Chapter 2: The Exiled Tribe Member

After passing through the blue sky, my descent speed decreased drastically. The view of grass with sparse trees and bushes seemed to be approaching me.

I can say I was really amazed by the impression I got from this world. I can smell the fresh nature, also feel the cool breeze and the warm morning sun. This sensation is so natural, beating other games I've played before.

[You can turn off the temperature and weather impression in the menu]

I read the transparent texts floating in front of me, right next to the menu icon in the right corner of my vision. Well, maybe I'll turn off this impression in the winter. I don't want to play games while shivering.

I looked around for a moment and finally found one of my colonists, namely Manu. The man seemed to be picking something from one of the bushes and eating it.

As soon as my feet hit the ground, I walked over to my prospective colonist, who was barefoot and wearing caveman-like clothes made of tanned leather. He also appears to be carrying a large leather pouch and an ax on his back. The ax he was carrying looked primitive because it was made of sticks and stones tied together. He was completely unaware of my existence. Of course, I'm just an observer and player.

Manu was still searching the bush, then a transparent text reappeared in front of me.

[You can also taste the food in this world. But remember, not too much, because that is for your colonists to survive.]

So, it turned out to be true. They were able to duplicate the taste sensation on the tongue from the real world. I'll prove how authentic it is.

Finally, after a while of searching, Manu found a small cluster of purplish berries. He smiled and had reached out his hand to take the fruit.

Sorry, Manu. But, I really want to try one of the features of this game.

I plucked the marble-sized fruits and immediately put them in my mouth. Manu frowned, looking confused. Maybe in his eyes, the berries just disappeared.

Damn. I shook my head as I started to chew the fruit. This is probably the best berry I've ever eaten. The fresh, sweet, and sour sensations in my mouth were absolutely perfect.

They've nailed it.

After searching for a while in the bush and not finding any more berries, Manu sighed, then walked to another bush.

Looks like he's starving, so he's disappointed I took the berry. Again, sorry, Manu.

Just as Manu walked a few steps, I heard a rumbling from above. We looked up at the sky, saw an object like a fireball that plunged like a meteor towards the ground.

No. It's not a meteor. It's like a small, tubular spaceship... Ah, maybe it's some kind of escape pod or rescue capsule from a bigger spaceship.

Manu's body started shaking, and his eyes widened. He was clearly scared. When the escape pod landed and made a loud thud, Manu fell backward due to the vibrations on the ground. A strong wind blew against his body and the grass.

Come on, Manu. Don't be so scared and save Kat from that capsule.

"Aah.... Aah.... Arggghhh!!!" Instead, he got up and ran in the opposite direction of the escape pod.

Really?

And that's when it all stopped. Manu was still in a running stance, but his body didn't move. His mouth also opened wide as if he was screaming but made no sound. And I noticed the grass also stopped swaying in the the wind.

Ah, it's an automatic pause.

For the umpteenth time, transparent texts appeared in front of me.

[Try whispering a command into your colonist's ear. However, the command will not affect your character's mental state directly. For example, you cannot command a character to be happy when he is sad, or be calm when they are angry]

Ah, I finally started playing. Honestly, I forgot that I was playing a game because I felt a great impression of this place. Yes, this game does not have magnificent cities, fantastic animals, or magical wonders like other VR games. However, again, the Fringe Softwork company does an outstanding job. No wonder last year they snatched the best game company award.

As instructed, I put my mouth to Manu's ear and whispered, "Hey, you better check where it fell. Aren't you curious? Maybe someone needs help there?"

I then pressed the play button under my view. Manu runs a few steps and then stops. With a confused face, he turned his head back, staring at the escape pod's drop point in the distance, which was emitting thick smoke.

"F*ck it!" Finally, Manu runs to the place.

Good.

The propulsion part of the 6x4 meter escape pod is already on fire when Manu finally arrived at the scene. He was confused about what to do, so I gave him an order. "Turn the lever on the door!"

He grabbed the big lever, and I realized something.

"Hey, watch out. It might be hot!" I screamed in panic as Manu turned the lever.

Fortunately, the material of the lever seemed to be made of heat-resistant material. Manu had no problem holding it, but he had a hard time turning it. The bearded man tried so hard he winced and growled.

I was startled by a small explosion that appeared behind the escape pod. The blast made the fire bigger.

Seeing Manu, who also flinched in surprise and had let go of the lever, I hastily whispered into his ear again. "Just a little longer, you can definitely open that door!"

Gulped, Manu again tried to turn the lever. "Arrrgggghhh!!!"

Why is that lever made to be difficult to move!?

Finally, the lever turned ninety degrees, and Manu was able to open the escape pod door.

"Oh, damn...." Manu cringed hard when he saw the two men covered in blood from the debris on their body parts.

I turned my gaze to the sight of the gore. It was clear the two were no longer alive.

Only one person whose body is still intact. A woman with long black hair, wearing long pants and a light blue shirt. Yes, it's Kat. She fell unconscious with blood on her forehead and sat down on the chair closest to the door. The seat belt seemed to be fastened on her body.

"Sh*t!" Manu stuttered because he couldn't get the seatbelt off Kat's body.

And a second small explosion sounded again, make the fire more enormous, sending the hot wind to my body.

"See that button in the middle of the belt!? Just push it and release her!" I whispered in frustration. Manu is indeed a member of the tribe who may be unfamiliar with all that. But still, he irritates me with his ignorance.

After successfully releasing the seat belt, it doesn't mean the problem is over. Manu had a hard time getting Kat out because one of the girl's legs got caught in something.

"Damnit, Manu!"