"First of all, we are from another world."

No shit, Sherlock.

I've known that since the day I met you.

But I doubt revealing that to him would be the most tactical decision here.

Imagine revealing something to someone and the other party says they knew even though they definitely shouldn't.

So let's finesse this situation with some exquisite lies.

"By 'we', you mean?"

The very fact that they're called 'Players' probably means that they're common enough to be given a title of their own.

This assumption is supported by the fact that during Antonio's introduction, he said that he'd come from Earth. So at the very least, this guild has three Earthlings.

Why there are so many of them here is still a mystery.

It could be a case of mass summoning, or maybe the Earthlings are summoned into this world at set time intervals.

If it's the latter, then Earthlings should have been a part of this world's history, which means that from their perspective, I should have read about Earthlings in at least one of the books I claim to get all my knowledge from.

If it's the former, then I should know absolutely nothing about Earthlings.

"Antonio, Noelle and I are from another world." Azell replied.

As expected.

Hmm, let's do this then.

"Then are you guys perhaps from a place called… Earth?" I asked.

"Wha?!" Voloha gasped.

"…Yes, but how did you know that?" Azell's eyes narrowed ever so slightly.

This guy needs to do something about his trust issues.

I mean, sure he's right that I'm lying but hey.

⟦⟦Hey?⟧⟧

[Once again, I have no follow up. I'm too hungry right now.]

You can't expect me to insult them in creative ways on an empty stomach.

"Back when Antonio introduced himself, he claimed to have come from Earth. And now you're saying that he, along with you and Noelle, are from another world. I just put two and two together."

"Ahhh…"

"Hmm, maybe the world you come from is called Earth?" I tilted my head.

"Yup." Noelle replied.

"You figured that out all on your own. I knew Samur was smart!" Voloha exclaimed.

Wut?

"Flattery won't get you anywhere, Ms. Voloha."

"No, seriously! And why are you back to using Miss?"

"Whatever."

"Accept the compliment!"

"No."

As I've said before, accepting compliments means accepting responsibility for the actions/words that got you that compliment.

And we don't do that here.

Also, why am I getting a sense of Déjà vu?

⟦⟦Déjà vu!⟧⟧

[I've just been in this place before!]

⟦⟦Higher on the street!⟧⟧

[And I know it's my time to come home!]

⟦⟦Calling you!⟧⟧

[And the subject's a mystery!]

⟦⟦Standing on my feet!⟧⟧

[It's so hard when I try to believe!]

⟦⟦Whooooaaaa!⟧⟧

[…]

⟦⟦…Déjà vu!⟧⟧

[I'm not doing that again.]

⟦⟦Jesus Christ, why did you ruin it? We were so in sync!⟧⟧

[Whatever, bitchass.]

As for the reason behind that Déjà vu, I just remembered I had a similar interaction with the Shadowlord.

⟦⟦Aka Celestine, your little sister.⟧⟧

[Same thing.]

Oh my god, I'm the elder brother of a Shadowlord.

"So… you believe us?" Azell asked while raising his eyebrows.

"Not completely, but I have no reason to not believe you."

"Makes sense."

Nice. After all, I never specified what I was partly believing him for.

I could later say that I partly believed that he was from 'Earth', or that 'he' was from Earth.

Operation Misleading-Them-By-Saying-Ambiguous-Things complete.

GG too ez.

"Anyway, back to the topic. We're not the only ones from Earth." Azell said.

Just as expected.

"So, there are others as well?"

"Yes." Azell nodded. "Every year, a bunch of people from Earth are invited to this World by the Gods."

Hmm, so it was the latter.

And 'invited' instead of 'summoned', huh? So the Gods of this World gave these people a choice; entering this world was ultimately their decision.

A rather shrewd play, if I may say so myself. Giving the Earthlings a choice may seem like a noble decision on their part, but it's ultimate aim is to let the Gods dodge responsibility.

After all, it was the Earthlings who chose to come here.

"Really? But why?"

What's the reason the Gods are summoning- no, inviting all these people into this world? Is it perhaps another of their games?

Ah, perhaps this is the game Mr. Faggy McFaggot was talking about?

⟦⟦Absolutely not. You think I'd waste my time on the mediocre games of puny Gods?⟧⟧

[You seem like the type of guy who'd spend 23 hours a day scrolling through reddit, so yes, you might waste your time on the MedIOcRE GaMEs oF tHe pUNy GodS.]

He sounds exactly like the kind of guy who'd spend those 23 hours on Reddit while finding only reposts or posts about reposts, give up, fap to some questionable plotless porn and then open reddit once again.

⟦⟦Wow, I was not expecting to personally called out like that.⟧⟧

[Perks of hanging out with a Professional Transmigrator, I suppose.]

⟦⟦I should probably stop doing that, then.⟧⟧

[Please, be my guest.]

⟦⟦Instead, I'll just silently observe you from afar.⟧⟧

This motherfucker.

Anyway, back to the topic. And don't you dare interrupt me again. It makes the scene transitions so jumpy and weird.

"Because this World is being threatened." It was Voloha who answered in place of Azell.

Way to steal the spotlight, Voloha.

Also, thank god it's not another one of those God's games. I'm already tired of them.

It's always some dodgy God who's like, 'Bohoo! I'm bored so I'll destroy this world and enjoy their misery' like hot damn bro, if you're bored then find some constructive hobby like reading, playing piano or some other shit.

Don't go around ruining others lives just because you want some excitement in your life. Show some emotional maturity, chief.

Real men and women (or whatever gender they identify as) just drink some Chocolate Shakes and lie on their beds like corpses.

⟦⟦You're distracting yourself.⟧⟧

[Bruh.]

"Being threatened by what?"

"The Apocalypse."

Yea, that answer was very helpful. I'm sure I'll figure the real reason behind the 'Apocalypse' from the nearly infinite ones a world might have for facing its end.

Voloha, you fucking genius.

"Please be a bit more specific."

"Something is trying to consume this World. We call them the Aggressors, and they suddenly appeared around 50 years ago."

"Oh?"

"However, by the Grace of Gods, we were able to stop their invasion before the entire world was devoured. Now, to further their invasion, the Aggressors must attack through the dungeons." Voloha's voice trembled a bit.

Hmm, I see.

So basically, it's this world's Great Filter.