Flying high is so great. But, it can never last, and eventually, you have to face reality. You have to come down to earth. And looking at her, I realize, I know nothing. All my euphoria of recent victories and the experience of a flight counts to mere disillusion. A wrong assumption that I knew things when I actually know so little, if anything at all.

“Okay, I’m waiting,” I say, expecting her to start explaining things to me.

“For what?

“Are we not on the same team? Don't you want to tell me all about it?”

“What gave you that idea?”

“Are we not working for the same firm?” I say it but as I look at her, she does not seem too eager to answer it. “I mean, that would imply we are in the same boat.”

“Look, Slick. I do appreciate you stepping in and helping me out. For a dungeon master to step in and let me heal my body using his Constructor…? I sincerely appreciate it. But, the point is that I just do not know you.”

“What?” I say, not believing it one bit. “You say you don't know me? Well, we can change that very fast. Hi! Name is Felix. I am a human. I know I do not look like one, but I took this form because I just could not get a human one, and, you have to admit, Oollie does look very cute."

"Okay, Felix."

"Are you local... or you from someplace else?"

"Someplace else."

"Earth?"

She shakes her head. "No. But I met people from Earth before."

"Well, that's where I'm from. And before you get any idea about me, just because I'm so cute, I have to tell you that I'm happily married with two beautiful children, a successful manager of a local, family-oriented restaurant, well, maybe ex-manager now, but then - who cares? Not going to go to that place to work ever again. That was brutal.”

“Nice to know that," she says and finally starts smiling at me again. "So, how did you get here?"

"I was in an accident. And then I came here."

"Just like that?"

"Yes."

"So, you did not even finish the Dungeon training course?”

“Did not even know there is such a thing. No. The guy just came and said I had done it before and that I would know what to do when the time comes.”

“That is very strange indeed.”

“So, what are you doing here?”

“A job.”

“Oh, really? I thought you were… not doing a job.” I say, hitting my head.

I want to ask her what her job is, but she seems very reluctant to talk about it, so I drop it.

“Look, I wish I could fill you in," she finally says. "But, frankly, I would not know where to start. Do not even know how little you know.”

“Okay… Start with, the place you're from, maybe?”

“A world similar to this. But more advanced.”

“More advanced than Earth or this place?”

“Both. More water though. About ninety-nine percent of the surface is covered by it. No polar ice either. More technologically advanced, at least."

“But you know about Earth then?”

“Sure. Had a good friend from there, and I've even done a few missions there during my career.”

"Really?"

"Yes. Maybe I'll tell you all about them later."

"That would be interesting to hear. So, what is your planet called?”

“Silmira Grand.”

“Strange. All these planets and civilizations. I had no clue about any of it a few days ago. Do you know how people travel between planets? Space travel and stuff?”

“Why do you think they want you to sell them all the LIC Energy you can? From what I know, they can easily convert it and use it for almost instantaneous space travel. Don't ask me how. It's above my pay grade, okay?"

"I see."

“Now, answer me something, why did you help me?” she asks, frowning at me and looking at me all suspiciously.

“Why not?” I answer her. “It was a decent thing to do.”

“You're a big, bad dungeon. Why would you bother with someone like me? I mean, you have your Constructor. You could make… whatever a person wishes to make. In an analogy you're familiar with, it's a genie from a blue bottle, but instead of only three wishes, you don't have a limit.”

“Yeah, but I do not have money for it. Besides, I would not… create a person just for the kicks. I don’t think my wife would approve.”

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“Your wife?”

“Yeah. I mean… What would she say? And my kids too.”

“They would never even know.”

“But I would. Just because I have all this power, it does not mean I have to abuse it. Like create goblins or kill people or build a harem of gorgeous women in here that would attend to my every need.”

"Yeah? The last one did cross your mind, didn't it?"

I shake my head. "I'm only human after all."

She nods her head. “You have not done it already. But I haven’t met many dungeons that stayed a dungeon a long time and that ultimately didn’t. Sooner or later.”

“Well, I’m not any dungeon, okay. All I want to do is gain power and get stronger because I’m told that would allow me to go back home.”

“Yeah. That’s possible.”

“Really?”

“Sure. When you complete your mission, if you are crazy enough to step down as a dungeon manager, and be sent home, yeah, you could do it. Pay for the trip. It should not be more than a million coins if you want to know the truth.”

“See… that is my plan. Just make some money and go back home. I don’t really need this. I mean, it’s nice and all. But… it just does not feel right.”

“You’re weird.”

“Everyone is weird. Just a matter of point of view.”

“True. But, why did you try to card me?

“Oh, I had great plans for us."

"Really. Care to explain?"

"You were going to be my best card in the deck when I face others next month in the Game-”

She looks at me, a dark shadow crossing over her face. “Tell me you did not accept the invitation to the Card Game of Souls, did you?”

I shrugged my shoulders. I’m starting to think I may have done something stupid. I look at her frowning face. “It looked nice, okay? Fancy. And I was feeling lonely. Why shouldn’t have I accepted it?”

“Because… I mean, I should not say you’re stupid. But… because you’re stupid.”

“Oh…”

“That’s why you should not accept it. You could not possibly be ready. How many cards do you even have?”

“I… only a few.”

“There you go.”

“I’m so lost in here. Flying in the dark. I do not know what to do.”

“There must be a reason why your memory has been wiped clean. They do not do that to the valuable agents. Maybe to those that screw things up. To leave you inside a box for long enough for your memory to be wiped clean, to lose all the knowledge and forget the skills you had… it’s very expensive and not productive, don’t you think? So, you must have screwed up royally for them to do that to you.”

“I thought I didn't like them before I heard this. Now, I like them even less.”

She stares at me, not saying anything for a long while. I suddenly do not know what to think. I screwed up? When?? Does not sound right.

“What is the name of the man who sent you here?” she finally asks me.

“Some Baron…”

“Yeah, there are barons and others with other titles. You do not even know his name?”

“Sure I know his name…” I clear my throat and actually have to look at the scroll of the message he sent my way. His name and the title are clearly printed on it.

“Ternicus, Baron of North Western Hemisphere and Seven Hectons, the fifth son of Marquis of Lemtar.” I say it proudly.

“Hum,” she says, her gaze getting lost somewhere behind me.

“You heard of him?”

She nods her head affirmatively. “Actually, I met him a few times. He helped me. I think he may be one of the good guys. But then, I cannot be certain. Maybe, maybe that’s why he sent you here. Thinking I probably would be around, and… could help you out.”

“Help me out? Were you the one carrying me out of the deadly goblin fight? And you even tried to slice me up! I resent that.”

“Hey, I know. I didn’t know it was you.”

“So, what do I do with the game?” I ask

“You're so screwed. Now you have to play. Or all your holdings are foreweighed."

"What?"

"You accepted the invitation. And now, if you don't go... you will forfeit your whole deck.”

I know I am screwed. I do not even know what kind of game it is. It’s time that changes.

“So, then, have you ever played the game?”

“Yes. I did. Before joining LIP Corp. That's where they found me.”

I look at her, nodding my head.

She casts me a quick glance and snorts. “You know nothing about simulations do you?”

I shake my head.

“It’s like… on your home planet, you have that Star Trek holodeck.”

“Oh. That’s pretty cool.”

“Except it’s very real.”

“I see. So, what do I do?”

“I have no idea. But I know why they would want you to play.”

“Why?”

“This land here. It might become important. Also, the dungeon up North is cracking. You’ve seen the goblins. It’s overextending itself. Something is happening here. So, if they could take possession of the one here, that would mean they would have a foothold in the whole region.”

“That makes sense. And, what do you think is happening with the dungeon up North?”

She sighs. “I do not know. That’s why I’ve been sent here. I have to find out all I can about it and report it all back. And correct a few wrong things along the way, if you know what I mean.”

The way she said that, it kind of made me feel all cold inside. Business as usual. I do not like that feeling and try to shake it off.

“I have so many other questions, like, for example, if you died there with goblins. What would have happened with your soul? You’re not inside any dungeon, so…”

“There is the Planetary Master Dungeon in here. Any unclaimed soul goes automatically to it.”

“You see, I should have been told that.”

“I agree. You know. You needed proper training. I mean I do not know everything, but I know that Dungeons are very valuable that-”

“Yeah, I saw the price. It’s like 800,000 coins the last time I checked.”

“How much?”

“800,000 coins?”

She chuckles.

“That’s what SAMS says is worth.”

She laughs at me there again. “And you believe it? Really??”

“What?” I say, not understanding. “Why would it lie?”

“This is a coin-making machine, with the capacity to create life. Are you kidding me? They are millions of times more valuable than what you say. You can’t buy a dungeon. They are that valuable! Why they decided to put you in charge of one goes beyond me.”

“But…”

“You. Can’t. Buy. A dungeon. Nobody sane is selling it. That’s part of the reason they play those card games, among others. It gives them a chance to win one. You really don’t understand how valuable is the thing you are sitting on, do you?”

“I, I, I...” That’s all I could come up with before she continued.

“I’ve been an agent for over two hundred years. Yes. Over two hundred years."

"You look good for your age," I interrupt her, but she pays me no attention.

"And, I’m not even close to anyone offering me to run a dungeon. Do you understand?”

“Now you make me feel important.”

“That should not make you feel important.”

“No?”

“No, that should scare the shit out of you.”

I swallow a big ball of saliva that does not want to go down my throat.

“Also, have you not wondered what has happened to the previous manager of the dungeon here? And its owner?”

“Yes, I have. But… Baron dude said he purchased it.”

“Must have been with more than just coins then. Look on Galactic Network. See if there are any dungeons for sale. See if I’m lying to you.”

I am really worried now. She gives me a chance to see the scope of things. And they are so grander and more extensive than I could possibly have imagined.

What do I do?

“I’m even afraid to ask, but do you even know how to play the Game of Souls?” she asks me, watching me being so lost in my own thoughts.

I puff the air as if to ask her how she dares ask me that question. I snort and then tell her, “No. I have no freaking clue. I was going to get some tutorial.”

She laughs. Literally. “You were going to get a tutorial? From the Cosmic Network?”

I look at her. ‘Wait a second. You probably are running a basic Operating system…”

“Well, that’s all I can afford.”

She sighs, “Oh, boy, where do we start.”

“I’m a fast learner.”

“Yeah… but, I don’t think you have like fifty, sixty years that it takes to master it, do you?”

I sigh and rub my head hard. Suddenly I have a major headache and I mutter, “Shit. I’m so, so screwed.”