In other words, "Ashes and Spear" is one of the longest, most tedious, and cruelest games ever.
Across the Ebi-Nuur River, between two hills, stood a male figure with red eyes, gray hair, and pure snow-white skin. His nose and lips seemed sculpted from porcelain. This was the main character of the game, Qin Di Shan.
Before him sat a quietly sobbing girl, Bo Wu Lan. It was unclear whether she was sobbing from grief or from broken ribs. No matter—Qin Di Shan pulled an obsidian pocket watch, "Myths of Night Domain," from the inner pocket of his coat. He began to recite the incantation:
"Great Ancient Lord of the Night, I beg you, I implore you. Open the door to my other world, my home, close the eyes of the heavens, let me circumvent the very concept."
The watch began to glow green, and yellow runes streamed out. The air grew heavy. Behind Qin Di Shan, a portal opened, and behind the portal lay his village. He stepped into the portal, leaving Bo Wu behind.
Qin Di Shan looked around—the village had long been destroyed. But I didn't care. All I wanted was to meet with Urum. The ruined streets scraped at my heart—the streets where I had played since childhood with Dan Jiang, Qian Fang, Long Hu Pao, and Urum Ni Sing.
I turned towards the center of the village, and a profound horror struck me.
"Urum," Qin Di's voice sounded so cold from his throat that even he himself was horrified.
There were many ruined houses on either side. And in the center of it all was Urum, nailed to a cross. She must have been hanging there for a long time because her clothes were torn, and her internal organs were spilling out. Her skin was green and rotten. Birds circled overhead.
I slowly shifted my weight from one foot to the other. I couldn't tear my eyes away from her. My legs gave out and buckled, dropping me to my knees.
Ending Five: "Disappointment"
[Your adjustment has not been accepted]
"What? Are you kidding me? Do I actually have to read the rules?" I said. I clutched my head, rubbing my heavy eyelids. "God, I need to sleep."
I stood up, my legs trembling slightly, until I collapsed onto the bed. Darkness spread across my eyes.
A bright light struck my eyes. And my nose caught the scent of apples? I slowly opened my eyes; my head was throbbing badly.
The first thing I saw was my body lying in a slightly cold bathtub. I turned—to the right was an open window. To the left, a panelled room with a sink.
I grasped the edge of the tub and stepped onto the red rug. I walked up to the sink, and in the mirror stood Sven Laocard? One of the villains of the week from "Ashes and Spear." A boy with black bobbed hair, his skin pure snow-white. He looked about 10 years old, exactly one year before entering the academy. "Mobilization death" soon followed.
God, what the hell is this? Is this a prank? I scratched my chin with my fingernail. Oh god, no—technology hasn't advanced to the point where real blood would trickle out, and the pain and taste of blood would be exactly like real blood.
So, this is reality. I have no idea what's happening. But the corners of my mouth were rising on their own. Maybe it's... ex... exhaustion of the brain due to hunger, and this is a hallucination before death? Damn, it all adds up. Even the fact that I feel pain. But it can't be Isekai.
I pulled the plug from the tub. I grabbed the towel lying on the rug. I threw it over myself and stepped out of the bathroom.
I saw a simple room: a bed, a wardrobe built into the wall, a writing desk, a chair, and a huge political world map.
I walked to the closet and chose slightly gray clothes with threads sticking out. He probably wears these clothes at home. My body fell onto the bed.
Even if this is my imagination or a delusional dream, I still need to pretend to be Sven, or Arthur or Darius will kill me. God, why me?
I need to act like Sven, or I'll be mistaken for a Shifter or one of the hundreds of other monsters that operate through illusion. In the game Ashes, did he act conscientiously? Kindness, fairness, intelligence, and so on. At first, he was super disciplined, strict, smart, gallant—only positive words come to mind. Qin Di killed him only because their views clashed, even though Qin Di wanted to betray him from the very start. I finished getting dressed.
Knock-knock.
God, I hope it's the maid.
"Come in," I yelled.
The door was opened by the maid, Aruna, a sweet 17-19 year old girl in a maid's uniform.
"They are waiting for you in the dining room," Aruna said in a gloomy voice.
"Alright, I'll be right there," I said.
She closed the door.
I rubbed my eyes. Sven's parents will be downstairs; I need to play his role. I must pretend to be an obedient boy.
I got up from the bed. Stepping out the door, I saw my maid; for some reason, she was leading me. We passed through the expensively furnished corridors of the Laocard house. In the dining room, there were six chairs, five of them empty. I sat down in the middle chair between two others.
Only Sven's mother, Marie Laocard, was sitting at the table. A beautiful woman with red hair, red lips, and dressed in a simple blue dress with flowers.
"You're late," Marie said, slightly annoyed.
"I fell asleep in the bath," I said.
"You should have slept last night," she said, exhaling.
I picked up the spoon and began to slurp the slightly cooled soup.
"Don't choke," Marie said.
In the game community, she was one of the most desired women. Even fan art reached me. It's a good thing she's not my type.
"Where is everyone else?" I asked.
"And you think they should wait for you?" Marie said.
"No."
"Your father is at the monthly conference of the 42 rulers; he'll be back in two days. Aurion is training with tutors. Thea is sitting in the library and reading books. And don't forget, you have fencing lessons from Uncle Bennett in one hour and twenty-five minutes. So finish your lunch and grab your sword."
I quickly finished lunch. I went back to my room, through the luxurious corridors, and collapsed onto the bed.
God, I will most likely wake up at home. After this, I'm definitely going to drink water and eat; this exhaustion is already wearing me out.