Chapter 7

The Odd Player

Swoosh!

The two players turned into white light.

‘...Wow.’

[Transformation Off.]

White light enveloped the hero-like monster, and reverted it back to its original form.

‘I want to eat that.’

The power to transform into an armored version of yourself, that would be convenient.

Seeing as the enemies have been eliminated, the mantis walked the way it came from. It seemed to be happy, repelling the threat that invaded this cave.

Lost followed it as quietly as possible.

.

.

.

‘Yo…’

It was like seeing a superhero’s hideout. Lost could see different weapons displayed on the walls and displays, a few maps stuck to the wall, as well as its modern feel, despite it being filled with fantasy-themed furniture.

‘Something like this shouldn’t be in the game.’’

‘It can’t be...’

[You have equipped the characteristic ‘Black Iron Body’]

‘I’ll need to do this quickly, before I get caught.’

Lost sneaked behind the Mantis, waiting for the right moment.

The mantis walked around, it seemed like it was looking for something. He searched the tables and drawers, moving one thing after the other.

‘An intelligent mob, a pet?’

Will his powers work on someone’s pet? He started to question if he’s going to even achieve anything by trying to eat it.

‘Ah who cares, no one knows until they try right?’

[You have equipped the characteristic ‘Hungry Viscosity’.]

He created a blade shape with his two characteristics. It wasn’t a perfect sword, it had dents here and there, but it would still be able to cut wood.

‘Eyes and joints. Eyes and joints.’

Lost swung his arms backwards, trying to gain momentum with the slash. He aimed at the mantis’ joints, and swung securing a clean cut. But before he could finish his stealth attack.

“What on earth have you done this time, Mantis? Why’s the door bloody burnt? And the caves made absolutely bonkers? Have you lost your mind, mate?”

A loud voice echoed throughout the room. The mantis turned its head, and so did Lost. The source of the voice was a blonde man with pale skin, about 180cm tall, he wore a japanese yukata, with a katana sheathed on the side of his belt, which he wore around his waist.

Lost froze in place.

‘If I stay very still… he won’t notice me.’

‘I am a statue. I am a statue. I am a-’

‘Statue?’

[You have unequipped the characteristic ‘Hungry Viscosity’]

Lost then covered his whole body with the ‘Black Iron Body’ characteristic. He then looked like a metallic sculpture.

[You have become a statue!]

[New ‘State’ unlocked!]

‘Yo, what.’

He wanted to take a look at what the notification meant. But as soon as he moved, he would be dead. So he resisted the urge, and stayed still.

“Hey, hey Mantis? Why aren’t you answering you absolute insect?”

The man moved towards the direction of Lost and the mantis.

“You make a mess every time, it won’t hurt to fix it once in a while would it now?”

“Now grab the bloody tool and-”

The man paused for a minute. He saw a metallic statue between him and the mantis. It was oddly placed, and he had never seen it before. If he had, he must have forgotten.

“Now, Mantis, we could postpone everything I just complained to you, but.”

“Did you misplace this statue?”

The mantis shook its head, signalling a no.

“Say, have we ever had a statue like this?”

Once again the mantis shook its head.

“Interesting…”

“This is a wonderful statue.” the man said as he looked at every detail.

“Be a shame if someone would-”

In a flash, the man unsheathed his blade. Lost could hear a sound as if the wind itself is being ripped in half. The blade moved perfectly horizontal, and stopped just before hitting Lost’s eye.

“..break it.”

Lost gulped in fear.

‘Oh I’m so screwed.’

“Is it a statue after all?”

“Kzak Kzak!”

“Hmm, you’re right, lad.”

“It doesn’t really matter, we would still benefit from it.”

“What are the buffs, I wonder..”

The man checked something, and his eyes grew big. The mantis who looked puzzled by its master’s reaction, also did the same.

“This is absolute bonkers mate.”

“Kzak Kzak.”

The mantis nodded in agreement.

“A statue of Black Iron..”

“How’s the Black Iron Sword coming, Mantis?”

“Kzak Kzak!”

“Boar’s working on it?”’

“Kzak!”

“Aight mate, let’s check it out.”

The two left, but not before the mantis glared at the now-statued Lost.

“Phew.”

“I gotta get out of here.”

Lost said, while scratching his head.

‘But where.. Is the exit?’ Lost wondered, as he looked around.

There was something wrong. Something that made him sweat in nervousness. The door the two entered, it was gone. And more surprisingly, the other doors, windows, they were all gone.

“How is this possible?”

“Oh right, house editing.”

“So this is actually his house, huh?”

“Let’s see what I can do..”

“Status.”

Lost

Level 23 Monster Eater HP: 4,911/4,911

MP: 18/858 Strength : 46

Vitality : 32

Dexterity : 31

Agility : 43

Intelligence : 31

Luck : 5

Stamina : 42 Skills:

[Lesser Devour], [Speed Burst], [Blood Gnaw] Abilities:

[Hand-to-Hand Combat (F)], [Unarmed Combat (F)], [Statue Morphing] Characteristics:

[Hungry Viscosity], [Black Iron Body]

"Statue Morphing?"

"Oh right, let's try that."

[You have equipped the characteristic ‘Black Iron Body’]

[You have become a statue!]

Lost then inspected himself. It was the first time he had inspected a person.

Black Iron Statue Statue depicting a plain-looking man's hunger. It is carved in Black Iron. Praying to this statue will have its benefits.

Effects:

+10 Attack

+10 Speed

+10 Defense

-50% Damage from Slimes

-50% Damage from Wolves

-50% Damage from Killer Rabbits

"What in the world-"

Lost scratched his head. He had never encountered a statue that gave more than 3 buffs before. The effects on the statue reflected the abilities he had absorbed prior, with 3 other buffs that was basically equivalent to getting 3 levels.

"So that's why he was perplexed."

"I wonder if I could use this form for something.."

Lost had forgotten he was trying to escape for a moment.

"Ok nevermind that, I gotta leave this place."

[You have equipped the characteristic ‘Black Iron Body’.]

"Speed Burst."

Brarr!

"Speed Burst."

Bammr!

"Speed Burst!"

Ttdrahr!

Lost had destroyed a wall, creating a hole that was connected to the cave-like hallway where he had seen the players before.

"Ah there's the door."

He saw the door that he entered from initially. There were no scorch marks, nor any battle scars on it anymore.

"He fixed it? That was fast."

"Oh well, time to blast!"

Lost ran towards the door, when suddenly...

Phshew!!

Lost heard a loud sound. A bullet of metal flew 0.5 centimeters to the left of his ear.

"Holy shi-"

Lost then turned around. He saw a blonde man, holding a gun-shaped weapon, wearing armor you'd see in japanese tokusatsu shows.

"Not so fast, foolish one."