"Eh, I'm back with the young master?" The currently in shock blonde maid looked around the room in confusion.
As the maid basked in her confusion, I dealt with my own. Tenderly curling my fingers and waving my arm about with the ease I would in VR. "Eh, am I still in the game?" I haven't been able to move this freely in quite a few years.
"L-Little Jack are you alright?" abruptly breaking herself from her own thoughts, she stares at me with wide startled deer eyes.
"Why does the game have a perfect copy of my room available? I'm either being mapped by satellite or the game copied my memories... I'm not sure which option is more terrifying." I protest to myself as I make an attempt to hop to my feet, only to have my knees buckle under me as I collapse to the carpeted floor.
Ashley releases a high pitched scream as she dashes to my side, helping me up into the wheelchair placed beside my bed.
"Heehh, my legs feel like butter. How am I supposed to play anything like this? Ah, Ash are you an NPC?" I cast a suspicious gaze to the maid who lifted me off of the floor with ease.
"Y-young master are you alright? What's going on? I was massaging your leg when I suddenly found myself surrounded by strange and colorful clouds..." She mumbles off to herself in delirium as she checked me over for any wounds.
"Are you in the game, too? is that some sort of new Android app? It'd be nice if I could play games without that bulky helmet." I laugh lightly at her flustered face and gently pat her head, though I don't believe my arms have the option to pat anything roughly.
My actions break her out of her stupor. "L-Little Jack! you're moving so well! Everyone will be so thrilled but... I don't think there is such an app...?" She questions while she pats down the wrinkles on my pajama's.
I glance at her in confusion before looking for any sort of HUD in my vision, seeing not as much as a health bar, I speak up. "Menu! Stats! Status!" At the final word, my status screen pop up before me.
Jack Devyns (16) Health percentage 100% Mana percentage 100% Status Effects: N/A Skill List Child of glass (SSS) Lv: 0
Permanent -99% health cap debuff.
Permanent 100% increase in skill effects
-50% mana cost for skills
???
"Ahah! See, I knew this was a game. You're pretty sneaky for that." I laugh merrily for a brief moment before I focus my attention on my only skill. It appears to be a pretty strong skill, perhaps a bit deadly. I also don't understand why my health and mana show the percentage instead of points.
"Status? Eep!" she jumps in surprise at the sudden screen, tripping over my bed and rolling to the floor in one impressive motion.
"Are you okay?!" I'm honestly kind of impressed, definitely need to note that one down for my next stream, hope they aren't too upset at the sudden shutdown.
Standing to her feet she looks even more confused than earlier if possible. "Y-young master are we really in a game?"
While we sat in our own momentary confusion the door of my room abruptly bursts open, three familiar people quickly bustling in.
"I heard a scream! Is my baby okay?!" My mother, Lin, speaks up in a panic as she quickly races to my room to check for any potential injuries. She is an elegant and attractive Asian woman with unusual amber eyes and black hair
"Little Brother, Are you an NPC too?! Is this an event?! I'll save you!" My sister, Lucy's eyes are spinning around the room in confusion. She inherited most of her appearance from our mother aside from her blue eyes from our father. She's also a bit (Very much) of a game addict, be that virtual or sports.
The last to follow through is our eldest brother Daniel, when he entered the room his expression also wore a trace of unusual panic, Though as expected of him, he only took a monetary sweep of the room to assure the situation before returning to his general neutral and focused expression, appearing distracted and disturbed by other thoughts. He's pretty much a Mary Sue. Owning a handsome western face from dad, and a clear complexion from our mother. dark blue eyes, skilled in pretty much everything AND managed to trip over a unique class in the latest RPG from Electra. I promise I'm not jealous.
"I'm fine! I don't think I'm an NPC?! at least I hope?!" This onslaught of people barging into my room has sent my mind to do cartwheels in confusion. What if I am an NPC, how do I tell?! Is this a dream!? Amidst all of this shock, I pinch my forearm in an attempt to wake myself up, which only manages to send an unexpected pain as if someone had jammed a blunt knife into the spot I pinched.
[99% HP left!]
"GYAAAHHH HOLY CRAP F***ING CHRIST NOBODY PINCH ME!" I scream from a mix of surprise and pain, staring at the place I pinched to find the skin torn and bleeding a deep red. Definitely not dreaming.
"Honey are you alright!?" Lin crouches down to my side and checks my arm. "Oh dear! Quick, grab some bandages, Ashley!" The maid promptly dashes out of the room.
"What happened!? Are you alright maybe NPC brother?!" Secondly, lucy crouches down to blow gently to dab the blood off of my arm despite my potential NPCness.
My brother, on the other hand, asks a fairly important question. "How did you pinch yourself hard enough to break skin like that with your condition?" His tone holding an indication of shock.
Silence overwhelms the room before varying opinions are formed amidst the chaos my room has become.
"This is a game!" My sister proudly proclaims "A game with buggy pain settings!" I don't forget to add this crucial fact to her point with a grimace.
"My baby is getting better..." Mother briefly breaks down in tears before she calms herself since the situation is rather urgent and smiles blissfully
Daniel stands in silence with his chin in his hand before speaking his own thoughts. "I presume from Lucy's exclamation about a game, that she was previously playing Newland before something abruptly woke her from the game, and seeing as brother is up and about at this time as well as his current confused actions he was also using his VR headset. So what woke you up?"
I'm quick to praise my brother's intelligence. "Uwaah, as expected of brother!" Both me and my sister often stroke his brotherly ego like this, after all, he is my- I mean our important supplier of cool in-game items! "The game suddenly froze and I was in some weird cloud place setting up a character," I explain as best I am able for such a situation, though I leave out the leaping off a cliff part.
Predictably he glows with pride and explains. "Unlike you two, I was not in-game at the moment, I was actually studying, as Lucy might want to give an attempt at once."
"I resent that remark!" She huffs in mortification at the thought of studying.
"Well, perhaps you should prepare for college then? This is beside the point, I also had this 'rainbow cloud experience' Yet I wasn't in a VR headset. I don't recall some chip being implanted in my head to allow such a thing so this is either mass hallucination or there's something paranormal going on." He spoke with a spark if interest in his eye. I suppose if he did have some form of downside it was an obsession with the supernatural, though he might have a point this time.
"Ohh, that happened to me too! I was napping so I thought it was some strange dream but.." Mom furrows her brows in confusion "I need to call Daddy" She flashes a brief smile to me before taking out her phone to call William, our father, he works as a Head of Development in Loft, a major software company.
"Oh, did you guys get skills too?! I got
Minor Pyromancy (D)
Lv: 0
Allows the user to manipulate fire at a basic level at the cost of mp
As expected of Lucy, displaying the natural ability of a gaming addict to quickly understand game controls. Odd how it does not display a set amount, however, though I guess that makes sense with no mana points.
"I'm not sure if I should say that your acceptance of this... situation is impressive or unnerving." Daniel chuckles at his sisters' antics before displaying his own skill for us in pride.
Leadership © Lv: 0 Assists the user in calming and rallying fellow players. Grants a 0.5% increase to followers skill efficiency.
"Not fair! Your skill is ranked higher than mine!" She complained at the lack of justice. "Little Jack what did you get?" She stuck close to me in an excitement to see more skills.
Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
"Can't I have a cooler nickname than that?" I pouted and asked, though I knew the answer would not change.
"You're little and you're Jack! Little Jack works perfectly and it is cute!" My sister proclaimed proudly at her 'ingenious' naming sense.
Groaning at my short stature of 5'3 (1.6 meters) I have been stuck with in both the real world and VR. If the character creation ever allowed it I would gladly become tall like brother but... Personally, I think game developers just hate short people. At least my skill will help me shine, I think to myself as I quickly display the ultra-rare skill I received~
Child of glass (SSS) Lv: 0
Permanent -99% health cap debuff.
Permanent 100% increase in skill effects
-50% mana cost for skills
???
The group silences for a solid 5 seconds before my brother suddenly goes about removing any potentially sharp objects in the room, scissors, pencils, crayons? Anything with a point it seems must go. My sister's jaw slackened as she reread the screen. "My gamer instincts are screaming to protect the payload!" She yells before sharpening her stare and standing protectively before me, wary of any potential threats. Though none of this was as attention-grabbing as my mother, who had previously been on the phone speaking softly to father uncharacteristically bursting out in a hysteric scream "Honey come home quick! Little Jack is in danger!!" She screams at the top of her lungs, leaving only a moment for me to hear a startled and panicked "From what!?" over the phone before she was yet again screaming. "Everything!" After which she quickly hung up the phone, quickly joining my brother on removing any sharp objects.
"Errmmm, Is something wrong?" Laughing hesitantly at the unexpected situation I wonder what exactly the problem is here after all this is just a game.
"Something wrong!? Of course, something is wrong! Everything is dangerous!" Daniel shouts in an unusually loud tone as the rest of my family shouting along, Ashley only now returning to the room with bandages, prepared to put them on my arm only to be quickly blocked by both my mother and sister.
"Eh? Whats going on?" She questions in confusion and distress to Mother who briefly points to the still displayed skill screen before returning to the search for pointy things. After Ashley reads it for a moment her composure instantly changes. "Mistress I will Immediately lock up all potential threats in the basement! Scissors, forks, roses? They have thorns!"
"Wait, wait! It's not like all these things are going to come flying at me right? And it is only a game, not like I won't respawn." I complain before I finally reconsider my whole act of stupidity. Status windows are appearing like a game... Brother and mom weren't in the game though. So these screens are in the real world...Probably... And I can (kinda) move on my own... People only have one life in the real world, at least I think I do. (Not gonna test that).... A light pinch from someone with obnoxiously low muscle strength took 1% of my hp... Oh.
"Oh my god this is the real world, and I can move, kinda! And, I have this skill that... Oh S***."
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I sit in a stunned daze for an undetermined amount of time as nobody dares to try and wake me up since aside from yelling touching me roughly has apparently become taboo. I'm not sure how long I stay like this, at some point father came home and panics around in the background like the rest while I try to think of some way to deal with the impending doom everything is suddenly offering me, at least when I was stuck in bed everything couldn't kill me.
It's kind of ironic that my nerves have recovered, yet I have to be extra careful of everything that can potentially maim me, which is apparently a lot of things...
This really pisses me off.
I snap myself out of my stupor as I refocus on the surrounding situation. Mom, Dad, and Daniel are tensely sitting on my bed and intently watching the news on my tv. Lucy meanwhile is sitting by my side, mumbling generic game command's and trying to understand this game while my maid Ashley stands a foot away from me, facing the door defensively. I suppose my only option is to watch the news with the rest. Since I'm not sure if my situation has improved or worsened right now.
A suited middle-aged western man sits at a counter, and with the general talent of the news somehow managing to turn the most interesting situations into something boring. "-Unfortunately our situation is still undetermined and we encourage all who may still be at work or watching this from anywhere outside of a secure location to return to their home or safe location."
"This is useless information." Daniel sighs as he reaches for the remote, taking our parents silence as an allowance to change the channel to the US major VR streaming channel. Now on the screen is the show's host's, an attractive man and woman duo who were previously in the middle of an interview with the popular guild leader of Ragnarok, George fence. They've managed to secure an impressive rating of the 3rd greatest guild in the game world of Newland.
"Honestly," George spoke with a serious and gloomy face. "Quite literally all evidence of this whole situation everyone finds themselves in points directly and only to Electra itself." He lightly held up his phone, where a stream of messages constantly buzzed in. "And from what my guildmates have told me their call support lines are down and all traces of their employees are gone. I'm not sure if they ran or hid since their vehicles are still there, but this is the only lead available."
The woman, Rebecca spoke up to him "Truly? Do you have any suggestions for all of our viewers currently watching for what to make of this situation."
George released a sly smile. "I would Rebecca, you know I would if this was simple game rules. But I need to hold the advantage for my fellow guildmates above all else..." He froze momentarily before sighing lightly. "What I can tell you is that apparently a few... foolish people have reportedly died, believing they are in a game. And no, They did not respawn. At least not yet, and there's no 'exit' button. So from my understanding, while this may seem like a game... Treat this life as your only one."
Richard, the second host spoke up in agitation. "Are you for real, guild leader George? You're thinking of advantages for yourself, even at a time like this?"
His sly expression developed a cold glare as he to the man. "You don't seem to understand. I do not know who is watching, I do not know what they will do with early knowledge. Think of this as giving a gun to only your friends or your friends and a group of strangers you have no knowledge of. I'm afraid I don't trust what some of society would do with this gun." His glare recedes as he smiles nonchalantly and shrugs his shoulders. "Regardless, I do believe this interview is over, and I have important matters to attend. Goodbye." Waving to the camera with a wink briefly, he stood to his feet and exited the stage.
My brother meanwhile turned off the tv to a raised eyebrow from father. "We've likely learned all we got for now, which is a lot. For one, Ragnarok appears to still consider itself a guild, and is likely using this as some 'recruiting campaign' as he only shares it with guildmates, therefore I should definitely get in contact with my own guild quickly."
My brother is the guild leader of Yggrisal, I think he and George have some past grudges or something but they've been rival guilds for two years now. Naturally, my brother's guild is high ranking as well.
Daniel Stands to his feet and walking towards the door, stopping to cast a brief glance at my father. "Perhaps you should talk your... co-workers into coming here as well. There's certainly enough space." He smirked for a moment towards me. "No worries Little Jack, you'll be fine."
"Naturally" Laughingly I replied, though I wasn't entirely sure on the inside. I definitely wasn't fine as I am now.
Father stood up as well, nodding his head. "That's what I was thinking. I'll have them regr... come stay here for a while." Pressing the earpiece on his head he walked to stand in the hallway.
"Am I still delusional or was that whole co-worker thing suspicious?" I cast a sidelong glance to my mother and sister, naturally, we have plenty of room in our home, specifically about 19 unused rooms. While we may be fairly wealthy mother told me a majority of it was inherited from my fathers parents.
"Really? I didn't notice anything." Lucy replies to my comment with her usual chipper before changing the subject. "Hey! Check this out though!" She tapped about the air a few moments before a message appeared before my eyes.
FRIEND REQUEST: LUCY DEVYNS ACCEPT/DECLINE
I naturally click accept. "Nice! A friends list? Whats the command?"
"Just Friend list, woulda been simpler if they just called it 'friends' though" She complained at the nonsense of this 'game'. "I'm also not sure how to activate my skill..."
"Have you tried a help menu?"
"There's no way they're going to throw that bone to us and give a help command. That's just strange game design." My suggestion was quickly thrown off.
"Help menu!" Naturally, I tried it anyway, and lo and behold.
-Question?-
"Holy crap it worked!"
-That's not a question.-
"What, really?! Help menu!" She shouted to herself. "Fufufu, I'm going to ask sooo many questions." She started towards the door with a drool before halting and returning to sit in a chair by my bed. "I'm staying with Jack!"
"Seriously!? I don't need a babysitter!" I grumble as I glance back at that cursed skill that isn't looking so great anymore. "Well... Maybe I do."
-Are you ignoring me?-
"Sorry, hun but you're going to have to be under constant watch until we somehow fix this. You can't properly move yet either." Mom glances at the wheelchair I still stay in.
"What! This is my chance to go to the bathroom alone! I've waited ten years for this! Ashley always stares and it creeps me the hell out!" Closing the help tab, for now, I point accusingly at the android.
"I delete my recordings of it!" She retorts with a huff
"Why do you record in the first place!" If I could muster the force to pull my hair out I might have right now. Though considering my situation I probably could anyway. With a sigh of defeat I grumble out "Fine, but no sister following me in!"
Lucy looks at me with sad puppy eyes. "You don't want me around...?"
"We both know that's not the point!" As if I would fall for such creepy reasoning.
"Does that meaI'mIm special?!" Ashley smiles happily with a pink blush and a sidelong glance towards my body.
"You are my bane!" I scream before we both laugh lightly.
Mother stands from my bed with a gentle smile, running a hand through my hair as gently as one would touch a cracked vase. "This has been too much excitement and its getting late, I want you to get some rest since this is all rather overwhelming for everyone." Turning to Ashley she continues to speak. "Have a second bed for Lucy brought in here as well as bars for the side of Jack's bed.
My expression turns to utter horror. "I'm not a baby!"
"Well if you fall off the bed you could break something" The rebuttal I knew was coming unexpectedly came from my sister.
With another groan, I comply. "Fine, get it done soon though please, All of these shocks are tiring me out."
"Alright hun, I'll go prepare dinner since we've been preoccupied, what kind of soup do you want?" Mother left for the door.
"Oh please for the love of all that is holy my jaw works great now, please something I can actively chew."
She laughs lightheartedly "Okay, I'll make some pasta then." She pauses briefly. "Oh, that requires a fork... Mashed potatoes and peas?"
"...I...Yeah, yeah that works. I already have the crib thing going." I turn to Ashley. "Can you help me get in bed, I have the overwhelming desire to lie down. You can build these.. barriers around me, because I don't think I'll be getting up" Only after all the excitement has died down do I finally realize how exhausted my body is
Nodding her head she lifts me up in a straight up princess's carry and lays me onto the bed, leaving a perfect opportunity for my sister to chime in high pitched. "Dawww, such a cute wittle babyy."
"Just... Don't pinch me." In utter defeat, I drag the blanket over my head. Leaving my sister to relentlessly question the help menu, brother off to organize his guild, father still seemingly working and mother cooking dinner.
It's not very fair. I want to help too...
I also want steak.