The clock in Duke’s interface had clicked over to the final day some time ago. The hours until the Final Phase were ticking down, and he still didn’t know what the Final Phase would entail. He just knew that in the entire time he was sitting on the platform he had not seen another being in the top 100 pass by. He did not know if that was because they were preparing, out garnering more points, or in some sort of staging area that he was missing out on.
Having no information as to what he should expect was getting on his nerves. He had reached out to the Overmind through the messaging system. Repeatedly. All he ever got back was a cryptic message that he didn’t need to worry about it. He was, of course, at least slightly worried about it. Sure, he had exceptional scouting reports for the rest of the top ten, that left ninety powerhouses that he had no information on other than the drip and drabs that were publicly available.
On top of all that, his distraction had dried up. There was no more crowd waiting to be sent away but he did have one final distraction running – his points steadily increasing. In total, he had sent more than 1,300 Contestants out into the world and they were all trying their best to accumulate points. As he watched, his point total ticked up by at least 10 or 15 points every second. He smiled as he watched it increase.
Could I have gotten more points by heading out myself and killing everything I came upon? Sure. Would I possibly have had to reveal some more capabilities? Likely. I shouldn’t be concerned. Right? Fuck it. I’m going to go take a nap.
Duke hopped down from the platform and headed to the grand Inn opposite it. This was the most “expensive” Inn and cost a whopping 50,000 points a night. Duke paid the points without a second thought and headed up to his assigned room. The room turned out to be a suite that reminded Duke of a Vegas high-roller’s suite. Or at least what they looked like in the movies. He had only been to Vegas once and he was nowhere near ever a high-roller. In a world that seemed to focus on a more sword and sorcery style of life, this room had much more of a “modern” look to Duke.
The polished marble flooring a buttery-soft leather furniture caught Duke’s eye. Even the bar on the side of the living room caught Duke’s attention. He headed over and looked through the drink offerings. He didn’t recognize any of the labels or even the types of liquor listed, but his instincts told him they were all top-shelf. He lingered briefly, considering taking a drink but ultimately decided to head to bed.
The bedroom was decorated in similar opulence with gold inlaid in the carvings on the dresser and the posts of the bed. Ignoring it all, he dove onto the bed to be caught in its embrace. The bed absorbed his impact easily, literally wrapping him up in a comforting embrace. Duke’s adrenaline spiked as he realized that the bed was actively wrapping him up. IDENTIFY fired off instinctively.
*** You have encountered Beddy 14, a tamed Mimic in the employ of the Everlasting Inn. Further details have been masked by an Entity. ***
Tamed Mimic? What the fuck is that?
Duke felt the bed settle down around him, releasing its grip to gently caress his body. He shuddered and flew out of the bed.
“Fuck that. I’m sleeping on the couch.”
The bed responded, “Beddie sorry. You so tense. Beddie thought you needed massage.”
“Oh, hell no.” Duke made his way over to the couch but paused before even touched it and activated IDENTIFY.
*** You have encountered Couchy 14, a tamed Mimic in the employ of the Everlasting Inn. Further details have been masked by an Entity. ***
“Nope. I’m out.”
Duke didn’t hesitate to TELEPORT down to the hotel’s lobby. He arrived right next to the check-in desk and tossed his room key at the clerk. The red-skinned demon cocked his head in confusion before asking, “Is something wrong with your room sir?”
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“I’m not sleeping on a fucking monster. If I wanted to do that, I’d have gone to the Inn a few streets away and hired the goddammed succubus for the night.”
The clerk feigned outrage, “Sir, I assure you that the mimics are all perfectly tamed and completely harmless. In fact, their shapeshifting Abilities have been honed to the point that they can satisfy you every need during your stay.”
Without another word, Duke walked right out the door and back into the city which had become emptier than he had remembered even before heading into the Inn. The streets were nearly deserted, giving the city the feel of a ghost town. Duke activated his DUNGEON SENSE with enough of a span to cover the entire planet. What he saw was countless people and creatures far outside the city, desperately fighting for the last few points needed to survive the day’s end. A quick check of the clock showed only twelve hours left. Duke shook his head and headed for the building where he had met with the Overmind previously. He wanted some answers but was sure that he was not going to get them just standing around.
The same nondescript black brick building greeted him, and Duke headed for the door. It opened easily for him, allowing entry into the disturbing starfield. He entered the building, the door closing behind him and completing the starfield.
“Took you long enough.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You’ve been wandering around in the dark with little to no clue for hours. You even jumped onto a mimic of all things and paid handsomely for the experience. Clearly you are feeling all sorts of lost right now.”
“You could say that. My timer is ticking down, and I still have no idea what this Final Phase is supposed to look like. I’m more than a little frustrated and, for some reason, my sponsor is ignoring me.”
“Not ignoring you, keeping up appearances.”
“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”
“OK, Duke, take a seat and we’ll talk.” He paused, until Duke angrily sat down. “First off, this is the first time I have brought a Contestant to the Contest in at least three or four hundred million years. The last time, it was really just to test things out.”
Duke stared back at the Overmind, nonplussed. The entity winked his orb in response and continued.
“You see, Duke, this world is unique in that it was constructed through the combined will of most of the elder Entities. It was made so that we have some way to compete with each other that doesn’t wipe out vast swaths of habitable worlds. That is what the Contest is all about.”
“So, you are all fighting by proxy through your Contestants. They…we are your pawns.”
“For most Entities, that is the case. That is what the twins intended for you from the start. But for you, this is different.”
“So, you are saying that I’m not your pawn?”
“Not like the others use their Contestants. They are looking for entertainment. I am looking for revenge.”
“What the hell are you looking for revenge for? Who could possibly hurt you?”
The Overmind shifted into the avatar that it most commonly used when visiting Duke in the Inn. Pulling up a chair, it leaned closer to Duke conspirationally before speaking.
“Duke, they have been purging my dungeons from countless worlds. This has been happening for thousands of years and I am tired of it. I have lost billions of dungeons over this time. Do you have any idea how much has been taken away from me over this time? Billions, Duke. Billions of my creations and cores lost to their deprivations.”
The Overmind interrupted Duke’s response and continued, “That is the sole reason I designed your Class. You are the first, and really the only one to ever hold it. So, I guess you could see it as me manipulating you. But I see it as more guiding you. I’ve given you the tools and you have done what you will with them.”
“You’re saying that you made me what I am just for this Contest?”
“Yes, but more for what comes afterwards. When you win the Contest, they will not be able to stop us from repopulating the dungeons throughout the Cosmos.”
“You seem pretty sure that I’m going to win the Contest.”
“Yes, I am certain of it.”
“Why? I’ve seen the dossiers on the rest of the top ten. Kaelion Varis has the Ability to simply unmake his opponents, reducing them to goo. No one has ever been able to hurt Ragnar Volthorn. Thryxxion moves faster than the speed of light. How am I going to beat all of them? Don’t get me wrong, I’ll do everything I can to win, but these are powerhouses of the highest order.”
You say you’ll do everything to win?”
“Yes?”
“Then they don’t stand a chance.”
“I don’t follow.”
The Overmind grinned viciously, “The Final Phase takes place in an area that I created.”
“An area that you created. Great, you can tell me all about the area so I can be completely prepared. Tell me about every nuance and trick to win there.”
The Overmind grinned broader, “Duke, check your countdown.”
Duke looked at his countdown clock in annoyance. His eyes widened in shock as he saw that he was down to one minute. He looked at the Overmind in confusion.
Still grinning, the Overmind spoke, “Time manipulation is very simply for an Entity of my caliber. Even the Twins can do some, but not to this level. But that is not what you should focus on. What does it mean when I say that I built the area for the Final Phase?”
Duke looked up in confusion before the realization dawned on him. “The Final Phase takes place in a dungeon!”
Duke only caught the start of the Overmind’s cackling as he was transported out of the room for the start of the Final Phase of the Contest.