Chapter 13:
Brought into my Unfinished Game World
Dave watched his friend tumbling through the air beside him, arms flailing as he tried to grab onto something that wasn't there. Unlike Alpha, Dave wasn't exactly falling - his ghostly form allowed him to control his descent. Without hesitation, he dove faster, pushing himself ahead of Alpha as they plunged deeper into the black void.
— Alpha! Try to stay calm! shouted Dave, though he wasn't sure his friend could hear him over the rushing wind.
Dave squinted into the darkness below, desperately searching for anything that might help break Alpha's fall. The walls rushing past them were smooth stone, offering no handholds or ledges. But as they dropped further, Dave began to make out a faint shimmer at the bottom of the shaft.
— There's something down there! Dave called out, diving even faster to get a better look.
As he got closer, a data panel suddenly appeared in his vision:
[spell_effect: air_bounce3 area_of_effect: 15_meter_radius duration: permanent activation: impact_triggered]
Dave's eyes widened with relief. Someone had placed a magical air cushion at the bottom of this trap.
— Alpha! There's a spell down there! An air cushion! You're going to be okay!
— What?! Alpha shouted back, still spinning as he fell.
— Just trust me! Don't try to land on your feet! Let yourself hit it however you fall!
The bottom of the shaft rushed up to meet them. Dave watched as Alpha's body struck the invisible magical barrier first, bouncing harmlessly like he had landed on a giant invisible trampoline. The [air_bounce3] spell absorbed all the impact, sending Alpha gently floating back up a few feet before settling him safely on solid ground.
Dave phased through the magical effect and landed beside his friend, who was lying on his back and breathing heavily.
— That was... that was terrifying, panted Alpha, staring up at the tiny square of light that marked where they had fallen from.
— But we're alive. Well, you're alive anyway, said Dave, looking around their new surroundings. The question is: where the hell are we now?
Before Alpha could answer, the stone walls around them began to shift and move. Just like the floor above, the stones rearranged themselves with mechanical precision. What had been a simple underground chamber transformed before their eyes into something magnificent. Tall pillars rose from the ground, elegant tapestries unfurled from hidden spaces in the walls, and ornate windows appeared where there had been solid stone moments before.
Within seconds, they found themselves standing in a grand throne room. A carpet woven in patterns of black, grey, and white stretched from where they stood all the way to an elegant throne built from white stone at the far end. Banners bearing the kingdom's symbol hung from the vaulted ceiling, and tall windows cast pale light across the polished black and white marble floor.
And sitting on the throne, watching them with an amused smile, was a woman with platinum blonde hair and greyish eyes. She wore a simple but elegant white dress with a black crown resting lightly on her head. Dave floated closer, staring at her with a mixture of amazement and confusion. Something about her appearance felt... different from what he expected.
Dave's breath caught in his throat. Even though she looked completely different from how he had imagined her, he knew exactly who this was. But there was something that didn't make sense. Her body type was nothing like the template he had used for every female character in his game. He had always given them all the same exaggerated proportions, but Mia appeared naturally built with a slim, flat chest.
Alpha, meanwhile, was looking at Queen Mia with curious interest. He had met several women during his short time in this world - the tavern maid, Merlinda, various people in the town - and they had all shared similar body types. He had assumed that was simply how women looked in this world. But now, seeing the Queen, he realized there could be more variety than he had thought.
— Welcome to my throne room, she said, her voice warm but carrying the authority of someone used to being obeyed. Please forgive the rather dramatic entrance. I know falling through floors is not exactly the most comfortable way to arrive.
Alpha scrambled to his feet and immediately bowed deeply.
— Your Majesty, I'm honored to—
— Oh, please, none of that formal nonsense, interrupted Queen Mia with a wave of her hand. You can call me Mia. And you must be Alpha, the one with the... unique face situation.
Dave floated closer, still staring at her in amazement.
— I do apologize for the trap, Mia continued, her expression becoming more serious. But after last night's demon attack, I realized that my usual security measures weren't enough. That creature was specifically looking for something, and I had to make sure any visitors were... genuine. The trap helps me verify that people are who they claim to be before they reach me.
— But how did you know we were coming? asked Alpha.
— Let's just say I have my ways of keeping track of interesting developments in my kingdom. Including when a certain someone arrives who shouldn't technically exist according to the normal rules of this world.
Mia's smile returned, but this time her greyish eyes shifted to look directly at Dave.
— Hello, Dave. I'm truly moved to finally meet in person the one with whom I helped shape this world.
Dave's mouth fell open. Alpha spun around to look at him, then back at the Queen.
— You can see him too?
— Of course I can see him, said Mia with a gentle laugh. He is a singular entity in this World just as you and I are. That is why we can see things for what they truly are. And I know exactly why you are both here. Alpha, you want to acquire a face of his own,. And Dave, you want to reincarnate properly into this world so you can live out a new life.
— Then you can help us? asked Dave, his voice filled with hope.
Mia's expression grew sad.
— I am afraid I cannot. My abilities to manipulate the code of this world have become limited to everything within the city's walls. I can no longer change anything that is not directly related to the palace and its vicinity. I apologize.
Dave felt his heart sink.
— But wait, said Dave. Captain Hans... his strength, his speech problem... that was your doing, wasn't it? If you can modify his code, then it should still be possible for us too, right?
— Yes, that was me, confirmed Mia with a nod. However, NPCs have a limited code capacity. To boost his physical stats and magical resistance to the levels needed to protect this place, I had to remove his speaking ability. Think of it like... a computer with limited memory. I could only add so much before something else had to go.
— So you chose to sacrifice his speech for his strength, said Alpha thoughtfully.
— It was necessary. After several demon attacks over the past few months, I needed someone who could actually defend the city. And Hans volunteered for the modification himself.
Dave floated there in stunned silence, processing this information. Even Mia, with all her power, had limitations. If she couldn't help them, then who could? After a short pause, she added:
— However, you are right, it is theoretically possible. The problem is that your code isn't related to the capital of the Twilight Kingdom to begin with, so I cannot be the one to alter it with my current abilities. Hans was already part of the royal guard, which made him fall under my influence. But you two... you exist outside of my domain.
Dave felt his hopes crash again. Alpha's shoulders slumped with disappointment.
— However... said Mia, her voice trailing off as she seemed to consider something carefully.
Both Dave and Alpha looked up at her with renewed attention.
— There may be another way.
She paused, her silver gaze growing distant and troubled. The silence stretched out uncomfortably as she appeared to wrestle with whether to continue.
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