It's been a day since I was here, yet I haven't given up. Most of my divine protections were unneeded since they served no purpose in this situation. I can't help but curse my inability, despite all these gifts, yet I could barely solve the puzzle in front of me.
I've destroyed several walls and doors, and I've studied the objects strewn all around these corridors. Thinking that there might be a clue hidden.
A chair of unknown make or model.
A large, metallic container with a fine finish had what I can assume to be wheels, but they were made of rubber. It had chairs that were embedded inside the metal container, brown in appearance. I don't know what this container was, but a vague idea popped into my head. It was a carriage of some kind.
A large vertically upright container with a glass window. There were various small objects behind the glass. I couldn't read the markings; the language was different. I tore it open without hesitation; the objects inside were wrapped in colorful wrappings.
I've seen similar curiosities like these before.
Natsuki Subaru carried a bag with these things. A unique fragrance caught my nose, and it didn't take me long to notice that it was consumable.
However, these things behind the glass were solidified. As if they were mocks or models. I can't waste time investigating these; they're inconsequential.
With great speed, I sprinted. Finding another door, another corridor, another hallway, another set of stairs, another what seemed to be a room full of furniture that I don't have time to analyze.
Then something broke my monotonous search. I could faintly make out the details of a person. A dead person. They leaned against the wall, and I could tell their anguish and desperation from sight.
A lost soul who has lost all hope. They've been here for a longer time, longer than me. Their figure was almost embedded in the carpet that they've laid on since they were in the period of advanced decay.
There was no hope for recognition, only a black hollowed decaying shell. This person was a man, and their last moments were spent cursing and crying. A curse of having a divine protection that grants exceptional intuition, I'd always know how the dead suffered.
I muttered a quick prayer, wishing that wherever his soul was. I could only hope that it was granted an eternal rest or joy. They deserve that much.
With great speed again, I left the hallway. I've made a mental map of this whole place, and I am glad that at the very least, the topography doesn't change. It will take a long time, but I believe I can map this place and, with some great effort, hopefully lead some lost souls to the exit.
I've made sure to leave marks wherever I go, especially in directions where my intuition or my divine protections were telling me to go. The exit's nearby, I can feel it. I can only remain positive. This whole wretched place will not get me.
Then I noticed something as I was running. A tear in the air, a rattle in an empty void. It was at the end of a tight, narrow opening. I could see clearly ahead despite the dim lighting. It was another dead end, another wall, but, midway through the small opening, there was a strange vibrating tear.
It was invisible to the naked eye. It was nothing. My danger sense wasn't alerting me, nor was my intuition telling me something substantial. It was simply a rapture. I squeezed through the small opening and touched the tear, but as soon as I touched it.
I felt everything move, I felt everything change. I felt my environment transform. This was bad, this was horrible. Everything was horrible. The tear was also gone, vanished in the air. I squeezed out of the small opening and looked around me.
Everything changed. The mental map that I've made was still present, but the location was now different. It felt like I was fishing in the banks of a great lake, then suddenly I was now fishing in the middle of a great sea.
It was disorienting. This place was truly a trap. I don't know who made it, but they've made an unfortunate mistake. I will escape here no matter what. That's a promise.
This time, I charged ahead through a hallway, letting my head strike against the wall first. I'm done playing their games, opening doors, and navigating rooms. This time, I decide the route, not them.
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It's been two days now. I've yet to escape this place. The only reason I don't feel the pull of starvation is that Felt is cooking me breakfast for once. I've taught her how to make the perfect scrambled eggs and steamed fish.
I'm proud of her accomplishment, because of her, I can hang on for an extra day or two. Those were my thoughts while kicking another door open. These doors are all the same; some slight differences can be noticed, but they're all the same.
They lead you to nothing.
I was now staring at the light above me, listening to its hum. It's strange. This place. Not even a single insect was here, not even the tiniest ones were present. It was all barren. Empty. Lifeless.
I couldn't help but be reminded of my uselessness. I can only close my eyes and pray, wishing for another blessing, another guidance. I hate how spoiled I was, always asking for help. There were so many people that I know with fewer opportunities, but they've all conquered their own challenges.
Why couldn't I be like them?
|| Divine Protection of Foraging and Scavenging || = The ability to effectively scavenge and forage for food, and you will always know where the next meal is.
Od Laguna, you're still here. I thank you for your generosity, always giving guidance to this helpless young man. I need to make the most of divine protection; I don't want to solely rely on goodwill.
I need to use my head, too. This protection will allow me to help any lost souls here. At the very least, I can provide them with immediate comfort.