Why was this NPC so easy to seduce?
“Ch-chat, my... my face is burning right now,” the young man said, covering his reddened cheeks with his hands. “Can, you, uhm, tell?”
On the screen, his female avatar was in a heated lip-locked battle with the pretty boy NPC—Alec, if he remembered correctly. They were in a dimly lit private room, with only the sound of their breathless kisses filling the space. It sounded so obscene: the sloppy smacking and soft moans, the way their mouths slid over each other's. His headphones picked up every sound—every gasp and shudder; every soft cry and whisper... it was like he was there, right next to them, experiencing it all in real-time.
Why did it sound so wet? And was it just him, or was there a lot of sticky, slick suction going on? Alec and the female character's lips smacked and sucked with hunger, the sound echoing in his ears. He could even hear the soft click of their teeth as they nibbled at each other's lips. The more he listened, the more he could feel his own mouth start to water, and his body heat up.
“I'm blaming you, chat,” the young man grumbled, shifting in his seat. “This was your idea.”
> ...
>
> Miss Sugar: Let us see too! Don't blacken the screen! Turn it back on!
>
> SourPatch: omg let us seeeeeeee
>
> GummyBear: I wanna see!!
>
> ...
“O-oh, my,” the young man said, his voice wavering. His female avatar was practically eating the NPC alive. He had no idea what her mouth was doing, but it was no chaste kiss. Tongue invaded and claimed; he could see it gliding along the inside of the NPC's cheek, and curling under his tongue, lapping at the roof of his mouth. Their tongues were twisting, curling around each other. The sounds were even more wet and lewd than before, if possible. “I... I think, no... no, I know I'll somehow get banned for showing this. Sorry, ch-chat, I can't.”
It all started as a joke, a way to pass time while he waited for the start of the Quest. Interact with the new NPCs a little, increase their affection a few points, test out the dialogue choices to see what happened, and then head out. But then one of the viewers said something, and... well...
He was curious.
His curiosity led him here.
A slew of options suddenly appeared on the screen, and his eyes nearly bugged out of his skull. He couldn't even begin to imagine what sort of debauchery the more... risque choices would lead to. “H-holy, chat, uhm, why are there so many options?!”
Was it him, or was his voice starting to sound a bit strained?
“A-and why is it giving me so much xp?!”
> ...
>
> Sinner6969: lolololol
>
> NyaBot: lololol
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> TrollNinja: hahahahahahahahah
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> GummyBear: ???? you're not showing us anything!!!
>
> ...
“Th-this is so embarassing,” he mumbled, rubbing his temple. He couldn't help but feel like some pervert, sitting here, watching his character make-out with the NPC, listening to the erotic noises, and feeling his own body react. His cheeks burned, his heart pounded in his ears, and the pit of his stomach felt all hot. “A-alright chat, vote f-for some numbers. I'll pick the one that gets the most votes.”
> ...
>
> ConfusedToad: NOOO DON'T KEEP THE SCREEN DARK PLS
>
> FemBoisRTruLuv: 1000 gems if you show us!!!!
>
> ...
>
> Octopuppy: plssss
>
> ...
“Y-you're all perverts,” the young man squeaked.
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< HELPFUL TIPS! >
Navigating factions and forming alliances can shape your playthrough. Choose wisely whom to trust and whom to challenge, as relationships can impact Quests and outcomes.
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╔═══*.·:·.☽✧ ✦ ✧☾.·:·.*═══╗
CHAPTER FIVE
Mister Teddy
╚═══*.·:·.☽✧ ✦ ✧☾.·:·.*═══╝
Once, Teddy was a proud and fearless protector: a guard dog, a warrior. He was the big brown beast of the yard, the watchful sentry who guarded his master's family home. He had a deep, rumbling bark that carried across the land, and a sharp set of jaws that could take down any intruder. There was not a soul brave enough to challenge him, and anyone foolish enough to try was quickly reminded of who was the boss. The Alpha. He defended his territory with vigour, and his master and his family knew that they could always rely on him to keep them safe.
But that was a long time ago.
Now, Teddy was in a cramped, cold, dark cage, pressed in from all sides. Metal bars surrounded him, confining him, trapping him—no room to run, no place to escape. His once-strong muscles had grown weak and feeble. And his coat, once his master's pride, was now dull and matted with grime. Food and water were scarce despite the constant battles he fought for survival; his body littered with bite marks, cuts, and bruises. The only thing that Teddy had in abundance was a deep, aching sense of loss: a pain that could never be numbed, and an emptiness that could never be filled.
What would his family think if they saw him now?
He whimpered softly, curling in on himself as a wave of pain lanced through him. The fresh wounds on his back and side had yet to heal, and they stung sharply against the rough, dirty floor of his prison. What had once been a boisterous, ferocious bark was now a pitiful, broken whine. Teddy was not a proud warrior any longer.
He was a prisoner.
His family, his pack, his world—they were gone.
In the past, Teddy believed that he would one day return to his loving family and be welcomed home with those soft, happy voices he remembered. He often dreamed of warm beds, gentle hands, and his master's cheerful face. He imagined bounding into the house, tackling his master, and licking his face. Then he would play with the small children and bask in the warmth and comfort of his home.
But as time wore on, his hopes for rescue faded, until only the memories remained.
And those were fading too.
His once-vivid recollections were growing dim and distorted. Sometimes, the memories felt so distant that Teddy wasn't even sure if they were his. Was he the one running down the hallway with his favourite toy, or was it someone else? And what about the one with him playing fetch in the backyard? Were there other dogs involved in the game? Teddy could no longer be sure.
On the bad days, he tried his best to remember his master ruffling the fur behind his ears, his family throwing sticks for him to chase, and their smiles when he brought the toys back. He recalled how the children would squeal in delight whenever he would play tug-of-war with them. Teddy loved the feeling of the rough rope between his teeth and the way his small masters would giggle and squeal in delight when he won. It used to be so easy to make them happy.
Oh, how he missed the simple things: a pat on the head, a quick belly rub, a walk around the block, or a treat from the kitchen counter. Back then, Teddy never considered them luxuries; after all, they were the basic necessities of his daily life. He was the Best Good Boy, and he took his position seriously.
Now trapped in a tiny cage, forced to fight day in and day out, he yearned for his former life. Yet, part of him feared even if he could return, things would never be the same.
He was not the same dog anymore. No longer a Good Boy. He'd done terrible things in the fighting pit, unspeakable acts that had left him bloodied and broken. His family would not recognise him. And Teddy didn't know if he could handle their looks of revulsion, disappointment, or fear.
There had been no choice. It was fight or be killed.
So he fought, and fought, and fought. Blood splashed onto his coat, seeping into his fur and mingling with his own. He had snarled and bitten, and he'd ripped through flesh with a savagery that had surprised him. There were so many, and they never stopped coming. No matter how many he defeated, another would always take its place the following day. And each new battle left him more injured and weary than the last.
He had always been the one left standing in the end, but Teddy was unsure how much longer that could continue. Soon, he would not be able to rise from the dirt: a broken, defeated hulk lying in a pool of his own blood. He had no desire to die, but he feared that this was the only fate that awaited him.
And when that day came...
The humans, of course, celebrated his victories. They would cheer, jeer, and hoot at his accomplishments. Sometimes they offered him a pat on the head or a treat in recognition. But no matter what, their eyes always shone with the same greed, and their faces were always twisted with the same sick delight. When Teddy fought, the humans were happy. When he won, they were ecstatic.
When he died, they would just find a new fighter to replace him.
They were nothing like his old master. They were not kind and gentle. They did not smile that same sweet smile, nor did they ever play with him or call him a Good Boy. They were not soft and comforting, and they did not understand love. They did not take him on walks or give him baths.
Instead, they were angry and dangerous, and they reeked of sweat, smoke, and the strange water his master had often kept in bottles. But those people were his masters now, and Teddy knew his place: a lowly, beaten-down beast, chained, caged, and broken.
Sometimes, he wished he could be human.
Humans did not have cages. Humans did not have masters. They did not fight to the death or suffer beatings. They did not know the fear and helplessness of being trapped. They did not know what it was like to be hungry or to want a treat so badly that they were willing to do anything to get it.
But then again, perhaps humans also had their own problems. His old master, for example, had often come home with an unhappy face. When that happened, Teddy would snuggle close to his master's legs and lick his fingers until his master would smile and pet him. Then, Teddy would jump on his master's lap and try to make him laugh by sticking his nose in his face and licking his cheeks. It usually worked.
A quiet whimper escaped Teddy. The memories hurt almost as much as the wounds.
All around him were the sounds of other caged animals. Most were sleeping or resting, their breaths a series of soft rasps and sighs. Occasionally, he could hear the sounds of shuffling bodies, followed by a low growl. Teddy would have been content to do the same—to drift off and leave his problems for a time when he had more energy—but the wounds on his back continued to throb.
He had tried licking them once, but his tongue couldn't reach the spot, and his efforts did little to soothe the pain. It only served to add an unpleasant taste to his already bitter mouth. So he had no choice but to lie there in his small cage, trying to ignore the stabbing sensation every time he breathed in.
Teddy's stomach grumbled, and the pain flared up anew. Hunger was a constant companion. The humans fed them scraps and leftovers after each fight, but the portions were small and the food often old. Teddy suspected that the humans only fed them to keep them alive. The other dogs would eat what they could, but sometimes it wasn't enough. On those days, the smell of raw, rotting meat would fill the air, and Teddy would have to watch as some of the others feasted on the fallen bodies of their former opponents.
He'd done it too.
It made him sick each time though.
Teddy never understood why; he guessed he wasn't a very smart dog. Meat was meat. So unlike the others, he wasn't able to take full advantage of the opportunity. Even if he wanted to, his stomach wouldn't let him. Vomit would always come up, and his guts would churn until all he could do was roll over and whine.
It was hard. Everything was hard.
A sudden clanging sound jerked him from his thoughts, and he raised his head wearily. The swollen eye that was almost shut twitched open a crack. A human was in the room, moving amongst the cages. The man's face was covered, but the scent was unmistakable: one of the ones who took care of the dogs.
Teddy's ears perked up.
A meal?
More sounds came from somewhere beyond the room: the voices of men, the clanging of chains, and the howls and yelps of the other animals. The human paused and turned towards the door—was something happening outside? Some of the caged dogs rose, their hackles raised, growling, or whining as the man approached their pens. Teddy remained motionless, listening carefully.
The noises were becoming louder and clearer, and Teddy recognised them instantly. Fighting, of course. But why did it seem so different from the usual sounds? He heard Boom Sticks, like the one that claimed his master's life. They were loud, sharp, and they stank of smoke and fire. There were shouts too. Some were the usual angry and dangerous yells, but there were other, unfamiliar noises mixed in with them.
Were the other humans scared? There was screaming and yelling and the crashing of objects. The other animals were restless and nervous, and Teddy was beginning to feel uneasy.
BANG!
Another Boom Stick went off, and the man jumped.
Teddy's fur bristled, and his body tensed.
Something was happening, but what?
Again, another Boom Stick, closer this time.
Growls and whimpers surrounded him: the other animals were confused and afraid. Loud barks, snarls, and howls erupted from the room, and some of the cages shook as the animals inside fought to break free. The human in the room seemed to hesitate, and then hurried back towards the entrance. He was fumbling for the handle when the door was thrown open, and the man was knocked to the ground.
Teddy heard the man cry out, but the sound was cut short, replaced by the gurgle of blood bubbling up through a crushed throat. A pair of thin legs, clothed in black fabric, stepped into view. The man's body spasmed, and then the BANG! of a Boom Stick rang through the air. Blood splattered across the floor. The human was dead.
Shrinking away from the sight, Teddy whimpered. The other dogs weren't so timid. Several barked and growled at the new, unfamiliar figure. A few even managed to scrabble to their feet, clawing against the bars in a futile attempt to reach the invader. The smell of blood grew thicker in the air, and the room was filled with the noise of frantic snarling and snapping. He felt a sudden flash of panic. His ears were pinned back, and he cowered at the rear of his cage, shaking, ignoring the way his wounds burned and bled.
Was this another test? Had they decided to take him to the arena early? Or was it a punishment? Teddy whimpered again. What had he done wrong?
The scent was unfamiliar, unsettling, and Teddy trembled with fear. He watched warily as the unknown human, a wo-man, that reeked of blood and death looked around the room. Her head moved from side to side as she took in the scene.
Was she one of the humans in charge here?
No, Teddy realized; he had never seen her before. The usual humans were always familiar faces. Who was she then?
A moment later, the wo-man disappeared. Gone. Vanished. The space where she had been standing was empty, and only the smell lingered. How had she done that?
More noise and movement. Louder now. There were a lot of humans outside the door, and they all sounded panicked: they were talking, and yelling, the words were strange and fast. Lots of screams, Boom Stick sounds, and crashes. He couldn't really see out of the opened door, but it was obvious that something was happening.
Almost everydog was barking. It was so harsh and intense. Some of the cages started to rattle as the dogs inside began to pace and strain against their prisons. Teddy stayed where he was, and did his best to ignore the noises.
This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.
Eventually, he didn't know exactly when, the sounds outside started to die down. One by one the humans fell silent. Teddy couldn't hear any more Boom Stick sounds, and only the occasional shout and scream. Only the surrounding barking and snarling continued. His head raised a little, and he peered at the doorway.
The wo-man reappeared.
This time he saw her as she moved into the room, blood dripping from the Cutting Stick in her hand. Her head was turning slowly as she took in the room, pausing only briefly at the sight of the body on the floor.
His ears flattened, and he whimpered. She was coming towards him, the smell of death wafting along with her. The Cutting Stick had disappeared somewhere, but all he could focus on was the fact that her hand was now free, and he could almost feel the bruises forming where she would grab him.
Teddy couldn't move, couldn't hide, and there was nowhere for him to run. The wo-man was going to find him, and there was nothing he could do. He was so afraid. The wo-man was getting closer.
Step. Step.
Closer.
He wanted to disappear. To run, to flee.
But he couldn't.
Step. Step.
He was going to die. That was what the scent meant.
Blood, death, danger.
It was the scent of a predator.
She was the Alpha, and he was nothing.
Nothing.
Step. Step.
So close. Teddy could hear her breathing, see her eyes scanning through the bars. Teddy was sure his heart would stop beating when her gaze fell upon him. It was impossible to tell what the human was thinking; the look on her face was one that he had never seen before.
The more brave dogs nearby continued to bark and howl, fighting to escape their prisons. The rest remained silent, still. Waiting. Everydog soon learned that drawing attention to oneself only led to pain. So just like them, Teddy remained frozen, unable to look away.
Suddenly, the wo-man stopped walking. She was right in front of his cage. B̷͚̙̈́̽̃ų̸͚͑͝t̵̖͛͂͝ ̴̻͐t̷̬͕̅̿͠h̵͔͋̏̾è̷͖͒n̵̖̑,̴̧̻̟͝ ̵̡̂a̶̘̔̂ ̷͙͒b̸̢͎̫̾̿l̵̩̓̔͋ĩ̷̛̭̜̔n̸͇̔k̵̹̽ ̵͓̝̀ͅl̸̞̼͚̎̿ả̴͔̝t̷̢́e̶̠͊͂͌r̵̖̎̋̈,̵̫͎̈́̂ ̵͉̖̎s̷͚̫͇̍́̽o̷̫̅̇́m̶̞̿̄ḙ̶̀t̵̞̆ḣ̸͔̱̭̒ĩ̵̼̣̜n̵̯͕͛g̵̟̻͚͒ ̴̞̑â̵̇͜b̴̝̾́ȯ̶̯̯̽̂ủ̸̧̯̺͐͑ṱ̷́͠ ̷̨̫̓h̷͎̙̳͐̃͘e̷̪͍̖̎̉̆r̶̠̔ ̴̡̙͒h̵͎̲͔̿̎͑ḁ̸̍̓̔d̸̠̈̎ ̵̞̬̯͊͌͋c̵̛̮͐͘h̴̡̪̗̎͗̚ạ̸̳̝̓̈̕ṅ̵̨ġ̷̱̭̟̈́e̵̜̓̽d̴̤̉̿͌.̶̖͈̺̆̿ It was abrupt: the shift between a cold, hard, unknowable expression and a softer, friendlier one. Oddly, it reminded Teddy of his master and his family. And he couldn't help but relax slightly—trust, not fear, was in the forefront of his mind.
Was she...?
His tail gave an involuntary wag. When had he last been greeted by a human with such an expression? When was the last time someone looked at him like he was more than just a disposable animal?
Perhaps...
The other dogs nearby must've sensed it too, because their aggressive behaviour ceased. Most of the growls and the snarls died down, and the air no longer rang with the sound of frantic clawing. Silence descended over the room, broken only by the occasional whine or threatening rumble.
Teddy's tail gave another wag.
The wo-man looked at him. She crouched down, and he found himself drawn to the soft, kind features of her face. Teddy's tail wagged faster, and he couldn't help the happy yip that escaped him. Pained. Exhausted. But excited and happy all the same.
The wo-man's lips turned up in a smile, and she opened her mouth.
“Good doggy.”
Her voice was gentle, and he liked the way she said it.
Good doggy. Was he still one? After everything he'd done?
“Good doggy,” she repeated.
This time, he didn't doubt it. He knew it was true. He was a good doggy.
The wo-man was a human, but she wasn't a bad human.
The wo-man was a predator, but she wasn't dangerous.
That was all it took. The tension in his body melted away, and his ears perked up. It hurt. Of course it did. Everything hurt. The ache in his chest, the cuts and bruises on his limbs. But the pain faded away. In the back of his mind, the fear, the doubt, the shame, the terror—everything—vanished. All that was left was a faint buzzing sound, and a single word: Good doggy.
He could scarcely remember the last time someone had told him that.
It felt...
Good.
So good.
The woman reached out, her hand extending through the cage. Her fingers were thin, her palm and back smooth, yet stained with blood. A different scent lingered on her, distinct from the usual humans here. Teddy didn't mind.
Good doggy.
Those words were magic.
He edged closer.
When the hand touched his fur, a shiver ran through him. The touch was soft, gentle, and caring. It was something his old master would do, and the memory stirred the embers of the dying flames in his heart. He leaned into the wo-man's hand and pressed his forehead against the cage bars.
A warm, tingly feeling filled him. It was a nice feeling. A welcome feeling. He couldn't help himself; his tongue darted out, and he licked the woman's hand. “Good doggy,” the wo-man repeated for the third time. This time, the words came with a wave of heat, and he was bathed in a glowing light. He felt... good. Better. The aches and pains that wracked his body had receded suddenly, like they were a bad dream. His vision, previously dim and hazy, cleared, and he could see the world again in all its clarity.
Where did this feeling come from? What was happening?
Wounds, both new and old, knitted together, and his flesh was filled with warmth.
“You're such a Good Doggy, aren't you?”
He was.
Yes.
He was a good dog.
Yes.
Teddy's tail thumped against the cage floor, and a wet, pink tongue lapped at the air.
This woman...
Was she a god?
Teddy didn't know, and he didn't care. The human continued to stroke his head and scratch behind his ears. He was in heaven. Eventually, she drew back, unlocking his cage and he all but leaped out. She patted him on the head while he sat down and looked up at her, wagging his tail.
“Woof!”
Food suddenly appeared in the wo-man's hand: a meaty snack. It was a round thing with soft edges, but Teddy was sure there was meat inside. He could smell it; he could taste it. The scent of fat and grilled flesh made his mouth water, and he almost couldn't control himself. Swish, swish. His tail thumped against the floor, accompanied by the clicking of his claws against the ground.
She offered the treat, and Teddy took it gently between his jaws, being careful not to bite the hand that gave it. As soon as the morsel entered his mouth, his body shivered with delight. The meat was soft, and its taste was delicious. Saliva flooded his mouth, and he swallowed the snack in a few bites. He wanted to howl, to roll over, to run, to play. It had been so long since he'd last eaten something that was truly satisfying.
Another appeared in the woman's hand. She held it out, and Teddy's tongue lolled. “Woof! Woof!”
A god.
Yes.
This woman was a god.
Teddy bowed his head and ate from her hand.
Unfortunately, she stopped offering more snacks, and he whimpered and nuzzled her hand.
More. Please, more.
The human woman smiled, then turned around.
Another human, another wo-man, entered the room, and he flinched. She was bigger, taller, and her scent was stronger. Briefly, it reminded Teddy of the Bad Men who hurt him, and he let out a growl, his body tense. He was prepared to leap forward and protect his new friend, but the wo-man put her hand on his head. He settled.
The other wo-man, the new one, stopped in the middle of the room, looking around, and Teddy saw her nose twitch. She looked at him and his friend, and her eyes narrowed.
“Good work. You can heal?”
Teddy's new friend nodded, but he really didn't understand what was being said. He just watched as the two humans exchanged a few more words before the newcomer made her way towards the cages. His friend followed, and he trotted along beside her. The other dogs were freed, and were offered some food. They looked confused, but accepted the treat. Like Teddy, they too had been petted, and with a flash of light, were healed.
His new friend stopped sometimes, making herself glow before going to another dog. Other times, the wo-man made a bottle appear in her hand from time to time. She'd take the top off, and drink. Then, after she was done, the bottle would disappear. The bottle was different every time, and he was fascinated. He tried to understand where it went, but no matter how much he sniffed, the bottles just disappeared.
All the dogs were eventually released from their cages. Some of them were happy, and others were afraid. They yelped and backed away, but his friend and the bigger wo-man calmed them with gentle words. Teddy did his best to help, barking at the others, getting their attention, then letting his tongue loll. They soon got the idea, and calmed down. A strange, wriggly feeling appeared in his stomach when his new friend praised him. It made up for all the attention that the other dogs were getting.
It felt good to be free.
Led by the bigger wo-man, they exited the room, but Teddy stayed close to his new friend. Stepping outside, he paused, struck by the sight of blood splattered everywhere—the remnants of the Bad Men and their violent end. His gaze lifted to a gaping hole in the ceiling where the largest dog he'd ever seen had peered down. The bigger wo-man whistled, and the massive dog withdrew with a resounding thump somewhere distant. Teddy's fur bristled, but his new friend's reassuring hand on his back eased his tension once more.
She didn't smell afraid.
Teddy and the other dogs were herded towards through the building. The smell of death and the sight of corpses made the other dogs whine and cower. One of them had even urinated in fear, but not Teddy. He spotted one of the Bad Men that had tortured him as they passed, and growled. This was the one who'd hurt him the most. Teddy could remember the pain the Bad Man's smacks had caused, the pain of his sticks, and the pain of his boots. He remembered the way this man had kicked him, beaten him, and laughed.
The Bad Man had made him bleed, had hurt him and scared him.
He would make him pay.
Moving quickly, Teddy darted forward and lifted his leg. The Bad Man couldn't stop him. He'd make sure that the Bad Man suffered even after death. The sound of liquid splattering against cloth and flesh brought a strange feeling of satisfaction. With his bladder empty, Teddy looked around. The other dogs had followed the wo-man out. He turned and trotted after them, his tail wagging.
Finally outside, Teddy felt the wind ruffle his fur. It felt good. The air smelled fresh, and the big glowing thing in the sky was bright against the darkness. There was a large metal thing on the ground—a metal box like the one his old family had ridden in. The big wo-man was already leading the dogs towards it, putting them inside. A few of them were hesitant, and his new friend had to use her hands to get them inside.
Teddy waited patiently, then hopped inside, only to see his savior stay outside. The big wo-man looked back and forth, then whistled. He watched with wide eyes as two giant dogs bounded towards them, stopping in front of the big wo-man.
Loud wailing noises sounded from somewhere. The little wo-man and the bigger wo-man exchanged some words before his new friend turned to him. Only to him.
Teddy's tail began wagging so much he thought it might fall off.
“Be a good boy. Stay,” she said.
He whined. What? Was she going to leave him behind?
“I'll be back.” She smiled at him. “You're a good boy.”
More whining escaped Teddy. He wanted to jump out of the vehicle, but the little wo-man scratched him behind the ear. He understood. He was a Good Boy, and he would stay. She patted him one last time, then moved away. Teddy watched as she and the big wo-man conversed briefly. Then, the vehicle's door closed.
Teddy pressed his nose against the window, catching a final glimpse of his savior. She turned, meeting his gaze. He barked, hoping she would hear him. She waved back. He barked again, and without warning, she took off running towards the source of the wailing noises.
The big wo-man remained, standing guard.
Teddy didn't understand why she had left, but he trusted his new friend would return. She had promised.
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< HELPFUL TIPS! >
Relationships evolve over time. Revisit NPCs and companions periodically; their situations and needs may change. Nurturing ongoing connections may reveal new quests, deepen existing bonds, or unlock hidden potentials.
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Clad in a black PRT uniform looted from a mob he'd taken down earlier that day, the young man's female avatar raced through darkened alleyways towards the wailing sirens. The hyper-realistic game world made him half-expect a to find a tailor for alterations or something equally tedious just to wear his new clothes. Thankfully, the uniform had simply adjusted itself to his character's size, hugging her form perfectly.
Of course, his character's face remained exposed; he had spent countless hours in Character Creation, meticulously sculpting every detail from the soft curve of her jawline to the fullness of her lips. There was no way he was going to hide all that hard work under a stupid, generic helmet.
The sirens blared louder as he neared, their penetrating wails reverberating through his headset with uncanny clarity. Again, he couldn't help but praise the sound design: it was so immersive that he could somewhat track the source through his headset without needing other directional cues at all. He'd be surprised if the game didn't win some kind of award for this.
“A-alright, chat, time to cause some, uhm, distraction. I have to make sure dog-girl escapes, r-right? Let's, uh, do this. Hope I don't die. Again.”
> ...
>
> DancingStar: 200 gems if u don't die
>
> Oystrich: omg ur social aggro will be like insanely high
>
> LuckyNova: you should let urself get arrested then kill your way out lol lots of xp
>
> ...
>
> Sinner6969: so much xp coming lol
>
> …
The sirens were deafening now, their shrill whine drowning out the pattering of boots as his avatar ran through the city streets. Somewhere in the distance, police cruisers and PRT vans were racing towards him, and he controlled his female character to stand in the middle of the road, waiting for them.
“I-it looks like it's only the police and, uhm, PRT right now? Did I get that r-right? PRT?” he said, flicking through his Quick Inventory to top off all his resources. The game's UI was minimal and unobtrusive. Though a little confusing at first, it felt natural enough that he quickly got the hang of it. “You all said that the, um, people behind the dog fighting rings might c-come for me too, so let's see how well I do.”
> ...
>
> Sassassin: this is going to be such a clusterfk
>
> LuckyNova: 911 what's ur emergency
>
> Miss Sugar: gooood luck!
>
> ...
“Alright, let's do this.”
As one of the police cars came close, he fired a Magic Missile. The blue bolt of energy streaked through the air, leaving a shimmering trail in its wake. The bolt struck the car's windshield with a brilliant flash, and the explosion was immediate and thunderous, accompanied by the sharp sound of glass shattering into a thousand glittering shards.
The police car careened out of control, tires screeching against the asphalt in a desperate attempt to regain traction. The vehicle spun wildly, fishtailing across the street before slamming into a nearby lamp post with a deafening crash. The force of the impact crumpled the front end of the car, sending pieces of metal flying and causing the lamp post to tremble violently.
He could almost feel the vibrations through his controller as the wreckage settled.
He grinned, a sudden rush of exhilaration surging through his veins as his heartbeat spiked. “W-whoa! Did you all see that? T-that was a lot more useful than I thought. I r-really thought it wouldn't do so much, but that's actually really good!”
> ...
>
> CheatingCow: lol lol lol
>
> Oystrich: environmental dmg
>
> LuckyNova: oooof
>
> MintyPie: niceu
>
> ...
A few seconds wait and a few flicks of the right joystick to change target later, his character fired another Magic Missile, aiming at a random PRT van barreling down the street towards him. The spell left his avatar's fingertips, the bolt of magic streaking towards its mark with a flash of brilliant light.
The bolt slammed into the front of the van. Though it didn't do nearly as much damage as the first time, it was enough to send the vehicle veering out of control. The van skidded sideways, tires screeching against the asphalt in a vain attempt to stay on course.
He flicked to Chakra Magic and used it to restore some FP before hurriedly using Shukuchi to turn intangible and invisible, just as a car aimed to ram his character.
Shukuchi was an odd Skill: he could clip through most things, but there was collision pathing for walls and other environmental objects. It was a strange mechanic, and he still wasn't sure what was and wasn't solid while using the ability. Thankfully, cars were not, and his character phased through the vehicle's hood and windshield.
Careful with the timing, he tapped the Skill again and canceled Shukuchi. His female avatar appeared on the lap of a stunned cop, who screamed, the sound echoing in his headset. “O-oh my god, I can't believe that worked,” he gasped as he reflexively knifed the cop. The blade slid into his neck easily, blood spraying onto his character's face as she stabbed the officer's jugular. “H-holy crap, that w-was cool!”
The car started to swerve erratically with the other cop, the driver, panicking. Screams and curses were hurled his way—a barrage of abuse that he could only grin at. “This is awesome, chat!”
> ...
>
> CheatingCow: lmaoooo
>
> Ripley: oh man
>
> ...
“I-I might actually do better than I, um, thought!”
----------------------------------------
◢✥◣
CHARACTER UPGRADES LOG
◥✥◤
[LEVEL]: 4 → 5
[SKILL POINTS]: 0 → 1
ATTRIBUTE SCORES
[CON]: 10
[STR]: 10
[DEX]: 10
[INT]: 10
[WIS]: 10
[CHA]: 13 → 14
NEW SKILLS!
✦ MEDICA ✦
RANK: 1
TYPE: Active
RANGE: Touch
FP COST: 25
COOLDOWN: 5 seconds
EFFECT: In the heat of battle, a healer's touch can be the difference between victory and defeat. Restores 10-80 HP to the target instantly. If the target is suffering from a minor status ailment (such as poison or bleeding), there is a 25% chance to cure the ailment. Cannot be used to heal yourself.
[SKILL POINTS]: 1 → 0