statue, upside down human…

unknown: "Huh."

unknown didn't know how to comment on this scene. So, he decided to screenshot and record this absurd scene.

Then unknown found out a big chunk of slime is coming towards him at great speed. His hand instinctively reached out for his guns. But when he reached the air instead, he remembered some people looted his guns already.

unknown: "Tsk, freaking sucks, boy."

unknown rolled and dodged the water splashing on him.

Just when unknown is about to summon the starter guns. Another human looking person came and apologized for his friend's behavior.

Human looking humanoid human: "Sorry that she scared you. She is just welcoming you."

unknown: "Oh? Is that so? I thought it wanted to attack me."

Human looking humanoid human: "Since she became like this, she acted more instead of talking. Because she can't even talk anymore."

unknown: "Oh, I am sorry to hear that."

Water made human: "Blu blu blu."

Human looking humanoid human: "She means 'it is fine'."

unknown: "Oh? You know what it's saying?"

Human looking humanoid human: "More or less. Also, can you stop calling her 'it'?"

unknown: "Well…"

unknown looked at the slime trying to form into a water girl, but it is very unstable and failed miserably.

unknown: "Can you really call this a female? I mean, it had no gender anymore, right?"

unknown pointed at the slime and spoke.

Human looking humanoid human: "Sigh, it might be so. But can you at least show some respect."

unknown: "What do you mean? I did show respect to it."

unknown: "Oh! It must be that you think that using 'it' to call your friend is rude. But I am very serious with my words. So, I won't change it."

Just before that human looking humanoid human got angry and yell at unknown. unknown spoke again.

unknown: "If you don't like me calling her 'it', then what is her name then?"

Tau: "We already got our new names from Shadow. She is called Lambda and I am Tau."

Lambda: "Blu blu."

unknown: "Oh, I see."

Tau: "What's your name?"

unknown: "I am unknown. And I am proud of my name. I don't need a new one."

Tau: "But all members will be given a name when they join the organization. Just view it as a code name."

unknown: "… I am not planning to join the organization."

Tau: "Ah… That's unfortunate… Wait! Then why are you here? If you want a normal life, you should be sent away already."

unknown scratched his head.

unknown: "Because I was captured. I am here because someone sent me here today."

Tau: "You are captured? Wait! Then you are an enemy? Is this a test to our strength?"

Tau and Lambda then prepared themselves to attack unknown. unknown saw this situation and felt annoyed. Just when unknown is about to summon the starter guns again. There just so happens to have an interruption again.

Shadow: "Lambda, Tau, he is not our enemy. He came here to train as well."

Shadow's words stopped what Lambda and Tau were about to do towards unknown. unknown turned and focused on looking at Shadow, trying to get some information out of Shadow's face. But unknown couldn't get anything except the fact that Shadow's face looked really like his face.

unknown: "Wow, would you look at that, a doppelganger!"

Although unknown's face looked the same and his sarcastic voice didn't even match his expression. He was quite shocked to see an NPC looked just like himself.

Shadow: "Yes, we looked so similar that it shocked me as well."

Shadow: "Anyway, unknown will be here learning combat techniques as well."

Learning combat techniques? Interesting… unknown half closed his eyes.

Then everyone received a wooden sword and began practicing attack swings. unknown saw this as a chance to learn some combat techniques and started learning as well while thinking other things.

Whose combat techniques are these? It must be from one of the sword masters, right? Then it was coded into the game.

Shadow: "What are you thinking? Focus on training."

Then unknown was hit on the head by Shadow.

unknown: "…"

It even monitors my current training condition. That's harsh and where is the privacy. unknown then throw away the thought quickly and focused on training.

Shadow: "Too sloppy! Are your attacks that weak? Where is your strength?"

unknown was hit on the head again by Shadow.

unknown: "…"

Even though unknown is cursing in his heart. But on the surface, his attacks now are much faster and stronger.

Shadow: "Move your left knee a bit to the right. That way you can use more strength on your leg to boost your attacks to reach further and faster."

…

Even though unknown was hit on the head many times. His close combat techniques improved a lot because of this training. He really thanked Shadow in his heart for teaching him. Because it will cancel out his weakness of lack of close combat experiences.

After the training is over, unknown's stamina is close to 0 already. He lied on the ground breathing greedily for air.

unknown: "Huff, huff, huff."

Shadow: "Alright, today's training is over. You are all free to leave. unknown, you stay here."

unknown is curious why Shadow wanted him to stay here. Nevertheless, he couldn't leave physically. Plus, he wanted to do something with Shadow as well. So, he won't leave even Shadow asked him to. Unless he is able to leave the base.

After everyone left the training area, Shadow walked up close to unknown and asked.

Shadow: "Do you know why I asked you to stay behind?"

To talk to me, duh. unknown thought. But he said a different answer instead.

unknown: "No."

Shadow: "Then do you know why you are called to here?"

This, I really have no idea. No. Actually, I have a few ideas but I am not confirmed that it is 100% true. So, I will say…

unknown: "No."

Afterall, waiting for the other person saying the answer is better and quicker. Not that I hate guessing. Ok, I admit I hate guessing.

Shadow: "Are you really do not know? Or are you just pretending not knowing?"

Shadow's eyes are gazing at unknown like they can see through him.

Bruh, are you just gonna ask me questions only? What do you want? When do you get to the point? unknown's eyes hinted a sign of boredom and tiredness.

unknown: "What do you think?"

unknown asked Shadow back.

Shadow: "… Do you know what our organization strives to do?"

unknown: "No."

Shadow looked at unknown for a few seconds then spoke again.

Shadow: "Once upon a time, there was a powerful monster called glitched creature invaded into our world and attempted to destroy it. The natives saw this and decided to join forces to fight back against it. With our combined force across the world. We were able to disable it by shattering it into power pieces. These power pieces covered the whole world. Unfortunately, we cannot destroy these power pieces to prevent it from recovering permanently. So, we decided to stop its recovery by keep attacking the power pieces. The power pieces with more power inside were manifested into monsters. The more powerful the power piece is, the stronger the monster is. That is why the adventurer guild exists. It was established to prevent the world destroying monster from recovering."

Shadow: "Recently, the people are interested in the monster's power. They say that there must be a core to provide these power pieces power. That's why the monsters are endless. While it may be true and the locals couldn't even find a core like substance while fighting that monster. What those guys did next are beginning to disgust me."

Shadow: "They started using the parts of the power pieces like blood and flesh then mixed them into humans and simply stating that we will have unlimited power if the experiment succeeds."

Shadow: "At first, they failed utterly. Those humans they experiment on either turned into monsters instantly or died horribly. Then, they extracted fewer and fewer power substances and kept on experimenting. The result is as you can see. Those humans all got some different powers. Some turned into different beings and some can retain their human form. However, it is uninvertible and the whole transforming process is unbearable."

Shadow: "I think you know this already. This organization is called 'Dark Triad'. The biggest underground organization not only to this kingdom, but to other countries as well. Our goal is to stop the humans experiments Dark Triad kept on performing."

Shadow: "Unfortunately, the king saw the potential of this and they secretly joined force. The kingdom provides cover secretly to the experiments and crimes relating to the experiment like kidnapping for humans to experiment on. Dark Triad need not to worry about their people getting arrested. And the kingdom will obtain a powerful army if the experiment succeeded."

Shadow: "Will you join our organization?"

unknown: "No."

Shadow: "Ah, sorry. But if you don't join our organization. We can't let you leave the base. We had a hard time hiding our base location from both Dark Triad and the kingdom."

unknown: "It's ok. I understand."

unknown: "By the way, can I spar with you?"

unknown stood up and asked.

Shadow: "Sure."

Shadow didn't move at all. unknown saw that and frowned. Shadow saw his reaction and smiled.

Shadow: "Show me your power so I won't look down on you."

unknown: "Hoho… I see…"

Then unknown started walking around Shadow slowly. He is beginning to use all of his power. Afterall, the person leading an organization filled with superpower soldiers should be even more powerful, right?

In real life, unknown always practice using the minimum stamina to walk the furthest distance in quickest time. His maximum walking speed is at a velocity so quick that one might even consider it a running speed. But one of his legs is always touching the ground, so it is considered walking instead.

In order to combine the attacks and moving technique, unknown thought of many plans. He never learnt any combat techniques in real life. And he never thought he can win against Shadow in a fight. But he will try his best anyways. Either way, he will learn a few things after this fight. Plus, he got another plan following up after this.

As unknown finished speeding up and felt his walking speed is almost at maximum while walking around Shadow. He started to move towards Shadow directly. Shadow is in the same position, except his eyes and body is always facing unknown when unknown was walking around him.

unknown proceeded forward while keeping his eyes locked on Shadow for any sudden movements. He swung his sword when in range and tried to slice Shadow' waist open. Shadow simply moved his upper body and defended unknown's attack with his wooden sword that his right hand is holding with.

unknown saw his attack didn't work then quickly pulled back his sword. He jumped to the left and slashed swiftly at Shadow again. This time, unknown planned to attack Shadow's leg. The goal is to disable Shadow's movements. Shadow moved and blocked the attack again. Then, Shadow made his first attack move. First, Shadow bounced unknown's sword off. Due to the large force, unknown's arm is only able to go back along with the sword. Simply because unknown cannot resist it. Then Shadow swung the sword from down to up trying to slice unknown in half. unknown saw it and leaped backwards to avoid the attack.

Shadow: "First, your attacks are too slow. Second, the attacks are too hesitant. Third, your reaction speed is too slow. When your enemy be aggressive on you. You will lose very quickly. Like this."

Then Shadow moved towards unknown quickly and attack him like a maniac, not giving him any time to think. unknown is only able to defend and avoid blows Shadow delivered. Later, Shadow found a chance and kicked unknown in the belly. Then unknown flew away and bounced a few times on the ground. When unknown tried to get up, he felt a thin object was placed on his neck. So, he stopped moving.

Shadow: "Not bad for holding the sword still. Most people will drop the sword the moment when they receive a huge force."

unknown: "Heh, I'm not good at close combat. That's why I am hesitant. I need to be careful not to get hurt."

unknown knew if not for the reduced pain sense, he would have lost the grip of the sword already.

Shadow: "Anyway, practice makes perfect. You still need more experience in close combat just to get the gist of it. Close combats are not just a 'my sword is longer than you. I can attack you from further away. Then I can stab you to death' kinda thing. It's a battle of power, endurance, skills and intelligence."

Shadow: "Do you still want to continue?"

Then the sword was removed from unknown's neck. unknown got up and said.

unknown: "No thanks. I think I have enough for today."

Heheheh… Plus now that I got the source. I can begin the plan. He thought.

Shadow: "Alright, we provided a room for you. Just follow Epsilon outside."

unknown: "Ok."

unknown walked outside the training ground and followed Epsilon to his room.

The room is pretty simple. There is a bed, a wooden table with multiple drawers, a wooden chair, a lamp. But if you need to use the restroom, you have to go outside.

unknown decided to clean himself first. Afterall, being sweaty doesn't feel good. Meanwhile, he is sending a message to someone far away.

-Somewhere in the mountains

Shadow received a message from unknown and decided to check it out. The topic lured him into it most likely. He then saw the video and decided to meet with this person.

Shadow: "I am leaving to fight, bye."

Lunch Box: "… Bye."

Lunch Box knew he couldn't persuade Shadow to stay, so he did a farewell.

Central Center: "What?! And you just let him leave like that? We are supposed to be a team!"

Lunch Box looked at Central Center for a second then return to his work.

Cactus Head: "Give up, Central Center, you know what kind of person Shadow is. And leader will be like 'it is useless so I won't do anything'."

Central Center: "I know! That's what made me triggered, ok? Sometimes, we have 4 people and sometimes we have 5. We have to keep changing our plans and that's annoying."

Central Center: "Anyway, that's not the point. Where are you going? Can't we come with you?"

Shadow: "Here, I sent the location to you all. It is inside a country NPCs live in. It's not a farming area. Feel free to follow me if you feel like it."

Lunch Box: "We are staying."

Catnip: "Same!"

Central Center: "Not farming area? Then don't count me in."

Cactus Head: "I am staying as well."

Shadow: "Then I am taking off."

Shadow sent a message to unknown as well. For sharing an information like this, he doesn't mind going along with his plan.

Inside the secret hideout, unknown finished bathing and returned to his room. He looked at the time and realized that he has to wake up after 2 more playing hours. At this moment, he received a message from Shadow. Then he started calculating the time. He smiled and replied Shadow.

…

Shadow: "What's his condition?"

Delta: "His body is in a healthy condition despite sleeping for a few days without eating or drinking, which is very weird."

Shadow: "He can sleep a few days without waking up is weirder."

Delta: "That is true."

After unknown slept on the bed and quitted the game. On the next day, Shadow didn't see unknown but Epsilon in the training ground instead. He immediately knew something happened. Then they tried different methods waking unknown. But they all failed. Then, Shadow is more confident about his guess on unknown's ability, which is 'the soul is able to leave the body'.

Shadow then sent a doctor to check on unknown's condition every so often.

-A few more days later

Shadow the player got inside Debashakala.

Shadow: "To check the condition of a country, one of the ways is to look at the residents."

Shadow looked at the lively people.

Shadow: "The king here sure is quite good at leading."

Shadow then looked at the map, his current location and his goal while checking up on his surroundings to conclude an escape route.

Shadow: "Anyway, it's time."

After a while, Shadow sent a message to unknown.

In unknown's own temporary room, unknown woke up not long later. He is still lying on the bed, seemingly nothing much happened. But there were traces showing that he had been moved. He immediately stood up and checked his status.

unknown: "Phew, all good and ready."

unknown: "Now that everything is ready. Let the show begin."

unknown: "…"

unknown: "How do people snap their fingers? Why do I have a sudden thought of snapping a finger even though I gave up trying a long time ago? Weird…"

unknown: "Anyway, let's begin."

unknown then summoned and equipped his cape and his dual starter guns. He then opened the door silently yet quickly. Because the way the door opens is outward, so anyone outside the room would see the door opening. Therefore, unknown doesn't plan to be slow and steady when opening the door.

unknown glanced around and immediately moved according to the map provided by the game system. He planned to move upward as he remembered he went down into the base. Plus, the buildings in Debashakala are not high. So, he is sure that he is definitely in an underground facility.

Meanwhile, the player named Shadow caused a ruckus in the organization base which attracted the 'NPC' Shadow coming over.

'NPC' Shadow saw the player Shadow defeated all his members who were guarding the base and now lying on the ground, still breathing. He immediately knew this foe is powerful. On the other hand, he didn't know what force this foe is from. His intentions are still unknown but can confirm that he didn't mean harm for now.

'NPC' Shadow: "Who are you?"

Player - Shadow: "You can call me Shadow."

'NPC' Shadow snickered instantly upon hearing the intruder's answer.

'NPC' Shadow: "Heheheheh… If you called yourself Shadow, then prove it to me."

'NPC' Shadow leaped towards player Shadow and began fighting. Player Shadow's eyes shined and replied his opponent.

Player – Shadow: "No problem! You are the reason I come here today."

In fact, upon seeing the video unknown gave him. He was surprised to see there is an NPC whose fighting techniques are similar to his. While it seemed weird that this game has a character that has the same character name and battle techniques as his, he didn't care much and didn't think much about it. All that matters is that this guy piques his interest and he wanted to fight him, that's all.

The two shadows fighting each other predicted each other's actions and attacked. The fight between two of them are like performing dual sword dancing. While it is beautiful and majestic, it is also dangerous and deadly.

'NPC' Shadow only sensed the interest of battling him from his opponent. So, he didn't call for help and instead reduced his power similar to his opponent's level. The player Shadow realized this but he didn't refuse. It is a good opportunity to train his techniques.

While the two shadows are fighting near the entrance of the base, a small sneaky figure is stepping left and right inside the base trying to get out.

When that figure saw a corner in front of him, he switched his direction sharply. And thus, he met his first opponent, Epsilon. Epsilon was cleaning the base and made sure the halls are clean. Then suddenly, she heard the commotion at the base entrance. Her face gone pale and stopped what she was doing. She headed towards the entrance. When she was passing a T-shaped area and glanced on her left not expecting to find anyone. She found a surprising guest there, unknown.

Epsilon decided to stop and ask unknown a few questions. She got a feeling that unknown knew about it.

Epsilon: "My, my, if it isn't our guest, unknown. Why are you here at this time?"

unknown: "My, my, if it isn't our maid, Epsilon. Why are YOU here at this time?"

unknown replied Epsilon with the same question and avoided answering.

Epsilon: "Fufu… I am a member. It is normal that I am inside the base."

Epsilon focused on unknown and found out where she felt the weirdness from. It is that unknown equipped the same cape and the same dual guns that they snapped from unknown some time ago. For unknown reasons, the equipment they got from unknown disappeared a while later. It appears he got it back.

unknown: "Well, I have to get out of here. Would you please move out of your way?"

Epsilon: "I am sorry but I was told to…"

unknown fired his guns already before Epsilon finished her sentence.

Epsilon: "Stop you from leaving."

Epsilon dodged the bullets before finished saying. However, unknown kept spamming bullets until his guns ran out of them. Epsilon pulled out her cutlass and blocked some of the bullets while dodging the rest.

*Click*

unknown: "Tsk."

Epsilon saw the opportunity and dashed towards unknown. unknown saw his guns ran out of bullets and threw it towards Epsilon. Then unknown jumped back and pulled out another dual guns inside his cape. Epsilon smacked those two gun projectiles out of the way and kept closing distance.

unknown kept firing but Epsilon either dodged or blocked the bullets and no damage is done. unknown saw his bullets had no effects on Epsilon and yelled with confusion and frustration.

unknown: "Tsk! That's call freaking cheating!"

unknown threw his guns towards Epsilon again while yelling. This time, unknown pulled out two daggers from his cape and prepared himself for a close combat.

Epsilon's cutlass swung quickly and didn't give unknown much time to react. unknown blocked Epsilon's attack with both of his daggers naturally. unknown felt the intense strength hidden in the attack and fell back a couple steps. Epsilon kept attacking furiously and kept pushing back unknown. unknown immediately knew he is in a bad situation right now. His goal is to escape and not wasting time fighting here. Clearly, he will be spending too much time fighting if this situation hasn't been turned around yet.

unknown glanced at the loot inside this temporary storage and decided to risk it. He dashed towards Epsilon when she is in a big motion preparing for the next attack. Then, unknown successfully smacked Epsilon out of the way and ran towards the exit. Epsilon lost her balance and fell down. By the time she got up, unknown ran ten steps ahead of her already. This action is successful because Epsilon saw unknown's fighting style and immediately went aggressive on him. By giving up all the defense and only focus on the attack, Epsilon's attacks are quick and powerful. However, this also have a lot of issues, just like what unknown did to Epsilon.

Epsilon: "… I admit my lost because of my pride."

At this moment, another person looked exactly same as Epsilon appeared behind Epsilon.

'Epsilon': "Are you fine?"

Epsilon: "Yes, let's go towards the entrance and kill the intruder and catch unknown back."

…

unknown ran at his full speed and didn't care about stamina usage. That's because if he is caught again, he will be surrounded by guards not long later definitely. He already spent too much time fighting Epsilon back there.

unknown got close to the entrance and saw two shadows fighting each other. While it is marvelous and intriguing to watch the fight, this is not the time to do so.

unknown: "Shadow! Cover me!"

Then unknown dashed towards the exit after yelling.

'NPC' Shadow: "I see, so you called help."

'NPC' Shadow then attempted to throw knifes towards unknown from his sleeves. But was interrupted by player shadow.

Player – Shadow: "Hey hey! Our fight isn't over yet!"

'NPC' Shadow: "Why do you help him?"

Player – Shadow: "He introduced me a person who can fight. So, I might as well help his little request."

'NPC' Shadow: "I see."

Without anyone to stop unknown, unknown ran out of the secret hideout of the secret organization. unknown then pulled out his system menu and teleported to player base immediately.

unknown: "Yes! I did it!"

unknown: "HAHAHAHAHA!"

Then unknown fainted.