Aiden's eyes snapped open, a chilling wave of déjà vu washing over him.
He was back in the same village, the very one where he gained his body reconstruction.
"How could that innocent-looking guy turn into something as grotesque as that creature?"
he muttered, a genuine tremor of fear in his voice.
Ding! His phone vibrated, pulling him from his thoughts.
He checked it; the app displayed "50% completion, Game #5."
"Huh, but I didn't do anything?" Aiden exclaimed, bewildered.
"How does this thing even know? Ugh, this is not the time for this."
He decided to go in the opposite direction this time.
After a long walk under the relentless sun, he spotted another settlement.
This one looked different. As he got closer, he saw people wielding bows and swords, their faces adorned with ancient-looking voodoo masks.
Aiden felt a surge of alarm, but the scorching sun was unforgiving. "Screw it," he thought, "better than risking getting melted by this damn sun."
He approached the village cautiously, raising his hand in the air.
"I come with peace!" he called out. The villagers eyed him warily. Warriors with spears and swords immediately fell into formation, archers not far behind.
Then, a figure wearing a striking silver voodoo mask stepped forward.
"What's your reason for coming here?
" the silver mask asked, their voice low and resonant.
"I'm only here to stay for a bit,"
Aiden replied, trying to sound calm. "I need water and food also."
"And what do we get from you?" the silver mask inquired, a hint of challenge in their tone.
Aiden hesitated, then shrugged. "I don't know, you decide."
A chilling grin spread across the silver mask's face. "Perfect. Then you'll live as a slave."
Before Aiden could react, dark, sinuous tentacles erupted from the silver mask's back, coiling around him in an instant.
"What is this? I never agreed to this!" Aiden cried out, struggling against the bindings.
"Huh?" the silver mask chuckled, tightening its grip.
"Didn't you say it just a minute ago?"
As if on cue, the surrounding villagers began to chant, echoing Aiden's own words: "I don't know, you decide!"
Defeated and trapped, Aiden relented.
"Okay, okay, fine! I'll work as your slave. Just promise to give me a roof to live under and also necessities."
"Excellent choice, Mr. Slave," the silver mask purred, the tentacles loosening their hold slightly, a triumphant glint in their eyes.