Why did the main quest start?
I thought the quest only started after the awakening process began. Unless my checking the status window set off the main quest early, did I already create a ripple effect with my simply existing? Wait, so how many ripples am I going to make in the future with my actions? I need to take this into consideration too-
"Why are looking at me like that? Is there something on my face?"
Daril's confused face brings me back to earth. Now, more flustered than ever, my face flushes red. Well, this is awkward. How am I supposed to talk with my past self? Hurriedly, I brush past him and reach for the door. I still wore normal clothes because of how hung over Ezekiel was the previous night. So I quickly slip on the shoes outside and run down the stairs, with Daril staring after me, confused and in his bunny slippers.
My mind tries to forget it all. Preparing for Doomsday is much more important than figuring out what to do with the original Daril. Ezekiel's phone are still in his pockets and I quickly use a GPS to find the mall. Being 20 years in a different reality made me forget about all the little details in society.
What should have been 10 minutes took nearly 2 hours. It isn't like my navigation skills aren't good, but trying to move around in a crowded place like this is completely different than moving in a dungeon, where the range can cover the size of continents. One wrong turn here can lead to me back where I started. The only good thing is that in the time spent looking for the mall, my exercising woke me up a bit and my hung-over status was reduced a bit.
On my way, I found a few good looking switch-knives on display at a hardware store. They seemed durable enough to last me a while, so I took all the cash I had on me to buy a few. But poor me can only afford a single knife, so I need to make do with it.
After a few more blocks of walking and asking for directions, I finally arrive at the mall, I look around for an inconspicuous shopping store on the south side of the mall. This section is particularly quiet compared to the rest of the mall, with only a few people in the vicinity. I put my hood on and walked towards one particularly feminine-looking clothing shop.
Of course, I got a couple of stares but I stared right back at them with a crazed eye. Whatcha looking at?? I turn away; the dungeon is more important. I walk straight to the back of the shop, where there is an empty line heading towards a few changing rooms. But, of course, I get stopped by a staff. A petite girl walks up to me in a staff uniform, obviously pushed to confront me by her co-workers, who watch on from the cashier.
"Excuse me sir, but are you here to use the restroom? It's near the entrance."
What kind of store has a washroom at the entrance? Anyways, I look around, grab a couple of women's wear, clearly not fit for me, and hold it up for her to see."
"No, I'd like to use the change rooms to try on some clothes."
"But sir, those are-"
"I identify as a female"
The attendant nervously handed me the key.
"I'd like to use room number 2."
"But sir-"
"Give it"
Once again, she fidgeted around her hands, finally pulling out a key.
I quickly grab the second key and walk towards the changeroom. The girl stands back, clearly afraid, but I pay her no heed. I open the door to change room number 2 and close the door behind me as I walk inside, the clothing I held tossed on the chair inside.
After I made sure nobody followed me, I got to work quickly. The staff will definitely call security at some point if I stay for too long inside.
Dungeons, to be simple, are a connection from one place to another. In a way, the descent of angels and demons on Earth can be said to be one massive dungeon. However, smaller-scaled dungeons only began opening shortly after the awakening of humans and transported us to another dimension to complete a task or quest designated by the system. Upon completing the task, the dungeon will typically close and transport humans back to Earth. This has been the fastest way for awakened to gain strength, as dungeons provide plentiful rewards.
However, there is also the chance of failure. Deaths within a dungeon are the real deal, as I came to find the hard way.
This one particular dungeon in a small shop was the first dungeon Ezekiel and I had faced in my previous life. It was also an unforgettable experience for me on that day.
Why were we at a women's clothing shop? Because that was where my girlfriend, Anastasia, had been at the time. She became an Awakened like me and Ezekiel, but died after going through the portal.
Ezekiel and I had been waiting outside the clothing shop. After the descent of the angels and demons, humanity fell into a panic, but being the immature people we were, we decided to go adventuring in the abandoned shopping mall. After stumbling upon the closed women's clothing store, Anastasia suggested going inside to see if there was any salvageable clothing to loot. Being the sensible young men we were, Ezekiel and I decided it was better to not peek and maintain our dignity as men.
We were truly young and naive back then. Those actions came to bite.
After we heard a scream, we had ran to the back of the store, only to find new garments lying around and a human-sized portal in front of the mirror.
I can not keep the emotions to myself as I stare at the mirror. That incident changed me. It reminded me of how dangerous this new world is, and how life isn't fair.
Now, looking back on it, I realize that things could have been a lot different back then if I had just been a bit more mature, a bit more aware of the dangers in this world.
Then, my reflection in the image began to ripple. The dungeon is opening.