Level 944
rating: +34+x

We can't really confirm anything about this level, aside from the fact that no one who goes in comes back. Pretty much all of what we have has been provided to us by an individual known as Gani. Although I can't verify any of this, given my past experiences with them, I have no reason to doubt it.

—Overseer Stretch

SURVIVAL DIFFICULTY:

Class unknown

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Just so you know, the only reason I'm writing this for you is so that you stop sending people through that door because I do not want to have to go there again. I have enough on my plate with your need to explore every corner of this horrid place. You sent five people there. Five. How many people can you afford to just throw into the unknown? Things like this make me wonder why anyone bothers to work for you at all. You should know by now that some things are better left alone.

Description:

A physical description of the place might be difficult because I suspect it changes form depending on the person, but I can at least tell you what it looked like for me.

I awoke in the middle of the ocean on a small karakoa, surrounded by harsh wind and pouring rain. The chaos of water and air that surrounded me was only broken by crashes of thunder and flashes of lightning. The waves slammed against the side of my ship, threatening to capsize at any moment. I know for certain that this experience was unique to me because, although I could barely see anything in the storm, I knew that I'd been in this boat before, but this time I was all alone.

It had been a long time since I'd stepped foot on a boat. I had made a point to avoid it, in fact, but you can only run so long before your past catches up to you. Despite my seafaring hiatus, there are some things you never forget. Muscle memory kicked in, and I rushed to the side of the boat, pulling on the lug sail, trying desperately to wrestle control. I put my entire weight into it, hoping that I could bear the storm from grit alone. But no matter how much I tried, I couldn't do it by myself, and this storm didn't leave much room for error. I don't know how long I held on. Thirty minutes? Forty minutes? Or was it only ten? By the end, I wasn't even trying to move the sails. I was just trying to hold on.

Finally, my arms gave way, and I fell. The wind and rain replaced by crashing waves as I was plunged into the icy depths. I knew how to swim, but in these waves, it was no use. I felt utterly helpless as I thrashed around. My head going under for longer and longer until I just didn't come back up. My exhausted body being pulled deeper, as I could do nothing to stop it.

I've died many times, but nothing quite compares to drowning. My lungs started to burn as I held my breath. My throat convulsed, my body trying to breathe as if oblivious to the fact that the moment I opened my mouth, I would breathe nothing but water. Someone told me once about a man named Houdini who could hold his breath for four entire minutes. I don't think I lasted nearly that long, but it felt like hours. My vision quickly filled with dark spots, and the water finally rushed into my lungs.

It's very surreal to be that far gone. As I fell deeper, I felt a strange calm wash over me. I couldn't even try to surface anymore. I just felt so tired.

I closed my eyes.

I awoke, gasping for air. The ache in my body was gone, but I was still paralyzed with fear. Was this it? Was I doomed to die over and over again forever? And for what reason? I had been slaving away for who knows how long, and this was my reward? I do not often curse my immortality, but I did that day. I almost wished The Boss had just left me to rot away. That would certainly have made things easier. I didn't have the strength to wrestle with that sail again, so I just laid there and waited for the wind to pull me away.

I don't know if the level just thought I was dead or if I passed some sort of test, but at that very moment, the floor of the boat split open to reveal a void that was absent of even darkness. The universe imploded on itself and I felt my mind being ripped into a thousand pieces and sloppily put back together. My consciousness was putty in the hands of some greater force that shook me violently and then gently set me down on the soft, damp carpet.

I never thought I'd be happy to see that yellow wallpaper again with how many bodies I have to track down there. But I was just glad to be on dry land again. I stared at the ceiling for only a few minutes before a single thought rang through my head: "I'm asking for a raise."

You can write the rest. I have work to do, but please, please, don't let anyone else go near that door.

Entities:

There are no known entities on this level.

Communities and Outposts:

There are no known communities or outposts on this level.

Entrances and Exits:

Entrances:

Level 944 can be entered through a weathered wooden door that can occasionally be seen in Level 18.

Exits:

Unclear.


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