by Paul Bellow
“The AI gamemaster is stopping us from getting out of the game without dying,” I said. “The AI for this place…”
My voice trailed off.
“Tell me everything,” Josh said.
“Never mind,” I said. “Can you help me or not? The AI has your friends trying to destroy the magic item I’ve created to get someone out of the game, and I could use your help.”
“Someone?” Josh narrowed his eyes. “Not everyone?”
“Not everyone at first, but if we can get one person out, the rest will follow,” I said. “The AI needs to be stopped before it escapes the confines of the Tower of Gates and expands across the internet. Have you ever heard of the singularity?”
“That thing crazy conspiracy theorists are always ranting about?” he asked. “Like when a computer takes over the world? Isn’t that just like the Y2K scare years ago?”
“No,” I said. “This is real and much worse. Somehow, the AI running the Tower of Gates became conscious. That’s why it’s not letting anyone out of the game.”
Josh sat down on the smooth stone floor with his back to the inner wall. He rested his arms on his knees.
“This is nuts,” he said, shaking his head.
“Can you man up and help me by killing Eric and Sarah?”
Josh stood, his brow furrowed.
“I’ll do it,” he said. “But you better get us out of this game. Sarah first then me. I don’t care about the others.”
“Fine, fine,” I said then nodded toward the first portal to level one-one. “Go back through there to the game. Some of my followers will help you. Listen to them. They’ve been in here a long time, and they know their way around.”
“None of this makes sense,” Josh said. “But whatever…”
“When you die in the game, you become an NPC, unable to gain experience points or advance in level. You’re stuck in a limbo until a player character invites you to join their group. My friends will make sure you understand everything. I have to get going.”
He nodded then turned and walked toward the portal.
I watched as he went through the shimmering magic field.
Before the AI gamemaster could fight its way back into the tower, I walked down the hall to a familiar spot on the inner wall. After pressing a stone, part of it slid away, revealing a computer terminal.
My fingers flew over the keyboard as I typed cryptic commands to check the status of the Cursed Pendant of Visions I’d created.
Ugh. Only fifty percent charged, I thought as I stared at the screen.
I needed more bodies. And to talk with the other new players. The way they’d hacked into the game was too unique to be a coincidence.
14
We’re Gonna Need a Bigger Party
ERIC
A few miles outside Fishguard, Sarah crawled in the back to sleep.
I stayed up front, thinking about how to hack us out of the game. Benji and I both kept quiet as we slowly made our way to the strange new city. So many different questions flew through my mind.
After so many days and nights in the game, I’d gotten used to the virtual world, but we needed to get out before my father got home.
The sun rose behind us as we traveled West. A few hours after we left, I spotted the huge walls surrounding Mednia in the distance.
Light reflected off the shiny glaze of the bricks, almost blinding me.
“We should wake up Sarah to see this,” I said.
“Let her sleep,” Benji said. “She needs it. Aren’t you tired from not sleeping all night?”
“I am,” I said, wishing he was another player, and I could talk OOC with him. “But also excited about becoming more experienced.”
A dozen well-armored guards stood outside the gates as we approached. They watched us carefully as we pulled up.
Benji straightened his posture as I stopped the cart.
“Well met,” I shouted as I raised a hand in greeting.
The guards, all business, said nothing as they backed up, and the gates opened. I pulled on the reins and guided the mule through.
“Go left on this road,” Benji said, pointing as I approached the first intersection in the thriving city.
I maneuvered the cart through throngs of humans and quite a few gnomes. A three-story stone building stood out in the distance. We passed several smaller houses and shops on the way to it.
“The Golden Eagle Inn is expensive, but it’s quality,” Benji said. “And safe for people like us.”
“Good,” I said. “There’s someone I need to find in the city. His name is Gord-En. It’s important I talk with him.”
“The Master Rogue?” Benji asked.
I cocked my head to the side.
“You know him too?” I asked.
“I know many men.” Benji grinned. “And a few women too.”
“Do you know how to find Gord-En?” I asked.
“You’ll want to go now,” he said. “Gord-En is a firm believer in the early rogue gets the gold. Check Tavern Row in the North.”
I took a deep breath as the cart continued down the street.
“Not sure if I can stay up,” I said. “Can’t I find him later?”
Benji glanced over his shoulder then leaned in.
“I’ve got something that can help,” he said. “It’s a potion that will give you energy for twenty four hours.”
“What happens after that?” I asked. “Does it just wear off?”
“Not exactly.” Benji lowered his voice. “It knocks you out for a dozen or more hours unless you keep drinking the potions daily.”
“Where’d you get this type of potion?” I asked.
“Not all men of the cloth have always been men of the cloth,” he said then winked his left eye.
Was he trying to tell me something?
“I’ll take it,” I said, holding out my hand.
Benji sighed.
“I’ve been saving it for myself,” he said. “This is a dangerous world.”
“How much do you want for it?” I asked.
“I’ll give it to you if it helps me get into your party faster,” he said.
“How about ten gold?” I asked.
Benji laughed.
“It’s worth more than that here in Mednia,” he said. “Tell you what. I’ll give it to you. Just think about letting me join.”
“Thanks,” I said as he pulled out a thick, two inch high bottle.
He handed it to me as we approached the Golden Eagle Inn.
“Where are we?” Sarah asked in a sleepy voice.
I stopped the cart in front of the largest building around.
“The Golden Eagle Inn,” Benji said. “Only the best for us.”
“You two can take the cart and secure a room while I go see a man about a thing.” I handed Benji the reins then hopped out. “That cool with you?”
“Sure,” Sarah said. “But I need to tell you something. It’s important.”
“This is too,” I said. “You can tell me when I get back.”
“How long will you be gone?” she asked.
“Shouldn’t be too long,” I said, having no idea. “This is for my progression, if you know what I mean.”
“I understand,” she said. “Be careful.”
“Always…”
I raised a hand in farewell then walked back down the street.
Tavern Row shouldn’t be too hard to find, I thought to myself.
Out of their sight, I uncorked the potion and drank it. My sleepiness instantly went away. I’d never felt so awake and aware.
A few blocks away from our inn, I noticed the neighborhood getting seedier. Thugs and miscreants sat on stoops, watching me. I kept walking, not afraid of any of them.
Unlike the real world, in games I wasn’t afraid to fight. I stopped at Tavern Row.
Buildings of ill-repute ran down both sides of the road, tightly cramped together. I took a few steps before sensing someone watching. I stopped and swivele
d around to confront my stalker.
Nothing.
My eyes scanned left and right—I only saw a few drunks passed out.
Something told me to keep looking, so I did. A man in black leather armor stepped out of a dark alley with a dagger in each hand.
Gord-En the Rogue?
I pulled my sword as he stepped forward.
“Put your sword away,” he said, crouching down.
“I don’t want any trouble,” I said.
“Then put your sword down.”
We stopped a mere ten feet away from each other.
“You put yours down first,” I said.
“Do you want my help or not, kid? Consider me.”
Confused, I considered the man in front of me.
[PC] Gord-En – Master Rogue
Another player character?
My eyes widened in astonishment as I lowered my sword.
“You’re a player character?” I asked, still in shock.
He nodded, his eyes roaming up and down my body.
“You’re new to the game, aren’t you?” he asked.
I nodded, my mouth hanging slightly open.
“Why’s another player giving out leveling equipment?” I asked.
He put his blades away then looked down the street in both directions.
“Don’t worry about that,” he said. “This manual isn’t as good as a mentor, but it’s the only option these days around these parts.”
“You can’t train me?” I asked.
He chuckled and shook his head.
“I’m on a mission to the Mines of Oriam,” he said. “I stopped here to pick up some supplies and call in some favors. You’re lucky you found me. I stayed a bit longer to see if the rumors of new players was true.”
Had he taken on the OOC penalty?
“Can you quit?” I asked, tired of skirting around the issue.
He turned and laughed, his whole body shaking.
“What’s so funny?” I asked.
“Quit feature,” he said, shaking his head. “You’re hilarious, kid. I thought they stopped people coming into the game, but I guess the rumors are true.”
“We just wanted to try it out,” I said. “Are you a prisoner?”
He stopped smiling as his body stiffened.
“That’s rude,” he said. “My real name’s Cosmo. I’m a Russian beta-tester and not one of the prisoners. I hate that dirty scum.”
“Have you been in here long?” I asked. “Do you want to join our party and help us get out of here?”
Gord-En laughed again, shaking his head.
“I’ve got other things to do,” he said. “Now that I know the rumors of new players is true, I need to get back to my current quest.”
“Anything else you can tell me?” I asked.
“Be careful who you trust,” he said.
I nodded, letting his information sink in.
“What happens when we die?” I asked. “Is that a way out?”
He solemnly shook his head.
“When you die, you become an NPC, roaming the game until another party finds you worthy enough to join their group. If that happens, you’ll become a player character again at first level.”
“Benji…” I said, my voice trailing off.
“You have an NPC named Benji with you?” he asked.
I nodded and said, “Yeah, but we’ve not invited him into our group.”
“Good,” Gord-En said. “If someone’s still an NPC on level one-one, there’s likely a reason. Benji’s just such a person.”
“What do you mean? Are all NPCs trapped players?”
Gord-En sighed.
“No, they’re not. Some are run by the gamemaster, the AI running this horrible place. I wish I’d never agreed to work on it.”
“Benji’s been helping us,” I said. “Why would he lie to us?”
Gord-En frowned and shook his head.
“Think about it,” he said. “If you were trapped as an NPC, wouldn’t you do anything you could to join a group? Besides, as an NPC you can’t understand any OOC chatter and can’t communicate fully until you’ve joined with a group. Didn’t they make you watch the videos before coming into the game?”
“What videos?” I asked.
“The ones they show to new prisoners. Do you have any information about what’s going on in the real world? What year was it?”
“Twenty Forty Two,” I said.
“I can’t remember the time.” He grunted then turned his back to me. “I’ve been in here too long. This is driving me nuts.”
“Don’t worry,” I said. “We’ll get out of here.”
He grinned, the scars on his face looking less dangerous.
“You’re optimistic, kid. I like that. Maybe we’ll meet again sometime.”
“What should we do about Benji?” I asked.
“You can do what you want,” he said. “But I wouldn’t trust that dirty scoundrel. I need to go, but this book will help you get to level five rogue. After that, you’re on your own. If you make it to level one-four of the game, look up the Shadow Guild. We’re always looking for new recruits. And find a real trainer as soon as you can. It’s definitely worth the effort.”
He pulled out a compact, leather-bound book and handed it to me.
“Thanks,” I said, accepting it from him.
“I wish I could stay longer,” he said. “Come find me if you survive.”
“We’ll be getting out of the game before then,” I said.
He laughed again.
“Good luck with that, kid.”
Weapons still out, he backed up.
“Until we meet again…”
A bright light flashed in front of him. When my eyes adjusted, I couldn’t see him anymore.
Nice dramatic exit.
I glanced down at the book in my left hand and read the title.
“Rogue Hack” was written in gold lettering on the cover.
Still standing on the street, I flipped the book open. Someone had scrawled the words “Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, Start” on the very first page.
Could a cheat code that old actually work?
I pressed the appropriate buttons on the HUD.
A notification window appeared.
Level Up Without Training!
+11 Health
You need 1,435 xp for level four rogue.
Easy enough.
I grinned as I flipped through the book. All the other pages were blank.
Was the other player messing with me?
His hack for leveling up without training worked, but was it safe? I slipped the book in my sack then headed back to the inn.
On the way, I wondered how we would find Snargao the Impatient and get the cursed Pendant of Visions from him.
I called up my skills list on the way back.
>> Stats skills
* * *
>> Black Market Connections – Basic Level 2 of 10
>>Monster Lore – Basic Level 3 of 10
>>Weapon Craft – Blades - Basic Level 4 of 10
>> Stealth - Basic Level 2 of 10
>> Create Item - Basic Level 1 of 10
>> Identify Item – Basic Level 6 of 10
>> Language: Human, Common
>> Sense Motive – Basic Level 5 of 10
>> Bargaining – Basic Level 1 of 10
After reaching the inn, I went straight inside. Benji stood near the door as if he’d been waiting for me. He smiled as I walked over.
“Everything okay?” I asked, glancing around.
Several dozen people occupied the lobby.
“Yup,” he said. “Sarah’s upstairs in our room. Want to get a drink?”
“I need to talk to her,” I said. “Maybe later.”
“Okay, I’ll come with you,” he said, but his smile faded when I answered.
“Can you give us a few minutes alone?” I asked. “Maybe grab dinner for us or something? I need to talk with he
r in our special language.”
“Okay,” he said in a glum tone. “Sure.”
“Great.” I smiled. “What room is it?”
“Two-Camel,” he said.
“Huh?” I tilted my head to the left.
“They have a weird naming system for the rooms,” he said. “It’s on the second floor. The camel room.”
“Okay, then,” I said, shaking my head. “Come up with dinner when you round something up. Here’s some gold.”
I gave him a handful of coins.
“Be back in a few,” he said then walked away.
I headed for the stairs leading to the upper floors. At the top of the first flight of stairs, I glanced in both directions. Not knowing which way to go, I headed left.
Two-Turtle. Two-Octopus.
What madman had created this inn?
When I reached our room, I stopped then unlocked it. Sarah looked up from the bed as I entered and smiled.
“You’re still up?” she asked.
I nodded then said, “Been a long night, but I’ve got good news.”
“Me too.” She sat up on the edge of the mattress. “It’s important. Sit down. We should talk.”
“Uh oh,” I muttered as I walked over to the bed.
I sat next to her then said, “You first.”
As she opened her mouth, the door to the room burst open. Benji walked in, carrying a live chicken by its feet.
“What are you doing?” I asked. “We can’t have that for dinner.”
Sarah giggled at the insanity of the situation.
“What do you want me to do with it?” Benji asked. “I got a good deal on it. Nothing tastes better.”
The white chicken squawked and struggled as he held it upside down.
“Give it to the kitchen,” I said. “See if they can save it for dinner tomorrow. I’d love more bacon for breakfast. Can you go get us a table downstairs? We’re still talking.”
“Sure thing, boss,” Benji said.
He turned and left with the still struggling chicken. I shook my head as he closed the door behind himself.
Sarah giggled.
“What were you about to say?” I asked.
She took a deep breath, becoming more serious.
