Log Arena
In the aftermath, Leon had strode to the stone path's end. Some dregs threatened to corner him from every angle. Their eagle eyes weren't something Leon could ignore the existence of.
Yet, unexpected from thoughtless attackers, they did nothing more than that. Leon even feared they would run him over, but they did not.
Were they hostile because Leon aced the game earlier, or for he alone had high-grade resources?
***
After a short while of moving around the city, Leon came across a scrapyard house. A rectangular board atop it showing "Rust and Rent" told him this was like a hotel. And he needed one at that moment.
He climbed sturdy steps to a door which he pushed with gentleness...
Creeeek!
He nuzzled the door to a close, stepping in towards the receptionist. The air smelled gross. A flickering, close-to-death LED light gave the place a dim illumination.
The pale-skinned woman with yellow braids tossed a sack onto the table without asking any questions. She explained in a cold tone, as though she had just developed mean feelings towards Leon.
"Crash in for one night, pay with three resources. Into that sack, I guess you know. Two nights, six... Blah-blah... I believe you haven't exhausted your youthful brain running rounds with pretty pistachios in motels. Just do what I say, young man."
Leon didn't want to snicker or roll his eyes. At this point, he knew negotiation would be an ostrich's decision. Hence, he put three pairs of raw meat, four cereals, and two fingerless gloves into the sack.
The woman felt a mix of shock and confusion as her jaw dropped. Her hands ran inside the sack, probably to test the reality of those resources.
"What...? These are high-grade bunches!" she exclaimed. Then she turned at Leon, "How did you...?"
"Can you show me where my room is?" Leon cut in.
Later... the lady opened the door to a sturdy room on the second floor. When Leon looked inside, he saw nothing more than a rough-foamed bed with a tattered blanket.
Too, the ceiling at one spot leaked, droplets of water falling into a bowl placed on the ground. Placing a bowl there was thoughtful, at least - Leon supposed.
The woman pushed her luck by wanting to know him better and also saying she was always at his service. Leon locked the door afterwards. He sat on the bed with a gentle sigh.
His bag was as light as cotton when he placed it aside. What else to expect when he had paid for four nights with most of his resources?
But the non-worrisome part of it was that he had unlimited supplies.
Leon's eyes scanned around - not disgusted or irritated in any way. Besides, one couldn't expect a five-star hotel in an apocalyptic world. On one hand, no one would plan to develop this underworld, for most planned to team up towards making it to Remnora.
From another angle, one might see that they took control of development because beasts could suddenly destroy any unfortunate building.
[...]
Leon rubbed his face, letting out a sigh.
"Maybe I should check my progress so far? I have been gaining additional rewards at a pace that I can't quite follow..."
He hesitated, reasoning that he had to somehow summon the panel.
"How do I go about that, though?"
Leon raised his brows.
He thought of saying 'Open Panel', 'Check Stats', and even 'Show Up, system.'
Yet, he was yet to test any of them out. Who else but an individual with a hobby of getting lost in thought would be that sluggish?
In the end, Leon said, "Check stats."
To his surprise, the panel popped out on the
Leon stared at his stats.
[Stats]
Level: 3
Strength: 28.2
Agility: 30.2
Intelligence: 35.2
Stamina: 38.2
[...]
A flash of pleasure crossed his face.
"Impressive for a Failed Awakener. This improvement is nothing but reward for pursuing my goal... but I really think I'm overwhelmed."
The screen switched interfaces.
It showed an array of achievements and titles. One could associate this with a medal of honour. Leon had zero urge to read them out, as they were like stars in the sky for him. Currently.
But, at least, he had unlocked one title – The Trickster, of course.
[You continue to prove yourself worthy of this title. Keep it up! There is an opportunity for you to reach greater milestones with huge benefits.]
The screen flickered and changed to a different interface. But corrected itself in the next second. Leon leaned closer, his brows creased in suspicion.
'Did the system just glitch?'
But he assumed not. Then he lay flat on the bed. At this moment of silence, he mumbled, "I should be quick with finding an ally soon. Remnora should be safer and more benefiting, I believe..."
At midnight, the moon cast a silvery glow on the land. For a reason that he couldn't grasp, Leon found himself waking up with a start. It was as if something was controlling him.
He wanted to mumble words of surprise. But the appearance of the moon had seized his throat.
Gaping, he paced closer to the window. "How fictional."
Instead of being whole, the moon had a zig-zag line stroke in the middle. Creating a pair of 'semi-moons' - if Leon could call it that.
The fractured moon is a sign of the world's imbalance.
In that instance, the screen flashed before Leon without warning.
[Teleporting you into the Log Arena in 3, 2...]
"Uhm...? An arena?"
[...1]
Swoosh!
A sharp gradient of light flashed across the room. It dissipated into thin air. Mysteriously, it had carried Leon along.
The room was back to square one, an occupant of a dying single bed.
***
Patter!
Leon appeared in strange surroundings without warning. He shattered the otherworldly stillness.
"How...?"
Words froze in his throat as he pictured the palace's form. Four pillars spaced themselves before him towards a throne whose golden edges shone under the blazing flame lamps on the walls.
Leon could have chosen to digest every detail, from complex designs to black stone walls. But it became impossible when three creatures appeared inches from the golden throne.
Leon stepped backwards, surprised at first.
Grtt, grtt, grtt!!!
The beasts snarled with increasing ferocity.
These monsters were none other than two goblins, equipped with daggers. Plus a wolf whose body swirled with dark fumes.
The system screen flashed before Leon's eyes.
[Welcome to the Log Arena, one that serves no other role than staging threats essential for you to complete daily missions. Rewards include EXP, minor stat boosts, and random items.
From today onwards, you will receive common-grade Log Cards at the beginning of the witching hour, which will automatically teleport you into the Log Arena for trials.]
It switched interfaces, and Leon's eyes tracked the movement. Then it displayed a red-handled dagger with a 'free' tag on it.
[You received an initial reward. Congratulations on making it to get a unique item.]
[What would you like it to be called?]
Leon took a few seconds to digest every detail. He then sighed, pulling a steady reaction.
"Whatever. I was ready for surprises anyway," he mumbled. Then he said, "... name it Paradox."
In the blink of an eye, the cold handle of the dagger rubbed against his palm. As he anticipated, the system asked him to end the monsters.
[Defeat the three E-rank monsters. Two Goblin Scouts and one Flare Wolf.]
[Failure: Reduction in stats.]
Leon juggled the dagger, feeling its lightness. In one swift movement, he gripped it with force.
He leaned forward, back relaxed.
"Bring it on," Leon groaned, glaring at the monsters. "It's not like I can leave without running rounds on you guys after all. But... what an unpredictable system I have..."