Precisely because the distinctive feature of the cards was their game-like style, he did not consider them important from the outset.
Remembering his past self, he regretted not asking Paymax more about the so-called Emperor of Machines. Most likely, he had something to do with the creatures on the cards, but it was too late to find out.
Simply put, the cards depicted robots or machines in various animal forms. In addition to the image, there was a rating from 1 to 5 stars and an individual description.
The Ryskar card Paymax scanned showed a rather harmless robot in the form of a long cat or a not-too-large dog. It most resembled a small mechanical fossa.
After examining the card briefly, he allowed Paymax to begin reading.
"Ryskar (Redeye Stalker). 0.5 stars danger rating. A marvel of engineering and the highest degree of cuteness in the wild! However, no matter how cute the youngest of all his mechanical brethren may be, he is needed not only to roam the neighborhood and please the eye. They say if you want to mask something, hide it in plain sight… They're wrong! You just have to make it cute! Ryskar is not a fighting machine, but an advanced scout. Before you have time to approach and pet it, it will notice you and pass the information on to its older brothers. And if you hurt it... You won't like what those guys can do. Their habitat is mainly the central dominion and the transitional forest-steppe part of the Abode of Knowledge, concluded Paymax.
For a few seconds, he simply didn't know what to say. Not because he was impressed, but just because.
"Well... Cool. Let's move on," he finally replied.
In the end, they began to systematically study the rest of the cards.
Lacetron — 1 star.
Spiker — 1 star.
Crimson — 1 star.
Twilight — 1.5 stars.
"It's strange that they go in ascending order. Did the dead never get any cards?" he commented thoughtfully.
Although the star rating was supposed to indicate danger, all the machines, except for the last one, did not make a scary impression. Their area of expertise could be called technical rather than military.
"What a coincidence! Now let's get started on the questionnaire."
"Yes, yes..." he replied, not too optimistically.
The information on the cards, especially the Habitat section, sheds some light on the structure of the Pit. Unfortunately, he had never encountered the mentioned surroundings, and so far, this knowledge was useless.
As for the robots... He assumed that they had existed here even before the war and the so-called great change of the Peaks. It was unknown what had happened to these creatures, but in all his time here, he had not encountered even traces or hints of their existence. And, to be honest, that was very encouraging.
"And yet, surely they didn't just bring these cards with them for no reason..."
"So, first question, unknown user... What is your favorite animal?"
"…"
"User?"
He exhaled slowly, and a small puff of steam came out of his mouth.
"Cats."
"And..."
"No comment."
"…That'll do! Second question… What's your favorite sport?"
"Pole vaulting."
"…"
Now it was Paymax's turn to fall silent in surprise.
"Pole vaulting? An explanation is required."
It didn't seem like the advanced intelligence was ready to back down so easily in this case.
He thought for a moment and only now noticed something strange...
"It seems to be getting colder..." He ran his hand over the steam coming from each breath.
A strange feeling spread through his body. It was as if cold iron had wrapped itself around him.
"Don't avoid the question!"
"Okay..." It's just that I think I was destined to succeed at it. While the others wanted to jump over the obstacle, I used the pole to take off. I think I loved the sport because of those few seconds of flight. It's just a pity I didn't get to do it for longer...
"Accepted! Your favorite celestial object?"
"Um..." He was a little surprised. "Let's say this black hole. By the way, what's it called?"
"Interesting choice. Its name is Doomsday! Interesting fact: it's only thanks to the Peak of Solitude, known as the Silver Spider, that this celestial object hasn't destroyed our planet yet!"
"..." He didn't know what to think after hearing such an impressive fact.
"Next... Favorite song?"
"Amnesia, remember? Write down something related to the guitar, it doesn't matter what. Although there are hardly any songs I know in this world..."
A lone red leaf broke away from the tree and floated through the air. He noticed it and reached out his hand.
The leaf landed right in his palm. Paymax repeated the question as he thoughtfully examined the leaf.
Apart from a strange smell, there was nothing unusual about it.
"User, you're not listening!"
"Huh? Oh, sorry, what were you saying?"
Shaking his head, he threw the leaf away and sighed.
But suddenly feeling an unpleasant sensation on his palm, he looked at it again and saw a clear black spot where the leaf had touched him.
Its consistency resembled machine oil, and it smelled like...
"Entrails?" He grimaced at his own association.
Apparently, time spent among mangled corpses hadn't passed without consequence.
It was strange, but... The feeling that he was nothing more than cattle being led to slaughter returned.
Someone whispers:
"They'll eat you..."
Someone whispers:
"Devour and tear you apart."
Someone calls:
"Run..."
"Paymax, can you hear that too...?" he whispered fearfully, gripping his dagger tightly.
He couldn't make out the robot's answer.
Out of fear, a fragile part of him wanted to hug himself and throw the sharp dagger far away.
And yet, the rational part prevailed… No, it was more like his conscience.
He had to bear the punishment for what he had done, no matter where it led.
"I hope the stars will be on my side today..."
"Attention! User, this is the most important question, please answer... What is your name?"
Paymax turned his cartoonish eyes directly on him.
"My... name?"
His heart skipped a beat at this question. It was the most painful moment since he had awakened in his new body.
'Listen, son, I want... I want you to remember.'
'Mom, you shouldn't...'
'He managed... Then your father managed to give you a name and kept it a secret from everyone...'
'...'
'Please, always remember, even when I'm gone. Son, you have been given the name...'
His mother's sudden voice in his head was replaced by the echoes of an explosion.
A monstrous explosion. He can still hear it even now. And the screams.
Thousands of screams.
A scorched field was all that remained of his name. He couldn't even fulfill his mother's last request.
"User?!"
"..."
"Answer, who are you?"
"Nobody…" he whispered hoarsely.
Tears gathered in the corners of his eyes, and he hurried to brush them away.
"User, but that's not a proper way to address someone... What should I call you?"
"Then call me... Mr. Nobody."
"Accepted!"
He needed time to recover. He could not have expected such a harmless question to affect him so much.
While the one called Mr. Nobody was sorting out what was going on in his head, Paymax continued.
The advanced intelligence fulfilled its part of the agreement and scanned the next card.
The theory that they were in ascending order was not confirmed, because...
"Ryskar… Version: The Red Lamb. 3 stars of danger. The older brother of everyone's favorite. If you wander into his domain, know this... Your days are numbered. You are destined to become meat fertilizer and turn into another red leaf. They say that the Emperor of Machines created him, inspired by his sworn enemy — that very same big brother. A natural-born predator. Invisible. But there is one way to save yourself — if you don't know about him, he won't notice you… Unfortunately, you've already read this far. And if, on top of that, you're in its domain right now... It has already noticed you. Right now, it's looking at you. It has found you. Run and pray for a miracle. Habitat — Forest of Red Lambs (to the left after the Entrance)."
"..."
"..."
His body began to shake, as if the predator's breath was right at his neck.
With a trembling hand, he took out his binoculars and looked ahead.
It was there. A huge cold spot with a hot core in the shape of a terrifying cat was right in front of him.
However, that wasn't so important because the mechanized beast immediately revealed itself.
His gaze was fixed on its monstrous muzzle. The mechanical jaws opened and closed, and with each movement, blood oozed from them. It looked as if the creature was licking its lips.
He saw it.
Right now, the creature was chewing on someone's heart and looking at its new victim.
It was looking right at him.
"P-Paymax, think of something! A way to save us, quick! Right now!" he yelled frantically.
"..."
"Paymax!!!"
"Beep! Extreme danger detected… Following directive 2, all functions will be disabled. Beep! This is Paymax, see you soon!"
The hologram of the planet waved cheerfully and then suddenly disappeared.
At the same time, the Predator spat out the remains of the heart and vomited a copious stream of blood.
Red energy surged through its mechanical limbs, and then...
The predator headed straight for his new victim.
"..."
At that moment, the poor lamb was all alone.
Lesson 3: Be wary of who you forge a bond with, because…
If you are favored by God, you are also favored by the Devil.