It didn’t take long for Jack to see this creature again, looking down at his watch he could see that it had been about 10 minutes since his last pass. During that time Jack had been busy, off to his left he had been collecting hard small looking objects like heavy metal bits and bobs this would be to see how the creature reacted to noise if it did so to begin with. He would stay in cover and lob a piece of metal rod off to one side of the creature to see how its reactions were. Just as jack could see the creature his pulse raced this is not the time to freak out jack stay focused and test that’s why we stayed to see if we could even do this. Slowing down his breathing Jack inhaled deeply before throwing the metal rod as far as he could, seeing how it soared through the air to impact the ground with a loud Clang! As soon as the clang rang out loud and clear the monsters head whipped around to look to its exact spot Screeching with a deafening wail the monster screamed out in rage as it slithered much faster than he would think anyone to expect when it moved around normally. Watching it slithering at what seemed like breakneck speeds he watched as it collided with where the metal rod had sat as the monster physically pounded the location into pulp until all that was left was a sizzling mass of metal that was dissolving at a noticeable pace. This was something he didn’t know if he should tangle with at first, he saw this slow-moving creature as something he could easily sneak around or even outrun if necessary.

Though as his time and first experiment went, he was more convinced this time was far out of his league in terms of speed, raw power, and finally a smile ooze that dissolved around itself. There was no guarantee that this thing would even be stopped by his rounds worse if he used too many rounds he would and could run out before reaching an exit and that was something Jack couldn’t afford.

Abiding his time Jack allowed the creature to settle down before watching it slowly start to slither around this boss arena as he called it in his brain before slinking off himself back towards the cubical that he took his pervious ‘lunch break’. Seeing as it was time to go, he rushed off keeping an eye on the surroundings as to not trust the dungeon at all who knew what traps or even what kind of aspects would change as time went on if he was away from a certain portion of the area for long enough. Honestly, he hoped for that to not be the case as he just wanted to get out of here as soon as possible.

Finally making his way back to the cubical area he was met with his now cardinal directions he was facing from himself to his left was the path he had originally taken to get here so straight and his new right. As things were going, he had to keep to his previous plan go right and keep on going right. Before going down the direction jack made his way back to the cubical sadly no respawn of the drink and sandwich made him a little sad though there was nothing he could do on this now. Jack headed on out towards the new ‘right’ corridor. Pausing Jack laughed out loud at that “The right path that’s funny! Well, honestly, I hope so cause that other path was ridiculous”.

Still chortling to himself Jack made his way down the corridor always keeping himself aware of the situation but relaxing a bit at that joke to himself sure he had fucked up and been drawn slightly towards the premise of leveling up seeing why gamers and people enjoyed those games so much to the point there was a billion-dollar market for games in general people enjoyed the thrill of adventure in their daily lives. For himself it was less of that adventure even if it was still there, but it was the loss of his limb when he had first lost it due to a roadside bomb during a road move, he had felt great loss at the friends he would never see again and his leg that was forever taken from him. He new in his heart that he could never get it back, bringing more pain was his fiancé at the time she had supported him, but it wasn’t the same as when he came back from war as a broken man. She didn’t find him attractive anymore calling him a less of a man for his missing leg. That stung more than anything else, Driving Jack into the bottle as well as feeling hopeless at his situation. It had only been the last couple of months that he had challenged himself to stop drinking and to pull himself back up, to strive for a better life.

Jack needed a purpose again, even if he still felt the loss of his life before the explosion. Then everything changed Jack had been hired for reasons he was still unsure of the nature of it. But that didn’t matter in that moment Jack new the reason he kept pushing himself was when he placed those first points into agility feeling like this leg was no longer something that just helped him but was him. The feeling of loss lessened and the drive to become better increased, maybe he was meant for this life, or he wasn’t and would loose his life foolishly over something so trivial of gaining a few more levels.

Realizing he had gotten lost in hid mind Jack pulled himself out as he looked around, it wasn’t as if he had stopped paying attention, but you could be hurt by slipping up for something like that. He had to act as if he was separated from command in hostile territory and this was him having to find his way back.

Looking around at the corridor Jack still saw the rows and rows of shelves the now standard sight of the toys and small Asian cars that were imported. He noticed that it was almost like the path up ahead was getting wider. Continuing to walk he confirmed that indeed it was getting more and more open until he was standing in a room that was nothing like the whole complex he was standing in what looked like to be an older persons home from the early 50’s décor similar to how his grandparents home was his boots no longer thumping lightly on the concrete floor was now on a blue shag carpet that covered the whole living room, turning around jack still saw the warehouse it was as if these two spaces were combined to be one seamlessly attached to each other.

Unnerved at this fact but unsure if this was a hostile place Jack flashed off his inspection skill as he scanned the room seeing nothing stand out by glowing beside the TV in the centre glowing its faintly eerie neutral glow. “Holy shit I found another Tv? Damn I am glad I didn’t tangle with that slug monster after all!” Jack said in a slightly hushed voice even if there was a slight glow of joy out of himself.

Before rushing over to the Tv Jack still found it unnerving that the room it was in was in such a state, not saying anything bad but it was almost too clean too spotless as if it was a show room vs a room that someone lived in. Besides the flooring being spotless there was what looked to be a huge window with curtains in the same frilly blue as the floors and walls. Walking over to the window Jack brushed the curtains aside only to find blackness, not the blackness of an until sky but the blackness of a void that peered back at him. Closing the blinds slowly Jack made his way around the room, there wasn’t much besides two doorways and what looked like some sort of vanity that had a few drawers all being open except the top drawer it had what looked like to be a key lock of some kind that he didn’t have access to. Looking around more in-depth Jack searched again for anything, nearly giving up there was a slight gleam from the corner of his eye as he made out what looked like to be a wall vent. Walking over Jack inspected the wall vent which looked to be just the same condition of everything else, so jack pulled out his knife to help twist off the screws holding the vent to the wall though a little crude it worked as the vent fell off showing a small silver key waiting to be picked up.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

Jack Grasped the key with ease, as he got up and moved towards the vanity.

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Several years back

“Jack, you paying attention man? Were about to open the chest and see what’s inside, it could be anything as we are just beginners in the game a hidden chest though has got to be something decent right?” Marcus explained in exuberance as he tried to hype up his friend who seemed to barely understand what was going on.

“Yeah man, I am here sorry was just confused as to what is so important about a hidden chest sure it could be something good but is it really that good to get so worked up about it?” Jack responded slightly confused at to why Marcus was near drooling at the thought of opening the chest.

“Well, my bestest friend it could be anything, and that’s the point sure it could be currency for the game, or it could be some kind of loot that most players won’t have access to so early in the game. Sure, most equipment is swapped out early, but this could seriously help us with the boss as any help is good help right!” Marcus beamed as he said the last statement proud of himself for teaching Jack about the strategies of playing games.

“Okay, so who opens the chest then? Does it matter who in the party opens the chest or can I just open the chest?” Jack motioned towards the chest as he spoke.

“Well yes and no, I have the highest luck in the party between us but as this is your first time playing the game you should open it and experience what its like for the first time” Marcus motioned for jack to go open the chest.

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Present Day

Jack had a weird flash back to that time with his best friend in high school his name was Marcus, and they were a weird friend group. Though when they graduated Marcus went off to university to study engineering the guy had a knack for numbers and problem solving, while Jack did some schooling but stumbled into the propaganda of the military machine falling into the life and adventure as a soldier on tour.

Though all the time Marcus has forced Jack to play games while he spent time over at his friends house it was paying off, slight hints and clues from his memories were popping up as like a warning or an indication of somethings importance.

The true thing was why didn’t the key show up on inspection? Was it something that his inspection wasn’t a high enough level for or was inspection only meant for hostile detection of some form?

Seeing as he was just standing in front of the vanity Jack pulled out the key as he placed it into the lock turning it until he heard a click indicating that the drawer was unlocked. Opening the drawer jack saw what looked like a small bag like a coin pouch from those period movies he would watch at Marcus’s house. Pulling out the bag his flashed inspection over it once again not receiving any notification at all, opening the bag proved to be what was required cause as soon as he looked inside a notification passed over his eyes.

Congratulations player Jack Rickson on finding your first hidden treasure not all players would ignore the obvious clue and search around to find the hidden piece. In your hands you have received a bag of retention inside this bag will allow you to easily hold up to 20 pounds of gear or equipment no bigger than 2 feet by 2 feet square. To access your inventory all you need to do is reach in and pull out what you require, if you are unsure of what you have stored inside the bag you can hold it upside down and command the bag to empty this will expel all contents of the bag.

Looking down at the pouch it looked small but figuring it was best to check he held the back upside down and said “Empty” watching as the bag shook slightly though a small ring fell out and hit the ground as well as a couple coins what looked like to be two silvers and ten copper. Picking up the coins he inspected them seeing as there were faces on the coins he didn’t recognize, and they didn’t quite look human either the man on the front of the silver coin held a staff that seemed to be more then just a walking stick while his ears looked slightly elongated to what a normal person’s ears would look like. Placing those coins back into his pouch Jack looked over the copper coins these didn’t have a persons face but more of a symbol on them which looked like to be the head of a wolf as a side profile.

Seeing nothing else on those coins he placed those too into his pouch finally Jack picked up the ring, this ring to his inspection glowed slightly blue he had no idea what that meant but he had no intention of putting something on his finger that he had no idea about, so he placed the simple silver ring back into his bag.

Turning back to the Tv at hand Jack made his way over too it and as he focused on the tv it flashed on playing the same eerie noise as a typewriter was typing out the words before him.

Greetings once again player for you have found the second clue a rare achievement for most who have passed through in such a short relative time. Listed will be the clues to wear you can find the next clue for this journey! Southeast you will find your next clue. And yes, no meters this time you will either find the next clue or you won’t best of luck player I enjoy seeing how far you will go!

This was not what Jack had expected the first clue felt like to normal impersonal messages from the system but this time it was if it was talking to him and reacting to his impressions of the system. Who or what was that? Turning away from the Tv Jack found his way over towards the two doors they were side by side as if to say they lead the same way but knowing this place those doors could take him anywhere.

Choosing a door was going to be hard he could now flip a coin, or should he just go right? Afterall it was the way to get out of this place. Looking around for any clues Jack couldn’t find anything seeing as how he could open both doors and just look through to see what was on the other side, Jack nodded to himself as he opened the right door only to feel as if he was sucked into it like a dust bunny is to a vacuum cleaner. That was when everything went black.