“Altruistically?” I was indignant. “Evil always has its price!”
“What’s that?” The mayor cupped his hand around his ear.
“Its price, its cost. I was in Tocbridge and dealt with a monster there…”
“Oh, that was you! By the way, how much did the old man pay you?”
I thought back to him and realized he wasn’t such a bad guy. There was no sense blowing his little game.
“Three hundred. Why?”
“Oh, nothing, we’ve just suspected that he’s been skimming off the top for a while now. Okay, let’s see, how much should we pay you for the witch? I think 300 gold is fair, the same as for that monster.”
“Well, one is a brainless swamp animal, and the other is a devious, magic forest witch out for blood.” I reproachfully shook my head and looked into the mayor’s disgustingly honest eyes. “They’re completely different!”
“Completely what?”
“The witch costs more, I’m saying!”
“Yes, I get that. How much more?”
“About 500 more.”
“No, not that much more. If we say, for example, something like 200…”
“You don’t know anything about evil creatures, my good man.” I put on a mysterious face. “The horrible ragged skirt. The terrifying crooked nose. The awful broomstick and boiling pot of nastiness. Add 400 gold to the standard 300, and you have yourself a deal.”
“We have an upstanding city and upstanding witches.” The mayor looked hurt. “Crooked nose and boiling pot—please! This is an upstanding evil creature and look at you going on and on. Five hundred even, and that’s it. Go kill it already. They’re still feeding cows hay, and it’s summer out! The whole city is in a panic… I’m sorry, I got carried away. Anyway, the herder’s afraid to take the cattle outside the city. But what kind of witch would go after a grimy wretch like him? So what do you say to 550?”
“Okay, Mr. Mayor.” I was about ready to give in. “Six hundred and we’ll start the hunt.”
“Deal. But bring me her book of magic to prove you killed her.” His tone made me realize that there was no bargaining on that point.
You have a new quest offer: Kill the Forest Witch.
Task: Kill the witch living in the forest near Fladridge.
Reward:
600 gold
1500 experience
10% to your reputation in Fladridge
Additional condition: Bring the witch’s book of magic to the city mayor as confirmation that you killed her.
Accept?
“Done! Just give me some gold to buy food with.”
“After the quest.” The mayor stopped me with a gesture.
“An old man in a tiny little village gave me an advance so I could grab a bite to eat before my daring feat of heroic valor. But the mayor of an enormous city can’t match him. Well, whatever you say… Just don’t expect the minstrels to sing your praises in my ballads!”
“Fine, fine.” The mayor amiably buckled under my reproaches. “I don’t care about ballads, but the city’s reputation… Talk to the storekeeper on the first floor. Tell him I sent you.”
“No, no thank you. I know those storekeepers. ‘We’ll write up a certificate. Give the bearer food. Sign here. Stamp here.’”
“Are you sure you’re a hero in search of adventure?”
“Yes, I am, don’t worry.”
I left the magistrate building pleased with myself. Pausing to look around the square, I remarked to myself how great the developers were. It was a good world they’d thought up. Very diverse.
So where was the local headstone? I had a witch to kill.
Chapter Fourteen
The Hunter and the Hunters (Part One)
Having visited the headstone that, per the usual, was close to the city gate, I stood by it for a second mulling over my options. Was it worth going back to wander around the streets and find some side quests? In the end, I decided it wasn’t worth the extra hassle—after all, the most fun I’d had in the game was when I explored areas off the beaten track. Plus, I wasn’t terribly interested in anything like “bring me ten wolf fangs” or “collect ten medicinal field dandelions.” Quests like that were too straightforward and boring. Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against the people who try to beat every quest in a particular game, and I don’t call them nerds. That’s just the kind of people they are—nothing wrong with that.
I smacked my forehead in disgust at my forgetfulness once more, headed over to the nearest vendor, and unloaded everything I’d accumulated in my bag: some pelts, the scimitar belonging to my now-defeated friend Euiikh, and the rest of the trash. The total came to six gold. Sure, my mom and grandmother told me to always bargain, but I was too lazy that time.
At the Fladridge gate, I expected to see the usual yellow brick road, but I was mistaken. It turned out to be paved with planks, giving way to a normal dirt road after about a kilometer. Maybe the developers were having a little fun, or maybe the mayor was just too stingy to fork out the money. Either way, the pattern was broken.
There was a ways to go: five miles by road, I estimated, and then a trek through the forest. Covering distances like that every day, I thought, would get me used to it in a hurry, and in the end, I might even start to enjoy it. Especially since I had something to think about.
My thoughts covered the social experiment that had yielded such unusual and fascinating results, and my third article, which I had already written in my head and just needed to get down on paper. I even started organizing my thoughts for the fourth article. I thought back to how I’d promised Elvira a trip to Spain that we never took. And, you know, I was having such a good time that I was thoroughly disappointed to see three figures straddling the road and a message pop up.
Attention. Euiikh, a player you blacklisted, is nearby.
“You didn’t think you were going to get away that easily, did you?” The voice belonged to my already good friend Euiikh.
“Wait, are you following me?” I asked. “Don’t you have a life? You killed me once, I killed you once, and so we’re even. Call it a day and move on.”
“Where’s my scimitar? You probably sold it, you dog.”
“You won’t believe it, but I just did half an hour ago.” My answer was completely honest. “In Fladridge. If you hurry, you might be in time to buy it. Look for the vendor closest to the gate. Off you go!”
“First, I’ll kill you, then I’ll go get it.” Euiikh licked his lips, obviously anticipating the unpleasantries he had planned.
Yes, go get it, I thought. They’ll catch you there—I saw at least two Hounds. They’ll give you a scimitar you won’t soon forget, and they’ll give you a lot more, too. Although, it was weird that he wasn’t afraid to go to the city. Maybe he didn’t know he was being hunted?
Incidentally, my opponents were dressed much worse than when we’d last met, and it struck me how shabby they looked. They’d apparently grabbed whatever they had in their rooms and didn’t take the time to visit the auction.
“You aren’t looking your best, boys. No money?” My question was equal parts gloating and sympathy.
“We were in a hurry,” answered Euiikh. “We didn’t want to miss you.”
“What made you think you’d find me here?”
“There’s only one road. You were obviously on your way to the city, and this is the only road going in that direction. As soon as we died, we picked up some things from our rooms and used our last scroll to get to Fladridge. Then, we set up this little ambush, figuring you might decide to go back to Tocbridge. We’ve been here for days, haven’t touched anyone, just taking turns logging out to catch some sleep. And here you are.”
There was some logic to their plan, I had to give them that. Also, that was why nobody from the Hounds had gotten to them—they’d been hiding here the whole time. It was true: they had no idea they were being hunted.
I was completely satisfied in the knowledge that my death would
almost immediately be avenged and that I wouldn’t lose much. After all, my most valuable possessions were now in the hotel, along with my money, and I could just replace my current equipment and weapon at the auction. Maybe even splurge on an upgrade. But thinking about the surprise awaiting my sworn enemies set my mind completely at ease.
I started the battle coolly and calmly. “Let’s go, you animals! Thieves, onward!” I assumed my stance.
The orcs appeared shocked by my composure and impudence. At least, the two moving to surround me on either side did so cautiously and even uneasily, apparently not sure what to make of a Level 22 warrior ready to take on three higher-level opponents.
I calmly watched their pincers close in on me. Euiikh himself clearly wanted the kill to sate his complex. The other two were there to back him up and, if worse came to worst, kill me before I could hurt their leader. There appeared to be no thoughts of drawing out my pain and suffering. That might have been because Euiikh had come to respect me, or it might have been because he was afraid of someone popping out of the bushes again. That latter option was more plausible, and the thought put a smile on my face.
“Go ahead; smile,” the orc said. “You won’t be for long!”
“No, no, no,” I answered. “You have no idea how to do this bad guy thing. You’re supposed to say something like ‘My steel’s about to wipe that smile off your face!’ Or ‘That smile will still be on your face when I separate your head from your shoulders.’”
“Hey, boss, someone on a horse is coming!” The warning came from one of the other two, whose name was Gryk. We could hear hooves clopping along not far off. Somebody was riding up, though they didn’t sound like they were in a hurry.
“It’s an NPC. They stay out of this stuff,” Euiikh answered. “Players don’t ride that slowly, and why would anyone around here have a horse? The people here don’t have money or the abilities to get a horse. And high-level players just use portals.”
“Yeah, right!” I jumped in. “That’s the cavalry coming to save me. Seriously! They’re about to tear you a new one.”
“Oh, who needs you?” Doubt had already crept into Euiikh’s voice. “You got lucky once, so now you think it’ll happen every time?”
“Lucky once, lucky twice.”
Euiikh responded with a downward cut of his saber that I caught with my shield. I deflected it to the right and jabbed my mace into his stomach in an attempt to at least knock him backward if I couldn’t do any damage.
“Hang on, friend! I’m coming!” I heard a voice coming from somewhere above me accompanied by the clatter of hooves.
“What the—” Gryk was interrupted by a long lance held by a rider astride a prancing horse.
“You’re kidding me! Who are you?!” Euiikh turned his full fury on the rider. “You’re an NPC! Why?”
“That’s why!” I buried my mace in the side of his head, muttering to myself: “Sword of Retribution.”
Why pass up the chance to try something new? I’m all for self-education. The blow was intensified by the ability and, apparently, was critical, as the orc’s health quickly turned red.
“A-a-ah!” He screamed and tried to catch me with an upward slice of his saber.
I jumped to the side and swung my mace, landing another shot to the head that ended my third meeting with Euiikh. The count was two to one in my favor. At the same time, the NPC I still didn’t know hurriedly pulled out a long sword, and with the deftest of strokes, dispatched Euiikh’s other companion, an orc named Mruk.
“Is that all? Are there any other enemies, sir?” The knight took off his helmet and addressed me.
“It doesn’t look like it.” I looked for his name.
“Allow me to introduce myself. Gunther von Richter, Knight of the Tearful Goddess Order.”
Gunther von Richter was a very young knight with a frank face, unruly red hair, and a shining white smile. He was also the owner of a long sword, broad shoulders, and a warhorse to which I owed my life.
“Well, look at that,” I said aloud. “Though I’m still trying to figure out why you helped me.”
“The holy duty of all knights of the Tearful Goddess Order is to help everyone in need, especially if they are a friend of the order.” It was less than original, but he said it with complete sincerity.
“That’s not a bad responsibility to have.” I was a fan. “Do good on earth!”
“Where? What does the earth have to do with it? I’m no plowman!” The knight looked at me perplexed.
“Forget it. Thank you, Gunther von Richter. They would have killed me if it weren’t for you. I wasn’t scared, but it would certainly have been unpleasant.”
“Death is never pleasant and always scary. Still, there are different ways to die.” Richter was on his soapbox. “But, knights are always prepared to die. It comes with the job.”
“Of course. Samurais have to always bear in mind that they could die at any moment and that when the time comes, they must die with honor. That’s their biggest concern.”
“Well said. But what’s a samurai?”
“They’re way off in the east.” The knight listened with interest. “All in white pants, white jackets, and with a sword. Tough warriors. They invented the ‘warrior code,’ or Bushido in their language. Later, one of the main ones, a guy by the name of Daidōji Yūzan, wrote it all down.”
“I’d like to read that.” The knight appeared to be inquisitive as well as noble. “We have a code as well, though it’s small and not so well written. Where are you going, by the way? If you’re on your way to Fladridge, we can go together. I enjoy chatting with you, and my father always said that trips with a good companion go by twice as fast.”
“Sorry, my friend, but I actually just left Fladridge. There’s a witch bothering the locals, so I was contracted to go deal with her.”
“A witch?” The knight perked up like a terrier catching the scent of a fox.
“Yep. She lives somewhere around here.”
“Would you mind if I joined you? I took a vow to destroy all witches wherever and whenever I see them.”
“Would I mind?” I even clapped my hands. “Are you kidding? It would be my honor and great pleasure to have you along with me.”
I was thrilled to get an NPC knight as a companion. He may have been crazy, but at least he had a sword. He could go first and take the first blow.
“Is the wicked creature far from here?” Richter was all business.
“No, not really,” I answered. “Three miles or so, though it’s through the forest.”
“Miles?” The knight’s eyebrows shot up.
“Well, just not far.” I would have to watch my language, as Gunther appeared to be collecting material for his own encyclopedia. “A fifteen-minute walk.”
“Then what are we waiting for?”
The knight hung his lance in a special holder in the horse’s harness, unhooked his shield from the saddle, and slung it behind his back.
“What about your horse? It won’t be stolen? Or run away?”
“No-o-o.” Gunther patted the horse’s withers. “He’s too smart to be caught, and he definitely won’t run away. Ready?”
I heard something rustle behind me.
The sound was unexpected, and I spun around while pulling out my mace. When I saw the person in front of me, my mace dropped, and my mouth opened. It was a lanky man in a black suit, a white shirt, and a black tie. He held a small suitcase.
“I haven’t seen Gordon Freeman, and I don’t even know what’s going on.” My response was automatic. What did you expect me to say after I saw a person like that in a game? A fantasy game, no less.
“Let me introduce myself.” The man in the suit bowed his head slightly. “Game admin Number Nineteen.”
“And your name?”
“Number Nineteen. That’s my name.”
“Sir Hagen, who are you talking to?” Gunther couldn’t figure out what was going on.
“NPCs can’t hear
us,” explained Number Nineteen.
“Sure, he can’t hear you, but he’s worried. You’ll say your piece and then leave, and he’ll think I’m crazy. I still need him to help me kill a witch.”
“If it will make you feel better…” Number Nineteen snapped his fingers, and Gunther froze.
“I am informing you that player Euiikh lodged complaint number 14,347, claiming that a non-player character of the knight class inappropriately interfered with his game progress. He says the interference resulted in his death, that of his companions, and their loss in a battle. Is there anything you wish to communicate to the game administration through me?” Number Nineteen’s voice was emotionless.
“Of course,” I said. “Quite a bit. First of all, he would definitely have won—it was three against one.”
“Irrelevant.” The administrator jumped in quickly. “Player-killing is built into the gameplay. Also, the complaint was not lodged against you; it was lodged against an NPC with you as a witness. If there is nothing you wish to attest to, you can decline to discuss the matter further. In that case, the non-player character will be deactivated, and the situation will revert to how it was before his interference. If you can prove that the non-player character was at fault, the same will also be true.”
I realized that holding my peace would leave me in the company of three angry orcs thirsting to kill me. Plus, I’d lose a good and very helpful knight. “I would like to give a statement.” I decided to have some fun. “And I would like to do so immediately. The non-player character by the name of Gunther von Richter acted reasonably in all respects—both in terms of the gameplay and human decency.”
What nonsense—human decency? He was just a program!
“And your proof?”
“I would draw your attention to the fact that the non-player character in question belongs to the Tearful Goddess Order. Further, you will note my personal status as a friend of the aforementioned order and the responsibility that places on the non-player character named Gunther von Richter with respect to me.”
Number Nineteen was quiet for a minute, apparently reviewing the information I gave him.
More Than a Game Page 19
