Races: Online (VR Smartphone App)

Chapter 146: The Final Act

There were a lot of things that the observer could watch with nothing but non attachmentand often, they were much less concerned with what was happening as they were sure that the traps and creatures in the hallway would capture and subdue whoever had come to seek for knowledge.

They observer had grown upset with the Black Slime for running away in one of those encounters but it had been mitigated when the two seekers were subdued in the area where the air was filled with compounds and gases that rendered them to sleep and the Black Slime had gone to place them in his chambers.

Later on, the seeker realized that the Black Slime only took onebut then the Snake was out there to capture those who eluded the Black Slime and even when the Snake was defeated, the observer simply watched on. There was a final trap that no living being had evaded before.

But when the observer saw what had happened to the one who evaded the final trap and when they noticed that the Black Slime's presence completely vanished they realized that they could no longer simply observe.

.. .

He gasped and bolted up from the floorthe young man seized his chest for a moment until he clutched his head. It was if he was being drilled for a moment. There had been a couple of notifications that rang through his mind as he also saw the series of screens in front of him:

[ You Have Been Inflicted By The Status 'Sleep' ]

[ You Are 'Asleep' ]

[ Ability: Will of the Player Attempting To Breakthrough Status ]

[ Lacking Component 'Will' ]

[ You Are 'Asleep' ]

[ Continuous Exposure To Concentrated Gas In The Hallway ]

[ You Have Gained Some Resistance ]

[ You Have Obtained 'Lesser Toxin Resistance' ]

He blinked and covered his mouth and nose and quickly moved away from the areawhether he had some resistance or not, it was still better to be on the safe side of things. He felt a wince of pain in his leg but continued on to run. When he felt that he was far enough, he let out a sigh and wiped his forehead. "Lessor Toxin Resistance?" It definitely had been helpful Did he get it because he was a Rogue? 

That had been a lucky thing.

Or it may have been due to the Interface he got as a Player. Regardless of that, he didn't like his situation one bit as he opened his map and checked on Timothy's status. Somehow his companion was able to move and get through whatever had held him back beforethat was a relief. "Probably some luck or something as well, or maybe he finally learned magic?" Han didn't know but he was aware that Timothy had a more natural talent towards mana gathering at the very least.

Whatever the case, the guy might have been able to get through this level but he still needed to do it as well. Han sighed inwardly and continued to walk at a much more moderate pace, "I mean, if Timothy's here, then he might be on here to save Ellynn as well? Did the two of them go together?"

He continued to talk and walk it was a little comforting as the hallway was really quiet. Although after a couple of seconds though, he shut his mouth. If he really was going on the Rogue path then there was a need for silence and stealth. He could do that. Instead he tried to pay attention to his surroundings. He was no trapmaster and he wasn't a skilled fighter either he sighed and scratched the back of his head. Han wanted to get this over with and get a potion for his leg and then maybe get some 'sleep' so he could wake uphe hadn't been oversleeping was he?

And then it was there that he arrived at approximately the same place where Timothy had gotten stuck. It made him raise his browswhat were these? He couldn't believe this at all! It was a blatant logo for Races: Online! Why did they put it up here? No wonder Timothy might have stared at this for some time, it's aesthetic was clearly different from the world they were in.

And although he preferred to keep to himself in the light of recent things, he popped up a chat screen and contacted the Moderator? It was kind of pitiful that out of all the Races that were existing in this world, he had to contact them but it was much better than trusting other Races? 

Han: Hey, why is there a logo of Races: Online in Kraelonia Academy?

Peach: Huh, what do you mean?

It made him raise a brow as the answer came in less than a split secondwas she always online? Then again, in a way, Peach was the Moderator so maybe it was in her job description. Anyhow, did she not know what this thing was? He frowned until he remembered something that the Wood Elf had done when they had met. He motioned to the walls, "Capture Image."

Once again there was no bright flash or any indication of a picture getting taken, but the image still appeared in front of him as if he had taken a screenshot. He sent it to Peach and awaited her because it seemed important? Han gazed at the walls and leaned towards it, "Is this some kind of easter egg? Haven't seen this thing in any other place."

Peach: Oh that. Well, it's the Creators who created this world, so why shouldn't we leave some kind of indicator?

Han: ...fair point. But won't the people who see this get existential crises or something? Nobody knows the meaning of 'Online' around here.

Peach: You see it as the text 'Races: Online' but to other Players, it shows as something else entirely and for the people inside this worldwell, they don't get it.

Han: My friend was here and he got stuck in this spot for who knows how long.

Peach: Did he? Hmm I don't know about that

Han: Are you sure?

Peach: Well, it's got some 'Madness' and 'Delusion' effects. Just some mind-warping things until they realize and see the symbols and then figure out that this 'Kraelonia Academy' existed at the beginning of the world

Han: I don't know if I should hate you for telling this to me or thank you for it

It was pretty crazy to think that they'd have this in the world or he was kind of biased since his friend got affected. Maybe other Players didn't complainif this had been in another situation, it really would have been a nice touch. And yet now that he learned what it truly was, it turned out that it wasn't as important if he could get other more substantial information from her.

Peach: You're welcome, if you have anything else to say. Go spit it out, I'm quite a busy person

Han somehow doubted that but if this Kraelonia Academy was one of the earliest and even first creations of the Creator, then the Moderator surely would know about this place. Maybe he'd get a tip or even a clue why Ellynn got kidnapped in the first placewhether it was something done by the Professors or if this was something else.

Han: What enemy am I facing in this lower portion of the Academy then?

Peach: You want me to tell you? Where's the fun in that?

Han: Ellynn's got captured, this is not the time!

Peach: I don't know who that isbut didn't you join this to have fun, relax~

Han: I can't relax if there are consequences with my actions -.-

Peach: Boo! :[ You don't know that!

Han Jing rubbed his forehead and sent a quick 'thank you' to the Moderator before dismissing the chat screen. He tended to forget that this Moderator's personality wasn't something he could always rely on. As he previously experienced, they may or may not just be talking just for the heck of it. With the situation about the inscriptions on the wall solved however, he was forced to continue on his journey without any other help.

Soon enough, he began to see a door at the end of the hallway as a wave of energymana swept through him and nearly knocked him backwards. And it was coming from the door too, his [ Mana Sense ] didn't have to work too hard because it was dense enough that he could almost see it. He reached towards his inventory and pulled out the Enchanter's Toolstick and activated its weapon mode.

The energy saber crackled for a moment, the beam was a sharp color of yellow.

"Er, I could work with this." He would have liked it more if it had been blue or green but there was no time to complain. As much as he wanted to pull his twin daggers right now and fully get on with his Class as a Rogue, he was a little bit more confident in his own world skillsalthough Bo Lifen often kicked his butt in martial arts club and with kendo, he could still probably use his knowledge in that world to here. And if things don't go well, he'd do an [ Unerring Throw ] and then run as far as he could. 

Not that he'd abandon Timothy or Ellynn.

Han sighed and fought back against the ongoing influx of mana that spilled out from the door and once he finally reached the place, he didn't get the chance to appreciate it as he saw something else entirely. Amidst all the floating books in the air, he saw Timothy being choked by some translucent man holding him up way up above towards the ceiling.