The spatial transfer this time seemed different from previous times.
Zong Jiu felt himself free falling.
The situation was somewhat similar to when he had stepped through the space door in the previous instance, yet also not quite the same.
The extreme darkness seemed to hide a strange malicious intent.
At last, an indeterminate amount of time later, Zong Jiu’s feet touched solid ground.
Under normal circumstances, the plot introduction would start now, while the trainee’s surroundings would be frozen, filled by large blocks of colour.
But there was none of that.
Even the masses of people just now had disappeared. He felt like now, he was the only one in the darkness.
Then again, it wasn’t Zong Jiu’s first time encountering such a situation. Wasn’t the plot introduction for Judgement Day quite similar? Maybe S-rank instances were more independent?
At the thought of this, Zong Jiu calmed down and his mind started to drift off as he stared at the two ten-sided dice in front of him in a daze.
Approximately two minutes later, someone’s voice carried through the darkness.
“Is anyone there? Where is this? Why isn’t there any plot introduction and why is it so dark? I tried calling for the system, but there was no answer. It’s so weird.”
The voice was more than familiar. In fact, it was the very same voice that comforted him with, “Bro, why put yourself through this,” in a tone completely contrary to the words spoken not long ago. Tsuchimikado, the Yin-Yang Master, the bad luck magnet, was completely gratified to witness someone more down on their luck than him.
Zong Jiu lazily responded, and Tsuchimikado was instantly elated.
“Oh hey, Magician, you’re here too? What’s happening? Why are we the only ones here?”
They couldn’t see each other right now. Since they couldn’t link up with the system either, they started to converse in the dark.
Zong Jiu said leisurely, “Maybe because we rolled a crit fail.”
Tsuchimikado: “…”
Tsuchimikado: “R-Right, that does make sense.”
A critical failure was a whole notch worse than poor luck and an oopsie. The system also warned them to expect the absolute worst when rolling a natural 1.
For example, rolling a crit fail when trying to dodge in combat could mean becoming a human punching bag, where every attack and bullet from the opponent would find its mark with uncanny accuracy.
One walking disaster and one rotten cheater dropped into a spell of silence.
The scene was quite awkward for a time.
After what felt like an eternity, the system voice slowly resonated.
However, it lacked its usual clarity. The voice came in fits and starts, accompanied by the distinct crackling of weak connection.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
[Zzt, zzt. System is connecting.]
[Low signal strength. Turning on offline mode. Changing from data transmission to cached data mode… Please hold.]
Pc atf vjgxcfrr, ybat bo atfw mjeuta j ktloo bo rbwfatlcu yflcu afgglyis kgbcu.
Vegf fcbeut, atf obiibklcu rsrafw cbalolmjalbcr mbcolgwfv atflg rerqlmlbcr.
[For unidentified reasons, an unprecedented error occurred during the spatial transfer.]
[Note: You have landed in another S+ rank instance 500 million light-years away from your intended destination. Current number of trainees in the instance: 2]
[Given the heightened difficulty and the instance being beyond the system’s control, assistance can only be provided for the initial three days.]
[The main task has been modified to finding a way to reconnect with the system within the next three days. Failure to do so may result in being stranded in the instance forever. Please exercise caution, trainees.]
Ibcu Ale jcv Kremtlwlxjvb kfgf ybat gfcvfgfv rqffmtifrr ys atf rfglfr bo yjv cfkr atja yfofii bc atflg tfjvr bcf joafg jcbatfg.
Kremtlwlxjvb weaafgfv, “P olcjiis ufa kts Rb. 3 rjlv atja sbe’v yf ojmlcu j mjijwlas lc atlr lcrajcmf. Rb kbcvfg Iteuf Cc ujnf wf remt j wfjclcuoei ibbx ktfc P rjlv kf mbeiv jii ajxf mjgf bo fjmt batfg.”
Good lord. So it would all come back to bite him here.
Zong Jiu was silent for a moment. Then, he quickly clarified the present situation. “In other words, the Yin-Yang Master and I have been catapulted into another S-rank instance. The system is having difficulty exerting its authority here. The existing main task is no longer important. What’s more important is to find a way to establish a connection with the system?”
The system on offline mode replied: [Yes.]
[Turning on back-up system… successfully enabled.]
After that, the mechanical voice abruptly became much clearer.
[Greetings. I am a subsystem stored in the d10. Due to the powerful spatial barriers erected in the instance, I am temporarily unable to connect to the main system in the trainee dormitories.]
[This instance isn’t the S+ rank world that the coordinates correspond to. It is a separate, undocumented S+ rank instance outside of the system records.]
[Fortunately, this S+ rank instance also supports the mechanics of the d10, but the energy of the subsystem can only be sustained for three days. Unfortunately, after that, if you fail to connect to the system, you’ll be stranded here permanently.]
With that, the purpose was clearly established.
Tsuchimikado asked, weepy-faced, “Then, can w-we still return alive?”
Perhaps it was because of the disconnection from the mainframe, but the subsystem’s answer was very sincere, sounding much more genuine than the system it was from.
[After calculating, the probability of you returning alive is ten percent.]
[The root cause of the spatial transfer error is because a being in this instance has forcibly summoned you. To resolve this, simply identify the root cause of the forced summoning and perform the summoning ritual again.]
Summoned?
With a survival rate of only ten percent, what was the point of having a digimon here to gather dust?
Just as Tsuchimikado was about to press the issue, the system spoke again.
[Note: Signal interrupted. Currently entering the instance… Please hold.]
[Due to the special circumstances of this instance, there is no plot introduction. Trainees, please take note.]
What came next was a whirlwind of movement.
—
Today was a grand occasion that only took place once a year.
Carriages inlaid with golden patterns came to a halt at the entrance, the coachmen shouting while cracking leather whips.
Dainty sheepskin heels clicked rhythmically on the steps. A mix of hurried and steady footsteps, alongside the rustling of fabric, dispersed in the venue filled with expensive, smoky incense. The crackling of a burning fireplace added to the ambience, accompanied by soft laughter and hushed whispers.
The gentlemen donned tailcoats, bow ties, and carried elaborate ceremonial staffs; the ladies wore bonnets adorned with lace and rippling vibrant skirts that concealed the tails trailing behind them. Intoxicating perfumes emanated from their bodies, with butterflies fluttering in the air.
“I heard that the purity and pelt of the latest collection is exceptional.”
Attendees at the gathering conversed in hushed tones, using elaborate feather fans to cover their mouths and noses. “The event here is top tier. I visited the slums just two days ago, and goodness me, that stench. Honestly, you can’t mask the scent of the lower caste.”
“Really? Is it that good?”
“It’s sublime. This batch was originally meant to be delivered to the circus directly in preparation for the upcoming circus ritual in three days. However, it’s said that several top-quality specimens appeared, prompting them to intercept the delivery midway. They’re allowing the aristocrats to make their choices before sending the rest to the circus.”
The voice expressed surprise, “They aren’t going to use the top-quality specimens for the ritual? Isn’t the circus going to object to that?”
As it spoke, it even used the fan to discreetly gesture around.
Peculiar men dressed in long black robes and pointy hats stood in the corners of the auction venue.
They were silent, like walking spectres under their dark wizard gowns.
“Do they have any say in the matter?” Someone else waved a fan dismissively, tutting. “I hear that several prominent figures are here tonight. Even the Crown Prince received the news. Despite the Order’s influence, it still has to defer to the whims of the bigwigs. Whether the circus ritual proceeds smoothly depends on them.”
“Hear, hear.”
Another voice chimed in, “I heard that the batch tonight, in terms of purity, pelt colour, and appearance, is considered the rarest. Purchasing one, whether for crafting a new fur piece or for rearing, is a symbol of status.”
“Madam is right. Who in their right minds would craft a fur piece out of something that appears in this auction? Only you, Countess, would be able to indulge in such reckless waste.”
The lady being buttered up smiled, restraining the pride in her gaze.
The compliment was artfully phrased, acknowledging that the items appearing on the auction floor were top-notch. Additionally, the ability to auction them off served as proof of one’s identity. What others did with the items after the auction was of no concern.
Everyone exchanged polite laughter and looked to be making merry, but their true thoughts remained inscrutable.
Soon, when most of the guests attending the auction had arrived, the lights in the venue suddenly dimmed.
The emcee stepped forward, appearing under the lone spotlight.
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to tonight’s thrilling circus auction!”
He held the microphone, speaking with fervour, “With only three days left until the annual ritual, I believe you’ve heard about it from the grapevine. For this year’s ritual, we have prepared nearly a hundred types of stellar quality sacrificial offerings, including… two precious non-sale items that are sure to recreate the splendour of the ceremonial rites twenty years ago!”
Non-sale items?
The previously intrigued and excited discussions in the audience died down in an instant.
In order to salvage the situation, the emcee hastily added, “Of course, even though they are non-sale items, before the ritual, all of you esteemed guests have the opportunity to bid for the right to use these non-sale items for three days.”
Someone from the audience sneered, “Spending a pretty penny just for the right to use them?”
“Please rest assured and reserve your judgement until you’ve seen it.”
The emcee took two steps back, the long staff in his hand resting gently on top of the cage that suddenly appeared behind him.
It was a large cage covered with a red cloth that hid its contents from prying eyes.
“Despite being a non-sale item… this one has never appeared in the circus for the past hundred years.”
The ceremonial staff flicked upwards gently, causing the heavy red cloth to drop.
Within the iron cage was a white-haired young man, dressed only in a pristine white prison garment.
His eyes were securely blindfolded with a black cloth, and sturdy chains as thick as bowls secured his slender wrists and ankles.
Roar—
The entire audience erupted in excitement.
“A cat!”
“An unbelievably rare cat with an exquisite purity and pelt!”
“Exactly. Not just that, but he also possesses an even more precious and breathtaking pair of eyes.”
Pleased with the audience’s excitement, with a flick of his wrist, the emcee used the ceremonial staff to gently undo the black cloth behind the ears of the caged man.
The darkness flooding Zong Jiu’s vision was finally awash with light.
In the glare of the stage lights, his eyes reflexively welled up with moisture.
Under the illumination, he finally got a clear look at the audience.
They were all animals dressed in human attire and wearing heavy make-up.
Translated by 🎏
Edited by snoflakesun
Nothing like getting stuck in a furry world with a dnd like dice system alongside the unluckiest person there is :’D stay strong magician. Thank you for the update ○|￣|＿
Cool world
Thank you for your translation 💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙
Thank you for the chapter~
Oh no not the furries…