[NR] Feeling A Bit Light Or Heavy, Both? - Chapter 754

The trio are walking along a road as Lily frolics in the grass on the side.

They’ve been on the road for three days at this point and are starting to notice something.

Rosha, “Why’s everything heavier, yet lighter?”

Jason stretches, “I’m not really feeling the heavier part. Though I’m going to assume either the power in the air around us is changing, we’re feeling the System’s power solidifying, or something in-between the two.”

Courtney, “I have seen no reports of this, did Peter ever mention anything of the sort?”

Rosha shrugs, “Nope. I mean, like, there are areas once you get deep enough where gravity itself changes? But this isn’t that and because of the patchwork nature of the Deep Wilds, the change tends to be abrupt.”

Courtney, “Then I’m going to assume it has to do with how much control the System has and the difference between reality and the game rules. For instance, what if stats don’t quite scale the same and we’re literally feeling stronger because we’re back within NeoRealm proper.”

Rosha, “I’d figure that would be something people would notice, though!”

Jason, “Well, the locals won’t notice because the System doesn’t want them to. Though it is also possible that locals don’t get enhanced stats. Except that wouldn’t explain feeling heavier as well?”

Courtney shakes her head, “No, it makes some sense. You aren’t feeling heavier and also have the least System interference. With that in mind, there must be some restrictions coming into play on us.

“Oh wait, I know what the lighter feeling is and I feel a bit derpy for missing it.”

One of Rosha’s ears stands up straighter, “Oh? What did we all manage to forget?”

Courtney sighs, “Stamina. It provides a boost when walking on roads. The feeling of being lighter comes from that. After all, it doesn’t make sense for a stat like stamina to make walking on roads and specifically System-recognized roads, easier. That must be a tacked-on effect provided by the System itself and not as some law of reality.”

Rosha, “Oh sure, but I don’t remember feeling a difference? Like, we entered the Deep Wilds. I’m even sure we’ve talked about this? Well, it was brought up at one point? My memory is a bit foggy on this. Still, why is the difference so stark? Also, why is Jason feeling it and that still doesn’t explain the heavier part.”

Jason shrugs, “Well, I can think of a reason you guys would be noticing it for the first time. Not sure about myself? Then again, we’ve been in there so long, maybe I did originally notice and we’ve forgotten. It has been months after all.”

Rosha, “Cool. Why heavy?”

Courtney, “Eh, chances are some limits were reinstated. Limits that Jason has thrown off. Though I guess this means the stats aren’t different. Which is a good thing, I guess. Even if it would explain part of why the Deep Wilds is so dangerous.”

Rosha, “Okay, I can see that. And I guess the reason we’re noticing it now is because of our cultivation irl. After all, it must have some effect on our minds. Something to do with noticing small details, our bodies state, or throwing off the System’s tricks to get us to ignore the difference.”

Courtney, “Oh. Yeah, that would be a good explanation for us noticing. Though it might also be that because we’ve ‘seen behind the curtain’ on some things, it isn’t bothering to keep us in the dark. Though your guess would explain some things better.

“The System seems like it would be the type to automate closing the ‘curtain’. After all, just because someone is temporarily capable of piercing the veil, doesn’t mean it is a permanent state. And with the locals, if such a thing is temporary, it can erase the knowledge after they’re no longer able to keep the ‘curtain’ open for themselves.”

Jason puts his hands behind his head and looks up at the clouds. “Hmm. The Veil, which is how I’ll be referring to it as going forward, as it feels like we were putting air quotes on the word curtain every time we said it. Ahem, the Veil is likely not one monolithic thing. I’m pretty certain that Andrew can pierce it willy-nilly on a number of fronts. Yet he is still restricted by the System.”

Rosha, “I’m betting on an artifact.”

Jason, “I just figured he was preparing to break the level cap before he hit said cap. Since I’m mostly certain he isn’t actually capped.”

Courtney shakes her head, “I think he is just one of those mad scientist types. An exception to the rules who can see what others can’t. As if knowledge was a series of unclimbable mountain ranges and we’re all forced to walk through the valleys. Yet, a few strange sorts actually manage to climb the mountains and open up new paths to new areas.

“Sort of like the portal tech. One guy figured it out, from what I can tell. However, once it was known, many more were able to develop similar stuff given the now-known concepts. Honestly, sometimes just knowing something is possible is enough for others to follow. We just need that first person to blaze the trail.”

Jason sighs, “Well, I can’t exactly say I don’t see Andrew as the mad scientist type.”

Courtney shrugs, “Well, I can’t exactly judge him one way or another since I’ve never met the man.”

Rosha snaps her fingers, “Oh right. You weren’t with us at the time. It was that idiot cult jerk. I’d put him so far out of my mind that I was replacing his existence with yours. What happened to the guy?”

Courtney smiles, “Well nothing too good. Still a part of the cult as the new ‘young master’ type. Except now that his identity as such has been revealed and spread around by a ‘third party’, he is under the same restrictions the rest of them are. People do like kicking others while they’re down and a once noble family trying to keep said title despite the modern times is just so delicious to kick. Like, most people would feel guilty about kicking a regular person, but a family that keeps trying to play the right puppet masters behind the curtain? Well, not much sympathy. Especially with the whole ‘cult’ nonsense added on top.”