It has been a week since the skirmish at Zone 0-0-1 and the apparent shift that occurred in the game, News travelled all across the continent about the UI flicker with a few options being missing. In addition to blood being introduced into the game, assuming it still is a game.

And what used to be Non-Player Characters or NPC has now become sentient. Receiving the ability to express themselves, no longer repeating the same line over and over, or giving out quests.

“I wonder how death would feel like… Would it really mean the end”, Harper ponders on the thought. As he admired the scenery.

The squad arrives at the manor, place seemed barren and empty dead patches cover the fields a couple of buildings left over. Jhuan opened up the gate and ushered the jeeps in. Everyone disembarked besides Tim & Jhuan who were going to park the inside the barn.

As Tosh goes over to grab the door handle, the door opens up a bit and a barrel sticks out. A voice asks for a password, Tosh irritated, replied

“Roland not now, We’ve got pressing matters to attend to, everyone is tired, Kf’s got head wound and Mission is a bust. So can you please ever so kindly open the goddamn door?”

“Jeez man, can’t ever be too careful these days, especially known whose territory was staying on no need to get your nuts in a twist” The man replies, unlocking the door.

The interior of the house was not as expected as the exterior, it felt like they’re inside a barracks rather than home, with not much décor lingering around.

Roland is the team’s engineer, His job usually consists of inventing new equipment for the squad to use, and perform routine checks and maintenance around the manor. He doesn’t really see much action in the field yet his contributions have really been beneficial to the unit.

Another voice pops out of the room, the voice of a woman. The squad already knows what’s about the come.

“Hey Roland radio chatter has seemed to diminish over the week it has been really quiet… and it seems like everyone’s home. I’ll go get everyone something to eat”

“Glad to see Lorraine to be her usual self, even though the situation seems to be pretty dire.” Harper says surprised and dumbfounded at Lorraine’s presence.

“Huh, no kidding right there hombre” Tim adds nervously.

The squad headed towards their respective quarters changing out of their combat fatigues on to something more comfortable to move around in.

Everyone gathered back into the briefing hall, With Lorraine preparing some papers and files to be compiled, what seems to be debriefing for the operation.

“OK, first things first, Let’s have the team leaders report in” Lorraine states casually stating but she knew the fuckwits have done something again.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

Tim: We’ve taken in the sights, were all quiet from our vantage point, lost Alpha 2 for a bit but it seemed like everything was fine and dandy. Well till flashes happened and bloody leveled the place. Alpha 2 can take over after that.

Harper: Long story short, We got screwed. First the flashing lights lit up the night sky, afterwards the numerous bombings. Then a whole new fuckin entity entered the fray, killing everyone. Kfman was incapacitated for a while, and Tosh took out what appeared to be a M1A2 Abrams with a satchel charge then was fired upon by what seemed to be Skellies with M4s…

What seemed like an hour’s worth of walking till we’ve reached the extraction zone. Yeah it was not fun. Worse of all we had no choice but to drop some loot to lighten the load. That’s all I guess…

Lorraine: I may be able to shine some light into the situation, radio chatter seemed to be coming from within Zone 0-0-1, the entity you described calls themselves the Knights of Eldwood, no information about the faction itself but you’ve already seen them in action.

Kfman: Ha, you bet we’ve seen them in action! Up close and personal too,

As Kf takes a swig of a health potion mixed in with some ale to some numb the bitterness of the potion.

Lorraine: Ehem, back to what I was discussing, the second agenda would be about the Glitch. Currently the only feature that was removed during the phenomenon was the log off button, the crafting tab and the inventory section. Stuff like Spells, Guilds and companions seems to function as normal. Also heard from Labrys that injuries are now real rather than numerical statistics we all are accustomed to so I expect everyone to proceed with caution at all times.

Besides the technical issues about the game, the geography of the land had shifted, lakes becoming oceans, hills becoming mountains, clear plains becoming deserts you get the gist of it?

Lucky you guys made it home without getting lost.

Labrys: Who said we didn’t get lost? Our GPS and maps also shifted during the glitch, that’s why it took us an entire week to get home. We’ve gone through deserts and swamps; I’m even surprised we didn’t run out of fuel.

Lorraine: I see… I’m still glad that you all made it home safe and sound.

Harper: Uhh so we all free to go?

Lorraine: Yup, everyone is dismissed for now, Tim, Harper & Roland stay a bit first.

The rest of the unit began to leave the room in a single file line, except the selected individuals.

Lorraine: Ok, while you two we’re coming back, Roland has been tinkering with the mechanics of the game so far. He could still create items from the game but not through the UI.

Roland: You have to do it by hand. Pulling out a book from his satchel, it contained a list of craftable items in the game here’s what happens if you try to force it through the UI.

Roland opens up the UI and selects to craft a small health potion. The small vial appears out of thin air, and drops right into Roland’s hand.

Roland: “Here try it”.

Tim hesitantly takes the drink and chugged it ask quick as he can.

Tim: “I don’t feel anything…”

“Exactly”, Roland exclaimed. There is no effect, here I’ll try it again but this time I will be doing this process by hand. He then proceeds to be grabbing the same materials as earlier but this time, he has a mortar and pestle on hand and a small candle near. He crushes the herbs, boils some honey and purified water. Mixes it together and gives it a solid shake.

Roland: “Here now try this”.

Tim again downs the concoction except this time he is feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

Tim: “Huh, still tastes like shit but this is quite the discovery you made here my friend”.

Roland: “The honor’s not mine to take, Thank Lorraine over there. She discovered this phenomenon after listening in on the other kingdoms.”

Harper: “She ain’t the Intelligence officer for nothing, She’s got eyes and ears everywhere”.

Lorraine: “I’ll be taking that as a compliment, for now you all got the day off” With a cheeky grin motioning them to leave the room.