by Paul Bellow
Sarah and everyone else in my life saw me as nothing more than a muscle without a brain, but I strived to develop the courage to break out of my stereotype.
When I finished plucking the bird, I situated it above the flickering flames. Voices nearby caught my attention. I threw dirt on the fire, extinguishing it.
“I swear I saw smoke,” a deep, masculine voice said.
Lying on my back, I reached around for the short sword.
Am I about to die?
Will I survive?
The voices drew closer.
2
Initiate Initial Initiation
Josh
“That stupid half-orc barbarian is probably dead.”
It was another voice—another man.
I sat up and saw a group of five humans standing in the woods.
“Are you with Magi Inyontoo?” I asked as I got to my feet.
“Told you we’d find him,” a man in red robes said.
I kept the sword by my side.
“Magictology forever,” a warrior in plate mail said.
I relaxed slightly at the news.
“What happened to you guys?” I asked.
They walked over to the other side of the giant tree trunk.
“We got distracted,” their only elf said.
I immediately disliked the smirk on his face.
“That’s nice,” I said. “They imprisoned me for a week.”
“What are you doing out here in the woods?” Another man in robes, this time with red and orange colors, asked.
“I killed three men a week ago,” I said. “Been on the run since.”
A man in black chain mail pumped his fist in the air, saying, “Right on!”
“I’m Rizzo the Red,” the mage said. “This is Sylvar, a ranger, Monky, our spiritual advisor, Harvey the healer, and Thero.”
“What’s up?” the tank in the plate mail greeted.
“I’m…”
Still an NPC, I couldn’t even utter my real name.
“Do you want to join our party?” Rizzo asked.
I nodded. “Do you guys have food?”
“That bird looks tasty,” Sylvar said then snickered.
You have joined a party!
A new life awaits you.
“Here,” Rizzo said, handing me a ring. “Put this on.”
“What’s it do?” I asked as I slipped it on my right index finger.
“It lets us talk out of character without a penalty.”
“Do you guys know where we can find Eric and Sarah?” I asked.
I still hadn’t decided if I was going to kill them or not, but I wouldn’t mind help finding them.
“Slow down,” Monky began.
His bald head gave him an air of mystery.
“Why did you choose a half-orc barbarian?” Harvey asked.
“I’m the party’s main tank,” Thero said out of nowhere.
“Video games aren’t my thing,” I said. “But don’t worry. I know what I’m doing.”
The five men laughed.
“What?” I asked.
“You’ve got, what, like a few hours in the game?” Sylvar asked.
I stared into his eyes, knowing we wouldn’t get along.
“Don’t worry about me,” I said.
“What’s your character name?” Harvey asked.
“Yorg...”
They laughed again. It was getting on my nerves.
“Are you guys going to help me or not?” I snapped.
“You’re not an NPC any longer, are you?” Sylvar quipped.
“Besides,” Rizzo said, “it’s your fault we didn’t find you anyway. We weren’t expecting a one-year penalty because you don’t have a prisoner identification number. What’s up with that anyway?”
Everyone stared at me, waiting for an answer.
I shrugged and said, “Not sure, guys. Sorry.”
They didn’t need to know everything I knew—not until I trusted them.
“Come on,” Rizzo said. “We’re breaking you out of here and going to level one-two.”
“Is that allowed?” I asked. “Breaking more rules doesn’t sound like the best of ideas.”
“Stop thinking, barbarian,” Sylvar said. “Without a prisoner number, the game isolated you on a special zone with slowed-down time. It’s not fun, trust me, but we found you.”
“Are you taking me to Eric and Sarah?”
Sylvar sighed. “We need to level you up a bit first,” he said. “Be patient.”
I frowned but said nothing. They were my only hope of finding Sarah. My rage had already gotten me into trouble. I wanted to learn how to control it better. Brains over brawn would help keep me alive in the game.
“Don’t worry about it,” Rizzo said. “Get over here.”
I climbed over the fallen tree to join them on the other side. The mage recited some strange words then waved his hands. Everything went dark for a moment.
When I could see again, I noticed we’d transported out of the forest and onto a wooden stage. Little creatures with the heads of dogs scurried about the auditorium.
“Hurry up,” Rizzo called.
I turned to him and saw a glowing portal that looked like the one in the tower where we started the game. One by one, the others walked through the shimmering magic.
“Are you coming or not?” Rizzo asked.
I nodded as he walked through. Should I just run away from them and find Eric and Sarah on my own?
I turned around and saw dozens of dog-men.
Unsure of how to even begin to find the other two, I went through the portal. On the other side, I found myself back in the hallway of the Tower of Gates.
“Welcome,” the familiar gamemaster said.
“Hurry,” Rizzo said. “Just ignore him.”
I followed the others through the portal to level one-two of the game. We appeared, for some unknown reason, in a cramped kitchen.
“Level one-two’s still glitching hard,” Sylvar said.
Harvey picked up a turkey leg from a wooden table. “Could be worse places to drop us,” he said.
Rizzo opened a door then left the kitchen, followed by Monky, Sylvar, and Thero. I watched Harvey chewing the turkey leg for a moment before leaving with the others.
Almost all the patrons in the dining room turned to look at me as I walked out. I held my head high as I walked through the tables toward the door where the others waited.
Outside, Rizzo led us to a three-story building being constructed. I saw Temple of Magictology carved across the entrance in big, bold letters. Several men banging hammers kept working.
“Looking good,” Sylvar said.
“Aesthetically pleasing,” Monky added.
“Does anyone want the last of this turkey leg?” Harvey asked as he walked up.
I turned and shook my head. He tossed it to the ground when no one took him up on his offer. A pack of wild dogs ran up, fighting over the scraps of meat.
“We’ll be staying here tonight,” Rizzo said. “Leveling the barbie will begin tomorrow at dawn.”
He walked toward the building then disappeared inside. While it had no windows or doors, the walls and roof had been completed. I turned to the others.
“You stink,” Thero said.
The others laughed yet again.
“You can cleanse your physical filth around back,” Monky said. “I’ll show you.”
He motioned for me to follow then walked toward the side of the building. Harvey, Sylvar, and Thero stayed behind, laughing and joking with each other.
Behind the temple, I saw a stone fountain out in the open.
“Go ahead,” he said. “Don’t be modest.”
I walked over and dipped a cupped hand into the water. After splashing it over my face, I felt a bit more civilized. I glanced over at the monk.
“After you clean up, you can find a sleeping spot inside the temple,” he said. “We’ll wake you in the morning to go get you some exper
ience points.”
“Sounds good to me,” I said.
He turned and walked away. I finished cleaning up the best I could without soap or hot water. While I liked the game’s survival aspects in some ways, I missed hot baths.
Water dripping from my long, curly hair, I headed into the temple. Not seeing the others, I wandered up to the second floor and found a room with a few cots.
After sleeping in the forest for a week, I didn’t complain at all as I lay down on the lumpy, thin mattress. Before sleep, I couldn’t resist calling up my new player stats.
> stats
Name: Yorg Race: Half-Orc Class: Barbarian
Level: 1 XP: 0 (1,300 for next level)
Alignment: +0 (Uncertain)
HEALTH: 32 (32)
MANA: 0 (0)
Strength: 99 (+35%) (+10 Damage)
Dexterity: 66 (+5%)
Constitution: 95 (+35%) (+10 Health)
Intelligence: 43 (+0%)
Wisdom: 53 (+0%)
Charisma: 32 (-5%)
Hardly powerful, but at least I was no longer trapped as an NPC. My thoughts drifted to Eric and Sarah—mostly her. I wanted to kill him for getting us into this mess, but I missed her.
She saw through my physical prowess to the real me on the inside. I could be rough around the edges sometimes, but she enjoyed my company. We got along so well together.
I closed my eyes, letting sleep comfortably wash over me. In my dreams, I battled dragons and giants to save Sarah, my one true princess, the woman I wanted to marry one day.
* * * * *
The next morning, I woke up but couldn’t open my eyes. As I struggled to move my body, I heard the others laughing in the background. Rage built up inside me.
I struggled to control it while also attempting to move any body parts. The laughter died down, and I found myself able to move slowly. After a minute, the effects wore off.
“What’s going on?” I asked then rolled over and sat up on the edge of the cot.
Harvey, Sylvar, and Thero stood near the door, laughing and pointing at me. Monky stood near them, no expression on his face. I stood, sensing something wrong.
“What’s so funny?” I asked.
“Your hair,” Monky said. “You’re missing all your hair.”
I reached up and felt a bald, smooth head.
“We want you to become an urban barbarian,” Sylvar said.
“Quite sophisticated,” Harvey added.
The three of them laughed again. I took a deep breath, not wanting to fly into a barbarian rage.
Or maybe I should teach them a lesson and gain their respect.
I activated my barbarian rage.
Barbarian Rage Activated!
You’re seeing red.
My vision did have a deep red tint as I rushed forward. Rizzo pushed the others aside and raised his hand. I froze mid stride then toppled to the floor, unable to move. Laughter I hadn’t heard since my high school football days filled the room.
“That’s enough,” Rizzo snapped. “Get him ready for the park after he calms down.”
I couldn’t see any of them from my spot on the floor. A pounding headache rose as I raged without being able to move freely. Why were they treating me this way?
After a few minutes, my barbarian rage timer ran down. I sat up as soon as I could move my body again. Rizzo and the others stood near the door, watching me.
“Calmed down?” Rizzo asked then shook his head. “Don’t try to take us on.”
“We’ll kill you,” Thero said in his simple, monotone voice.
“A little light hazing never killed anyone,” Sylvar said before adding, “Well, almost.”
Harvey and Thero chuckled as I stood.
“Ready to get to work?” Rizzo asked.
I nodded.
“No breakfast until after you rack up a few hundred experience points,” he said. “You’ll fight better on an empty stomach.”
My stomach rumbled, but I kept my mouth shut. The more I showed they had an effect on me, the more likely they would keep teasing me.
All through high school, I’d been one of the alpha bullies, so I knew their tactics well. They could try to wear me down, but it wouldn’t work on me.
I followed them out of the temple and through the city. Most of the buildings rose three or four stories. The smell of fresh bread hit my nose.
We left through the eastern gate of Esterhollow. A mile down the road, I noticed a long, tall wooden fence. Rizzo and the others stopped at an arched opening.
“Don’t be afraid to go wild,” the mage said. “We’ve got your back.”
“Let me give you a buff first,” Harvey said as he stepped toward me.
I felt a tingle in my arm as he touched it and said a prayer under his breath.
You feel blessed.
+5% to hit | +5 damage
“Are there monsters or something in there?” I asked.
Sylvar and Thero laughed.
“He obviously doesn’t read goblin,” Rizzo said. “Give him a break.”
“This is the Goblin Playground,” Monky said.
Of the five of them, he was becoming my favorite.
“We’re too high-level to go in with you, but we’ll be outside,” Rizzo said.
“Try not to die,” Sylvar added.
I pulled the two-handed broadsword they had given me out of its sheath on my back. The heavy blade felt good in my hands as I gripped it tightly.
“May the forces of the universe be with you,” Monky said.
I grinned at him them walked through the archway. When I stepped inside a painted white circle on the grass, I teleported away.
A goblin screamed and ran toward me with a pitiful spear when I appeared again. I swung my sword back then let loose, cleaving it in two.
Your slash INJURES the goblin for 12 damage.
The goblin is dead!
You get 25 xp
You have 25 xp
You need 1,275 xp for Level 2 Barbarian
I looked around the barren wasteland. Hills of bare dirt dotted the landscape. I heard another battle cry to my left. Spinning around, I saw three goblins charging toward me.
They didn’t stand a chance.
Your slash INJURES the goblin for 12 damage.
The goblin is dead!
Your slash WOUNDS the goblin for 17 damage.
The goblin is dead!
Your slash HITS the goblin for 10 damage.
The goblin is dead!
Combat is Over!
You get 75 xp
You have 100 xp
You need 1,200 xp for Level 2 Barbarian
As I stared down at the mutilated bodies, I saw a half-dead creature shuffling toward me. The putrid smell of dead flesh filled the air.
“Don’t mind me,” it said. “Just here to raise the goblins.”
“Huh?”
I kept my sword raised, ready to fight.
The deathly figure stopped.
“My name’s Aquarius, and I’m the lich in charge of goblin zombies. You guys kill them, and I raise them up for the grand plan.”
His taut, leathery skin stretched into a smile.
“Uh-huh,” I said. “Nice to meet you.”
“I’ll be following you to raise any goblins you kill here in the park.”
A group of goblins, barely clothed, rushed over a nearby dirt-hill and charged. I turned to them, dispatching them one after another as they reached me.
Combat is Over!
You get 125 xp
You have 225 xp
You need 1,075 xp for Level 2 Barbarian
Aquarius the lich shuffled over then waved his hands, raising the recently deceased goblins from the dead. I shook my head at the insanity of the game.
How would I last a year on my own without the others? Could I survive that long? And what happened if I died again? Would I have to start all over?
“Are you going to be moving so slow?” Aquarius asked.
/> I ignored him and walked forward, looking for more goblins to kill. Wave after wave came at me, all receiving the same fate. After being killed, they were then turned into zombies.
Down to five health, I decided to go back to the white circle and leave the so-called park. Level one-two was turning out to be even darker than the first one, and that concerned me.
I stopped at the teleportation circle, glancing around at the barren land. How had they made this place? Breeding goblins just to kill then raise them sounded terrible in so many ways.
The wind picked up, carrying the stench of death closer. I stepped into the white circle. After teleporting, I appeared in the white circle outside of Esterhollow. The others clapped.
“Not bad,” Rizzo said. “You didn’t die.”
“Can someone heal me?” I asked.
Monly walked over then touched me on the arm.
You feel better!
You have [28/28] health remaining.
“Thanks,” I said. “Should I go back in?”
“Not now,” Rizzo said. “We have other work to do.”
“I prepared a special breakfast treat for you,” Sylvar said.
He pulled a sandwich out of his sack then offered it to me.
I walked over and accepted the turkey between two slices of bread.
After biting into it, my mouth flooded with heat.
“What’s in this?” I asked then threw it down.
Sylvar burst into laughter, not bothering to hide his guilt.
“That’s a hot pepper, isn’t it?” he asked.
I fought to control my anger. My eyes watered as I stared at Sylvar. I wanted to strangle him so bad, but I needed to learn self-control.
“Let’s go,” Rizzo said. “We’ve got work to do at the temple.”
He walked west toward Esterhollow. The rest of us followed. I smacked my lips, my mouth still burning, as I walked. Sylvar needed to be taught a lesson.
3
A Ring of Teleportation
Josh
On a walk to the kill-zone with Monky one morning, I thought about how the battles were like shooting fish in a barrel. While they didn’t have humans controlling them, I imagined the goblin NPCs were a lot like the humans I had been interacting with—both good and bad.
