Satisfaction soaked Blake like a warm bath. His ‘Dreamwalking’ had worked exactly as intended. Well, almost.

He was sure there was something in the world better than gaining power, he just wasn’t sure what that was.

He opened his eyes and looked at the cool, dark room of his Neuroamplifier. His mana was almost drained, his head slightly sore, his body stiff from so much time spent in the amplifier’s chair. Perhaps it was time for a little walk.

He cracked several joints and stepped into the main hall. It was the middle of the night, apparently, though he’d really had no idea until he looked. A huge crash made him jump, then he looked out a window to see it was pouring rain and maybe hail, the sky flashing with lightning.

“Guess I’m not going for a walk after all,” he muttered, and heard a chuckle from somewhere nearby.

“No boss, don’t think so.” Tommaso the Italian ‘Swashbuckler’ was apparently the player on guard tonight at the hall. He cleared his throat by the door, and looked suddenly awkward at Blake’s inspection. “Would be a rotten time to have to fight worms, too, eh?” he added.

Blake smiled politely. “Let’s hope they don’t like the storm, either.”

He walked on, looking around the hall, finding everything clean and maintained as usual. In the day it would be filled with civilians and players looking for something to do, or to ask Blake questions, or just to be close to the action.

But this late, or early, he supposed, it was pleasantly peaceful and Blake could be alone. He went to his favorite chair in the lounge and sat by a window to watch the storm.

“Blake?”

He smiled when he heard Seul-ki’s voice.

“The one person I’m happy to see,” he said without looking.

The Korean girl moved to his side with her usual grace. She was wearing a silk pajama top and shorts, and kissed him on the cheek as she slid into his lap to watch the storm with him, not saying a word. The perfect woman, he thought with a sigh.

Stolen novel; please report.

“Did you find your brother?” she closed her eyes sleepily.

Blake put his hand on Seul-ki’s thigh and frowned. “Sort of. I was in his dream. Which wasn’t a particularly pleasant experience.”

“So the new power worked?” she asked.

“Yes, yes it did.” He put his face against Seul-ki’s neck and inhaled. “You smell wonderful. What is that? Lavender?”

“My secret,” she said and smiled.

Deleted per moderator's requirements. Sorry guys, the restrictions seem to be getting worse. If you want the full story it's on my Patreon here:

https://www.patreon.com/PierceGrey

You can also find the story on Scribblehub here:

https://www.scribblehub.com/series/792760/the-first-great-game-a-litrpgharem-series/

“I’m glad I could help you,” she giggled.

“You always help me,” he said more seriously, blinking eyes that threatened to shut for the night if he let them. He chuckled at the thought. There would be a fine sight—his minions finding him still buried in a naked Seul-ki in the morning.

But he could linger a moment. Life was looking pretty damn good. The worms were a problem, yes, and there would always be more challenges. But his inner circle was leveling up, getting more powerful.

The players were increasing in loyalty. The town was getting bigger and better and they had a lot of civilians now, some actually producing things in their crafting quarter. He had his amplifier, and Seul-ki. He had Mason the monster at his side.

The storm seemed to stop at his command, turning to a light, pleasant drizzle that reminded him of home. The sun was slowly starting to rise, and Blake turned his body slightly so he and Seul-ki could watch it together without her moving.

Yes, he thought, everything is going to be just fine.

He jumped as a mechanical voice sounded in his ears, omnipotent, intrusive, ruining the moment entirely.

[Greetings, players and civilians. Congratulations on your ongoing survival. Your progress continues to impress and inspire us. Today is the thirtieth day of the Great Game and marks the end of Phase One. Tomorrow, biological imperatives will increase in both speed and intensity. Please prepare accordingly.

Helpful Tip: avoid wilderness and dungeon areas without suitable strength or protection. All risks and rewards have increased.

Good luck. And as always, we are rooting for you.]

Then the voice was gone, quick as it came, and Blake met Seul-ki’s eyes. She nodded to confirm she’d heard it too, and icy cold dread shot through his body. He did his best to remain calm, to show no sign.

He was in charge, after all. Of himself, of the settlement, of everything. He had to show no fear, to always have the answers.

“Go get dressed,” he told Seul-ki, “then head to my chair. I’m going to need some of your mana. We’d better gather everyone for a meeting.”

He lifted her off without further thought, accepting that the beautiful moment was gone.

He let Seul-ki manage her own clothes, no longer touching her or worrying about her. His eyes and mind were already on the future. And it promised to be a very long day.