Now I see.
It wasn't just a game name but a real-deal alternate world indeed. I am so blind all of a sudden by these facts and I am not sure why.
"If you are wondering why you didn't suspect anything is due to the tattoo on your neck, the Nexus. A variation of spells bundled together and one of the spells that have been given to me by the ancient, allowing me to do what I needed to do and that includes mind manipulation. Who would have thought it was just that effective?"
"What is your reason for making this alternate world a game in the first place? Isn't keeping this world a secret to you more beneficial than keeping it in public?"
"The public didn't know that this is a real place and not just a game. Hence other game companies failed to duplicate the game I have for everyone. Also, why keep it for the public? Simple. Players are curious about new things and thirsty for otherworldly adventures, they can easily map out the whole Alternate World without my need for intervention and sending people to explore the place which costs me more money. Creating this system, it allows me to find secrets and new things that I didn't know, making my research much easier. All I needed to do is create a technology that would allow us humans get there and receive new powers as a result which would allow our smooth exploration on the place.
Free human resources. If Nobuhiko decided to hire explorers instead, it will take him ages to explore the place. But since he turned it into a game, all people who played the game will naturally contribute on its exploration aspect. The reason there are expeditions to new regions is due to the fact that this place is an unknown terrain and that is for the sake of learning what are the new things happening here and there. He already have it totally calculated.
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Why indeed, Tsukasa-kun. To be honest, you are just one of my tests that I am trying since every time I rewind time and return to the past, little to no change happens at all. Therefore, I decided to find a good "test subject" and that's none other than you. An unknown variable, a new method to change the situation, and my theory was indeed correct. And it seems this timeline is much more better and progressive than the other timelines. This furthers my research to the fullest as well."
He then stood up and started pacing around the room. Zero clicked the button on the table once more and the darkness enveloping the whole office slowly regained the light.
"You are the new variable that I am looking for, the one who will be helping me realize my dreams. The one who can fulfill all of my wishes and desires. And with that, I have a proposal for you, Tsukasa Manato."
He then looked at Zero and the latter throws a little token of some sort.
"This token is connected to the tree of life. Help me find it. According to the records, the tree of life is located somewhere in the Alternate World."
"Why are you trying to find the Tree of Life?" I asked.
"The Tree of Life produces the elixir of immortality. An elixir that can make anyone immortal, leaving behind their corporeal body and transcending into an undying human. This elixir will be my main goal and this will solve allow me to achieve my dreams."
Elixir of Immortality. I have indeed read that record before and I still remember what it does. The one and only elixir that exists at the top of the Tree of Life or the Yggdrasil. It's a dew that grants the drinker the immortality trait and they also gain the ability to gain the power associated with it. However, why is he trying to find this? Is he hoping to become an immortal person?
"Oh, and not only the Tree of Life, but I also wanted you to find the ancient records of the Primordial Power of Life and also to help the Goddess of Life to return her powers."
"The Goddess of Life and the ancient records...?" I frowned. These things are new to me. And also, why the Goddess of Life? Isn't she the sh*tty goddess that caused the main conflict of the ancient beings in the world and caused the monsters to go rampant?
"I am not just asking you for free though. Although this is a good job payment for my services of allowing you to return to the past, I am still giving you a reward if you fulfill the missions I gave you. I am a generous person after all."
"But what if I refuse?" I asked.
"Nothing will happen. But I will be pretty disappointed by you, Tsukasa-kun."
"This is too much to take though... can I answer later on?"
"Yes. Are you going to think this through for now?"
"I guess I do. I needed time to see whether I needed to accept this or not."
"Well, that's fine. But since you do, I guess a little mind deletion should do for now. After all, I can't afford to let you in the plan before you are absolutely sure already."
SNAP!
When he snapped his fingers, I felt a ringing bell in my ear and I felt a really painful feeling in my head like my brain is being mushed and stabbed repeatedly. I thought I would be able to endure it but... it's actually hard.
...
...
...
...
...
When I opened my eyes, my head hurts and the tingling pain is still throbbing in my head but I then realized something wrong.
"The place where the world tree is located..."
Then, I just realized that I was currently lying on the lap of the girl I keep on seeing around the Yggdrasil Tree's roots walking or just sitting around. I tried to get up but she stopped me.
"Don't get up just yet. It seems that spell did a number of things to you for you to go down like that. Don't worry though, I protected you from that spell before it hits you.
"Ah..." I immediately remembered everything. All of our conversations are still in my head. But isn't this just a dream? All of the dreams I had in this place disappeared the moment I woke up every time."
"...Perhaps you will forget our interaction here, but since that interaction with that man you spoke with happened in your world, unless the spell has taken its effect, you will not forget anything."
Oh, she is right. Since my interaction with Nobuhiko is in the real world, then all of my memories will not disappear once I wake up from here... But why did you help me?"
"Because your purpose isn't ready yet. Until then, you will have to remember all the details you learned. You will need it in the future. Now, go forth and wake up. It's time to begin your search for the truth."
As soon as she said those words, I feel drowsy before I fell asleep on her lap, leaving the place once more.
...
...
...
...
I felt my head hurt a little bit as I open my eyes. It's throbbing a little bit but thankfully it does not hurt that much since it felt only like I bump into something. The pain is fading as well. As I looked around, I realized I am lying in one of the specialized beds used for those who have gotten the Tattoo and are getting drowsy after getting them which is why the Nexus Company have them prepared in case someone collapsed.
There are a few people lying in the bed beside me as well but since I am not among them, I looked around and saw the receptionist who guided me to the elevator earlier. He found me waking up and so he approached me.
"Oh, it seems you have woken up. According to the president, you suddenly fainted while you two are talking."
"A-am I? I don't remember meeting him though?" I lied. Something in my head seems to be saying I needed to keep things I knew a secret though somehow, I don't have a recollection of it.
"Is that so? Well, that is unfortunate, the boss is out for a business trip now so you can't ask him again what you guys have talked about."
After grabbing all of my belongings, he escorted me out and lead me back to the ground floor.
"If you have more business here, please just say so and I am willing to help."
"Thank you, but no, I think I don't have any now."
"Then thank you for your visit. Hope we see you again!"
Getting out of the company and returning to my motorcycle, I sighed in relief that I have gotten out of the place.
"To think that the main purpose of Nobuhiko creating this game is for him to find the Tree of Life and help out the Goddess of Life. It seems I have been mistaken to Nobuhiko's intentions in letting me go back to the past. With a motive like that, it seems that I needed to find what he is looking for first and find out what is his intended usage of them in the process. My only problem is that, he has a tracker of everything that is happening in the game. What am I going to do?"
Now I am not sure what to do, but one thing is for sure, I have to ensure that Nobuhiko will fail at this plan. Now that the Alternate World is real, it seems everyone there is also real as well. Not only that, but perhaps the elves who fell into this world are actually denizens of the Alternate World.
"I think I have an idea where to start my lead."
Turning on the engine of my motorcycle, I revved off, ready to put my plans to action.
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