I spent a couple days in the ecumenopolis. Not because I needed to, but because I wanted to make sure the kid was alright before leaving. The system manager would not allow it, but I came up with the perfect excuse.
"I could pick up a new skill." I said without knowing I was signing my own sentence.
"It is true that you need to learn new skills. That could allow us to send you into more difficult missions."
"No, wait... actually." But my fate was sealed.
I wanted to maybe stay near the traveler and help her around a little, but instead I was forced to mingle with the advanced society. I didn't understand their technology or written language, though the latter was fixed promptly by the system.
Had my cover been that of a human I would have been able to stay in the apartment building, but instead I had to pretend to be an android which sounds way cooler than it actually was. I couldn't eat or drink anything unless I was alone and I also couldn't sleep.
"Nope, no way." I turn back immediately when I saw the charging port. I do not know where the electric outlet was meant to be plugged in, but I certainly didn't stay to learn. Just thinking back I get shivers.
In the end I returned home with the dire need for sleep, starving and dehydrated.
"We need to get a fridge for this place." I say after snatching the water bottle from Thompson's desk. I'm not proud, but he didn't mind after seeing me so disheveled.
"Bad world?" He asked but I could not endure it any longer. All I managed to do was to shake my head then fall asleep on the spot and by the time I woke up it was night already. Or rather, it was early in the morning. I could have gone home and maybe take a shower, but it would have been a waste of time and I figured it was better if I just stayed. I was in dire need of something to eat and coffee. At this hour all I could get was something from the vending machine, but at least the break room was always open.
Figuring I had some time before Thompson showed up I decided to try Green thumb skill. Even though the system said it was mostly useless and that I would not be allowed to use its rejuvenation effect, it already proved its worth when I used it against the psychokinetic suspect.
"What are you using your skill for so early in the morning?" The system manager asked.
"I didn't know you were online."
"Answer the question or I will be forced to write a report."
"I was just trying it out."
"You're getting too comfortable with skills," The system manager made an ominous pause, then continued. "since you have so much energy, then I'll send you to Valhalla."
"Seriously?" I didn't know what the system manager meant, but I knew it couldn't be good.
"You said you wanted to pick up new skills. Your last mission increased your endurance and nothing more. If you're serious about becoming stronger then Valhalla is the perfect place." Before Thompson even made it to the office I was sent into another world. This time I didn't have any mission and my only objective was to become stronger. I wasn't too thrilled about the idea, but it was the only way they could assign more missions to our division. With that in mind I decided to see it as a different kind of training camp.
Before I finished puking my guts out like usual my vision went dark and I fell to the ground. I woke up to a thunderous sound and an all surrounding clamor. I looked around and saw people all over the place bearing different types of weapons. I was still musing at the sight when a short guy ran full tilt towards me and pierced my belly with a small sword. I looked down at the wound then back at the short guy trying to understand the situation. My vision blurred out and I felt a kind of cold that washed away my consciousness. Next time I woke up I patted my body in confusion then made the mistake of looking up. Huge human torsos looked down at the scene with amused expressions. Among them, the one that stood out the most was a man who was missing an eye.
"Is that Odin?" I ask right before my head was chopped off by an axe I didn't see coming.
"Can you please stop dying?" The system manager's monotonous ring woke me up.
"I died!?" I say, only now instead of standing still like an idiot I start running.
"Technically, yes. But not really. Death doesn't exist in this world which makes it the perfect training grounds for an agent like you. Now grab someone's weapon and start fighting before..." I didn't get to hear the last part. This time my heart was pierced by a spear from behind.
"This is too much!" I scream to the top of my lungs as ran away from a guy wielding a wooden club and a birth suit that complimented his psycho expression when the system informed me.
"If you want to return, then you better start fighting. Keep in mind that each time you die a full day passes in our world and the only way back is avoid dying until the sun sets."
The system manager made it sound easy but I turned on my heels and turned to face my pursuer but then another guy joined in with a spear in hand. I was still confused but my survival instincts kicked in and I went to grab my service weapon.
"Again?" The system asked, but I was in no mood to answer. Yes, I forgot I didn't have my gun on me and got mauled to death again. But now at least I wasn't confused anymore. I started running away as fast as I could until the picture of a full blown medieval skirmish appeared in front of me. Now all I had to do was keep my distance and wait for the sun to set. Needless to say, that was easier said than done.
Many people fell in combat, their bodies disappearing into thin air as if they never existed in the first place. All while the giant figures looked entertained, sometimes pointing at different places with pleased smiles. I continued moving trying to make distance, but then I was spotted by a man wearing a pelt coat who probably had the same idea as me. We looked awkwardly at each other for a few seconds before he raced towards me.
In response I lowered my stance and withstood the tackle like some football move I've seen in passing. I punch him in the face, but the moment he fell unconscious he disappeared the same as if he died.
"So that's how it works. You disappear when you're unconscious, not when you die." I nodded satisfied with my theory. Not that it made any difference.
"You received a pelt coat." The system informed as the pelt coat appeared on me, perfectly fitted as if by magic. But then again, magic was real in some of the worlds so it may as well been real magic. I looked up for a moment and noticed one of the giant figures looked at me with curiosity.
"You want a show, I'll put on a show." I shout at the distant figure before running back into the fray.
It may sound like a poor decision on my part, but my true goal wasn't just surviving. I needed to become stronger and it really was the perfect environment for just that. I could fight without any regard for safety, neither the opponent's or mine, since death was no longer an issue. Not even permanent damage. It was pure brutal yet innocent chaos. I grabbed the first weapon I found lying out in the ground which happened to be a dagger and I proceeded to stab the first guy I saw.
"He didn't fall." I excuse myself after waking up. The system remained silent. It was a failure, but not entirely. I lost the pelt coat, but the small sword remained in my hand when I reappeared. I couldn't take my opponent down, but now I was ready to correct that mistake.
I started running this time too, only instead of running away I merged with the crowd. Pushing, kicking and stabbing anything I could reach. I took an arrow on the back and I didn't even care I just kept striking at everything without a hint of malice. I vented my frustrations, my fears, my anxiety, everything. It felt pure.
Five minutes later and I was fully geared brandishing a two handed sword left and right when a worthy opponent blocked my way with a grunt.