Chapter 68: Countenance

My eyes fluttered open slowly or at least tried to. They seemed somewhat sticky with tears but then again, that had become a common occurrence.

AH...

I opened my mouth and let out a yawn, bringing my hands slowly to my mouth before looking around with a slightly dazed expression.

"So... I fell asleep again..."

Another uncommon occurrence.

In fact, ever since I found this room, I'd usually spend my whole day buried here reading. It had become such a prominent habit that I'd usually lose track of time and fall asleep here or sometimes cry to sleep...like last night...

Huh?

I looked out the window – the sun was still out there shining but it seemed to be much brighter.

I blinked a couple of times and then sighed, "So a siesta then..."

This was a first. I'd usually end up awake by the next morning but this time, I woke up in the afternoon.

Stats.

[Name:] Vicki

[Epithet:]???

[Level:] 4

[EXP:] 60/100

[Skills:] Saturation, Ease of Learning, Parallel Processing, Seduction, Total Assimilation, Air Affinity, General Knowledge (depreciated)

[Aliases:] Little Devil, Dr. Vicki, Tiny Girl

[Debuffs:] Myopic Vision, Weakness, Naivete, Lolita

So, I've killed some more...

With a satisfied nod, I dismissed it.

I remained silent for a few moments and then looked down to the book I was previously reading – it was a thick hardcover, titled 'Wiseacre'.

I was currently at the last page, having just been reading the index.

It was a good read – a novel about a man who portrayed himself as a smart aleck in a small town. His mannerisms offended several of the town's residents which later ended with him being burned at the stake for blasphemy.

The story somehow reminded me of a certain person.

My gaze subtly turned into a frown, "Him...Alex."

HOO...

Dave and I had set out to find him, believing that he'd somehow be the key to saving our classmates from the malevolent hands of the Lake.

But...

"It had turned out to be a fool's errand."

For all we knew, he could be lost or dead even...and then again even if he were alive, he could end up being completely useless.

I didn't believe for a second that he was our only hope. I firmly wanted to believe in that...yet, a part of my mind continued to think otherwise.

I recalled a memory from the previous world, a memory from our previous year.

'Do you want first place?'

So vividly, I could recall Alex's expression of utter confidence, his words brimming with promise and his gentle smile.

He seemed to be a light in my time of darkness but in the end...

'Did you hear...Alex took first place?'

'What...? Alex took first?'

'Yes....it's all over the school...'

'B... but it should have been me not him!!!'

That face of his all turned out to be a façade.

'Alex...what happened? I th...thought you said I'd get first...so why...why am I last...?'

My voice at that moment was weak and shaky, filled with extreme confusion, I wanted to know. I was desperate.

Yet, I recalled how he barely regarded me, just briefly turning his gaze towards me and smiling in such an alien manner.

'Oh...that...I forgot.'

Those words pierced my soul and filled me with so much unbridled rage.

That day I realized that Alex was the very embodiment of a lie.

So, I guess that's why I felt so relieved when I saw him get exposed.

FWOOO....

I sighed deeply, calming myself down. I had already broken into a crying mess; I couldn't afford to turn into a raging one now.

So, I banished the thoughts about him.

HA...

For some strange reason, I felt slightly better, as if, a weight had been lifted off my chest. A small smile tugged on my lips, I closed the book in my hands and set it down on the desk.

"You know what...am in a good mood...let's try heading out today."

...

I let out a soft exhale and muttered, "Alright..."

I was clad in an elegantly woven tunic, adorned with stripes of lavender and white. Over my torso was a pouch-strap which held a book titled 'Nascent Nature Arts', all courtesy of the previous owner of this house.

I had no idea who they were but I did have clues.

The clothes left behind by were of both genders, implying that a man and a woman lived here. The king-sized bed at the master's room further implied that they were either married or lovers.

At the mention of the word 'lovers', I remembered Seba and my chest tightened. Even in this dire time, I was craving his touch and warmth.

Don't worry...I'll save you...I'll save you all...

I knew certainly that these were merely empty words but they filled me with resolve and soothed my nerves.

Alright enough talk...

I placed my hand on the golden knob of the cottage's door, its surface cool and comforting against my palm. For a moment, I hesitated, letting my fingers trace its intricate engravings—tiny spirals and delicate grooves worn smooth by time. This door had been a barrier between me and the chaos outside, a shield from the harsh reality I wasn't ready to face.

"Calm down it's just...a little step outside..."

With a slow exhale, I turned the knob.

CHACK!

The door creaked open, sunlight spilling inside like an uninvited guest. It was blinding at first, sharp and unrelenting. I raised a hand to block the glare, squinting as my eyes adjusted to the vibrant world beyond.

TMP!

I stepped out onto the cobbled path, the faint crunch beneath my sandals grounding me in the moment. I saw the ancient stone wall which surrounded the house – it was a couple of meters away from the cottage.

A cool breeze brushed against my face, carrying the earthy scent of damp soil and blooming flowers.

Hmm...

Attracted by the pleasant scent, I turned my head in the direction and followed the nascent trail. I walked around the old cottage, taking in its beautiful structure before reaching the back.

The moment I laid eyes on what the cottage had enshrouded, I gasped.

"Wow..."

Before me was a beautiful garden.

A garden so beautiful it took my breath away.

Bees hovered lazily over clusters of lavender, their gentle hum blending with the distant rustle of leaves. The morning dew clung stubbornly to the grass, sparkling like tiny crystals in the golden light.

"Woah..."

Dazed, I took a step forward, entering into the ethereal space.

As I stepped into the garden, I was struck by its surreal beauty. The air was cool and carried a soft, floral fragrance that felt almost otherworldly. Everywhere I looked, there were blossoms in colors I'd never imagined—roses with petals like liquid gold, orchids that shimmered faintly under the sunlight, and clusters of deep indigo flowers glowing softly, as if lit from within.

A clear stream meandered through the garden, its water so pristine it seemed to catch and amplify every ray of light. The sight made me shudder, allowing some unpleasant memories to surface but I quickly chased them away as I promptly looked away from the water.

But not before catching the sight of several tiny fish, sparkling like gems, darting between smooth stones beneath the surface. The sound of the water flowing over rocks was a gentle melody, perfectly in harmony with the faint hum of insects and the occasional chirp of unseen birds.

Towering trees with silvery bark and leaves that glinted in hues of green and gold provided a cool canopy, their roots coiling gracefully through the earth. Some bore fruit that seemed to glow faintly, as though kissed by starlight. Beneath them, the ground was a soft carpet of moss, dotted with tiny, luminescent mushrooms.

At the center of it all was a pond so still it seemed to hold the sky itself. A single massive lotus floated in its center, its silken petals a pale, frail pink that faded into silver tips.

And faintly, I could feel an ethereal quality to it, like it was vastly saturated with energy, the World Energy.

I found myself drawn to its quiet majesty, the entire garden seeming to revolve around it, but then I quickly shook my head and distanced myself from it.

I didn't have many good experiences with water, especially a pond which seemed to reflect the sky.

"What...what is this place?", I mumbled with barely-concealed bewilderment.

The beautiful garden didn't seem to be just a place...it felt alive, as though the garden was aware of my presence, welcoming me into its quiet embrace.

In that moment, horror gripped my heart, "N-no way...it can't be like that..."

I panicked, my brain jumping into hasty conclusions as I turned away to flee from the breath-taking scene.

But at that moment, I slipped and fell to the ground.

"Fuck...", I cursed under my breath, scrambling to get up to my feet when I suddenly caught sight of something in my periphery.

"Ah-huh?"

Reflected on my retina was a gravestone which had strange writings engraved in it.

I squinted my eyes, trying to discern the strange characters when suddenly the system spoke,

[Activating Language Translator Pack...]

[You have gained a Skill: Thousand Tongues]

[Skill: Thousand Tongues has been activated.]

The moment the system completed speaking, I suddenly gained comprehension of the strange writings and my eyes widened.

On the gravestone were the engravings,

Here lies Marta Droet, my one and only.