Elias was still fumbling through the Tower's system menu, trying to navigate back to Floor 1, when everything suddenly went black.
There was no warning nor sensation.
Just complete darkness.
And then, without transition, he found himself seated once more in the same empty theater.
It was quiet. Dust filled the air, lit only by the soft glow of the screen ahead. Somewhere above, the gentle sound of a film strip echoed throughout the room, spinning slowly in an unseen reel.
Elias stared at the screen.
Then the screen was brought to life, it was grainy at first, then it slowly turned into a clear image.
There he saw a city. It was awfully familiar… but not at the same time.
It looked like Earth, but older, somewhat Victorian, the city was cloaked in soot and fog. Narrow streets, gas lamps, brick houses. People bustled along the sidewalks, dressed in heavy dress, coats and hats.
Then the frame followed a young boy.
And Elias heard him sing.
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"London Bridge is falling down,
Falling down,
Falling down~~"
The boy's voice was soft, bright, and innocent. His smile stretched wide as he skipped across the bridge, weaving through the market stalls and crumbling storefronts. In a world painted grey, he was the only splash of color.
"London Bridge is falling down,
My fair lady~~"
Eventually, he came to a stop outside a small bakery.
"Hello, mister! I'd like to buy some bread please!"
The baker looked up and chuckled warmly. "Oh? Jack, you're in early today."
"Yeah, haha. Me and my siblings are really hungry," the boy replied. "Can I get three loaves of bread, please?" He said, while handing three coins.
"Well then," the baker said with a grin, already bagging them, "I've added a little extra. Make sure you all eat your fill, alright?"
"Thank you so much, mister!" Jack smiled, cradling the bag. He turned and pranced away, waving enthusiastically as he resumed his tune.
"London Bridge is falling down,
Falling down,
Falling down~~"
He made his way into a narrow alley, one that twisted like a scar behind the city's spine. Cold and dim, the shadows swallowed the light.
Three teenage boys were already waiting there.
They leaned against the walls, their eyes dull and sharp all at once.
One stepped forward.
"Well? Did you get it?" he asked, voice clipped.
Jack nodded excitedly. "Yup! I got it, big brothers!" He handed over the bag with both hands.
They tore it open immediately, devouring the bread like wild dogs. Jack waited patiently, watching their hunger with quiet understanding. Then, seeing there was still one loaf left, he reached out.
A hand slapped his away.
"Back off."
Jack blinked. "I… the baker gave me an extra loaf, so I thought—"
"Extra? Did he now?" the tallest scoffed, eyes narrowing. "Of course he did."
"You've got that pretty face," another boy said, licking his fingers. "I bet you he was just buttering you up."
"Yeah," the third chimed in. "Probably wants to take you in his bed, flower boy."
They laughed at him. Hollow and bitter.
"That's not true! He was just being kind, that's all!"
The atmosphere changed in an instant.
"Are you talkin' back now?"
"Little jack... did you think you're better than us just because you are a little pretty?"
Jack's voice trembled, but he stood his ground. "I just… I just want my share... I'm hungry too."
Silence filled the alley.
Then a fist crashed into his stomach. Jack doubled over, reeling in pain.
"You cocky little brat."
Another blow hit his jaw. He stumbled back in a dazed.
"All smiles when you get free shit and all!"
A knee smashed into his ribs.
"Now suddenly you're better then us?!"
They shoved him down. Keeping their beatings.
"You really think the world's that kind?" one sneered, kicking him hard. "No one's kind! They just want something!"
"You're just a pretty-faced beggar," another spat. "You ain't special."
Fists. Kicks and Insults between every strike.
Jack whimpered, curled up against the cold stone. "P-Please stop—"
"You should've stayed quiet then."
A boot slammed into his side. And something cracked.
"You're only good for getting free scraps, nothing more."
The violence didn't last long, but it felt endless.
Eventually, breathing hard, they stepped back and looked down at the boy they had broken.
"Tch. What a waste of energy."
"C'mon let's go."
They walked away, still chewing, still laughing, fading into the alley's depths.
Jack lay there. Bloody. Bruised. Eyes half-open.
But he didn't cry.
He didn't scream.
What came out from his mouth wasn't anger or despair.
It was a smile.
A twisted, wide and joyous smile.
Jack already knew this would happen.
And he loved every single feeling.
Then, pulling out the loaf he'd hidden in his coat, he quietly ate it all. Once done, he rose and pranced back toward the city, singing the only song he knew.
"London Bridge is falling down,
Falling down,
Falling down~~"
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[Immersion greatly increasing...]
Elias screamed out it a panic, his breath ragged and body trembling.
Something was wrong.
The cold theater was gone. In its place was a damp air, the stink of blood, and utter darkness.
He felt something sticky and viscous at his hands.
He looked down.
His hands were soaked in blood. Wet and warm blood.
He stumbled back, his heart pounding.
There were bodies all around him, spread across the field, dozens of corpses. Mangled. Twisted with their faces frozen mid-scream, some of their limbs were torn apart. Man, Woman and children, all slain with precision and brutality.
He wanted to vomit.
He had killed them.
Yet he relished it.
The panic surged again. He turned to run, but stopped.
A pool of blood mirrored his reflection.
And there, staring back at him, was a smile.
Not his.
It was far too wide. Far too satisfied to be his.
It was Jack's.
And he was still smiling.
Elias recoiled, breathing even harder this time.
And snapped out of it once more, just like that, he was back on the open plains of Floor 2. The field of corpses gone. The blood had vanished.
Only the trembling in his hands remained.
He knew what this meant. It was the same as with King Arthur. Only this time, it was far too surreal.
And he knew it would only get worse.
"...I should probably get my shit together."
Then Elias returned to Floor 1.
[Immersion: Jack the Ripper – 20.19%]
[PassiveSkill obtained:
Killer's Instinct – Heightens subconscious threat detection. Grants enhanced combat awareness and sharpens murderous intent.]