by Dante Steel
Five orcs in all. Gary sprinted toward them, and two broke off to attack him while two others fought Elena. The last remained with the man they were trying to rescue.
Gary ducked and swept to the right. Good thing he hadn’t gone left because another orc had tried to use ice to blast his head. The swoosh of an axe just missed him, and Gary tried not to panic.
When the axe-wielding orc raised his arm for another strike, Gary stepped forward and buried the short sword deep within him. Gary yanked out the blade and turned toward the second.
This orc was massive, like steroid-use huge. Gary gulped, danced to the right, and then feigned left before shifting right again and jabbing with the short sword.
The orc was massive but slow, and the short sword cut into his gut. A shallow slice, though, and the orc grabbed Gary by the throat, lifting him into the air.
Gary had two options. Panic or keep on fighting. For a few seconds, Gary did panic. After all, he might or might not be in a game. A hideously ugly orc might or might not be literally choking him to death. And he was ready to piss his pants.
Just as he saw Elena finish her second orc and turn to stare at him, Gary found the courage to stab the orc’s arm with all of his might.
Immediately, the orc roared and released him. Gary tumbled to the ground, crouching, his left hand going to his throat as he jabbed forward with his short sword. It plunged into the orc, and Gary straightened and ran, using his momentum to push the short sword farther in until the orc was dead.
“That was close,” Elena said.
“You’re telling me,” he muttered, still rubbing his throat. “Let’s kill the last and be done with it.”
“You said your friend is a mage, right?”
“Yep.”
“Too bad he’s not a dwarf or an elf.”
“That’s okay. We can keep track of how many we’ve killed.”
“A race, huh?” Her eyes sparkled.
This couldn’t be a game. Eyes shouldn’t sparkle in a game, right?
“In that case, this one is mine.”
“Hey!” he shouted as she raced over. “Not fair!”
“Life isn’t fair!”
Damn straight it wasn't. Not if Gary was trapped in a game with creatures like dragons and orcs and goblins and bats and where he didn't even have a superpower. If anyone deserved a do-over, Gary did.
Chapter Eleven
Gary tried to race over, but he couldn’t. His throat hurt too much, and his lungs burned. As much as he enjoyed being able to breathe again, it pained him too. Again, something to consider as proof that this wasn’t a dream after all.
And if it was real, by some chance? Why the hell was he out here, fighting orcs and goblins and the rest? He should just stick in town…
…where his money would run out, and he would starve to death. If he stole from the NPC, would they attack him? He sure couldn't take from another player, not intentionally or accidentally. He couldn't face up against someone with superpowers and survive.
So he peeled back and allowed Elena to have her kill. Watching her fight was something else. She was already strong and powerful with those metal fists of hers. When she fought, she removed the gloves, and he found himself wondering if her hands would feel cold to the touch. Not that he was—okay, yes, damn it. He was thinking about the dream, and that so wasn't good because, yeah, another notch to think this was real.
His avatar shouldn’t have an erection.
Then again, this wasn’t that much different than dreaming that he had gone to school with no pants on. Regardless, it was embarrassing as hell.
Elena grinned, her foot stomping onto the back of the orc’s head. She glanced over at him.
“Why did you let me kill him?” she called.
“Beauty before age,” he said.
“Chauvinistic much?”
“I meant it as a compliment,” he protested.
“Harrumph. I don’t even look like this.”
“No? Your real coloring is more orange?”
She grinned. “Actually, it’s a deeper shade of red than most people think can be natural, but, yeah, not quite like this.”
"This is me. As much me as I can get," Gary said.
Elena cocked her head to the side. “You didn’t want to change your nose?”
He rubbed it. “Why? Too big for you?”
“It’s just not… classically handsome.”
“Does that mean I’m classically handsome aside from my nose?” he asked hopefully.
She shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m not attracted to classically handsome.”
“Oh.” He hesitated. “What are you attracted to?”
Elena laughed and then sighed. “You guys really are the same. Fight a few goons with them, and they want to know all about you instead of just playing the game.”
Confused, not wanting to upset her, Gary crossed over to the man cowering behind the tree.
“Your wife asked us to find you and bring you home,” Gary said.
The trembling man straightened and walked away from the tree. “You killed them.”
“Yes.”
“All of the orcs. I was so scared. I… I just froze.”
“Then it’s a good thing two superheroes showed up.” Elena waltzed over as if she was the queen warrior of the world.
The man just shook his head. “You don’t want to be superheroes,” he uttered.
Gary and Elena exchanged a confused glance.
"Why not?" Gary asked, not sure he wanted to hear the answer.
“Because you know what superheroes mean, right?” When they didn’t say anything, the man continued, “Supervillains.”
Well, shit. Gary hadn’t thought about that.
Elena chatted about nothing overly crucial as they hacked through a few minor enemies on their way back to town. The wife paid them a thousand rupas each, which amazed Gary. He could buy some new gear with this. So far, his short sword seemed more than capable, and if this was real, if he was in the game, he had to protect himself as much as possible. Once he had a full suit of armor, then he could look into getting a long sword or axe or something else.
Hmm. Maybe Gary should get a bow and arrows. Something long-ranged to better protect himself… Not that he knew how to shoot a bow and arrow, but he could learn.
“Are you going to buy a weapon?” Gary asked.
Elena shrugged and held up her hands. “I don’t know if I need one,” she said dryly.
“You got a permit for those?” he joked. “A license to kill?”
She groaned. "I think I'm going to save up. If my whole body turns metal eventually, I won't need armor or a weapon."
“So you’ll save up to buy nothing?”
The beautiful woman threw up her hands. “I’m sure something will come along that I’ll want.”
Something or someone?
“Do you want to find another quest for us to tackle?” he asked after he bought himself a chest plate. It felt awkward at first, but already he was growing accustomed to its pressure on his chest. The armor honestly didn’t weigh as much as he thought it would.
“Or we can just roam around and see what we can find.”
“Works for me.”
They left out the southern gate this time since the western gate remained closed. It wasn’t long before they spied the ruins of a castle with a gaping hole and a ladder that lead underground.
Elena rubbed her hands together. “Time for a good old-fashioned dungeon crawl.”
She started for the opening, but Gary beat her to it and began climbing down, looking up all the time to watch her ass. He couldn’t help himself. Every part of her was beautiful. It would be wrong for him not to stare.
They reached a level. The walls were made of stone that glowed a faint blue, giving off cool lighting. Almost immediately, goblins and huge rats ran up to them. They went room by room, finding some weapons and even a few magic books along the way. Gary grabbed them, figuring he could gi
ve them to Jorge if he ever bothered to play the game again. Jorge would have to give up something in exchange, though. Gary was learning, and nothing in this game came easily. Always a tit for tat.
As they climbed down another level, the enemies became harder, but they continued to level up. Gary hesitated, debating putting some points in intelligence, but would he really be smarter if he did? He somehow actually did feel stronger when he applied points into strength, though. Still, Gary did what he had been doing, splitting into intelligence and vitality. Next level, he’d put some into dexterity. Being nimble and evading attacks and possibly being able to steal would undoubtedly come in handy.
In all, the castle underground contained five levels. Halfway through, they joined up with a band of other players, and they all worked together. At the very bottom, at the very end, was a ton of wolves. They snarled and nipped, bit and slashed, but the team worked hard and killed them all.
But that wasn't the end of the monsters. Oh, no. A monstrous wolf, the size of ten wolves, stalked toward them. One by one, the players tried to take down the wolf, and one by one, they had to stagger back and drink a health potion to recover.
Gary gulped. Considering the inn hadn’t healed him any, he didn’t think a health potion would either. He really could go for a bow and arrows right about now.
But he wasn’t a coward, and he wasn’t going to be the only one to not pull his weight. Plus, he wasn’t about to let Elena think he was weak or vulnerable.
“Come on, Gar,” she said as she raced toward the giant wolf.
The others were distracting it, and she jumped onto its back and secured its neck as best as she could.
Gary pointed his short sword and charged, letting out a battle cry. Why, he couldn't say, but the noise somehow got his blood flowing, and he shoved the tip of his blade a few inches from Elena's foot in the wolf's neck.
The blow wasn't enough to kill it, but the other team members plunged with their sword or daggers or axes, and suddenly, the wolf collapsed. Elena jumped off in time for it to roll onto its side. Otherwise, her leg would have been pinned.
The team cheered and high-fived as a ton of armor appeared. Everyone got some.
Elena grabbed a helmet, put it on, but then immediately yanked it off.
“What’s wrong?” Gary asked, confused. “Not the right size?”
“No, it’s not that.” She itched her forehead, which was bright red.
“What’s going on?”
“I don’t know.” Elena tossed him the helmet. “Can I try on those leg braces?”
“Sure.” He handed them over.
She went to put them on and then hesitated.
Curious, Gary walked over and gasped. Just from touching the metal, her skin was becoming inflamed.
“I think you’re allergic to metal,” he said.
“That’s ridiculous,” she snapped, holding up her metal fist.
“I know it is, but this whole game is kinda ridiculous. A mage. Me with no powers.”
“And a girl who has metal fists but is allergic to all other metals.” She shook her head.
“Don’t worry.” Gary put the helmet on and the leg braces. “I’ll spare you from your allergen.”
She rolled her eyes. “Not fair. I can sell it.”
“You still can. I’ll just wear it until we get back to town.”
“Let me do all of the fighting,” she said. “I don’t want you to get in a fight and dent it and lessen the value of it for when I sell it.”
“Yes, dear.”
“Don’t you dare say that to me.”
“Yes, dear,” he repeated with a wry smile.
“I could slap you.”
“And hit the helmet?” He gave her a cocky grin.
“I don’t think my hand will have an allergic reaction,” she said coolly, “and even if it did, it would be worth it.”
“Please don’t hit me.”
She blinked, perhaps shocked by his sudden vulnerable tone. “I wouldn’t actually,” she said gruffly. “You don’t know me that well.”
“I think I’m beginning to,” he said.
“Oh, yeah?”
“Maybe that’s wishful thinking.” He shrugged. “You think the guy is right? That we’ll face supervillains down the road?”
“Maybe not down this particular road,” she said with a laugh. By now, they had climbed out of the castle and were heading down the road that would eventually bring them back to the first town. “It’s too early in the game for that. We aren’t full-fledged superheroes. But, one day? Yeah, sure, we’ll fight supervillains. Don’t worry. I’ll protect you then.”
His heart raced. “We’ll still be playing together then?”
“Sure, why not? I mean, after all, superheroes generally form teams, right?”
“Yep. I’ll be the leader.”
“Why you?” she demanded, hands on hips.
“Because how can I be a superhero without any superpowers?”
“Oh.” Her anger instantly melted away, and she looked at him with compassion. “Maybe if you get your willpower and intelligence really high, you’ll be able to learn magic spells regardless of your not being a wizard or mage.”
“And what if I can’t? What if it’s class specific?”
“But there aren’t any other classes.” She shrugged and rubbed the back of her neck. “I’m sorry. I don’t get it.”
“Me neither.”
Once they got back to town, they went to the weapon and armor shop. Gary sold several items, including her helmet, and gave her the money and then a fur cloak with bonus vitality.
“What’s this?” she asked, accepting the cloak.
“A present. Try it on.”
He bit his lips, anxious, but he had no reason to worry. Elena could handle the cloak just fine.
"It must just be metal you can't handle," he said.
“Thank you,” she said warmly. “I didn’t expect you to do that.”
"Good, because if you would've expected it, I wouldn't have bought it."
“I’m gonna log—wait. I only need five more experience points to reach level ten. Come on. Let’s go find some bats or goblins to kill.”
They left the town, and in two minutes flat, she had those experience points.
“Huh,” she said.
“What is it?”
“I have extra points. Power points. I can put them into mind, body, generation, or enhancement.”
“Those must tie into your superpower,” he assumed.
“Has to be. I already have some in body, so I’ll just add the points there.”
Suddenly, she held up her arms. Her sleeves fell back, and now, the inch above her wrists was metal too.
Gary grimaced but tried to hide it as he congratulated her. He had already turned ten an hour ago, and nothing like that had shown up for him. First no superpowers and now no way to gain a new one?
This game was more trouble than it was worth.
Chapter Twelve
Elena was all smiles. "I should get going now. Thanks for playing with me for so long. I had a lot of fun."
“Me too, Metallic Momma.”
She shuddered. “Don’t ever call me that again.”
“No special nickname for you? Why not?”
“I’m not your momma.”
“No, and I’m glad you aren’t.”
Her cheeks reddened. “Gary—”
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable.”
“I know. You don’t need to apologize. I’ll log on tomorrow. Hopefully, you’ll be around.”
“Maybe I will be.”
I definitely will be.
She logged off and disappeared.
Gary got himself some food to eat and was just exiting the tavern when a wave of loneliness hit him. All around him were countless NPCs, but he felt so isolated, so removed from everything, his life, his friends, even the game didn’t feel so immersive.
He missed Elena more
than he missed Jorge or Wyatt. How bizarre was that?
Because he didn't honestly know her. Not really. She was fun, and he loved hanging out with her, and he wished she was here in the game with him. He wanted to get to know her and not through an avatar.
“Gary? Is that you? You changed your features a little.” Olivia walked over to him, swaying her hips.
“Do you like?”
“What’s not to like?” she purred.
He grinned. “Come on. Let’s get to playing. You’re level what now?”
“Twelve.”
“Ahead of me. Wow. I’m impressed.”
“You should be.”
“Us nonmagical players need to level up as quickly as possible, right?”
“Yeah,” she said quickly. “Where are we off to?”
They headed out the northern gate and quickly found an underground cave with a series of tunnels. The monsters here were tough, very tough, but they worked together and promptly racked up a lot of experience points. Whenever they reached a branch in the tunnels, they choose the right path. Olivia claimed they would eventually reach every place in the maze if they did that, and he saw no reason not to believe her.
Suddenly, they walked into a massive room. The rocky ceiling was miles and miles above them. The roof was taller than a cathedral's. As soon as they took a few more steps, a loud roar sounded behind them. They turned to see the opening they had just passed through was caved in.
Gary surveyed the place critically and gulped. “That was the only exit.”
“Must be boss time,” Olivia muttered.
As if the monsters heard her, they descended from above, some kind of strange half-female, half-bird type creature with broad wings and nasty claws.
"Harpies," Olivia said grimly. She had exchanged her stick for a spear, a solidly decent one, and her reach was greater than Gary's despite his longer arms.
They worked as a team. Olivia would kill the harpies that swooped toward Gary, and he handled the ones that would attack her. Slowly, the number of harpies in this vast clearing numbered from about twenty to five. Four. Three. Two. One.
That last one, though, was a coward. It wouldn’t come down low enough, and Olivia tried to spear it, but her weapon wouldn’t come close to covering that height.
