"Sigh, boring, boring, so very BORING!" Darius almost yelled towards the end. "You would expect the opponent in the finals of the World Fencing Champpionships to be decent at least. That match was pure torture." He turned towards his assistant, well butler, but he didn't like that word very much. "Godfrey, you would have been a better opponent than he was, and you never even had any training in fencing. Gah, so frustrating!"
"Young master, please calm down. It is not surprising you are so much better than your peers. Fencing is sadly still very much a nobles sport, as it is quite expensive. And, excuse me for saying it so frankly, but young masters of such affluent households are mostly wastrels, spoiled since birth, never having had to do any hard work to achieve anything. And the sad truth is that humans as a species get accustomed to comfort way too easily, and if not necessary will not try very hard."
Godfrey looked a little apologetic towards the end, because he basically insulted almost every affluent family in the world. But Darius took no offense, the reason he liked Godfrey was because he was always this frank when they were alone. "Godfrey, how many times have I told you not to apologize for your words in my company? And are you ever going to stop using that young master crap? Why can't you just call me Darius? You are closer to me, and know me better than either of my parents."
"I am sorry, young master Darius, but as long as I am employed by your father I am bound by duty, and as such I have to refer to you as young master." Darius frowned a little, but then his face lit up and he started laughing. He quickly dialed a number and waited for the other side to pick up.
"Hello, father. Yes, I am sorry for interrupting your work, but I have something important to discuss. I would like to have Godfreys contract. Yes, that is what is so important. Well, I am sorry but I find this matter important." His father finally said it was alright after a bit of discussion. He just casually mentioned "Oh yeah, I also won the championship." and hung up after hearing a curt congratulation from his father.
"Well Godfrey, now you aren't in my fathers employ, but in mine, and as a friend I request you refer to me by my first name." Darius said with a big smile on his face. Godfrey answered a little exasperatingly. "Alright, you win, youn-Darius." To which Darius laughed proudly and boarded their plane, which took off moments later.
They were sitting on the plane with a small feast in front of them, reading the news when he suddenly noticed something which drew his attention. He read that Nevermore Inc. developed a new hardcore VR MMORPG called Supremacy. It would be the first one of its kind in which using real life currency to get any kind of advantage over other players. Of course this was an enterprise and they would have to make money from it, so there will be a monthly subscription. They were also considering adding an option to buy cosmetics, but they hadn't reached a decision yet. The game would run on the existing Cube Pod, with slight changes but those would be complementary on game purchase.
The difficulty would be slightly raised compared to other games currently on the market, though the DEVs assure us that casual players would be able to play, and also that there would be many aspects to the game besides chasing after strength. Those range from crafting professions, beautiful sceneries, gambling as well as carnal pleasures to almost every possible thing you can imagine. Because of that the game could only be played by adults. The DEVs elaborated that carnal pleasures could only be done if both sides agree to it, and they will have to sign a waiver. During the signing the persons vitals would be measured to ensure that it wasn't forced.
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They wouldn't reveal much about the actual gameplay, but it was revealed that actual knowledge or ability to do something would be accounted for, but wouldn't be a major element at skill mastery. Apparently it would only give a slight boost at the start when learning the skill.
He looked up at Godfrey and showed him the article. He waited until Godfrey read it through and smiled toothily at him "You are going to be playing that with me. You will be paid as if you were doing your usual duties and you will receive a 20% extra. Do you have anything to say?" The butler just looked at him, basically struck dumb.
"But... Master..." He immediately corrected himself when he saw the twitch on Darius's face at the way he addressed him. "Darius, how would I do my usual duties if I am in game with you? I can not be in two places at once?" Darius smiled and answered "You won't. Someone will take care of the house and make meals for us. That doesn't matter. I only want you to be there with me, challenging the world, taking everything thrown at us on. Because this world currently isn't doing so. And let's be honest, I won't be taking over the family business." At this the butlers eyes widened, but Darius spoke further before he could interrupt him. "My brother is much more suited towards it, I would be way too bored and as a result the business would slowly decline."
After mulling it over a little, he spoke "Darius, while I do admit that you probably would not find enjoyment in working in your fathers firm, I still think you should rethink this. What field would you work in? What are your plans for your future? I have to ask that you think about this more deeply."
"Look, I am barely 20, I still have time. Something will come up, maybe even in gaming. Maybe I could stream, or something along those lines. But lets forget about that for now, are you in or not? I really want you to do this with me, you've been taking care of me for the last 10 years, you should think about your future too. You will need a wife, you can't just take care of me for my whole life. I don't need someone at my beck and call, I need a friend, and you are the best friend one could ever hope to have."
Godfrey was panicking and his eyes were starting to get misty so he quickly accepted and wanted to quickly get to the bathroom before Darius could see that shameful display only to almost be tackled to the ground when Darius hugged him. He probably would have been tackled to the ground if he weren't built that sturdily, as Darius's caretaker he had to be versed in many things, defending him included. "Thanks Godfrey, you won't regret this. I promise." Darius was laughing his ass off just thinking of all the adventures they would go on.
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A few days later he received 2 Cube Pods, as he didn't have one, they came with the software and hardware for Supremacy installed since they were bought from Nevermore Inc. who offered the option to new users to prevent hassle on both sides. The workers informed him he wouldn't be able to log in till 2 days later, but he could use the other functions the Cube offered. He thanked the men and tipped them, they tried to refuse but he insisted they take it.
Meanwhile Godfrey was walking around the house uncomfortably. He still wasn't used to this not helping around the house thing, though he was trying to, for Darius's sake. They discussed it at length that night, and he just couldn't convince Darius otherwise. He even offered a valid counter-argument, well he thought he did, but Darius landed on his feet and offered an explanation. Godfrey said how contradictory Darius was, he said he needed a friend, but he was being paid to do so. If he were to be his friend it shouldn't be under such circumstances. And Darius explained how guilds, clubs and studios paid their members in real currency, and he would be paid for playing under him, not to be his friend.
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2 days later, the virtual clocked in front of their eyes finally ticked 18:00 and they both said "System: Launch Supremacy". Colors swirled in front of their eyes and they felt weightless before reappearing in a library.