Raccoon was breathing but otherwise wasn't responsive. Did the town work the same way for pets? I wasn't sure.

As the dizziness faded I received another pang of pain from the heal over time.

Why did I pull out the sword again? I thought.

Molly floated down to my level. You brought out the sword? Is that why you’re not feeling well?

I gasped, forgetting I was in a group. Her voice had surprised me. Partially, I think I might have access to my menu again.

As I pinched my fingers together Raccoon stirred. My menu appeared to be restored but I was apprehensive about touching anything.

“I barely fought that one off,” Raccoon said as he attempted to stand then fell.

I stroked his fur and he didn't react. It was a particularly strong one. Are you okay?

“There's good news. During the… attack, I learned a lot,” he said. “We now have access to almost all implant functions. Unfortunately, the Zix network and the physical aspects of your interface are still unreachable.”

Molly tapped my shoulder. What's he saying?

I kind of have to tell you something. I said. She could probably check the server logs and since she couldn't understand him she would probably have her Zix review them later. Raccoon… is a Zix.

You should have told her earlier. Raccoon said.

Molly plopped on the ground next to me. The- how- who- They allow that now?

I'd never actually read the text logs so I didn't know if it recorded group chats or not.

Not really, I said then slid my fingers across my lips as if zipping them closed.

Raccoon stood up and stretched. I created a work around so I can read your thoughts in here. I just needed another version of me present on the home server. Your mom's are there.

Let me know what—

They are discussing whether or not to message you. I'll talk to them, Raccoon said.

Molly tapped my leg. This is weird.

Yeah, that's my life, a whirlwind of strange stuff, I said.

Raccoon climbed up onto my shoulder. Game Logs modified. I am now a player in Denmark named Riley. Please call me Riley from now on.

Zix can modify the game? Molly asked.

I let out a sigh. Molly, when you first got your Zix—

I don't have a Zix, she said.

Oh, uhm, how are you here? I asked.

Raccoon erratically waved his hands through the air. So much information…

What is he talking about? she asked.

I gave her my best guess. I think he just found the InfoBases.

Other me is jumping into our servers Chronofield, he said.

The thought of him duplicating himself and doing the same thing that Kumo did came to the forefront of my mind.

Don't worry, it's just a mental projection, not a copy. I can see all your interactions with Kumori now and will not make the mistakes he did, he said.

Victor watched us for a moment and then waved to one of the customers in line.

Molly tilted her head at Raccoon. I know some of those words.

Raccoon went limp and before he could slip off my shoulder, I held him in place. He immediately got back up.

You okay? I asked.

He nodded. Can’t go in the Chronofield and stay active elsewhere.

Molly stared.

Sorry, I said. He’s talking about the back-end stuff that he has access to. How are you able to play the game?

She spun a strand of her hair between her fingers. They put me in a big machine and I can play anything I want.

Did Raccoon know that Kumo asked me to turn him into Kumo again? He kept mentioning the Chronofield and he probably shouldn’t have.

I know about Kumo’s offer and I’ll refrain from using that word in the future, he said.

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I ran a finger along the side of his cheek. You know I would never do that to you? Right?

You could have pinned it to me at any point but you haven’t, he said.

Kumo was a sadistic asshole and he was the last person I wanted as a Zix. We’ll put it in the bank like I planned.

What are you two talking about? Molly asked.

For some reason, I kept forgetting we were in a group. I’m sorry, he’s reading my mind and responding to my thoughts.

Raccoon looked at Molly and swiped through his menu. I like you.

Molly tilted her head. You do?

Yup, he said and leapt off my shoulder. He landed beside her and bounced around like Ferret had when they first met.

It was cute in a weird way. When I thought about it I realized that he never said he liked me, which was more than a little concerning.

He was either too busy with Molly or was ignoring my thoughts.

Ghosts could solidify, which is why I was able to hold Molly's hand a few days ago. They had to want to be touched. Swords and other weapons could hurt them but they were resistant to physical damage.

Are you two ready to go to the bank? I asked.

Molly lowered her hands and they started to glow. They materialized, providing a place for Raccoon to stand.

Raccoon's little rump swayed for a few seconds before he jumped on them.

She focused a look of pure joy at him before she lifted him to her chest. He leapt into her body and her essence thickened. A bubbly laugh escaped her lips as gravity slowly pulled him to the ground behind her.

It was as if he were gliding through viscous fluid. He circled to where she initially elevated him and they repeated the process. Raccoon's flailing limbs made it even more entertaining.

A few of the people in line were pointing at them. It was only a matter of time before someone started streaming or recording them.

Hey, people are starting to notice you, I said.

Molly's eyes widened and Raccoon became stuck with half of his body dangling from her back.

Out, out, out! he screeched.

Raccoon dropped like a brick to the cobblestone as Molly flew into the air. He raised his hands chittering at her.

The motions reminded me of a kid wanting “uppies”.

I lowered my arm and he reluctantly climbed back onto my shoulder. Still worried that I might be dizzy, I took my time when standing.

After a few successful test steps I turned to Victor and waved.

He caught my gaze. Gave me a sharp nod before shifting his attention back to his customer.

The variety of people in town was way up. Skeletons, shamblers and ghosts freely explored. Most of them were new but a lot of the older more experienced ones were out too. Their equipment quality was a dead giveaway.

The three of us made our way to the bank without saying anything. Were Molly and Raccoon embarrassed about having fun together? I hoped not.

It was busier than when we first arrived and the streets were filling up. We kept our distance from them. I especially didn't want to lose the money I looted.

I wondered why Koffer’s crew and the Elves were carrying so much money. Maybe they weren't worried about thieves at their own event?

As I walked inside the bank I gasped. The setup was completely different. Where there used to be blank walls they now matched the brickwork outside. Instead of interactive consoles private stalls lined the inside of the building.

Lanterns hung from pillars in the center. The only thing missing were live tellers. Jules would be perfect for something like that. I made a mental note to tell her later on.

Noted, Raccoon said.

The bank in this district was never busy and it was one of the reasons why I visited it. However, it was busy today though. There was even a relatively long line.

I got into it immediately. Have you seen this already?

Molly drifted next to me and Raccoon reached for her. She solidified and he jumped into her extended arms.

Yeah, all the banks are like this now, she said.

Raccoon appeared much bigger than he was because of Molly’s small size. She didn't struggle with his weight but it looked awkward.

As far as I knew the bank was a protected area. You couldn't hide or use invisibility in it. I decided I didn't want to take any chances so I gave the person ahead of me plenty of room.

My stomach grumbled. Shit.

What? Molly asked.

I placed my hand on my stomach. I'm getting hungry so we better hurry this along.

Characters didn't persist in the game when you logged out shambler’s hunger increased over time.

The other races had a similar affliction but they could to go to an inn or use their rations.

I'd tried to save a limb in my inventory once but I didn't eat it soon enough and it began to bloat. Even I couldn't eat something so disgusting.

It didn’t take long for our turn to come up. I dashed into an empty stall and pressed my hand to the terminal. Like before, my inventory popped up. I deposited the money and my hairpin as fast as I could. There was enough to add at least five platinum to my already large amount piled up. It was in the thousands.

Molly gave me space but Raccoon kept reaching for the interface.

“Show him,” I said as I removed my hand and took a step back.

Raccoon placed a hand on the screen. I didn’t see anything pop up but his constant swiping through the air convinced me that he was able to use it.

He lifted his hand. I don’t have anything in there yet.

We’ll find some loot for you, I said.

I led us outside and bee-lined it toward the Grizzled Beard. Eyes were on us as we rushed through the streets. One person even pointed at us.

Koffer was streaming when we defeated him and he saw Molly. That made me wonder something.

Have people been asking you about me? I asked as I dodged past a pair of goblins.

Molly pulled ahead of me and hovered above everyone's heads. Yeah, I have a ton of messages I still need to go through.

Oh, so you're connected to the Qweb too? I questioned.

Molly swayed to one side barely brushing past an orc. She spun and faced me. Yeah, I can access the Qweb and both the VR and AR servers.

Raccoon's eyes opened wide as he clung to her dress.

He was the one who chose to travel with her and he deserved all of the surprises that came with it.

I was the first to enter the Grizzled Beard. The shop was just as busy as the bank. Patrons pulled weapons from barrels and examined them. The racks along the walls were people’s main focus. A couple of elves stood at a glass counter. One pointed to an axe.

Aaron ran a hand through his beard. His brown eyes stared at the men in front of him as if assessing their stature. He hefted the axe from below and placed it in front of them.

Then he spotted me.

He pointed at me and sneered. “Not another one, I don’t serve your kind here!” His foot got caught on the corner of an aisle and he almost tripped making his way toward me. “God damn groupies!”

He stopped in his tracks as Molly entered behind me. Only then did he press his fingers together and frantically swiped through the air. When he found what he was looking for his mouth dropped.

“Back at the Grizzly Bear,” I said.

Aaron spun around and yelled, “Everyone, get the hell out!”

***