The Mysterious World

Chapter 3: The Mysteries Part 2

Paul's POV

Mystery Number 3: The Light Blue Flame

The light blue flame was another fascinating and mysterious element of this world. It was a perpetual presence on every rooftop, dancing and flickering with a mesmerizing beauty. Despite its fiery nature, the flame seemed to defy the laws of physics, refusing to be extinguished even when doused with water. It was as if the flame was magical, existing outside the realm of normal combustion.

The flame's purpose went beyond mere aesthetics, serving as a vital source of light for the inhabitants of this world. Its arrangement on the helipad platforms, in a pattern typically reserved for firewood, was peculiar, given that it was actually produced by steel. The lack of smoke was also notable, suggesting that the flame was somehow engineered to be smokeless.

What was truly remarkable, however, was the flame's behavior like a clock. Its color changes and patterns provided a reliable way to tell time, with specific colors and flickers for about 10 seconds corresponding to specific hours. It flickers red for noon and midnight. Yellow for 6 AM and 6 PM. Green for all the other times except for 2 AM. Because at 2 AM, the flame's transformation was particularly striking, doubling in size and emitting a bright light. It also flickers orange for a short period of 5 seconds when time hits 1:50 AM. That's the arrival time of the Plus Ones.

The flame's inability to burn or hurt people was also intriguing. It seemed to be designed with safety in mind, providing light without posing a risk to those around it. But what was the true purpose of this flame? Was it solely for illumination and time-keeping, or was there something more to it?

Mystery Number 4: 777,777

The mysterious digital number on our wrists was another unexplained phenomenon in this world. Starting with 777,777, the number decreased as we killed the monster-like creatures, suggesting a direct correlation between the two. My current number, 498,662, is a testament to the progress I've made in this world.

But what did this number truly represent? Was it a measure of our progress, a countdown to something, or a reflection of our worth in this world? The fact that it decreased with each kill implied that our actions had consequences.

The cryptic nature of this number only added to the sense of uncertainty and mystery that permeated this world. We were forced to participate in this thing, killing creatures to reduce our numbers, but without knowing the ultimate goal or purpose. Were we mere pawns, or was there something more at play? The number on my wrist remained a constant reminder of the unknown, a symbol of the strange and often inexplicable rules that governed this world.

Mystery Number 5: The Monsters

The red monsters were terrifying creatures that seemed to appear out of nowhere, driven solely by their instinct to attack and destroy. Their bizarre appearance, with two heads, one with a small red eye and the other with a vertical mouth with sharp teeth and weird ears, made them look like creatures from a nightmare. Their arms, one shaped like a sword and the other a saw, were equally deadly, and the long, piercing tail added to their lethality.

What was most striking, however, was their behavior. Even though their speed is not that great, once they started attacking, they wouldn't stop until they were killed, making them relentless and formidable opponents. Their vulnerability lay in their one eye, which made targeting them a crucial strategy in taking them down.

The monsters' ability to vanish quickly after death made it difficult to study them further, leaving questions unanswered again. Where did they come from? What was their purpose? The fact that they emerged from portal-like openings, sometimes in large numbers, added to the mystery.

Some clans' requirements for membership were based on kill counts. It created a sense of pressure and competition among survivors. Reaching a certain number of kills became a measure of strength and worthiness, driving individuals to push themselves to survive and thrive in this hostile environment. Reaching the 50,000 kill count was a necessity to join my current clan, and I had to adapt and improve to meet their requirements. The monsters may have been mindless creatures, but they have become a benchmark for our survival and worth in this world.

The dilemma was clear: help the newcomer and sacrifice 50% of my share from the clan, or turn a blind eye. The clan's rules were strict, and helping someone outside the clan meant significant personal costs. The newcomer wouldn't even be considered a part of the clan until they reached the 50,000 kill count, a daunting task that required immense skill and dedication.

As I weighed my options, memories of my own struggles in this world flooded my mind. I remembered the confusion, fear, and uncertainty that came with waking up in this desolate place. I knew how hard it was to survive, to find food, shelter, and safety. The thought of leaving someone to face that alone was unsettling.

But helping would come at a steep price. I'd have to give up half of my share, which would impact my own survival and comfort. And even then, the newcomer might not make it, and might not be able to reach the required kill count. It was a gamble, one that could potentially benefit someone who might not be worthy. Sending them to another clan was an option, but it would require effort and resources. I'd have to report to our clan's leader, and he would be the one to negotiate with other leaders, and hope that they'd be willing to take on the newcomer.

As I stood there, torn between self-preservation and compassion, I realized that my decision would have far-reaching consequences. Would I choose to help, to take a chance on someone who might not make it? Or would I prioritize my own interests, my own survival? The choice was mine, and mine alone.

With a sense of determination, I grasped the flaming steel mounted on the wall, its fiery tip casting flickering shadows on the surrounding surfaces. We had strategically placed these flaming steel torches on every floor of the building, and now they would serve as a beacon to guide me towards the newcomer.

As I walked slowly towards the corner where I had seen the burst of light, my heart filled with a mix of caution and compassion. I was certain that I would help this defenseless person, no matter the cost. The thought of leaving them to fend for themselves in this harsh world was unbearable.

With the flaming steel in hand, I approached the corner, ready to face whatever lay ahead. I was determined to make contact, to offer assistance and guidance in this unforgiving environment. My decision was made, and now it was time to take action.

The gunshots were getting louder.

"They infiltrated the first three floors!" Jason shouted before catching his breath.

"We'll be safe here for a while. There's only a couple of minutes left.", I answered.

"Wow! Almost 2 AM! Thank God."

Mystery Number 6: 38 Minutes Disappearance

The 38-minute disappearance of the monster-like creatures was a peculiar phenomenon that brought a brief respite to our lives. Every day, at exactly 2 AM, the creatures vanished, only to reappear 38 minutes later. It was as if they were bound by some unknown schedule or rule, one that gave us a temporary break from the constant threat, allowing us to rest and recharge. The timing coincided with the light blue flame's unusual behavior, doubling in size and emitting a bright light at 2 AM. Was there a connection between the two events? We didn't know, but the correlation was intriguing.