“The Starboys are now equal in numbers with us. Great job, you two,” Veruka said. “They still have a slight level advantage on us, so I believe it’s in our best interest to try to pick off at least one or two more of them before we attempt to take out Damien.”
“I can continue casting my observation spell to watch their base,” Sasha said, happy she was able to provide a unique and valuable skill to the guild.
“Veruka and I will wait in the neighborhoods surrounding their base to strike quickly when you spot them,” Brittany said without even a hint of fear in her voice.
“Yes, and you can message us where any lone Starboy goes. We’ll be hot on his tail,” Veruka said with a scary smile on her face.
I tiptoed around the table, coming to stand just behind Veruka, completely unseen. I really am getting good at sneaking. I jumped out from behind Veruka’s chair.
“And what can I do to help take out the remaining Starboys?” I asked. Veruka spit out the blood she had just sipped into her mouth. She looked at me, completely flabbergasted. “Also, I want you to turn Katarina as soon as you can. She has good connections, and will be a huge asset to our team as a vampire.”
“I was thinking the same thing. You sure you’re okay being the only male vampire in the VampGods for now?” Veruka asked, trying to regain her composure.
I nodded.
“Two days from now, I’ll be able to turn her. As for what you can do…why don’t you train up to level ten? Save your point from your next special vampire move this time, then go learn some dark magic. Sasha can share her teacher’s location with you. That is, if you think you can handle it, Akee.” She smirked. “What a cute nickname for you.”
“I can do that. It’s starting to take longer to grind stat increases, but I don’t mind grinding too much. Do I really need a nickname?” I asked, scowling in jest. I really didn’t mind. I felt happy to be part of such a close-knit guild.
“Oh, Akee-poo, you don’t need one, but how could I resist giving one to my newest and sweetest vampire?”
Veruka loved to push my buttons, but I was beginning to really enjoy her antics. I retired for the night, and started to formulate a plan to make it to Level 10 as fast as possible.
I fell asleep deciding on more tree chopping the next day to raise my strength stat. It’s a little more fun to chop down trees than to run for hours on end.
I shut my eyes and opened them what seemed like only a moment later, but I felt refreshed. I noticed a new message from Kat in my inbox, which read: “Had fun last night, the guys really like you! I’m going to be logged out for a few days, I’ll message you when I log back in.”
I sent back: “Okay, I can’t wait until you get back. Sorry I left a little early, I wanted to train more. Veruka said she would be able to turn you into a vampire tomorrow! Hope real life is going well for you!”
I ran straight to the edge of town and began chopping down trees. It took a few minutes to fell each tree, and the number of trees needed to raise my strength stat kept rising exponentially, so I stopped chopping trees for a minute once my strength grew to level 14 and I finally reached Level 8. It felt good to relax a moment, and I put the newly available point into my strength stat. Which brought it to 15. I’m making good progress.
This new level increase gave me the invigoration I needed to continue chopping. My strength had grown to a level where I could chop through a six-inch diameter trunk with one swing. I continued training in strength the rest of the night. I was able to reach Level 9 just as the sun began to creep toward the horizon, and my strength was now at 23. I felt tough enough to take on anyone. I dug a hole and slept next to the pile of downed wood I had created. Swinging my ax was now completely second nature to me. My ax felt like it was a particularly dangerous extension of my arms.
I awoke the next night and felt I needed a quicker way to level. I realized I still hadn’t raised mesmerize at all. It can’t be that hard to level. I messaged Arthur and Patrick to see if either of them were online. They are perfect players for me to train mesmerize on. Patrick responded nearly instantly.
He wrote back: “Hey bud, just getting drunk at the pub again. Stop on by for whatever you need.”
I set off and arrived a few minutes later to see Patrick next to a round slice of wood. A nail protruded from the circular slice in front of him and each of the three other people who had gathered around. The person to Patrick’s right side handed him a cross-pein hammer. He swung the hammer down with the small pointed end leading the way. It struck the nail nearest him dead-on and the nail was pushed swiftly into the wood. The men around the table looked disgruntled, but clapped him on the back in a congratulatory manner. Patrick set the hammer down on the slab of wood and took the drink tokens that were at its center as his prize.
“Next round is on me,” he said with a low, jolly voice. He jumped just a little bit when he saw me approaching. “Aker, good to see you. Want a beer? It's on me?”
“I shouldn’t, I’m trying to stay focused tonight,” I said, hoping not to get on his bad side. Pat frowned for a moment, giving me a hard look, then shrugged his shoulders. A rosy smile returned to his round face.
“No blood, no foul. What can I help you with tonight, oh pale one?”
“I need to practice mesmerizing you for a while, if you have some free time?”
“Aye. I can spare an hour or two. As long as you put me a little higher on the list for next human to become a vampire.”
“I’ll see what I can do. Is there anywhere around here that’s a little quieter?”
“Yep. Follow me. Oh, what a great day.”
I followed the lumbering squat man through the crowded pub, and he motioned for me to sit down at a small booth. We sat opposite each other.
“All right, look straight into my eyes and try not to let anything distract you,” I said, focusing hard on the man’s brown eyes. His face was red and I saw a droplet of sweat trickle down his chubby cheek.
“All right, now what?”
I locked eyes with him and said, “Stand up for ten seconds, then sit back down.”
He had lost his rosy demeanor, and blank faced, he followed the order. Then he sat down, leaned back, and relaxed in his seat. He seemed to be asleep with his eyes open.
A message popped up that read: “Congratulations! You have successfully mesmerized someone. Your mesmerize skill has increased to level 2. Successfully mesmerize a person twice more to raise your mesmerize stat to the next level. Eight more missions until Level 10.”
I looked Patrick in the eyes again. He stared back vacantly.
“I want you to go order a Heineken, give the bartender your drink token, then come back here with the beer,” I said, excited to see how powerful my mesmerize ability truly was.
He started doing exactly as I bid him. He walked straight to the bar and ordered the drink. I watched carefully as he stared like a zombie at the bartender, but he was drawing some unwanted attention. A man who had been playing Hammer-Schlagen with Patrick earlier tapped him on the shoulder and muttered something to him. Patrick turned to the man, and then Patrick’s body shook as if a shiver had just run down his spine. He seemed to come to his senses and started chatting with the man.
I slumped in my chair as I realized my spell had worn off. A few minutes later he returned, beer in hand. He sat down but was unaccompanied by any mission complete message. In order to get experience toward my mesmerize skill, whoever I’m mesmerizing needs to successfully complete the task I assign to them.
“Hey, ugh sorry, maybe I’m drunk. I kinda just blacked out, and…”
“No worries, look into my eyes again,” I said, interrupting him, eager to get back to training. He looked into my awaiting gaze.
“Drink the rest of your beer,” I said concisely. He regained the look of a zombie and drank the remainder of his glass. A message accompanied this feat, telling me I had one more successful mesmerize to go before I gained another stat increase. I commanded him
to rub his head and pat his stomach. He did so with no hesitation. Interesting, looks like I can get him to do pretty complex tasks as long as no one distracts him.
A moment later I had received another point in mesmerize, bringing it to level 3. Now I needed to complete seven more missions until I became Level 10, but I was more determined than ever to get stronger. I need a special vampire move and the power that comes with it.
I had Patrick doing various simple tasks for the next hour. These consisted of untying and retying his shoes, singing his favorite song aloud, then doing his best English accent. These tasks had brought mesmerize to 4, with six more missions until Level 10. By this time I was growing tired of the bar scene and with controlling Pat. I decided to send him to order a beer and bring it back to the table, one more time. Worst case he’ll wake up, not be mesmerized any longer, and I’ll have wasted a few minutes. Best case I’ll have a beer before I leave, and proof I’m getting better at mesmerizing people.
Patrick approached the bar as he did the first time around. I was lucky his large frame commanded respect in the form of people getting out of his way when he was in motion, or he may have woken up before he even reached the bar. I watched him as if I were watching a horse race. I cheered for his progress every step of the way, but knew at this point there was nothing I could do to affect the outcome. I let out a little cheer as he took the bottle of beer from the bartender. I was jumping in my seat as he started walking back. Then another guy from the game of Hammer-Schlagen noticed him and started walking over. No, just let him complete the mission. Patrick took one slow, lumbering step after another. He was only ten feet away now, but his friend tapped his shoulder. No, he’s so close. Patrick proceeded unperturbed, his face completely expressionless.
Patrick sat down with beer bottle in hand; he didn’t spill a drop. I took the brew from him and he slumped against the back of the booth. Yes, I can mesmerize people to do quite complex tasks now, and they can even withstand slight distractions. I received a mission complete message; seven more mesmerize missions to go until the stat increases again.
Patrick’s friend, a man with a red polo, blue jeans, and spiky bleached blond hair approached the table. What boring style. Although, I would have loved that outfit just a few days ago. I really am loving my gothic garb, it sets me apart from the crowd. Veruka was right when she said vampires should dress the part.
“Patrick, you okay, bro?” the man asked. He started snapping his fingers around Pat’s face, then lightly slapped his cheeks. “What have you done to him?” he said accusingly.
I sat in silence for a moment. Patrick slowly came to his senses. Again he shook his body like a dog shaking water from its coat after exiting a lake.
“He’s fine, see,” I said, feeling relieved. I didn’t really know how to get someone to stop being mesmerized.
“Yep, I’m good as can be. What are you up to? Ready to get beat at Hammer-Schlagen again?” Patrick said, looking up at his friend.
“You seemed really out of it. I was just checking to make sure you were okay,” the man replied, glancing at me and frowning.
“I feel like I’ve just woken up from a catnap. You think I’ve had too much to drink, don’t you?” Patrick raised a bushy eyebrow toward the man. “I’ll prove I have more wits about me than you’ve got. Come on, bet you don’t have what it takes.”
“You’re on,” the man said, and a smile spread across his face as he sensed an easy victory in his future.
“All right, I’ll leave you be for now. Thanks again, Patrick.”
Patrick had already started barreling toward the slice of wood and assortment of hammers. He turned back as I spoke to him.
“Anytime, friend. See if you can get Veruka to turn me before Arthur. I always like having one up on him.” He grinned.
“I’ll do that as soon as I see her. Bye.”
I began imagining all the benefits I could reap as my mesmerize stat became more powerful. Maybe I can even mesmerize vampires to stop hurting humans. I wonder if I could mesmerize people to help themselves live better lives.
I ran back to the VampGods’ base and entered the large main room. Sasha was crying into Veruka’s shoulder. Her light blue hair provided a stark contrast to Veruka’s black clothes and pale skin. I walked over and put a caring hand on Sasha’s upper back.
“What’s wrong, Sasha?” I asked, sensing an immense sadness in the room.
“Brittany…she…got deleted,” Sasha said between sobs. My heart dropped, then sadness and anger flooded my body. Not Brittany, she was so strong.
“How? Why?” I asked, already guessing the answer. It must have been the Starboys.
“They will pay for what they’ve done,” Veruka said in a low growl.
“The Starboys did this, of course,” Sasha yelled, then continued sobbing. “We can only hope Brittany has enough money saved to come back into her same character. She put months of real-world time into that character.”
“When will we find out if she can come back?” I asked, happy there was a possibility of seeing Brittany again.
“We’ll have to wait and see. In the meantime, do whatever you need to get ready. We’re striking tomorrow,” Veruka said fiercely. “It’s time to put an end to the Starboys.”
I nodded and let the two mourn in peace. What can I do to ready myself? I barely helped in the last fight. Maybe I could find a better gun.
I looked up gun stores nearby and made my way to the nearest shop. When I entered, a butler met me in step as I made my way toward some deadly looking sniper rifles. He wore a camo vest and had a toothpick protruding from his mouth.
“Hello, good fellow, looking for anything particular today?” he asked, then raised his nose high into the air as the butlers always did.
“Something that will work with these,” I said and produced a couple of silver bullets. He took one and examined it through his monocle.
“Lucky for you, all bullets in this game work with all guns with one exception, rocket launchers.”
“Okay, great. I think I want a sniper rifle. I want to be hidden and strike my enemies before they can find me. Then flee to a new hiding place and strike again.”
The butler gave me a look that suggested my course of action was reprehensible then asked, “You’ve got big plans, don’t you?”
I nodded.
“Right this way, sir, right this way.”
I followed him toward the back of the store.
“Here we are. These are the best sniper rifles we’ve got. You won’t find any better for hundreds of miles.”
I picked one up and looked through the scope. Everything I saw through the scope was a fast-moving blur. The scope was meant for vast distances. I turned my attention to the feel of it—it was heavy, but felt good in my grip. I closed my eyes and saw that it weighed 20 pounds. A considerable amount, but I had plenty of room for it in my inventory.
“How much is this one? Can I get it in a different color?” I asked the butler.
“That is one hundred RM. To change the color costs an additional twenty RM.”
I mulled over changing the color. The gun was black already. It matches all of my clothes. Coloring it would draw extra attention anyway.
“I’ll take it, but I don’t need to change the color,” I said and transferred the butler my money. I had only $30 RM left. I used the remaining money to buy bullets from the butler. I now had 100 bullets in total, but was flat broke.
“It was indeed a pleasure doing business with you. Is there anything else I can help you with today?”
“I was wondering one more thing. I want to learn dark magic, but I heard something about jaguars. Do you know anything about this? Where can I find these beings? You must know?” My curiosity was getting the best of me.
The butler seemed alarmed as he looked around the store to make sure no one else was present, then said in a hushed voice, “Keep your voice down about dark magic, please, sir. This is a good, respectable business.�
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“Do you know where I could find someone to teach me dark magic?”
The butler pulled me close and said in a gruff whisper, “South America. In the southwest forests of Chile, you will find what you are looking for.” The butler turned and strode to a different part of the store.
I was put on edge by the way the butler had acted. I had never seen a butler behave so strangely. It must be really hard to find dark magic teachers.
I exited the store and ran to the edge of town, where I found a field. I put five of my non-silver bullets in the loading chamber of my new sniper rifle, which filled it up. I looked through the gun’s long scope. I noticed a two-sided button under my left index and middle fingers. I pressed the button under my index finger and my scope started zooming in, making the previously blurred edge of the field come into focus behind the scope’s thin crosshairs. I tried the button under my middle finger and the scope started zooming out.
After becoming more comfortable with the zoom feature, I decided to take a few shots. I aimed at a large bulbous knot protruding from a thick pine tree at the opposite end of the field. I concentrated, remembering what I learned while shooting with Veruka. Letting all my breath out, I gripped the gun tightly, and pulled the trigger. A split second later the tree’s knot exploded, leaving a small hole in the tree trunk.
I practiced like this for around fifteen more minutes. The gun was deadly accurate even from a great distance. I made my way back to base, ready to take on the Starboys the next day. The loss of Brittany was weighing hard on my soul. Although she had been gruff, she meant well and was the toughest person I had met so far.
I made my way over to my coffin, and Veruka and Sasha appeared to be asleep already. We’ll fight hard for you tomorrow, Brittany. I went to bed with a determination even greater than when Maria had died. Why is this world plagued by the Starboys? Everyone will be better off once we wipe them from the game’s code. I closed my eyes and reveled in the fact I was tangibly stronger than when I had first encountered the Starboys. I’ve worked hard, and put in a lot of time grinding. Now I can start making this world a better place.
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