Chapter 52: A Do-Over
The cold grip of death held me right, claiming me as their own.
Unfortunately...
[You Are Dead]
<Dream Sequence Has Ended>
{Based On Exclusive Skill: <Dream>, your recent experiences have been dissolved into a dream}
<You Will Now Be Returned To The Preset Save Point>
[You Will Now Wake Up]
... I had a different destiny.
*********
[00 Months: 01 Days: 00 Hours]
I woke up, my mind already completely absorbing all that had happened in my dream, and I quickly applied them to reality.
'I see. So that's what happens...'
I had already acclimated to the odd feeling of dying and my experiences being nothing but a dream.
At first, it felt insane, but right now it felt very normal.
"Status Window..." I murmured, prepared to be heartbroken by loss in Stats.
[STATUS WINDOW]
- Name: Mikey Rael
- Race: Human
- Level: 21
- Life Force: 5/5
- Energy Level: 9/9 (+2)
- Combat Ability: 8/8 (+3), (+15), (+5)
- Stat Points: 37
- Currency: 2,850
- Role: <The Dreamer>
- Authority: <Dream/Nightmare>
- Titles: <Visionary>, <The One Who Saw The End>, <Chosen One>, <Survivor>, <Ranker>
- Skills (Exclusive): <Dream>, <Nightmare>, <Visualize>
- Skills (Non-Exclusive): <Sprint>, <Focus>, <Fallen Foe>, <Language Comprehension>
- Items Equipped: <Energy Rock>, <Enchanted Speedo>, <Energy Recovery Necklace>, <Invisibility Cloak>, <Tower Pass (F1)>, <Demon Tree Sap>, <Navigating Compass>, <Special Watch>, <Blanket>
- Alignment: Chaotic Neutral
[Additional Information]
You can see the future and past by living it. It is a coveted power worthy of desire, but a scary one to possess.
"It seems everything is pretty much the same..."
Well, everything except one major factor.
"My Alignment, huh? Why am I not surprised?"
I was now <Chaotic Neutral>, and while I didn't really know the true spectrum of these Alignments, I had to admit I had gotten a slight change in my perception.
'I just wanted to survive without bothering anyone, but it seems people won't stop bothering me.'
That meant I had to take more drastic steps to ensure I could achieve my goal in this new world.
'Screw anyone who gets in my way!'
That bastard, Jeff... to think he would do something like that and cry about it. What was he expecting?
Understanding from the people he was going eliminate? The more I thought about it, the more furious I became.
'Now that I know what happens, I can decide to avoid the entire thing, but...'
There was no way I would do that!
'Not only do I lose out on the Rewards, but I'll be letting Jeff get away with his actions.'
I wasn't in any way planning on playing 'Hero', however I still understood the simply concept of payback.
'No one remembers the future except me. I dont plan on letting my death slide just like that.'
Besides, if I let him go now, he could end up being a bigger threat in the future.
'I... for the sake of MY own SURVIVAL... I will eliminate you, Jeff.'
But, first of all, I had to examine the possibilities—specifically how he was able to paralyze me and everyone else in the Adventuring Party.
After thinking hard about it, there was only one conclusion I could objectively draw.
'Poison. He used his Poison ability on us.'
But when?
'If I'm to guess, I'll say it was in the Poison Fog he used on the Demons in the Stone Dungeon.'
Usually, inanimate objects couldn't really feel the effect of poison, but Jeff's ability allowed him to affect the functions of his targets, not strictly adhering to their living or non-living state.
It felt more like a kind of debuff.
'What if he lied to us about the effects of the poison? Maybe it also affects humans, but it's slow-acting?'
That would explain how he was able to paralyze all of us at the same time.
"Yeah. That definitely makes sense..."
In that case, I would need to prepare for it. Fortunately, I had enough Currency to purchase something to help me in that cause.
'Since I don't know how strong or effective the poison is, I have to play it safe and get the most ideal to combat the Poison, while also spending as less as possible.' Following this line of thought, I found the perfect item in <Shop>.
It was exactly what I was looking for!
[Item Information]
Name: Air Purifier Potion (Mid)
Special Effect: Purifies the air you inhale after being consumed, and lasts for half a day. {Note: Only works on Poisons and other common Airborne Infections. Curses and Strong Magic are render this item useless}
Durability: Single Use
[End Of Information]
Considering I got it for merely 100 Currency, I had to say... it was well worth it.
"Alright. I should get to the scene earlier than last time."
To put my plan into motion, time was of the essence!
*********
[00 Months: 01 Days: 02 Hours]
Thanks to being in a hurry, I only spent less than two hours on my journey before arriving at the Dungeon.
'I'm not supposed to meet them here for another hour or so.'
If I took into account the time they were to arrive here—considering what they had told me about them arriving not too long before I was spotted—that meant I still had over thirty minutes for my preparations.
'This shouldn't take too long, and it's just my insurance, but...' A dark gleam formed in my eyes as I looked at the Dungeon's entrance from a distance.
"... I'm not taking any chances this time!"
*********
[00 Months: 01 Days: 03 Hours]
Perhaps it was due to the effect of the <Visionary> Title, or my sheer determination not to flop my acting performance, but I was able to recreate everything that led up to me joining the Adventurers Party.
Lu caught me, just like in the past, and I was able to get the proposal which J accepted reluctantly—just to avoid any suspicion.
After I accepted, Jeff appeared out of where he went to pee, and it took all of my self control to look him in the face without strangling him, or sending Energy Rock flying directly toward him to crush his skull.
"... Don't worry, I washed it." He laughed awkwardly once he stretched his hand and I felt hesitant to shake it.
Just like the last time.
I indulged him, ensuring I hid my seething rage within, leaving no room for suspicion.
"Wow! That's a strong grip." He muttered, still smiling like the snake that he was.
"Ah, I'm sorry, Jeff. It won't happen again." I returned the gesture.
From the corner of my eyes, I observed Lu staring at me with somewhat disapproving eyes.
'What's her deal now? Is she upset at me for some reason? She was cold the last time as well...'
I couldn't understand her thoughts and actions, but did I really need to try?
Everyone was going to get killed by Jeff anyway, and then I was going to kill Jeff to avenge myself and the dead Adventurers.
'This is the perfect chance to get more rewards for myself since I'll be the last one to interact with everyone here.'
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[A/N]
What do you all think of Mikey's current disposition? Lemme hear your thoughts in the comments.
Thanks for reading.
Cheers!