Red Panda’s point of view

Every night I dream of the past. Just demons coming back to haunt me. Now, a dream came when I was awake- inside a video game where I go to escape them.

I was in Afghanistan, clearing a terrorist cell in a remote village. The building I was in was dark, dry and had a faint scent of incense. I was on point, and the first to enter. Civilians were warned to evacuate this village long prior to our advance.

So why…

I heard movement in the hallway to the left. I aimed my rifle to a doorway, waiting for movement as I held perfectly still. Before my mind could process what I was shooting at, I pulled the trigger as soon as a head poked through the door.

So why was there a child?

It was time to log out.

I pulled my rig from my head, laying in bed. My heart was thumping painfully in my chest, beads of sweat forming coldly down my body.

What if they could have been the one to survive in some fantasy world? If that kid [Erin] was a similar case?

I reached to my night stand, raising my phone up. It was a quarter past four in the morning. The lights in my room were already on, I couldn't be at peace in the dark anymore.

Once my body relaxed, I sat up and unlocked my phone. I had plenty of unread messages. I ignored them today as well.

I opened the browser and searched concisely,

‘ “CRO Forums” second chances. ‘

The first link was purple, I had read it before. I opened it.

That's where I remembered the name from. Lord Salmon posted it. This post is probably why I wasn't so shocked at discovering her [Erin.]

I skimmed back through it but the important bits are…

“With the technology provided between the dive gear and the brain-to-game system of CRO, it should be possible for end of life and comatose patients to have a chance at properly living again.”

“It's already been proven that those who are disabled can be given back sight, hearing, and even the sensation of walking. Studies have been done that conclude the connections, within those who have been neurologically damaged, have been altered.”

“Can CRO’s system be used for greater purposes? I believe so. I believe it's time to use this game to restore not only our livelihoods, but our lives.”

This was posted before CRO was so popular, only a month after its release. I had forgotten this post, but it's what made me pick up the game. Now, over half billion people have picked up the game. It's changed the world, more than just for disabled people.

Salmon Lord was extremely passionate about this game. Clicking on his profile to see his history makes it apparent. Countless articles written about obscure lore, NPC interactions, and other discoveries of the game.

What's odd though is… his profile shows he's an administrator. I've never heard of this and most staff members handle events, tickets, and reports. His name doesn't even show on the official administrative list.

None of his posts reference anything staff related. No bug fixes, patch notes, ban appeals… nothing. What exactly does he do?

Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

I was only interested for the sake of the girl, but now it feels like I just found a rabbit hole. I sent a text to a friend who plays the game to look into him while I did some of my own digging.

I also sent a forum PM to Salmon Lord saying, “Erin is looking for you.”

I didn't give any other information because something was wrong. My instinct is saying there's something not right about the situation.

I set my phone back down and stood, going into my apartment's kitchen to start a pot of coffee. I leaned against the counter, reaching into a box of open fritz crackers. Stale, but I don't eat well after waking up.

What's the angle here? Did he recently join the staff? Did he achieve his goals and more with resurrecting someone in the form of a player? Ethics aside, that is an amazing feat in the world of medicine.

It's gotta be further than just him. You can't just achieve a faux resurrection alone. There would need to be implications to be made in the code itself. He's not a developer.

The game was founded and funded as a passion project from some ultra-rich philanthropist, who had more wealth than some first world countries. Just someone with more money than they know what to do with. Maybe he wanted to play God.

All of this information is well known. None of it is negative in any way. So why does it feel like there's something more nefarious going on?

Rich owner, game enthusiast, and a dead girl… How are they connected?

My coffee maker dinged, bringing me back to focus. I poured a cup and went to my desk, grabbing my phone on the way. I took a sip and checked it.

My friend texted back.

“Dude's a lore-nut. Practically wrote a book’s worth of stuff about CRO. Not much other than that.”

I replied, “There's something going on and he's in it. Try to find out anything you can about who he is and if he has any ties with CRO's creator.”

"Ain't got much better to do. I'll hit up some buddies too. Not often you seem so serious, even through text I can feel it."

That was about the last of the conversation as I sat and tapped my finger on the bamboo block top of my desk, considering possibilities.

…

Erin's point of view

A peaceful breeze shook the trees around the caldera-like clearing, tall grass bending with it. It gave a serene, pine scented atmosphere that rivaled pre-player life.

I took a deep breath, narrowing my focus to the beast resting in the short distance below. My grip on the hilt of my katana tightening, resolve mustering itself from my chest to the tip of my fingers. With the anticipation of battle, trepidation couldn’t help but follow behind.

The foe I seeked to slay was a beast of majesty. I was not a battle-hardened warrior, nor did I have a reason strong enough to hold my resolve for more than a moment. The only reason I have for battling at present is gaining levels as a player. But, I’m still a person at heart. My courage until now has been from a fallacy that I was a player, one with wild abandon.

As if the gods of irony were listening to my emotions arguing amongst themselves, the beast made movement. Its colossal size was made clear as it rose on its feet, appearing as though it could eat a small log cabin as a snack. I felt both awe and a primal, visceral fear upon seeing it move. My gut instinct was wise to try and stop my blind bloodlust, and now they tell me ‘I told you so.’

It faced to the west, to my left, and the reason it awoke was discovered. Small silhouettes made themselves clear out of the forest line near five hundred feet from me. Three players stood in the distance. The largest was in the front, donning a glistening full plate armor and an equal noble shield. Behind him was an androgynous appearing person, wearing matching robes to the knightly fellow; silver and gold with a brass staff. The third and last was harder to make out, an archer wearing a cloak that matched their surroundings. I couldn’t make out the gender of them, either, a hood blocking out any hopes of seeing their face.

Even from afar, their unity was clear. Most likely they were a party seeking to raise their levels, like myself. This was commonplace in their culture and mine alike, though for different reasons. I wouldn’t have been able to battle the Ursa Major alone, but if I joined them I may be able to help.

My observation and thought was broken by a guttural roar. I felt the air rush past me in a momentary burst; a display of power from the bear. Looking back to the party, the priestly one raised their staff and a radiant shimmer coated the trio in preparation for their assault. The knight raised his sword, revealing it in his left hand to point it to the sky. His armor shone red as he used one of his own abilities before charging down the slope shield forward. The archer wasn’t far behind him and the priest behind them. They moved in a planned and purposeful fashion.

I debated joining in with them, whether or not I would be unwelcome. That didn’t matter so much, as the potential leveling outweighed an awkward encounter.