Level 43.8 is a sub-level between Level 43 and Level 44.
Description[]
Level 43.8 is said to be an "unbranded" version of Level 43, with no such names as "The Water World" or "The InfoMan," as every unique object and lifeform is nameless. It is known to be without any attractions and, in general, appears to be a series of disorganized and confusing aquarium hallways, restaurants and small informative areas detailing the anomalous fish that reside within the level. In every room, through a layer of tempered glass, there is a view of the aquatic life living within the level. These fish have varying shapes and sizes, and all look incredibly different from one and other. Accompanying the fauna is various species of aquatic flora, all of which - like the fish within the level - completely unique and exotic, only bearing slight resemblance to species within the Frontrooms.
Carpet sprawls across the floor of 43.8, though the level has a noticeable lack of Carpet Fluid[1] or any other form of uncleanliness. Several wanderers who have made extensive research into the level has noted that the level has a "clean-up crew" of sorts. Said to be comprised of around four to five Facelings, wanderers have reported them cleaning most of the level's surfaces - from the carpet, the walls, to the windows. Though the few wanderers that have witnessed these Facelings hadn't pulled up the courage to walk up to them, it is believed the tools these Facelings utilize to clean the level completely remove any grime, spillage or any other damages to the level due to the complete disappearance of any problems after the clean-up crew's arrival.
Found in front many of the level's aquarium tanks are small signs detailing the primary[2] species within the enclosure, the names of these species are typically nonsense and do not seem to be derived off any currently discovered human languages. On top of this, the fish found within the aquatic enclosures seem to have very loose evolutionary connections to fish found on Earth, with many leading scientists believing that several early fish no-clipped into the Backrooms and ended up on 43.8. Whilst the fish within 43.8 may be aggressive to the other animals within their enclosures, there have been no reports of them attempting to attack any humans or land-dwelling entities.
Behind the veil of glass keeping the fish secure in the tank is what one would typically see inside of an aquarium tank: sand, coral, rocks, a plethora of sea-plants, and more. All other organisms (coral, sea-plants) inside of the tank are, like the fish, distant descendants from their Earthly counterparts, and are all specially adapted to life within the tanks thus breeding plants and coral incredibly dissimilar from what is seen on Earth. Sea plants have specially evolved to have low hanging fruit-like growths that the fish of the aquarium are known to gorge themselves upon, releasing small seeds into the surrounding waters in an attempt for them to be caught by the tank's filtration system and sent into another section of the aquarium. If this fails, the seeds die and become worthy fertilizer.
Small rooms within 43.8 with more detail on the species residing within the enclosures are known as informative areas. These rooms typically have smaller enclosures, though have much more information on the resident lifeforms. Whilst the names of these species are written in an unknown and generally esoteric language, the information regarding these fish seem to always be in the wanderer's native tongue. Whilst the information written on the signs seems absurd at first, rigorous testing has shown that the information seems to always be true.
Various patterns painted in cheap, colorless paint can be found on the walls of these informative areas, usually being made up of the silhouettes of the various species within the room. These patterns usually depict the animals swimming, and viewing them in person will lead to one seeing them moving. Videography proves that the patterns are perfectly still, and what wanderers typically report seeing is but an illusion.
Occasionally found throughout 43.8 are sprawling restaurants. Although these restaurants have no employees - entities or otherwise - food is always anomalously served at the front of the counter. The food sold within these restaurants are typically of the seafood variety, occasionally coming with a side of french fries from an unknown source. The food is commonly of dubious quality and - in certain instances - is comparable to a revolting slop.
Often filling the entirety of these restaurants are a brigade of chairs and tables, all of which are often perfectly clean before the consumption of food above them. Always to the left of the restaurant is a small ridge in the wall, hereby referred to as the countertop. The countertop is what holds the food generated by the level until it is taken by a wanderer.
Assuming the food within any given restaurant is completely eaten within 12 hours following the last regeneration of food, the food at the counter will mysteriously replenish; seemingly just teleporting into the vacant positions. It should be noted that the quality of the summoned food is randomized, and the last plate to spawn is often the runt of the group; poor quality with a potential for diseases.
Human Settlements[]
Seaside Diner[]
A small diner built with scrap materials within one of the level's many cafeterias. The food generation phenomenon ceased in the area after the construction of the Seaside Diner, leading to more renovations and the eventual construction of an actual kitchen opposed to but a hole in the wall. The Seaside Diner was started by a man whose name is unknown in 2004, and is still running to this day.
The food of the Seaside Diner is free, though donations are accepted by staff to help keep the diner running.
M.E.G. Research Division - Temporary Colony Tango[]
A temporary M.E.G. research colony founded to analyze the various unique species of 43.8. The colony is set to dissolve when enough information is collected from researching the lifeforms within the level, the science team within being directed to - whenever the colony dissolves - move to the nearest accessible level.
The temporary colony has taken major strides in its research, and is estimated to dissolve by 2030. They have discovered numerous traits in these anomalous fish that could possibly be transported into humans.
Entrances and Exits[]
Entrances[]
- Entering an inconsistent area of the water hallways in Level 43 will lead here. One would always feel something off in those areas, as if it is looping, the environment is fake, or as if someone's watching. Continuously walking into those areas will lead into the "unbranded" version of this level, aka Level 43.8.
Exits[]
- Noclipping into rare signs of "Water World™" will lead to Level 43. Such signs are usually deserted and located out of place. Ultimately, this is the only exit out of the level.
Author: Fungrly Scrunkly
All images found on Reddit
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