I really wanted to speak words of comfort but I didn’t know if my fumbling attempts at consoling would look empty, so I didn’t say anything for a long time. Finally, I managed, “We’ll have to add freeing your other clan members to our quest list.”

He turned to me, his eyebrows were raised. When he opened his mouth to say something the carriage slowed to a stop.

“That would be our first fight for the day. Let’s hope that whatever monster we encounter drops treasure.”

I grinned and stood up. Lore reached the door first, pulled out a bow, and equipped a quiver. I readied my swords.

He glanced at my weapons. “I think we’ll need to get you more weapons.”

I blinked. “Don’t arcane assassins use two swords?”

“Usually. They can use a bow as well; it’s just that most of their abilities work best in close combat.” That was new information just to throw to a person before a fight.

He unlocked the door and paused. “Since you’re close combat, you go first.”

He pushed the door open and I dashed out. Something zipped past my face and dinged against the interior of the carriage. Within a half-second I took in the situation. Four small goblins hid in the trees. One of them, at least, had a bow. I couldn’t tell what the others had yet.

I cast Add Air onto my swords.

Fuck! Another arrow shot toward me. I rolled, barely dodging it, then used my teleport to stand just behind the bow goblin. I raised my swords to backstab him but he must have noticed since he swiftly dropped his bow, took out a crappy dagger, and blocked one of my swords. The other swords reached him and lobbed his head off. These goblins really didn’t have a lot of HP.

When I turned around to meet my next target I realized that the rest of the little green guys were already dead.

Holy shit! Lore worked fucking fast. Weren’t bards supposed to be weak? Or maybe it was the goblins that were too weak.

I trotted back to the carriage, eyeing my surroundings in case we missed one. Lore peaked out of the carriage and aimed his bow. Another arrow flew past me. Then another.

I jerked to see a goblin I missed fall out of a tree.

“Did we get them all?”

He nodded. “Should be the last one.”

The corpses lit on fire and a bunch of crap loot automatically flew into our shared inventory.

I climbed into the carriage, Lore closed the door, and we started to move again.

“So... What’s the deal with the goblins?” I asked.

“It’s a long story.”

“I mean, we have the time.”

He flashed a gorgeous grin.

Besides, Lore was a bard. Weren’t bards supposed to tell stories?

“Back when the PPVS first appeared in the Elven realm, the city of Gray Skies Fall on the Weary, was located in a different location.”

I blinked. Okay, but what did this have to do with goblins?

“Its current location used to be a small city with a similar name. But it was attacked by monsters. The defenders didn’t take the monsters' threat seriously and let them all run rampant throughout the city, day after day. After a certain period of time, my people lost the rights to the city. And those who used to live there all had to move so they changed to their current location and the old one became an open-world dungeon infested with monsters; but mostly with goblins, the cockroaches of all monsters. We’ll be passing through the original ruined city on our way, so you’ll see it soon.”

I nodded, a bit excited. Wait a second. That still didn’t explain the goblins.

***

It took several hours and three more fights before we reached the edge of the old ruined city… and Lore still avoided the question like it was a hot potato, so I stopped asking. If it mattered he’d tell me.

Gray Skies Fall on the Weary had a thick wall surrounding it, which was something I’d noted but hadn’t really thought much of since cities in fantasy worlds often had large defensive walls. However, this city, which sprawled over miles, had none; as if it were a regular modern city. The architecture, even in its broken state, appeared beautiful and varied. But it had no fortifications.

Maybe that was part of the reason the original inhabitants lost it. A too-large area to guard and not enough people to guard it.

The sun had started on its descent leaving the area bathed in a deep yellow light. We continued traveling down the road and finally started traveling through the city dungeon. The stillness of it creeped me out. That and knowing that it was infested with monsters. Like, would they overrun the carriage? Was that shadow that crept across the dilapidated roof a monster? A bird? A bird monster? Or part of my imagination.

Eventually, we crossed over a stone bridge that covered a massive river that gouged a line through the city. Ah, that river must have been why the city was built here originally.

“If this city hadn’t been lost, we probably could have taken a boat from here to the prison island. Unfortunately, we’ll have to go further east to reach a coastal village with a dock.”

I nodded.

A little while later we arrived at a colossal wall.

“Hey, what’s this?”

“This is where we’re staying for the night.”

“Huh? Shouldn’t we be camping out in the wild, shivering in fear while wondering if we’ll survive the night?”

Lore rolled his eyes. “There is a well-maintained road where people doing commerce travel. Of course, there will be inns spaced within a day or a day and a half from each other. You only camp out when you’re on long adventures in the wilderness or if you get into an accident.”

That actually made a lot of sense. This whole area in the PPVS had existed for well over a thousand years so of course there would be commerce from city to city. Plus inns were likely all staffed with NPCs, keeping the places filled with life even if there were only a handful of players.”

The driver had a conversation with the bulky guards who stood watch at the entrance to the wall’s gate but eventually, we passed them and went through a tunnel. We exited onto the curved inn driveway and slowed to a stop in front of the subtly elegant entryway.

Holy shit, this place was huge and beautiful, more like a defensible palace than an inn.

A knock interrupted my thoughts and we left the carriage.

“We’ll stop here for the night,” the driver said. “In the morning, wait for me here when you’re both ready. Just be out shortly after sun-up if you want to reach the next stop as scheduled.”

“We will. Thank you.”

The NPC nodded, got hopped back onto the carriage, and drove towards the carriage yard far off to the side.

Lore grabbed my hand and we entered the Inn. Right away I noticed that It didn’t have a desk like a hotel would; instead various nooks were set up where several inn guests waited or spoke with employees. A man dressed in beautiful black and grey robes walked up to us and bowed. “Welcome to Ruined City Inn. Please wait over here.”

We did as he suggested and sat down at the seats prepared for us. Very soon a woman wearing the inn’s uniform finished helping another other group and sauntered up to us. From thin air, she brought out a steaming tea set.

“Greetings to our guests,” she bowed, “If you please, enjoy our tea while we discuss your accommodations.”

She poured the rich amber liquid into small ethereal cups and handed one to each of us. Lore did not touch his cup but I picked up mine and took a sip. It tasted sweet, with a hint of mint and other herbs.

”How long will you be staying with us?”

“Just the night,” Lore said.

She nodded. “We have four options available to you. The first two are the regular price for a peaceful night.”

Lore seemed to tense up. I peered at our shared funds. We did not have a lot left over. Mostly, just what I earned from finishing the quest.

“For a peaceful night, the price for one room that could fit you both would be 1000 PMk.”

I choked as the tea went down the wrong air tube. Lore patted my back.

“I guess the price of the higher-end room at 2000 PMk is right out then, with that reaction.”

We nodded and I set my tea down. “Then, what are your classes and levels?”

“I’m a bard, level 4 with healing spells at level 19. And my partner is an Arcane Assassin, level 4.”

The woman’s eyes flashed as she stared at Lore, “You’re useful,” then she looked at me, “And you’re a little new but, I suppose you’ll do. Alright. In that case, I’ll offer you a deal. At night inns like ours have a tendency to be besieged by monsters. If you spend a three-hour shift helping the defenders then your price for one room will merely be 50PMk for the single room or 500 for the high-quality room.”

“The room for 50 PMk is fine with us.”

She nodded. “In that case.” She took out a weirdly shaped key and slid it across the table. “This is your room key. Please follow Jesrick to your room.”

Lore stood. I quickly downed the last of my tea and followed after him.

***

The room they had set us up in, was not as nice as Lore’s back in Gray Skies Fall on the Weary, but it was usable. It also had two beds which was an improvement over Lore’s room.

“Let’s hurry and sleep. They’ll wake us up for our shift in a few hours.”

“This place is super expensive.”

“Well, it has to be. It’s the only inn that still exists in this monster-infested area.”

“Ah, the good ol’ ‘We have a monopoly here so you can either buy from us or not buy anything at all,’ business practice. Are there a lot of people who buy the 1000 PMk room?”

“More than you’d think. And because there are too many people who want to get a lower rate, they don’t accept everyone who volunteers.”

“Are you indirectly telling me that she only accepted me because I’m with you?”

“That and you might make a good body shield for me.”

I grimaced. “I’m not a tank.”

“Every little bit helps.” Before I could respond he continued. “I’ll take this bed. Let’s shower and sleep while we can.”

I nodded.

***

A loud noise woke me from my slumber. I shoved the blankets away and fell off the bed, eyes burry.

[You have agreed to help in the Ruined City Inn’s nightly battle against monsters to repay them for giving you a cheap room. Hurry up and join the fight!]

“We’re going.” Lore grabbed my arm and practically dragged my exhausted ass out of our room door, down a hallway, and out of the inn.

A few people lined up in front of a small woman who had the expression of someone who caught a whiff of shit. Lore dragged me to the end of the line. I was pretty sure he’d done this before.

“Alright. In about 10 minutes monsters are going to besiege the walls. I want all mages there, firing your spells at the larger monsters in the back. Archers, You’re between the mages and the close combat folks. Fire at those large monsters and the medium-sized monsters in the middle. I want them all dead or scared off before they reach our walls!”

Except for myself, she glared at the few close combat people with swords. “I want all combatants who excel at close combat at the front. When any of those monsters make it up the wall, it is your job to kill them off before they get to the archers and the mages. Lastly,” she pointed to Lore. “You will be working with our resident healer. While he can get most injuries his mana is not everlasting so it’s best to have a backup. And let your partner there be your meat shield when those monsters get past everyone else. For your information, they like going after healers the most.”

Great, so I was the last line of defense.

“Alright people, get to your positions. Follow your lines! And don’t die if you can help it!”

A green arrow pointed towards a stairwell embedded into the wall. Lore had already started walking that way and I quickly ran to catch up and surpass him. If I was going to be his meat shield then I should at least march in front of him to take any random magic blasts.

The wall of the inn was thick as fuck. Like two carriages could easily drive by each other on top it. And it was filled to the brim with defenders, both players and NPCs.

We had to pass several lines of people until we reached an area where a small half wall was built to help give the healers more cover. A man stood there in white robes, eyes closed, breathing in and out. Lore finally stopped about 15 feet from him. A green ring appeared a few feet toward the other healer and slightly in front of Lore. I guessed that that was my spot so I stood there. The position was close enough to let me meat shield while not being too in the way of Lore’s healing targets.

Once that guy mage guy was done breathing, he talked with Lore about who would heal who, and if they’d use any instances of a spell called, “Words of Life.” The answer was, no since they needed their mana to heal live people. The dead could stay in limbo for the rest of the night.

Huh? I opened my character sheet and reviewed my current Death Penalty.

[Current Death Penalty: Loss of 6 hours of time. Yes, this means instead of sleeping, you will just not exist in the PPVS or anywhere else for 6 hours. This is a special death penalty due to an Event.]

A chill ran down my spine. That, while it didn’t sound like a terrible death penalty, not existing for 6 hours sounded creepy as fuck. Couldn’t they word it better? Like, you’ll jump 6 hours into the future.

[The PPVS endeavors to never lie to our players.]

“Heads up!” A commanding voice yelled. “Eyes forward! Mob incoming!”

“Mage Rosefire, cast Light!”

Chanting came from a mage near me and within a second, light like the start of a firework blasted out from Rosefire’s staff and flashed over the field in front of the inn’s wall. Instead of completely dark, the area looked dim. At least we could see what was going on, unfortunately.

A hoard of small monsters, most of which were goblins, ran towards the wall. Of course, since I was in the back, once they came forward enough I couldn’t see anything. It also didn’t help that there were quite a few people in front of me, blocking most of the scene.

I did manage to see some of the medium-sized monsters. They were about the size of a minivan with pale grey skin, possibly covered in snake-like scales. Their eyes glowed purple, and their fingers looked like thin knives. One of them smiled showing off its needle teeth. Yeah, okay, those things were creepy as fuck.

And the large monsters in the back? I only saw the outline of one. And that was when I realized that I was way under level for this event. Holy shit! Would I even get any XP at all from this?

The mages started chanting. They sent spell after spell into the distance. Then the archers started pulling back on their bows and aiming closer to the sky than directly at the creatures below. Their arrows radiated with some kind of energy just before they released.

This went on for a few minutes, with people taking short breaks in between casts to let their mana refill or their abilities to come off cooldown. So far no one had been injured. But it looked like I was thinking too much, because, just then some of the monsters with bows and magic retaliated with their own barrage of arrows and ranged spells. There were not a lot of attacks compared with our own but it was enough to do damage. All along the wall, people yelled out from pain. Next to me, Lore started chanting, only his words made no sound. A bow of light appeared in his hand, along with an invisible arrow. And he released. One of the mages who’d been injured jerked a little but continued to cast. I remembered the last time he’d healed me that way and grimaced with shared pain.

Then the close combat warriors and assassins upfront started attacking. The small monsters had finally climbed up the wall somehow. At first, the sword and spear wielders killed them easily. Everyone seemed to know what they should and shouldn’t do. This went on for another 15 minutes. I briefly turned to Lore who seemed to have been healing almost non-stop since the long-range attacks started. He appeared relaxed, but also ready for anything.

Five goblins crawled over the wall in front of me. The warriors next to them managed to pierce the two closest to them but the other three blitzed by. They reached the archers. One goblin stabbed an archer with his little shank, while the other was shot dead. The last one, with a gleam in his eye, ran toward Lore. I casted Add Water on my swords and intercepted him. He thrust his short sword toward my heart. I sidestepped and buried both of my swords into his skull. He died swiftly.

I was about to go back to my position when a green fiery thing zoomed toward Lore. Blood drained from my face. I couldn’t let that evil shit hit my bard. Wanting to use my body to block it, I jumped forward. Fuck! There was no way I could reach it in time. I thrust my hand forward, hoping that it would hit my fingers at least and block the spell or maybe turn it away, which was dumb... except I felt it. My intention to curve the direction of the fire spell and my action of touching the flames caused it to bend enough to fly past Lore completely. My mana drained to half and my health depleted by a tenth.

Lore and I both stared at each other for a second knowing that we had managed to stop him from getting sent to respawn.

[Congratulations! You have discovered more about your racial ability! Fire Manipulation! You are one more step closer to discovering what you’re made of, literally!]

I waved the notification away and walked back to my spot.

“We’ll talk about this tomorrow.”

I froze for a second, then nodded. I was also a little proud of myself. I’d managed to briefly get over my fear of fire... though that more had to do with the strange color of the flames than with the actual flames themselves.

After he released his next healing spell he said, “Stay close to me. Next time, just teleport me away. We can’t let anyone know about whatever that was.”

I nodded and blushed. Fuck. I probably could have teleported in front of that to block it. I really needed more practice with my abilities.

***

It took an hour of nonstop fighting before the monsters finally stopped. Everyone was exhausted. Even Lore looked like he could use a break.

“Alright. Good job you all! We only lost one tonight, but he was lower level and took two fireballs in a row. So it’s time for a half-hour break. Pair up and decide which of you will go rest first. While we don’t expect there to be another attack, that doesn’t mean that they haven’t happened before. So stay on your toes.”

A bunch of people quickly paired up, did the elven version of rock, paper, scissors, and then started leaving the area to go take a much-needed rest.

“You can take your break first, I’ll stay here,” I said.

Lore rolled his eyes. “Haven’t you realized it yet?”

“Huh?”

“They’ve been counting us as one person since the beginning. You’re my meat shield.”

I opened my mouth to say something, then closed it. Yeah, okay, he had a point.

“You can take your break first,” the higher leveled healer said. “I’m used to this, more than you are. Plus I’ve got stamina.” He winked then went back to sending out a few healing spells for those who were still injured. It was like he had unlimited mana with the way he slung those spells.

“Thank you. We’ll be back.” Lore bowed but his lips were twitching. We then received a 30 minute timer and had more arrows leading us away from our spots and down into an area inside the wall. There was a snack bar-like area where a player could pay for beautiful confections and other culinary delights. Beside it, they’d set up fluffy seating. Seriously, elven seats were the best.

We flopped down and relaxed while staring off into the distance and not thinking. At least that was what Lore did. I, having not done quite so much, people watched. Elves came in a wide variety of beautiful, after all.

Wait. I’d seen that guy. Wasn’t that Moss-person. Mage? Player hunter? That guy Crimea pointed out to me my first day in the sim. What was he doing here? Well, since I hadn’t done anything wrong to anyone yet I was sure he couldn’t be after me... or Lore. Probably.

Huh? And isn’t that the hunter lady from the party? Is she... is she stalking Lore? I hoped not. That would be creepy.

When our break time ended I pointed out the woman in white to Lore who shrugged.

“While there are a lot of players in this area, that doesn't mean that you’ll never come across familiar faces when going out on quests.”

I nodded. And we continued back to our posts for the last peaceful hour and a half.