I looked around the crowd, and I saw compassion on many of the player’s faces. While in my mini coma I had gone viral, and everyone knew the story of Samson, the paralyzed gamer who saved the virtual world. My story was all over the real world and the game world.
I was a legend, but I was also a mystery. I had declined all interviews while waiting for my diagnosis, but now I had everyone’s attention, now was the time to speak up and speak out.
“There has been a lot of controversy over what happened with Arthur Gains. People are saying that the game has become too real. They’re worried that another mad man might figure out how to game the system and cause harm in the real world. Right now, as I speak, people are calling for Rebirth Online to be shut down.”
The crowd booed, and I stalked around the wide circle to let their anger fester.
“But can a game be too real?” I asked. “What does too real even mean? To say that a game is becoming dangerous because it is too realistic, then what does that say about reality? What does it say about the real world? Shit, I was paralyzed by a drunk driver in the real world. Does that mean that it's too dangerous to participate in?”
“Hell no!” Kit yelled. Half the crowd laughed, and half the crowd repeated her proclamation.
“Bad men rise to power in the real world all the time, but good people take a stand. And this world is no different. There will always be Kincaids out there vying for power, ready to hurt anyone to get what they want. But there will always be people like you and me, ready to stand up to such tyrants. For as long as I live in this world, I will give everything I have to defend it.”
The crowd cheered, and magical spells shot into the air and exploded like fireworks. Music started up at many of the nearby taverns, and the celebration began.
“That was a wonderful speech, Big Daddy,” Kit purred as she clawed my chest.
Anna faced me and wrapped her arms around my neck. “Now that that’s over, how about we go back to your place and level?” she said. Then she glanced at the other girls and added. “It’s definitely my turn.”
“We discovered that we didn’t have to take turns,” said Ember with a sly grin.
“Oh?”
“Yup,” said Trinity. “He can level us all at the same time.”
“Well,” Anna said as she ran a finger down my chest. “I’d really like to see that.”
“Hey Tweak,” I shouted over to the dancing ape.
“What’s up playa?” he asked as he danced with his purple monkeys—who also happened to be huge chick magnets.
“You mind if I use your treehouse for like, a day?”
“You got it baby. Leave it like you found it,” he said and tossed me a glowing crystal on a keychain that also sported a rabbit’s foot.
“Thanks man!” I shouted over the music. Then I noticed Cecilia dancing with one of the monkeys and throwing me glances.
“You wanna come?” I offered.
“You call that a pickup line?” she said as she sauntered over to me. The girls fanned out in front of me and let her in close.
“You wanna grind and level?” I said with a laugh.
“That’s better.” She laughed and wrapped her arms around my neck.
The girls all gathered around, pressing their bodies close to mine, and I couldn’t help but smile from ear to ear as I activated the homing crystal.
Somehow, everything had turned out alright. I had a shitload of gold, five beautiful women at my side, and I was a legend.
So far, my life in Rebirth Online had been incredible, and the adventure had only just begun.
Dear Reader,
Thank you for reading Rebirth Online. I’d love to hear what you thought of the story. Did you love it? Do you want more? You can leave a review HERE and let me know.
If you liked Rebirth Online, I invite you to follow me on Amazon and browse my extensive back catalog, including the USA Bestselling series Legends of Agora and Epic Fallacy. I’m also offering a free eBook of your choice if you sign up for my newsletter. By subscribing to my weekly mailing list, you will receive updates on new book releases, contests, giveaways, and much more. Sing up HERE.
Thanks for reading, I hope to have more for you from Sam and the ladies very soon.
Until then, happy grinding!!!
Best,
Michael James Ploof
Other Books
by
Michael James Ploof
(Legends of Agora Novels)
Whill of Agora
A Quest of Kings
A Song of Swords
A Crown of War
Kingdoms in Chaos
Champions of the Gods
The Mantle of Darkness
Dark Echoes of Light
The Warcrown Legacy
Talon
Sea Queen
Exodus
Blackthorn Rising
(Orion Rezner Chronicles)
Afterworld
(Epic Fallacy Novels)
Champions of the Dragon
Beyond the Wide Wall
The Legend of Drak’Noir
The Mother of Zuul
(The Dragon Throne War)
A Dream of Fire
(Doomsday Sheriff)
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Visit Michael’s Amazon Author page for links
Special Thanks
A big thanks to all my Traveling Bard Proofreaders who took part in this project: Devin Ploof, Michael L. Cole, Michael Perks, and Scott Gale.
Rebirth Online Page 19
