It's a computer...
A computer is in front of me...
"...What the actual fuck?" My brows knitted together as I took in the absurdity of the situation.
...Since when did computers become common in this world?
No, in the first place, how is there a computer here?
"...Life signature detected."
The emotionless feminine voice echoed once again, drawing my focus to the computer, which was large enough to cover an entire table.
Peering around, I noticed small runes emitting a golden light.
It wasn't bright but sufficient for me to see everything.
"Neilll!!"
"Yeah."
"I'm coming in."
"..."
Giving the place one last look, I turned around and moved out.
As soon as I stepped outside, my gaze fell on the girl in a maid uniform climbing down the chain hanging in the air.
...What is she?
A cat?
"...Did you find something?" she asked, landing on her feet as I helped her by grabbing her around her waist.
"...Well, I did," I mumbled in reply, looking up as Elysia also started to climb down.
She quickly joined us, as did Linda, before they all looked at me.
"...Inside." I pointed at the opening, and they nodded, entering one by one.
"...Life signature detected."
"....Woah."
A soft exclamation escaped from Elysia's mouth as the computer's voice echoed once again.
'...Is the computer busted?'
I mused, moving towards the computer while the rest moved around.
It was essentially the same as I remembered from my past life, with the only difference being that I couldn't see any cables or anything providing power for it to work.
Perhaps it had been here for a long time; the screens were not properly responding, glitching on their own without any apparent reason.
Curiously, I extended my hand to touch the keys, but nothing happened. It might be jammed or not functioning properly due to age.
But then again...
...What's with this place?
"...Hey, Neil."
"Yeah?"
I looked at Elysia as her voice echoed from the back.
"...What's this?" she asked, pointing at something that looked like an exhaust pipe.
It seemed to be connecting the outer area where we were to something inside—a place we couldn't see.
"...Hmm." I hummed softly before pointing at the computer, "...Have you seen anything like this before?"
"...Not really...I think, I don't recall seeing anything like this."
So...they haven't seen a computer.
Wait, why am I even asking?
I should have seen it already if it was common back in the Phoenix clan.
"...Is it some kind of data management machine?" I shifted my focus towards Nadya as she mumbled those words, looking at the computer.
"...Kind of."
How should I explain to them what a computer is?
"...If it is, then I can't think of anyone other than those guys who can make this," Nadya commented, looking at me while folding her arms,
unknowingly emphasizing her breasts...or maybe she knew what she was doing.
"...The elves?" Elysia asked, her eyes widening in realization.
"...Yep, only they can make something like this," Nadya replied, nodding her head.
...She does have a point, I guess.
'Elves, huh?'
This was the second time I was seeing traces of elves in this place.
The glaring Elven language on the entrance door, and now this...
But if I remember correctly, there was nothing about elves in this place in the game...
Then why?
'...Not to forget the dream I had.'
That lady with black hair and golden eyes... I didn't see her ears, but maybe she was an elf as well.
"...That reminds me, Neil," Elysia's voice resonated, making me look at her. But as soon as I noticed the grin on her face, "...How is Sarya doing these days?"
"..."
She really had to mention her.
"...Tell her, Neil~" Nadya encouraged me, "...Tell her how that elf bitch is doing?"
'...At least try to hide your jealousy.'
I grumbled in my thoughts, glancing at the girl who walked towards me with a smile on her face that didn't reach her eyes.
"...She is doing good," I mumbled, looking at Elysia, who was enjoying her sister's reaction.
"...I see, I haven't heard anything from her in a while," she replied, nodding her head, "...Is she still training?"
"...Yeah."
Whispering softly, I moved towards the computer while trying to ignore the girl walking behind me.
"...Life signature detected."
The voice echoed once again, startling Nadya as she skipped some steps to stand beside me.
"...Should I try?" Nadya commented, looking at the keyboard placed below.
"...Be my guest." Shrugging, I gestured for her to do whatever she wanted.
"Okay~."
She replied softly with a smile before shifting her focus to the computer, pressing random keys.
Elysia also sneakily moved towards us, glaring at Nadya.
"...How did you find this place anyway?" While watching Nadya running her fingers over the keys, Elysia asked.
"...I saw it from above," I replied, looking at Nadya as well.
"...How?" she asked again, now looking at me, "...I tried to look from above, but it was barely visible."
"...I guess I have better eyesight," I rebuked with a light smirk, making her glare at me.
"...Neil," Nadya's soft voice broke my focus as I looked at her, "...Remember last week's talk about your abilities?"
"...What about it?" Frowning, I asked as she brought up a very old topic.
"...There was something about your space ability," she said, still clicking keys, "...Every node—they are always connected with each other."
"...And?"
"...I'm saying that if your space ability is connected, then what's stopping your other abilities from being connected?" she replied, looking deeply into my eyes, "...It's been on my mind since I met your mother."
...Wait, is she saying that like my space ability, my time ability is also somehow connected with each other?
No, that's not important—
"...Life signature detected—voice recognition activated."
My thoughts trailed off as the computer's emotionless feminine voice echoed inside the chamber.
"...What is your name?"
"...Ede—"
"I know! Monkey King Eden!!"
"...Seriously?"
I asked, glaring at Nadya, who shouted that at the top of her lungs.
"...Sorr—ouch ouch!!"
Ignoring her apology, I grabbed both her cheeks, stretching them in opposite directions like some kind of marshmallow.
"...Wrong answer—voice recognition activated—what is your name?"
"...Jade Emperor Eden."
Squeezing her cheeks once again, I let go only after they were completely red, but that still didn't stop her from commenting.
"...Wrong answer—voice recognition activated—what is your name?"
"...Eden Morton," I replied at last, looking around the place.
"...Wrong answer—"
"...Well, that's given," I mumbled, shrugging my shoulders.
What was I thinking, telling my name to the machine anyway?
It's my first time being here.
"...Neil."
"...What?"
"...No, I mean try Neil." I looked at Nadya weirdly as she suggested seriously.
"...Then what about the surname?"
"...Didn't you get one in the Phoenix clan?"
"...Right." I mumbled, taking a deep breath before opening my eyes, "...Neil Baln Rosalind."
"...Correct answer—access granted."
"....."
My mouth remained half-open as a small door opened in front of us and the computer's screen started to turn brighter.
"...Looks like we're going to find something good," Nadya commented with a smile, closing my mouth with her hand.
"...How?" Only Elysia matched my confusion as she asked with an absurd look on her face.
'...Edda.'
[....Yes?]
'...Don't tell me—'
[....I have no idea, but it's highly possible that it's 'your' doing.]
'...Fuck!'
I cursed in my mind, entering the spacious room that was on the other side of the door.
Ignoring the uneasiness I was feeling, I entered first, followed by the girls. And...
The first thing I saw after entering was...
A dead body lying on a chair.