Episode 8. We Are Player. (2)
“I'll ask once more.”
He lifted Sephirah, still gripped by the collar, right up to eye level. Once her feet dangled off the ground, Aiden leaned in close and asked, “What happens from now on?”
“I told you. All sorts of different things...”
“I mean, tell me each and every one of those 'different things.'”
“Eh, why should I bother telling you?”
“It'd be better than tossing you out there every time something happens.”
“So heartless.”
Sephirah was still grinning like she was enjoying every bit of it. It went beyond just not buckling under threats—she had the leisure of someone spectating someone else's drama. Just as Aiden couldn't get a read on what lay behind that smile, she nodded.
“If I tell you everything, it'll take a while, y'know?”
“Doesn't matter.”
“Hmm... fine. No point in cutting it short and leaving a bad first impression. Close the door first, then.”
It was a ruined shack, but thankfully the door was intact, just weathered. The moment the light from the window was blocked and the door clicked shut at Sephirah's words, she spoke up.
“We don't have time for a long chat, 'mister.' Got it?”
“Get on with it.”
“Whaaat... Anyway, this isn't something I can control. Anyone steps into this shack, and this stuff just happens—it's preset like that. I'm just making use of it.”
“......”
To emphasize she wasn't lying, Sephirah raised both arms. One wouldn't move properly, but the other trembled up halfway anyway. Even so, Aiden's suspicious glare didn't waver.
“Don't look at me like that. It's true.”
“Keep talking.”
“Right... Normally, anyone enters this shack, and the forest goes all weird. Hard to believe, I know, but just roll with it.”
“So this isn't your doing.”
“Duh! What power do I even have?”
Sephirah was trying hard not to use gamer lingo. She didn't like it one bit. And that hadn't changed even now that Aiden had dropped the word 'Player'—especially not with other NPCs around. She wanted to hold back. Whether she could actually make NPCs understand that way was a total unknown, though. Using terms like 'event' or 'encounter' wouldn't help either; they'd be just as lost.
[Uwa's Cabin]
This forest was known by that name on the Player's map—a common yet surprisingly rare case where a landmark's name became the region's itself. True to its name, a specific shack was the core—and the danger—here.
“Mister, you really buying what this girl's saying? Even if we take her words at face value, she doesn't exactly look trustworthy.”
“We can't just leave her, so no choice.”
“Look at those eyes. Way too mischievous—can't even tell what she's thinking.”
Aiden couldn't read her eyes either, and even if her words were true, they were hard to swallow. Sephirah kept insisting she was nothing special. It wasn't baseless either; she acted just like a 'mage who can't do squat without her wand.'
But players gonna player.
“You said we're trapped.”
“Yep. Can't leave till the forest resets. Me included.”
“Doesn't make sense. Then why trigger it on purpose?”
“...So you'd panic and I could slip away?”
“......”
“Ehehe.”
If her player-speak was meant to lower his guard, it was working scarily well. She'd straight-up admitted wanting to run, yet that just struck him as funny first.
“And the way out? Beat the strongest thing in this forest. Simple, right?”
“Strongest existence?”
“Yeah. Huge guy, blades barely scratch it—like something out of a book.”
Her eyes flicked briefly toward Claire, then back.
“Where do we find it?”
“Well, once we get out—”
Thud! Thud!
Something pounded on the door, cutting her off. Thud, thud-thud-thud! No rhythm to it—just brute force, more like slamming than knocking. Obvious it wasn't human.
“...Don't open it yet. Unless you wanna get mauled the second it swings wide.”
And only one person here knew what was going on outside.
“Nasty things are probably swarming out there right now. For real—if you go out unprepared, you're dead meat. Tons of 'em.”
“Even if you step up?”
“Obviously! What do you take me for?! That's why I said keep the door shut, idiot!”
He saw her as a 'powerful' player who could bulldoze anything without a second thought. Even collared, she could escape anytime; handle whatever came from outside; every weak act just theater. Right now, he bet she was hiding her true face behind that grin.
“Step out now, you're dead. Windows too.”
“......”
“Jump from the second-floor window? Won't help. Good view, sure, but you'd land smack in the middle.”
Sephirah kept smiling as she went on.
“Looks like no way out.”
“You say it like it's a brag.”
“So, wanna hear a proposal from me?”
“...I'll listen.”
Aiden loosened his grip, setting her down. Despite just the collar grab, she clutched her throat, gasping, then glanced at the creaking door.
“Hoo... Remember I said I triggered this on purpose—for an escape window?”
“And?”
“Ditch me and head back. Promise that, and I'll tell you the way out.”
Sephirah half-lidded her eyes, hamming it up. Uwa's Cabin was just another playground she'd hit for events countless times. She knew what happened, escape routes, solutions—even sans quest.
'If he knows players, he'll bite.'
Whatever her backstory, Aiden had pierced the lore and now eyed players warily. He was dead sure a player could sweep this aside like dust.
Not wrong, so she could deliver.
Without getting too chummy.
“Sephirah.”
“Yeah?”
“Name one genre that comes to mind. Right now.”
A question with zero ulterior motive.
“...Genre? I didn't hear wrong?”
“No time. Quick.”
“Uh, uh... Roguelike?”
No real reason for her pick—just first thing that popped up. Games had genres galore like movies or books; ask for one off the cuff, and this happens. If she had to guess why her subconscious spat it out, probably 'cause it matched what was coming.
'Endless enemies, twisting paths, boss at the end... and death means game over.'
Not that pondering would reveal his intent.
Select a genre to unlock.
Aiden had already gotten what he wanted.
“Good reference.”
“Whaaat? What the hell...”
“Proposal rejected. You're coming with us.”
The pattern on Aiden's hand glowed brighter. Focusing on the voice only he heard, the blue light lingered, asserting itself.
He reviewed player functions overall, then checked genres.
[Genre Unlock Available]
[SOULLIKE]
[ROGUELIKE]
[TPS]
[FPS]
[...]
Acronyms with no clue what they meant or resembled. Since it was just relayed player stuff, ex-NPC Aiden had no way to know. But players did. Lifelong players knew the system inside out.
So Sephirah's 'genre' would help.
[Unlock Genre: ROGUELIKE?]
[1 point consumed.]
[ROGUELIKE]
For the next day, all experience and skills you accumulate will gain exceptionally high efficiency.
However, after a day passes, efficiency returns to normal.
A game of starting from the bottom, facing new threats in ever-changing places.
Grow faster than ever—but when playtime ends, let it all go.
[Apply Genre?]
The power's effect wasn't hard to grasp—but way off what he'd imagined. 'Roguelike' sounded villainous, so he'd pictured something twisted.
“Apply genre.”
Helpful was helpful, name be damned.
Creak! Rattle!
The door shook violently—time was up. A wooden door holding this long was a miracle bordering on impossible.
“Hey! Wait! Ignoring me?! I said opening that is bad news! Fine, no weird talk. No time—escape first—”
“Quiet. Don't interfere.”
Closer now, he saw just one thing battering the door up front. Through splintered gaps, a massive shape flashed by. More lurked nearby, but the slits showed only dull, murky hues.
One drab-colored monster thudded rhythmically: right hand once, left once, both hard.
Thud!
Splinters flew; the door deformed, barely functional. Now the outside was visible without squinting.
Crack!
The lock gave. Even a normal person could smash it—or any bright-eyed player with one magic bolt.
Crunch!!
Anyone could kick it flying.
Groooan—
Straight through the gaping hole loomed a massive tree. Tree-shaped, tree-sized—but moving, groaning, with a face. No hesitation: Aiden speared it.
Snap.
Thick trunk cracked, pierced, holed deep. A bit more force, and it toppled back with a crash. Final magic flame at spear-tip finished it—no more snapping wood.
“My turn for a proposal, Sephirah.”
Euphoria surged with every move. Head clear, strength flowed easy. All experience piled into his body. And from now, everything gained max efficiency—for a time.
“Walk on your own two feet.”
Confident he could break through, Aiden spoke.
“Unless you want dragged bound along the ground.”