“Logging in, Beinel.” A soft female voice said.
With a feeling that was as if I had gone down an elevator suddenly a bright light pierced my retinas and turned into a multi-colored swirl like a rainbow tornado. It felt like it was taking forever for the spiraling lights to stop, I was beginning to feel dizzy and very sick. But almost as soon as it started it had stopped just like that and normal images entered my eyes once more. I scratch my head and look around my immediate surroundings. All around me are the headstones of dead people and trees that look like they haven't been alive for years.
It was clear to me where I was. It was the last place I had tested in my untitled game I have been working on for the last five years. Something isn't right though, I stopped working on the game and went to sleep so why am I here? Had I fallen asleep in the virtual reality chamber? No that isn't possible, those things are uncomfortable as hell, how could anyone sleep in those things. Whatever the reason I was here I didn’t want to be.
“System Administration.” I said clearly.
Nothing happened “System Administration!” Saying it louder didn't help.
In frustration, I kicked a rock which flew through the air and crashed into a headstone smashing it into a pile of rubble. I was taken aback for a moment before remembering I was maxed level in the game. Swiping my hand through the air a status screen appeared before my eyes with all my stats and an empty inventory.
[Beinel Status]
Name: Beinel
Race: Half-Elf
Class: Necroguard
Subclass: Artist
Level: 100
HP: 45,932 / 45,932
MP: 70,537 / 70,537
[Skills]
Strength: 200
Intelligence: 200
Agility: 200
Wisdom: 200
Constitution: 200
My character was pretty much broken from day one since the class I was using was never going to see the light of day and was only used to test the game. With this character build soloing a dungeon was easy enough if I played it smart. I look over my equipment and remember I had nothing of note on me. My leather armor and chipped iron sword are items anyone can get by killing a few weak bandits outside the starting town. I never thought of getting anything since I was always able to just spawn whatever was needed through the admin menu. Looking at the status screen more closely I notice the logout button is missing.
I scratch my head in frustration and close the screen. Because I thought nothing could go wrong with the logout button I never made an alternative method of signing off. With a heavy sigh, I began walking towards the entrance of the graveyard. But before I could leave a skeleton wielding a rusted sword, steps out from behind a tree and begins approaching me. I grab a rock and chuck it towards its head but the skeleton quickly dodges out of the way and the rock hits the tree that is now behind it. Very strange I don't think programming them to dodge was ever added. Just as I was getting ready to lob another one at it a loud voice echoed around the empty forest.
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“What was that for! You could have killed me with that!” The voice sounded almost hollow.
Looking around there was no one there that could have spoken. As if the skeleton could read my thoughts he waved his hand to get my attention. If he could smile he would be.
“That was me, sorry if I surprised you. but hey you threw a rock at me and look at the tree!” He said angrily pointing at what was once a large leafless tree that is now cut in half.
This shocked me as I had not added personality to any skeletons. Noticing I was dumbfounded the skeleton steps forward raising its hands and dropping the sword.
“I am unarmed and mean you no harm. This was all a simple misunderstanding. As you can see I am unlike most skeletons you have seen. I'm a failure, or that's at least what he considers me.”
I stand still for a moment trying to figure out how this happened. Though it wasn't a bad thing it was more like a happy surprise. I drop the rock in my hand and walk towards him, looking from head to toe.
“If you weren't going to attack me why did you have a sword?”
“Well, I'm nothing but bones where would I sheath my sword?”
I shake my head and shrug “Fair point. What did you want?”
“I was just wondering where you came from. One minute there was nothing in the graveyard and the next you are standing there looking oh so confused. It was rather cute, to be honest.” He tilted his head to the side and if he could wink he probably would have.
A skeleton finding me cute made me feel rather uncomfortable. Though strangely because of his bright personality he didn't really feel like a lifeless skeleton. Clearing my throat I stopped examining him and took a step back.
“It's a bit complicated.” which was true I didn't even know what was going on, how could I explain it to an npc. This answer didn't seem to satisfy him though he didn't push the issue and just stood there quietly.
“Well if that's all I'm going.” I said trying to be as polite as possible but coming off more awkward than anything else.
With a wave of my hand, I began making my way out of the graveyard. Weirdly there were no other skeletons between the talking one and the exit. I look behind and notice he is following me with his sword in hand almost skipping. After leaving the graveyard I entered the forest of shadows, a land controlled by the undead. NPCs generally avoided this place like the plague and for good reason. While there are weak skeletons and the like there are also undead ogres and even a lich hidden somewhere. Even for me, the lich would be a somewhat challenging opponent and cant be taken lightly.
If I'm stuck in this world I will need to get some money to rent a place to sleep and buy food. After a moment of thought, I whipped around and walked towards the skeleton still skipping just slightly behind me. He went to drop his sword but I grabbed his hand allowing him to keep it.
“What's your name? Also, you will be my guide to the lich.” I asked demandingly and he seemed taken aback.
“Uh, Myrin. The lich Uzahg is that way.” he said, quickly pointing towards the thickest part of the forest.
“Well then lead the way. You will now be my personal servant until I wish to dispose of you.”
“By dispose you mean fire right?” He sounded slightly meek.
I ignored him and began walking in the direction he was pointing. Dumbfounded Myrin stalled and lagged behind by a small distance. Realizing he was about to be left behind he quickly ran to catch up. Clearing a miniboss will bring in a decent chunk of change, at least enough for me to find a place to rest. Myrin caught up and took the lead.
“Examine” I quietly said under my breath while looking at him.
[Myrin Status]
Name: Myrin
Race: Undead Elf
Class: knight
Subclass: Poet
Level: 15
HP: 2806 / 2806
MP: 2056 / 2056
As I thought he was the one who killed all the other skeletons in the graveyard which is the only reason I could think of why he was level 15. Something else shocked me about his status was the fact that a party button was next to his name. Hesitantly I pushed the button and Myrin stopped and cocked his head to the side then shrugged. He clearly accepted since we were now in a party and I could see his stats in the top right of my eye. Things in the game I developed by myself just kept getting curiouser and curiouser.