Without another word she got up and went back to kneel beside me. Seeing her like that was almost as bad as watching me suffer.
She wasn't the only one there. Peter, Oliver and a number of faces I only partially recognized spent a lot of time discussing what to do to help. Harrison, who had gifted me the good quality iron sword, was also there for a time.
It was Kline that brought in the alcohol about three hours after my injury. He had found it in one of the dead player’s loot piles.
I went back and watched the scene again. The white light from Victoria’s hands was there, but it was faint enough I wasn’t sure if my eyes were playing tricks on me. She seemed to believe she could have done something. It didn’t make any sense. She had helped me, had helped the players that died gather their stuff, and obviously desired to help, so I couldn’t doubt her intentions.
The video skipped through times of inaction where I was passed out. Regardless I watched the doggedly long video from start to finish, unable to pull myself away from it until I woke in the morning and summoned Wink for the first time. It was supposed to be a happy ending to a sad story, but the real struggle had just begun.
Everything about this seemed wrong. Why would anyone invent a virtual simulation that caused people to suffer? The hidden goal of Codename: Freedom no longer seemed like just another interesting quest. There was something deadly serious about why we were here. There had to be. What were they trying to accomplish?
Should I quit altogether? That would be such an easy route to take. No, that was a lie. I had over two million people backing me. I had years of hard work and much to show for it. I had Destiny if I ever got out of here. What would she say?
Destiny’s words rung in my ears. “You are only a victim if you admit defeat.”
Out of all people, it was the memory of my father getting demoted that came to mind. It was years ago when I was maybe six or seven. He was more distant than normal that night when he came home. I remember my mother sitting with him at the kitchen table in silence for over an hour after dinner. When he finally spoke, there was no distress in his voice. He said his company didn’t share his vision, but he knew someone that did. A week later he started a new job and his hours increased greatly. It can’t be denied that he overcame a huge setback. Destiny was created soon after.
This same memory reminded me that after he started his new job I didn’t see him as much anymore.
I shook my head; I still needed to prove him wrong. A gamer could be more than just a user.
My trembling had stopped. Unclenching my fists, I took long deep breaths to cool the anger that had replaced it.
I wasn’t calm, but I was still. I had enough followers to persuade a number of sponsors to back me. When it was time, I would also track down the forsaken secret the government thought so important to taunt us with.
There was no way I would leave this place, regardless how insane it might be. Something as stupid as pain that had already healed wouldn’t stop me now. It wasn’t my fans or my future that motivated me to continue. I didn’t really understand what drove me then.
There was too much adrenaline to fall asleep right away. Forget exhaustion. I started the tedious process of reading comments and watching response vids. There was no way to respond directly, but my fans were watching.
If only Destiny was here she would have been able to help me understand what was going on inside of me. She knew me better than anyone, including myself most of the time. I knew she was watching, even now. What was I missing?
I found anger through reliving the most terrible moment of my life was a far cry better than debilitating fear. All that made sense was to fan the flames.
Chapter 8 – Recovery
238/238 HP
I awoke when it was late afternoon. The peaceful fuming of my anger was still supplied with plenty of fuel.
Checking my fan channel one more time, I saw a surprising personal message. It wasn’t the worried but positive one from my mother that caught me off guard. My father had written me and what it said was abnormal…
“Son. You did what needed to be done. I’m proud of you.”
It was short and seemingly generic, but coming from him… It was the first time I remember such praise without a single but, or what if.
My throat became tight. I didn’t know what to think. After all these years trying to prove him wrong, did I still desire his approval? There was no ignoring the elation that I felt, even if I wasn’t sure why I felt it.
Another surprise awaited me when I opened my character screen.
Character Status
Player Name: Lucius
Leveclass="underline" 12
Health Points: 238
Endurance Points: 360
Combat Leveclass="underline" Unknown?
Strength: 29
Dexterity: 42
Endurance: 36
Strength +1, Dexterity +2, Endurance +3
Pet: Wink (Wolf Pup)
Abilities Unlocked: Personnel Condition Monitor (Basic), Metaverse Access Hub, Creature Indicator (Basic), Abilities menu, Local Map, Danger Indicator
My Strength had increased by 1, my Dexterity by 2 and Endurance by 3. I had absolutely no idea why though. It didn’t seem to have anything to do with my level. Maybe it was because I had gotten sleep? If I could keep the pattern going my stats would be pretty impressive in just a few months.
Even with the change of stats, I really couldn’t tell the difference. My muscles were perhaps firmer than normal, but I may have just been imagining it.
Enough nonsense. I had leveled up. With 3 Ability Points to spend, it was time I carefully considered my options from here.
Since everything was still at its basic level, it was pretty clear in what order I needed to get what.
Creature Beacon Upgrade!
You are now able to discern between different types of creatures!
A blue beacon will indicate friendly creatures.
(This includes the people in your group.)
A red beacon will indicate hostile creatures.
A white beacon will indicate neutral creatures.
The Local Map will continue the color scheme for each kind of creature.
Danger Indicator!
Danger Indicator added to Creature Indicator and Local Map!
A red arrow will show in your peripheral vision if something is attacking you from behind or the flank.
The sensitivity to danger depends on your Pet’s sense of hearing.
World Map
You now have access to the World Map!
Only the areas you have personally visited or seen from another map will be visible on your map.
Terrain is very basic. Only the largest landmarks will be recorded.
Despite everything, I was looking forward to finding Kline and make sure he spent his points wisely.
Leaving my room, I planned on finding the rest of the group and unloading my loot after finding April for her “return customer discount”. With the coin I had, it was time to really gear up. There was a lot of equipment I needed to sell and I would go through the best of it and see if any was worth keeping. I also needed something to eat. Scratch that. I would eat first.
As I walked through the familiar lobby, this time without a gang of complainers, someone called out my name. Turning opposite of the room-length, oak reception desk, I saw a double wide doorway standing open. Kline stood at a round table across from Victoria, waving to get my attention.
I entered through the double wide to a large tavern of sorts with at least forty round, oak tables sitting ten chairs each. There were waitresses scurrying around carrying trays filled with wonderful aromas. Meat!
In the corner was a single musician playing a flute-like instrument. It looked to be made of wood and much longer than any flute I remember seeing. The tune was upbeat and airy.