Far From Vanilla: Modded Game Reincarnation

“Who are yo-you-You!”

I was walking towards the establishment held by Frederick, as directed by Rudolf from the envelope. I burned the contents after I had memorized them. Even if I did forget, it was all recorded in the book.

The entrance was grand in its own way. There weren't blinding, flashing sign boards that named the building, but by the materials it was made of, I knew I was in the right place.

The foundations of the building were hewn, cut stone perfectly designed to come together without mortar, and it secured great cornerstones of polished andesite. The building was definitely repurposed as the base materials were covered over in white marble. 

I could tell from the base of the steps that the inside was definitely a wild place. The dark-colored window-stains were illuminated by powerful lights from grand chandeliers made of glass.

“Me?” I pointed at myself. I was just admiring the building. It definitely was the place, after all, even if it was a casino, there was an absurd amount of personnel. “I’m here to have a great time. Is it open?”

There were two guards at the entrance, along with the two white-fox girl slaves beside them. The two guards looked at each other for a second, communicating through their eyes.

I took the opportunity to look at them. They were in suits, something at the level lawyers would be found wearing. They were objectively nice pieces of tailored clothing.

“Is there something wrong with how I’m dressed?” I asked them, while looking at myself. I mean, it was a black sweater, with black jeans, white shoes they've probably never seen before, and a polo shirt. 

If the front guards were that well dressed, surely the clientele would be as well. Scum-den or not, they had standards. I understand that much at least.

“Oh no,” The man who called out to me shook his head, “You’re dressed fine. It’s the…”

He made a motion around his face, pointing at the jaw and neck. The other guard spoke up, “You got a little blood… yeah…”

“Oh,” I blinked. I chuckled, as I wiped the stains as best as I could. “Sorry, some guys just tried to mug me. Can I come in?”

The two looked at each other again before hesistantly nodding. “J-Just don’t cause trouble… the Boss is here to day.”

“Then that is perfect. We will now identify the source of the Demonic Magic. Surely this ‘boss’ would be the answer.” The book echoed into my mind. I closed my eyes to squint, rubbing my templed to feign a headache. “O-Okay.”

I did my best to answer both groups. What a headache.

The only downside for this thing being able to communicate with me despite wherever it may be, I can’t answer him using my mind. We can feel each other’s mind and emotions somewhat, but not explicit words or thought.  The problem is that he can read me like a book, and as far as I could tell, his mental defense was ironclad.

The prick knows this, and even if If he knows that I dislike it, he does it anyway. I seriously don’t want to look like a schitsophreniac while having a conversation with this book.

I walk up the stairs of the building, the two guards stepping aside to let me through. When they made way, I make notice the two fox girls looking at me.

They were more beautiful in person, I’d admit, but even with the smile they put on their face…

“Their eyes are nearly hollow. How unfortunate.” The book commented, “Slavery is a near ancient practice, and power over others has always been a drug– an unfortunate combination seen throughout any age, so pay them no mind, Demon Child.”

Even if you say that, I can help it. I must’ve stopped to look at them when a guard tapped my shoulder.

“Hey, don’t get any ideas.” He shook his head, “I know they’re hot and everything, but no demi is worth your life. Anyone who touched the boss’ rare pleasure pets have all died.”

I looked at him with a raised eyebrow. There were many questionable things in his warning alone, but my primary concern was how he addressed them.

Demi’s? Is that like a derogatory term?

“Ah, racism. I'm glad to see that aside from the lands shifting and the world continually cycling forward, this is still the same.” 

“You seem to be a decent guy, and that’s coming from me.” The man shook his head again. “Don’t get involved, it’s for your own good.”

I nodded at his words, completely ignoring the journal. I left it hidden underneath some debri because I can’t be bothered to carry it around, but it was a compromise for both of us. 

In exchange for staying in one place, I would give him control over one of my eyes. He can see through it, but I can't.

But even with that handicap, their faces looked too grim to respond with anything but that. They reached for the door handles and allowed me inside. The great doors opened and I was greeted by a casino befitting another world.

Naturally there were no modern machines, but by incredible engineering of the people of this world, many if not all the machines found in an establishment like this were present.

“What a fine place. Your memory serves to be a great comparison, but this undoubtedly is better.” The book praised the establishment in my ear. “But from what I can see, the house is definitely in control.”

In both cases, the house is always in control. What he was pertaining to was that each machine was manned by personnel, all wearing full masks, with their hands hidden somewhere or always atop the machines.

“Of course, we already expected this.” The journal sounded bored, “But this was a pleasant find.” 

“How so?” I couldn’t help but ask him. I kept my voice as quiet as possible while limiting my mouth movements. I followed some of the other passersby with my eyes and found a booth being protected by iron bars coated in gold and guards in full metal armor.

If there was a place here that deals with money, that would be the place. Calmly, I made my way over, mindful to look around with a surprised and amazed expression.

I needed to act the part of a newbie. Meanwhile, the Journal kept talking to me.

“The demonic magic we sensed earlier, did not come from a high-ranking Demon, but a powerful artifact.” 

“An artifact? Something like you?”

“I am beyond even that, Demon child.” He sharply retorted, “Do not compare me to the likes of a mere tool.”

It seems I struck a nerve. Yikes.

“If you look up to the second balcony, you can clearly make out the traces of the object.” 

I did not know what he meant so I looked up. As far as I was aware, I hadn’t looked up at all, so I didn’t even know there was a balcony overlooking the whole bottom floor. 

My eyes aren’t moving independently from each other either, so is his field of view greater than that of both my eyes combined? I looked up as he directed and I made out a figure proudly sitting on a very ornate red couch.

A large man of great stature and plumpness sat in the middle, with his arms resting on the backboard. He made a pleased expression, but how his gaze contorted with pride and an egregious amount of self-satisfaction made my stomach churn.

His legs were spread apart, his trousers hanging on the balcony railing, leaving him bare from the waist down. Thankfully for my eyes, there was a woman on his lap moving up and down.

 Either she was eager or terrified.

Slap!

“Ah–” It took a second but I got my answer. The man’s hand came sharply from the right, striking the woman perfectly in the left temple. She fell down with a thud.

She shrieked sharply, but the whole lobby which was full of guests and clients barely paid attention. It must be a common occurrence.

“M-Mercy your greatn–'' I barely made sense of her plea, but a sharp sword pierced her head before she could finish. The blade came from one of the two guards standing by the arm rests of the couch. They were clad in armor from head to toe, their faces covered by a full-faced helmet.

Poof!

And just like that, her life came to an abrupt end. 

However disgusted and quite off-put I was by what I had witnessed, my eye caught sight of the artifact that caused me to act wildly earlier. It was a thumb-ring, a silver skull with two horns with two fitting diamonds for eyes.

I saw the aura it seeped, a sentient fog connected the ring and the two guards by his arms. He was controlling them somehow.

Well whatever it did, just by being in the mere vicinity of it put my demon-body into a state of high alert. I couldn’t help but swallow thickly in unease.

If an artifact alone was able to make me act like that, what would happen if I came across someone of the same kind as me?

“For a man who proudly displays his activities with the opposite sex, one would assume he would have the manhood to match. Has the human race regressed in development? Their notoriety for lust was quite impressive– second only to that of the beast people”

“...”

Really?

And while I’m thinking such thoughts, this annoying book would much rather pay attention to that. 

I glared at myself through a full body mirror surrounding the pillar. 

Having two separate consciousnesses in the same head was not cool.

Not cool at all.