I remained seated on the sofa, leafing through the Writer's Book, leaving the general welcome message of the first page behind. I turned the first sheet.
The second page presented itself with a completely different layout, almost as if it had been written specifically for me.
[ PAGE 2 ]
All of you will have by now understood the place you are in.
You are inside the novel I wrote, as extras.
"Apocalypse of a Shattered World."
Do not seek immediate answers.
Each of you six has received a mission to fulfill. Your role was assigned to you based on your nature, not your merit, but also due to necessary circumstances.
You are pawns in this theater, but with the freedom to move.
Seth Marea… or should I say Seth Sanguis, now I will tell you what your task is in this history.
Heheheh… Do not be surprised. I believe you will manage it somehow.
Perhaps.
Mortar is destined for a dramatic ending; thousands of lives will be lost if someone doesn't do something—and who if not someone like you?
Why you?
Your social position currently might not be one of the best, but it will certainly bring you non-negligible advantages.
The history of this world, you know it. There is a great difference between social classes.
So do not ask yourself too many questions. Your only task currently is to avoid the fall of Mortar. Furthermore, your memory has not been completely synchronized; there are gaps here and there that will take time to fill, but remember that every fragment you recover is a truth that belongs to you.
If you fail to accomplish the mission… you will cease to exist, but do not speak of death, rather of something worse.
Remember: failure here is definitive.
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I held my breath.
I re-read the sentence at the top of the page.
"Each of you six has received a mission to fulfill."
So I'm really not the only one… I muttered to myself, brushing the words engraved on the paper.
Probably all five guys from the call had been scattered into this reality, each with a role, a story, and a very precise mission. There was a strange mix of emotions in my chest: a subtle form of relief in knowing I wasn't alone in this nightmare, and at the same time the disturbing awareness that sooner or later our paths would cross.
But how?
Without wasting time, I slid my finger along the edge of the sheet and turned the page.
[ PAGE 3 ]
Every Writer possesses a spark, a unique ability to shape what surrounds them. Your power is Logos, Ruler's Command, the power of words.
Around you, the boundary of reality is permeable; your words are not simple sounds, they are laws. But remember, every power has a price, use it wisely.
[Logos: Ruler's Command lv.0]
Effects:
Your words are absolute decrees. Your words bend reality. What you order happens. You can control matter and people with your voice.
Limits:
Immediateeffects: Severe nausea, burning pain in the throat, migraines that blur your vision, and extreme fatigue.
Risks: If you force the limit of your body, the risks are unknown.
Personal advice from your dear Club President: Your body is too fragile for this power. Every command consumes you. However, you should be fine for now with small commands. You will only need to train your power and your body to get used to it.
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I stared at the page with wide eyes. Incredulous, amazed, overwhelmed by a rush of pure wonder mixed with terror.
Commanding reality with the word?
Isn't that power too unbalanced? I asked myself with obvious surprise in my voice and eyes.
It was a terrifying power, practically divine, but its risks could be enormous.
Without giving me time to fully metabolize that information, a spark erupted from the center of the page.
Hey!?... Not again! I thought with obvious horror on my face.
It wasn't a red thread like before. This time it was a small purple lightning bolt that darted through the air and struck me straight in the chest.
…Damn, I'm screwed.
Instinctively I clenched my teeth hard, expecting excruciating pain, but nothing of the sort arrived. In its place, a wave of pleasant warmth spread rapidly to every corner of my body. I felt... different. As if a new invisible organ had just awakened beneath my skin.
Euphoria and adrenaline immediately took over all caution.
I had to test it.
I had to understand.
My attention fell on the lamp resting on the crystal table, less than a meter from me. I took a deep breath and said in a low, yet firm voice:
"Turn off."
Clack!
The lamp went out instantly, plunging the room into sudden shadow. A cold chill ran down my spine. It really worked.
"Turn on," I said right after.
The light shone again. Exactly one second after the word, however, a slight nausea rose up my stomach, accompanied by an unexpected and subtle sense of tiredness. But the enthusiasm was too strong to stop there.
I looked around. In the room, there were several other active light sources: spotlights, wall sconces, and a second lamp near the balcony. An idea flashed in my mind. I wanted to push the envelope further.
"Turn off!" I ordered in a low voice, projecting my will forward.
The result wasn't what I hoped for. Only two light sources went out abruptly, the two closest to me, while those positioned toward the balcony and the door remained perfectly lit.
A flurry of questions overwhelmed my mind: Does it have a limited range? Or am I still too weak to extend it? Two targets simultaneously are my current maximum, or...?
I didn't even have time to give myself an answer.
As soon as the last word left my lips, exhaustion overwhelmed me with the force of a boulder. The mild nausea from earlier turned into an agonizing headache, an iron grip squeezing my brain. My eyelids felt heavy as lead and closed on their own, completely out of my control.
I couldn't even reach the bed. I collapsed sideways onto the sofa and darkness swallowed me instantly.
When I opened my eyes again, the position of the sun indicated that quite a bit of time must have passed.
I tried to pull myself up, but a dull, widespread pain ran through every muscle in my body. My head was still throbbing vigorously, but the most annoying sensation was in my throat: a dry, stinging burn, as if I had swallowed sand or fire all night.
The next morning I woke up due to the beams of light piercing the window and hitting my face.
"Is it already morning?" I said as I got up from the sofa and headed to the bathroom to take a shower.
After washing, I put on a simple white t-shirt and grey trousers, then opened the door to go out and take a walk around the villa.
I passed several maids who seemed surprised to see me.
Although feeling their gaze bothered me and made me nervous, I had no intention of letting any emotion show on my face.
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
I walked with a decisive step and straight back throughout the interior of the villa. Although I possessed the memories of the previous Seth, I still needed to become familiar with the territory surrounding me.
I arrived outside in the garden after a few minutes of walking.
The scent in the air was perfumed by the colorful flowers surrounding the villa. Several paths stretched out before me.
The nature in the garden was curated with millimeter precision.
I noticed several gardeners with long shears taking care of the wilder plants in the garden.
In the distance, a large gate separated the villa from the road to the city of Solar.
At the top of the gate, an emblem was drawn with majestic care.
A sword with the tip pointing downward in the foreground, and behind it in the background a blood-red ruby with some black facets.
In the remaining part of the emblem, the dominant color was red; various blood splatters were drawn, staining the shiny blade in the center.
Sanguis family, huh… I thought as a series of images passed through my head.
At the mere mention of that name, various emotions emerged within me: anger, pain, sadness, betrayal.
It might seem strange, but even though I had possessed this identity for only a short time, I had already accepted the reality of the facts.
I couldn't think of any way to return to my native world.
I was almost completely resigned, yet a small spark of hope remained.
As I walked along the manicured garden paths, a light and fresh breeze of wind hit me on the back of the neck.
Recognizing the identity of the person behind me from the memories received, I didn't get annoyed.
"Hector, what is it?" I asked in an interrogative tone, turning to look at his slender figure, particularly his amber eyes.
"Young master, there are some urgent practices and issues to sort out regarding the territory of Nevel."
Replied the young man, Hector; his black hair was carefully combed back and he wore an elegant black suit.
Ahh... right, these problems exist too, I thought as I put a hand to my chin.
Noticing that Hector was looking at me with restlessness, as if I had perhaps remained too pensive.
"Take me to the meeting room," I ordered with a firm and unshakable voice.
"Right away," Hector replied, stepping closer to me and placing a hand on my shoulder.
"Excuse me."
A slight twitch formed on my forehead.
What a terrible personality! First you put your hand on my shoulder and then you even ask permission after doing it? How irritating!
Despite the thoughts swirling through my head, I kept a neutral face on the outside and nodded.
Suddenly the air, or rather the space around me, began to freeze at an incredible speed.
After a few seconds, incredibly, I was no longer in the garden, but in a large hall illuminated by the rays of the sun penetrating the glass at the top of the room.
The space around me was vast.
Ancient paintings hung on the walls; a fountain was built with a statue of a sword at the far end of the room. The pleasant scent of flowers, located on the sides of the hall, flooded my nose.
Residing in the center of the hall was a long rectangular table made of fine wood.
The entire hall was full of windows with rainbow-colored glass.
The atmosphere should have been pleasant.
Unfortunately, however, a certain pressure filled the air.
At the table, seated in chairs, several figures were talking to each other.
From their red faces, could I hypothesize an argument?
The faces of these two elderly people were not unknown; they were the counselors of the previous Seth.
Marc, seated to the right of the head of the table, was pointing a finger at the guard in front of him.
The person indicated by Marc was Quan, the second counselor.
Upon seeing me appear, their faces grew more smiling.
Two greedy money-grabbers who, after Seth's arrival in the territory, began to run the domain of Solar on their own, obviously without any resistance.
At that time, the previous Seth had no intention of taking on such a responsibility.
"Lord Seth, I heard you've recovered," Quan said, smiling as he stood up and showing his large belly rising and falling with extreme ease.
His acidic green eyes were piercing.
A slight shiver ran down my skin.
On the other side, Marc remained more composed and, standing up slowly, gave me a nod.
"Pleased to meet you, Lord Seth. I'm glad to see you doing well."
Marc's voice sounded decisive and hoarse. Although he looked younger than Quan, he didn't seem to lack maturity and professionalism.
His brown hair fell on the sides of his face, allowing his piercing amethyst eyes to show through.
A small smile emerged naturally from his lips.
These two cunning foxes.
I knew their personalities, I already had memories of a past meeting with Counselor Quan, but although I hadn't met Counselor Marco, instinct told me his greed was no less than Quan's.
I gave them a hand gesture and headed to the chair at the far end.
A large chair made of fine dark wood upholstered in crimson red cushions.
After I sat down, the two counselors followed my example and sat down as well.
Hector, on the other hand, moved to the entrance door on the other side of the hall.
"To what do I owe this call?" I asked with confusion in my voice. The previous Seth, although called to the meeting room several times, had never shown up except once at the beginning, after arriving at this villa.
The two counselors crossed glances for a moment before Marco answered me: "Lord Seth, due to recent invasions, several fields have been destroyed and people can no longer procure food."
I furrowed my brow hearing his words.
"In addition, one of the main rivers of Plaga has also been infected by the virus. It is presumed that animals and various people who went there to get drinking water or water to wash themselves have been infected."
As Marco spoke, the air around the room grew increasingly tense.
"All these difficulties are leading the citizens to vent all their anger on you." Quan said, lowering his head slightly in my direction.
He seemed almost afraid to speak.
"What is it?" I asked, waiting for him to continue speaking.
Quan's eyes were covered by his black hair, but that did not hide the fear in his gaze.
"Don't worry about anything, just speak." I said, making a gesture with my hand to reassure him.
"Given your scarce presence in current difficulties, they do not consider you a just Lord for these lands."
"…The number of infected is unidentifiable." he finished his speech with some difficulty, especially in the final sentence.
"Plaga is the city bordering Nevel to the west, right?" I said while tapping a finger on the wooden table.
"Yes, sir. Unfortunately, our informants have now been reported missing," Quan said. "They should have arrived three days ago."
"I see... so Plaga has probably been almost completely invaded, if not totally destroyed by the infected." I said, continuing to think carefully.
"Your reasoning is most likely accurate." Marco replied, meeting my gaze.
I kept tapping my finger on the table for a few seconds.
The invasion of a horde of infected would be disastrous for the city of Nevel. We cannot afford a contagion situation right now.
Fortunately, if a pandemic were to start, it wouldn't start right this second, so we still have a bit of time.
I suddenly stopped tapping my finger on the table and began to speak.
"Activate the Anti-Virus Barrier."
At my words, the faces of the two counselors as well as Hector's in the background filled with surprise.
"This will slow down the possible advance of the infected."
"Lord Seth, but it's still in the finalization phase! We aren't sure if it can help!" Quan shouted, slamming his hands on the table.
"Furthermore, to maintain the formation, many resources will be wasted uselessly! You must think about this more carefully!"
His eyes were full of anger and ferocity.
Marc, on the other hand, remained seated and composed, but his gaze was lost in the void.