I had a quiet dream that I no longer remember. But I knew it had been peaceful. All I remember before waking up was embracing Attic like a pillow until I arrived here.
I awoke somewhere unfamiliar. A wooden floor, drop lights, and long flowy red curtains in front of me.
When I stood up, I realized that I was no longer wearing my scrub but instead a decent tuxedo.
This is… a stage?
"W— Where am I?" A man stammered behind me. He wore a clown costume.
Gradually, the others awakened one by one. I was not the first to awake.
During all this, I tried to remain calm. First, I looked around to see if there was anyone familiar with me; there was not. Attic was nowhere to be found. My fingernails planted crescents on my palm. I hope he is all right. I haven't given him his prize yet.
There were around twelve of us on the theater stage. I peeked through the red curtains, unable to see the audience due to the dark, but I did see other people in balconies wearing fine tuxedos. Finer than mine, at least.
A screen surfaced before all of us.
[Round 1 | Main]
[You are each given a role. You cannot act in a way that is unlike your role. The gamemaster is watching. Fulfill your roles accordingly and keep the audience pleased.]
[Compensation: 500 points, saying | Failure: ???, Death]
[The round will begin in 00:09:59]
I stared at the interface.
The man from before had begun panicking, "What is this? I didn't kill anyone! Why am I here?"
Ah… another victim of insect-killing. Too bad for you, clown.
A young fellow stood up, his hands spreaded. He wore a black and white striped outfit.
"Everyone, please calm down."
Only the old man was panicking though…
All of them put their gaze on the young man.
"My name is Lucas. And I am certain that I will be of help in this round."
He didn't look to be more than fifteen years of age.
Everyone's mouths were agape. I peered at the young man then to the other; one wore a lion costume; another, a ballerina tutu; some were wearing tuxedos like mine.
I pondered for a while. Why was everyone in such strange outfits? It must be because of this "role" thing that the round mentioned. If so, what could be my role? There were a handful of people who also wore tuxedos like me.
"First, " said the boy named Lucas who wore a mime outfit and makeup, "everyone here is a citizen of Eisenblad, right?"
"What does that have to do with anything?" One of the people said. "Are you a bigot?"
Lucas chuckled, "Why, of course not. Please do the national salute."
People looked at him with malice, yet they did it anyway, albeit irritatedly.
There were multiple screens that popped up in front of them.
"...what in tarnation is this?"
Lucas said, "This is a character window. It contains basic information about you and your skills."
He explained what a saying and skill of singularity was to those that were interested. A circle of people had formed around Lucas.
I, for one, was one of those who didn't pay him any mind and did not praise him.
A group of middle-aged men had found themselves next to me. The type that seemed to drink after going home from work.
"That boy. Who does he think he is?"
"Acting like a damn leader."
They seemed to assume that I was like them, preying and spiting on a child, these middle-aged men.
But in reality, I was busy doing something else.
[Points: 4500]
—————
User
↳ Reverie Lorenzo Schneider
Attributes
↳ Linguist (Uncommon), Nurse (Common)
Sayings
↳ □
Skill of Singularity
↳ □
Skills
↳ Strength Level 7
↳ Agility Level 2
↳ Endurance Level 3
↳ Word Level 8
—————
I have this many points… I wonder if there's a shop I can use it for.
For now, I'll level up my strength. I don't think this round will lead to physical battles but just in case.
[500 coins > Strength Level 7 > Strength Level 17]
Now, what about Word? I haven't got any sayings at the moment but if Harry was right, this will be useful for future endeavors.
[500 coins > Word Level 8 > Word Level 18]
[Points: 3500]
That'll be enough for now… Huh?
Lucas was walking towards me, or rather towards our group of drunkards.
"Hello, there," said Lucas with a large grin on his face.
I must've looked annoyed because he immediately apologized.
"I'm sorry for bothering you all but as we are in the middle of an apocalypse, we would need to ration every manpower we can have, even if this round may not be a combat type. Would it be possible for you to sit nearer to us? It is so we may explain our plan further."
He kept that stupid grin on his face and his hips swayed as he spoke.
The middle-aged man beside me had a cut on his chin. He spoke.
"Listen, kid. As an adult man, I have my pride, you know? Why would I listen to a brat like you?"
"You may not," said Lucas with his utmost I-don't-give-a-damn face. "But I'm sure Reverie over here would."
My face darkened.
"Reverie? What kind of name is that?"
He seemed to keep his smile no matter the situation. My eyes glared daggers at his stupid smile.
The other middle-aged man defended me like we had been brethren for centuries. I was a bit grateful. I owe them one.
"Don't talk to him like that. Who do you think you are?" He jeered.
Lucas could only scoff.
"Well, I'm a Harbinger of the apocalypse."
My face dropped further.
[The round will begin in 00:04:32]