I pulled back and grabbed my wound. Renee was there in an instant and positioned herself between me and Larina. She looked at the blood flowing down my neck and chest, then at the other woman.
"I should fire a thunderbolt at you! How could you do this to him?" she said angrily.
"Oh fuck it, do what you want. At least I’ll die a happy woman," Larina chuckled.
"She’s fucking insane!" Renee shouted and looked from her to me. "What? You find this funny?" she asked noticing my smile.
"Whatever. It was intense, and her first time. See, there’s even blood down there."
"Yeah, your blood!"
"Oh, I thought it was because I took her virginity."
Renee observed me as if I were half retarded and half ignorant.
"Wait, you really think she was a virgin? Even I could see that she wasn’t! And yes, you took my virginity back inside that goddamn hell area!"
"Oh," was all I managed to come up with instantly. My mind was racing too fast to come up with anything smart, so I remained quiet. At least for a few seconds. "You sure were good back there."
"Aiden!" she cried out and hit me with a fist against my wounded shoulder. "You insensitive idiot!"
I sighed and watched her swim away to the shore, accompanied by Monica and Larina for some reason.
"Women, huh?"
"I guess. Fuck if I know man," I replied to Dineth who’d swam up to me.
"She’s a good girl, but rough around the edges. I love her to death, but that’s how she is. At least I know you’re trying, though I’d prefer to see her with one man only. Whatever, it’s not like we’re out in the normal world, huh?"
I looked away as a wave of sadness flooded me. Indeed we weren’t outside anymore. But that didn’t mean we didn’t yearn for it. Natalia and Dave. The idiots. All because of those two. Where was he anyway? I’d be curious to talk to him and see what he has to say. Though it wouldn’t change a thing.
"Yeah. Whatever man. We need to get out of the water and see what they’re up to. I turned to get out and froze. Paradise Lost wasn’t what it used to be anymore. It wasn’t three floors high, but instead two. I needed to check what the girls had done to it.
"Sure looks good now. Hope we get our own room," Dineth said and walked up on the sand. I looked at his naked form and couldn’t help but stare at the bulge between his legs.
"How the fuck do you even fuck with that thing? Even less do normal stuff?"
"Hah! I knew you would ask! But it’s simple really. There’s no difference between it and a smaller one. Believe me, I still remember."
"Huh?"
"Never mind. Shall we join the ladies?"
"Sure," I said and selected my clothing from the inventory. The Hawaiian shorts and shirt was all I had on while we were here, the same ones Scarlet had made for us back then. Scarlet. I sure have been neglecting her lately. Not that it was on purpose, but still. That would need to change. Maybe assign them specific days for when to fool around? No way, they’d rip me apart. For now, we should get settled and let passion die down a little before we tackled everything else.
"As I was saying," Scarlet said as we walked in, "you two get the upper floor. It’s smaller than ours, and even if big guy over there," she said pointing at Dineth, "gets more women, you will have enough space. But if you look carefully, there’s five of us for the big floor."
"But I don’t have any closets! Almost no furniture!" Monica replied angrily and got up in Scarlet’s face.
"Well then, you two better get to work and gather the materials. I’ll make you anything you want once you have the wood, vine and leaves."
Monica scowled but backed off.
"All right. I was in the wrong. You’re letting us stay here, so I don’t have the right to nag. I’m sorry," she said and bowed slightly. At that moment, the lines between AI and human blurred. Was it Sylvia’s kind of joke, or was that AI self-aware? Scary nonetheless.
"Sure looks good," I commented to change the topic.
"Hell yes it does. We got a double master bed after some tinkering, four large closets and well, that’s it. We need more wood."
"Right. And it’s up to me to gather it?"
Scarlet shrugged.
"You can’t expect us to work, and then get off on you as well, no?"
"Why do I have the feeling you’re doing this on purpose?"
"What? Who? Me?" Scarlet teased. "Go gather the wood with the brute over there. We’ll take care of dinner."
Dineth and me made eye contact, then we both shrugged and went back out. Time to pay the rent.
24
The bright stars reminded me of home. Of when I used to stargaze. The good old times. Dave, the girls and me. Just why wasn’t that idiot logging in anymore? I wanted to talk to him so badly, to ask him about everything, if it was true or not.
I sighed and leaned back against the makeshift bed we’d put out on the balcony. Renee, Katya and Larina were fast asleep, even though we never needed any, but it was a sort of ritual through which we retained what humanity there was left in us. The things ordinary humans would do. Yeah right, we were everything but ordinary.
"What’s wrong?" Scarlet asked in private chat. We didn’t want to disturb the others, so we’d switched channels.
"Everything and nothing. The things that bug me most are what Sylvia told us and what she did to me."
"The Dave thing?" she asked and snuggled in closer to me.
"Yeah. And now this torture. Fuck that! She had me tortured so I would feel more human through the pain and suffering. What kind of evil do you need to possess to do stuff like that?"
"I don’t know," she said after a long moment of drawn out silence. "What I can do to help?"
"Nothing? Everything? I have no idea babe. Besides, just having you with me is all I can ask for."
Scarlet went quiet again and leaned her head against my chest.
"Liar. If I was all you needed, what’s with the others?"
"I have no idea," I blurted out without thinking. The question was right on mark, and she deserved to know, but I wasn’t able to give her a reply. With her, there were definitely feelings involved, even with Katya to an extent. Renee had pushed herself on me during a strange moment, so I had no idea about her, and as for Larina, she was an NPC. What was there to be with her?
"I see."
"No, wait. That’s not true at all," I added quickly and cupped her face, then turned it toward mine. "I love you, and maybe Katya to an extent, but Renee just got here, while Larina is an AI, an NPC. Surely you’re not worried over her?"
"No, but I am over Katya. You know, I’ve been thinking about it. The clan thing I mean," she said and caught me off guard. I hadn’t even checked my stats or the weapon I’d gained from Melinoe’s corpse, even less of the clan battle.
"Oh? How so?"
"I want us to participate and win a small castle. Then, you will marry me in game. That way, everyone will know who your number one lady is. The rest can take a backseat to me."
I had to admit that I hadn’t seen this coming. There had been no marriage system in place back then, and since I’d gotten back, I hadn’t had the time to get into all details.
"Right. But don’t you think it could destroy what we got here?"
"All we had was each other when we awoke. There wouldn’t be much difference from back then, no?"
There actually would, and I was afraid to tell her that. We’d both become better people, or at least that’s what I liked to think. We had it good, the girls and me. Now Dineth and his lady. Why risk all of it?
I opened a second window and sent Katya a message.
"You awake?"
"Always. And the two of you should be quieter. I can hear your brain groan."
She replied, but remained unmoving and quiet.
"Sorry. She’s pushing me a bit regarding who’s my first and what not."
"Hmm. I guess it would have happened sooner or later. What did you promise her?"
"Nothing much. To marry her once we get a guild castle."
She didn’t move, but rather dug her nails deep in my thigh where she lay beside me. I yelped and moved aside. She groaned and feigned waking up.
"What are you two still doing up so late?" she groaned and looked at us.
Scarlet flashed her a smile and caressed her face.
"Nothing important, beautiful. Was just telling our guy here that I wanted a castle."
"Oh? Just a castle?" she asked and sat upright.
"Umm. Yeah, more or less."
Scarlet shot me a knowing glance. Had she figured me out so easily? Shit, I needed to grow a bigger pair.
"No," I interrupted. "We’re getting married. Her and I. Officially. As in the game officially, I mean."
Katya scowled and opened her mouth to protest but remained silent. At last for a few seconds.
"All right. If that’s how it’s going to be, then only for three months. Then it’s my turn."
"The hell? Why would I do that?" Scarlet snapped back.
"Because I say so! He’s not just yours and the two of you don’t get to decide such things without me!"
"Hey now, no infighting. There will be more than enough enemies once the tournament starts."
"Shut up!" both women yelled at the same time.
"I’m the better woman for him," Katya argued. "I can do everything that you can, and so much more. I’m better looking, and I’m not a fucking bug!"
Scarlet’s mouth and eyes widened to the point I was afraid she’d explode.
"We’ll fight for him. For the next two days, no sex, and no nothing except her and me," Scarlet snapped. "Whoever makes him cum better and faster will get to be his wife."
"The fuck?" I yelled. "That’s not how you’re supposed to win someone’s affection!"
"In that case, tell her you’re mine."
"Umm, Katya, how about you--"
"No!"
"Whatever! I’m out of here," I yelled and got up. "Go ahead and ruin this beautiful thing we’ve created."
Scarlet’s hand landed on my shorts and she pulled at me to stop. I looked at her teary eyed face. She didn’t say anything, but she didn’t need to. The way she looked at me was more than enough.
"Do you two want to go register the clan? I can’t sleep anyway."
Castle Moradin was mostly desolate. NPC merchants and guards roamed the streets. The occasional player either lounged around, traded with the merchants, or was passing by. Within minutes, we were at the clan hall. The wide open gates welcomed us in. Two spear wielding guards stood to either side and stared blankly in front of them, while an attendant welcomed us the moment we entered.
"Welcome, welcome! What can we do for you today?" the young man offered with a wide grin and a slight nod. Three prompts opened up before me. Register clan, search clan, and clan rankings. I chose the prior.
"We are here to register a clan," I replied and stared blankly at the attendant.
"This guy is as plain as it gets. Wonder what idiot designed him to be this way," Katya murmured. "It’s like talking to a wall."
"Wall or no wall," I retorted, "We’re here to register. So, what name would you ladies like to pick?"
"Hmmm," Scarlet said as she narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips. "Fighting cocks!"
I both laughed and coughed at the same time. How the hell had she come up with such a ridiculous name?
"Oh, I like it!" Katya chimed in and embraced me. "I want to be a fighting cock!"
I hated synonyms, but whatever. If they wanted to be cocks, let them.
"What name would you like to choose?" the attendant asked for the umpteenth time.
"We want to be ‘The Fighting Cocks’."
"Oh, I’m sorry, master. You have chosen a prohibited word. Please, why don’t you have a look at our suggested names?"
A new prompt appeared with a bunch of names. The fighting hen. Cluck-coo masters. I cluck you not. Rooster for life. Chicken master.
The list went on and on. I couldn’t help myself but laugh at most of them. The girls had both the same screen pulled up before them, so they too were amused by the idiotic names.
"What about Carnal Embrace or Carnal Coitus?" Katya offered.
"Oh god, what the hell is it with you two? Fighting Cocks? Carnal Embrace? Maybe we could try Carnal Cocks next time!"
"Sir, do you wish to use Carnal Cocks?"
"No!" I yelled at the attendant, and then only noticed he was looking at me strangely. I frowned and tried to look as coldly as possible. "Sylvia? Had enough of fooling around?"
"Aww, you’re so mean!" the guard cried out with a feminine voice. "I was just about to get in the mood no less," the AI Overmind replied. She turned into her former avatar and put her arm around my neck, brought me in close and planted her lips on mine.
"Right, right. Come on, be of use and help us choose a cool name!"
"Fine, fine. What did you have in mind? Except for the dirty synonyms you kept using?"
"Awww!" Scarlet groaned and knelt before Sylvia. But the Overmind just shook her head and looked to me again.
"Something dark and cool? Unique?"
"Hmmm. Let me check the database for a mo-- ahh, got it. How about Eclipse?"
Both Katya and Scarlet perked up at the name, and to be honest, so did I.
"It works, I guess," I said and looked at my women questioningly.
"Hell yes! Eclipse equals pussy lips! Hah!"
"Oh for fucks sake woman! This is the last time I bring you somewhere!"
I wasn’t angry or annoyed, but I had to feign ignorance with the AI. I didn’t want to make her mad or get on her dislike list. If she had one.
"What a rowdy bunch," Sylvia said and winked.
World message. The clan Eclipse has been established by the player Aiden. Good hunting!
"Umm, what does the good hunting bit mean?" I asked questioningly.
"Well, upon establishing a new clan, there’s a bounty on the guild master. Like something minor, nothing of worth. Whoever kills you has a chance to get an item."
I frowned.
"What item? And how long does this last?"
"The most expensive item you’re wearing? Something along those lines. And it only lasts for twelve hours. Most people are asleep anyway. Good hunting!"
Within moments, a crowd of all kinds of players teleported next to us.
"Sylviaaa!"
25
Dozens of both low and high level players appeared out of nowhere. Luckily, they were outside the building, so the system didn’t let them attack, no matter how hard they tried. We couldn’t be targeted, at least not for the time being. What’s worse, the teleporter was at the dead center of the crowd.
"Really? Does she expect us to stay here for the next twelve hours?" Katya groaned.
"No," I replied angrily. "Not you, only me."
"Pffft! As if we’d leave you here," Scarlet chimed in and put her arm around me. "Maybe we give them a show? Two girls, one guy?"
"Oh, I like!" Katya said and grabbed Scarlet from behind. I was glad to see them loving each other again, but not like this. Hell, there were a couple hundred people out in front, and they would like to get it on?
"Well, I don’t. No fucking anywhere but in instances, at Paradise Lost, or if we get the castle, there."
"Party pooper!" Scarlet said and pushed herself off me, turned to Katya and kissed her deeply.
"God damn it! I don’t want some twelve year olds swooning over the two of you!"
"How about we go back home and leave you here alone? They don’t know we’re in your clan yet. Besides, you need to invite us."
"Yeah, whatever. There’s a lot I need to check and stuff, so I’ll make myself comfy here."
"You sure?" Katya asked. "I don’t mind staying here, it’s no problem."
"Just go. Once I’m done, we can try out some PVP. I’ll give you all a few hours, then wake up the rest and teleport back here."
The girls made their way to the teleporter. A few players harassed them, but didn’t do anything to stop them. Good, now I could get back to what was important. Checking my stats, skills, items and what not. But first, the claws Melinoe had dropped.
I walked deeper into the building and sat on one of the leather benches, made myself comfortable and opened my inventory. The claws sat there and stared back at me. I took them out of the inventory and equipped them. An explosion rocked the building and threw me against the wall as the metal dug deep in my skin. A black cloud rose above me and it felt like I was about to get crushed under darkness.
"What the hell was that? Another cursed item?"
"Yeah, sorry. I should have told you there was a 99% chance to get a cursed version," Sylvia whispered in my ear. I groaned and got up groggily, then brought up my character screen.
Wicked Claws of Melinoe. Main hand attack: 999, Offhand attack: 666
Special effect 1: Apply curse upon critical hit (random debuff) for 30 seconds.
Special effect 2: Apply splash damage upon critical hit (50% chance).
I stared at the item description in disbelief. Why were they cursed? It didn’t make sense. Then, I saw the cursed note.
Unable to remove item for 72h after equipping.
The punishment wasn’t all that bad. I doubted that I’d get any better weapon any time soon, so why make a fuss about it? Besides, the claws were about three times better than the previous ones, almost four times better, in fact.
Oh, what’s that, I thought. They were part of the Pantheon of Greek Deities. There were a total of eight items. The bonus stats were grayed out, so I couldn’t see what having two of them or more would give me, but a set was something to hold on to. I filed that to the back of my mind to check it at a later time.
I looked at my character’s stats and level, and was again blown away. Somehow I had hit level 39.
Hazard Online 2: Revenge Page 14
