When I woke the next morning, I was in a proper bed with a roof over my head. It was heaven compared to my nights camping out under the stars. I almost return to my previous way of life of not wanting to get out of bed and sleeping in; however, there are things that need to get done today. I need to meet with Darkbond and then start on my action plan.

Maybe just a few more minutes.

I unknowingly drift back to sleep before being awoken a few minutes later to the sound of movement on the floor above me. I reluctantly haul myself out of bed leaving behind the comfort of the warm covers in exchange for the cool, brisk air. When I look across the room at the second bed I notice Gem still sleeping, so rather than waking her up, I leave the room before making any noise.

It is still early in the day, but the inn workers are already busy getting ready for the day. Most of the workers are NPCs, but there are a few players mixed in with them as well. I certainly would not want to spend my valuable time working, but viewing it from a perspective of wanting a secure and safe way to earn money, I can sympathize with them.

I go up to the kitchen area, so that I can place my order for breakfast. In the kitchen the chefs starting up their stoves with their assistants running around carrying different ingredients and cookware. A user could get good cooking experience if they were to land a job like this, but personally, I would not pay an exorbitant sum of money for a meal prepared by a level 1 or 2 chef. I can barely even stand the taste of my own level 1 cooking.

"Good morning! Am I able to put an order in for breakfast?"

"Morning. You're up fairly early. We just got the stoves started up, but you're welcome to place an order." A woman in her mid thirties greets me. While she may not be an exceptional beauty like the serving girls, she still has a certain charm. It seems all the staff at the Prancing Mare inn are female. I haven't yet seen one male among the staff, but on the other hand most of the customers are male.

"I would like some bacon and eggs with a side of hash browns."

"Such a greasy breakfast. If you're not careful you might end up with clogged arteries, you know?" It would appear that this woman is a player. I don't think an NPC would be aware of the concept of clogged arteries.

"Thanks, but I don't think that will happen in EndGame Online."

"You may be right." She says while seemingly deep in thought. "Your food should be ready in 10-15 minutes. Since there is no one else here, I'll bring the food to your table when it's ready."

"Thanks. Now how much will this cost?"

"Oh, it's free of charge for Gem's guest." She says with a warming smile.

It pays to have connections, but I am shocked at how many people know Gem around here. It would seem she is very popular.

Rather than eating in the main dining area, I choose to sit in the staff area. The seating arrangement is simplistic compared to the customer area. The table and chairs are made of plain wood, but they serve their purpose.

I don't have to wait long for my meal to arrive. It pays to arrive early.

"Here you go hun. One bacon and eggs with a side of hash browns." The meal I am served is fresh off the stove and I can see steam rising from it.

"Thanks." The meal reminds me of a common breakfast I had at my home. However, the ingredients here are fresher and simply having it made for me already makes it better. She doesn't stay around and immediately heads back to the kitchen.

I quickly finish up the meal and leave my dirty dishes in the designated bin. This morning has gotten off to a lazy start; however, but I don’t plan on doing nothing all day. I might as well send a message to Darkbond before I leave.

Today I will meet up with Darkbond's guild mates and then get to work on smithing. It would be nice if real life had an experience bar that I could watch increase. I feel it gives an easy way of monitoring progress and a sense of accomplishment for achieving goal marks. In the real world I would have great difficulty finding the motivation to do the same task over and over, yet when I am playing games I am able to grind for hours without getting bored. It’s weird how that works.

I bring up my user menu and send a message to Darkbond.

"Good morning. When would you like to meet up today? I don't know my way around town, so maybe it's best if you come to the Prancing Mare. It's the place I'm staying at right now."

Alright. Message sent. I don't know if he'll be awake yet, but I should get a response when he does.

I make my way out of the kitchen area and can see the first trickle of players coming into the restaurant. The type of player that has the money to stay here overnight would have to be part of the larger guilds core players. However, the only recognizable guild is the .

I step outside onto the patio area and find a seat. The crisp morning air spreads through my lungs and brings along a feeling of freshness. The dew draws out and accentuates the aroma of the flowerbeds. I sit down on one of the lawn chairs on the patio deck and lean against the hard wooden back while closing my eyes.

Not long after, I receive a message notification.

[Player: Darkbond has sent you a message.]

"Morning. I got your message. I'll come by the Prancing Mare soon and I'll show you to the store we have rented." Oh? They have a store? That should be interesting. I imagine soon many player owned businesses will spring up.

As I am seated outside many players pass me by as they make their way into the inn. A few players have come onto the patio with their plates of food and they settle around the tables. My peace has been disturbed, but it will only get worse as the day goes on. As I am thinking of this, I can hear someone approaching me from behind. Turning my head, I can see Gem smiling at me as she approaches.

"You have a good sleep?" Gem inquires, "You look well rested."

"Mhmm. Best sleep I've had all week. How late did you stay up?"

"About an hour or so longer than you. I spent the time helping out the staff."

"Helping out?" I look at her with a puzzled expression. "Weren't you tired?"

"I was, but I want to help out as much as I can since Lady Alenia is letting us stay here for only 10 Tor a night. The regular rooms go for at least 10 times that rate."

"You should have told me earlier. I would have helped out." I feel bad for freeloading.

"That wouldn't do at all. You're my guest and besides this inn only employs women. Even menial tasks are done by women."

"Yea I noticed that. Why is that?"

"I'm not sure of the exact reason, but I know that Lady Alenia is unwilling to have males work here."

"By the way, I will be meeting a friend today. He will be coming around soon to lead me to his guild shop."

"Okay. I'll stay around here today and help out."

"Haha I can see why everyone likes you around here. Oh, let me give you all the pelts I've collected." I open up a trade window and put everything in it. I trust her to not run off with them.

"Wow!" She looks at the window with amazement. "There are so many. How did you get all of these?"

"Well it took me 6 days of hunting to acquire them. I was initially going to sell them, but it would be better for you to process them."

"Thank you!" Gem says with a beaming smile. "I'll get started right away."

Gem happily runs off toward the street. As she is running along, she passes by a familiar face. I chuckle as I watch Darkbond turn his head and watch Gem run past him.

"Hey!"

"Morning. How did you manage to afford to stay at this place." He says as he admires the scenery.

"Haha I didn't have to pay anything. It helps having connections."

"Damn. I've heard about this place. You've gotta hook me up and help introduce me to some of the girls." I had previously taken him for an upright guy, but this behavior is just shameless.

"I'm just a freeloader here myself, so you can forget about getting anything out of me."

"Fine." He says while looking dejected, "Oh yeah. Who was that girl you were talking to? The one who was running just now."

"She's a friend." I don't want him getting any ideas on her, so I give an abrupt reply.

"Maybe later you can introduce us. Anyway, let me take you to our shop."

We continue talking as he leads me to his guilds shop. The city has woken up and thousands of players are already out in the streets. Many of them do not look well off, and over half are still wearing the villager clothes. Along the streets I can see multiple shops opening their doors. It seems to be a mix of NPC and player own shops. I was told that during the riots many NPC shopkeepers lost their lives and the players quickly found out that they did not respawn.

Many of the shop’s assets were then sold off cheaply to help repair damages and then the ownerless shops themselves were sold off to player guilds. Darkbond informed me that his guild mates put together all of their funds and were just barely able to purchase a small, two floor, building. He hasn’t told me what they plan on selling, but he says the ground floor will be the storefront, while the second floor will be their headquarters.

As we are walking along I frequently see groups of players with that familiar red armband going through the crowds. The general populace makes way for these players, and I can tell they don't want to offend them.

“Pfft. They are everywhere aren’t they.” I point to the Sacred Order guild members.

“It’s only been the last couple days that they have gotten particularly bad. With the monopoly over blacksmiths any who dares cross them will find themselves put on their blacklist.”

“Haha i’m probably on their blacklist as well.”

“What! How did this happen? Didn’t you just get back to town last night?”

“Those bastards tried to charge me a tax upon entering the city and then proceeded to assault me when I refused them.”

“Sigh, They are getting worse and worse, but everyone’s too afraid to go against them.” Darkbond looks somewhat helpless while saying this.

As I am watching one of these groups in the distance I can see a skinny male player who was unable to get out of the way in time. The oncoming group knocks him down and proceeds to trample over him. They seem to be saying something to the man, but all I can see is the contemptuous look on the group member's faces. The nearby players watching this scene don't even intervene to stop them. As if they are simply glad it is not them.

Seeing this scene I am reminded of a saying, but I cannot quite remember it fully. I know I will butcher it, but the principle is there. It goes something like:

First they came for the disabled, and I stood by and watched. Because I am not disabled.

Then they came for the weak, and I stood by and watched. Because I am not weak.

Then they came for my neighbours, and I stood by and watched. Because it is not my household.

Then they came for me. But, there was nobody left to protect me.