"But you've seen action." Not a question.
The man's eyes hardened, but he kept his smile. "Certainly in this game I have. And as for the armor? Beats anything the Dominion lickboots or their commissary can offer, I'll tell you that flat out."
"No kidding," Val said, allowing the change in conversation. "It certainly looks pretty sweet. What are its stats?"
Dirk frowned, then he chuckled. "Oh, kid. They don't bother with that for items here. It's all quantized, but to a complexity you can hardly fathom. Just as in our world, when things get small enough. Here? It's just a bit closer to the surface. Still, too many variables to assign an actual number to a weapon or a spell. Mild, severe, deadly damage to a given target is what you're likely to see. As for this breastplate?" He rapped the brilliant gold bronze alloy with his knuckles. "Not only is it proof against Dominion lasers, it also counters Dwarven masers, and has better impact and penetration resistance than any of the cheap alloys the Dominion uses, since guns are absolutely taboo here."
Val nodded. "I noted that when I was practicing my spells, earlier. Dominion armor might be great for warding lasers, but didn't do that much to counter a heavy sharpened projectile." Val smiled at the man's curious gaze, forbearing to tell him details that could come back and bite him, as he now appeared to be playing for the team he had butchered half a dozen members of.
To say nothing of Hankro. Was the man even alive? Val shivered and swallowed away the regret. There was no way he could have known, and hopefully the man was suffering from nothing worse than a bruised ego, perhaps snoring away in his bed at this very moment.
Dirk nodded at Val's comment. "Yeah, Dominion armor is wonderful for fighting other soldiers in a galaxy that loves its lasers, and where gunpowder is effectively outlawed. Word to the wise, kid. Don't even talk about explosives with these guys. Like as not to get you marked a rebel and kicked out of the compound. Hell, even the rebels don't mess with that stuff."
"It seems like you know a lot about the ins and outs here. How long have you been playing?"
The man shrugged. "Half a year or so. Met up with Julia here three months back, and we've been going strong ever since."
"Val, what happened?"
Val smiled into Julia's worried gaze, entranced by how the morning light caught the gold flecks in her eyes. "I'm sorry to have frightened you. I would have logged off a while ago, but my understanding is that if you do before your first save, you start completely over." He grimaced and shook his head. "When I got trapped in that pod, I honestly felt like I was drowning, and when I managed to escape, I found two other people suffocating as well." Val quickly conveyed the events that had led to their meetup, Julia wincing more than once.
"Oh Val, that's awful! You shouldn't have been forced to feel pain or anything else." She frowned thoughtfully. "Val, did you feel the motion of the velimobile when you were gliding here? Are you able to smell the forest behind us?"
Val smiled and nodded. "And even the granola bar the captain back there was good enough to share with me."
Julia swallowed and gazed up at Dirk. His worried frown was telling. "I wasn't kidding earlier, kid. About the risk of dying. But that normally comes later in the game, for those who dare a certain path. But after hearing all that..." He peered thoughtfully at Val. "I'd like to try something. It's serious, so I want your permission."
Val frowned. "What is it?"
"Well, I'd like to cut you." He waved his hand at Val's glare. "No need to look like the avatar of death, kid. You can cut yourself for all I care, but I think it works best if it's not deliberate. Point is, there is a skill called Dual Resonance. It's an advanced skill, not all people have access to it..."
"But those that do can truly experience the game," Julia gushed, "and there's more, Val. There truly is more!"
Dirk smiled. "She's right. The more you can immerse yourself in the game, the higher your Dual Resonance skill level, the better you're able to learn from your environment, the more that positive biofeedback can affect you."
Val swallowed, his heart racing, a hot flush coming over him. "Are you saying what I think you're saying?"
Julia's solemn eyes locked with his own. "Yes, Val. Skills you train here you'll learn in the real world. A workout here will get your muscles sympathetically sore there, and more importantly, your body will send a hormonal surge encouraging you to grow muscle, just as if you had really worked out. And there's more."
Dirk nodded. "I'm working on a theory, and I get the feeling I'm on to something."
"And what's that?" Val asked.
Dirk grinned, thinking nothing of removing the reflective plates protecting his arm, the underlying armor mesh alone now protecting his limb. When he flexed, the mesh outlined his bodybuilder's biceps perfectly. "How strong do you think I am in real life, kid?"
Val blinked. "You're kidding me."
The powerfully built man smiled, shaking his head, putting the armor plates back on with a twist and snap. He was no giant, but Val recognized the build. His arms would be hard as steel when he tensed, and he'd be hitting way above his weight.
"Whatever you may think, I've gamed before. One of the reasons why I'm doing what I'm doing. Almost every level I've focused all my energies on redefining myself. Not speed learning any spells or cool new talents, but rather the core of who and what I am. The body that is my temple, and to an extent, my mind as well. I may not look it, but you won't find any officer in any branch who exceeds my level of fitness. Match, maybe, but sure as hell not exceed. Doctors did multiple tests looking for anabolic steroid use, excess testosterone, even a brain tumor. Thankfully, nothing's come up but perfect health, and my heart is stronger than ever. And there's no way they can say my increased reaction time is somehow chemically enhanced."
Val whistled and shook his head. "That's as impressive as hell."
He shrugged. "There's a cost, though. I had to buy Dual Resonance to level 5 before I got the full effect, and not everyone can. Hell, most people find at least some of their stats grayed out, and other people take their characters in other directions." He frowned, taking in Julia and Val both with his gaze. "But it seems that many of the newer players don't have to buy Dual Resonance at all. They have all the potential to grow in ways that would astound the world, but there is a cost."
Julia flashed a cold smile and nodded. "The potential is incredible, but there's a major drawback that makes us treat every single thing we do seriously."
Val frowned. "What's that?"
She gazed intently at Val. "Promise me you won't tell our parents what I'm going to tell you."
Val frowned but nodded. Far better he know with a stricture than stumble about, clueless as to potential risks.
Julia flashed a bleak smile. "You don't ever dare die in-game because if you do, it's quite possible that the biofeedback will kill you in real life as well."
Dirk nodded. "We lost one man, William. He was fully linked, just like I am, just like Julia is, just like you are. Anyway, he was a good kid, but impulsive, at times rash. He was a more than decent swordsman and knew tactics as well as anyone, but he got hungry." He chuckled ruefully. "Eager to break world records, he said. Next thing you know, he's joining another group on his off hours, determined to one-up me, to become the strongest in our unit."
Hard eyes pinned Val's own. "The entire group wiped, following rumors and a treasure hunt they had no business taking on. Every survivor in that group of idiots popped on the next day, wondering where their friends had gone. They had no clue that half their party was actually dead."
"Shit," Val whispered.
The man nodded. "We backgrounded the hell out of these guys, posing as vidgame journalists. None of those surviving had more than a single rank of Dual Resonance, enough to perceive taste and touch, not enough to feel pain or generate positive biofeedback. None of them gave any sign of any improvement in their outside lives. To them, this really was just a game. Which is why they thought nothing of taking mad risks.
But for William, it was one risk too many. The doctors on call could do nothing to stop the seizures, his brain literally burning itself out in the feedback loop. With his avatar's death? He was gone. No second chances, no going back, no point to that incredible body he had tried so hard to build. He didn't really take the game seriously, treating it just the same as those kids who never put more than a single point into Dual Resonance, and then he died. The end."
"Damn, I'm sorry to hear that."
Dirk nodded. "And I'm getting the sneaking suspicion that any new characters will only be generated for those so connected to this game that they are effectively fully dual resonanced from the start. Just like you and Julia. What that means is that you just might be able to reforge yourself into the hero of your dreams. But you don't ever dare die in-game."
Julia nodded. "And there are so few people even able to jump online now that, well, we're happy to grab anyone we can get. To warn them, at least, and if they want, to join our guild."
Val smiled. "Count me in."
Julia and Dirk both smiled at that, Dirk offering his hand once more. "Welcome to Guild Ottalaus, Val. We're glad to have you."
Congratulations! You have joined Guild Ottalaus! Dirk, the guild leader, wants to look at your character sheet! Allow? Yes? No?
Val nodded as he took Dirk's hand, carefully showing his surface data and nothing further, surprised to find how effortless it was to gaze back into Dirk's mind in turn.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Dirk Striker - Class: Mage - Level 8
Primary Characteristics
Strength 17
Vitality 17
Finesse 14
Quickness 17
Perception 13
Scholarship 12
Willpower 12
Charisma 12
Luck 12
Health 10xVit+Str= 187
Survival (Health+(10xLevel)+Luck) = 279
Stamina 10xVit+Str=187
Mana 48
Psion 0
Cybernetics 0
Insight 12
Base Appearance 10 (average appearance) +1 (12 Charisma) + 2 (pristine physical form. You are stronger, healthier, and faster than 99% of all Terrans!) = +3 to reaction rolls.
Skills of Significance
Spirit Link (Form a party with Terrans like you!) Rank 3 / Leadership Rank 3 / Meditation Rank 1 / Stealth Rank 3 /Deception Rank 2 / Inquisition Rank 1 / Intimidation Rank 2 / Small Arms Rank 3 / Laser Carbine Rank 3 / Grappling Rank 3/ Sword and Shield Rank 4 / Longsword Rank 2
____________________________________________________________________________________
Val blinked, having caught sight of other skills that seemed to blend into the shadows of the man's soul, but he was polite enough to peer no further, save to note that the man had a rank 1 in multiple magical arts and a handful of useful looking spells.
Dirk whistled. "You got some useful skills there, Val, and I've never seen anyone with a hidden level and class before." His gaze narrowed. "You sure you've never played this before?"
"Never," Val assured. "Hell, I woke up in the starter vats and it's been a race to get here ever since."
Dirk nodded. "That was a neat trick you did, cloaking part of your character sheet while viewing mine. I can't even get a read on your mana or spells. Mind telling me how you did that?"
Val shrugged. "Not entirely sure, but when you flipped open the first page to my psyche, I think my mind took it as an invitation to do the same. And as for private thoughts..." He looked Julia's way then smiled. "Can you blame me?"
Dirk laughed at that, Julia blushing and smacking Val's arm, but she didn't look offended. Not at all.
"Are you sure it wasn't a certain Chinese girl that caught your eye, Val?" she teased, her eyes deadly serious.
Val smiled. "Yin's a fast friend who didn't make excuses when things got a bit more real than we had bargained for. She was brave enough not to jump out of this game forever when things really got scary, unlike her friend who exited seconds after I pulled him free of that choking gloop, not that I blame him. The rebel attacks seem to have destroyed Yin's ability to become a mech pilot, however, which is a blow for her. I saw the way she gazed at those massive battle-mechs. But instead of throwing a fit and just quitting, she's game to try and become the best mage she can be."
Dirk nodded. "Yin, you said her name was? I'll keep an eye out for her and invite her to join us if she ever comes back, and let her know the real risks and rewards new players can expect in this game."
Val smiled. "I'd appreciate that. She's good people. I can tell you are the same."
Dirk smirked. "Really. Is there a mind reader perk I should pick up somewhere?"
Val laughed at that. "No, I just get a feel for people sometimes, and I'm pretty sure you want Guild Ottalaus to become a major force in this world, and obviously you need players willing to take this game seriously so you can adventure and level up, enhancing yourself in both worlds with dedicated members who won't act like idiots and get everyone killed when, for some of us at least, death and level-ups are now a very real thing."
"Well said, Val." Dirk gripped Val's hand as he would a brother in arms. "Vertu Ottalaus."
Val grinned back. "Vertu Ottalaus."
Julia squeezed his hand. "Come on, Val. It's time we went back."
"Tomorrow 9 am your time still work for you, Julia?"
Julia grinned. "Assuming I'm not grounded, yes."
"Good." Dirk caught Val's gaze. "Even though this is a game and most idiots just buy up an advanced skill or spell, in our Guild we train. Mastering weaponry, spellcraft, battlefield and dungeon tactics. If you seriously want to be a part of our Guild, Val, I hope you'll train with us."
Val nodded. "And save the character points for what matters."
Dirk grinned and flexed his arm. "Strongest man on my unit, and fastest too. Every skill, magical art, and spell I have, I learned through diligent practice, besides the starter ones."
Val nodded. "Interesting build for a mage, Dirk. You're like a badass melee specialist who dabbles in magic."
Dirk shrugged. "Started as a mage, sure, but once I saw just how powerful character points were, I invested my build for advantages I can use in both worlds."
"So far," Julia muttered.
Dirk eyed Julia intently. "Any progress with our project?"
"I'm trying."
"And you'll do it. If anyone can, Julia, it's you." He turned to Val, his gaze that of a soldier. "Now before you go, are you ready to see just how deeply vested you are in this game?"
Val's gaze hardened as Dirk drew what looked like a bronze straight razor, but he gave a slow nod.
Solemnly, Dirk pressed the blade against the back of Val's thumb in the shallowest of cuts.
Val swallowed at the sudden sharp sting, a single fat droplet welling up from the cut and splattering to the ground.
Intent brown eyes locked with his own. "I'm anxious to know what it looks like on the other side. You might feel tingling and numbness. If so? Congratulations. You're one of us. Biofeedback will let you grow in ways you've never imagined, and if you die on our adventures, you risk death on Earth as well." He flashed a humorless smile. "I assume you wear a top of the line helm. Always keep your bailout word close to your heart, and on the tip of your tongue."
"Come on, Val. Let's go home." Julia flashed him a reassuring smile before reaching out and touching the Obelisk before disappearing completely. Val took a deep breath and pressed his hand against a surface as cold as the icy void between the stars, the world seeming to fade away in brilliant flashes of light.
9
"Val? Are you awake?"
Val gasped and cracked open his eyes, the bedroom light stabbing into his pupils. He groaned and shook his head, feeling disoriented for an instant as his time in the game came crashing into his awareness, flickers of dream suddenly given depth and color, as if truly lived. Then he
hissed, feeling an abrupt sting.
"Val!" Val blinked as his father's concerned features filled his view before he was gripped in a fierce bear hug. "Damn it, son," his father laughed. "You had me worried!"
Val forced a grin. "Sorry, dad. I was just really into the game. If I had stopped playing before reaching a save point, I would have had to do it all over again. But I'm saved now and I feel perfectly fine, so no worries about next time."
His father raised a brow. "Next time?"
Val solemnly nodded, turning to catch Christine's concerned gaze as she held Julia's hand, Julia herself favoring Val with the strangest of looks. Somehow, he could sense her concern. "With your permission, Mrs. Petrovsky, I would be honored if I could borrow the helmet. This would allow me to join Julia in cyberspace and keep her company." He winked playfully. "I could protect her from any bad apples that might try to take advantage of my newest friend."
Christine chuckled softly at that, gazing fondly at Julia's bright smile. "Well, with your father's permission, I don't see why not. Sadly, the helm's of no use to me, and I had sort of hoped you might enjoy playing the game with Julia..." She caught his father's gaze. "Johnathan? What do you think?"
His father quirked a wry smile, nodding his head at Val as if conceding a point. "I think my son's more than old enough to make his own decisions, and if this is the path he wants to take, I will respect that. Val, be honest, how do you feel?"
Val took a deep breath, carefully concealing his throbbing thumb. "I feel pretty good, dad. I have no complaints, and I might have made some new friends. Also, it's a discreet way for me to interact with the world without painting a target on my back for everyone to see."
His father nodded even as Christine's eyes widened with concern. "A fair point, Val. Christine? Thank you for having us."
"Oh, it's our pleasure, Johnathan. And Valor? I do hope you'll come visiting again soon."
"It would be a pleasure, ma'am," Val hastily assured, Julia flashing him the most bemused of grins before kissing his cheek.
Endless Online: Oblivion's Price: A LitRPG Adventure - Book 3 Page 16
