“Hell yeah!” Sam said. “I’m free. For a week, at least!”

“Well. Congrats.” Kevin answered and then looked at the bug on his leg. The cockroach looked cozy and smug. “Now I need to solve my bomb problem.”

Back in the office pantry of the multinational corporation, it was already late, and the sun had begun to set. The entire office was golden and yellowish, bathed in the warm light of sunset, and then, Kevin saw that office lady sleeping at her desk.

They quietly left, and then, felt his smartphone vibrate in his pocket.

Ashley: Ashley here. I’m off work. Meet you downstairs at the Lobby?

“Oh. Almost forgot I arranged to meet that girl.” Kevin said and Sam had a look. “Oh. In that case I’ll go home and get a shower, aite. Don’t want to be a third wheel and ruin your first date.”

Kevin just rolled his eyes.

“She’s pretty cute. Good luck.” Sam gave that cheeky smirk

Kevin: Alright. I’ll be there in 5 minutes.

***

Ashley looked like a typical girl next door when she’s off work, dressed in T-Shirt and jeans. Kevin waved when he spotted her, and ran up to her.

“Hey. Thanks for waiting. Let me introduce myself again. I’m Kevin.”

“Eh. It’s alright.” She nodded, they stood a distance apart. “Alright. I’m Ashley. Let’s uh... let’s get down to business. You said there was a glowing clock on my head?”

“Yeah. I don’t know what it does though, but I think it’s linked to my mission. What’s your mission, anyway?”

She looked at him strangely. “Actually, I finished mine. My mission was to get to work and show up for work today.”

“What-” Kevin slumped and rolled his eyes, frustrated at how easy some of them had their missions. The world just wasn’t fair.

“Yeah. All I needed to do was show up. Fucked up, right.” Ashley gave a smirk. “But y'know what’s interesting?”

Kevin looked back at the brunette in jeans. “After you spoke to me, I immediately got a message from the blue screen. Optional Side Quest Unlocked. Speak to Kevin and unlock an optional side quest chain. Rewards depending on how many side quests are completed.”

“Holy cow. I’m the side-quest character?” Kevin cursed. “So what does it say now?”

“Wait... I’m getting the blue screen prompt right now.” Ashley said, and at that moment, it appeared for Kevin too.

[Side Quest Unlocked - Time Extension 1. Find the Ancient Shield located somewhere on Market Street. Completing this mission will unlock the ability to transform one weekly mission into an optional, skippable mission, usable once per month with no penalties. You will also get an extra week to complete your current mission]

“Oh fuck. That’s good.” Kevin said as he realised this was essentially a ‘skip this mission’ function.. Market Street was a few miles away, but that’s a small matter. They could get there by cab or a train, or if they were really desperate, walk.

Ashley nodded. “Hmmm... skippable missions. Feels kinda crap if all it means is I don’t have to show up for work.”

“You’re just lucky that this week’s mission is easy. It will get harder, like how mine has a bomb strapped to my leg!”

The mere mention of the bomb made Ashley flinch. “Why didn’t I see that?”

“No idea.” Kevin answered. The cockroach chittered.

“How do you even sleep with that thing?”

“I just do. It doesn’t seem to bother me, really. So, how about it? Market Street?”

Ashley nodded. “But you’re right. It will get harder, and having the option to ‘fail’ the harder missions is a good one. Let’s go.” They had to take the train, again, since market street was an entirely different part of town. Kevin took the chance to check on the forums again, and noticed that they’ve spotted dungeons up to level 5.

The forums were getting far more interest than before, the number of active users had shot up since two days ago. They were not the first to spot side missions either, but the others seemed fairly easy. Most of the other forumers shared what they saw and did for their own missions.”

“I didn’t know there’s a forum for such things, let me add that to mine.” Ashley peeked at his phone. Honestly, Kevin found the forum really aptly named. Blue Screens of Death.

So far, there were no strange ones, all of their missions were really mundane, and someone had already categorised the missions by type, like, ‘showing up for work’, or ‘catch that cat’, or, ‘find that tool or item’.

Kevin wasn’t sure whether he should post his mission on the board, but then, decided, he should at least ask about bomb defusers. So, he made an account and then posted.

Your account is under review. Your post will appear in 24 to 48 hours once the moderators have reviewed the contents of your post.

“Ah darn.” The train stopped at Market Street station, and they disembarked. It was already almost time for dinner, and Kevin heard his stomach growl so loud that Ashley laughed. They wanted something quick, so they went to the Japanese-style convenience store and grabbed two hot bowls of oden and ate them at the small eating corner at the side.

“Have you tried any of the dungeons so far?” Kevin asked.

Ashley had no clue, so Kevin had to then explain what those dungeons were and what they’ve seen in the past two weeks, and then, explained the rewards. She frowned. “You really think it’ll get harder?”

“I’ve got no idea. Maybe it won’t, but it does seem to say there are later stages.”

Market Street was crowded on weekend evenings, even with the apocalyptical blue screens. But so far, no monsters, and no special powers, so Earth remained the way it was. “Well, where should we start?”

“Where would an ancient shield be?” Kevin asked. “Wait. Let’s google that. Maybe there’s already an answer.”

“Nothing. There are two antique shops, a metalworking shop around the corner, and a LARPer store.”

“Well, let’s start with these.”