Level 463 : "The Concrete Wastes"

Level 463, also known as the "Concrete Wastes," is an arid outdoor area of currently indeterminate size. The Concrete Wastes are similar to naturally dry areas from the Frontrooms, such as deserts or tundra, with the exception being a lack of mineral substance beyond sun-bleached concrete, which has cracked and weathered over time, forming natural landscape features such as hills and crags. The Concrete Wastes have a unique, light gravity: approximately 40% that of Earth, similar to the gravity found on the surface of Mars.

There is no day/night cycle in the Concrete Wastes. The sun remains at a constant solar elevation of 50 degrees from the horizon. Concrete dust occasionally fills the sky, dulling the natural blue atmosphere of the level. The temperature of the level remains around 67°F (19°C).

No weather exists in Level 463 except for wind. No precipitation has ever been witnessed in the Concrete Wastes. Wind gusts vary in strength, though are occasionally strong enough to kick up clouds of concrete dust, similar to sandstorms. However, due to the decreased gravity of the level, these dust storms rarely cause damage to wanderers or structures.

Despite the presence of intense radiation, electronics are operational in the Concrete Wastes, although Wi-Fi and cellular signals are nonexistent. Short-range communication is recommended for trips across Level 463, with radio being the most preferred due to its reliability and compatibility with Entity 463-B. Compasses also function as intended, although the level's random entrances make them useless without prior knowledge of the level.

No liquid, food, or supplies can be found in the Concrete Wastes. Though several seemingly manmade structures can be found interspersed throughout the level, none have ever contained useful items for wanderers. The lack of supplies, presence of hostile entities, and danger of environmental radiation have rendered Level 463 inhospitable to organic life.

Due to the uninhabitable nature of Level 463, exploration missions have only confirmed up to 400 miles of traversable land in radius, centered around a radio tower.

Isolated structures are scattered throughout the Concrete Wastes. These structures are mostly comprised of houses, but also include buildings such as sheds, shacks, and unwalled shelters. Traces of fencing can occasionally be spotted near these structures. Most structures are spaced miles apart from one another, and the majority can be found on the level's lower elevations, especially in the flat valleys between the hills. The types of structures seen in Level 463 are reminiscent of those found in desert ranches in the Frontrooms.

All of the structures found in the Concrete Wastes are derelict and unkempt. Many buildings are partially collapsed, are missing walls, and have been eroded by wind and dust over time. The insides of the structures are in a similar state, and many are filled with accumulated concrete dust. No supplies or useful items can be found inside them, except an occasional piece of tattered furniture. Instances of Entity 463-A can periodically be found inside buildings.

Despite Level 463's environment consisting solely of concrete, the structures found on the level are built out of unique materials, including metal, wood, brick, and other minerals. The source for these materials is unknown, although the intense weathering of these buildings suggests that these alternate materials may have been available to residents of Level 463 long in the past.

The structures in the Concrete Wastes act as both the entrances and exits to the level. The structure any person or party enters the level from is randomly selected from all of the buildings present in Level 463. The exit of the level is likewise random, meaning that exit structures are often dozens of miles away from the level's entrances. As a result, navigation to the level's exit before succumbing to radiation sickness or hostile entities is almost impossible without the help of Entity 463-B, who can only be contacted via radio.

A unique structure within the Concrete Wastes is a radio station, which sits at the approximate center of the level. The station is complete, with a metal tower and concrete broadcasting room. Similar to the other structures in Level 463, the building and tower have suffered erosion, though its location at the peak of a hill has saved it from the amount of damage that other similar structures have sustained.

Inside the broadcasting room is a small microphone setup on top of a metal table, which is bolted to the floor. Wires run from the setup into the walls, where they exit the building and connect with the metal tower outside, as well as to a generator positioned by the legs of the tower. The tower and generator are fenced off, with no entry point.

Several carvings can be found on the inside of the broadcasting room that are etched into the concrete. One large phrase spans across a wall: "CALL OUT TO BE TAKEN TO ALMA". The number "1160," which refers to the frequency that the tower broadcasts at, is written below this statement. "<— PRESS" is carved into another wall behind the microphone setup, with the arrow pointing directly to the ON/OFF switch of the setup.

Turning the equipment on will activate the generator outside of the building. Any message broadcast through the tower will summon Entity 463-B to the radio station, who will then guide visitors to Level 463's exit. However, instances of Entity 463-A that are close enough to hear the generator may also be attracted to the tower. Closing the door and hiding in the broadcasting room until Entity 463-B arrives is the safest option. Despite utilization of the radio station still resulting in significant casualties from attracting Entity 463-A, the radio tower remains the single most important structure in the Concrete Wastes for any visitor's survival. Wanderers who fail to utilize the radio tower will almost always succumb to radiation sickness or hostile entities due to being unable to find the random exit of the level.

Level 463 is plagued by a currently unidentified radiation. The radiation has a sterilizing effect, able to kill microorganisms within several hours of exposure. As a result, dead matter does not decompose on Level 463. Sentient multicellular organisms, especially ones with organic composition such as flesh and blood, are also affected by this radiation over time. Living organisms subjected to the radiation of Level 463 will experience a rapid onset of physical mutations, which are much more dire than those caused by typical particle radiation from the Frontrooms, which is the reason for the level's Deadzone designation. This effect, dubbed "Concrete Rot," has been observed in both human and nonhuman entities. Entities on other levels of the Backrooms have been observed fleeing from entrances to Level 463, likely due to the radiation's ability to affect all life.

The effects of Concrete Rot have been observed as follows on humans:

Almond Water has been tested against the effects of the radiation present on Level 463 to no avail. Neither dousing oneself in nor consuming Almond Water can negate the effects caused by the radiation.

Research is ongoing to determine the nature and cause of Level 463's radiation. However, current hypotheses include some sort of disaster that wiped out the former population of the level along with all plant and animal life. Evidence for this theory includes the scattered structures found throughout the Concrete Wastes being made of non-concrete materials like wood, suggesting that lumber was available at some point in time before the buildings began weathering.

Leaving Level 463 after the point in which psychological symptoms of Concrete Rot begin to manifest will not stop Concrete Rot from progressing. After one week in Level 463, organisms are considered irreversibly irradiated and will proceed through the transformation into an instance of Entity 463-A, even if outside of the level.

Despite the severe radiation threat, M.E.G. researchers have discovered that leaving Level 463 before one week will not result in permanent damage to any persons, and recovery from radiation exposure is possible, allowing those who have spent less than one week on the level to return. However, the presence of hostile entities has deterred consistent research and exploration efforts, and many refuse to return after one week of exposure. The Concrete Wastes remain mostly unexplored as a result.

Due to the uninhabitable nature of Level 463, there are no known bases, outposts, or communities on this level.

• 463-A
• 463-B
• 463-C

Description

Mutants are hostile, sentient entities exclusive to the Concrete Wastes, and are former living organisms that have undergone the effects of exposure to Level 463's radiation. Instances of Entity 463-A are victims that have endured the Concrete Rot to its final stage and have fully transformed into an inhuman creature.

Their appearances vary from specimen to specimen, but the consistent characteristics include coarse green and yellow skin, lines of red eyes, extended mouths lined with spade-like teeth, and an excessive amount of asymmetrical limbs. The torsos of Entity 463-A also vary in size and composure, with many having bent or twisted spines, leading to an almost slug or snake-like appearance. Sizes of mutants can range from approximately three feet to twelve feet in length. Larger mutants, or "well-fed mutants," are rarer, with the median size of mutants being about seven feet in length.

The strength of a mutant scales with their size; a three foot mutant has strength similar to a medium sized dog, a six foot mutant has above average human strength, and a twelve foot mutant is able to easily knock down brick walls. Despite having large mouths, the bite strength of mutants isn't high, though their teeth are able to shred flesh easily once any grip has been established.

Mutants are difficult to kill due to their varying anatomies, as the brain and organs of mutants are generally in different spots, and the amount of limbs each entity possesses limits the ability to demobilize them. Blunt objects are capable of stunning mutants, although their recovery period is short enough to warrant avoiding confrontations altogether.

M.E.G. researchers were able to harvest a small limb from a mutant, which they removed from Level 463 to study. When experimenting with the green flesh of the limb, they found that the flesh had photosynthetic properties, similar to that of a plant. The process by which the radiation of Level 463 can cause an organism to develop photosynthetic abilities is still being researched. The photosynthetic ability of the mutants has been thought to explain their ability to constantly move and roam, even when in the absence of food for long periods of time.

Behavior

Instances of Entity 463-A are extremely hostile towards living organisms, and will begin to give chase immediately upon detecting one. These entities have been shown to be solely food motivated and hunt constantly. Mutants can be temporarily distracted with meat, but no other foods can divert the attention of a mutant. Mutants have been observed fighting each other over food, but have never been seen outright killing one another, even during squabbles.

Mutants are often slow, due to each of their limbs varying in size and shape, causing improper balance and lack of footing. Idle mutants move slowly across the Concrete Wastes by ambling or limping, with some resorting to crawling, and have not been observed to have any rest periods. Mutants that have become alerted to the presence of a living person or entity will move faster to pursue their target, with some having demonstrated the ability to sprint or even pounce. Each instance of Entity 463-A is unique, and while some may move inefficiently, others are equipped with dangerously strong limbs. Furthermore, despite most mutants moving slowly due to their asymmetrical limbs, fleeing wanderers often stumble and fall due to the decreased gravity of Level 463, leaving themselves open to becoming overrun by the persistent entities.

The senses of a mutant include any sense available to a person: sight, smell, taste, hearing, and touch. Though it is currently unknown how sharp each of these senses are on a mutant, observations have found that smell seems to be the least effective of them, with hearing as the most vital. Mutants are often drawn towards noise, and commotion from one mutant finding a wanderer will alert other nearby mutants, drawing a dangerous pack. Mutants seem to detect motion more than standalone objects, as remaining still within a mutant's sight when at a safe distance has been proven to allow one to avoid detection.

While research on Level 463, including its entities, has been limited due to its uninhabitable nature, Entity 463-A has been observed to regenerate lost limbs, as well as grow entirely new limbs, after feeding. Mutants are also theorized to grow larger through feeding, leading to larger mutants being referred to as "well-fed," although growth through simply aging has also been considered. Regardless, the food-driven nature of Level 463's mutants points towards an innate desire for the creatures to grow stronger, likely as a way to outcompete each other for resources.

Description

Entity 463-B, nicknamed "Alma," is a singular humanoid entity that lives in the Concrete Wastes. Alma is approximately 6' tall, has black hair, and seems to have black chitin in the place of skin. Their hands are comparable to humans', with five fingers on both, and similar arm structure. Their legs are cervine in form, with a singular pointed claw taking the place of hooves. Despite keeping only the tips of their feet on the ground, Alma seems to have no difficulty balancing. Their unique legs allow them to traverse Level 463 at a fast pace, as the claws on their feet are able to dig into the concrete when running, giving them traction to propel themselves forward, bypassing the difficulties of the area's low gravity.

Alma is adorned with a poncho that covers their torso and arms completely, a black scarf that covers their neck, and an open-front skirt that covers their hips. Alma wears white gloves over their hands, presumably for improved grip due to their chitinous shell, although some suspect Alma wears white gloves to prevent scaring wanderers. Alma's face is covered by a white mask with two holes: one small and one large. The small hole appears to be too small to show their right eye, and appears black. The larger hole exposes Alma's left eye, which is white and round, with seemingly no eyelid. The black carapace around their eye is visible through the hole in their mask, giving them a black eye or raccoon effect. Alma's face has never been seen.

Behavior

Alma is a non-aggressive entity whose role in the Concrete Wastes appears to be that of guiding wanderers to the level's exits. They are extremely knowledgeable about the level they inhabit, and have, without fail, led every person they've encountered to the exit of the level, despite these exits being random for each person or party. Alma appears to operate on a set of rules, which include minimal communication with wanderers and refusal to help those who have spent over one week in Level 463. When Alma is not heading towards a specific destination, they patrol the Concrete Wastes. Little is known about what they do when not guiding visitors.

Alma has been seen to understand spoken language, as well as normal human body language. They do not typically answer questions or converse with visitors to their level, but nonverbal in-person communication has been established with them on specific topics, such as incidents involving Entities 463-A. Alma has never been observed speaking vocally to anyone in person. Alma is widely regarded as a secretive and mysterious person whose goal and origin are unknown.

Alma carries a handheld radio receiver on their person at all times, which is tuned to 1160 kHz: the output wavelength of the radio tower inside the Concrete Wastes. Alma also carries stashes of dried meat, which they use to lure or distract Entities 463-A. The source of this meat is not known.

Upon hearing a broadcast from the radio station or from an individual's personal radio device, Alma pursues after the radio tower or towards the person's reported location in order to meet with them. Alma has been seen appearing at the radio tower regardless of the nature of the broadcast, and experiments by M.E.G. researchers have found that they will arrive even after broadcasts of miscellaneous sounds. Due to their association with the tower, their nickname was given based on the writing at the location, which reads: "CALL OUT TO BE TAKEN TO ALMA". They have not confirmed nor denied this as their real name.

Despite being originally believed to be mute, Alma's voice has been heard through the 1160 kHz radio channel in correspondence to radio broadcasted inquiries. Messages from Alma were originally encrypted with an unrecognized number cypher, similar to a broadcast sent by a numbers station. However, when presented with a specific encryption type from the M.E.G., Alma began utilizing the new key, and has been working in collaboration with the M.E.G. to assist exploration efforts in Level 463 ever since.

As mentioned, if a person has spent more than one week in Level 463, Alma will refuse to help them. Alma seems well versed in the effects brought about by their level's radiation, and understands that the effects are irreversible after that amount of time. If guiding a party, Alma will allow all members to attend the walk to the exit, but will stop any person who has passed the one week exposure mark from passing through. If needed, they will use their stash of dried meat to lure the mutating person to stay on the level. The reason for Alma's insistence on this rule is unknown, though many believe they want to keep instances of Entity 463-A out of other areas of the Backrooms.

As for Alma's existence within Level 463 itself, no one knows why every living being is affected by the level's radiation except for them. However, some believe that Alma has been influenced in some way by the radiation due to their unusual propensity to encrypt broadcasted verbal communication with numbers; the radiation may have rendered Alma unable to form full sentences, and they've resorted to speaking using only single digits. However, despite their limited vocal communication, Alma is still capable of understanding and interpreting full sentences spoken by others. Alma may simply be selectively mute.

The following is a transcript of an audio journal that was recovered from Entity 463-B by an M.E.G. operative. They were identified as being recorded by Braxton Cantrell, an explorer sent on June 28, 2017 to document characteristics of Level 463. Braxton has been missing since the time of his mission's undertaking.

TAA1: 00:00:01
Fuck yes. I popped out way far away from the tower. I think this is the farthest anyone's ever started out. Where… Oh shit, this one was already marked on the map. Must've been someone else's exit. Even better! Starting location is 351W 112S.

Got in touch with Alma already. I'm heading out directly west. I'm pretty close to the mountains over here, and I don't think anybody's seen what's over them yet.

TAA: 00:13:25
Fucking radiation, man. I hate this part. Augustus has been a stick in everyone's ass about documenting symptoms, so I'm putting it down right now that I'm not having anything new. Just the regular amount of barf, Augster!

TAA: 00:19:47
Dust storm rolled through. Goggles and dust mask helped a lot this time. Shoutout to the guys who collected a whole bunch of swim goggles from that one pool level. Hands still feel chalky, though.

TAA: 02:21:16
Starting to climb up the hills now. Location is 379W 110S. Or wait, was it 112S? I can't remember. Needle's pointing west, so it's whatever number South I started at.

Anyways, nothing's unusual, but it feels like I'm seeing fewer mutants the farther I walk. Wonder if they learned to stay near the radio tower, since that's where most people end up.

TAA: 03:01:08
Lower gravity is making this a breeze. I'd say this place would be worth coming to if it weren't for, you know. The vomit-inducing radiation poisoning. Man-eating green beans, too. Probably.

TAA: 03:02:53
Got confirmation from Alma that I'm good to keep going for another two days before I have to turn back. I'm at the top of this hill now, but I saw something weird. I thought there were a few different mountains in the distance, but one of them looked like it was moving. It's hard to tell because of the glare, but I swear it was. The whole thing went up and down. I'm gonna keep going.

TAA: 03:19:22
Location is 381W 110S. There's definitely something moving out there. It's huge. What is that?

TAA: 04:02:58
Oh god, what is that?

TAA: 04:03:30
It's the size of a mountain. It's so big, and it's kicking up so much dust that I can't see behind it or around it, but I can almost guarantee that there are more behind it. I'm getting closer to give a better report.

TAA: 04:06:01
I'm pretty close now; I've gone down the other side of the hills and can no longer see the valley that I came from.

I hate looking at this thing. I didn't think I had megalophobia before this, but… God, man.

TAA: 04:07:35
I don't think I can get any closer to this thing. Saying right now to everyone who's going to listen to this: don't come out this way.

The best way I can describe this thing is… it's kind of like a shrimp. Flat back on top, and long. Really long. But instead of having, I don't know, 12 little arms, it has hundreds of them. Maybe thousands. And it's grazing on the ground like a shrimp does, every hand reaching down to grab a piece of the ground and lifting it up into whatever's up there. I don't know. There are too many limbs to see what happens to the stuff it picks up. Christ, there are so many limbs. And they all have so many joints.

The thing is destroying the entire ground. Whatever used to be out here sure isn't anymore.

TAA: 04:07:48
Oh god.

TAA: 04:07:51
Alma heard me. Alma heard me. Location is… Fuck, somewhere around 390W 110S.

TAA: 04:07:55
Fuck this. I'm going back.

TAA: 04:07:57
Alma-

After the recovery of this audio journal, the M.E.G. have not been able to confirm the existence of the entity described by Braxton, either through exploration or through questioning Entity 463-B. Due to the way he described Entity 463-C, and in honor of his work, Entity 463-C has been named The Cantrell Mountains, or simply Cantrells.

Entrances

Entrances to Level 463 take the form of doorless, concrete doorframes, and can be found on any level whose design mimics industrial areas, such as maintenance tunnels, factories, or bunkers. Stepping through these doorframes will bring the person or party into Level 463, outside of a random structure.

Exits

Attempting to return to the person or party's original level is not possible by going back through the doorframe of the structure they arrived in. Any person or group that arrives in Level 463 together must find another structure that contains their specific exit doorframe. The exits lead to other random levels that meet the entrance requirements for the doorframes (i.e. a level with an industrial appearance), very rarely being the level that was entered from.

Due to the one week time constraint caused by the level's radiation and the presence of hostile entities, finding the radio tower atop the hill at the center of Level 463 is recommended, as Entity 463-B can be summoned to this location to guide visitors to their exit.

Written by Cosmological

Note from the author: Alma's pronouns are they/them! When discussing Alma, please use their correct pronouns. Thank you :)