Escape - Chapter 31.2
Chapter 31.2
“Ha! Higher level than Yune.” Feeling smug about his level, Luce continued reading until he reached his occupation.
“Wait, out of all the possible occupations… Storyteller?”
Was that even a real job? He’d imagined something manly and cool, like a Berserker. What kind of game had a “Storyteller” class? At this rate, there might as well be classes like “Reader” or “Fan.” It was just a glorified title for an unemployed narrator. Dumbfounded, he then looked at his titles and was rendered speechless.
Wordsmith Warrior. This Area’s Supreme Egoist.
That was harsh. Sure, he was talkative and maybe a bit self-centered, but he’d never done anything to deserve such labels. As he fumed at the mysterious system, he reached out to click “More.”
Ding.
[System: A gift has arrived in your Gift Box (1).
Would you like to check now? Yes (Y) / No (N)]
That incessant ding was driving him crazy. As if to appease him, the message offered the sweet temptation of a gift.
“Ugh, what now? A gift? Out of the blue?” Nobody dislikes gifts. Well, maybe some people do, but Luce certainly didn’t. Forgetting his anger, he clicked “Yes (Y)” without hesitation.
The impersonal chime rang again, and a new message appeared.
[From: godhand – Item – Curse of the Forbidden Fruit (3) has arrived. The item will be equipped automatically.]
“Huh? Curse? What kind of cursed item equips itself automatically?” From a weak-sounding occupation and insulting titles to a cursed item—Luce was ready to argue, but the system didn’t give him a chance.
“…?”
[Item: Curse of the Forbidden Fruit (3) activates, and the Seeds of War sprout. Forced transfer initiated.
10. 9. 8. 7….]
”Damn it.”
A curse word finally slipped out. He didn’t know what was happening, but the countdown was ominous, like a ticking time bomb. The phrase “forced transfer” didn’t sound good either. With his survival instincts kicking in, Luce grabbed the army bag beside the sofa, hoping to grab a weapon. But the damn system was faster than he was.
[…3. 2. 1. Initiating forced transfer.]
A blinding light, similar to the one that had greeted him upon entering the guild lodging, enveloped him. This time, the journey through the tunnel of light was longer and more disorienting.
Clutching his army bag, Luce was unceremoniously dumped out of the nauseating spatial distortion, landing with a thud in front of a man.
More specifically, a young man in a soaking wet robe. He turned to look at her. The name “Shade2002” flickered above his head.
Remarkably, the first thing Luce did was shove his book into his army bag. Quickly zipping it closed and slinging it over his shoulder, he scrambled to his feet.
“Shade2002.”
He found himself reading the name aloud. It sounded familiar. As he racked his brain, the name flickered a few more times and disappeared.
“What?” the man asked indifferently, glancing down at him. He showed no surprise at his sudden appearance, merely giving him a quick once-over. Water dripped from his soaked robe onto the grass, staining the blades a deep green.
“Huh?” Luce responded, still dazed.
“If you’re here for a quest, just give it to me. Skip the sob story.”
“A quest? Uh… am I supposed to give you something?” He sounded like he was demanding a debt.
Luce felt a surge of frustration. He was frustrated at being abruptly transported, frustrated at the lingering dizziness, and frustrated at being spoken to so casually by someone who looked so young (yes, Luce was a young curmudgeon). His occupation still topped the list of frustrations, though.
“If you don’t know what a quest is, then explain your story.” Shade said with forced patience.
Story? What story? Tilting his head, Luce mumbled, “Um… I received a gift and was suddenly transported here. I don’t know where I am.”
“You’re in District 8.” Shade replied curtly. Luce’s eyes widened.
“Huh? District 8? That’s impossible… I mean, that can’t be… right?”
At the mention of District 8, Luce frantically scanned his surroundings. He was in the middle of a lush forest, filled with ancient trees and thick undergrowth. Bright sunlight filtered through the leaves. He gaped at the exotic scenery.
It was definitely different from the Labyrinth. The sunless Labyrinth couldn’t support such a vibrant forest. And if he wasn’t mistaken, what he’d just seen soaring through the sky was a red dragon.
