---Richard---
Richard watched the sun set quickly over the whole town, fingering his supplies. He had bought a rope, a fanny pack and some strange ‘potions’ with the last of his coins – or pips or whatever they were called – then set up directly above the mayor’s house.
The NPC’s were still fake in this zone – Richard had overheard some talk about the state of the game today just walking about…as a quick recap, multiple tutorials had had had identical NPC’s in them. Same name, same personality, same look. This area was also full of copies. Yada yada.
The section Bandpass was in, joined up with a new ‘ring’ as they were called – because each area was surrounding the previous one. Players had traveled to the next ring, had met up with others from separate bandpasses… confirmed identical NPCs in the separate areas…and then returned.
The other players were industrious in their information gathering – not that Richard cared about all that.
He knew these NPC’s were fake, but – between the tutorial and here – an uncanny valley of realism had been passed.
The NPC’s spoke and acted real enough that he couldn’t tell the difference anymore.
They might as well be real.
Richard was starting to gain more interest in ‘them’. He was beginning to – despite himself – get more invested in this game. In the world itself instead of just his fellow players.
What that meant, right here right now, was that he was excited.
He was about to sneak into the leader of this town's house completely blind. It was making him feel more grounded. He had a goal. It was causing him to smile constantly to himself. He was about to – mostly harmlessly – confuse the fuck out of a load of people.
No one seemed suspicious of him loitering about the street and he waited till the foot traffic dropped to zero.
“Having easily accessible balconies is wonderful for security isn’t it?” Richard mumbled to himself while tying a rope to a stone support column. Slowly lowering it off the ledge he repelled down after it. Hand over hand he climbed – his current strength just barely up to the task of holding his weight.
It seemed like he had gained some pounds without noticing it. His body felt heavier than it had back in the tutorial. Zero chub though – must all be muscles.
Oh…he had forgotten his sledge hammer lay across his back. Must be that – damn that holder was comfortable. It kept making him forget he was lugging around such a heavy item.
Toeing down onto a ledge, Richard looked around.
This section of town was separated by periodic gates. There was a row of houses built into the rock face and then every couple dozen meters there was a wall and latched door. Those doors led into a stairwell alleyway that led up and down the “streets”.
Not that all that security mattered when one side was wide open.
Pulling his rope sideways slightly, he made sure it rested behind the pillar he had tied it to – the support column extended up through multiple floors and would hopefully keep his escape route hidden.
Tip toeing over to the house, Richard checked each of the doors and windows looking for alarms or locks. There didn’t seem to be guards about – the leader of this town didn’t have a watchmen or secret service equivalent – so he was left with a decision. Sledge hammer down a door, or crawl through the window that was little more than a curtain.
…He was supposed to be sneaky, so Richard decided to peek through the curtain.
Raising the corner of the blackish cloth Richard raised his head then visibly jumped – directly across from him a grotesque face stared back.
“Fuck!” Richard hissed, then stared about… before glancing in again.
The room was laid out like a den. There were couch equivalents and wooden coffee tables. A warm golden lamp sat in the center of the room as a fireplace equivalent… and various paintings and medals lined the walls.
More importantly, it was full of the heads of monsters.
Real monsters not the animals from the tutorial. A wild-looking face that looked like a lamprey fucked a donkey. An evil-looking mug from some cross between a shovel and a lizard. Two tentacle-covered messes covered in sharp barbs and hundreds of glazed eyes.
It was a trophy room. One full of game of a more supernatural origin.
Clambering into the den, Richard looked around – impressed despite himself. He briefly had the bright idea of swiping a head then using it as a mask and running about but…the more he invested himself in the game the more he started acting like it was reality.
He would not consider himself a thief – not for personal gain or anything outside of an active prank. Maybe something from a public building instead of someone’s home would be ‘safe’?
No, if anyone considered Richard a thief, he wanted it to be for something like stealing a building or…a giant statue or something.
A faint sound rang out from deeper into the house and Richard dove under the nearest coffee table. Realizing it was the equivalent to hiding behind a telephone pole, he crawled around and behind a couch – just a few moments before someone entered the room.
The general.
He really was a military man – all thoughts of ‘mayors’ flew out of Richards mind as soon as he saw a sliver of him pass by.
The man was imposing as fuck.
Richard knew if he could see the general, they could see him as well – so, he lay as flat and scrunched against the wall as he could. What he had seen in that brief sliver however painted a picture.
The general wore a grey-green cloak – like a camouflage-painted cape that fluttered behind him. His face was sharp and his eyes piercing – his stubble black. At his waist and shifting by his leg was a strange curved sword – like a rapier that was bent into a hook. A single scar ran between his left eye and his ear. His steps were purposeful and smooth.
He looked like a young pirate cosplaying as a soldier.
Richards's breath was held in his throat as he listened to the general grab something – mumble a few incomprehensible words – and then leave.
Despite the man leaving immediately, Richard stayed laying in his hiding spot barely breathing.
That badass-looking ‘Sunnova bitch probably doesn’t have guards because he can wipe out anyone who sets foot here.
One wrong move and I’m straight to the resurrection penalty.
I keep imagining myself getting up, walking into the next room – and him suddenly standing behind me asking ‘can I help you?’ – holy shit! He reminds me of grandpa.
Okay, breathe. Let’s give it a few minutes. Give it some time so I don’t fall into a cliché trap.
…
If I spend any more time here, I’m going to fall asleep. Let’s go.
Sliding back out Richard slowly but surely began to explore. He had no clue where the general might keep his ceremonial translator, just what it might look like – he knew what the shop's translators looked like. They all had an amber gem in them. Couldn’t be too hard to find right?
It also wasn’t like anything important was resting on this caper.
Richard crept between room after room.
Through an austere kitchen and down a lavishly decorated hallway. Past an imposing entrance hall and into a messy storage room.
Richard kept sneaking – passive knowledge from that achievement guiding his body efficiently.
He didn’t like that this was becoming a theme with him – but he couldn’t help but admit it was useful.
Finally in the second more obscure storage room – located off of a strange cult-like ritual room – Richard found what he was pretty sure was his goal. A blue sceptre-like object with a single perfectly round amber sphere in its center. It was by a sketch of what Richard presumed was the dungeon and some random notes he ignored.
Pulling out the first of his potions – some acid equivalent, Richard carefully dribbled a line around the stone before popping it off and pocketing it.
Pulling out his unstable core, he rubbed a clear epoxy-like goop on it – filling in all the cracks and bumps and making it look…mostly the same as the original.
Next, he pulled out the last of his purchases. A super glue-like substance the alchemist promised would stick a Kreel to a slimewurt – whatever the fuck that meant. Rubbing a tiny bit of glue onto the staff, he placed the unstable core on top and held it for a dozen Mississippis.
This prank was elaborate. The best pranks were simpler than this, but he had time to kill…He really hoped it turned out the way he was hoping.
When Richard eyeballed the staff he could safely say…it looked the same…same-ish. If he stared closely, the shoddy job he had done quickly became clear… but it should pass a quick inspection?
Richard was not into arts and crafts – he preferred the duct tape & WD-40 style of building things. Shoving stuff together and hoping for the best with lots and lots of leeway.
He was an engineer, not a crafter – at least once he graduated…not that he was likely to graduate anymore?
Damn, that was starting to sink in too, wasn’t it? He wasn’t going back, was he? Bit trippy that.
Not that I regret my choices. After this I might try hunting some monsters. If they look like ‘that’ I’m sure I can get some mileage out of it. Seems to be the main goal of this place after all.
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
Richard left the scene of his crime, the last moments of his life before he had come here filling his thoughts.
This wasn’t a forced memory like the system had raw dogged him with when he was getting his new body.
Just some idle thoughts.
Faint reminiscing filled his head as he crawled and hid and snacked on a hastily made sandwich and lay on the general’s bed and crept on.
🏡 Achievement get: Make yourself at home in the general’s home. (Unique)
Description: You’re not scared! I bet he’s friendly.
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Stat: +1 fear defense.
Stat: +1 body power.
Richard had been in second year of university when he got the offer to simply 'stop'.
Stop and head to a new place.
Drop everything and try something new.
Accepting was probably the most impulsive thing he had ever done – and that said a lot. Richard had been impulsively making dumb decisions for the past twenty years of his life.
He didn’t have anyone he would miss – it had taken six semesters for him to realize that, once again, his friends were toxic fuckwits. He had a good track record with that. Two for two in high school and college.
His family was…fine but distant. Nothing dramatic or exciting… no abuse or drugs or anything fun like that. No, they were just boring people who didn’t care about each other as much as they should.
And university itself was a mess. A mixture of fun classes with shit professors and shit classes with professors who thought they were fun.
He had gotten a co-op over the summer and saw what the industry was like – what he had to look forward to – and he didn’t like it. No one looked like they were enjoying themselves.
He started getting interested in politics. In reading articles and browsing certain subreddits and finding out just how much he hated the current status quo.
Just when he started to lose all hope of a fun life, the system appeared. Like a savior. Like a probably predatory lawyer offering rules and stipulations but also including actual bribes. The system appeared and offered a different path and Richard took it.
He took it and didn’t look back. Richard well and truly believed something kind of rare:
The meaning of life was to have fun.
That’s it. That’s all there is to it. What’s the point in growing up in that dull world – especially when he suddenly knew this one existed? Sure, he didn’t know what he wanted to do in it yet. Sure, he knew there was a hidden catch somewhere… but fuck if it wasn’t a more exciting-looking option.
…
Richard made it out of the general’s house and up the rope once more. It was now deep into the night – the surroundings dimly lit by occasional lamps as the light of the moon didn’t make it down here easily – and he found himself wandering.
I should find a good place to nap. I’m out of money but the air is nice and warm and there are benches everywhere…that place looks good enough?
Richard picked a stone seat overlooking the pit and fell asleep a few minutes later.
Today had been longer than he thought.
…
Waking up to a goblin poking his cheek Richard groaned.
Kids suck.
“Go away, shoo, shoo.” Richard waved then stood up and took stock of himself.
Nothing had been swiped, not that he cared much about his current belongings. He felt surprisingly refreshed for the outdoor nap – no aching back or neck.
“Am I allowed to say I like my new body? Is that narcissistic? Fuck it. My body slaps”. Richard spoke out loud as he stretched.
A faint laugh rang out from a player nearby. Richard tried not to let it be obvious how much he liked that. Wasn’t even a joke. Nice.
Sauntering off, Richard made his way towards the dungeon. He had heard all about it already and its strange properties and rewards and shit – there was no doubt in his mind that a player would clear it soon. The starting pistol for the general's corrupted speech.
Making his way down level after level and finally coming across a ladder, Richard found himself standing by a pair of scraggly-looking players.
“This a line?” he asked staring at the two of them confused.
“It look like a line to you?” the taller of the two spoke with a slight sneer.
“If you want to get in the dungeon go right ahead. Get far enough in and it's nearly impossible to meet up with someone. Place does some strange shit.” The shorter of the two spoke. He waved Richard on, a bored look on his face ignoring Richards's continued stare.
“You two waiting for something then?” Richard asked again – trying to make small talk.
“Mind your fucking business” the tall player drawled barely glancing over to respond.
“Now now Dave.” The shorter spoke as he glanced over to Richard’s gear eyes lingering on his hammer and fanny pack.
Turning fully to face Richard the shorter one continued – picking his words carefully as he did.
“Listen here, you seem like a chill dude so I’ll lay it straight for you. This dungeon has just been cleared – there’s a lil light that goes off a few floors up. That means in a few minutes, the players that just cleared it will be exiting this here door.” The man pointed to the hole behind him.
Richard sized them up as they talked. Dave – the tall one – gave off the air of a new gangster – one who thought he was cool just because he smoked a joint once…but would fold at the slightest pressure. Not one who had done more than posture and threaten people on a street corner. His weapon was a long sword held at his waist.
The one talking reminded him of a friend he had had…a piece of work.
“Don’t you think it's unfair they get the best achievements just for getting here a day before us? They should share the love shouldn’t they? We got a quest to kill them for some sweet rewards. Could use a third if you want to help? Plenty of dungeon loot to be gained from their corpses and all that.” the man continued.
Richard’s suspension of disbelief completely broke. He started to laugh – they were recruiting muggers? Just…offering a spot to rob the clearing party? He laughed and shook his head at the concept.
“Taking that as a no. Got it, listen man. You don’t seem the brightest so I’ll lay out your options. You can leave us to do our thing unharmed but you’ll have to give us your stuff. Or you can get a beating and we’ll take your stuff. It's only fair – you seem to have gotten some rewards somehow ahead of the rest of us – you should share the love. What do you say?” Shorty spoke while fingering his weapon – a short sword halfway between a normal size and that of a knife.
Richard finished laughing holding his hand out in the universal sign for ‘stop, give me a second’ gathering his thoughts.
“Considering how shitty this year, and in fact, this whole bloody decade has been. I wouldn’t be surprised if it turns out this game exists to let us start directing our repressed violent tendencies towards safe targets instead of what our true focus should be on – megacorporations and those who are paid to protect them.” He spewed.
Shorty looked confused, then annoyed, before responding – all of the joviality in his voice gone.
“Fuck you like to hear yourself talk don’t you. Trying to sound smart by being confusing? Get out of here with your communist crap and give me your shit.” Shorty snapped.
“Hah! You said I was dumb and asked for banter – thought that meant you wanted some high brow shit… I’ll try again.”
Richard jumped forward aiming at shorty bare-handed.
“Fuck–” Richard kicked out at shortie’s knees and grabbed his head “–your–” running towards the cliff wall he bashed the man's head into the stone “–ugly–” Richard pulled shorties head back and smashed it forward once more “–fucking–” Shorty was stabbing Richards side, the blade barely piercing as Richard continued to beat his head into the rock “–Mother!”
Shorty stopped moving quicker than Richard thought he would, did he not have any defensive stats? Was he really that weak?
Turning, Richard found the tall lacky just now pulling his sword out of his belt.
Pulling his hammer out Richard ran forward – muscle memory he had never gained, directing his strike. The lacky stabbed Richard completely through his stomach – an angry scowl accompanying the strike – and Richards's side swing broke the man’s arm.
“Fuck you” The tall gangster wannabee spat and Richard found himself kicking them onto the ground. Instead of going for the player's head he started to beat random body parts enjoying the thuds and quick descent of posturing to pain and fear.
“You’ll regret this” the man spoke through tears as Richard finally smashed his hammer down on the player’s head.
Richard breathed heavily – more from the emotions than actual effort. That was surprisingly fun.
👺 Achievement get: Slaughterer of the weak (Rare)
Description: Kill a pair of players nearly a full rank below you. How does it feel, bullying the weak?
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Stat: +3 body power.
Stat: +3 body slashing defense.
Turning around he paused and looked at a shocked-looking couple grabbing onto one another to his side. They gripped each others’ arms as they exited the dungeon behind them and took in his handywork.
Richard froze for half a second then let his tongue work for him – this seemed like a good time to just run with it? He really was better at impulsively dealing with his actions than plans.
“You’re welcome” Richard bowed sheathing his bloody hammer and retreating towards the ladder.
Climbing the shaking thing did not make a cool exit. So, he stopped at the top and stood with both arms spread wide.
“I’m a hero!” laughing Richard proclaimed proudly then quickly made his exit. Nailed it.
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---Maddy---
Maddy stood injured beside the massive hairy ‘many legged snake’ her hand slowly pumping life mana into her side. They had won, she had survived. That was it.
Troy slowly walked over from his place behind a pillar and stood on the opposite side of the snake for a minute just staring at her.
Taking a deep breath, he finally spoke up. “I broke my skill. Using the light to control shadows did it for me. Got a light and darkness affinity. Pulled it into myself…” Troy trailed off.
“Hey! Congrats! How was that?” Maddy spoke not wanting to diminish his efforts. She wanted another moment to collect herself, but the world wouldn’t wait for her.
She needed to distribute her stats before the clear achievement would fade…but that could wait a moment.
“It feels…good. I know now I’ve really been using mana every time I use my skill. It's located right below my head and I can pull it through my arms and into my bow if I want. Vaguely I know I should make some mana circuits and direct it through my body better…we won didn’t we? I just got all the achievements for this. We are one of the first to clear a dungeon. That’s amazing, isn’t it?” Troy spoke glancing at the corpse below.
Maddy nodded and began to move about checking his body for any place she could heal. [Healing touch] – as she had taken to calling her 'pushing life mana out' – was not very efficient or fast. However, they had time now and other than a slow regeneration, mana didn’t seem to have any more costs. No point not to just run it constantly.
Might as well get some practice.
The two made their way around the room – Maddy accepting the stats and getting a very very rudimentary version of her stat allocation in the transitionary place.
A very slight out-of-body experience where she pulled the 20 stats evenly into soul power and soul speed. This time around she could tell her mana was located in her soul and the stats strengthened her control of it.
She still didn’t get how to gain these stats manually, so it seemed the best use of free stats for now. she wanted to better understand the cost of soul defense before she gained it as well – it was what had gotten her into this mess in the first place.
There were so many tunnels it was hard to figure out where they were supposed to go. Just before Maddy began picking tunnels at random, one far to her left lit up – light spilling out in an obvious ‘this way’ sort of deal.
The two made their way over and began walking carefully through the exit path. The clear tunnel passed into a small room with a wooden table – those glowing roots that had occasionally appeared, growing up into the reward pedestal.
Three bags lay across the table – each containing several large rice-shaped crystal coins. Pips – Maddy had seen them exchanged a few times. There were a few dozen coins in three different shades in each of these bags – Maddy did not yet know the denominations.
Shifting her scythe to her offhand Maddy grabbed her share and Jess’s juggling them as she tried to figure out how best to carry them.
“I can tie them to my quiver?” Troy offered and Maddy nodded passing them over.
Glancing around for anything else the pair shrugged finding nothing then left from the back.
The hallway they were in turned and came out from the side of a fork – it looked similar to one of the first two forks the team had passed when entering.
So the exit was all the way back here? That didn’t seem right.
Maddy tried to lay out the dungeon in her head finding it took much less time to reach the curtain than it did the first time around.
Ducking under the black cloth the pair could see a spill of natural light up ahead and the faint sounds of violence.
Cautiously creeping forward Maddy grabbed Troy for support as soon as the scene came in view.
To the left, a huge splotch of blood covered the wall – dripping down into the caved in face and crumpled form of another traveller.
Across from them blood was splattered everywhere – covering the ground and legs and arms of the culprit as he finished off his poor victim.
Turning he looked towards them and froze.
Maddy couldn’t read him.
The man wore the same grey jumpsuit as the rest of them, along with a shoulder sheath and pack tied to his waist.
His hair was brown, medium length, and dishevelled – like he had just rolled out of bed – and his blue eyes gleamed. They sparkled, his face crinkling like he was laughing at some joke only he could understand surrounded by gore.
Maddy found herself reaching for her scythe. Everything about the man in front of her spoke danger – he had a sword sticking out of his stomach he appeared to be ignoring.
Pulling it out and tossing it to the side the man bowed almost mockingly – “You're welcome” he spoke, his voice trembling slightly like he was trying not to laugh.
Turning he bolted towards the ladder and climbed it awkwardly standing once more and turning to face them.
“I’m a hero!” He shouted down – arms raised in a ‘tada’ before turning and leaving once more.
“What?” Troy spoke beside her glancing around in confusion.