After the countdown timer ran out, Dean’s vision flashed white, blinding him, before resolving into the Torial spawn point. A second after that, his other senses returned, flooding him with the sounds and smells of the marketplace.

“Son of a bitch,” Ben said angrily as he walked over to Dean. “It got you, too?”

Dean replied dryly, “No, I got away, but tripped on a rock and died. Of course, it killed me.”

“Where did it come from? That’s what I want to know.” Will asked from behind him. “There’s no way that was part of the quest.”

“What do you mean?” Ryan asked as he joined them. “We followed the quest, found the orcs, and it showed up. Why else would it be there?”

Ben replied, “No, he’s right, not unless the developers have a twisted sense of humor.”

“So, like yours?” Dean asked.

“Mine’s not that messed up,” Ben complained.

“Really?” Ryan said flatly as he stared at Ben.

“What? It’s not.” Ben said defensively. He tried to return the stare but kept glancing away. “Fine. You’re right. But you have to admit mine is funnier than theirs.”

“I need a beer after that,” Will announced, “Let’s go to the inn while we talk.” He started walking to the inn without looking back. Apparently, Dean thought, he really needed a beer as they hurried to catch up.

Ryan asked, “You really shouldn’t drink this much. It’s bad for your liver.”

Will shrugged, “Technically, I’m drinking anything, so my livers fine.”

“You know what I mean.” Ryan said.

“Uh huh, you worry about those fighters, I’ll worry about the towers.” Will glanced back at Dean.

“Why’s he allowed to reference Star Wars and I’m not?” Dean complained.

“Because that’s not the only thing he references.” Ben said.

They entered the now familiar Inn and found a table. It was still early in the evening, so only a few players had made it back from questing. One of the barmaids took their order and returned with their drinks.

Will took a long pull on his mug before saying, “It was one of the first quests we received, so it should’ve been a simple one, like the wolves.”

“It wasn’t that easy.” Dean said.

“For a level one player.” Will retorted, “We wouldn’t have a problem with it now. Another five levels, and we probably wouldn’t even get hurt. And that’s the point I’m trying to make. Quests don’t go from level one orcs to level forty wraiths like that.” Will snapped his fingers. “It’s a guaranteed death. Players would get pissed and quit playing if that’s all they encountered.”

“Except, we can’t quit.” Dean pointed out.

“True,” Will conceded, “But that’s just a glitch.”

“Speaking of developers,” Ryan said. He waved at the approaching figure, “Hey, Shiro. Grab a seat.”

Dean turned to see a short Asian man approaching. The man looked vaguely familiar, though he couldn’t figure out from where, just that he imagined the man standing with his arms up in triumph. Except, Shiro looked like he’d been beaten down, and tossed aside.

Shiro bowed as he said, “Excuse the interruption. I did not mean to overhear, but did you say a wraith?” Shiro grabbed a seat from a nearby table.

“Yeah, we did,” Ben said, “We encountered one north of here.”

“Were there any orcs?” Shiro asked.

“A whole army.” Will said, “They were attacking a village.”

“You are certain it was a wraith?” Shiro asked, “A shadow wraith? Very high level?” He slumped in his chair when the group nodded, “This is not good. It is very bad.”

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“Why?” Dean asked.

Shiro looked at him, “We have not met?” Dean shook his head. They introduced themselves before Shiro continued, “We did not program any wraiths to be in the world right now. It was to be a DLC release.”

“So, a future event?” Dean asked.

“Yes. The wraiths are to take over the starting spawn points. But only after players have created new cities and new spawn points.” Shiro explained.

“You mean there’s more than one spawn point?” Dean asked.

Shiro nodded enthusiastically, “There are thousands of spawn points, all over the world. We divided every player by how they interact with the world.”

“That’s why nobody’s killed the villagers.” Ben laughed, “Or doing a bunch of PvP fighting.”

“Yes, this is one of the spawn points for players that will follow the story.” Shiro explained.

“Then you’ve got me in the wrong area.” Ben said at the same time that Will asked, “How do you know even know a players gaming style?”

“We used their previous game data.” Shiro said.

“Is that even legal?” Will responded.

“It was in the contract,” Shiro smirked, “Did you not read it?”

“Nobody reads those,” Ben complained, “They could say we have to sacrifice our first-born son or sign our soul to the devil, no offense Ryan, and nobody would know until it hit a forum somewhere.”

Shiro shrugged, “It is not my fault you did not read the contract and is perfectly legal.”

“Anyway,” Dean interjected, “You were saying something about a future event?”

“Yes,” Shiro said, “Wraiths would be introduced with the DLC and take over the spawn points. It was to be a game event. If you saw a wraith, it means the game has started the event.”

“So? What’s the big deal?” Dean asked.

“It means,” Ryan said slowly, “Our spawn point is about to be overrun by Orcs. That’s what you’re saying?”

Shiro nodded vigorously, “It is. And it is a game event, it cannot be stopped.”

“What do we do?” Ryan asked.

“We must make a new city.” Shiro said.

“Won’t they just attack it, too?” Ben said.

“Yes.” Shiro said, “We will have to defend it and we do not have much time to do so.”

“How long?” Dean asked.

Shiro thought for a few seconds before answering, “I do not know. Maybe a month?”

“A month?” Dean said, “Then it doesn’t matter. There’s no way it’ll take that long to fix the logout issue.”

Shiro didn’t respond immediately, nor did he meet the other’s eyes. When he did finally speak, it was slowly, and his words made them flinch, “There have been complications with the update. It is not going as fast as it should and there is something happening to the code. I do not know when the update will happen.” He paused, “I do not think it will take a month, but I do not think it is wise to wait. I would not want to spawn into a Orc camp with no escape.”

Ben whistled, “That would royally suck. And that’s good enough for me. How do we start a new city?”

“We must find a city crystal. There is one in a dungeon not far from here, but it is most well-guarded and very difficult to reach. We will need many players to help.”

“Where are we going to get other players to join us?” Dean asked.

“I will take care of that.” Shiro said, “But you will need to name your party. I will go and get others. We will leave in the morning.”

“Do you know what kind of monsters are in the dungeon?” Ben asked.

“Draughr and spiders.” Shiro said as he stood up to leave.

“So, what’re we going to call ourselves?” Will asked.

“Thundercats.” Ryan said at the same time Dean announced, “Rogue Squadron.”

Will pointed at Dean. “I veto that one.”

“And no on thundercats,” Ben said, “We’ll be nicknamed the thunder pussies and I’m not okay with that.”

“Then let’s hear your suggestions.” Dean retored.

Ben answered, “Bad Company. Or maybe The Death Squad.”

“The Huckleberries.” Will said.

“I’ll be your huckleberry.” Dean responded.

“Hey, you quoted a different movie.” Ben said.

“He was responding to my reference, so it doesn’t count.” Will pointed out.

“From Dean? We have to take what we can get.” Ben said.

“Shut up, you two.” Dean fumed.

“No and no.” Ryan said to Will and Ben. “I’m not cool with a name that sounds evil.”

“Why not?” Ben asked incredulously, “That’s the whole point of having a team name, to sound badass.”

“That, or to be funny.” Will said.

“Yeah,” Ben said, “Nobody thinks it means anything.”

Will started laughing.

“What?” Ben demanded.

“Nobody.” Was all Will could manage between laughs.

It clicked. Dean started chuckling, “Nobody attack.” Will nodded as tears started streaming down his face.

“I don’t get it. What’s so funny?” Ben demanded.

“Our team name.” Dean explained. Ben glanced between the two, confused, until it clicked and he barked a laugh.

“You know we’re going to have to change it once Shiro figures out the joke.” Ryan pointed out.

“I know,” Will admitted, “But it’ll be hilarious when he does.”

“Or, we’ll all die as a result.” Ryan said.

“I’m good with that.” Will said.

“I’m not.” Ryan said, “And I vote no.”

“Three to one.” Ben said, “Nobody it is.”

Will raised his glass in a toast, “To Nobody.”

“All three of you ain’t right.” Ryan sighed before reluctantly clinking glasses with them, “But what the heck. It’s just a game. And don’t get too drunk tonight. You heard what Shiro said, we’re leaving first thing tomorrow.”

“Just watch me.” Will grinned before downing his glass. He ordered another round for the table. “Now, let’s change the name and celebrate.”

Dean pulled up his status page to update the team name, where he realized he’d leveled up twice while fighting the orcs. He debated bringing all of his physical stats, along with luck, to fifteen, but decided to stick at thirteen for the time being. It was his lucky number after all. Instead, he brought Perception, Intelligence and Wisdom to thirteen, and Fortitude to eleven.

He pulled up the prompt for the team name and changed it to Nobody. He selected enter. The others received the prompt to vote on changing the team name. Ryan voted no, despite agreeing to it, but the others voted yes, and the name was changed.