Chapter 45: Man vs Mystery

Chapter 45: Man vs Mystery

It was on Monday, October 31st, that Basil Bohen would learn the true meaning of dread.

Dusk crept on the horizon and the supermoon slowly rose in the skies. Basil enjoyed a clear view of the phenomenon from Chteau Muloups battlements. The moon was the closest to Earth yet and would soon dominate the skies. Its orange glow reminded him of a giant pumpkin.

So beautiful, Bugsy whispered at Basils side. The centimagma was supposed to oversee fortification work, but the presence of a bright glow moving close to the moon distracted him. Whats that, Boss? Is that a star?

I think its the ISS reflecting sunlight at us, Basil replied. It had been a while since it last became visible from the ground, especially without a telescope.

My eyesight sharply increased since I started leveling up. Basil could see details on the moons surface he never noticed with the naked eye before. Must be the Skill points showing. I wonder how far a class specialized in it could see.

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The international space station. One of mankinds greatest achievements. Basils astronomy phase never truly went away. If his life had gone in another direction, he would have loved to become an astronaut. Great nations worked together to build a ship sailing through space around the globe.

Basil wondered what happened to the ISSs crew. Seven astronauts worked on the station before the Systems arrival if memory served. Unless NASA and other space agencies survived the apocalypse, they must have run out of supplies by now.

Oh, so multiple Guilds pooled their resources to create it? Bugsy asked. As a young centimagma, he had little understanding of Earths culture. And what do you mean by space? Can it teleport around?

How should I put it The discussion brought Basil back to his astronomy classes. There is a layer of air around our planet called the atmosphere. Beyond it is a vast, infinite void called space. The moon, the planets, the stars, they all float in this sea of nothingness.

Bugsy nodded with fascination. Basil couldnt help but smile at his reaction. The centimagma reminded him of himself at a young age, fascinated by the cosmos and its mysteries.

Each star is like our sun, with planets orbiting around it, Basil explained. Some say some of these planets host life like Earth, though scientists could never confirm it before the Systems arrival.

Basil himself was pretty sure aliens existed out there. The universe was just too vast for humans alone to inhabit. Other species thrived in other dimensions, so why not among distant planets too?

So there are dungeons creating monsters in space? Bugsy asked. Are the stars dungeons?

No, they arent. Or at least, Basil didnt think so. Dungeons already roughed Earth up pretty badly, he didnt want to imagine them infesting the rest of the universe.

What about the moon? Bugsy pestered Basil like a child eager to learn the universes secrets. Are there dungeons on the moon, Boss?

Basil frowned in response. In truth, he had never pondered the question. Dismaker Labs needed to build a neurotower server to summon dungeons and he didnt see the point of building one in space. Who would explore a moon dungeon? An astronaut party?

Yet Bugsys question planted a seed of doubt in Basils heart. He unstored a pair of binoculars from his inventory and looked up at the emerging supermoon. He would rather have used his telescope, but Apollyon burned it alongside the house.

Only the moons top was currently visible beyond the horizon, yet Basils enhanced sight allowed him to detect small shades of unnatural colors on its surface. Glowing spots of red, green, blue, purple, and white were faintly visible in the lunar region known as the Sea of Rains.

Colored auroras.

I cant believe it! Basil choked in astonishment. How did theyHow did they build a neurotower on the freaking moon?!

Did Dismaker Labs have contacts among NASA? Did Mars have dungeons too? Was Elon Musk in on the conspiracy?

Most importantly, why? Why? Why the hell would anyone build a dungeon on the moon?

Basils stomach turned as a dark thought crossed his mind. If Dismaker Labs could build a dungeon on Earths satellite, could they have sent others into orbit?

The virtual reality showcase, Basil muttered as he swiftly turned his binoculars in the ISSs direction.

What did you say, Boss?

Before the apocalypse, there were talks of a virtual reality showcase of life aboard the International Space Station. Basil clenched his teeth as he gained a better view of the station. Doesnt that sound familiar to you, Bugsy?

Basil was too far away and under-equipped to properly observe the ISS, yet he distinguished a halo of abnormal colors surrounding the light point. His fears were immediately confirmed. Dismaker Labs turned the ISS into a dungeon.

Thats not good, Basil whispered. Not good at all.

As if on cue, the System sent him a notification.

Congratulations, Players of Earth! You have survived long enough to reach the [Halloween] yearly event!The [Halloween] event is a pseudo [Incursion] where rare, horror-themed monsters will spawn under the light of the supermoon. They will drop [Ghost Candies]; at dawn, parties will gain useful prizes depending on how many candies they collected. The monsters levels and danger will increase as the night progresses.Dismaker Labs hopes that you will survive to collect your reward!

A short, hour-long countdown appeared at the edge of Basils vision.

It will begin soon, he noted upon lowering his binoculars.

Its alright, Boss, I think were ready. Bugsy looked over the ramparts. All is good?!

The traps are set! A gargoyle replied from below the outer walls. He and his kindred finished covering a pit trap dug into the castles earth bridge with branches and a layer of dust. Aint nobody getting past us without inside help!

Nor through us! a lycan warrior said from atop a rampart, a crossbow in hands. Apollyons troops ravaged the food supplies, but thankfully didnt have time to destroy the castles armory. Well shoot any intruder down!

Basils plan was simple: trap the bridge with pits to immobilize incoming monsters, then have long-range attackers shoot them from the walls to harvest experience. Close-combat specialists like Basil would then intercept the few enemies that managed to make their way to the dungeon.

It honestly surprised Basil that the previous occupants didnt think of it. He assumed the barons party members were too self-assured that nobody would dare attack them in their own base.

Thanks to Lair II, tonight should be extremely profitable. Ronald had turned Chteau Muloup into his own Lair and spent most of his Lair Points purchasing EXP and Loot boosting features. Lairs positive effects benefited all party members within its vicinity, and as it turned out, that included fellow Guild members as well. Everyone would benefit from additional experience.

Basil reorganized his troops into three parties to fully make use of the situation. The Bohens included Plato, Bugsy, Shellgirl, Vasi, Rosemarine, and Basil himself. House Garden, led by Ronald, included the haunted armor, one gargoyle, and three Fire Seeds. The remaining monsters formed the last party, Muloup Watch. Each of them would rack up a kill count tonight and spread experience to the rest of their team.

On paper, the night should go well. Yet Basil felt uneasy whenever he looked at the sky.

Bugsy, can you survey the moon and the ISS? Basil asked as he moved down the stairs in the walls. Inform me if you notice anything unusual.

Sure, Boss, Bugsy replied. He was expected to snipe at incoming threats with his firebreath. You expect something to happen?

Im not sure, Basil replied, his jaw tightening. Call it intuition, but I have the feeling nothing good will come out of this. Theres something brewing up upstairs.

Basil had grown wise enough to learn that nothing ever went as planned in the new world.

He climbed down the outer walls to find Shellgirl, Vasi, and Ronald discussing in the courtyard. Vasi had traced a circle full of arcane symbols on the ground and set five candles in a pentagram formation. From afar, the three looked like a Satanist club reunion.

I find it risky, Vasi said. Basil had caught the conversation midway through. The night will be difficult enough as it is.

So? Shellgirl replied with a shrug. All the new monsters will flock to our walls already. They just have to follow the aurora. At least we can ensure well profit from the newcomers.

More food better, Ronald added. If King Basil allows it.

You have transformed into a [Werebear] (Humanoid/Beast). Your physical stats are buffed and your HP temporarily doubled.[Werebeast]: The Pth allows mono-Humanoid Type wearers to transform the wearer into a werebeast. The type of werebeast and associated bonuses depend on the wearers personality and/or totem spirit.Dismaker Labs wishes you a happy apocalypse!

Hosh do I losh? Basil blurted through his teeth while struggling to keep his dignity.

Ridiculous, Plato said bluntly.

Tasty, Ronald replied.

Even Shellgirl appeared skeptical. It looked better in my imagination.

Basil dropped his halberd in frustration. This bear form is less practical than it sounds.

Basil?

Basil turned his head to stare at Vasi. The witchs green complexion had taken a pink complexion.

Basil, could you Vasi let out a breath of embarrassment. Could you dance for me?

Basil stared back at her without a word.

With your little paws? Vasi gulped, but even in her shame she wouldnt shut up. Pretty please?

No, Basil said grumpily.

Oh. Somehow, Vasis cheeks reddened further. Then, can I can I ride you? On your back?

Basil immediately undid the transformation. In a flash of light, he shed his brown fur for pink skin. He and Vasi stared at each other in silence, until the witch crossed her arms and looked away in disappointment.

Boss! Boss! Bugsy shouted from the ramparts and glanced at the courtyard. Boss!

What is it, Bugsy?

Uh, um Bugsy cleared his throat. I noticed a star falling towards us, Boss.

A falling star? After exchanging a short glance with his allies, Basil climbed back up on the walls and pulled out his binoculars.

To your left, Boss, Bugsy said, guiding him. Can you see it now?

I do. A shining fireball crossed the skies under the rising moon. A meteorite descended from the heavens towards the region.

It came from the Isezes, Bugsy said, mispronouncing ISS.

The International Space Station? Basil squinted behind his binoculars. The closer the object approached, the stronger its glow. Basil couldnt even distinguish its features. Are you sure?

I saw that star emerge from the stations light, Bugsy replied. Maybe a part of the dungeon fell off?

That was what Basil worried about. Could Attractive summon monsters from space?

The meteorite glowed so bright that it briefly illuminated the dark skies. A booming sound echoed as it crashed in the northern marshes a few minutes away from Chteau Muloup. Smoke rose from the distant crash site, black as coal.

Phew, I thought it would fall on us, Bugsy said with a relieved voice. I could sense the blast from here.

A System notification appeared the moment Basil lowered his binoculars.

New Main Quest: The Eye of BrahmaRecommended Level: 20.Find the crash sites treasure before Halloween monsters destroy it, and uncover the shocking nature of the new world. Warning: sanity checks incoming!Reward: 30,000 Bonus EXP + hint for the Lotus of Remembrance Quest.

A main quest. Brahma was a member of the Trimurti, and the Lotus of Remembrance involved Kalki. Either of these pieces of information would have caught Basils interest, so both at once immediately raised alarm bells. He reread the notification with interest and swiftly reached a decision.

Plato, with me, he ordered. Well go check on the crash site with Rosemarine. The rest of you, protect the castle.

No time to waste.

The Halloween countdown hit zero before they reached the crash site.

Basil was riding atop Rosemarines back with Plato across the marsh when the first monsters spawned in their way. A festering zombie rose from muddy ground alongside a skeleton without warning, both of them hungry for flesh.

Marsh ZombieLevel 2 [Undead]Skeleton WarriorLevel 3 [Undead]

Brains the zombie rasped. Brains

Rosemarine stomped it and its comrade underfoot without slowing down. Their remains swiftly transformed into colorful pumpkin candies that the party didnt bother picking up.

Can I stomp them all, Mister? Rosemarine pleaded, tossing trees aside as she followed the smoke to the crash site. More zombies rose from the ground all around them, weak yet numerous.

You wont gain any levels from it, Plato pointed out.

But they make a nice sound when I squish them, Rosemarine argued. It makes me feel warm inside.

Only those in our path, Rosemarine, Basil replied. He had unstored his halberd and cut down any zombie foolish enough to try climbing on Rosemarines back. His weapon felt slippy with all the bear saliva left on the shaft. Focus on the objective. Well indulge and recover the candies after securing the crash site.

The monsters were low-level so far, but Basil wondered how long it would take for stronger creatures to spawn. The quest warned him that a few of them would try to destroy whatever treasure awaited him, and considering it was recommended for level 20 Players, he expected threats to escalate.

And the moon The supermoon loomed in the night sky, so bright that it obscured the stars. Basil had taken a better look at it with his binoculars on the way and noticed multiple auroras centered around its Copernicus crater. He was now almost entirely sure a dungeon was located in its center.

Basil struggled to imagine any monster surviving a trip from the moon to France, but he had seen weirder shit. If a dungeons influence terraformed the land around it until it became unrecognizable, he shuddered to imagine what impact it would have on Earths satellite. This could mean trouble.

Careful, Plato said after taking a long, deep breath. I smell cooked flesh ahead.

I wonder how aliens taste, Rosemarine replied hungrily.

Im not sure the smell comes from aliens, Basil replied grimly as they finally reached the crash site.

Rosemarine stepped over the edge of a small crater of broken trees and overturned dirt. The tattered remains of a parachute burned on the ground, filling the sky with smoke. A bullet-shaped capsule of blackened steel leaned at the crash sites center. Its portholes cracked and spewed fire.

Basil recognized the device as a Soyuz, or what remained of it at least. The parachute must have malfunctioned during reentry and forced a harsh landing. It was a miracle it hadnt disintegrated on impact.

Basil only had to look around the crater to identify the responsible parties: spherical, eye-shaped orbs lying broken around the shuttle. His teammates tensed up upon recognizing them.

Not them again, Plato whispered in annoyance.

Im afraid so, Basil replied as he glared at the destroyed Unity watchers. Looks like killer robots entered the space race.