Church of Isekai -2

This made me wonder how a Necromancer got into their Scripts. Either The Mighty Lord Random arranged the incoming characters, or some hacker got really tired of this Perverted Spectacle and decided to take over the Project. So far, the New Guy is winning – we knocked out the Librarian, and I have been working hard on generating likable content. That campfire show with clapping and cheering and dancing had to have gotten some attention. I don’t know for sure if I’m going in the right direction – on one side, I haven’t gotten any “System Challenges”; on the other, they did give me a Reward when we finished the Camp Takeover. Maybe they don’t really feel like steering us anywhere. Maybe they are thinking that in a few days I got to Level-19, took over the Camp and tamed a Dragon – they simply don’t have any script-writers that wild. Who’d message a total newbie that whole list and add that if completed in 3 days, there’ll be a bonus of a new pair of shoes or a Necromancer shirt – please choose one?

Even if I keep the soul, I’ll erase most of its memories. It’s human nature to find justification for one’s actions and to persist in the Old Ways, because to admit the error is to admit self-imperfection, and only a few have strong enough self-esteem. Maybe I’ll remove everything from his memory from about a day into his “transfer” to this World to the moment where people are cheering his body being publicly burned. Other than, that I’m done with it – it took me less than an hour to get all the hidden Crystals and Artifacts, three hidden at different World-edge locations, almost impossible to get to on foot, a matter of one Shadow-Jump for someone who’s learned the exact place and gotten that skill, albeit through questionable means. The Energy Crystals are loaded to the brim and might have a “personal attachment” to the Old Boss. I’ll see if I can remove it, or I’ll ask our wonderful Chief of the Artifactor Lab if he can.

I jumped to the Cave to see what’s going on there and because the Map told me that’s where our Friendly Sprite is. He was indeed sleeping in the Cave all alone. I guess I triggered his Air Feelers because he woke up and stared at me. I apologized for waking him up and asked what’s keeping him here all by himself. He told me he’s not a big fan of loud parties; besides someone needs to keep watch over the Shimmering Veil portals we’ve discovered, and he’s basically doing what I’ve told him to on our Day 1. I asked him if he’d like to relocate to the Camp, assuming we can station some Guards here and set up some motion-detecting Artifacts. He said that the Guards would be the end of his peace and quiet, and in that case, he might as well join with us at the Camp. I apologized for not contacting him earlier – I was moving around all day after taking over the Camp. I was looking for him at the bonfire, but couldn’t find him. He assured me he’s not upset and he heard me mentioning him in my speech. Then he asked me what brings me here before the sunrise. I said I’m not even sure – I just had a strange feeling I had to be here. Fizz shrugged and suggested I call up the Shades – if I’m right and something nasty happens, it’s better to have them here. I stepped into the clearing before the Cave and called out, “SHADES!” They appeared from thin air within a minute.

The Drows didn’t question my calling them – they just lined up and looked at me. I actually asked them why they aren’t spreading around looking for threats, just in case. I got their scary Drow Smiles in return and an assurance that they combed the area before coming out of Stealth. Then I wondered why Shade-3 was sitting on top of the Gallows with logs all around it. Did she not understand I intend to set fire to the thing? She sure did, as well as she knew I’d use the Dragon for it. First, they had taken upon themselves a mission of being my personal bodyguards. Second, the Gallows were the best vantage point to survey the crowd and the surroundings. Third, they seriously suspect Victoria can see through their Stealth. Thus, Fourth, she would've not lit the fire before making sure everybody is sufficiently far away, including the Drow. However, Shade-3 is not upset at my questioning her actions – ordering her to drop Stealth and showing herself to the Masses is a good way to cement my position as a Leader. I said that it seems I have to make sure to be a type of Leader who manages people smarter and wiser than he is. Drow Smiles… Scary Drow Smiles…

Then the Shade-Leader asked if I still can use the Brownie as before or if I have another. “Sorry, I can’t use it since I sealed it into two nested boxes and I don’t have a replacement.” Immediately two of the five shadow-jumped, and I saw them appear at the Brownie Tree and then at the Fairy Tree and then back – nothing. Brownies seem to have all survived the night, and Fairies sleep in large flowers which didn’t open yet. The Drows suggested they go to the Shimmering Veil and take a look – they crossed it before and came back fine. All seven of us walked to the first Veil Portal we discovered – to the World that gave us Phil the Monster. Technically, six of us walked and Fizz flew for a while and then just landed on my shoulder. Shade-4 turned his Stealth on and I was overjoyed to notice that I see his soul through his Stealth much better now. Thank you, Level-19! I saw the Veil give off a tiny ripple then a minute later again and the newly-revealed Drow assured us there is absolutely nothing there. The mess we created is still untouched, the doors are shut, and there’s no sound coming through them. We started our leisurely walk to the next Veil and then I heard a mental scream for help in a voice I least expected. It was Mr. Slime – a nasty man from the second World that we’ve been in contact with.

I dashed to the second Veil, stopped and reached out to Mr. Slime. The only way I could have returned him to his World was by making him into a Zombie. The guy died having fallen into our World through the Veil, which kills almost any living thing. However, I suspect the Designers of the Worlds didn’t account for Zombies, and at least for now, I can send my “protégés” between the Worlds quite easily. We threatened Mr. Slime that we’ll come in person to collect our fee for saving him – 25 sets of clothing. The “fee” is minuscule for his highly developed World, and I was hoping that they’d actually throw in lots of goodies – I mentioned to them we need blankets, but I expected a lot more for the Polite, Respectful Neighbors that they tried to kill by sending a Dragon to our World. Now I felt him being utterly terrified right across the Veil.

My Shades froze next to me awaiting orders. I took over Mr. Slime’s body and looked around. He was in the large Hangar adjacent to the Veil on their side. This is where they shoved the cage with the Dragon into and inadvertently caused a disaster by cutting away a piece of the wall to slide the cage in and bringing down a part of the upper floor. Now he was surrounded by about two dozen teens in similar uniforms; the doors were sealed, and the room was getting filled with some yellow gas. Some were panicking, some were convulsing on the floor and several have been dying. I started grabbing those souls and returning them into the bodies, making the kids into Zombies. Could I have revived them? Yes, at this point I could. However a freshly-revived person would need to breathe again and there’s this strange poisonous gas in the room. I can easily send my Shades into the gas – we don’t need to breathe – but that would've not helped the kids. If we carry them across the Veil, they’ll die the moment they touch it. So ironically, turning them into Zombies is the only way to save them.

Twenty-seven kids. I’m exhausted. I actually got some Mana from the Shades, making sure to leave enough for shadow-jumping. Suddenly, it’s getting crowded on our side of the Veil. Since I have to use Mr. Slime’s body, I am not really aware of what’s going on around mine. However, the Shades seem happy with the newcomers so I finish Zombifying all twenty-seven, order Mr. Slime to pick up one of them and march through the Veil to our side. I’m spent. I break off and order the Shades and the new arrivals – the Assassin group under the command of my former classmate Val – into the Other World. Get the rest of the kids out and lay them outside of the Cave. I never get tired of watching them move – I felt the wind blow past me, and by the time I slowly reached the entrance to the Cave, I saw Dr Nectar dashing between her patients laid out on the pebbles. Welcome, kids, to the first Sunrise of the rest of your (un-)life.

Dr. Nectar is again really disappointed with me. I risked my live needlessly. No, dear, you’re wrong this time. I didn’t even cross the Veil, and all Shades were next to me the whole time. Tired – yes; risked my life – not this time. I still get “a look,” and the Holy Maidens, who are standing to the side, feeding their Mana to the Doctor, express their total solidarity with her. I know, I know, without women, we men, would just think we’re perfect and would probably fly off on our over-inflated ego. We should be grateful that someone’s looking after us. Trust me, Kate, I am very grateful to you. So grateful that I’m willing to tolerate your “wife-ing” of me.

In a few moments, I’m rested enough to walk over to Mr. Slime, still standing to the side. He’s looking at the scene he probably hoped not to see ever again. I don’t want to talk to him, but I need to learn what happened. I lock eyes with him and start walking in his direction. I guess a glare of a Necromancer isn’t easy, because all of a sudden, he tries to run away. Sorry, we’ve gone over this before. I have total control over your body when I need to, Mr. Slime, so here you are, walking back to me, standing still and now there are five nice Smiling Drows standing around you. Well, I didn’t want you to run, you tried to disobey, now you’ll stand really still – just like I need you to. I don’t want to read your mind remotely – when my hand is on your head, I spend almost no Mana getting information out of you.

25 Clothing Sets Part 6

So, what’s in your head, Mr. Slime… OK, came out of the Veil two days ago, shocking all of the assembled Science and Management people. A former permanently barking Jackal walked up to his former colleagues and asked how he can go about getting 25 sets of clothing. When asked how he survived a trip through the deadly veil, he just muttered something and yelled back as he’d handle any interactions with the co-workers, then stopped himself and said that he owes “those on the other side” 25 sets of clothing for getting him across. The science people started asking for details on the otherworlders when a Big Boss cut in, claiming that Mr. Slime (whatever his name is) had survived a shocking ordeal and needed to be put under observation. It didn’t help when he started muttering about scary, smiling Drows who would come to him if he doesn’t come up with 25 sets of clothing. He was semi-willingly led to an isolation chamber in a medical facility. Next day, he stood up before a rather big panel with some members that he identified as the Bosses of the highest level, including those who Oversee Compliance to the Will of the Great World Masters and Endowers. They weren’t impressed with his story about us being basically harmless and nice and not going to attack their World through the Veil. Their view is firm – the entire dimension beyond the Veil is EVIL and everything that comes from it is EVIL, and it can’t be allowed to spread or even speak to the Good People of their World. The science types trying to learn about us were shouted down. Anyone wishing to halt the plans to destroy our World was shouted down. It didn’t help that now he was very polite instead of his usual horrible self. It didn’t help that he spoke about invisible, smiling Drows. He was led back to his isolation chamber.

Next morning, he was taken to the Hangar that was completely restored by then and told that he is allowed to tell his entire story to the schoolkids on a field trip from a nearby elite school. Suddenly, the Hangar doors shut behind them, and the room begins to fill with some Yellow Gas. He sees everybody around him panicking, coughing, and falling, and he gets a strange idea – since I boasted complete control over him, I must be able to save him. He actually screamed out, visualizing me, not understanding that he was actually the only person in that room who would not have been affected by the Gas. He’s already dead – if the Gas doesn’t dissolve his body, he can hold his breath forever.

I broke my contact and slowly walked away. The Shades followed. I felt an immense sense of relief coming from that man. I still find him a disgusting piece of slime but I’ve got to admit – he did his part exactly how I told him to.

Next – the teens lying on the ground. I walked up to a girl (all humanoids look a bit similar, so I’ll assume this slender, gentle-featured creature is a girl) who was lying with her eyes closed, knelt next to her, and touched her forehead. One of the things I learned from her is that she’s awake; another – her left elbow hurts. I said in a low voice, “When you decide to show that you’re awake, walk over to Dr. Nectar and ask her to treat your elbow.” Then I couldn’t resist a chuckle because my “unconscious” patient actually nodded. Next, next, next… One boy decided to be rebellious and asked me what I think I’m doing and if I know who his Father is. I told him that I need to touch his forehead and it doesn’t hurt. He asked me if I’m a Doctor or anyone else authorized to handle Patients. I told him that I am definitely authorized to touch-scan anyone. “By WHOM?” “By the Leader of this World.” “No, this won’t do!” The Patient sat up, then got up with my help and started to walk around angrily. “No, no, no! This is not how things work! There must be a proper licensing procedure in place. Anyone authorized to handle Patients must stand before the Board and prove his competence by passing an exam. Only then one can possibly do even something as simple as touch another person, even for something trivial. How does one know what is actually trivial? Who certified you? This will not do! And you should be aware that a detailed report will be submitted to all the agencies with the powers of oversight!” I looked around at the Shades and Val’s Assassins. I’ve got to give them credit – they are spread out around the area, and even though they are listening in on this diatribe and quietly chuckling, they are still looking over the field.

Dr. Nectar briskly walked over, probably meaning to save her patient from whatever horrible thing that he’s being put through. She stopped a few steps away, listened to the speech, and then suggested a bit more lying down would be good for this one. I asked if all of his classmates who are now sitting up, getting free entertainment, are OK to do so. She said, “Yes, but this one needs to lie down.” Since the Patient totally ignored her advice, I reached out through Zombie-controls, stopped his Public Speaking exercise, touched his forehead getting all the data I need, and commanded him to lie down and be silent for the next 3 minutes. Then I moved to the next person who asked me if I pacified that talker through hypnosis. “Yes, something like that.” The next patient asked me if the talker will be OK. “Yes – he’ll be up and about by the time I reach the last of you.”

And so it was. The kids got up soon enough, and I suggested we start getting to the Camp. Doctor said they aren’t strong enough for a walk, so the Assassins offered to transport them via a Shadow-Jump. I told the kids that it’s a rather unique experience as they move literally within the time it takes to blink, and most have agreed. I offered a ride on a Monster to the rest and when they saw our Phil they somehow preferred a Shadow-Jump. The Doctor with her staff and 2 of the patients still rode our Phil-ed up bus.

The Camp was still just getting to their morning routines, so when the entire Assassin Force showed up with a bunch of strangers and then Phil rode in with the Doctor, everybody assembled. As the newcomers looked at us in wonder, I sent an invitation to the Lab Chiefs to come out and, if possible, take their assistants. I promised a talk on the Other Worlds today – I deliver. Not the way I intended but still.

When everybody came, I started by welcoming our guests (stressing the word to tell everybody that these ones are going back) to the World Of Magic. “Your leaders have been telling you that your World is the one of Goodness, and in this one there’s untold Evil and Perversion. You are the only people who actually got to learn the Truth. Just like yours, our World was created by whoever you call the Endowers. They have given you technologies to get you started – all the Equipment and Knowledge that Original Ancestors received in their Random Boxes got them started on the road that brought you to Genetic Engineering of Dragons. I know you are all kids of the Elite, and several of you have actually been inside the secret lab. Most of you know that as they were trying to push the Dragon into our World, the Hangar got wrecked. Later I send a Messenger to some Officials asking for them to stop their attacks and to develop some relations between us. I offered to trade simple magic stuff for things we need. You also know that the man who came with you here, inadvertently fell into our World before. We used bits of our Magic and managed to send him back, requesting 25 full clothing sets as a fee for services.”

One of the boys perked up, smiled, and asked, “So you want us to go back naked?” I quickly said “NO,” and then it hit me. Those World bosses are playing tricks with me. They are actually laughing at me. I began my first conversation with them by asking if the Yellow Gas we sent before wasn’t a good enough hint for them to stop bothering us. Only later we understood that the Yellow Gas was sent to a different dimension, the one that first sent us Phil, and then we got the Twins – Dar and Dara – from there. Those Twins are right here, looking at me and the newcomers. That is the World we checked first, before responding to the cries for help from the second. It’s all making sense – the Science people wanted to stop wasting resources on aggressive Genetic Engineering and establish contacts with us. The Warmongers and the Religious Authorities benefit from the Arms Race that’s keeping them in charge and the “Endowers” happy. So, to shut the dissenters down, they’ve unleashed their own Yellow Gas in the Hangar on the most visible target – the children of those Science types. I saw in their memories that a much larger class was brought in, and it was split – a half went elsewhere with the teacher, and the second half went into the Hangar to hear a “Special Lecture by the sole survivor of the Veil.” That’s when the doors shut behind them and the Gas was pumped.

Those (not very nice people) framed us. They played a joke on us. I wanted 25 sets of clothing – I got them. With the murdered people in them. They needed to get rid of Mr. Slime, and they suspected we somehow were tracking him. They knew he’d call for help, and as a failed agent, he’d get an extraction. He did. The kids are inconsequential. If we leave their bodies on the floor – we’ve proven ourselves being utterly Evil, and they – wise and caring, who didn’t trust anything and anyone who came in touch with the Other World. If the bodies disappear – we’re still Evil. Mr. Slime would probably stay with us or not – after that horror, nobody would listen to him, and at best, he’d spend his days fearing the Smiling Drows in a locked up room. They played a joke on me… They. Played. A. Joke. On. Me. … THEY… PLAYED… A… JOKE… ON… ME! Never. Never. Never. Get. Your. Necromancer. ANGRY!!!

I suddenly heard a voice of our Dragon-friend in my head, “STOP IT!” I came back to my senses and looked around. My audience was sitting in shock, looking at me. Whatever they have just seen wasn’t what I have intended to display. I apologized to everybody and apologized again. I told them about my conclusions and said I wanted to talk to the Lab Chiefs, Dr. Nectar, Shade-Leader, Captain Val, and Dragon Victoria in about an hour. I’m not asking for the Demi-Wolf because he got his paws full with the Youth Group. In fact, I wanted to see them train – let’s go now. And sorry again. Most sincerely. I’ll do my best that it doesn’t happen again. The guests are free to mingle.

I walked to the meadow where the Demi-Kids were being herded by our selfless Captain of the Guard and tried to define them as a “Pack,” as I did yesterday to some of them. It turned out to be easier than I expected – when you know what you’re looking for and you’ve done it before, adding the new members to the Pack was a snap. I described what I had done to the Captain and apologized to the kids again for being too scary. A Kitty-Boy told me that I was really scary. Almost as scary as the Captain. I repeated, “Almost as scary,” and smiled at their coach. He looked me in the eyes and shook his head. Yes, we both know who’s scarier. Before I go, I told the kids I’ll play a little game and they’ll be my toys. They looked at me and I took control of the Pack as one entity and started forcing them to do dance moves. After the initial surprise, they actually laughed, and when I released them, they wanted to go again. I said that’s enough for now; they have a lesson and their coach is waiting. Little kids thought this is all fun and games. The Demi-Wolf understood it correctly – I can do anything to any of my Zombies, and there’s no way out for them. Well, I actually like them and need them, and I’d never hurt them, but it’s probably not easy to know that despite being so mighty, he’d be dancing just like those kids if I wanted him to. Maybe I’m overthinking it – he knew I’m a Necromancer before. Besides each Soldier obeys a Sargent; a Sargent reports to say a Captain; he to a General; and he to say a King. Maybe the Captain knows his job and expects me to do mine when the time comes to defend the Camp. I’ll just walk away.

Think inside the box Part 7

I walked back to the Camp Square where the Gallows used to stand. Strangely enough, the ashes and any traces of the all-night party had disappeared. I’ll ask later to make sure, but it looks like the World has certain self-purging features. I found the kid who joked about them having to go back naked and apologized to him specifically. I don’t want him or anyone to think that I totally lost it because of his joke. It’s just that it allowed me to understand something I couldn’t get for a while. I’ll talk to them all later. Did Dragon Victoria come out yet? Oh, she did – great. Listen I need to go; I’ll see you all later. Most probably, we’ll send you all back by sunset. No, no questions. I’m still trying to figure out a lot of details. No. Sorry, I need to go; I’ll come back in about 2 hours. I hope.

I walked back into the Mansion and found a large reception room that Dr. Nectar took over for the classroom. I asked her if she remembered we’re meeting in about half an hour. Yes, she does, so unless it’s urgent… No, I just need to sit in the corner and do something similar to what she saved me from yesterday. If she notices my soul running away, please act. NO. NO. I must, and that’s not up for discussion. Sorry, and please continue with your class. Dear students, sorry for the interruption.

I sat on the floor in the corner and reached out to the Soul of the Librarian. First, I left it with less than a tenth of his capacity, then took away half of that, then reached out to him. A very angry voice cursed me, and then again and again. I let him talk and then interrupted, “Listen, let’s assume you got me really upset and instead of running away in tears, I just started modifying your memories. Every one where you’re making someone suffer in your office will be reversed – you will remember it from the victim’s point of view. You have MANY of those, and I can change them really quickly. Oh, don’t start again – I’ll throw in your Drows’ memories too. Every one where they acted on your orders, only this time, again, you’ll be running through the Forest and hiding in the rocks and then dying in a way you’ve requested. Now that I got your attention – here’s the situation with the newcomers. I don’t want to keep them and I don’t want an all-out war with their World. I can send them back, and the Bosses would have to be silent about their own Yellow Gas. In fact, the whole incident would come down to a door malfunction – the kids would be forced to shut up about the Gas. That would leave the kids as Zombies – probably never growing up – and leave the World Bosses to plot their next casus belli