CHAPTER 4: GNAT

On the tail end of my words, Gnat glided forward and alighted on my shoulder.

Turning to study him, I asked. “What now?”

The bat shrugged its tiny wings. “We wait for the others. Once they are done, the Master will give us further instruction.”

Scanning the chamber, I saw that many of my fellow candidates were still conversing with the creatures that hovered before them. A few had already sealed their Pacts and like me were gazing about the room.

I turned back to my familiar. “What can you tell me about the Grand Game?”

Gnat laughed. “What can I not tell you? All that I know of the Game could fit a dozen books twice over. You will learn more soon enough. Be patient.”

I narrowed my eyes. “At least tell me about the dungeon we are about to enter.”

“I know little of the how the dungeon has been configured,” Gnat said. “No one does. Except for the Master, of course.”

I sighed.

“There is one bit of advice I can give you though,” Gnat continued.

“What?” I asked eagerly.

“Don’t die. You will not enjoy the experience,” he said with a snicker of amusement.

I blew out a frustrated breath and turned away to consider the strange world I found myself in. If the Adjudicator was to be believed, I had chosen to enter the Forever Kingdom.

Why did I do so? I wondered. And could I carve out a life for myself in this world? If so, what sort of life would it be? Bowing my head, I lost myself in contemplation of the future.

It was a good few minutes before the murmur of conversation in the room died down again. When it did, I saw, that but for a handful of the candidates, everyone else had accepted the Pacts offered to them by their skeletal companions.

“Excellent,” the Master said, sounding pleased. “Now as to the details of the task before you. It is simply this: find your way out to the world above. While you venture through the dungeon, you will come across further Class stones beyond the initial one you will obtain in the next room. Each of these will grant you a Class. To reveal the dungeon’s exit portal, you will need to fill all three of your Class slots. If you are confused as to my meaning, ask your familiar after you’ve chosen your primary Class.”

I frowned. If I understood the Master, as a player I would have three separate Classes. How to choose them though? And were there any synergies between the Classes that I could exploit? These thoughts ran through my mind of their own accord, leading me to believe that whoever I had been in my previous life, I was no novice player.

Perhaps, I am more suited to this world and its Grand Game than I think.

“Our time together has come to an end,” the Master said. “We will not see each other again, not unless you successfully navigate through the dungeon and graduate as players. One final word before I release you: there are no rules in the dungeon. I care not if you work together—or against each other.”

The Master chuckled. “You may find that killing your fellow candidates will net you more experience than slaying the dungeon’s inhabitants. So, murder whomever you please. It will be all the more amusing to watch. But wait until you enter the dungeon before you embark on your sprees of mayhem.” The Master’s voice turned harsh. “I will not tolerate any killings within my domain.”

I shivered, not quite able to believe what the Master was encouraging us to do. Warily, I gazed to my left and right, and found my fellows likewise eyeing me suspiciously.

Which amongst them will try to murder me? I wondered. And could I stomach attempting to kill them in turn?

“Now if you will,” the Master said, “make your way to the next room and choose your primary Class. Good luck candidates, and may fortune favor your Game.” With his piece said, the Master rose in the air and vanished into the shadows concealing the chamber’s roof.

Setting aside my disquiet, I rose to my feet and studied the room again. The Master’s parting words had created a renewed stir amongst the candidates, and all around me I saw people banding together as they sought safety in numbers.

How long have the others been here? I wondered. Judging by some of the conversations floating around me, many of the candidates appeared very at ease with each other. Enough so that they were willing to trust their companions to guard their backs against the others.

It was only I—the newcomer—that was a stranger to all. I grimaced. Alone, or in a group, I will survive, I vowed.

Stepping around the still-forming parties, I joined the line leading to the room’s far exit. As I did so, in the corner of my eye I noticed Stayne leaving his place by the entrance and moving into the chamber.

Tilting my head slightly, I observed the skeleton. Moving unhurriedly, Stayne pulled a candidate out of the line. She was one of those who had rejected the Pact, I noted.

Stayne herded the woman to a vacant spot near the chamber’s entrance and left her standing there in confusion while he moved again to the line and gazed searchingly along its length. I studied the skeleton intently, watching to see what he would do, but I passed through the exit before I could see if he pulled anyone else from the line.

Still, I couldn’t help but wonder what Stayne was about.