Surviving These Unfair Scenarios [LITRPG - DIMENSION HOPPING]

The ruined city stretched endlessly before Adam and his colorful group, its skeletal remains of buildings reaching like twisted fingers towards the oppressive grey sky. The boy walked, his footsteps unnaturally loud on the cracked pavement and his mind a whirlwind of questions and dawning realizations. Beside him, Nikolai strode with a casual ease, his hands tucked into his worn jacket pockets, his light brown hair falling casually over his sharp features. He was their guide for now, as he was the only one who had navigated this desolate inner realm before, and the only one who seemed to know the path to the Undead Empress.

Flanking them, Abbess and the Sacred Guardian of Envy moved with silent, fluid grace. Abbess' eyes constantly sweep the desolate landscape, searching for any kind of danger. The Guardian, his golden armor gleaming faintly in the perpetual dim light, his massive sword held ready, positioned himself instinctively, always a protective bulwark.

On the other hand, the Spectronomicon, Adam's skull-book, bobbed playfully around his master's head, occasionally nudging him gently with a soft, curious chime, its empty eye sockets seeming to observe their surroundings with keen interest. They were all here, Adam's loyal summons, his silent companions in this strange, internal realm, their presence was a stark contrast to the oppressive emptiness that defined the world around them.

The journey through the inner world was a haunting paradox of desolate beauty and lurking menace. The ruined city, shaped by the pervasive grief and desolation of the Empress, stretched endlessly, its broken spires and crumbling infrastructure forming a melancholic testament to a forgotten civilization. Yet, within this stillness, life—or something akin to it—stirred. The air, devoid of wind, was often punctuated by the distant, unsettling sounds of other ghosts: the low, guttural snarl of a Feral-type aberration, with its massive, gaping maw silent but terrifying; the faint, metallic scrape of skeletal limbs dragging across cracked pavement; or the mournful wail of a spectral figure lost in the endless urban decay.

Abbess and the Guardian moved like silent, efficient predators, their senses finely tuned to the spectral ecosystem of this world. Whenever a ghost, drawn by their presence, emerged from the shadows with aggressive intent—a faceless wolf lunging, a skeletal warrior raising a phantom blade from the depths of a ruined building—they acted with swift, brutal efficiency.

The Jiang Shi woman would intercept with a blur of fluid motion, her formidable strength overwhelming the lesser spirits, forcing them to recoil, their forms momentarily disrupted and scattered into mist. The Guardian would interpose himself, his massive sword sweeping in powerful arcs, driving back the spectral threats with silent, unyielding force, his blue inner flame flickering with resolve. They protected Adam and Nikolai with absolute loyalty, a seamless, unyielding wall against the pervasive dangers of this inner realm.

"So…"

Adam began, his voice cutting through the heavy silence, addressing Nikolai. He rarely engaged in casual conversation, especially outside of strategic discussions inside a scenario, but the strangeness of their situation, and Nikolai's unexpected presence, compelled him.

"Last time you said you've been here for a while. What's it like? What have you... observed, beyond the obvious desolation?"

Adam, whose pre-system life had been one rooted firmly in logic, studies, and tangible reality, had found the sudden immersion into a world of magic, spirits, and inexplicable powers a profound, jarring shock. He had tried to analyze everything at some point, but the subjective nature of the system rendered that impossible, and this inner world was no exception, shaped by an entity's emotions, defied his usual frameworks. He sought answers from Nikolai, who had been an involuntary, albeit unique, resident.

The long-haired guy chuckled, a dry, almost cynical sound that echoed strangely in the silence.

"Observations? Plenty. Mostly, that this place is a real dump, and being dead isn't as quiet as they make it out to be."

He shrugged, kicking a loose piece of rubble with the toe of his worn boot.

"But yeah, I've seen things. These ghosts? As I told you the last time, they're like echoes of emotions. Driven by hunger, by rage, by lingering despair, or something of the sort. They don't think, not really. They just... feel. And they react to what they feel. I've spent most of my time figuring out their patterns, where they gather, where they 'sleep' in the shadows, how to make myself as uninteresting as possible to avoid becoming their next chew toy after the Empress returned."

He ran a hand through his hair, a gesture of lingering exasperation.

"It's like a messed-up ecology of the dead. Not exactly what I'd put on a brochure for a vacation spot, but you get used to it."

Adam frowned.

"But their movements... they seem almost random. And their forms, their very existence, they defy known biological and spiritual principles… I always thought about it, but are these really ghosts?"

His mind grappled with the inherent contradictions of this realm. The ghosts he used to summon had clearly otherworldly features, especially the big Demon-type, but calling them ghosts meant that they were alive once; there were really creatures like that in a world that, as far as he remembered, was normal?

Nikolai turned, a thoughtful expression on his face, his usual playful smirk softening into something more serious.

"Hell if I know, but something is for certain here… And that is chaos, Adam. It seems to be a pattern you haven't understood yet. That's what life in the realm of the dead taught me. In the streets, things look chaotic, people seem unpredictable, but there's always an angle, like a motivation, you know? No matter how twisted. These phantoms are hungry; they're drawn to negative emotions, to fear, especially. So you avoid acting like bait. You move quiet, you keep your emotions locked down. Simple street-smart logic, really. Nothing fancy. Just basic survival tactics applied to a new environment."

He gave a wry grin, a flash of his old self.

"And as for defying principles? Man, after dying and waking up inside your head, then watching a giant monster fight a super-powered golden skeleton, I stopped trying to make sense of 'principles.' This whole system? It's the ultimate 'just is'. You gotta adapt, not try to analyze it too much. I can bet my left arm that your logic box is too small for this world."

Nikolai's perspective, born from a life of survival in the brutal underworld, where logic was often secondary to intuition and adaptation, starkly contrasted with Adam's usual approach. It was a testament to how the guy had profoundly changed after "dying", becoming less focused on self-preservation through manipulation, and more on pragmatic understanding and even genuine concern.

As they continued their silent trek through the decaying landscape, Adam found himself observing Abbess more than normal when she fended off the stray aggressive ghosts that tried to attack them. His initial revulsion and physical rejection of her based on what she did to him while alive had long faded, and now, he saw her as an invaluable ally and a powerful summon. She moved with a fluid grace that defied her undead state; her strikes against the encroaching phantoms were precise and devastating, and each movement was a testament to her inherent martial prowess. Her long, white hair flowed like a spectral river around her, a stark contrast to her dark uniform, and her red eyes, usually so serene, burned with a fierce, protective light as she scanned the shifting shadows, constantly searching for threats to him.

Adam, feeling a rare inclination to connect beyond command, decided to engage her for the first time since her rebirth as a Jiang Shi.

"Abbess."

He said, his voice quiet, almost hesitant, a subtle shift in his tone from master to comrade.

"You're… remarkably efficient against these ghosts. Did you find them... challenging to contend with? I mean, when you ended up here."

He wanted to understand her thoughts, her perceptions, beyond her duty, seeing that Nikolai had changed so much after his death, he was now curious as to how much Abbess would have done so.

The woman turned her head immediately. Her red eyes met his, and a faint, almost imperceptible tilt of her head was her only initial response. Her voice, when it came, was soft, like a low murmur that contrasted sharply with her formidable power, yet it carried a clear, articulate presence, devoid of emotional inflection, but brimming with an unwavering loyalty.

"They are... numerous, Master."

She replied, her words carefully chosen.

"Their numbers are great, and most of the time their behavior was aggressive, like beasts, but their will is fractured. They were easily dispersed, I don't think I can call them a challenge."

Her response was concise and analytical, but it felt weird, like if she was talking just how she believed Adam would like the best. The boy found himself nodding with ease, something weird coming from him.

"Right."

He murmured.

"So, less of a threat, more of a nuisance, then. Does it… bother you? Having them around?"

He hesitated at first, unsure if the question was appropriate, if she even felt bothersome or if his human concept of emotion applied to her. Abbess's head tilted slightly again, a subtle gesture.

"They are a constant presence, nothing I can do about it."

She stated, her voice even, unburdened by complaint.

"But it is... a familiar resonance in this realm. It does not 'bother' me. My purpose is to serve and protect you, Master. My focus remains solely on your safety and the successful completion of your objectives. Their presence is merely a variable to be managed."

Her words were precise, revealing a disciplined mind, but, again, it seemed very off to Adam.

"Are you okay? … I don't remember you being this technical when we spoke before."

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At these words, the woman fumbled a little bit.

"But… I think this is the best way to speak to you, Master, don't you talk like this as well?"

That comment took Adam by surprise; he sometimes forgot that Abbess used to be a person… It had been long past since he had accepted that the characters inside a scenario were also sentient living beings, so seeing her flustered like that… He realized she wasn't just a powerful summon; she was her own persona, even if her memories of her time alive were modified, she had endured this constant hum of despair and malevolence for his sake, choosing her loyalty. A strange, unsettling comfort settled in him, acknowledging her unwavering dedication. He felt a quiet appreciation for her presence.

Maybe Kazue was right, he would have to interact more with Abbess in the future, not only as a summon to call at convenience but as a companion.

The Guardian of Envy, meanwhile, remained a silent, imposing presence throughout their journey. He would occasionally shift, his massive golden sword glinting, always positioning himself to shield Adam or Nikolai from any perceived threat, while his blue inner flame flickered steadily, reflecting his constant vigilance. The Spectronomicon, on the contrary, continued its playful dance around his master's head, emitting soft, curious chimes when its sensors detected something new or particularly interesting in the ruins. It would sometimes nudge Adam gently, almost urging him to observe a particular detail in the environment, acting as a curious, loyal companion in its own unique, silent way; Adam never had a pet before, but if there was something he could consider akin to a dog or a cat, it was that ghostly skull.

After navigating what felt like an eternity through the desolate labyrinth of crumbled buildings and spectral threats, the ruined landscape finally began to shift. The generic decay of the city gave way to structures that hinted at a specific purpose, like a deliberate, scientific design that Adam seemed to feel familiar with for some reason… Was it its similarities to Stratos Technology? No, it wasn't that, but he still felt that he had seen it once before.

They reached a building that, even in its shattered state, clearly suggested a different kind of history. It was a massive, skeletal structure, its cracked exterior still hinting at what might have once been a soaring, multi-story complex of advanced research. This was no ordinary ruin; it seemed to be a laboratory, or perhaps a complex research facility, its broken walls revealing glimpses of intricate internal mechanisms and fractured scientific instruments. Nikolai guided them inside, not without warning them to be extremely careful.

The interior of the laboratory was a profound contrast to the exterior city. Here, the destruction felt more precise, more intimate, as if a localized cataclysm had ripped through it, leaving behind a specific kind of devastation. Unlike the general, widespread desolation outside, this place bore the distinct marks of intricate scientific endeavors gone horribly wrong… Massive, rusted machinery lay overturned, wiring dangled like spectral vines from collapsed ceilings, and shattered glass from countless beakers and screens glittered under the dim light.

Adam immediately noticed the anomaly. The exterior city had been a generic, almost archetypal ruin, devoid of specific details that might hint at its original purpose, a backdrop of generalized despair. This laboratory, however, was filled with strange, precise remnants; it feels like the outside was merely generic filler background while this one felt… Real.

"What is this place?"

Adam murmured in a low voice while his mind was already trying to piece together the fragments of memories. He felt a deja vu seeing the place from outside, but from inside, not so much. Still, the weird feeling of the meticulous details was unsettling.

Nikolai shrugged, scanning the wreckage just to be sure there wasn't anything lurking around, a faint frown creasing his brow.

"Beats me. When I first got here, this place was just another set of ruins, maybe a bit more cluttered. Never saw anything special about it. Just more broken stuff. Didn't stick around long; these scientific-looking places always creeped me out."

Abbess, with her red eyes sweeping over the devastated laboratory, remained silent, offering no insight. She merely maintained her vigilant stance, her body tense, sensing no obvious immediate threats, but clearly unfamiliar with the specific nature of this place, the same happened with the Guardian; it was obvious that it was the first time for both of them inside that place as well.

But the Spectronomicon, usually so playfully aloof, began to behave erratically. It stopped its usual playful circling, hovering near Adam's shoulder, emitting a series of insistent, high-pitched chimes, vibrating with urgency. Then, with surprising force, it began to gently tug at the boy's shirt, pulling him away from the rest of the group without any of them realizing, its chimes becoming more frantic with each second.

Adam, sensing its unusual urgency, allowed himself to be guided.

"Hold on."

He murmured to Nikolai, although he didn't hear him nor did Adam realize he wasn't heard; his curiosity was piqued by his summon's insistence, like if something was calling him without him realizing. He separated from the others in the next turn, his gaze fixed on the Spectronomicon, which now floated purposefully ahead, its glowing eye sockets fixed on a point deeper within the shattered heart of the laboratory, leading him towards an unknown discovery.

The ghostly skull led him through a maze of collapsed corridors and twisted metal, past what appeared to be ruined research stations and shattered containment units. Finally, it stopped before a large, circular room, its entrance partially caved in, its doorway choked with debris. It pushed gently against Adam's chest, urging him forward until the boy stepped inside, his senses on high alert.

The room was vast, circular, and dominated by a large, faded circle painted directly onto the center of the cracked floor. The symbols within the circle were almost entirely worn away, barely discernible through layers of dust and grime, but even in their faded state, they struck Adam with an unsettling, profound sense of familiarity.

He knelt, his fingers tracing the faint lines, a peculiar resonance vibrating through his touch. These markings… He had seen them before, he thought, a flicker of intense recognition igniting in his mind, like a distant echo in a vast, empty hall. He felt as if he had heard them before as well. But where? The memory remained elusive, frustratingly just out of reach, a ghost of knowledge lurking at the very edge of his consciousness.

His gaze then fell upon something far more concerning… A skeleton. It lay slumped in the very center of the faded circle, its bones grayish due to the passage of time and dust, and still clad in the tattered remnants of a lab coat, stained with an ancient, dark residue. The scene was one of profound, desolate finality, even the Spectronomicon seemed sad to just be near it.

Adam moved closer, urged by the ghostly skull, which now hovered silently beside the skeleton, its chimes almost imperceptible. He carefully examined the remains, searching for… Something… Like if he knew there should be something. There were several scorched and illegible notes scattered around the skeleton, their words consumed by time, but then, tucked almost hidden beneath the collarbone, and concealed by a fragment of cloth, he saw it. A small, intricately carved pendant, clutched in the bones, its surface dull with age but its form unmistakable.

Adam reached out, his hand trembling almost imperceptibly, and gently took the pendant. He immediately recognized it. The intricate craftsmanship, the subtle symbol carved into its surface—a twisting knot of infinity and a stylized, half-closed eye—was utterly unmistakable.

"What is this doing here?"

It was a unique piece, one he had seen only once before, in a moment of dire peril. He opened the pendant, his fingers fumbling slightly, and looked inside. His breath hitched, and his eyes widened, a profound shock washing over him, stealing the air from his lungs.

"No way..."

Adam breathed, his voice barely a whisper, a strained, disbelieving sound that cracked through the silence of the room. The words were not a question, but a profound realization, a revelation that shook the very foundations of his understanding.

Just as the words left Adam's lips, Nikolai, Abbess, and the Guardian of Envy burst into the room. Nikolai, clearly exasperated, rushed forward, his easygoing demeanor replaced by a rare display of genuine irritation and worry.

"Adam!"

He exclaimed, his voice sharp, cutting through the heavy air, a clear sign of his frustration.

"What the hell were you thinking?! For someone who claims to be so 'intelligent,' separating from the group like that, without even realizing it, in a place like this, was utterly stupid! What if you'd run into something, huh?! What if she were here?!"

His scolding was quick, direct, a mix of genuine worry and frustrated exasperation. He waved his hands in an exaggerated gesture of disbelief as his body language conveyed his profound annoyance.

"You're supposed to be the brains of the operation, not the clueless tourist wandering into trouble!"

Adam merely stared at him with a pale face, his mind still reeling from the devastating revelation of the pendant. He offered no response nor a defense for his actions; he simply closed the pendant, tightened his fingers around it, and discreetly slipped it into his pocket.

Abbess moved to stand protectively beside the boy, implying how worried she had been, while the Guardian of Envy remained stoic, but Adam could feel that if it could express itself, the guardian would be frowning at him right now.

The small room, filled with the presence of Adam's summoned companions, felt suddenly very crowded, and Nikolai, seeing the boy's uncharacteristic silence, merely sighed, rubbing his temples.

"Whatever, let's just go."

After a few minutes of silent, tense walking, with Adam still lost in his profound thoughts and Nikolai occasionally casting him exasperated glances, the group resumed their journey through the ruined laboratory building. The silence was thick, broken only by their footsteps and the distant, unsettling sounds of the inner world's ambient horrors. They navigated through more shattered equipment, past what might have been ruined observation decks and sterile operating theaters, the lingering aura of ancient, forgotten experiments clinging to the very air.

The building seemed to stretch endlessly, a labyrinth of shattered science, each step deepening the sense of mystery. Finally, Nikolai, who had been leading the way, stopped before a massive, heavily damaged set of doors. These were not merely broken; they seemed to have been violently torn open, their heavy metal hinges warped and twisted, leading into a deeper, darker, more imposing chamber. The raw power needed to inflict such damage hinted at the occupant within.

"Okay, this is it."

Nikolai announced in a low voice tinged with a solemn finality, a hint of unease in his usual bravado. He pointed towards the gaping doorway with his gaze fixed on the darkness beyond.

"It seems she's in there as usual… The Undead Empress. And I can guarantee you, she knows we're here."

His voice carried a chilling certainty, a firsthand knowledge of the entity's pervasive awareness that sent shivers down Adam's spine. The air around the doorway grew palpably heavier, colder, permeated by a raw, ancient power that vibrated directly within his very core.

With a final, resolute step, Adam pushed through the damaged doors and entered the chamber. The room was vast, echoing the grandeur of a long-dead throne room or a colossal hall, but infused with the gothic decay and silent horror of his inner world. The air was thick with the chilling presence of death, a suffocating shroud of malevolence. And there, in the very center of the chamber, illuminated by the pervasive, dim grey light, was she.

The Empress' figure was sitting on a simple stone chair, her posture one of regal, ancient weariness, her form radiating a profound, unsettling stillness. She was surrounded by a multitude of black ghosts, swirling around her like a living shroud, their forms vaguely humanoid, yet utterly terrifying. Bat-like creatures with glowing blue eyes flitted ominously above her head, their leathery wings beating silently. Skeletal figures with empty eye sockets burning with cold blue light stood guard around her, their bony hands clutching spectral weapons.

And yet, this was not the faceless monster or the vague humanoid shape he had previously encountered in flashes of unconsciousness. This was different, her appearance was terrifyingly and undeniably human.

She was an adult woman, her form possessing a slender elegance, a graceful figure draped in what appeared to be simple, flowing robes that melted into the swirling shadows. Her long, flowing white hair cascaded down her back like a frozen waterfall, framing a face that, though pale and unblemished, held an ancient, chilling beauty. Her features were sharp, defined, utterly human, yet her striking, piercing blue eyes seemed to hold the cold depth of endless despair, unfathomable knowledge, and a profound, ancient malice. This was Evelyn, the Undead Empress, in her "true", horrifying form.

Her head slowly lifted, her white hair swaying like silk. Her piercing blue eyes, cold as glaciers, fixed directly on Adam while a slow, chilling smile spread across her lips, a curve that hinted malice, undeniable power, and a profound, unsettling familiarity.

"Welcome, my little Lich. I have been waiting for you."

She murmured in a soft and silken whisper that seemed to echo through the boy's very soul, a haunting, possessive greeting in the heart of his shattered world... Adam swallowed and all he could think about at that moment was his team members.

"I really envy them, I wish I was in the lobby without having to risk my life right now..."

The boy thought, not knowing what some of his friends were going through at that very moment.