Chapter 2
“Come back another time, there is not sufficient information to work with. Good bye.”
Jeez, no need to be so rude. They could have at least told me what kind of information they need. Well it's just my fourth day here, I guess it's natural.
“Good bye”
Just look at them. Running around with armor and robes, it's nice that they found what they wanted to be. I tried asking players why they chose their class but the answers didn't satisfy my curiosity.
“Why? 'Cuz charging in with a giant sword swinging it down on monsters is awesome!”
“To blast away any one I dislike.”
“Bows are the closest thing there is to a fps.”
“Class? I don't care for monster hunting, it's enough just to experience this world.”
Too simple! If I was twenty years younger I might have had similar thoughts but not today. I had experienced the potential of this 'world' and I damn sure am going to enjoy it. The first priority has been cleared which was getting accustomed to the world and having money to work with. Next would be to find information on what class to change into, I can't be freelancing through the world.
The employment agency where you go to to ask for advice in what class you could change to wasn't helpful as of yet. Not many people went there after just having started playing but I was determined to not repeat the same mistake I did at my first job some 30 years ago.
I had gotten to know there existed many guilds where you could apprentice for a class, training halls to practice martial skills and a library for those wanting to start on the path of magic. There was no point in me visiting them. Back to the job, maybe I'll hear some gossip today.
“...then you know what he said?”
“What?”
“If you can run your mouth like that you can sure run with your legs! Do 100 more laps!”
“Waaah! That assistant-teacher has always been like that, last month he made me swing my sword so much my hands bled and I couldn't feel them for days.”
“We should have gone for archery instead!”
“You think archery is easy? LOOK AT MY FINGERS! Do you see the wounds!? Shit, today Edwin actually cut of his finger stringing the bow.”
“Sorry, we all have it tough. Can't be weak though or they won't take us into the army and we'll have to go back to farming.”
“Nooo! Anything but farming.”
“Argh. Isn't there anything we could do for fun on our breaks, sitting here complaining won't make us feel any better.”
“Yeah you're right, if only there was music or gambling allowed.”
“No way man, you know knights can't gamble it's a heavy sin.”
“Then something, anything.”
Lunch was over and the children began to leave the café, soon it was empty again. After cleaning and making sure we had everything for supper ready René took out a new blend and we sat down relaxing.
“Do the kids always complain that much?”
“Mostly on lunchtime. At supper they are too tired to complain, too tired to do anything actually. I do what I can serving them the best beverages that fit the mood.”
“I heard them asking for music? It is awfully quiet here don't you think?”
“It's what makes it so relaxing and besides the instructors don't allow us to play music, says it ruins the concentration at training if people started humming.”
Back in the real world people relaxed in front of the television watching their favourite shows but I guess there isn't anything like that here.
But maybe...
“What do you say if I started entertaining the children?”
“What do you have in mind?”
“I'm old, I've been through a lot and I know many stories. I'm thinking they lack excitement.”
“Well...You might be on to something here. Sure, you can start today after dinner.”
Henkel didn't go out on his break that day, instead he sat contemplating what story he should tell them about. He realised he couldn't use any technology that didn't exist here so it would be hard to tell them about his own journeys. Fairy tales are always good but they might be to old for those. He took out a pen and paper he bought in a nearby store and started jotting down ideas.
The end of his break and the start of his job was closing in. Before him he had a parchment with lots of words scribbled down. A smile was shown on his face and he was satisfied. He had worked out a plan. When the customers filled the café he would leave small hints that there would be some kind of entertaining event after dinner had been served. And so he did, children came in and as he greeted them he ended his welcome with “I hope you'll stay after dinner for...”
Full house as always. Some people that finished early were already leaving, René dimmed the lights and Henkel lit up a light in front of him so that everyone would focus on him. Whispers were heard around the room, no one spoke loudly as if to match the mood. Henkel introduced himself shortly and without further ado he started.
“In a time similar to ours...”
So he started telling his story.
It was about a lonely frightening boy that no adult would look at.
He was always up to no good.
Fighting every day, not helping anyone.
One day he noticed a young child crying.
Nobody approached the child.
Except for the awful boy.
He stared at the child and raised both his hands.
And started making funny faces at the kid.
The small child, still very young thought it was hilarious.
He soon showed a bright smile.
Happy the child wasn't sad any more, the boy left.
The small child watched him leave but with no one to rely on he followed.
Tragedy struck when he followed the boy over the busy street.
A carriage was going down the road fast, too fast.
The boy thought it weird and looked back.
The child was right in the middle of the way, seconds away to be run over.
Not thinking the boy jumped in front of the carriage.
Successfully pushing the child out of the way.
The child saved.
The boy...dead.
[Gasp...heavy breathing]
“Then what? Is it over?”
The boy's body grew colder and his spirit left him.
The spirit still conscious even in death, looked upon the child smiling.
Behind him he heard a clear voice.
Turning around he saw an angel like woman clad in armor.
The Valkyrie.
It told the boy how noble his sacrifice was and that she would grant him a second chance in life.
All he needed to do was...
“That was the end of today's story. If you enjoyed it please come again tomorrow at the same time for more relaxing, exciting stories. Tell your friends.”
[Clap,clap,clap!!]
[Ping!]
+10 Charisma
+4 Leadership
Henkel had just gotten his first bonus stat points and he chuckled quietly. Children went up to talk to him, they complimented him and as the children they were they wanted to hear the continuation right now. Henkel politely declined and told them that patience is a virtue but it's good that they voice their opinion. He asked what kind of stories they would like to be told in the forthcoming evenings. Most of the requests were what he had expected, stories of people unexpectedly becoming heroes. Some also wanted mystery stories while others wanted funny stories.
“Good job back there Henkel. Even I got absorbed in the story, you've got a knack for telling stories, you know.”
“Was it that good? Well it's a true story, sort of. ”
“That so? Well why don't you try your luck with the next crowd that comes at night?”
“Well it's easier telling stories for children. Adults are a totally different thing.”
“Hmm... well why don't you think of something that fits the mood. A love story with some tragedy maybe?”
“Love and tragedy...?”
Love and tragedy were things that were too common in Henkel's life. He has made an oath with himself too never love another like he had done previously. It was just too painful to go through those events again.
“Yes, ok. I will tell a familiar story about someone I know. Let me adjust the lights before-hand and don't get anyone drunk before I finish speaking.”
“You got it! Now come and help me clean this place up.”
Luckily that night there were no women and Henkel used coarser speech throwing in a dirty joke here and there to get the men riled up. He didn't get the same feeling as before when he told the story to the kids and his stats gained were reflected upon it, only his charisma had increased.
As Henkel was finished for the day he went for his night stroll as usual. It wasn't really a stroll, but a chance for Henkel to exercise his body. Ever since the onset of his arthritis he hadn't enjoyed a good work out without restrictions. The only kind of workout he had in real life was physiotherapy in water as it was easy on the joints. But now there was nothing holding him back. In the dark corners of the city he practised shadow boxing and he had bought a rope to skip.
Aah... This takes me back. My body getting warmer, sweat running down my back. Sweat dripping from my hair, getting stuck in my moustache. Salty! Pure bliss! Good thing no one comes to these parts at night, it wouldn't look good to see an elderly man jumping around licking the sweat from his moustache.
So he exercised in secret, sometimes moving to a different location if he heard someone coming. He had gotten more information after these couple days and Henkel had formed a concrete plan to follow these 4 weeks of confinement.
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1. Work in the café: this brought him much joy looking at the youths running around, relaxing with René while learning brewing techniques from him.
2. Come up with stories to tell the children and adults. The stat points were a bonus, what was important was that someone should hear about the life he had lived.
3. Getting used to this world and this body.
4. Changing class. This was the puzzle, a few pieces had been gathered but he still couldn't fit them together.
It was the end of the fourth day in the game. He had now played for 24 hours straight, a message popped up on his screen.
Outside interference detected. Allowing sound to come through.
“Master! you have played for 24 hours without taking a break. I strongly advise that you take a break from staying connected. The data I have I also advise you to seek medical assistance if you experience any negative effects to your health.”
“It's been how long?! Log out!”
The image faded away and he saw the inside of the helmet again. After taking it off Henkel stood up. Suddenly he lost his vision and his knees felt weak, after stumbling around erratically his knees gave out and he fell onto the floor.
“Oow! I almost passed out!”
[GROWL!]
My stomach is rumbling. Ow, ow, ow. I'm so hungry!
“AL! Call for food from the usual place, get me 3 different sets. Nothing oily!”
“Yes, master.”
“Turn on the massage chair and wake me up when the food gets here.”
“As you wish, would you like to sleep a bit longer before you eat?”
“No, it's all right. ”
AL. That's what I call it. Everyone that lives here has a personal A.I. that is part of the house, I named it AL because the 'I' looked like a lower case 'L'. By giving it commands it follows them if they are possible to finish and it remembers your preferences. Really handy to have, without it I don't think I would have been able to live by myself like this.
The food arrived in less than fifteen minutes, I have a very strict diet but I sometimes brake it if I got a craving for something. Nothing fancy today I just need something to keep me satiated and ease me into sleep.
The following day he made a call to Christine to tell her how the game went. She was very excited to hear about it, she hadn't spoken to her brother about it yet since they don't live together and she had hoped Henkel would call her. She did like Henkel, he was a very fascinating man to her. She had day dreamed many times of how he came to live at the complex. Imagining some kind of intricate mystery of his background: was he a reclusive millionaire or maybe a devious crook having robbed his way to fortune. She already knew he had no family it was the perk of being a nurse, she had access personal files of her patients. She usually bonded with patients as they loved her perkiness and curiosity but Henkel had never really opened up to her and now he was calling her. Mysterious indeed.
The clock had passed twelve and she was finishing up her lunch she had made yesterday. Her normal lunch break consisted of her talking with her co-workers in the cafeteria but she went outside today. Her head was way up in the clouds today. She was awaiting news of RR, it was she that told her brother about it but he was the one who had managed to gather up enough cash to buy it first. Graduation gifts beat monthly salaries. As she was daydreaming about how she would slaughter monsters and rescue fair maidens from dragons her phone rang. It was her patient Henkel.
After his call Henkel told AL to make sure to disturb him so he wouldn't mess up with his daily schedule, missing exercising was just inviting the arthritis to spread. He connected and was just in time for lunch serving. Today there was a crowd of children outside the café standing around waiting. They stood there because their friends had told them there would at last be some entertainment to stave of the boredom and pain after a day at the academy.
“It looks like your show was a hit.”
“What do you mean.”
“I mean just look at the crowd outside just waiting to hear any news about your next show. I might need to charge an entrance fee if all of them want to get inside.”
“You could also raise your prices.”
“I don't want any bricks through my windows. The neighbouring shopkeepers are already throwing sharp looks this way, if I made too much of a profit they might resort to underhanded methods. We're one big happy family as long as no one earns more than the others.”
“Sorry to interrupt you mister. The boys outside are wondering what your profession is, some of us are looking up to you for the help you have given us.”
“Oh, I'm sorry to disappoint you but right now I have no profession, still searching for the path that I want to walk.”
“Oh then you're not a bard? I could have sworn you were one, damn now I lost the bet. Nooo I have to clean up the toilets today!”
“Aahh! Wait before you run off could you tell me where you could get more information on the bard class?”
“Yes sure it's...”
Great. Who knew entertaining people was a proper class in RR. Bards... guess I'll go over there soon.
Almost 2 weeks had passed in-game. His story telling shows had become so popular He now held them 4 times a day, 3 times for the kids and once for the adults. The mornings are for pumping up the children so they can make it through the day, Henkel was serving them tea brewed by himself to improve his skills for free. The rewards were amazing, his leadership stat and charisma stat had really shot through the roof though he got less bonus points after each day. The best part or so he heard from another player that had listened to him one morning was the gain of reputation. Sometimes Henkel got reputation points if there were children form noble families enjoying his stories, sure he got one point each time but it was unfathomable for a beginner to have any reputation so early in the game.
More and more people have asked me what bard skills I use. I think it's high time to go to the Bard guild for some information. So how are my stats faring: all stats were the same as I started, 10 on all except CHA, leadership and luck with 0; still level 1, zero experience; charisma and leadership, at a whopping 48 and 19 points respectively; only skill learned was cooking, it increased faster than expected already 2 levels higher and the range of drinks I could make had increased.
Henkel wasn't watching the road and bumped into something and fell on his behind.
“Hey watch it pal! You got a problem with how we patrol the town!?”
He looked up and a muscular man in shabby armor was looking down at him.
“Sorry I was deep in thought.”
“You a foreigner I see. Up to no good as always. You think you're all that? Think you can just ignore us ordinary folk?”
People gathered around on the street, no one interfered as there were three city guards picking on a player.
“Excuse my rude behaviour. I hope I didn't offend anyone. But I don't think what I did was wrong though.”
“WHAT!!”
“Well you are walking in the opposite direction but you're still walking on your left side of the street. If it's anyone's fault it's yours.”
“Who the hell do you think you are? You think just because you're old you think we'll let you go after saying stuff like that?”
“How do you like the idea of spending some time in holding?”
The crowd's whispers turned into mumbled noises with a couple words you could make out.
“..rude...”
“..think..own..road..”
“..go...”
“..let..go..”
“..let him go..”
“Yeah...”
“...Right!”
“He's right!”
“He apologised, what's your problem!?”
Changing from passive onlookers they now took Henkel's side, yelling at the guards. It had caught them off guard, they had never expected the situation would turn on them. From the start they had picked Henkel out from all the players, old and not very careful in his walk. He was a perfect target to let off some steam, or so they thought. They couldn't imagine he had so much charisma he would sway the crowd against them. They were a bit confused but soon realised this could turn ugly if any of the senior guards saw this spectacle so they hurried off into an alley hunched down making them look as small as possible.
A young girl approached Henkel holding a raised hand with a handkerchief.
“Are you all right, elder person?”
“Yes, thank you.”
“No problem, they've been acting up ever since they got this job last week, it was about time someone spoke up against them.”
“I didn't mean to ridicule them but what is done is done. Being saved from a sticky situation I'm grateful but I must seem greedy to ask but could you show me the way to the Bard guild?”
“Oh, don't worry. I'll gladly help you.”
The effects of having a high charisma stat gave an edge in inter personal relations, swaying people's opinions in an argument proved to be a valuable skill. NPC interactions got easier with high charisma, the higher it got the more perks you got. Being well liked could lower prices in shops and getting quests was also easier. Henkel realised that bards might be an incredibly interesting class.