Have you ever found something so profoundly interesting to you and only you, unless others have heard of it to the point of changing the way you hope for the next day to come?
Maybe, even changing you're whole life?
I was in that position. Finding a very interesting thing that it changed how the gears in my life moved and turned. It was as if a halted gear finally clicked in place after finding it.
For me, that interesting thing was a certain site that let anyone write and compose stories of science-fiction, even blending in a bit of horror in a wide variety. Blended like smooth juice in a blender of many ingredients. And the blender a.k.a the site that made and let anyone compose them was named, Documents Of ■■■. A weird yet charmingly interesting site with many attention grabbing stories. Whether it was from the Developers or the Public, anyone can contribute to the site.
As a veteran and picky Reader, i liked the stories that hold many interesting bits of facts or profound twists along with additional treats to the worldbuilding, The Log section or in the words of contributing writers and reader, The notes! Short stories with original characters exploring the certain story.
At first, i didn't have time or motivation to look or read it due to the overwhelming work i had in my hands that wished it could fall to the floor so i can say "Oops! Looks like my hands fell.. I can't work without em', y'know Superior..". But that won't become reality.
So one day, the day when i still had work at the office but had time to rest for the better of my mind..I discreetly opened the site on my unofficial work account. A sudden burst of flashy font blasted my heavy eyes while my mind imagined the light piercing my coworker's desk behind me.
[ WrITE YOUr OwN DOCs >^
I stared at the abnormally colorful and huge font that didn't fit with the eerie site's atmosphere. 'Honestly, i'm starting to doubt everything..' While i flashed through the many eye-catchingly creative promotional content.
I shook off my hesitation and scrolled, 'I did not prepare for this..' Seeing the many stories while i smiled akwardly as imaginative sweat flow down my cheeks. 'How am i even gonna read all the stories? I heard every story is a part of the true main story for this site's lore and background..'
Sighing my fate away, i scrolled till the end of the page, three section options appeared below the stories with their synopses. Orange, green, and light blue. Colors that felt like it complimented one another but felt off.
ANCIENT TIMES
middle.archives
DOCs
As i moved my cursor towards each one debating which one, i saw the font change from arial to specific fonts that compliment the words used for each section. 'The coders probably had a pain in making these options lol' I thought clicking on the first button. ANCIENT TIMES.
From there on forth, i spiraled into a reading marathon, reading at any opportunity given to me while working my soul away. Every time i went home, i tried to restrain my reader's enthusiasm to the freedom to read comfortably without anxiously catching anyone's attention.
It was like that for days, read briefly, go to work, read at lunch, work, go home, read.
But as i read of what could be said to be the last story of the DOCs section after speedrunning the other section. I saw an announcement on the site's official Z account.
[ANNOUNCEMENT FROM E.]
Greetings dear Contributing Researchers, Head Researcher, E, here to announce an official event based on our catalogue's top three factions entirety of background found within the sections. This event will be held at ■■■, on the 29th of August.
Within the official event, called the BROKEN REIGNS; CATASTROPHE. Many official merchandise and products will be sold within certain shops in the faction's areas. Aswell as a special doorprize! Coming from us, the Catalogue. Special note; E- hehehe.
For many enthusiastic upcoming Contributing Researchers, we the Catalogue thank you and hope you have a fulfilling research experience in our event.
Note; for the first prize winner of the special doorprize, a special identification card along with a custom item will be given, and a secret special experience will be brought to the winner. Good luck winner, enjoy.
End of Announcement. A#-E.023
Reading the last bits of the announcement, i looked toward my work schedule. 'Let's prepare my unpaid leave...'
I sighed softly while turning my mind away from the announcement towards the story's ending and notes section.
=====
I turned my head up to look at a massive mall while a long banner with an eerie yet welcoming feel to it towered above me promoting the special event. I pulled my hood lower while walking towards the entrance trying to avoid attention. Especially from anyone who might recognize me!
Once i went in the entrance, a crowd of people came into view. 'I don't remember the site being this popular.. I guess i was too ignorant while doing the marathon, heheheh..heh.' I fake-laughed my heart out while managing my way to the ticket counter.
I opened my mouth as soon as the lady at the ticket counter was greeting me, 'Their uniform remind me of the Cleaning Security section..' I thought briefly then pushed that thought away to give space to what i wanted to say.
I felt my dry lips getting opened for the first time after being stuck shut for a long time then my voice came out.
"ExCuSE!.."
"..."
'It..it's..my voice.. it's hoarse..what do i do?.. AHH SO AKWARD!!'. Internally debating, i quickly coughed to clear up my voice.
"I'm sorry..excuse me, i'm here to check my ticket. Also..is there a map to all the shops?"
"Oh! Yes, yes wait a moment dear Contributing Researcher!" The lady then grabbed my phone with the ticket displayed on the screen, she then kindly offered me a map. I looked at her a bit bewildered but didn't let it display on my face, It felt more like a gift or souvenir from the looks of it but i didn't mind well i tried to. 'Why didn't she just offer me a digital layout of the mall? Honestly the Catalogue didn't even put it in the ticketing site..' Anyways! Today.. I'm ready to wreck my account balance..
"Th..thank you"
"Hahah! You're welcome, here an additional gift! You have a very nice voice you know." I stared at the small blind box in her hands. It appears to be for a blind box, a certain blind box in the middle.archives.
I slightly nodded my head in thanks and finally left the counter, i felt my sweat ready to drop to my cheek at any time. 'ugh..I'm so scared.. did i look like a scared pup of something, AHH...' I felt my ears turn red even when it's covered by my hood. My lips tremble out of nervousness.
Going back on track, i discreetly opened the map along with the blind box. 'No way i'm gonna miss the dopamine hit of opening a blind box..heh'
While placing the wrapping in my hoodie's pocket, i slowly pulled the item in the blind box, i felt a hook with chains reminiscent of a keychain, as i pulled even more, a cute black and white tiger appeared. 'Eh?..Isn't this Lieutenant Michael.."
'His chibi is cute..He.. truly is my favourite..hehehe' Unconsciously, my habit of smiling to myself appeared. Some high school students near me saw me smiling to myself, i heard them whispering about me..
"Ugh.. That guy is creepy, he is smiling to himself. Let's move somewhere else!" She remarked while pointing to a spot.
"Hey! Noona, don't be like that! What if he just really enjoys the site like us and.." Suddenly the girl shushed her and dragged her away to the spot. I could feel her pitying gaze toward me, glancing slightly before turning to her friend.
"He looks like a scalper or someone who might follow us around! I don't want us to get into danger while here." Explaining softly to her friend who looks flustered.
'Well.. she is half right, i just..really love the site, and i guess i do look like a creep. Altough...I'm no scalper!'. I immediately clip the keychain onto my pants. I can't stop looking at it hehe..
Anyways! Back on track, i walk around the mall finding each store while admiring the decoration and attention to detail in the mall's interior funded by the Catalogue. 'Honestly.. where do they even get this much money? They don't even add any subscription of any funding site links to the site. Hmm..Maybe from the merchandise?' I shook those thoughts as i made my way towards the final store, the last of the three.
It had a modern, clean and sleek look yet something about it gave me shivers down my spine. ' It's like a wolf in sheep's clothing honestly if i put it that way..'
The way the sleek white tile floors and clean white walls just stick to the structure of the building as if something the clean, innocent white look was covering, if i can imagine it, it might look like a black mass masquerading. 'Honestly, how do the Catalogue even design each store as if they have simplified each lore into a building perfectly..'
Suddenly an employee approached me, their uniform matching the clean white theme of the store, their uniform had thin stripes of grey inbetween the white. They had a smile on their face, the kind suitable for work. 'lol, i kind of relate to that smile..hold on employee-nim!'
Softly, they offered to hold the many tote bags i had on me after a shopping spree from the other stores. I could feel every customer's gaze on me as they scrutinize me from bottom to top. Trying to ignore the gazes, i nodded in agreement.
I walked around the store picking each item according to my personal interest and taste. Then at the long queue of the check-out, i watched the employee check all of the items then suddenly after finishing my purchase, the employee from before gave me a doorprize coupon. "Hello dear Contributing Researcher! A doorprize coupon for you, if you wait out here until the set time for the announcement, you might get the grand prize!"
I thought of the first place prize, altough it felt like a small cheap price, for someone who really, really enjoyed the site, custom items are invaluable! And the secret experience? Even if it was just some small tour to a certain special area, i think site enjoyers wouldn't mind.
"Uhm.. May i know the alloted time for the doorprize?"
"Ah, Yes! I forgot i'm sorry, it will be at ■:■■."
"Huh?!..."
'Why did i..what...huh...?'
Odd.. ' I mumbled underneath my breath.
"Hm? What's wrong dear Contributing Researcher? Did i not say the alloted time clearly? I'm sorry, it's at 8:30."
I nodded silently, "Y..yes, thank you for specifying again.."
I then went to a nearby seating area. I tried shaking off that..well, unexplainable feeling, i tried to divert my attention to my surroundings. I saw many people varying from high school students who just read for fun, to influencers covering the site, to even older people who looked like businessmen, perhaps people in situations like me.
Then i saw a promotional poster of the game for this certain sleek white store, Explore WhiteHalls.inc's ■■■■. I blinked.
What.. I totally read the last part unconsciously, but.. why is it now not processed in my head? Didn't those high school students just point out the last part? Why..why.whywhywhwyhwy...
I snapped myself back to reality, i breathed in and out. Sigh. 'I better not..let's not think about it anymore..Why is this happening to me? Let's just fill that empty spot with rooms? Yeah..that fits totally.. heh'.
I scratched my head while i checked the merch and items i bought today. Suddenly without realizing it time passed. And a mic-like sound appeared in everyone's range of hearing. A crisp and sweet voice can be heard, "Greetings dear Contributing Researchers!....-"