[Basic Dagger (Lightly Modified)]

A-Grade Dagger

Durability: 19/50

Attack Power: 10 Base | 11 Modified

Equip Requirements: Basic Dagger Mastery Level 1, Player Level 1

Modification:

+10% Base Attack Power

+5% Handling

Notes: A typical low-tier dagger lost by an adventurer in the tainted lands; modified by the previous user to suit his needs

"Oh, not bad," John responded upon seeing the details. The attack power was higher than his beginner weapon by 5 points. "It's an already modified dagger. That's pretty rare."

"Just not bad?" Gram asked. "Isn't that almost twice your current damage?"

"Err, not quite. Attack power doesn't scale one-to-one with damage."

"How much could you do now?"

"28 or so SDU for a basic attack, compared to 20," John replied. Gram and Jodie might not be familiar with it, but such an increase was absurd for the early levels.

Standard damage units or SDU were RISE's method of displaying nominal damage. Due to the complexity of the damage calculations in the game, SDUs predicted the damage of the attack on a neutral area of a defenseless target.

This meant that an SDU calculation almost always gave a lower number than the actual damage on a target unless one hit a critical location. This created another measure of skill amongst the player base. By recording damage done as a percentage of the SDU value, one could judge movement precision and hunting efficiency. Of course, one had factor in defense, while a large sample size was required to limit variability. The numbers also had to be taken during peak combat to truly represent mechanical proficiency, limiting the precision of %SDU.

As another result of the system, an increase of 8 SDU didn't always translate into eight more damage. By approximating a hit on a vital as 200% of SDU, this could actually be 16 more damage, around a fourth of level 1 mob's health. It all depended on skill.

"Alright, what else is there?" Jodie asked, hoping for a staff.

"That's it."

"Really?"

"Don't forget that the magic stones lighting the place," John interjected.

"Well, I guess they're worth something," Jodie said.

"One copper each, they are low grade. Weak and ineffective in Gyead's damp environment."

"Still a good profit." Gram said, enthusiastically bending to grab the stones.

"Don't take the ones near the door first." John cautioned. "We might miss something if we make the exit dark so early."

The trio didn't find anything else. The den was completely clean, missing even any rabbit stool. They only obtained the magic stones, six of them.

"I guess that's that," Jodie announced, scanning the area near a stone before storing it in her inventory.

"You missed the one by its bed," John said.

"Oh, I guess it's the lucky seventh."

"I got it," John said, jogging to collect it.

"Alright, we'll head off first."

The light was especially faint, the stone was caught under debris from the excavation. But as he pried it from the rocky surface, the rays caught the rabbit's bed at a low angle, causing a captivating glint.

Enchanted, John brushed his hands through the dust. In the middle of the mound, like an oasis in the desert, emerged a pocket watch, carved with exquisite golden workmanship. The hardened mud coating its surface failed to hide the auric allure.

John's thumb dusted off the mud then delicately pressed the latch, revealing a spotless glass face. One must know that clear glass was a priceless technology of the era. The hands were formed in an impossibly complex shape that was equally elegant, positioned above a small window that revealed an intricate gear network.

"John, you got it?" Gram called from down the ramp.

"Hey, Helios," John called back. "How could you miss an item? You had one job!"

"I swear it got it all! You might not know me well, but Jodie here can vouch that I'd never let such a profit go."

"Really? I'm holding an -" John shut his mouth mid-sentence. He was about to call out the name of the item Gram had missed when he realized that no information box had appeared.

In RISE, almost all items, weapons, tools, consumables, even twigs on the ground, would have item data attached to it. By picking up the item, it would display basic data like a name and durability if applicable. It was so ordinary, that occasionally, John expected the display to appear when he turned on the lights or opened a door in the real world.

"John?"

"I'll be down in a moment," John answered, distracted.

"Alright…"

John kept his focus on the item. He wrapped the chain around his palm and examined the watch face, raising the magic stone. The light ran through the web of links, painting the walls like the glimmer of a crystal chandelier.

It was cold in the tainted lands and condensation formed with each exhalation. The fog distorted the rays and caused an azure shimmer as John turned the watch key, breathing life into the dormant timepiece.

…

There were three knocks, three thuds, dull against the door. The thick wooden door was out of place in the environment, but the inhabitant of the room had insisted.

"Doctor," A voice in the hallway called out.

"Yes, please enter."

"The preliminary report of the pre-release operation has been compiled," The speaker was a serious man in a suit. He had a medium build, brown hair and clean shave: a mundane appearance that could be a higher-up employee of any enterprise.

"On the desk please."

The brown-haired man hesitated for a moment, before taking long strides to the doctor's desk. It was overcrowded, files and electronics littering its entire surface. The doctor referred to it as a desk, but it was actually several folding tables positioned together.

"Just on top of that computer there."

The man placed the file gently and exited the room.

"Thank you. Please close the door behind you."

And the man did, leaving afterward.

The doctor, Dr. Cedar, gave a sigh, glancing at the plain yellow folder before him. He didn't notice when the wooden door creaked open again, this time without a knock.

"Roscoe's a bit stiff but he's a good worker," The new arrival said abruptly.

"One of your minions?"

"Of sorts," the other man, Dawson replied. He tapped the folder. His expression then changed into one of excitement. "Cedar, the pre-release is on track to be a huge success."

"Please," Dr. Cedar said. "Dr. Cedar when we are at work."

"You know I know when to hold my tongue. Also, what kind of PhD wears a T-shirt at work? Regardless, you should be happy; our effort is paying off."

"I am happy."

"Very grouchy for a happy man."

"A bit of guilt, that's all."

"We are offering a new world to everyone. Pride is what you should feel, not guilt."

"You've said that before."

There was a pause. "And I'm saying it again because it's still true," Dawson said eventually. He placed some papers on the ground to create a seat on Dr.Cedar's desk.

The doctor shook his head. "It's not the same, is it? Wasn't it supposed to be different when we designed the game? A fresh start – isn't that what we promised, a new world where everyone can pursue their dreams, where all can start equal?"

"I was idealistic then. I believe you were too." Dawson swung his legs back and forth. He was wearing casual clothes in contrast to Roscoe's strict appearance. "It is impossible to make a fair world. Some will join earlier and take from those who join later. You are the head designer; you'd know even better than me."

"I always knew that. There will have to be compromises, but... I didn't expect to have to concede so early on."

"I'd rather have it your way too, but that's one of their demands. Their funds are just too important. Be satisfied that we managed to include all experts in the pre-release rather than just theirs."

"It's already started, even I can't change it now. But satisfaction is much harder than acceptance."

"Here, Cedar, take a look at the file. It'll help you feel better." Dawson said, changing the topic. He tossed the folder, miraculously not losing a single paper.

Dr. Cedar caught the folder and frowned. "Is this supposed to make me better? Why would looking at a document of my life's disgrace help? You are a terrible comforting friend: are you even here to comfort me?"

"You're virtual reality scientist, not a criminal detective. Enough questions, read the file."

Dr. Cedar reluctantly took a look at the report.

"Page 56, third paragraph."

Cedar scanned the contents and laughed. "So, the first elite monster has fallen. What an interesting method! That's not bad speed too, it's much faster than predicted."

"Yeah, crazy fast," Dawson said. Cedar's wide smile was refreshing for him. It reminded Dawson of when they first embarked on the RISE project during Cedar's doctorate studies. It was an innocent grin that Dawson saw on Cedar's face when he played games. "Read the next paragraph."

"Thyme killed her monster 3.63s after the first party? What misfortune!" Cedar exclaimed. "But I think she'll be the one to watch for. The death of that Large Swirled Wolf was done by pure skill. The magic was extraordinarily well placed. Even NPC magic doesn't usually have that precision."

"Her skill is phenomenal, isn't it?" Dawson commented, with a smile. "She's part of the first batch too, with no guides to help her, even skipping the tutorial. Thyme just joining but obtained a peak 0.25 cast time of a max intensity Arcane Bullet. It has a 1s standard!"

Cedar nodded in approval. "This John character has an excellent grasp of the physics in RISE. His usage of the environment could be considered an outstanding skill too."

The two grown men, co-founders of the world's future largest company discussed video games for a long time.

…

Roscoe had been awfully nervous.

It was around 1 in the morning and his boss had asked him to give a report to the leader of the RISE corporation. He had stiffened under exhaustion and pressure. But at least Dr. Cedar was less imposing than what the head designer and co-founder of a company at the center of the world's attention was expected to be.

Dr. Cedar was an eccentric man. Normally a man of his caliber would be separated from the company's grunts by several floors, but his office was in the most ordinary hallway of the most populated floor. The striking detail was the dark wooden door in an office building of sleek glass and steel.

As Roscoe passed by after a coffee break, he overheard voices. The thick wood muffled the sound, but he could tell it was two people discussing something in excited voices.

Roscoe smiled. Was it odd that a game company was founded by gamers?

He returned to his post as a director of the graphics division under head graphics designer Dawson to monitor RISE's inaugural night.

…

In Dr. Cedar's office, the two men were munching on popcorn and watching the replay of John's underground adventures. They were examining the party as they left the cave.

"Oh, the thief is going back." Dr. Cedar said.

"They must have left something."

"Ah, yes, he's prying a magic stone from the ground."

"And there, it's like he found something in the rabbit's bed," Dawson noted.

"Can't be," Cedar said. "That Helios has pincers for hands. I don't like the way his beady eyes follow any valuables."

Indeed, the video showed John, excavating nothing but dirt from the mound. He then stood up and stared at his hands for a good minute.

"Is he lagging?" Dawson asked.

"That's impossible." Dr. Cedar responded. "I designed the game myself. And the wired connections in the city have had a perfect track record for three years."

John then shouted to his group, stood for another moment and left the cave.

"Is it one of your graphical Easter eggs, Dawson?"

"I promise you I got rid of them after testing. And I never touched the Gyead region: the aesthetic really isn't for me."

At that moment, a female voice was heard from the hallway. "Dr. Cedar,"

"Yes? Come in."

"The Dright Corporation has brought the documents. It requires your signature please."

"These goons are so demanding, it's two in the morning," Dr. Cedar grumbled, but still signed the paper. In all fairness, the company probably sent the papers knowing his sleep schedule was poor. The secretary was leaving when Dr. Cedar asked for something else, almost impulsively. "And Samantha, when you've completed your paperwork, head down to the physical sensory department. Bring the POV audiovisual records for player John: from the beginning of RISE until now."