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A system notification the moment greeted him the moment he opened his eyes. The bright blue message flashed incessantly in his field of vision, a stark contrast against the dull colors of the town’s buildings.

What could this be? Spook thought to himself as he clicked the notification.

[Official Announcement:

Hello, Player Spook.

This is a friendly reminder that the Climb Competition will start in under 48 hours. More instructions will follow once the server-wide event commences.

~Inside Online Administration Team]

There it was once again. Climb Competition. What was this event? Spook couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease. Lacking information was something he did not like. He had looked everywhere on the internet to dig up some clues to grasp an inkling of this “Climb Competition”, but nothing had turned up. The forums were silent. The homepage for Inside Online had nothing. It was almost as if the event didn’t exist in the first place.

Could it be possible that this event is only for Entity Accounts? The voice, in the beginning, had mentioned I'm classified as an Entity Account. Maybe that has something to do with this event. I’ve barely begun playing, and I’m already forced into a mystery. Perhaps its time to seek out an information broker . . .

Spook closed his mailbox screen as a thoughtful expression crossed his face. This Climb Competition likely had something to do with Mark. There was no way it was a coincidence. There was a reason why his account was created as a skeleton and had all these powers. A lot of strange things had occurred ever since he had met Mark, and this upcoming one was no exception. The only thing he could do now was progress and get stronger.

At the very least, I should go gain some levels and establish some sort of income for myself. I can’t let myself get bogged down by the unknown. Cash is king. I need to make some dough.

Checking his friend list, he saw Yimyo greyed out. It looked like the orc wasn’t online yet. That wouldn’t be a problem, though. He had Shade with him now. Bringing up the Soul Shard, he rubbed the crystal between his palms and summoned the genie.

The same wisps of ethereal strands slipped out of the crystal and pooled at his feet. Moments later, the veiled woman materialized into existence as the smoke solidified.

“Hello Master Spook, how may I serve?” asked Shade, tilting her head slightly at Spook. Her obsidian eyes stared intensely at him.

Beautiful. . . Wait, what. No, stop that, Sean. She’s not real. Get a hold of yourself.

Thankfully, the genie couldn’t see him blush. At least, he hoped that being a skeleton exempted him from flushing.

Clearing his throat, he issued a command to his companion. “We’re going to farm some mobs inside the Crawling Caverns. I need you to turn into the doppel clone.”

“Your wish is my command,” Shade bowed deeply at the waist, giving Spook a rather revealing view. The genie looked up at Spook from her low position and gave him a smile before dissolving into smoke once again before entering his body.

She knows for sure. Goddammit.

Spook finished the metamorphosis and reappeared in the form of Spook. This time, however, the doppel clone was much slimmer. It seemed that Shade had modified the skeletal body to be more suiting to her figure.

“I am ready, Master Spook,” murmured Shade.

Discarding all intruding thoughts from his mind, Spook turned around and headed in the direction of the graveyard. It was going to be a long farming session today, and every minute counted. Though he didn’t have the orc by his side, he was reasonably confident that he and Shade could take on the monsters inside the Crawling Cavern. Spending the whole day in there yesterday had shown him how to deal with the mobs effectively.

Combat in Inside Online is not as basic as it had first appeared to me. Turns out, performing a skill and hoping it lands is not feasible. Watching Yimyo yesterday taught me that fighting in virtual reality requires the use of dexterous movement and quick thinking. Real-time adaptation is the key to success on the ever-changing battlefield. Technique, speed, and flexibility are the three things I need to master. If I can develop on these three points, I should have no trouble with anything or anybody I encounter.

Thinking back to my very first fight with those two humans, speed was my best characteristic there. I still believe my speed is way better than my technique or flexibility. Among the three points, speed is probably the hardest one to learn since it’s easier for those who have an innate understanding of how to move fluidly and quickly. Technique is learned, and flexibility is gained by experience.

Suddenly, Shade’s silky voice called out behind him.

“Master? Where are you going? We’re here.”

Spook stopped dead in his tracks and looked back to see Shade waiting for him a few feet away by the cemetery gate. He had been so immersed in his thoughts that he had passed by the graveyard. Spook hurriedly shuffled back to Shade and scouted out the correct mausoleum to enter the Crawling Caverns.

[Entrance to Crawling Cavern

Warning: Monster-Rich Area

Party Play is recommended]

Brushing aside the warning message, Spook once again started his descent into the dungeon. Shade followed closely behind, waiting for Spook to go down a few rungs before she too started climbing down.

“Is it always this dark in here?” Shade’s remark echoed down to Spook as he concentrated on not misplacing his feet.

“Just this part,” he replied. The bottom was in sight now as the faint glow of the torches began to shine.

Shade’s voice came cutting through once more.

“I don’t do too well in the dark. My powers don’t work well without a little bit of light. I am part of your shadow, after all.”

Spook nervously scanned the bottom. They were awfully loud, and he didn’t know what sort of uninvited company they would attract.

“Stop talking and follow quietly,” whispered Spook.

The sound of Shade’s lilting laughter cascaded from above, reverberating against the surrounding walls.

“Are you afraid of the dark Master Spook? Don’t worry. Even though I can’t move as well in the dark, I can still protect you.”

“Shade! I said stop talk--”

Spook’s words caught in his throat as he suddenly felt something clamp onto his foot and yanked him away from the ladder.

Then he was freefalling.