Helpless murderer.
Anna turned and swam toward the islet that was barely a few feet above the surface. In the center was a low stone circle - a well, she corrected herself. She swam to the shore and looked back.
At first, she couldn't find him, but then he raised his arm above the surface and hung it down again. She smiled and waved back.
She girded herself with a wide belt she had found in the chest, slung a leather satchel over her shoulder, and tucked a sharp sickle into her belt.
Summoning every ounce of strength, she mustered the courage to approach the well. Peering into its depths, she discovered an astonishing sight - a priestess submerged amidst a petrifying scene of rotting water and scattered animal bones, gazing back at her with frightening eyes, overflowing with pure power.
She was pale as death, Anna couldn't guess her age even when she tried so hard. Her skin was flawless, yet her face seemed to belong to a woman in her late thirties. But those eyes belonged to someone who saw hundreds of freezing winters turned over into blooming spring.
Undead Priestess ~ neutral ~ 100% HP
With immense pressure bearing down on her, Anna humbly bowed and knelt before the well, patiently awaiting her first words.
*You are an interesting one, short-lived human. I have never, ever saw one like youuu* a low, sad wail sounded right inside her head. Anna couldn't help but whined, surprised by the odd feeling it left in her skull.
The priestess held on to the wet stone and emerged a little above the shallow water, to be able to take a better look.
*Answer me. Tell me everything. Tell me - why am I hereee? Why do I need to kill so much, against my will? Why is this happening to meee over and over and over again?* she wailed tearfully, holding her knees with her left hand.
Anna realized that the developers must have set her stats to a high intelligence, so high that she began to form her own consciousness outside of her NPC setting.
After deciding to be completely honest with her, she put herself together and finally spoke:
"This is a simulation. Our world is dying, there is not enough resources to feed us all, nor to recover our dying lands. Some developers made this New World, I don't really know why. There is a lot of theories behind this. Do you want to see? If you can see through my mind, I'll allow you to look for all your answers," Anna suggested with worried expression.
*Ohh I see. I see your mind, I see your world. It's so, so twisted. So sad –* Sudden pressure left Anna's shoulders and she was able to rise her head again *You answered my question, let me offer you something in return. You are looking for that man. The one with cunning eyes and bold tongue. I'll give you what you need, all I ask is a favor in return...* the voice of the priestess trembled inside Anna's skull. It was uncomfortable, but painless.
"Yes, I am indeed trying to find him!" Anna straightened her back with excitement.
*I need that map you carry and a bit of your blood. And the blood of your lover.* Priestess wailed again, pulling herself up out of the water. She rested her palms on the edge of the well and restlessly ran her fingers around its circumference.
The priestess demanded, *Put it down on the ground and stain it with a few drops.* She let out a haunting wail as she pulled herself out of the well's depths, as she placed her palms on the edge of the well and ran her fingers around its circumference, restlessly.
Anna pulled out her sickle and held its blade in her palm over the map. She lost some HP, but it wasn't a noticeable loss.
A faint sound of rattling and clinking echoed from depths of the well.