[...I do not know.]
This was it. The final truth. The missing puzzle that shattered Arthur to the core. His mind suddenly felt as if he was sinking, as if the universe played a cruel joke by saying 'Your wife is your birth mother.'
You can feel the impact on the guy's psyche. He was so lost that even an abyss will look like good place to settle down. His world view broken. He felt that a punch in the gut would be best medicine for him right now.
And Nux? The bastard was having the time of his life, enjoying every single bit of it. Cackling, Snickering, Laughing like a mad scientist who finally discovered gods do exist and all his life's work was nothing but a K-Drama comedy.
It was clear, he was toying with Arthur. Making fun of him, laughing at his misery, his emotions, his 'handsome' face which might make Oscar look like a cheap thrill. As for the people behind the fourth wall? Who cares. And Author? The bastard might be busy cleaning his mess. HIS MESS!! Get it? No? That was the point! Gods, THE IRONY!!
(A/n: Damn him...I seriously think I created a monster. Should I pity Arthur?)
And just like that, time passed.
One minute.
Two minutes.
Five minutes.
Ten minutes.
Thirty minutes.
Arthur finally snapping out of his self proclaimed trance, felt like he was missing something and couldn't help but ask "What were you saying again? I dozed off for a bit." Arthur felt like their were multiple people looking at him like he was some endangered creature.
'Why? Why am I feeling like this? Did something happen?'
And Nux ever the bastard broke the silence, [I said...'I do not know'] and again started snickering waiting for what kind of reaction he will get to enjoy next. And that face? Gods that was he best thing that can go with any joke. Even the most arrogant young masters will feel pity for this guy.
When Arthur heard him again, he blanked out. Again. But not for long. He finally had enough. Enough of this bastard. This....this....fucking....fuck he can't even swear right now.
This was enough to break any sailor and him? Luckily their was a small pit near him filled with water about 30cm deep. What for? He took a deep breath and face inside the pit and shouted at the top of his lungs. His voice was muffled. He shouted, shouted, and shouted some more.
Five times. Ten. Twenty...
This continued for the next few minutes until he took out all the frustration from his system for the system.
After he calmed down, looking exhausted by this ordeal , he faced Nux wearily and finally made up his mind, "Please stop joking and tell the truth."
He had enough. He would rather kill another human man than argue here. He didn't had the energy, not anymore.
Nux, after having the fun decided to answer, his tone amused,
[The truth that will put your intellect, strategy and preparations to the test and will make all the survivors unite under single banner with impartiality an without and prejudice. Its is just that, you are only allowed to use on skill at a time.]
"....Am I missing something here? Tell me what's the catch." Arthur replied, that was too much.
His brain was on a strike right now. Even now he could feel this bastard is searching for new ways to piss him off.
Nux, ever the bastard, replied, his tone still amused,
[When, you reach level 3, you will be given a single slot, that slot is for your skill that you will equip on it. When you equip a skill, it will activate only after two minutes. You can equip another skill only after 24 hours time when the previous skill was equipped. And you will gain another skill slot when you reach level 5. There are 4 skill slot at maximum.]
'Gods why? This restriction will be really tricky to deal with, are the skills that overpowered?'
"Wait, what about the passive skills? Will it affect the skill slot?"
[No. Passive skills do not affect the skill slot. Skill slot is only for active skills. Although there is limit on the number of passive skills the survivors can equip. I know things might sound more like a restriction to you but believe me, Criptic Star believes in nurturing individuality, uniqueness and to see how will you cope up with problems thrown at you.]
Arthur sighed, there's no telling how bad this world can be. I mean, so much restrictions! Which novel does that?! All of them make their protagonists OP with lots of choices and here? what do you want to even make? Smart beings? Man among men? Conspiracy theorist's wet dream? Or a seductress that can give Lilith run for her money?
He sighed, again, and looked at the sky, his eyes carrying exhaustion of the day. He does not even know what fate has instore for him.
[Fate does not exist here though?]