Chapter 4: The Men and the god (1) Agreement (1)
Author's Note:
Character Map:
"X" = Protagonist
"(X)" = Protagonist's strong inner thoughts
'0X0' = Goddess Mnemosyne
'X' = Extras
Other Notations:
[X] = What is written on something
--- = POV change
|||| = Time skip
== = Time recap
"""" = Return from recap
(X) = Explanation/author's note
([X]) = Sound effect
{X} = Buttons or actions that may trigger an event
---
(Unknown POV)
"How about a game, mortal one?"
The voice echoed in my mind, reverberating through my very being.
My thoughts went blank. I had no words. No response.
Only silence.
"What's wrong? Monster got your tongue? That's impossible—especially not in my presence."
Just as I was about to ask a question—
"Questions aside, how about a game? A game that will determine your fate from here on out. Perhaps, this game might even decide whether or not you can be saved from this predicament. So, mortal, do you feel like leaving your questions for later?"
Hearing what this person—or entity—just said, the silence around us deepened as I hesitated, contemplating. But the silence didn't last long. A voice broke through behind me.
"What is the game?"
"Hoo? Quite a decisive lad, aren't you? What's your name? Please introduce yourself."
"...Mike. A human. I hail from nowhere."
"Mike, hmm… well then, you shall be the first player."
(From here on, Mike = '1X1')
The moment he spoke his name, his body shivered violently. Then, something emerged from within him—
A transparent, faint but identical version of himself floated beside his physical body.
"1 What?! What just happened to me?! 1"
"A sort of astral projection—a consciousness taking form outside the body, if you will."
"1 Consciousness?! Do you mean my soul?! 1"
"You can call it whatever you like. But please refrain from asking questions until this game session is over—unless I allow it. Now, please, come here and take a seat."
At those words, a table and chair suddenly appeared in the colorless, motionless world around us. Mike's floating form trembled in bewilderment but, hesitating for only a moment, followed the entity's instructions and sat down.
"Does anyone else wish to play? This game can accommodate all of you, so there's no need to worry about that."
There were far more pressing concerns than that, but after hearing the offer, everyone fell silent, trying to process the situation.
Seeing the hesitation, I chose to break the silence.
"Could I play?"
"State your name."
Considering the entity's words, I decided to give an alias instead of my real name.
"Calvin. An elf. I hail from the Nara Tribe in the Elvenhart Kingdom."
"Calvin, is it? Well then, you shall be the second player. Take your seat."
(From here on, Calvin = '2X2')
A strange sensation surged through my body, and before I could fully grasp what was happening, I found myself separated from it. I, too, had left my physical form.
Before I could fully immerse myself in this bizarre experience, a second seat appeared next to Mike. The first player trembled in shock, his expression shifting before he quickly composed himself, giving a fake cough to cover his embarrassment.
Following the entity's words, I took my seat.
And then, as if to keep the momentum going, another voice spoke up.
"Can I play too?"
"Of course. Name, please."
"...John. An elf, from the Jasmine Tribe of Elvenhart Kingdom."
"John, from the Jasmine Tribe—please play with me as the third player. Take your seat."
(From here on, John = '3X3')
A third chair appeared beside me. I had expected it this time, so it no longer surprised me as much.
Or so I told myself.
Truthfully, I was still astonished by this phenomenon.
Not long after, John arrived and took his seat.
Then, as if emboldened by our actions, others in the carriage began standing up one by one, participating in the whims of the veiled entity—until no one was left unseated.
---
"Now then, let us formally introduce ourselves once more. Starting from the first player to the last—please, I ask you all to speak."
"1 Ahh, yes! Player 1, Mike, a human, hail from nowhere! 1"
"2 Player 2, Calvin, an elf, hail from the Nara Tribe in the Elvenhart Kingdom. 2"
"3 Player 3, John, an elf, hail from the Jasmine Tribe in the Elvenhart Kingdom. 3"
"4 Player 4, Norkin, a dwarf from the Iron Tribe in the Dwarfdom of the Valley of Mountains. 4"
"5 Player 5, Belkorn, a dwarf from the Hammer Tribe in the Dwarfdom of the Valley of Mountains. 5"
"6 Player 6, Damian von Dolci Meriam, a human, hail from the Human Empire, Friden. 6"
"Well, look at that—we have some wonderful players. Now then, before we begin, I will allow each of you to ask one question. Player 1, take your shot."
"1 Ahh, wait… uhh, first, who are you? 1"
"Haha, my identity is irrelevant. But if you must know, I am… something akin to a god."
A god? Like those gods who occasionally walk the earth?
Before I could dwell on the implications, the entity clapped its hands.
"Chop, chop! We still have a game to play. Next, Player 2—your question?"
I already knew what to ask.
"2 What's the deal?"
"Oh, good question. The deal is this: you people are in grave danger, and I am here to offer a helping hand—in exchange for a game with bets on the line."
"2 What kind of bets? 2"
"Oh, sorry! You already asked your question. Player 3, would you like to use your turn to ask your own question, or answer Player 2's instead?"
"3 Hmm… it's fine. Could you answer his question?"
"Very well. As for the bets—if I win, you all will be indebted to me. And I shall save you from this predicament, making you own by mw. If I lose… I will still save you. You will still be indebted to me. And you will still own by me. However, you will not be obligated to repay me."
I see. Wait. What?!
Something felt off. The way the entity phrased that—
Did no one else catch that?
Or was it just me?
I could only hope my premonition was wrong.
And with that unsettling doubt lingering in my mind, the so-called god continued questioning the remaining players, leading us deeper into its game.