Game Over~

4. Blowing Stuff Up With Charles

The paper Rana gave me is a letter from the Administrator. According to what's written here, he got some info on how I slipped into this world and how I could possibly return home, but none of them are 100% certain yet. He told me to meet him as soon as I can by going through "Vorgein"? What's a Vorgein?

"I'm asking what you'd like to do because you seem tired from a full day of work. My master didn't specifically ask you to be there at once, but it would be unwise to leave him waiting for too long." Rana said while hunched over, trying to fit his towering body inside the room.

I plopped back into my pillow while staring at the letter. "So it was just that guy asking me to come, huh? I thought it was something important, like the main character is actually another reincarnated person or something like that."

"Excuse me? Main character?"

"Nevermind that." I let my arm dangle from the edge of my bedframe and dropped the letter. "So, how come he doesn't just summon me like he did this morning?"

"Do you want to die again? Forceful summoning like that is potentially lethal. You are lucky to still be breathing right now."

"Seriously?! I almost actually died?! What was that guy thinking?" I rolled off my bed and stood up. "I AM a bit tired, but I guess I can spare some time for him."

Rana lets out a scoff. "Hmph. How pretentious. You didn't spare time for my master; my master spared his time for you."

"Yeah, yeah. Sure." I waved my hand dismissively. "Anyway, how do we get to him? The letter said something about Volkswagen? "

"Vorgein." He corrected me and then pulled out a mask from his breast pocket. It's a black full-face mask with red striped going diagonally from the eyes, forming a red V. The mask is solid with no holes for breathing. How am I supposed to breathe in that thing?

I took the mask and put it on my face. It's surprisingly comfortable. In fact, it's so comfortable; it doesn't even feel like I'm wearing a mask. It doesn't obstruct my vision and the air circulation is great too, even though there's no hole.

"So... this mask is probably magic and I should stop asking question and just roll with it, right?"

"Right." Rana said as he took a closer look at my masked face. "Looks to be functional... You're probably confused, so let me take some time to explain."

Oh boy, here comes the exposition...

"Vorgein is a layer of world hidden under the surface layer. It's the source of all spirits in this world, and thus the source of all magic. Vorgein is a truly massive place that not even my master knows the true size of it. Some may say it is actually infinite and connects even other worlds beyond this one. "

"So... why do we have to go there to get to the Admin?" I asked.

"The surface and Vorgein are interconnected in a complex web of bridges. Whoever can traverse Vorgein, can effectively 'teleport' in the surface world. My master dwelling is not accessible through normal means from the surface. It is a place that only those who can traverse Vorgein can enter."

"And the mask? What's it for?"

"As I've said before, Vorgein is the source of all spirits and that includes the intelligent ones. Far more intelligent than the lowly spirits you use on the surface for your pathetic magic. These intelligent spirits don't take too kindly to intruders in Vorgein. That doubles for you, someone who is an intruder even on the surface world. The mask helps hide your true self and prevent the spirits from attacking."