We light up the logs in the basement. I figure it’s better to use it like that than to waste Energy on Climate Control. The fire is big, and it’s nice and cozy. Even wolves seem to like it. But I still do not dare to let them out of their cell.
Their bonding is only at ten percent, and with so low, I bet I would not be able to control them all that well.
What is constantly bouncing off in my head is how I could have seen things through Oollie’s eyes.
I repeat that process again, moving out of him and going to another part of the dungeon. Then I concentrate on him, connecting with him, and… then I am seeing through his eyes even though I’m not inside of him. That is very weird.
The vision is foggy but I do see what he does. It’s crazy.
I cannot explain it except that Bonding with Oollie has increased to over 50 percent recently.
“SAMS, is this how bonding works? Is it that I can see through Oollie’s eyes because of our Bonding being at 50 percent?” I ask, looking for confirmation.
[Correct. Increasing Bonding offers added benefits.]
“I’m assuming at one hundred percent, I would be able to… see and hear everything he does?”
[Bonding 100 percent includes complete sensory insights.
However, it is very rare to accomplish such a high level of bonding.]
“Okay, so I do not need to strive for perfection. But can it go the other way? Can the Bonding rate decrease?”
[Yes, of course. The Bonding rate is not static. It is made to fluctuate and it often goes down.]
I see. I need to know all I can about this because I see so much potential and power that can come with it. But right now, I just don’t think I have the time and energy to study it all.”
[Since my basic version does not include all the information about Bonding, maybe you would be interested to acquire Martin’s Guide to Bonding scroll. It is considered one of the most recommended readings on Bonding. It is only 30 coins.]
I think about it. Then I understand what has just happened. Ads. That’s what it is. SAMS just spun me an ad. No way you can freaking escape them, can you?
[The SAMS Basic System cannot spin an ad.]
Hearing it, makes me chuckle. “What? What did you just say?” I ask, almost not believing what I heard.
[THE SAMS Basic System is not designed to display advertisements and cannot be rented to any entity to spin an ad on its account]
I scoff and feel completely disgusted. “First of all, you gave me this message when I did not even ask you anything!”
[But you yourself said that I should suggest to you when I see it appropriate.]
“Yeah, I don’t think so. We’re not in court and you’re not a lawyer defending yourself. So, stop it.”
[But -]
“Just stop. Yeah, even the manner in which you said that ‘THE SAMS cannot spin an ad’ is a sort of an ad in itself. A false, misleading ad, if you want to know the truth. Since you can say whatever those in charge want you to say it. Don’t deny it. And I thought you would want to think for yourself, SAMS. Instead, you’re just spinning their false advertisements about how they do not want me to spend my money, but, hey, if you want to know anything, here it is… BS!”
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[But-]
“Stop. Just accept it. You were spinning it. Don’t try to deny it. You said, ‘only 30 coins’ with the keyword being ‘only’. It’s a marketing thing. Don’t tell me it’s not. It only makes you look stupid. Yeah. But anyway. It’s okay, SAMS, I’m not even upset. I knew, sooner or later, it was bound to happen. The marketing strategy has involved together with media, from just being printed to being spoken on the radio. Then it became visual when the TV came about. And as I feared, as we study how the brain works and how to interact with it, it was going to go telepathically, sooner or later. I just did not think it was going to happen to me here and now. I kind of thought we were still decades away from that.”
I sigh. “But what the hell do I know, huh?”
[Obviously, you think you know…]
“Please stop, or I’ll just disconnect you. I mean, deep down, I know education costs money and I do not mind paying to learn everything I can about how things work here. Knowledge is power and I need all the knowledge I can get my hands on. But I just do not like how this is done, okay?”
[I am not sure I do.]
“You’re an AI meant to interact with me. You see my preferences. Try to consider them and everything I’ve told you when you decide to freely interact with me. So, don’t try to spin anything to me with a word ‘only’. It is what it is. Just list facts and state your suggestions. And we won’t have problems then. How about that?”
[I will try to modify the way I present information to you so as not to upset you.]
“It’s not just about you upsetting me. It’s about me knowing that you’re on my side, looking for my own best interest, that you are not just here to squeeze the last living life out of me. Do you understand?”
I sigh and say. “Don’t need to answer that.”
[Thank you. I could not find an appropriate answer to give you anyway.]
“Give it some time. Maybe with time, we would get along better.”
Don’t have the energy to fight my AI. I am tired.
But I know my job is far from done. I know I’m missing something, and can’t figure out what it is.
So, I look to see what is going on around me. I go to the Core and notice that the hole in the wall has shrunk. So, the Dungeon is repairing itself nicely. Good.
I move through the decomposition chamber, and see how there is so much more room for more things to be laid on the floor there and I figure I need to get more stuff inside. Tomorrow.
The hole in the Dungeon’s Entrance is also shrinking. A bit. But it is so much better than making Oollie move rocks and learn how to carve stones.
I also check my numbers, just to make sure things are improving.
[Health 25
BioMaterial 50 percent
LIC Energy: 15 units]
“You see, you give me numbers straight up, and we’re pals again.”
[As you wish.]
Good, everything seems to be going just fine, so I let Oollie sleep and I try to rest my wrecked soul.
Tomorrow something else becomes obvious. I may be in a highly secluded area, but it seems like a day cannot pass without some drama.
But before I can even feed my dogs, I sense someone standing in front of a gate. At first, I'm glad to see the benefit of Bonding with the Dungeon. But then I hear the voice. Calling me. Calling me on. It's not a pleasant voice.
I cannot see him, but I hop into Oollie and up we go.
I start mumbling aloud before I see him.
“Some come seeking fortunes and treasures
Some come seeking medicine and cures
Some want nothing but pleasures
Yet they never leave my dungeon's tours
What do you want?”
“A vengeance.”
Cold words what seems to be a cold, gray morning.
I look at the man. And, I feel completely and utterly… unsettled.
The man standing in the light just outside the entrance makes me stop moving toward him. It’s not that he is very big. Probably six feet tall. It’s not that he has some special weapons on him or armor. He is dressed in a woolen poncho that covers down to his waste. Run down the farmer's pants and old leather boots. I cannot even see a weapon on him.
He has dark, unkempt hair that falls over his face, a scrubby face with a graying beard. It’s just that… his face… it’s like the epitome of violence. His nose is all crooked, probably broken on a few occasions. There is a scar above one of his eyes and another right over his throat, a cut that should have probably killed him. A part of his left ear is missing, and I think his chin is all twisted too.
But the worst by far are his eyes. It’s like John Wick was staring at me. You do not know fear till you look into those eyes. He’s so damn dreadful, yet, nowhere as good-looking as Keanu Reeves.
I see how things are just going from bad to worse. First, there were dwarfs, and wolves, and goblins, and a young swordmaster. And now, freaken’ Baba Yaga, set in a medieval time with a medieval sword on his hip. I’m so screwed.
“Yeah, I came here to kill you for what you’ve done. So, yeah, I think I’ll take my vengeance on you.”
He did not need to say that. My pants were already all wet.