"They need to stop yanking this thing," Kurisu stumbled forward, the collar biting into his neck every time someone ahead walked too far.
This is really happening, huh? He squinted. A system menu flickered before his eyes.
[Job : Obedient slave]
A vein in his temple popped.
Is this thing insulting me? "At least it's quite straightforward," he closed the menu and sighed. At least I don't need to say something cringe like 'Status'.
It's still mangled… He thought as he looked at his leg. It'll take a couple of days to heal. I'm lucky it was a baby. An adult Beak Thing would have taken the limb.looking up he saw something in the shifting desert haze; it parted just enough for a city to emerge: a cluster of squat metal domes, wind turbines, and tall stone towers with rust streaking down the sides. It looked like shit, but what else could you expect from a desert? "Heng," he muttered. A town controlled by the United Cities, a faction of corrupt politicians and honourless samurai. "If Heng is there…"
Kurisu laughed bitterly. "That means we're going to the South Stone Camp."
This is completely ridiculous. He turned and looked at the chain and saw a reflection of his bald head. Kurisu exhaled fiercely. "Shitty game…" he snarled, kicking at the sand. Pain shot up his leg, and he winced. A man with a scar on his face walked over, took out his club, and stared at Kurisu. "Quiet!" the guard spat. "Yes, sir," Kurisu said politely. Changing his attitude with the mere threat of violence.
I'm starting to like that asshole less and less. He limped forward. Still, though, this is all so surreal. Am I in the game? Or is the game modeled after this world? Or most probable… I'm having a mental breakdown. "Thinking about it won't help," He sighed and scratched his nose and started to crack a smile. For now, let's come up with a plan to get out of these chains. He looked up.
"..."
"We shouldn't be far now…"
The sun dipped low as the caravan arrived at the camp. Here we are… A knot of anxiety formed in his chest.
He looked up at the walls with a frown. Walls of stone with scrap metal leaning against them, random metal pipes for fencing, it horrified the pampered man. I'm gonna be sick. His eyes met the gate, and it groaned open. As Kurisu stepped through, the desert wind died behind him. The silence in the absence of it… felt wrong.
I started to like the sound of the wind. Sweat dripped down his cheek. The wind was replaced with the clinking of chains, whipping and shouting voices. Kurisu covered one of his ears with his hand. He smiled, but he still felt anxious.
This is my new life… for about a month at least.
The gate slammed shut behind him. Kurisu didn't turn around; it would be too real if he did.
"Let's get started," he exhaled and looked up, smiling, then internally flinched. Harpoon turrets were perched on the walls above him like mechanical vultures. Yeah, I think I'll sneak out instead… pain is real here. He gulped, looking at the turrets. Usually, you could train Athletics and just run out, but I don't want to risk getting hit by one of them. Cages were stacked in rows, some empty, some filled with hollow-eyed people. That'll be me soon… Something smells. Kurisu's nostrils widened as it hit him—sweat, blood, piss… and fear. "Smells like XP." But seriously, this place didn't look THIS bad in-game; it was one of the places I frequented to get new recruits. He stopped and scratched his head. A guard stepped forward, raising his weapon.
"New meat, to the pits!" He spat. Kurisu flinched. I don't wanna work I just got here! How can they make me work like this?! he pouted glancing at his leg and stump. The afternoon mining shift had just begun; normally, they lock you up for a bit first. "Forgot they had a bar here." Kurisu looked right at a squat metal dome with seats and chairs outside; it had a bar sign hanging above the door, it overlooked the mine. "They won't try to buy me, right?" A fat merchant wearing some sort of yellow fur pointed at Kurisu. No, they never do that in the game. I doubt they'll do it here. "MOVE IT!" The guards whipped at slaves falling out of line. Kurisu flinched at the noise and picked up his pace.
He whistled.
There are a lot of different races here...
The hivers, Bug people. Insect-like appearances; thin stick-like waists, big black eyes, green skin, and straw legs. He was slightly unimpressed.
They are uglier in person… He scratched "What else?" Actual skeletons… A race of sentient robots from the first empire, though they've lost their spark. Their heads look like broken cameras... wait am I being racist?
Kurisu stared for a second too long, Robots… So fuckin' cool.
The skeleton glanced at Kurisu's missing arm—then quickly hid its own.
"I don't want your trash arm," Kurisu spat.
What next?! He turned with a cheesy grin. Just normal humans… scorchlanders and greenlanders, "I've seen them before…" He hissed, his smile fading. I was hoping to see something more interesting… huh? The sound of metal hitting skin made Kurisu's head turn, "A Shek?!" The Shek walked past him as two guards screamed in his ears, striking him with metal clubs. He's not even flinching… show off. Kurisu became more curious.
He's at least got to have 50 Toughness. Sheks were probably my second favorite race, Grey skin, A pure bone exoskeleton on their chest and joints, horns coming from their heads, and no hair. Though, why is there no more Shek here? "Move it, baldy!" a guard with a scar on his face grunted at Kurisu, B…baldy? Kurisu's eye twitched, his nose snarling as he eyed the guard's club.
That fucker's lucky my stats are shit.
Pickaxes hit stone as Kurisu moved into his assigned post. He covered his nostrils and frowned. Smells like sweat and shit over here…. Guards were shouting and whipping any slaves who got out of line. "I'd better not stand out," he said, picking up a pickaxe. A shout echoed from a guard on a harpoon turret.
"Work hard, and you might eat tonight!"
Oh, that guy is here. The Shek let off strong grunts as he carved through the ore with a pickaxe like butter. You're fucking kidding me… Kurisu tried to imitate the Shek and swung. But he was essentially flapping his arm like a wet noodle trying to dig into a diamond.
What jackass thinks making a one-armed man mine is a good idea?! An angry crack formed on Kurisu's face. Just then, a small young man with brown hair fell over, his body hitting the ground with a thump. It caught Kurisu's attention.
Guards surrounded the young man.
"Get up". "Oh, come on!" "I think this one ran out of battery".
A fourth guard with a scar on his face stepped in.
"YOU'RE WORKING MORE TOMORROW!"
He delivered a kick to the man's chest.
Kurisu watched the guard for a moment. Yeah… I'm calling that guy Scarface. He sighed.
I should stay out of it… But.
Kurisu looked at the young man once more, he kinda looks like my brother. Kurisu's body reacted before he fully processed his feelings. The Shek stepped in front of him.
"Too weak," The Shek towered over him, his voice like stone. Kurisu's fist clenched. "But he'll di—"
His teeth cracked as he stopped himself.
No… he's right. All I'll do is get beaten—or worse. He looked back at the young man, multiple smiling guards joining in on the beating, and Kurisu's heart forked. Why is this pissing me off so much?! His face turned red as he walked back and picked up the pickaxe.
Kurisu's struck down hard He's just an NPC right?! The Shek glanced unknowingly at Kurisu, whose face was contorted with rage while swinging his pick…
Not broken. The Shek smiled internally. The sun finally set. The work didn't stop. By nightfall, the guards began forcing the slaves back into their cages. I'm so hungry… How do these people live like this? Kurisu wiped the sweat from his brow. Normally, you could just afk while your character did all the slave work, but it's more mentally draining here. "Ahh, shitface is here," Kurisu grinned. Scarface caught Kurisu's stare. "Don't you look me in the eyes!" he barked, hurling a bottle of grog. Kurisu barely dodged. Scarface pointed at a smaller man. "Riddly! Take this dog to its kennel!" Riddly stepped forward, grabbed Kurisu by his arm, and dragged him into a house, up the stairs, and threw him in a cage on the roof.
All I did was look at him…
Riddly gave Kurisu one more kick before closing the cage door. "Don't look at the boss, don't look at me. Don't look at anyone, understood?" His tone was indifferent.
"Understood," He snarled as the guard walked away. Kurisu grunted while rubbing his stomach. In the game, they fed you at least. "So much for hospitality," Kurisu said while sitting up. "Quiet." A low voice came from the cage beside his. "Who do you think…" Kurisu went quiet. A Shek? Wait… Is that the guy from earlier? The Shek leaned back against his cage bars, his gaze still fixed in front of him. "Name." There was a brief pause. Kurisu hesitated. "Kurisu… Kurisu Hanto." The Shek turned his head and studied him. "Radahk." Kurisu nodded, rolled his arm back, and arched his back in a deep stretch. "Nice to meet yo-" CRASH! I'm starting to get sick of being cut off. He turned to the noise, a slave, thin and desperate, bolted from a work line, knocking over boxes.
The guards roared.
"GET HIM" The slave manic never looked away from the gate ninety feet away from him. A harpoon turret began to turn atop the wall.
Chik, Chik, Chik, Click… Then- SNAP / A metal bolt shot out, fast, cutting through the air. It punched into the man's calf.
He went down screaming, blood spraying into the sand.
"Dumbass", Kurisu shook his head. I'm not risking escaping that way, if I fail it'll hurt. Radahk studied Kurisu from the corner of his eye.
Two guards walked over casually. One grabbed the chain and started dragging the man, leaving a dark stain across the sand. The other kicked him twice in the ribs. Laughter echoed from the watch platforms, as screams turned into silence. Kurisu sighed and turned to Radahk.
"What happens now?"
Radahk's gaze remained on the yard.
"Get sold," he stated.
"…Like that? Hole in his leg and all?" Kurisu looked at his own leg.
"Yes, hole makes cheaper."
Kurisu let out a short, bitter laugh.
"Of course it does," he muttered.
I don't know if the rules here are different, but in the game you never get sold… He looked at the slave that was caught, a merchant was negotiating for a lower price on him. "I'd better be careful" he said under his breath. Radahk finally turned his head, amber eyes meeting Kurisu's.
"You shouted at the sky earlier… On the march."
"Yeah… bad habit." "Habit will get you killed." "Everything here will get me killed," Kurisu mumbled. Radahk's mouth twitched.
"Correct." He looked back at the yard.
Kurisu swallowed and stared at the bloodstained sand. This isn't a game anymore; percentage chances
won't suffice, I need a guaranteed way of escape. "I won't end up like him," he frowned. Radahk looked at Kurisu and turned away, grunting. "Not even a goodnight?!" Kurisu said, offended, but eventually the day of grueling work took over, and his eyes grew heavy.
I'll sleep for a couple hours... He looked at the hard cage floor and sighed.
The night grew dark, Kurisu fell in and out of sleep as hours passed. He felt uneasy, cold. He rubbed his eyes I'll just force myself to sleep. He thought hen he heard metal groaning.
followed by--- Clunk! Kurisu's eyes snapped wide. He sat up and looked around.
He turned—Radahk's cage door was open.
What the? The shackles around Radahk's feet were loose, the lock shattered.
I gotta check his stats. Kurisu opened the stat window.
[Shek : Radahk ] [Strength: 55] [Martial arts 37] [Toughness: 45]
That's high for a slave NPC… Why is he even here? Kurisu watched the Shek. The Shek crouched, made his way, and grabbed two pieces of meat from the table. Not a sound was made, then he slipped back into the cage.
Stealthy also? [Stealth 37]
He unfocused and closed the system window.
"Uncommon for a Shek," Kurisu whispered.
The Shek retorted, Jerky in mouth.
"Uncommon for human to survive beak thing bite"
"Touche," Kurisu said, looking away nervously.
I'm not gonna tell him it was a baby.
Radahk sat down in his cage and closed the door. He bent a piece of metal back, and it locked.
"That's unfair," Kurisu said, looking at his own cage lock.
I could give it a try... He reached into his pocket, and his face went stiff as he focused. In the game, for some reason, lockpicking was something you didn't need anything for… it was essentially like a skill, does it work here?
"This feels like plot armour…" he whispered, grinning like a pervert as he pulled out a lockpick. Radahk's amber eyes glinted with a flicker of dark amusement. I wonder if NPCs can do this… I shouldn't try it too often in front of Radahk.
Kurisu looked at the tools, confused, and just decided to put them and twist.
Chik… chikk. *failed* "Dammit," Kurisu hissed. Chik… chik *failed* "Ugh! Piece of—"
Chik. Chik… *Success!*
"Nice!" A manic grin split Kurisu's face. He crept toward the table like a one-armed shadow, and there it was: a slab of dried meat, a bottle of grog, and a crust of bread. Most people would have eaten the food and run. Kurisu had a different plan.
I wonder if this'll work. He picked the slab of meat up and Dropped it. Picked it up.
Dropped it. Picked it up- Radahk stared.
Then grunted. "What are you doing, soft skin?" "Shut up, I'm focusing." Kurisu snapped, he turned back, and his face started becoming twisted with pleasure at the repeated action.
Radahk stared at the skinny bald man with utter judgment.
I take it back... This human is broken. Kurisu's eyes rolled back, and his nose sniffed. In the game, you could max out thievery if you just spammed, dropped, and picked up stolen items. He closed his eyes
[ Thievery 1->17 ] It works!
Kurisu's face hit its final phase, twisting and churning into something that would make the devil blush. He stuck out his tongue and, in his mind, yelled. Yes… Yes. I just have t— Creak… His eyes snapped wide,and his face stiffened as he looked up.
Scarface was leaning against the wall, watching the performance with a wide, predatory smile.
"Having fun?"
"S-shit," Kurisu whispered in defeat.
The guard whacked Kurisu across the face, kicked him in the stomach, and dragged him back to the cage while laughing.
[ Toughness 3->4 ] Kurisu hit the cage floor, and his face was swollen.
"I didn't wanna level up toughness!"
Scarface walked away mumbling.
"Riddly needs to start locking the cages properly". I hate that guard. I'll pay him back for calling me the B word. Kurisu plotted while he massaged his swollen cheek.
Radahk studied him for a moment… his mouth twitched. Not a smile, not a smirk, not really anything. But he turned and handed half a piece of Jerky through the bars. "Eat" Kurisu's eyes locked on to the jerky his stomach growling.
I've been starving since I got here. He thought, licking his lips, then snatched it and started chewing, giving a thumbs up to Radahk. "Fank'sh…" He said with his mouth full. Radahk turned away and grunted. Kurisu's eyebrow raised.
I could have sworn I saw him smile… He opened the stat screen.
Still terrible… but I'll let myself off for today… Tomorrow will be better. He gave a melancholic smile.
He closed his eyes one more time as he curled into a ball on the iron floor. Something important was missing, not food. Not a bed, not even freedom. I miss my dog. [Game saved!]
[Toughness 2->4] [thievery 0->17] [Athletics 7->9] [Strength 0-2] [Labouring 0->14] [Dodge 1->3] [Dignity -99->-107] [Hair-N/A]