"Let me guess," Daniel said after piecing together where the conversation was going, wearing the expression of someone who had watched every survival documentary ever made. "The waste tank."
[Correct, detective.] The voice sounded almost amused. [The waste reservoir was also expanded to last one year with daily use by three people. And yes, it has total odor-nullification magic. Congratulations. You can now travel for an entire year with your own crap and not smell a thing.]
"Oh, perfect. The dream of every motorhome owner." He remembered all the travel-channel videos showing how annoying it was to discard waste.
[Note: good luck finding a place to dump that much excrement at once.]
He stayed quiet for a few seconds, genuinely not having considered that. "Wonderful... so besides driving a space tank, I also have a magical year-long poop container. Truly living the dream."
[See? Luxury and sustainability in one package. The future is now.]
"Perfect. Exactly what I wanted. A year of stored crap. Maybe I can open an interdimensional fertilizer company." The ironic smile stretched across his face.
[Excellent idea. 'Black & Crap Co.' Guaranteed success in the multiverse.]
"Funny. I thought the biggest problem in a new world would be surviving. But no, it's finding a place to dump a year's worth of blessed excrement."
[Kael thought of everything, Daniel. Even your most... earthly needs.]
[And there's more. The vehicle is coated with a metal that absorbs solar, wind, and kinetic energy efficiently. Basically, it charges itself while you drive. And it has batteries that never degrade. This means the vehicle runs on clean energy, but still roars like a V8. Because obviously Kael knew you can't function without dramatic engine noise.]
"Great. The sound of power. Fits my natural charm," he said with a narcissistic grin, feeling powerful inside that metallic cocoon.
[If ego were fuel, you wouldn't need the batteries.]
"And what else can this toy do?"
[The cherry on top: the TV has every series and movie from your old world.] There was an intentional pause. [Except, of course, the world you're in now. No dimensional spoilers.]
"Perfect. A private cinema and an eternal bathroom. I'm ready for the apocalypse." He crossed his arms, amused. "Show me the vehicle's second mode. I want to see the magic in action."
As soon as he gave the command, the interior began expanding. The kitchen separated from the living room with a smoothness that defied the reinforced metal exterior. Two new sofa beds emerged, spacious and inviting. The television now occupied the entire wall, transforming the space into a private movie theater.
In the kitchen, the sink enlarged. Cabinets multiplied. Inside them, new utensils, pans, and food appeared. Compact appliances reorganized themselves into a layout resembling a luxury home kitchen.
A new elegant table with seven seats appeared, perfect for a family or a small party. Even with multiple people inside, the motorhome would still feel spacious. The ceiling rose, hallways widened, and a crystal chandelier glowed softly.
Past the kitchen, a large bathroom and two guest bedrooms materialized, each with a TV and built-in wardrobe.
The final bedroom was the master suite. Wide and refined. A massive bed big enough for four people. A well-organized closet. A huge television.
The suite's bathroom had a beautiful bathtub. White tiles reflected the warm light from the chandelier above.
He stood there for a moment, absorbing everything. Truly impressed, speechless at Kael's generosity.
"The old man really didn't hold back, huh?"
[He said you had a talent for attracting trouble. He just wanted to make sure you had a decent home to hide in afterward.]
"Oh, how sweet. He gave me a luxury bunker."
[A bunker, a bathroom, and a cinema. Congratulations, Daniel. You are officially the most spoiled survivor in the multiverse.]
Daniel spread his arms like a champion. "Spoiled or not, I call this a win."
[Call it whatever you want. Just don't forget to empty the reservoir when the time comes.]
"Yes, mother." All his excitement evaporated.
[One reminder: when the vehicle is in Mode Two, no window can be opened. Anyone looking from outside will only see the projection of Mode One.]
"System, when someone else enters the vehicle, switch back to Mode One automatically. No questions."
[I was already going to do that. I'm not stupid. I assume you don't want to explain spatial magic to civilians.]
"Well... fair enough. The old man really thought of everything." He took a cigarette from the inventory and lit it. The lighter's click broke the silence. The strong scent of weed filled the motorhome. Smoke drifted in slow spirals, caught in the slanted light from the windows.
Taking a deep drag, he felt warmth spread through his body, loosening tense muscles. "Nothing like starting a new life the right way."
"System, how do I level up? Do I need to kill monsters or complete missions?"
[The hunter system doesn't use XP. You level up based on your attributes. For example: you are currently at the 'Common Human' level. The next sub-level is 'Peak Human', reached when all your main attributes hit 11. You only advance when every attribute reaches its limit, which gives you versatility, but takes time.]
"So I just need to raise intelligence. Great." He realized that with one more point, he'd reach 11 and level up.
"And how do I get attributes or skills?"
[Attributes and skills can come from missions, focused training, or leveling up. If you repeat an action several times, like disarming traps, you may develop a skill related to it. Simple.]
"Alright. Got it." He looked at his clothes. Black pants, military boots, a tight white shirt, and a black leather jacket.
[Congratulations, you have unlocked the 'generic bad boy number 27' mode.]
"If I'm bad boy number 27, you must be sarcastic system number 666," he shot back, adjusting the jacket collar.
After exploring the interior, he stepped outside. Humid air hit his face, carrying the scent of wet earth and pine. The vehicle looked like a sleeping metal beast, armored, with reinforced plating. "My new home is a war tank. Perfect."
[New mission available]
Exploration Mission: Discover which world you are in.
Difficulty: Easy
Reward: Hunter Memory, 200 silver coins.
Accept?
[Spoiler: it's not Disneyland.]
"Of course I accept. Just to check, is there any penalty if I fail?"
[No penalties. Unless you want me to create one.]
He rolled his eyes, climbed back into the vehicle, and turned the key. Nothing. Tried again. Silence.
"Cutting-edge technology... and it died."
He checked the energy gauge. Full. He sighed. "Great. Technical issue. And I suck at mechanics."
"System, what's wrong with the vehicle? Isn't it supposed to be divine? Why isn't it working now?"
[Oh, I forgot to mention: Kael left a little 'surprise' in the electrical system. He wants you to interact with the people of your new world instead of hiding in your mobile bunker. Very thoughtful of him, isn't it?]
Daniel scratched the back of his neck. Things had been going too smoothly.
[Any damage to the vehicle can be repaired using silver coins. In this case, I can repair it for 50 coins, a fair price for your lack of patience.]
"Fifty coins? And where exactly am I supposed to get that?" He hadn't even completed the first mission yet.
He sighed, tapping lightly on the wheel. "Seriously... a war tank and I can't wake it up."
Daniel stepped out and leaned against the side of the vehicle, feeling the cold metal under his jacket. He looked at the empty road and the forest that seemed to watch him back. Only wind and rustling leaves broke the silence.
"I either stay here... or walk until I find someone."
Then he heard an engine approaching, breaking the heavy silence of the forest. An old white trailer growled around the bend, sounding like a tired animal.
Daniel waved his arms, asking for a ride. The trailer slowed and stopped a few meters ahead.
When he saw who was inside, his heart jumped. Not from fear, but from recognition.
Froze for half a second. The old white trailer. The family inside—he could see faces through the window. The silent road. The dense forest around them.
"No... No way."
But it was. Every detail matched. From.
He was in the world of From.
A short, disbelieving laugh escaped him. "Of course. Of course it would be a horror world."
[Mission completed.]
Reward received: Hunter Memory, 200 silver coins.
[Congratulations. Survival mode activated. And yes, the smiling monsters are real.]
Daniel took a slow, steady breath, letting his passive ability calm his mind. Even though he'd watched the series a while ago and didn't remember every event, the dread of that world hit him like a punch. And the worst part: he knew the show wasn't even finished.
His heartbeat quickened. A world surrounded by smiling monsters and a town with no exit. Fear rose, but so did adrenaline.
[New mission available]
Social Mission: Earn Jim's trust (or at least keep him from thinking you're a criminal).
Difficulty: Easy
Reward: 200 silver coins, 2 attribute points, 3 skill points, 1 new skill.
Accept?
[Social mission. Translation: time to pretend you have empathy.]
He accepted mentally and approached the vehicle.
Jim narrowed his eyes, evaluating him. The young man had that look—bleached hair, shiny gold earring, the aura of someone who didn't follow rules. The kind of guy you'd see in a parking lot and instinctively hold your kid's hand tighter.
But he was alone. Standing in the middle of nowhere. And something about his stance—not panic, but definitely not calm.
"Is there a problem?" Jim asked, his voice firm but not hostile.