by A Uscila
Willow flicked her wrist towards the large screen soon after – it lighting up in reply, together with an electronical wristband on her right hand that Luke missed.
Once the screen was lit, it revealed a view of various information. Sorted folders and files with all kinds of names. Names of villages, cities and familiar battles within Alternative Reality catching Luke’s notice – before the screen changed its view. As Willow navigated the database with flowing hand movements.
“I’ve been meaning to show it to you for a while now. It was shown on the AR channel news not too long ago and I think you should watch it” – She explained while navigating the various folders – as if in search for a particular one.
“AR channel? You mean, Alternative Reality channel? I think I’ve heard of it…” – Luke commented, as his eyes followed the flickering screen.
“Heard of it? You mean you don’t watch it?” – Surprise was plain to hear in her voice, as Willow inquired.
“No” – With quite the laconic phrase coming in reply. One that cut off the conversation there and then – seeing as the impulsive female chose not to ask any further. Luke was always really good at conversations, obviously.
“Ah, there it is!” – Willow exclaimed as she entered a series of peculiarly named folders. Onnion East followed by “Fort asshole”. One didn’t need to be a genius to figure out who it was named after.
Once again, the screen flickered and a neatly arranged room came into view – a large table-like counter present in the middle of it, with a neatly dressed redhead sitting behind it. A huge screen with flickering images behind her in turn - taking-up most of the background view.
“Good morning dear viewers and welcome to AR news! I, as always, am your hostess Amy Schtuttgard. Today, we have a series of interesting news to cover, starting with…” - With a somewhat soothing voice the redhead began speaking – only to be cut off soon after as Willow flicked her wrist once gain. Fast-forwarding the show as the view went through a high-speed flicker.
Eventually, the view settled down – a countryside scenery coming into view. A few burning village huts, its roads filled with horsed knights in heavy armor of white. Emblems portraying a hammer striking yellow lightning onto a field of green seen on armbands worn by many. Black smoke rising into the horizon from the few burning fires, a line of trees seen beyond it.
“…not too long ago, the holy order of Pedro has dispatched their recently appointed High Sweeper ex, capital ex, ex, Archangel, ex, capital ex, ex into the fields of Onnion East. Who, by the way, has recently reached level 280 and has entered into the world’s top hundred by level!” – dramatically did she announce – “After the dispatch, the Sweeper has been traveling across the countryside with a detachment of holy knights, sweeping the local settlements of heretics – getting closer with each passing moment to the city of Farria and its immediate surroundings. Recently ranked as one of the most active areas in the whole Kingdom! Which brings us to our next few highlights…” – The voice of the hostess echoed in the background, while the scenes of burning stakes and a procession of horsed knights traversing the forest roads shifted in between each other. A broad-shouldered fellow riding at its lead – most of his seemingly bulky physique created by the heavy plates that he wore. Shoulders shaped out into screaming white skulls, while a head of medium length golden hair fluttered in-between them. A tabard with the usual Pedro symbolism worn over the armor, its corners embroidered with red, instead of the usual green his colleagues wore.
Eventually, as Amy’s voice trailed off, the scene shifted into one of heavy growth and towering trees – their tips far from seen as the forest’s roof was completely comprised of entwined branches and leaves. Not a speck of light seeping through. Beneath it – a sea of various creatures of the dark were seeping out of a nearby cave entrance. Its large black mouth carved out into a rock wall – which stretched out into every direction with no end in sight.
Critters crawled on all fours, their pale flesh uneven and filled with various growths and warts – creating quite the repulsive appearance. Each one barely clothed and usually completely unarmed except for a few wielding rusted down axes or some crudely made blades. All of them easily identified as various sub-races of goblins. Among them, walked towering creatures of dark-grey flesh – traversing the tricky terrain on two, fat legs. Most wielding tree-trunks or crude maces with both overly bulky hands. A twisted, sharp toothed snarl plastered on their beastly facial features. Some clothed in clothes of patched-together leather, while other’s even had a few pieces of rusty metal covering shoulders and chests. Ogres.
On the back of one of these giant-like monsters – stood a small, ugly looking critter. A goblin, by the looks of it – his tree-bark colored skin mostly covered up by a musty robe. A horned helm present upon his ball-shaped head. The goblin stood on a wooden platform that served like a backpack to a giant ogre. Wielding a large skull covered staff, he observed the surroundings from the opportune vantage point with devious little eyes. One red and one white.
“…generous as always, our favorite goblin overlord Lil’Fugly has shared some video material with us and as you can see – he is leading his united army of goblin-kin to battle once again. Stay tuned this evening for exclusive footage of the magnificent battle that this campaign resulted in!” – Once again, Amy’s voice echoed in the background as the view followed the advancing swarm for a few more moments, finally shifting once again soon after. Only to settle on another portion of the forest. Its expanse way less overgrown, the sunlight easily seeping through the tree-branches that stretched out above-head. Ground shifted downwards, as the view turned towards the bottom of the hill – a forest road that twisted in between two slipping hills. A bogged down caravan filled with various goods being at the center of it – its caretakers clothed in ragged leather and wielding various weaponry, beset on all sides by yellow wearing soldiers that descended from both sides of the road. Numerous feathered projectiles raining upon the huddled up defenders without remorse. Occasionally falling towards their apparent leader – clothed from head to toe in dark plates of metal. Wielding a large black blade of pulsing red. Cutting down all who dared to approach too closely with relative ease – “Finally, I introduce to you the newest addition to the local forces – a bandit gang that has recently risen to power under a new self-appointed bandit overlord. Sadly – we have yet to receive any footage from him, thus we are unsure of his identity. What we do know is that he is supposedly a magician wielding fire-based magic…”
Luke’s eyes widened upon seeing the scene, as he soon recognized most of the participating individuals – while his gaze turned towards the contents of the caravan with a greedy glint soon after. Slowly, but visibly – Luke’s eyes narrowed suspiciously – “Tell me. What did you say you do for a living?” – Cold was the question, almost rhetorical – as if the man already knew the answer to it.
“…none of your business” – Was all that Willow said in reply eventually, after getting somewhat startled by the question. She turned her gaze to the side soon after, while unconsciously biting her lower lip.
“…as far as we are aware, the bandit overlord’s influence on the region has been rising quite smoothly, especially with the carnage that Lil’Fugly has been bringing to the region and the surrounding villages. So much, that the local lord was forced to dispatch a subjugation force to deal with the matter. Stay tuned this Friday night for exclusive footage from the fight. We have been informed that the overlord will be providing us with the view from their own side of the battle…” – Amy continued on in the background, even though neither Willow nor Luke were watching the show at this point.
With a sudden motion – the skinny man stood up from the comfy couch, the action visibly startling the host as she twitched ever so slightly. Her furrowed gaze now back on the standing man. A warry glimmer visible in the eyes.
Yet without saying a word, Luke simply turned and started walking towards the exit door – obviously bent on le
aving the apartment without further notice.
“I didn’t join you for this! It just…happened…” – As if afraid to be misunderstood, Willow shouted towards Luke’s lean back. Standing up as if to follow at the same time as the words left her mouth. Her warry look all but gone, replaced by something aching to…panic.
In reply, Luke did seem to stop for a moment or two – yet it did not last, nor did he say anything in reply. With furrowed brows, lips pressed tightly together – the man simply left the apartment. Completely lost in thought. Completely consumed by swirling emotions.
What a fool he was! How could he have not considered it from the get go? How could he have been so blind? So ignorant? It was an opportunity, a means to an end! Yet here he was, working his butt off, just to get a chance at enjoyment. At happiness.
No more.
With determination in his eyes – Luke returned to his humble abode. To his respite – with a drive pushing him forward, a new drive.
How could he have not known about the opportunity to make money while playing Alternative Reality? He’s been dealing with that unpleasant job of his until now simply because he needed funds to maintain his one true love – Alternative Reality. Yet here Willow was – ahead of him in the game. Most likely sustaining her own hobby with the money made from enjoying it. It would not stand. Luke needed in on the fun – in on the money. With fire in his eyes, he did not waste a single moment – as a portable touch-screen was soon in his hands. A need to gather information the only thing in his head now. All that food Luke prepared with so much effort all but forgotten in the face of an opportunity to make profit. As if the so sought-after wealth was already within reach – waiting to be picked up by yours truly.
It was somewhat amazing how a purpose could so easily blind a person, though. How Luke’s greed kept him completely unaware what Willow might have tried to tell him. She might have attempted to warn Luke, that the region he was currently in, one that all his assets were placed in – has now drawn the attention of the world. With a potentially exponential increase in player population. A hazard that he managed to somewhat avoid until now – seeing as only a few, unremarkable casual players mixed in here and there. Their presence far from enough to unbalance the equilibrium that Luke managed to barely maintain in his forces. Though a few loyal and remarkable followers would be a pleasant addition – which was a hope and a dread at the same time. After all – it was seemingly much harder to maintain the loyalties of real people, instead of non-player characters. Programs made to obey certain rules and patterns in the game. All of which – somewhat easy to exploit for your own profit.
Regardless – Luke wouldn’t be himself if he didn’t single-mindedly pursue his own means to an imagined end. Thus he did just that. Be it outside or inside Alternative Reality – Luke only saw money, as the only true road to success. His one true purpose.
And he was going to pursue it to the end. No matter what.
For money was success – and Luke desperately wished for exactly that. To be successful.
Chapter 55
Calm clung to the dimly lit walls of the store, its’ wooden interior darkened by the passage of time, a few webs clinging to the corners here and there. Sparse smudges of dust covered parts of the various shelves that were neatly organized throughout the establishment. None of which seemed to matter to the shopkeeper – his work ethics sorely lacking, with a broom resting in a corner nearby, instead of being put to use. While the culprit himself lazed about on a wooden chair, legs lifted comfortably on the counter’s surface. A man in his mid-forties. Red hair cut down to a short buzz, facial features hidden under a plentiful beard. Average height, a healthy build – contrary to what his work schedule should result in.
The day slunk towards late evening and business was slow. A rare occasion for the settlement – as it sat on a crossroads and a strategically advantageous position. Travelers, traders, adventurers and the like passing through with plenty wares. Profits were flowing. Usually.
As if on mark – the entrance to the store opened up and a group of people walked in. A few hidden under dark cloaks, while others were covered in plate-metal and well-armed. Looked like hired guards from the region capital.
“How may I help you?” – With a practiced smile and a twitching nose for possible profit, the shopkeeper asked. All the while standing up from the laid-back position. After all – business was calling. Yet as the foremost cloaked figure approached and slowly took off the hood – his features froze in an expression of terror.
“Ah, yes. Could you please lead me to where you keep all your money, good sir?” – Wail asked with a killer smirk. Literally. His eyes sparkling with mischief, while a hand rose from beneath his cloak – an ever-enlarging spark coming into existence above the open palm. Right until it became a full-blown ball of fire.
“W-what are you doing? I-I’ll call the guards!” – The shopkeeper asked, while putting on a brave-front. A step taken back as the words were spoken. His hand reaching towards the nearby broom.
“Now now, there’s no need to be so defensive. We’re only going to steal everything you own and reduce it all to a smoldering heap of ash, right boys?” – Wail teased with the same smirk, only to turn back towards his gang with a mean cackle. A multiplied one coming in reply as the group burst into conformist laughter.
Yet before Wail could turn back and continue ridiculing the poor man, a broom slammed him across the face during the motion. A few strands of straw left behind after the sudden contact. Wiping that grin right off Wail’s face.
“Guards! Guards! Help! Thieves!” – The shopkeeper shouter atop his lungs, while preparing to swing the broom once again.
“Now…you just made what I’m about to do all the more easy…” – Wail mumbled, while wiping away the strands of straw from his face. He took a step back and swift shadow darted from behind him a mere second later – a fluttering cloak left behind as it slowly fluttered to the ground. Before it settled, though, the poor shopkeeper ended up swiftly mauled and ripped apart by a familiar undead. Apparently, minion number one was being useful for once.
-100 reputation for robbery of a well-known settlement and murder of its’ inhabitants
“Alright! Take everything! Ransack this shithole!” – Wail shouted, as he threw his fireball into one of the corners, completely unconcerned over the system message – “And make it quick, we don’t have much time!” – He added, all the while jumping behind the counter and grabbing everything he could. Narrowed eyes darting everywhere for the possible money stash. He tapped a foot impatiently, only to latch onto the particular echo the floor released after each tap. Wail’s greed-o-meter started ringing like crazy.
With determination and a lot of splintering wood – Wail picked up a large sack of jiggling coins with deft hands. Lips now back to the usual smirk.
Your keen sense for finding valuables has finally payed off.
+5 to intelligence.
+1 to luck.
“How unoriginal…” – Even after death, Wail still mocked the unfortunate shopkeeper as he quickly pocketed the found prize. Hiding the whole pack in a bag of lesser size hanging from his waist. Magic.
Fire was spreading quickly, and an ever-increasing noise started coming from outside. Starting just as the smoke traveled outside through the store window.
With a few more well-thrown fireballs – the shop was on its’ way to a predictable end, while Wail and his group walked out with bags full of goodies. Only to step into a scene of complete chaos. All the background noise almost physically ramming into the group.
A wide dirt road divided the settlement in two – its’ surface a darkened, blood-soaked muck that threatened to swallow footwear and never let go. While columns of smoke and an aureole of red light covered the immediate horizon. A pleasant sight – reinforced even more by the occasional pockets of resistance that still attempted to battle Wail’s upgraded bandit force. Their plate armor more than enough to shrug off attacks an
d avoid a quick and painful demise. A problem that has plagued his men for a while.
Lifeless bodies littered the streets here and there, while the occasional civilian scurried about in fright in between the burning buildings or along the wooden sidewalks. Most chased off by leather-clad bandits. Each one dirtied by dirt and blood, while prancing about with a loud, taunting shouts and satisfied grins. A clear sign of enjoyment. Its’ quite possible that they could not fully do so before, seeing as a bandits life was a dangerous one. Discarded and damned by society, all the while being plagued by angry mobs, law-enforcement and simply – the merciless judgement by an unrelated passerby. Truly, a life that resonated with Wail’s own experiences. Being on top of the food-chain for a change felt good.
With a moment of stupor – black smoke fell upon the heads of those resisting. A dark echo of what was soon to come, once everything burned down to embers and ash would rain from the sky.
Light’s flashed as various skills were used, bolts of the elements flew to and fro – a few flying over Wail’s very own head. Threatening to thin out the already sparse hairline.
As Wail’s renown spread – so did his ranks as even players started joining up. Taking notice of a new possible path being opened up with blood-soaked hands by yours truly. A fact that Wail frowned upon –his narrowed eyes looking upon the newly acquired personnel with deep suspicion. For none of them could be trusted as non-player characters could. For npc’s were not human and it was easier to avoid backstabbing or surprises from them. That is why he so enjoyed their company and the time spent in Alternative Reality. For the world was huge here and even with the vast population of people playing – he could still quite easily avoid their presence, instead choosing to surround himself by entities driven by artificial intelligence. Content with the predictability of their actions. Safe in his newfound comfort zone.