Chapter 12:

Unexpected Welcome

Brought into my Unfinished Game World


After the demon's attack, only a few lives were lost thanks to Alpha's reactivity. He healed and applied first aid to many of Kormwel's victims. And when everything was settled, he was finally granted entry into the city. After a couple of trial and error, Dave could also accompany him as long as they were in "contact". The merchant was observing his strange behaviors from afar. He thought Alpha was definitely a bit "up there" but was still willing to help him get his audience with the queen. Alpha was grateful to him as Gruf also paid him a room in one of the nicest tavern in town. Alpha could finally take a bath and relax while Dave was thinking over what happened this evening and what this would imply.

— This demon. I didn't have the opportunity to check out his panel, but... I'm pretty sure he was using spells that I never attributed to him. Also, noble demons and higher ups of the Demon Lord's army aren't supposed to venture this far away from their land. I made sure they stay in the vicinity of their territory for the sake of balancing the game! What happened there... It makes no sense! And why... Why could he see me?

— Dave... There is something I want to confirm with you. I think this world... is not exactly the one you left unfinished when you died. I think...

Alpha then shared the backstory of Mr Gruf with Dave. He gave all of the details he could remember and Dave listened carefully. After he finished, he asked if all of this rang a bell to him. Dave admitted that this follows the general narrative he wrote for this character but he never got this deep about his past. Alpha suggested that maybe Queen Mia or even the world of Haksol itself filled in the blanks. That they fleshed out and completed the code of the system by themselves from the moment that their "creator" was no longer there to be able to code the rest of the world.

— What you're saying... This makes sense. I always assumed all of this was just the world as I left it behind, said Dave. But we did witness anomalies that point to this being the reality... First the dragon, then the [#UNIQUE#] properties coded inside of the walls and gate and finally this demon who tried to snatch our crystal.

— Another thing that left me speechless is how strong the captain is. I mean, I might understand why you made him so strong but-

— He never was this strong, cut off Dave. And he never had this speech impediment. This means that Mia or potentially other individuals also have the power to alter the code of the game at different levels. The good news is: this confirms my own little theory. Because some individuals are able to change the code of characters, this could mean that we are theoretically able to reach our goals.

— All we need to do is figure out how they do this or if they could just do it for us then!

— Yup. And thanks to you, the old merchant was able to arrange for an audience for tomorrow morning. We could then ask Mia about everything.

— Yes...

— Hm? You look like you want to say something? asked Dave.

— No, it is nothing. I'll-... I guess it is not the right time yet.

— Oh... If you say so.

Alpha thought that even after they both confirmed that this world was its own entity then Dave would realize how wrong he was. But then again he might still be lost with all of this new information. "It was not a pressing matter anyway" thought Alpha. As they would travel together when all of this was over, he would come to certainly realize his fault. And maybe he would be able  to truly live as a part of this whole world.

A new day rose. Dave and Alpha made their way through the cobblestone streets toward the huge palace that stood over the city's skyline. Dave floated alongside his companion, occasionally phasing through merchants' carts when the crowds became too thick, while Alpha walked through the busy pathways on foot. The difference between this place and Dawn Village was massive. Where the small rural settlement had been peaceful and sleepy, the capital of the Twilight Kingdom buzzed with an energy that made Dave's chest tighten with a mixture of pride and confusion. This was far beyond anything he had originally coded.

Street vendors called out their goods in singing voices, selling everything from exotic spices that filled the air with warm, rich smells to fancy jewelry that caught the morning light. Children darted between the legs of adults, their laughter echoing off the stone buildings as they played elaborate games of tag. Blacksmiths' hammers rang out in rhythmic patterns from multiple workshops, creating an industrial symphony that blended with the clip-clop of horse hooves and the rumble of wagon wheels over stone. Tavern doors swung open and closed as patrons spilled onto the streets, already deep in animated conversations about trade routes, political gossip, and local scandals.

— Look at all of this, said Dave, his voice tinged with wonder as he watched a group of street performers juggle flaming torches while a small crowd tossed coins into their hat. I programmed maybe a dozen basic interactions for city NPCs. Walk here, sell this, buy that. But these people... they're living actual lives.

Alpha paused to let a cart loaded with fresh bread pass by, the baker waving cheerfully at him despite his strange pixelated appearance.

— It's beautiful, isn't it? They all have stories, dreams, problems to solve. Just like real people do.

— Yeah... said Dave quietly, watching as two merchants engaged in what appeared to be a heated but friendly negotiation over the price of silk. Maybe you were right yesterday. Maybe this place really has become something bigger than what I made.

Dave and Alpha finally reached the palace's imposing gates, where at least a dozen guards stood watch in polished armor. The massive entrance was carved with detailed patterns that seemed to shift slightly in the morning light. Alpha was beginning to wonder how they would even get past the first checkpoint when a familiar round figure waved at them from beside the guardhouse.

— Alpha! Over here, my boy! called out Gruf, his cheerful voice carrying over the noise of the courtyard.

The old merchant approached them with a wide smile, his belly bouncing slightly with each step. He gestured for Alpha to follow him toward the guardhouse where he called out to the captain.

— Captain Hans! This is the young man I mentioned yesterday, said Gruf with a respectful bow.
The massive figure of Hans Hank Hernandez emerged from the guardhouse, his mountain-like frame casting a shadow over them. Behind him followed the beautiful blonde woman they had seen the night before.

— Hrmph! grunted Hans, his eyes studying Alpha's pixelated face.

— He says he remembers you from last night, translated Merlinda with a smile. You're the one who helped the wounded during the demon attack.

— Alpha here has urgent business with Her Majesty regarding a personal curse that requires the Queen's wisdom, explained Gruf.

Hans let out a series of grunts and gestures.

— The captain says the merchant's word is good enough for him, and anyone brave enough to help during a demon attack deserves an audience, said Merlinda.

— That's right, and I stake my reputation on his character, added Gruf with conviction.
Hans nodded once and gestured toward the gates with his massive arm.

Alpha bowed gratefully and stepped through the gates with Dave phasing along beside him. The courtyard beyond was even more impressive than the view from the street. But as they passed through the main entrance into what should have been grand halls filled with tapestries and marble columns, Alpha stopped dead in his tracks.

The space before them was completely empty. Not just sparsely decorated - utterly bare. White walls, white floor, white ceiling. No furniture, no decorations, no corridors leading to other rooms. Just a single, blank chamber that seemed to stretch much further than the palace's exterior would suggest.

— What the hell is this? muttered Dave, floating in a confused circle.

— This... this doesn't make sense, said Alpha, turning back toward the entrance they had just come through.

— Excuse me! Alpha called out to the guards, but his voice seemed to get swallowed by the strange space.
That's when Dave noticed something that made his stomach drop.

— Alpha... the entrance. Look at the entrance.
Alpha spun around. Where the doorway had been just moments before, there was now nothing but more white wall.

— Guards! shouted Alpha, panic creeping into his voice.
But before Alpha could take another step, the stones beneath their feet began to shift and rearrange themselves almost instantly. Alpha's eyes went wide as the floor pieces slid away from each other with mechanical precision, revealing a growing opening.

— Dave, what's happening?

— I don't know! This isn't-

The floor gave way completely. Both of them plummeted into darkness, Alpha's scream echoing off invisible walls as they fell.

Don.Coals
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