Arthur swallowed, a complete chill pouring over him like a torrential rain.
The things he had previously ignored—he finally noticed them now that he had completely calmed down.
"See? I knew no one should speak too absolutely."
Seeing Arthur's face turn as if he had fallen into an ice cellar, the Guide—though he wanted to laugh—didn't show it.
"Arthur, hoping for others won't lead to good results. Don't you think that since you've come here, they'll still treat you as a normal person?"
After listening to Arthur's description of the Foundation, the Guide offered his own deduction.
"Your past life ended the moment you arrived at Lobotomy Corporation."
"You will only be a new Anomaly in their words, or… a new SCP containment object?"
"Honestly, I bear you no ill will. Unlike those other colleagues, whether you live or die has nothing to do with me…"
He spoke slowly, waiting for Arthur's response—and finally, he got it.
"What should I do?"
Arthur knew that what the Guide said was not without reason.
Although the Guide might be imagining the Foundation a bit too negatively, once someone was involved in such matters, returning to a normal life as an ordinary person was already impossible.
"That's more like it…"
The Guide stood up and patted Arthur's shoulder, relief faintly evident.
"I know what you're worried about, but don't worry. In the world of adventure, you won't feel hunger or fatigue, and external time will pause. The only thing you need to pay attention to is your health…"
"Use the Magic Mirror, and you can return to this cabin."
Hearing the Guide's explanation, the system suddenly responded.
"G-01-05 management guidelines have changed…"
"Host, please note!!"
"The second management guideline has been supplemented…"
"2. When personnel enter Terraria with the Guide's permission, it will no longer be considered a traversal. As long as they remain in a working state, return 'home' before the work ends, and conclude the work, no abnormalities will occur."
Even the system confirmed that what the Guide said was correct.
What an unexpected turn…
Arthur, now steady again, put away the Magic Mirror and slowly stood up.
What he needed to do first was set his spawn point at the bed in the Oak House.
He retreated backward, and when he was as far from the bed as possible, Arthur looked into the Magic Mirror.
It was a strange sensation. Arthur stared intently at his reflection.
Even without looking away, he could feel the world outside the mirror beginning to shatter.
Fortunately, this only lasted for one second.
The next moment, countless blue fragments fell around him.
Arthur lowered his head slightly—he was beside the same bed again.
"Hm…"
After several more attempts, Arthur confirmed that he could indeed teleport directly to the bedside from anywhere inside the Oak House.
"Ready? Then let's go. The weather outside is clear now…"
The Guide looked at Arthur, whose hand rested on the doorknob.
But Arthur hesitated. Before leaving, he still had one last question.
"Why are you helping me?"
Only now did Arthur realize that, at some point, the Anomaly had already influenced him.
In the past three months, he had wanted to return to Earth—but never as desperately as in the past few days. It felt as though his entire being had been overtaken by swelling emotions.
And this Guide had just helped him break free—and even gifted him a Magic Mirror.
"Alas, of course, it's to fulfill our predetermined destiny…"
The Guide sighed with a smile, as if this matter were a nuisance.
"Heh… you guys, who are 'omniscient' in your own worlds—do all of you enjoy speaking in riddles?"
Arthur complained helplessly.
Still, his grip on the doorknob was slick with sweat.
Gritting his teeth, he twisted it hard.
A world of birdsong and fragrant flowers appeared before his eyes.
Arthur was momentarily stunned. No matter how dangerous it was, this was scenery he would never see in Lobotomy Corporation.
He stepped into the world of Terraria.
Only then did the Guide's smile fade, leaving calm behind.
The next second, a brief, helpless sigh echoed through the Oak House.
"I'm not a riddler."
"My name is Brian… my friend."
[Detected entry into Terraria… System updated…]
[Note: This system can only be used in the Terraria world…]
Arthur knew immediately—he was no longer in Lobotomy Corporation.
This update mainly unlocked Terraria-standard features: backpack, inventory, and map.
A quick glance showed only the beginner's three-piece set.
Copper Shortsword.
Copper Axe.
Copper Pickaxe.
Decisive Heart and the MK4 Shredder he carried also fit into the inventory.
Arthur tried storing Decisive Heart—it worked.
Flexing his now-empty hand, he couldn't help but think:
If I could bring this inventory function outside, I'd be invincible.
Even Roland's Black Silence Glove can't hold this much…
(T/N: I think Roland is from Library of Ruina)
Wishful thinking.
Arthur opened the inventory, and a pickaxe materialized in his right hand.
[Equipment Name: Copper Pickaxe
Grade: ZAYIN
Equipment Requirements: None
Pickaxe Power: 35%
Description: The most ordinary pickaxe. Make do with it.]
Hm… the grade system is still being assimilated by Lobotomy Corporation.
Arthur didn't dwell on that. He frowned at the name instead.
At least it's not given a negative prefix…
He tightened his grip. It felt slightly awkward—but serviceable.
Just as the description said.
Arthur grew serious and began sprinting across the world of Terraria.
Although time outside the containment room was frozen, time within Terraria clearly flowed.
When night began to fall, Arthur shivered.
The memory of his first death—Blood Moon plus the Eye of Cthulhu—was unforgettable.
This time, his plan was simple: explore briefly, then return before dark.
He had no idea whether Decisive Heart's damage would be rebalanced in Terraria.
Otherwise, with only 8 attack power…
He might struggle to even kill a Slime.