Experimentation

With my new goal, I now needed an actual plan. Now that I had a definitive means of surviving this world, my best bet would be to get used to these new powers. My strength was just like the average joe, so suddenly being able to make an imprint into concrete with only a bit of force was something I had to get used to.

The weird stares I got from others as I waddled through the streets was definitely something I didn't want to remember. After a bit of travelling, getting lost, and then eventually asking for directions I found myself at the Fourteenth Street Hollow.

What better way to train my new powers than to use the first hollow in the game. Anyways, the inside of a Hollow was weird. I couldn't help but feel a tad bit nervous as I wondered through the place.

"Now that I think about it, wasn't ether corruption a thing." I frown at the thought. In my excitement, I forgot about one of the main dangers of going into a Hollow. Ether Corruption. But... Maybe it wouldn't be a problem? I mean, if my body got enhanced to superhuman degrees, surely my Ether Aptitude must also be high?

No, scratch that. How the hell would I even go about getting out of here?! 

"████████!!!"

The piercing inhuman screech snapped my out my thoughts. Looking up, I was greeted to sight of five creatures with a black, grey-ish white color scheme perched ontop of a derailed train car.

"Ethereals..." If I remember correctly, they were named Ty... Ty... Tyrfing! Yeah, that seems about right.

I quickly summon my katana which appeared in a show of white flames that quickly settled in my grip. At the sight, the three Ethereals let out roars, jumping from the train car and rushing towards me with mindless ambition.

Time to see what I can really do.

I burst forward, sprinting towards them. The distance between us was around 20 feet, a distance I was able to clear with only a few steps. Arriving near the first Ethereal I unsheathe my katana, the blade sliding out the sheath with a crisp sound before I slice vertically.

As if cutting through butter, the blade slice the Tyrfing cleanly, separating it's upper body from it's torso. It fell to the ground limply before vanishing.

"Well, it's definitely sharp." I couldn't admire the sight any longer as I was forced to leap backwards to dodge the incoming attacks from two of the Tyrfing. With the force I put in I found myself sailing back a good 10 feet before skidding to a stop.

Definitely gonna need to work on that.

Dispatching the rest of the Ethereals was easy work. Even without ever holding a weapon in my life, the katana seemed to direct me in a way. I found my grip becoming more comfortable, my swings becoming less brutish and more smooth.

By the time I was finished, it felt like I had trained with a katana for atleast a few months.

"What a nifty little feature." I examine the blade, looking at it from different angles. "Got any other tricks up your sheath?"

*Fwoosh~*

The blade of the sword erupted into white flames. The sheer unexpectedness made me flinch.

"Well... I guess it makes sense." Admiring the sight, I swing the sword around, a trail of white flames following behind it. Reminded me of Demon Slayer in a way. Except these flames are obviously real.

Extremely hot too. Bringing the katana near a piece of metal had it melting within a few seconds. Despite it's extreme heat, it didn't hurt me. Just like how it appears from my hand, the flames are rather comforting.

"For now, I'd say that was a good enough experiment." I allow the katana to be absorbed back into my hand. And with that out the way, I must ask the obvious. How the hell do I get out this Hollow?

***

Somehow, after 3 hours I was thankfully able to escape the hollow. Now I know not to recklessly wander into an everchanging environment that requires the use of a carrot or proxy to actually navigate through. It was probably sheer dumb luck I was even able to get out anyways. 

"Excuse me, sir." The stern sounding voice of a woman broke me out my thoughts. Turning to the voice I felt my mind blank.

First of all, the girl was drop dead gorgeous. Black hair with a few strands being scarlet red tied into a high ponytail. Her orange eyes staring at me with strictness. Her body wasn't any different. Slim but athletic, not to mention curvy in all the right places. It didn't help that the Public Security uniform she wore was practically skin-tight, hugging her curves nicely.

Zhu Yuan, a New Eridu Public Security officer. Or N.E.P.S for short. This was definitely a surprise. I knew that at some point with the plans I had in mind I was going to run into an important character from the game but I didn't expect it to be so soon.

"Er... Can I help you, officer?" I force myself out of my temporary daze and speak. To be honest, I was curious about why she could possibly want with me.

"Camera feeds around the area show you entering the nearby Hollow unauthorized."

"Ah." Haha, silly me. How could I forget such a important thing.

At my rather awkward response Zhu Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly. "If you would come with me. You are under suspicions of being a Hollow Raider. Please comply."

Ah fuck.

***

Y'know, despite being dragged to the police station I feel like I'm winning. Why? Because I'm walking behind Zhu Yuan and gazing at the mother of all assess. I thank whatever person decided to make skin tight pants because god damn.

Her hips swayed like a pendulum clock and I found it VERY interesting seeing those globes of flesh jiggle just by walking. I might be going to jail but atleast I get to see this beautiful sight before I do.

"We're here." Before I could rant any further about her ass we had arrived at the station within Lumina Square. "Now, there's no need to be nervous. I'll just be asking you a few questions, nothing more." She spoke to me as she guided me towards the back before it was just the two of us in a simple office.

"This will be quick." She gestured towards a chair before sitting down behind the desk. I did as told, sitting down just as she asked the first question. "Name?"

Shit. "Arthur Smith, officer." The clacking of the keyboard brought me an immense sense of nervousness. In all cases, I shouldn't exist in this world since I was literally just dropped in. So, there was a 100% chance I was fuck-

"Right, that checks out." Zhu Yuan paused her typing, looking up at me. "It says your current address is near Sixth Street. Is there a reason you were out there and near a hollow?"

"..." As much as I wanted to answer her question I couldn't on the account that I was shocked. Apparently, I do exist here. Was this supposed to be another perk along with the increased strength and weapon... Or did I take over the body of someone who-

No, I shouldn't think like that. To keep my sanity, I'll just chalk it up as a perk. That aside, I still don't have a reason for being near the hollow. Atleast, one that wouldn't get me thrown in a jail cell.

'Of course, officer, I was in the hollow to test my sudden superhuman strength and also get familiar with my cool new weapon that can coat itself in flames.' Yeah, that would not check out.

"I was, uh... doing a school project?" The unimpressed stare from Zhu Yuan told me she was not impressed. Though considering I had technically already graduated from college a year ago I don't know why I expected it to work.

"Right. A school project. Mr Smith, can you tell me how you were able to exit the hollow. The camera feed hadn't showed anyone else near the hollow save for you."

"I got really lucky?" Oi, don't look at me like that. I might've lied once but I'm telling the truth.

A sigh escaped Zhu Yuan's lips as she sat up from the chair and walked around the desk, getting close to me. I couldn't help but gulp, a pleasant fragrance wafting into my nostrils.

"Look, the only thing that matters right now is that you're unharmed. You'll be given a warning, just don't do something that reckless again. Hollows are not a place to just wander into." The sight of her stern gaze, yet soft voice made me nod my head.

"I understand, officer." Of course, I'm going to do it again. I'll just have to be more sneaky next time.

"...Good." Uh-oh, did she somehow read my thoughts? It seems like she doesn't believe me at all.

There wasn't much else for me to do and after around 20 minutes I was out of the station. To award myself from getting out of that situation.

*Grooowl~*

I should get something to eat. I'm fucking starving.