RE: Reality Smuggler (R-18)

June 15th, 2022.

Inside the rented apartment.

 

A naked Caucasian young man stood before me, 5 feet 10 inches tall. He had a round face, a good jawline, a straight nose, thin eyebrows, shaved mug, and a crew cut of brown hair. With his dark emerald eyes and healthy sand-colored skin, his face can be considered somewhat handsome if not for the acne scars marring his whole face.

He also had broad shoulders and a lean waist. Still, he was skinny and with almost no muscle, a result of neglect during studying in college.

The only impressive part of him was the thing dangling between his legs, boasting a size that few men in the shower room compare to.

 

That average joe was, of course, me, staring at my naked reflection after a morning shower. Although I don't do this every day, I evaluate myself in front of the mirror once a week or two, intentionally or not.

I got my skeletal build and height from my mother and my face from my father. My sand-colored skin and brown hair are from both sides, while the acne I got is from my grandmother, skipping a generation over my relatively handsome father.

I once compared myself to Great-grandpa Ryan's pictures when he was younger. Honestly, we look nothing alike, him being a short and lean white man with a squarish face and an aquiline nose. The only visible thing we have in common is our eyes, which my mother didn't have.

He also claimed I got another thing from him but never explicitly said what it was. However, I eventually got the hint later in my life when I remembered those times I went together with him to the pool as a kid. As a curious kid, of course, I sometimes stared at the other adults in the changing room, and I can confidently say that although he was short in stature, he beat all of them in a particular aspect. Heh.

 

A few minutes later, I dressed and went to the living room to sort out my recent preparations for my reality-traveling adventure, which I plan on doing today.

First, inconspicuous and safe clothes, including a long-sleeved leather jacket, jeans, gloves, trekking boots, and motorcycle helmet. This can allow me to hide my identity there while providing decent protection.

Of course, I didn't forget to remove all the labels on my clothes. If I get caught by the police there, I want to raise as few eyebrows as possible.

Next, guns. As a proper American and WA citizen, I, of course, have a trusty shotgun. For my 18th birthday, Great-grandpa Ryan bought me a Mossberg 590a1 shotgun. Although not a fan of it, I practice once half a year in the firing range to make sure I am not rusty. I also maintain the gun every month to prevent it from going rusty. Since the shotgun is less than 1 meter long, I can easily place it inside the storage, which is a great boon. I also bought a hundred 000 buck shots, hundred rifled slug shots, a bayonet(installed), and a tactical flashlight(also installed)

As for a sidearm? I have Great-grandpa Ryan's old Colt M1911A1. Sure, it is almost a century old, but he took good care of it, almost treating it like he treated me. After hearing it saved his life, I can understand why. He also left me four 10-round magazines and a 1000-round ammo box with 900 rounds left because I used 100 to familiarise myself with the pistol these four days in the firing range.

All the guns and mags are also fully loaded and ready to fire.

Now, why am I bringing an arsenal with me? Simple. Like most other people, I care about my life. Many things can happen in over 70 years.

One possibility is that they advanced even further, achieving things only seen in sci-fi movies. In this scenario, they might be a peaceful civilization, at least on the surface, and not bother me. Another one is that they evolved into cyborgs and are now in a cyberpunk era, meaning I might stand out like a black sheep. They might capture me, interrogate me, and even dissect me. I might even pop up in the middle of the road and get run over.

The other possibility is that, somehow, they experienced an apocalyptic scenario, and most of humanity is extinct if not all. In this case, I might need to face wild animals or survivors. If I am unlucky, I might arrive in a location that has been recently nuked, and I will die from radiation poisoning. I might even end up sick and unable to find a clinic like my great-grandad did, dying like a sick dog.

In any case, these are all risks I took upon myself the moment I decided to go there. No venture, no gain.

And, lastly, ready-made meals, fresh bread, bottles of juice and water, canned food for seven days, ten rolls of toilet paper, five packs of wet wipes, a change of clothes, a crowbar, a fire axe, rope, survival knife, my toolbox, fire starters, portable tent, sleeping bag, over-the-counter painkillers, reserve flashlight, spare batteries, a first-aid kit.

Why? Just in case. Great-grandpa taught me to be no coward, but he also taught me that being cautious is a virtue. I am preparing for a worst-case scenario, and over-gearing is never wrong.

In a best-case scenario, I can leave within a few minutes or seconds, but in a worst-case scenario, I might be stuck there for hours, even a day or two. Better safe than sorry.

 

Well, those are all my adventure preparations. I also made other preparations, like quitting my part-time. From the age of 14, I started working part-time. Before college, I did house cleaning and babysitting, and in college, I entered digital customer service. A good choice because of all the Covid bullshit fucking up the economy. Because I wanted to be independent, I remained frugal and got around $40,000 in my bank account, unlike most other friends who barely had $15,000 after graduation, partly because I never had a stable girlfriend.

My other preparation is that I filed my will, leaving all my assets to my sister in case I go missing. I am not leaving a dime to my parents.

 

Looking over all my preparations, I nodded to myself and smiled.

"Good, that should be enough."

I decided and wore my leather jacket and gloves and put on my helmet. As for the jeans and shoes, I was already wearing them. The rest was already in my storage.

"Let's do this."

Taking a deep breath, possibly one of my last, I held the amulet, perhaps in silent prayer for good luck, before deciding in my mind.

"Reality Travel."

The moment I transmitted my will, the runes on the onyx amulet faintly shone as my mind received a projection. I was surprised, as I didn't test it out beforehand out of fear of being sent to the other side directly.

Luckily, that didn't happen.

What I saw in my mind was a dark 3d map with two shining dots connected by a line. Text-like information then entered my mind.

 

 

Anchored Realities:

1. Home. Travel time: None(Currently inside). Energy cost: None(Currently inside). Cooldown: None(Currently inside).
2. Futuristic World. Travel time: 15 seconds. Energy cost: 3 Basic Energy. Cooldown: 24 hours.

 

 

"Home and Futuristic World? Did Great-grandad name them? Can I change the name? Like Other World?" - I thought but was surprised to discover the name Futuristic World got changed to Other World.

 

 

Anchored Realities:

1. Home. Travel time: None(Currently inside). Energy cost: None(Currently inside). Cooldown: None(Currently inside).
2. Other World. Travel time: 15 seconds. Energy cost: 3 Basic Energy. Cooldown: 24 hours.

 

 

"Now I get it. I name the reality I go to. I'll keep it as Other World until I know the situation." - I nodded to myself and looked at the details.

"Ok... 15 seconds to travel? Doesnt sound like a lot, considering I am going to another reality. As for the cost, I have no clue, I didn't test it until now, but I guess it is enough for two round trips with 15 Basic Energy, assuming the price for both ways is equal. But the problem is the cooldown, ugh. 24 hours? Good God, man. Good thing I over-prepared myself... and that nobody gives a crap about me. Damn, my life is sad." - I mumbled while shaking my head.

Taking another deep breath, I said in my heart.

"Travel to the Other World."

Surprisingly, the moment I said that I wasn't instantly transported, but I was kindly reminded.

 

{Are you sure you want to spend 3 Basic Energy to travel to Other World? Yes or no?}

{Warning: After traveling, you won't be able to return for 24 hours.}

 

"Well, that is considerate." - I mumbled and quickly decided.

"Yes."

The moment I agreed, my vision suddenly tunneled, not unlike those sci-fi fiction space-jumping things, disappearing from where I stood.

 

 

 

 

The next moment, I found that all my senses were shut down. I couldn't see, hear, touch, feel, or taste anything. I was floating in pure darkness. It was just me and my thoughts.

The only thing proving I am alive is the counter in my head.

 

00:00:15

00:00:14

00:00:13

 

"What is going on? Why can't I sense anything? Is this the protection of the amulet? Am I in the so-called unreality?" - I wondered to myself.

But I didn't need to wonder for long since the countdown was short.

 

00:00:03

00:00:02

00:00:01

 

And then, my vision tunneled again as I saw the light. Hallelujah.

 

 

 

Without a sound, I found myself standing in an alley, the morning sun shining brightly in the sky, indirectly illuminating my surroundings.

"Nice! I made it! Oh, shit, is that a skeleton?!"

Behind a large garbage bin, I saw a half-crushed bleached skeleton with torn clothes, missing an arm and leg, and its half-crushed head on the floor.

Looking around, the two two-story buildings sandwiching me also looked rather unkempt and dirty, as though not cleaned for years. There were also strange greyish-green growths with yellowish warts on the ground, creating a sickly feel to the place.

"...Please don't tell me this world went post-apocalyptic." - I muttered in prayer as I took my shotgun out, held it tightly, and carefully walked out of the alley.

However, I didn't immediately exit the alley but stuck to the wall and scouted the area, just in case. My decision proved wise.

"...I'm so fucking dead."

I thought bleakly as I stared at the sight before me, cold sweat gathering under my thick clothes, my heart almost stopping.

Monsters.

Monsters everywhere.

40-50 stood blankly under the morning sky, bathing themselves in sunlight.

They were humanoid creatures with sharp claws and exposed razor-like teeth. Their pupilless yellowish eyes containing not a hint of intelligence. And their greyish-green skin and yellowish warts are similar to the growths on the ground, with no vegetation in sight.

Littering the ground were wrecks of cars with bullet holes and munched-up skeletons, appearing like doomsday.

And, amid the small hoard stood a giant and bulky greyish-green creature, its muscles bulging with blatant power. I reckoned it was at least 7ft tall and wide as a door, some strange crystal protruding at the back of its head.

Luckily, its head wasn't looking in my direction, or I would be dead.

Forget about taking that thing down. That hoard is enough to make me piss my pants.

"I can only pray they have low sensing ability and are stupid." - I thought as I carefully backed away to the alley.

After returning to the alley, I looked more carefully at the surroundings.

 

The other side of the alley was blocked by a tall brick wall, with a side door on each alley wall.

One of the doors appeared to be locked with anti-theft bars, but the other wasn't, even ajar. On a more careful look, there was a faint dark trail to the skeleton starting from the door.

Walking toward the door, I saw a faded sign that read, "Kold's Pharmacy, running since 2061.". As well as "Employees only.".

"This must be the Pharmacy Great-grandpa Ryan went to. It's worth a look."

I thought and subconsciously stared at the side where the monsters were, luckily still empty.

"Not that I have a choice." - I thought grimly.

Taking another deep breath, I turned on the flashlight on my shotgun before using the bayonet to nudge the door open.

Creak*

A painful creak sounded, making me grit my teeth in preparation for some monster pouncing on me. Luckily, nothing.

Taking another look at the street to check if the monsters didn't hear me, I entered the building, my heart taut like a pulled string.

"Hah* Hah* Hah*"

I breathed inside my helmet, vapor slightly covering my vision as I ventured inside.

The pharmacy was in a mess, with overturned metal shelves and merchandise everywhere. The front of the shop also seemed to be blocked and barricaded with metal shelves and security measures. The employee entrance of the shop also seemed to be blockaded, but it was moved aside by someone inside.

I bet five bucks it is the poor chap outside.

After another look, I confirmed that the place was empty of life.

Whoever lived here is dead, leaving nothing but white bones picked clean of all meat, not exposed to the sun. I counted four skulls, not including the one outside.

"Shit, this is horror-game level. What the heck did I get myself into?"

I complained in my mind but didn't let it get to me.

I did two more scans to confirm signs of life in the room before closing the open employee door behind me, locking it, and blocking it with a metal shelf. But I didn't sigh in relief, as I didn't check the entire shop, such as the second floor, manager's office, storage room, toilet, and basement.

This pharmacy was open for who-knows how long, and many things could have entered... or stayed inside.

I then carefully treaded inside, careful not to trip over the fallen shelves and merchandise before reaching the counter.

Looking down below the counter, I saw a skeleton wearing a lab coat with a visible hole at the top of its head and a pistol in its lap. What happened should remain unsaid.

Climbing over the not-so-tall counter, I walked to the storage room but found the metal door locked, perhaps from the inside. I needed a key to enter it. But, for now, It was good news. At least I didn't need to worry about the storage room has a monster.

I then checked the bathroom, finding a broken wooden door with two shattered skeletons inside and dark patches everywhere. I can only imagine what their gory ends were like.

With a heavy heart, I looked at the basement door and the stairs leading upstairs. First, I checked if the basement was open and found it locked, only leaving the upstairs.

"C'mon, Iver. You can do it..."

I encouraged myself as I started going up the stairs, careful of the corners. I saw no less than twenty skeletons littering the stairs, each with either a broken ribcage or a penetrated skull. Judging from the bullet holes in the wall, there was a fierce defensive gunfight.

Reaching the top of the stairs while trying not to trip over the bones, I was half-blocked by a breached makeshift blockade made from furniture.

Although I am no detective genius, I can deduce that a group of unarmed people rushed to the top floor for some reason and got shot for it. Eerily similar to a zombie movie.

That, along with the monsters outside, gave me an unpleasant feeling, a hunch.

"...Please don't let this reality be in a zombie apocalypse..." - I prayed again and passed through the blockade.

The second floor had five doors; The manager's office, a break room, a bathroom, a changing room, and the roof.

The first four rooms were open wide, revealing the emptiness inside, likely using all the available furniture as barricade material.

Besides that, the door to the roof was half-barricaded, with three more dry skeletons on the floor.

"They attempted a last stand on the rooftop." - I thought sadly.

---

If you found this novel on kindle or another platform, you were had. This IP is exclusive to Scribblehub, and is FREE. Its name is Reality Smuggler, so please report it and inform me.

---

Then, I climbed up the short stairs, arriving at the rooftop.

At the entrance, I saw a skeletal hand tightly clenching a revolver, likely one of the first to die on the line of defense. Then, looking at the other end of the roof, I saw another six-odd corpse leaving a trail leading to two more downed fighters. One held a shotgun, and another a hunting rifle.

The one with the shotgun died fighting, and the other probably shot himself from under his jaw.

I remained silent, gave them a silent prayer, and went up to them while crouching, afraid of being seen from the street.

Now, why did I do that? Risking my life via exposure?

Because I saw a keychain shining next to some torn fabrics, likely the janitor's or manager's keys.

"I need that to open the storage room and basement." - I thought.

There is also a good reason why I needed to get inside the storage room.

"If I get sick, I need medicine. Everything is in the storage room. Hopefully, the medicine is not expired, or I am in deep shit. It would be too late when I get sick since I will be too weak to do anything."

Yes, I was pressured by the fear of sickness.

Forget all the zombie virus bullshit or getting eaten alive; Just a simple bacteria here can kill me! Just twelve hours after Great-grandad got here, he almost died from goddamn bacteria!

However, unlike him, there are no samaritans around. Only monsters!

I must get vaccinated ASAP, or I am DEAD! DEAD!!!

Reaching that conclusion, I did what any other desperate man with balls would do in my shoes.

Get the keychain!

 

One step.

Two steps.

Three steps.

 

I got closer and closer to the two fallen men beside the keychain. Soon, I arrived in front of them and gently and carefully picked up the keys.

So far, so good.

Then, I carefully turned around and was about to return when I noticed something on the floor, a sort of blood-stained one-eyed device with clear glass, reminding me of a scouting device from a specific violent anime I watched as a kid.¹DBZ scouter

As they say, curiosity killed the cat, and I was DAMN curious, so I naively picked the thing up.

Big mistake.

Suddenly, I heard a gentle female voice sounding from the machine.

[User movement detected, exiting sleep mode.]

"...Hah?" - I blankly stared at the device.

And then THAT happened.

[Unpausing music.]

[STICK IT IN! RIP THE SKIN! BURNING UP FROM INSIDE OUT!]

A horrendous and loud death metal sounded from the device.

"W-Wait! Stop! Pause, Pause!!!" - I yelled at it in panic.

[Recieved, pausing.] - The female voice replied as the music stopped.

However, it was too late.

"RAAAGHHH!!!!" - A roar sounded from the street.

"...Im so fucking dead."