Alice's Adventures in ActivatedLand

Chapter 2

Alice woke up with a sharp pain in her head that made her cry out in pain. As the pain subsided, she realized she was in a simple bamboo house. Alice looked around; the 4 by 5-meter room was decorated with simple items made from natural materials and neatly arranged.

Alice slowly got up and walked out of the room. The same view she got when she looked outside the larger room, but the difference was that in front of her was a kitchen. Simple kitchen utensils made of stone, bamboo, wood, and clay were neatly arranged. But her attention was focused on one thing, namely the food ingredients arranged on a wooden table that had been cut into pieces. As if someone was cooking.

Alice looked around, but she couldn't find anyone. "Hello! Is anybody here?" Nobody answered her. "Oh my God, where am I?"

Alice grumbled while sitting by the burning stove. A clay pot filled with water was burning on top of it, giving off a delicious puff of smoke that made her stomach growl. Alice was very hungry and was sure that whatever was in the pot must be delicious!

Alice was about to open the lid of the pot in front of her when she heard a voice. "Oh, you're awake!" Startled, Alice dropped the lid of the pot. She turned around and saw an old man standing behind her, carrying a basket of fresh vegetables in his hands.

 "W-who are you?" Alice stammered, still in shock. "My name is Hwan Joon," he said, placing the vegetables on the table. "You must be very hungry then to open that pot. Unfortunately, there's nothing in it besides soup. Let me add some meat for you."

Hwan took out a large bowl of brightly colored, fresh-looking meat and added it little by little to the boiling water. "Are you a player too?" he asked. Hwan shook his head. 'So he's a Non-Player Character,' Alice thought to herself.

"Please, take a sit, I'll prepare some other food for you." Alice didn't want to ask any more questions. She obeyed Hwan's wishes and sat back down in the wooden chair.

Hwan finished preparing all kinds of delicious food in front of Alice. It made Alice almost unable to stop herself from swallowing all the food. But Alice held herself together, despite the occasional rumbling in her stomach. Hwan took the meat soup from the pot poured it into a big bowl and placed it on the table with the other food.

"Eat!" said Hwan.

Alice immediately took the rice and poured the meat soup on top coupled with Oi Muchim (spicy cucumber salad) and Gaji Namu (boiled eggplant). She who felt very starving ate the food without shame. Although Hwan occasionally glanced at her while eating slowly.

After finishing the meal, Hwan gave her a traditional Korean dress called Hanbok. At first, Alice refused, but Hwan forced Alice to wear it. Because people in this village are not used to seeing someone wearing clothes other than what they usually wear. It could raise suspicion and danger for her. Alice who felt upset had to accept it and wear the clothes. Although she slightly wanted to protest, as she had lost 5 points for buying the costume of her choice.

Hwan and Alice walked on the main street of the village and enjoyed the afternoon atmosphere. But 'enjoying the atmosphere' only applies to Hwan. And not for Alice who kept looking around vigilantly. But during the trip, they just walked in silence with each other.

"You haven't told me anything yet," Alice protested breaking the awkwardness.

"What do you want to hear?"

"Where am I? What is this place? And how did you find me? And who are you?"

Hwan stopped and sighed. They had reached the top of the hill behind the village. In the distance, they could see the safe and peaceful atmosphere of the village.

"I am the village chief of this village, Yangdong Village. One of the villagers found you by the Yangdong River. He brought you to my house secretly because of your strange-looking clothes," Hwan said.

"Yangdong Village is a peaceful and rich village. This village is one small region of the world called ActivatedLand. There are seven continents and seven oceans in this world. There are countless creatures and endless resources on the land. The largest races on land were the human race and the Orc race. And humans are called the best creatures, although not all of them are good."

"But you should know, Alice. In some mysterious places, you will find other races. Like the island of Avalor. The island where the Protoss is. They are robots that have powers that humans can't imagine. They like peace. They don't bother anyone, but they also don't stay silent if you bother them. Of course, they also have enemies. Since ancient times Protoss has always fought against the Demons."

"But you should know, Alice. In some mysterious places, you will find other races. Like the island of Avalor. The island where the Protoss is. They are robots that have powers that humans cannot imagine. They like peace. They don't bother anyone, but they also don't stay silent if you bother them. Of course, they also have enemies. Since ancient times Protoss has always fought against the Demons."

"Besides Protoss and Demons, there are also Undead, Monsters, Dwarves, Elves, Orcs, and various other creatures scattered throughout this virtual world. Of course, there must be some unknown races hidden away. And you must find them yourself. "

"So you're saying that this world is a combination of the mythological world and the modern world?"

"If you call it that."

"It is said that the Protoss have existed since before humans. Their mission is to protect the burning world. They've been watching all the continents of ActivatedLand World and you have no idea how they've been watching us. They'll show up in case of war or rebellion."

"Let me remind you again, Alice. You are in the virtual world, but not with your life. If you die, then that means you also die in the real world."

"Wait! What? Are you kidding?"

Hwang looked sharply at Alice, "I thought you had read the manual Alice."

Alice felt like her world was collapsing. Was it her fault if she didn't read the manual?

Isn't this just a game?

Shouldn't it be easy to return to the real world?

There was only one thing she wanted right now... to go home!

"Come to me after you reach level ten. I will send you to Egypt. Where you will reach the next level."

Alice was silent as she continued to stare at Hwang. Her mind instantly went blank. She didn't know what to say to the old man in front of her. She was also not ready to accept this fact. She should have read the guidebook beforehand.

 "Bring this map." Hwang handed her a holographic map, "This is the map of ActivatedLand World."

When Alice accepted it, the map disappeared and entered the system settings on Alice's right arm. Which meant she could open the map at any time, just by pressing her ankle. Alice was on the verge of tears.

"Hwang, am I going to die here with no way back?" asked Alice in a hoarse voice.

"You will return to the real world after you complete your mission in this world, Alice."

Alice's defense broke! She cried loudly. Hwang who saw her felt sorry for her. He looked at her wrist, a few seconds left. A purple portal appeared near them.

"You have to go now, Alice! The portal is waiting for you."

"What happens if I choose to stay here, Hwang?"

"That's against the rules! The portal will disappear forever. And your lives will be reduced one by one every day in this place, then you will die."

Alice was getting scared, "Hwang!"

"Alice hurry!"

Alice shook her head.

"Alice, you are a good and stubborn girl. You shouldn't be here. But I'm sure, you can pass all the levels of this game."

Alice hugged Hwang tightly while crying. After releasing her hug, Alice looked at Hwang who nodded at her. She slowly entered the portal and everything went dark again.