The BestPrice on the edge of town had seen better days. The age of electronics retail had gone a decade ago and now the store mostly survived on selling cables at ridiculous markups and pushing overpriced smartphones and TV's onto old people.

I’d headed back to Hernberg after my short fight and logged out. It was still mid-morning in the real world and the store was all but abandoned this time of day. A few lazy looking employees in yellow shirts attempted to look busy but it was poor ruse.

I took only a cursory glance around the store as I made a bee-line for my destination. The Otherworld display was impossible to miss. Giant flat-screens hung from the ceiling in a circle around a display model of the VR machine. They had shelves assembled behind the machine holding various cables, connectors, adapters, and proprietary add-ons. I was looking for one in particular though.

A secret dungeon would be BIG news. So I thought it was time I spent some of my money and bought the video-capture device for my system. I wasn’t sure how many views I’d actually get but It should be a pretty good number. I’d had one money making opportunity snatched away from me but another had dropped neatly into my lap.

I was examining two almost identical video-capture devices when a voice spoke up from beside me. “Can I help you find anything?”. It was one of the lazy looking employees in a yellow polo. The girl was pretty enough, thin body, blonde-hair, and long legs but she had a sour look on her face that did not suit her in the slightest. She chomped loudly on a piece of gum and I had to keep myself from rolling my eyes.

I could not think of a single thing this girl could possibly help me with. Maybe I was judging her by her appearance too harshly but I had a feeling she wasn't the sharpest tool in the proverbial shed.

“That’s alright, I’m just trying to figure out what the difference between these two video-captures add-ons is.” Looking at the specs on the back they were 99% identical. The only real difference was one was in a blue box with ‘Premium’ on the side, while the other was no frills clear box.

The sales girl immediately pointed to the blue-box while snapping her gum. “That one’s better.” I flipped the box over and reread. I didn’t see anything this time either. I raised an eyebrow.

“How can you tell?” I asked, curious. She rolled her eyes and looked at me like I’d just asked what color the sky was.

“It says premium…. premium means better.” She sighed heavily and flipped her hair as she snapped her gum again. I rubbed a hand against my forehead and tried not to say something I’d regret. I took a few more seconds to decide then I sat the blue-boxed video capture back on the shelf and grabbed the clear one.

“Wow that guy’s buff….” I looked over to the blonde still standing nearby and saw her looking up at the circle of flat-screens above the display. A familiar Otherworld video was playing on the screen and I groaned loudly.

“What? He is. “ The girl said misunderstanding me.

I was wondering how Nexus had actually managed to get the rights to show that video in a display. They must have paid that caster from the Knight’s a butt-load of money to get permission.

“The game changes your avatar based on your stats. He’s probably some wimpy overweight nerd who spends all day indoors playing games and watching porn.” I said as I too looked up and watched my alter-ego fight my doomed struggle.

She sighed audibly “Figures. I can’t imagine anyone who’d like… want to spend all their time on something like that.” She looked over at me clutching the video-capture card. “No offence”

Geee…. How could i possibly take offense at something like that?……

She looked at me for a moment then back up to the screen before looking back to me again. Her eyes roamed me in a way I'd normally would have appreciated. Then she ruined it by opening her mouth.

“You do look a lot like him. You should work out more. You could probably buff up quite a bit with those shoulders.” She said before she turned and headed away.

Oh that bitch……

I reached for my magic. It was almost subconscious. I honestly wasn’t sure what I was thinking in that moment. Whether I just wanted to rattle a few shelves to scare her or try and show off a bit to redeem myself. It never even crossed my mind that I was standing in the middle of a BestPrice in the real world and things like magic didn’t actually work here, but I suppose spending more than a month in a game that’s so real it’s impossible to tell the difference is bound to cause a little disassociation from reality.

I noticed something was wrong as soon as I tried to connect with the earth but I'd done it so many times over the past couple of weeks I was already past the point of no return. The earth felt…. cloudy here, but the sensation only lasted a moment before I reached down into myself and tugged on my mana. As soon as I grabbed a hold of it a bolt of red agony shot through my brain and collapsed to the tile floor flopping like a landed fish. I must of moaned or yelled because soon the blonde was back at my side.

“Oh my god are you alright?” She asked worriedly. I just covered my eyes with my hands and moaned piteously as I lay on the floor with my head throbbing. I heard more footsteps and frantic voices as the world spun and it was all I could do to keep from throwing up all over the white tiles. God my head hurt. It felt like it had when that witchcraft barrier I’d cast with MoProblems back-fired on me.

I’m not sure how long I lay there but eventually I could function enough to sit up. Four yellow shirted employees were all looking at me with worried expressions while a couple of curious shoppers gawked at me from behind them.

A middle-aged guy in khakis and a yellow polo with a ‘manager’ pin on it spoke up next. “Are you alright sir? Do we need to call an ambulance?” I shook my head which sent a fresh wave of nausea through my body. I looked down at my hands and noticed the blood on them. A quick examination let me know my nose had started bleeding again.

The lights stung my eyes and my head pounded like I had a terrible migraine. I tried to downplay my injury as much as possible and managed to get to my feet and stumble towards the check-outs. The manager tried to stop me but I waved him away and managed to pay and get outside into the parking lot. The sun sent more pain rocketing through my brain as I found my car. I struggled with the keys for a bit before I got the back-door open and collapsed across the back seat. I just laid there in pain as I blocked out the sun with my hands and tried to breath as my head pounded. I was in no condition to drive.

What the hell was going on? This kinda thing happened to me in Otherworld all the time. Any time I burned too much mana or tried something too complex I’d get some backlash but this was the second time it had spilled over into the real world. I’d written off the first time as an anomaly but something was seriously screwed up here. I felt like I’d almost given myself a stroke trying to do magic in there.

I just laid there staring at the ceiling in my Toyota as pain slowly receded. I wasn’t sure what scared me more. The fact that I could have permanently injured myself, or that I was pretty sure my magic had almost worked.

****************************************************************************

It was afternoon before I felt well enough to head back to my apartment. I rested on the couch while a hundred thoughts swirled through my head. Should I go to a hospital? Was I in danger? Was I going crazy?

I really wanted to try using my power again but at the same time I was terrified. What would happen if it didn’t work? Would I give myself a stroke and die? What would happen if it did work?

A vision of myself belted to a steel table in some government bunker pushed itself into my mind. Definitely not the hospital. I had no idea what my brain would look like under an MRI but I had no desire to found out.

I felt like I had when I’d first figured out I was trapped in Otherworld. The same questions I’d asked then and never got any answers to bubbled up in my mind. What the hell was going on with that game?

Why was it so far ahead of everything else technologically? Why did they kidnap me for something I would have gladly signed up for? Why use a technology so amazing for a fantasy MMO in the first place?

MMO’s weren’t even a popular genre. Even the most popular MMO ever only made 200 million a year or so in it’s prime. Why didn’t they make a shooter? Why make a videogame at all? What would the government pay for such a life-like environment to train soldiers in? Hell why not make porn?

An environment where everything feels completely real. Where you could drink as much as you wanted. Do whatever drugs you wanted. Where you could do anything you wanted to whom or whatever you wanted in an environment completely free of ridicule or consequences? They’d make billions, and not one or two. None of it made any sense at all. The more I learned the less I understood.

Should I stop playing? I didn’t know. The game had obviously done something to me or was doing something to me but I didn’t want to quit. It was a good way to make money and it was fun. I couldn’t imagine myself wanting to play anything else after having experienced something so awesome. The game had ruined all other video-games for me.

Besides, playing was likely the only way I was going to get any answers. I couldn’t imagine it was that dangerous. How could they take something to market that would kill people. They’d be knee deep in lawyers the first time some spoiled rich boy ended up with a nosebleed. I ran my hands through my hair. This wasn’t getting me anywhere.

I could only deal with what was going to happen when it happened but I could take a day off at least. I didn’t have much to do in game until tomorrow night. I decided I’d just laze around the apartment the rest of the day.

First thing on the agenda was to install my video-capture card. It wasn’t very difficult. There was a side-panel on the base of the system that could be removed and the card simply slid into a slot marked “add-on cards”. It was a little disappointing but I didn’t want to spend a ton of time on it anyway .

I had just settled in for a Netflix binge when Chris stomped out of his room.

“Your looking glum” He said as he slumped onto the couch beside me.

“Yeah… Just got some crap to think about you know?” I said as I looked for something interesting to watch.

“You get shot-down or something?” He asked as he got up and grabbed a couple sodas from the fridge.

“Na….. I actually have a date tomorrow… sort of.” I said as I selected a bad sci-fi series.

“She hot?” Chris asked as he tossed me a Pepsi.

“Pretty hot, but kinda angry.” I said shrugging. “Short-hair, tattoo’s, great hips, tusks…..”

“Seriously dude? Partying with someone is NOT a date.” He said, shaking his head.

“Says who?” I said defensively “ We are going somewhere to do something together. We agreed to meet at a particular time and place. She’s a girl, I’m a guy. That counts.”

”That does not count.” He said as he took a sip of his Mountain Dew.

“What are you doing out here anyway? Aren't you supposed to be slavishly making my gear. I’m heading into a dungeon tomorrow. I’m meeting a girl and I need to look sharp.”

“You're really going to play that card on me?” He said disgusted.

“I’ll play whatever card I need to.” I said, shameless.

“Fine…… At least let me watch a couple episodes of this. I just finished my commission. I’m giving Hiromi her weapons tomorrow.”

“I KNEW IT! You bastard, she was Asian. Bros before Hoe’s. I’m revoking your man-card.” I yelled.

“Whatever. You know damn well you would have done the same thing.” Chris said as he sipped his soda.

The day was starting to look up. I felt better already.

**********************************************************************

When I logged back in to Otherworld Hernberg was covered in a thick mist that seemed to cling to the grey stone walls of the city. It was afternoon in game but the sun was covered with dark grey clouds and a steady drizzle fell making disgusting pools of reeking sludge on the cobblestone streets.

Even the foul weather of this god-awful city couldn't dampen my mood though. I was finally getting some gear. After a month of struggling with nothing but clothes I was actually going to have some armor. I had some errands I needed to run first though. Those noobs that tried to kill me had dropped a little over five gold between the three of them. Which put some weight back in in my anemic money pouch.

I dropped by the Horse and Four and stocked up on some trail rations. Then headed into the main part of the city to blow the rest of my money. I upgraded my fifty pound pack to a hundred-fifty pound one. That set me back four of my new gold and I used another six silver to fill my new bigger pack with firewood.

I was headed to the south gate to meet with the MoProblems and the girls when I got a message notification.

Ding

Private Message from Allric Stoneforge

It's about damn time.....

“Alright I'm getting ready to mail your stuff are you ready?” Chris asked in my head.

“Of course I'm ready. I've been waiting for you all day.” I replied as I headed to the nearest mailbox. I rubbed my hands together in glee.

“Alright sending now. Lemme know what you think.”

Blip

I reached into the mailbox with eager hands and grabbed out my new gear. The first piece was chest armor. It looked like a bunch of overlapping bands of leather studded with bits of bronze. The pauldrons were leather but had bronze plates stuck over-top of the leather. It wasn’t an armor design I was familiar with but Chris was the expert. I inspected it hoping for the best.

Centurion's Leather Lorica

(Uncommon) [Superb]

Leather lorica based on a modified Lorica Segmenta design. The armor has had magically imbued bronze added to it. Increasing the protection it provides and adding a minor boost to Coordination. The Armor was crafted with an eye for detail improving its overall attributes.

Armor: +40 (50)

Class: Armor [Medium]

Slot: Chest

Durability: 135/135 (168/168)

Effect: +25% armor, +25% durability, +3 Cord

Crafted by: Thaddin Mossgrove, Forgemaster Allric Stoneforge

“Since when are you a forgemaster?”I asked as I inspected my new armor. The stats were pretty good. Nothing too amazing but a massive upgrade from my shirt.

“That’s a bit of a story.” Chris said sounding smug. “But suffice to say even the game recognized my amazing smithing skills.”

I snorted. “Alright, gimme the rest of it.”

Blip

Centurion's Bronze Battle Skirt

(Uncommon)

A bronze-plated leather battle skirt. Made from centaur leather it provides the wearer with a portion of equine endurance.

Armor: +40

Class: Armor [Medium]

Slot: Legs

Durability: 120/120

Effect: +2 End, +1 LBStr

Crafted by: Thaddin Mossgrove, Forgemaster Allric Stoneforge

“A Skirt, really?!” I said as I inspected my newest gear.

“What?..... I’m going with the Roman style it’s what they wore.” He said defensively. “That was the top-quality armor design for most of a thousand years. Alexander The Great conquered most of the world with troops wearing that stuff.”

“Yeah, and he was also gay. So it’s not surprising he wanted his men running around in armor that showed off their legs.” I snapped back.

“Stop being a girl and put it on.” Chris yelled over the PM.

“Fine…..” I grumbled and put on the armor and skirt. It wasn’t a quick process. Getting all the buckles and ties right took the better part of ten minutes. I was frustrated and sweating by the time I finally managed it.

“Jesus, This stuff is heavy.” I complained when I finally got it all on. Even though most of it was leather and I was strong the weight was still noticeable.

“Yeah, It’s bronze….. It’s heavy and soft. Even alloyed with tin it’s still mostly copper. That’s why people stopped using it for armor as soon as they learned to work iron.” Chris replied. “Now for the icing on the cake.”

Blip

Centurion’s Paludamentum

(Rare) [Superb]A crimson cape in the style of ancient Fedor. This cape was created with the pelt of the fallen Rat King and uses magically imbued bronze for its clasp. This has created a powerful magical enhancement granting defense against magic as well as imbuing the wearer with the increased battle prowess.

Armor: N/A

Class: Armor

Slot: Cloak

Durability: 80/80

Effect: +15% resistance to all forms of magic, +5% increase to damage dealt.

Crafted by: Robert Fallan

It was a cloak dyed a rich red. I ran my fingers over the material and smiled at it’s softness. It was pretty high-quality work. Especially considering what the pelt had looked like when I mailed it to Chris. It was one of those odd Roman cloaks that buckled over one shoulder but when I got it fastened it ruffled as it caught the breeze. I couldn’t help but smile.

“Very nice….. But who’s Robert Fallan?” I asked when I got it on.

“I’m not a tailor. I subcontracted it out to an NPC. Cost me a butt-load of money too.” He replied, obviously pleased but trying to hide it.

“Alright, I take back most of the bad things I said about you this week. The stuff’s awesome.” I said, smiling.

“You’re so generous..... and your buying me lunch sometime this week.” Chris said hanging up the call.

I looked down at the completed ensemble. It was pretty damn awesome and compared to most of the crappy chain-mail and badly forged breastplates most people were wearing it was very distinctive. Another gust of wind sent my cloak billowing and I grinned as I headed for the South gates.

**********************************************************

“Are you sure you wanna do this?” Jasmine asked as she and Meredith walked towards the south gates of Hernberg.

“I’m uncertain why you are being so recalcitrant. Francis vouched for his integrity and this is an amazing opportunity for character advancement.” Meredith said from beside her.

“Honestly, I don’t know either, but every time I look at him I get mad from some reason. It’s like I recognize him from somewhere and know he’s an ass.” Jasmine responded with a frown.

“I know you have a great deal more experience than I with social situations but from everything I’ve heard it seems that most men are asses.” Meredith responded coolly.

“Preach on sister.” Jasmine said as she chuckled. The two of them crossed through the soupy mist that hung over the city. It was hard to tell the time in this gloom but the two guys they were supposed to meet should be near the gates by now.

Sure enough, as the South gates came into view they saw their two group-mates. The wizard was inspecting the taller one’s gear. It must have been new because he hadn’t been wearing it in the Inn yesterday morning.

Jasmine took the opportunity to look him over. He was tall and dark-haired with broad-shoulders and the muscles of someone who spent too much time in the gym. He was wearing some Roman legion get-up with a massive bronze hammer over one shoulder. His face was in profile to her and Meredith and she inspected it thoroughly.

He wasn’t handsome exactly but his face was passable she supposed. Then he must have caught sight of them because he turned and smiled. It put a dimple is his left cheek and his green eyes sparkled. The look was so full of boyish mischief that she felt her own mouth start to lift at the corners. At the same moment she had an overwhelming urge to punch him right in the face.Her smile reversed itself into a frown but that only made the big idiot smile wider.

Instead of hitting him, Jasmine insulted him. “Compensating for something with that hammer?” She called out to him with a raised eyebrow. Her jibe didn’t ruffle him in the slightest. Instead, his smile turned wolfish as he replied.

“Exact opposite problem actually. I had to have the smith make it this big as a counter-weight otherwise I can’t corner very well. Too much weight swinging around down there ya know?” He replied without missing a beat.

She did laugh then. “So what’s the plan?” Jasmine asked as Her and Meridith came to a stop next to the boys.

“Well first we need to lose your tail….. Don’t turn around and look…...” Noob Slayer said as Jasmine aborted her turn and looked at him.

“Anyway…..” He continued. “We head into the sewers. Then we hide. We El-Kabong who ever follows after, since I’m sure someone will be. You two are quite to hot commodity. Then we head to the dungeon.”

Jasmine looked over at Meredith again hoping the girl would call the whole thing off but instead she said.

“That sounds lovely. Lead on Mr. Slayer."

“Follow me ladies.” He said as he took of at a brisk walk. He lead them over a few blocks and into an alley. Then he glanced around and pulled a metal grate up out of it’s housing. He sat it down then waved them down into the sewers.

Jasmine scowled but headed down with Meredith and MoProblems trailing after her. There was a more rattling of metal as Noob Slayer pulled the grate back into place as he came down after them.

“Alright, Quickly now” He said. Then he sprinted past them and into the darkness. Confused the rest of the group chased after him until he rounded a corner and ducked into an alcove off of the tunnel. Jasmine came to an abrupt stop next to him.

“What are you doing?” She asked, confused.

“Trying to hide. So keep it down.” He snapped back as he took a small wooden box out of his bag. Jasmine watched as he poured sand around the four of them in a circle. Then he made smaller circle and started drawing lines and symbols in it. Soon colors flashed in the air around them and their circle grew hazy for a moment before returning to normal.

“Now what?” Jasmine asked frustrated. He’d obviously done something but she didn’t know what.

“Now we wait.” He said smugly. They didn’t have to wait long. Less than a minute later they heard footsteps and voices coming from down the tunnel.

“Are you sure they went down here?” one of the voices asked.

“Yes, you told me to keep an eye on them and tell you if they tried to leave. They are probably trying to find a way out of the city down here.” Another spoke up.

“Well then find them!” The first one shouted. The sound of boots grew closer and Jasmine tensed. A half dozen figures came around the corner and Jasmine pressed herself against the wall. Then they were walking past Jasmine’s alcove in a loose line. She couldn’t believe they weren’t being spotted. They had torches and they were walking close enough to touch. She thought Noob Slayer's plan was to let them pass but as caster of the group past in front of him his hammer glowed orange.

The caster must have seen them then because he turned startled before Noob Slayer smote him. There wasn’t any other way to describe it. The poor caster, whatever his class was, simply broke. Jasmine caught one glimpse of crushed bones and bloody meat before the game thankfully turned his body into mist.

He wasn’t done yet either. The caster had been in the middle of the group and Noob Slayer stepped into the gap he left in their line and extended a hand towards the two fighters in the rear. Then a gout of flame burst from his finger tips and caught the two right in their gaping faces. Jasmine finally snapped out of her reverie and drew the axes on her hips as she rushed toward the the other three.

The first one went down before he even knew they were being attacked. However the second managed to parry her next strike and she took a sword wound in her shoulder before her other axe caught him in the neck. He went down with a gurgle which left her against the last fighter on her side. This one was more cautions and was hiding himself behind a shield as he tried to back away. She didn’t let him.

She charged and threw a shoulder against his shield. The impact sent him stumbling backwards and Jasmine pressed her momentary advantage. She rushed forward relentless and got a hand on the edge of his shield. She pushed it to the side and spun behind him burying an axe into his unprotected back.

He tried to right his shield to face her again but she kicked it. The blow completely broke his guard and her next two axes fell on the side of his head. He slumped to the stone already dead. She turned and saw Noob Slayer bring his hammer down on the last remaining fighter as the boy clutched at his burned face. Then Noob Slayer turned her direction and grinned.

“Well that was exciting.” He said as he stuck his hammer into the pack on his back. “I think that should do it for pursuit. Shame I had to get PK flagged but alas, what can one do?”

Jasmine resheathed her axes and just looked at him. not sure of what to say.

“Well anyway. Let’s get going. The dungeon awaits.”

AN: Sorry! Late this week. Street Fighter V came out and I've been polishing my Rainbow Mika skills. As for the story . We've got some plot-twist followed by the MC finally getting some gear and meeting up with the girls. And that's two fights in a row! Will Noob Slayer become and unstoppable death machine. Will he reach the height of cultivation and slay the worlds gods like a Wuxia novel! Find out next time.

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