Even though I still had a broken leg, the time spent out of the game worked wonders on my body. Unlike most VRMMOS, Dragons Ground healed player’s minimal damage when they logged off. This was their attempt to keep players from leaving the game, after they became mauled or mutilated. Because the game doesn’t have a kill switch, it was undesirable to log into the game and suffer earlier injuries.
My vision blurred as ash rained down, covering the burnt remains of trees, dead carcasses, laying a foundation for the rise of new plants to grow. Cold. It was surprisingly cold for a summer day. I looked up trying to spot the sun, but the clouds of ash blocked its golden rays.
“This is a problem,” I remembered thinking.
Unless I was able to find new clothing, or make something out of an animal hide I would die of frostbite. The closest settlement was a two-day trip, so I needed find something warm tonight. I didn’t know how much the colder the night would be, but every great adventurer prepared for the worse.
Sifting through ash was a slow and tedious process that required planning which area you would sift through next, and a way of distinguishing which areas had already been checked. I broke up the ash into approximately five square feet grids; drawing in the ash to make the distinction where one square ended and another began.
Hours of toiling followed, with occasional brakes to allow my hands to thaw and regain tactility. Eventually I came across the remains of the lvl 13 Panthers singed hide, and the hides of two squirrels who had unfortunately gotten baked inside their burrows in the trees. My leather making skill was, well, non-existent, so I didn’t expect quality craftsmanship.
I started by stripping the hides from the burnt, caked on flesh, trying to make sure my knife didn’t cut through it. Unfortunately my dexterity wasn’t that high either, so made some tears around the leg area. Salvaging what I could, I wrapped myself in the hide and looked for shelter. Tomorrow I would leave, but it was getting late. I didn’t want to push my luck.
Digging a trench in the ground probably wasn’t the smartest decision I’ve made. It would’ve been easier to pile some of the remaining wood up to create a hut or teepee, but after spending two hours toiling away, trying to remove the frozen ground, I didn’t have the fortitude to give up the work I had already started. I finished of my homemade fort’s roof, with the burnt remains for trees and shrubbery, and called it a night.
Time dilation in the game was four times faster than outside it, which didn’t give me much time before I had to log back in and continue my trek. Soon the sun would rise and I didn’t want to waste any seconds. Shoveling protein shakes and toast down my throat, taking the fastest toilet escapade possible, and checking the Dragons Ground’s news site, are what I prioritized before reentering the forest.
If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
I trudged through the forest all day, logging out only once the sun disappeared behind the horizon. As the sun left, the cold replaced it. I used the little bit of time outside of the game to take care of my hygiene. I wasn’t a slob after all. This continuous cycle of logging off for an hour and hiking all day, left me exhausted, but when I reached the small town of Merrytown I knew that the trip had been worth it. All the discomfort I had previously faced, removed me from the crime. I was safe and I was still on schedule. The mages would get their books on time.
LOG OUT SEQUENCE COMMENSED 10, 9, 8, 7…
“Wanna go grab something to eat?” I asked Tony
“Sure, I heard about this new restaurant down near the peer. We should go check it out.”
“Ok, sounds good. Send me the address and I’ll meet you there in twenty.”
“Ok, bye.”
I hung up the phone and prepared to going out. I quickly brushed my teeth, combed my hair. Grandpa always said that the people who take care of themselves have the most fun and I believe him. It would be a crime not to listen to his wisdom, because Grandpa was never wrong. At least he thought he was never wrong (but that’s beside the point).
I groaned as I realized that Tony had picked a gamer pub. It was sort of like a sports pub, but without any girls to hit on. Unfortunately it was Tony’s turn to pick where we ate, so I had no choice. I had to enter. I casually walked in expecting the usual sweaty drunk ‘dudes’, who had left their homes looking for something to stick their snake tube in.
It surprised me when I was greeted with dark stained wood floors and brick walls, which were a rarity ever since they were banned due to their lack of safety during Earthquakes. Every smooth antique table was polished. There wasn’t a speck of dust in the building and the aroma of spices permeated the dining hall. People, more importantly girls, mingled about talking with each other; drinking with each other.
I spotted my wingman in the table in the corner, so I drifted in that direction.
“You almost gave me a heart attack when I saw the outside of this place.”
“I bet your horny ass did. This place is pretty cool. I’ve heard about it, but haven’t had anyone to go with until today.”
“I guess I was a little preoccupied with… the situation.”
“Yeah. I guessed as much. So I’ve been thinking, we should meet up. I could help you with… dating advice and you could help me get the funds for a guild.”
“ Ok.”
“REALLY!” (Everyone in the room turned and stared for a minute and the went back to whatever they were doing)
“I was looking into the game in my off time and that seems like the only way to become powerful. I’d be willing to start one with you, if I get to pick the symbol.”
“Uuugh. You better not make it pink or purple or even yellow.”
“So you’re in?”
“Sure”
“When do we start?”
“Tomorrow”