Ch2

It’s dangerous to go alone

After what seemed like endless waiting Roger was sitting in a white room wearing a hospital gown sadly it was an upgrade from his clothes he had on before they bathed him and gave him a meal of hash and potatoes saying he could not take the test with low blood sugar. But honestly the nurse's face told him it was out of pity, he was too hungry to care. It was the first hot meal he had in months.

“Please lay down on the table and try not to move” a robotic voice came from the speaker on the table he was sitting on. With a shrug he complied, swinging his legs up the bright lights forced him to close his eyes he felt a pinch in his neck. Next thing he knew he was standing in a meadow all around him was weapons of every type from antiques like a m16 to spiked covered gauntlets that were bigger than his whole arm.0

In the middle stood a copy of himself but better in every way he was taller, handsome and looked like he could bench a Mack truck. “This is the you I’m trying to make, '' a voice from behind said. ``Thanks for giving so much to work with.” Disappointment was clear in the tone turning around roger stood face to face with a tall slender man with a bright blue Mohawk wearing antique clothes, pants that you could find in old magazine that once were called jeans how to make them was lost to time, a leather black jacket styled for looks and not armor and a shirt that said punks not dead with a lady’s face on it covering her eyes. “I’m ERron spelt with an Er not with an A and I’ve been so blessed to be your AI companion.” He explained with sarcasm dripping from tone. “ what will it be, will we use swords, spears or bows. Guns maybe if you can find a working one, or are you going to banish me to nowhere and go become a miner?” Pointing to each area where the weapons hung then to the exit without giving roger a moment to think. His head was spinning. No one he knew ever talked about this all they ever said was to pick the door and not to try his hand at diving. “ What if I don’t know how to use any of these but don’t want to mine?” He asked voice barely more than a whisper “ Well then let’s talk about that!” Clearly ecstatic that it was not going to get reprogrammed right away and had a chance to plead his case. After all, Roger was an unknowing jury ”well, do you know how to fight, like do you know Kung fu or something? That looks like a no your skin and bones hmmmm?” Walking around tapping his chin deep in thought a robotic voicen cutting his time short “simulation will end in two minutes” “Fuck alight let’s for get all of that grab what ever you want to learn with and I’ll help the best I can just go and pick!” Fear clear in his voice, making Roger panic, he grabbed what was next to him, a bō staff. “Chose confirmed ending simulation no party termination request at this time” the robotic voice going off again. Blinding light woke him up and the nurse there to help Roger up.”Remember honey there is no shame in mining, we all need metal.” On his hand appeared the staff “ Oh dear” she said with a gasp letting go of his hand looking at him like he was a dead man walking. That sad look you give old dogs at the pound. “Alright let’s get you dressed we tossed out your rags and got a miners uniform ready for you in thought that you would crave the safety of it but umm turns out that was not the case and we can not give it to you” she said sheepishly “Ask about code name helping hand program”ERron said in Rogers head “helping hand program?” He said out loud. The nurse turned pale “ that’s for orphans of divers and we don’t have your records on file I’m afraid that I can’t do that without proof of who your parents were.” She stated trying to cover up that He just said something important “Ohhhh she wants to play hard ball this so is going to be fun, give her code 9238 under Murphy” ERron laughing inside Rogers mind was bit unsettling he slivered “ Murphy 9238” roger said clearly confused. If this lady gets any paler she would be see though “ one minute sir.” She squeaked going to her console. “Mr Raymon Murphy and Miss Rela Pickled, status MIA living relative one son name Roger Ray Pickled. Oh my no no no this just should not have happened you should’ve been in the program as soon as they did not come back! Wait here I have to get the officer on duty you are owed 14 years worth of service!” She was livid it was clear that someone dropped the ball on this but Roger did not mind it sounded like something was going his way for once.”oh my I might have gotten us into some hot water whatever you do please don’t tell them I told you!” ERron was scared that confused Roger more then the reaction from the nurse.

Being stuck in the government center as they worked out the best way to sort their mistake was mind numbingly boring Roger had hoped that he would have already made it to the monoth and all of this was slowing him down. He was not going to be happy if it took to much longer, thankfully as he was getting up for the 100th time a man in a cheap suit came out “ come with me please, and I’m sorry about the wait there was a lot of paperwork that had to be done for back dating and making a plan on how to help you going forward. Now as you might know helping hands was set up so those who are lost to the towers don’t have to worry so much about their dependents there has only been a small number where both parents are divlers and never has there been a kid left alone!” The man clearly upset about the whole thing “My name is Woodrow and I am your case manager normally I handle about 60 cases but I have been made clear to focus on just you Mr Pickled. Your situation has put us in well a pickle you are owed from the time your parents did not make their check in time to now just a little bit under 14 years of support.” He paused to make sure Roger was following along still in hospital gown doing his best to keep his cheeks covered as they walked; it left him with an odd little dance more of a walk. “ Oh my did they not give you back you clothes?” Woodrow asked clearly embarrassed but the looks of it” no sir they burned what I had called them rags.” Roger explained in a quiet voice trying to draw less attention to himself unsure if that was possible but he was going to try” My son is your age we will give him a call and have him bring you something I’m sorry his taste is vintage.” Woodrow said opening the door to his office. “ You will be staying with me and my son he’s not a diver but he works with some he handles the logistics of it for a few newbies for a cut of there loot he specifically works in the ruins of old cities as you know there is a wild dungeon on Elsie island that no one has explored yet or that’s the story.” Woodrow seemed be an honest and caring person “ this is your best bet his AI is a admin type and is already scanning the best out come for you and all of them other then this has you dead or being used by the end of the day” it was still unnerving to have talking inside his head and it might have shown.” Ahh I’m guessing your AI is the talker type don’t worry you will get used to it I’m sure it’s already told you but this is your best bet I don’t gain anything from you being with me but maybe someone to look out for my son he has a combat AI as well and being stuck at level one is starting to bother him.” As if summoned what had to be his son walked in wearing black pants and a plain white tee big square glasses and a goofy smile plastered on his face. He was average build and about 5’7 green eyes and a crew cut.” Dad you were not joking saying he needed clothes `` handing Roger a bundle tied up with a belt “ I’m Trevor but everyone calls me Tig.Come on if we let him dad will keep taking your ear off til it’s time to go to bed I’ll buy you a pint at the inn next to our place” Trevor seemed to have inherited his dad's trustworthy demeanor and Roger had to admit this was a nice change of pace from the slums everyone there was trying to take from each other his body was covered in scars from fights and being mugged for what scraps of food he found or was able to trap and dire rats don’t die easy. “None of that Tig, Roger has not been in the city before we don’t know what kind people skills he has. no offense but you have been mostly just looking at us blank faced as we talk.” Woodrow did have a point. Roger was never good with people; he just never had that chance growing up in the slums.

The rest of the night was a blur Roger spent most of it being told how to act in a normal household woodrow's family was large other then Tig he had 6 other kids off all ages Tig being the eldest, the house never seem to stop moving it had 4 bedrooms and 5 baths 2 living rooms and had a kitchen that was fully staffed.This morning he had to conquer his first battle the shower. In the slums they used the river to clean up when they felt safe enough and that was rare but in civilization he was expected to bath every day unless he was in the field Willow who was woodrows wife explained when he finally got showed where he was going to sleep he was going to be bunking with Tig and his little brother Eric he was a heavy set kid around the age of 15 and had posters plastered all over his side of the room it was a stark contrast to the maps and graphs that Tig had all over they made him a pallet of blankets and pillows for him to sleep on. It was the first night he did not have to worry about the cold in his entire life. Taking pity on him Ember, Tigs sister showed him how to turn on the shower and how to operate it she had to be about the same age there was no way she was younger then Eric with bright red hair and blue eyes she was taller then all of the others standing about 6’1. After he showered and got dressed he was about tk walk out the door when Woodrow stopped him” Whoa there speedy where are you going” Roger cocked his head to the side confused “Out?” he thought that was clear he had work todo he was already a day behind when Jake Tammer started if he was going to beat his idol he needed to hit the ground running today. “Ah you're going out I know I have no right to tell you what to do but before you go talk to Tig he might be able to help you find a good starting point. After all he is a scout.” Woodrow said like that it should make sense to Roger but it really didn't. He must be easy to read” you do understand the archetypes right scouts warriors archers and administrators Right? “ his voice changed from the old man trying to give a kid a hint to the worried teacher getting a new student that old school started with the other end of the book. “Oh deer you don’t. Ok so there is 4 main archetypes meaning four groups of AIs that focuses on certain areas of the fight scouts are your information gathering and sneaky types where warriors are your frontline damage dealers. Archers and administrators are a bit more broad from gunners to bows and arrows are your archers there are a few that use more rare and hard to use range weapons but not a lot some of them are sneaky and some are up close shooting there enemies point black. Admins are everyone else from your banker to doctors they keep the gears rolling. Let me see your mark it will let me know your teir and type.” Holding out his right hand side here was a magnifying glass on it then flipping it over prompting for roger to give him his right hand. “ ohhh so he’s a scanner they are a admin archetype they are able tk see everything from the type of AI to the gear status you have most of them are shop keepers.” ERron added helpfully. Giving Woodrow his hand the staff glowing slightly as Woodrow twisted his arm slightly, “ hmmm your an Origin teir warrior the only thing higher that had been recorded is makers but those have all been admins who became doctors'' Woodrow smiled he seemed more relaxed there had to be some worry that Roger was going to defenseless out there. '' Go talk to Tig and before you leave town find Willow's shop in town. It's called the broken bow. She will help out for you for your first day if you do go into the monolith. Please just stay on the first floor, get the feel for it, get your first level out of the way and come back. Tig does want to fit in a trip to the new wild dungeon this weekend.” And with that Woodrow walked to the kitchen where the littles ones were eating. Taking Woodrow's advice or at least partly Roger makes his way to the Broken Bow to hopefully get some kind of weapon.”Dude you grabbed a staff any long stick will be a weapon in your hands later on” ERron replied reading his thoughts “ you know that’s super creepy and makes me seem like I’m talking to my self when I reply to you.” Roger grumbled under his breath as he was passing a group of divers making his way slowly to the broken bow “then just think back to me it should be obvious that I’m reading your thoughts genius “ERron always was so nice when talking to Roger. One thing the AI did give him was a distraction never being around this many people at once was a little bit overwhelming he ducked into the shop. Willow lived up to her name she was tall and slender wearing a green dress that hugged her figure, there was not people like her in the slums. Pretty people did not stay pretty or they did not live long there it was just the way of the wilds. Roger was unsure how to approach Willow first she had another customer that was trying to haggle with her and 2nd she made him more tongue tied then normal. The man grabbing his coins left with a grumble,” As Woodrow always says a good compromise leaves both parties unhappy” Will said tk roger it’s a sly smile “But one should never haggle with a lady you will always be at a disadvantage.” She said with a wink. “You, my young man, are in the market for a staff, am I correct?” Her tone was friendly as she stared guiding Roger to the back of the store “ These are all weighed and are balanced professionally they were made by crafters in town those over there are found in the monolith and are unknown woods and seems to be less than perfect, but have some effects that we can’t determine.” Pointing to different racks. The home crafted ones were beautiful and had markings of the local teams on them, where the towers finds seemed to have random monsters engraved on them.”grab the blue and white one with the Roc carved in it that is yours and it’s the best in here”ERron seemed to always know what was best so far so Roger did not bother asking why, he walked up to the staff and reached for it and willow stopped him” That item maybe a little much for you one of the teams just brought it back from floor 25 and as such we are not able to sell it to someone who has not made it to floor 10 yet I’m sorry” she truely sounded like she meant the last part.”then we have to get to floor 10 like right now you need that!”ERron screaming the last part in Rogers head. No one has ever made it to floor ten by themselves and not on their first climb as well. If he did this he would need a team of at least 3 his first thoughts was of Tig being stuck on level one might be enough of a push to get him to inter the tower but the limits on forming a team is three “maybe tig will know someone that would be in the same boat and willing to team up but first lets go do floor one and get you your level.”ERron replied to his thoughts. Forgetting to say goodbye to willow and leaving the store without a staff he left in search of Tig and hopefully another teammate. Thanking ERron for being so helpful.

Tig was at the inn next to his family house. It was a three story thing that was leaning a little bit to the left, the door did not fully close and it was a dusty rust color. His father warned Roger that it was a tab bit of a rough joint. Walking in to the place and the noise made him jump he felt like a cat that just walked into a dog fight, everyone stopped word has traveled fast on who he was a few older divers looked at him like they wanted to talk to him all the younger ones had a look of envy if not outright hatred. Being from the slums he was used to all of this.

The simple bar was filled with fully armored patorons this had to be a divers bar. The simple fact that he walked in here ment he was claiming he was going to become like them or was coming to drag someone out for something. “Roger Pickled never thought i would see you again, the last time i saw you was when you and your mom walked in here to drag your da away from his normal stool” laughed the bartender this made Roger freeze he had never met anyone that knew his parents before and if he could sum up who he was just from him walking into this place he had to know them well. “Sir, how long ago was that?” roger asked and the whole bar got dead quite even the most drunk and roudey lost their voice, Tig could be seen standing on a table jaw left hanging open.

“Lad you were not even out of diapers, sad to hear that they truly are gone. They were good people. When you're able to come see me at closing i'll give you a drink and tell you some stories we had when I ran with em” The bartender said all of the people at the bar just stared at roger it was like he was the missing link. Tig juming down came to Roger's restque finding out that he might not be all alone and there was at least one person that knew his parents he asked ERon to make a note to come see the old timer when he was done in the tower today. “This place is a little much for you still dont you think he asked with a laugh you are the only level zero that has ever came in without a goal of pulling someone away” Tig said with a laugh “ but i will not say I understood what just happen right there Robbie does not say more than 4 words to people that don’t have a seat at his bar and there is a year long wait list for that.he used be some big time divers as explorer.” Pulling Roger to the more mellow area of the inn it was filled with people that had patch worked armor. They all where talking about what floor they should go for next or if they should go try to clear some more of old New York.” I’m guessing you want me tk come with you to clear floor one or two right we might need a third if we want to push to floor 2 though getting your first level and you arch class would be a plus and then you can form your own skills” Tig rambled on for a minute longer Roger was distracted by the young man that had on fur armor looking like a Viking they made eye contact the big man rushed and picked up roger and hugged him and for the second time since he walked in the room got quite.”Rufas please put me down people are staring” Roger said clearly embarrassed the man was at least 6’10 and built like a Mack truck he was scarred from head to toe his red eyes made him look like he had demon blood.”sorry kid it was just I hear you got taken in by helping hands and some of those people” he shuddered “let’s just say not all hands are helping but then tig told me he had a new rescue in his house I couldn't help myself so glade your safe I never wanted to leave you alone but the rule say we can go back to the slums you know. Rubbing the back of his neck all the joy leaving his face looking guilty. So Roger did not what anyone would do he kicked him in the shin. Making the big man laugh it was one of those booming laughs that drew everyone’s attention. “ well Rufas here was telling me how he knew you and i could not believe how he said You took care of him seeing the size difference and how he’s known for being a level zero that goes and hunts out by the slums by himself” tig said flopping into a booth “ That was up till yesterday he has been here from open to close so I bugged him about it and he asked about the testing and if anyone came out of the slums, I said there was 3 two of them was sent to the mines and then the one was sent to the Helping Hands program as soon as my dad heard your name get this he freaked out and rushed into the program and grabbed your file before it could be filed.” Tig whispering the part about his dad. Missing the fact that something was amiss there Roger just nodded his head being raised by the slums made him a little bit naive. Not in the way that he trusted everyone but as in he didn’t understand underhanded deals were a thing it just was dog eat dog in the slums the only person he ever felt like dealing with was Rufas they found each other when they were checking traps for dire rats and at age 5 they were not under the thumb of the gangs yet and did not understand that they should be worried about others people in the slums. Rufas was a scaredy-cat and had a hard time trying to deal with the rats so Roger took him in feed him and made sure he was ok. As they grew up Rufas got big where Roger grew more slim and lean no matter how big Rufas got he could never beat Roger When they spar he could never even land a hit on him. ERron has been quite this whole time but Roger could feel him going though his memories stopping and scanning the fights he got into from the spars with Rafus to when the gangs did finally start paying attention to them. “ so your a scrapper we can work with that maybe you don’t need a fancy staff after all the tower will give us what you need after level one it should be able to understand your fighting style and help out” still super odd having someone you could not keep anything from kinda made Roger uncomfortable.

“So when are we doing this thing me and Roger need to make it to level one before we head to that lair I found by the slums and asked your help with” Rufas asked Tig “Well it’s still early so let’s go handle level one now I’ll go gear up”.