Chapter Six: Curiosity Killed the Cat, but a Groaning Dragon Brought It Back

“You’ll wear a hole in the floor at this rate.” An amused old voice rang out from the sanctuary as Galdon paced back and forth in the hallway. Pausing, a look of distress surfaced on his face as Galdon called out in response, “It's already been a whole day, Mr. Hasson! Why hasn’t he woken up yet?”

Hearing that question again for the third time that morning, Hasson chuckled, “Larson’s a Dragonling, which makes him quite the oddball. Add in the fact that he’s over level ten now, it’s not too unusual for him to sleep.” Galdon frowned as he joined Hasson in the sanctuary. With nothing else to do he took a seat in one of the pews while he waited.

“Why is level ten a big deal? I thought before 50, only level 25 mattered.” He asked after thinking over Hasson’s words. Looking up from the altar he was cleaning, Hasson smiled, “I told you already, Dragonlings are weird.” Seeing the kid’s frown deepened at his half-assed answer he laughed.

Yesterday, when the trees had informed him that Larson was in grave danger, he hadn’t noticed the boy. It wasn’t until he was on his way back that he saw the kid running towards the church like his life depended on it. Feeling like there might be some connection between him and what had transpired, he stopped in front of him. The look on the kid’s face when he noticed Hasson carrying the unconscious Larson, had moved the old elf. He was even more impressed when the little tiger ignored his fear, lunged at him, and demanded him to release Larson. Amused by the kid’s antics, he ignored the boy’s protest and lifted him up like a sack of potatoes. Deciding to carry him back to the church as well.

Once they had arrived, the kid connected the dots. In disbelief, he blurted out in shock about Hasson being Larson’s gramps. After confirming the little tiger’s thoughts, Hasson put the boy down. Feeling relieved, Galdon’s knees gave out from under him as he broke out in tears. Seeing the little tiger that had been bound and determined to fight him for his friend, suddenly start bawling, Hasson was stupefied. When he eventually calmed him down, Hasson listened as the boy narrated the events of the last few hours. Now knowing the entirety of the story Hasson exhaled deeply, the little dragon he had taken in, really was an intriguing child.

While he was taking care of Larson, Hasson made Galdon take a bath and clean up as well as put some food in his stomach. It wasn’t long after that till the exhaustion caught up and Galdon passed out as well. He easily slept through the rest of the evening and through the night. Yet ever since he’d awoken the following morning, he’d been wearing a rut in the floor outside Larson’s room.

“Look, for most of the ancient races, level ten is a milestone. For example, high elves experience a change with their bodies at level ten. Since Dragonlings are part of the ancient race, he’s should be dealing with the same. So, there’s no need to worry, he’ll wake up after a while.” Hasson patiently explained as he went back to cleaning a statue of the High Elemental Natulis.

Galdon nodded in understanding before starting to ask another question that had been gnawing at him. “Um…” But before he said it, he thought better of it and changed his mind.

Hasson looked over at him and raised an eyebrow, “Hmm? What, wondering why an old elf is taking care of a little dragon in the border forest?” Galdon’s ears flattened, Hasson had hit the nail on the head. Hasson nodded, “I figured you’d be curious. To put it simply, he was a gift from the Elementals.”

Glancing at the old man with speculation, Galdon knit his brow, he wasn’t buying it. Just as he was about to press Hasson for the real answer, he was cut off. “Be careful, Galdon. Curiosity killed the cat remember.” Hasson wondered if he’d overdone it when he realized just how pale the kid turned at his words.

A low groan coming from Larson’s room quickly defused the awkward situation. As fast as lightning, Galdon sprang up and sprinted toward the other room. Behind him, Hasson grinned as he sat his cleaning rag down and followed.

After Gramps had arrived and he blacked out, a text box had appeared in his mind. It informed him that Hasson had cast both a healing and sleeping spell on him. As such, all his injuries were healing and the pain faded away. At first, he was relieved, he figured that he could log out since he was technically asleep. He was wrong. Another little box popped up, as if to be spiteful, and told him he was unable to log out while under the effects of a spell.

At this point, he was wondering if the system was making these rules up just to keep him here. Not wanting to fall victim to that line of thought he shook his head. Yet as time passed with him floating in the void of darkness, waiting for the sleeping spell to wear off, the thought kept rearing its ugly head. Thankfully when the effects of the spell finally vanished the text box he'd been praying for finally appeared.

Entering Sleep Mode

Do you wish to log out?

Yes / No

Without a second thought, he clicked on logout. However, when a second box popped up asking him to confirm his choice he hesitated. What would he do after he logged out? Outside the game, he was unable to move or talk, and hardly able to see. Being kept alive by the machines that pumped fluids and nutrients into his body, it was hard to call that living. ‘Just because of a little pain I've decided to return to my hospital bed and just lay there, while slowly waiting to die?’

He argued with himself for a while before he finally let out a frustrated roar and started yelling to himself. “Goddammit! The nurses probably wouldn't even know I was awake anyway! Screw it, what's a little pain when you got healing magic!” Mentally slamming the cancel button before he could change his mind, he let out a sigh. He felt as if a burden had been lifted from his shoulders.

After choosing not to log out the sleep mode box appeared before him again. However, this time there was a different option.

Entering Sleep Mode

Level Ten has been reached, do you wish to activate [Begining Bloodline Awakening]?

Yes / No

Intrigued he clicked the new choice. When he did, a countdown timer appeared before him, informing him that he'd be in a forced sleep mode until it was completed. Not really wanting to see what thoughts would pop up if he sat around in the void and twiddle his thumbs, he started tossing random questions at the system.

“Oi, system, what happens when your character dies?”

When a player character dies, they will awaken where they last entered sleep mode. Anything collected prior to dying will be lost.

He opened his eyes wide as he saw the replay, this game wasn't a joke. He was now super glad that old man Hasson managed to arrive in time. Happy that he chose to sleep every night he moved on to another question. “How does one contact a GM?” This time instead of a text box a little jingle went off next to his ear. Following that, a sunny voice called out to him.

“Good afternoon! This is GM N how may I improve your game experience today?”

Larson was floored when he heard the voice. He hadn't really expected to talk to an actual person. It wasn't until the voice called out again with a worried ‘Hello?’ That he realized he was just floating there dumbly with his mouth open. Clearing his throat, he finally replied, “Um, hello? My names Larson Reed, I was wondering if I could ask a few questions?”

“Why of course Mr. Reed, it'll be my pleasure to answer your question to the best of my ability.” The cheery GM stated, giving Larson an underpaid retail worker feel.

After that Larson asked a few questions like why’s the pain so realistic, was it possible to tone down the pain sensor, and a few others. The answer to all basically boiled down to; it's to make the game as lifelike as possible!

Not really having anything else to ask about at the moment, Larson ended the call. But not before the GM happily reminded him he could call again anytime from the sleep mode menu. By the time the call was over there wasn't much time left on the timer. With nothing else to do he closed his eyes and eagerly awaited the feeling of awakening.

As Larson awoke he groaned, his whole body ached, especially his lower back. He’d just opened his eyes when he was tackled by something with a fluffy and white head. Blinking, he looked down to see Galdon clinging to him in tears.

“Gal, I’m happy to see you too, but it hurts…” Larson said as he awkwardly returned Galdon’s hug. Realizing what he was doing, Galdon quickly let go of Larson and took a step back. Staring at him with puffy eyes he sniffled, “Don’t sleep so much next time.”

From the doorway, Hasson smiled as he watched the boys, “Alright, breakfast yesterday was a long time ago. Larson must be starving, how about we all head to the kitchen?” As if to show its agreement Larson’s stomach let out a loud grumble. With a laugh, Larson scratched his head in embarrassment. It was then that he finally discovered why his body was so sore. Brushing off the weird looks from Galdon and Hasson, he quickly scrambled out of bed and made his way over to a nearby wall mounted mirror.

Beholding his reflection, he was dumbstruck.