Stay on the Wing

by Michael Atamanov

  "Good, Val. Then log in and check the area! If everything near the camp is clear, give me a call," I replied, then crawled into the virtual reality capsule, ready to log in at a moment's notice.

  However, it took no less than six minutes for my sister to confirm that it was safe near the camp. I closed the virtual reality capsule and, thirty seconds later, found myself standing near our shelter, getting accustomed to the darkness of the night.

  "What took you so long?" I asked, jumping on Valerianna Quickfoot with reproach. But I abruptly went silent, as there was a bright crimson criminal marker shining out like a beacon above the wood nymph's head. My sister's life bar was also in the orange, and there was an arrow with red fletching sticking out of her right shoulder.

  "There were two players by the river keeping watch for us," my sister explained, wincing in pain. "A berserker and a bow-woman. They didn't notice me at first. They were too busy doing... something else. This will serve as a good lesson for them — this place is a dangerous world with full PVP, and not a bedroom in a whorehouse, after all... Basically, I got lucky."

  I helped the wood nymph remove the deeply embedded arrow and gave her some Healing Potion.

  "Oh, now that's a lot better!" the mavka said, instantly starting to smile, her health now almost fully restored. "Amra, there are many pieces of equipment on the shore over there, sitting in the grass. Go look through them, maybe something will be of use to our wolf riders."

  On the bank, there was a complete mess including a whole set of berserker armor and, right next to that, there was a carefully folded dress, chain-mail, a helmet, and pair of boots. It wasn't all from a surprisingly generous drop, it was just that the owners had removed their own clothing, caught up in an unexpected surge of passion. Why they hadn't placed their clothing in their inventories, I did not know. Clearly, they didn't think it sufficiently romantic. I didn't see the star-crossed lovers in the flesh, though. Their bodies had been carried away by the flow of the river.

  After gathering the equipment, I called the Gray Pack. The wolves were close at hand. No more than five minutes away.

  "Amra, take this. It's a more complete local map!" the wood nymph said, sending me a transaction offer for zero coins. "Look! Just half a kilometer from here, there's a respawn stone. You should make sure to visit it and add it to your list of stones. But before that, I have a pleasant surprise for you!"

  Valerianna headed for the thick bushes on the riverbank, waded up to her knees in the water, fiddled about for a bit, then pulled out a stringer of live fish.

  "The naiad has been fishing since morning. I asked him to leave a portion of his catch for you. One of each species. All fresh, alive and full of blood — just the way you like them! If you're too ashamed, I could turn away."

  "No matter, go ahead and look..." I said, taking the stringer in my hand and looking at the silvery flopping fish:

  Level-4 River Catfish

  Level-2 Common Roach

  Level-13 Mature Bream

  Level-8 Muddy Tench

  Level-1 Common Redeye

  Five new species all at once! The perfect gift for a vampire! Let the feast begin! As they say, I won't stuff my face, but I might take a nibble!

  Damage dealt: 30 (Vampire bite)

  Experience received: 20 Exp.

  Object received: Catfish meat (food) * 2

  Racial ability improved: Taste for Blood (Gives +1% to all damage dealt for each unique creature killed with Vampire Bite. Current bonus: 8%)

  Achievement unlocked: Taste tester (15/1000)

  Damage dealt: 89 (Vampire bite)

  Experience received: 96 Exp.

  Object received: Tench meat (food) * 4

  Racial ability improved: Taste for Blood (Gives +1% to all damage dealt for each unique creature killed with Vampire Bite. Current bonus: 9%)

  Achievement unlocked: Taste tester (16/1000)

  ...

  Racial ability improved: Taste for Blood (Gives +1% to all damage dealt for each unique creature killed with Vampire Bite. Current bonus: 12%)

  Achievement unlocked: Taste tester (20/1000)

  Regeneration improved to 3 HP/Minute

  My big-eared troglodyte burped in satisfaction and patted his puffed-out belly. Great! I managed not only to sate my hunger, but also to fill my Thirst for Blood bar to maximum. This had to have been the fastest and safest method of leveling my vampiric abilities in the game. I'd have to visit the fish market of the underwater village of Ookaa — I suspected that, there, I would find a true abundance of different fish and a happy hunting ground for bloodsuckers like me.

  "Stuffed, big-ears?" Valerianna inquired compassionately. "Then let's not stick around here. The Gray Pack has already come to your call. Let's hurry. We need to mount the wolves and get on our way!"

  Despite the late hour, we managed to reach the respawn stone without meeting any of the dreaded forest creatures. After that, I told the Gray Pack to head for the kobold inn — I'd have to get Taisha, Irek and Yunna out of there. We passed the eight-kilometer ride on wolfback in just half an hour. On the way, I raised my Riding skill to level 6, and Athletics to 9. Akella was limping badly and lagging behind the rest of the pack, but we were trying not to let them out of sight, though they would wait for us if need be — a wounded level-28 lone wolf would be easy pickings for the kind of creatures that roamed these woods.

  With two hundred meters between me and my target, I jumped off the wolf, hoping not to frighten the inn workers with the predatory canine. The wood nymph and I made the rest of the way on foot.

  "Stop, who goes there?!" a sentry called out. Hearing that, I raised my head and saw a small figure wrapped in a dark cloak lurking up a tree with a crossbow in hand.

  Level-62 Kobold Guard

  Perception check failed

  I suspect that the guard was not, in fact, alone, and had friends hiding in the thick crowns of the neighboring trees. But I didn't manage to detect any other archers.

  "My going in tavern eat-eat! There many goblin. That my friend."

  "But why is mavka? Mavka — tricky and sharp-tooths."

  "Mavka already be here today in daytime. Eat tavern, coin pay for kobold. Now she go with me."

  Although kobold language was similar to goblin, it did have its differences, so we spoke in clipped, awkward phrases. But still, we understood one another. Valerianna, though, was patiently awaiting the results of our negotiations.

  Successful check for Kobold Guard reaction

  Experience received: 80 Exp.

  The gate opened with a creak, letting us inside the walls. Despite the late hour, the inn was bubbling with life. There were lit oil lamps hanging from posts lighting the way for a chain of gray- and blue-skinned kobold workers loading heavy bales onto a great many carts that belonged to a traveling merchant. All of this was, of course, performed under the watchful gaze of the merchant’s guard team. No one paid my sister and I any mind. We walked over to a two-story building separate from the walls. In its windows, there burned a bright light, and I heard the sound of dishes clinking.

  "No vacancy for sleep in night! All room to guest occupied! Only you can is going in munch-hall," a big fat kobold standing at the dining hall entrance cried in dissatisfaction.

  But I reassured him that we weren't looking for rooms, we were just going to eat dinner with our friends — I pointed at Taisha, Irek and Yunna, sitting modestly at a corner table. On hearing my voice, our friends turned and ran to meet me with joyful whooping. And although Irek and Yunna just ran up and stopped, Taisha jumped right up onto my shoulders, saying:

  "Where have you been all day, Amra?! You can't just leave me in a strange place like this!"

  I nearly collapsed under her weight — my character was still not distinguished by particular Strength, but I embraced my NPC bride tightly and even managed to twirl her around.

  Athletics Skill increased to level 10!

  Whoa there! Even the game system considered my actions s
trenuous and exhausting. Nevertheless, I joyfully assured Taisha that I had come after her at the first opportunity. The people eating at the neighboring tables (clearly more of the merchant's guards) watched us two goblins kissing with a fair degree of hostility, but they didn’t say anything or try and stop us. Nevertheless, my sister touched my shoulder and said:

  "Big-ears, that's enough PDA. You and your green beauty are attracting attention. Tomorrow, the players searching for us will ask the local NPCs and quickly figure out that you were here. We need to leave and get as far away as possible."

  "You know, you're right," I agreed. Then, I turned to Taisha: "The wolves of the Gray Pack are waiting for us beyond the gates. We need to leave."

  Taisha let go of me, looked at the empty table in sorrow and asked:

  "Can we please wait for the dinner we ordered first? It's just that Tamina's children and I are hungry, and we've already paid," the green-skinned beauty begged. "We've been sitting here for an hour already, but they still haven't brought our food."

  The wood nymph and I had to go figure out what was taking so long. I wasn't allowed into the kitchen, but the kobold chef came out on his own and, wiping a shaggy blue arm on his sweaty brow, started speaking:

  "It is devil's delight this of evening. Important merchant men is coming. Twenty-five guard with hungry gullet. They need eat. Many pan I use, all fire is took. And too, is birthing human, aristocrat lady. She want food also, with two grown children. And now is for her almost finish the food. Your goblin be next."

  The chef pointed at a wooden tray stacked with dishes and plates meant for the human woman, who had either already given birth or was preparing to do so in the near future. My sister and I exchanged glances without a word. A woman giving birth, and two grown children with her? Interesting. Very interesting...

  "Am can bringing tray for lady human. Like this, you no losing time and can cooking dinner for hungry goblin," I suggested to the chef.

  Successful check for Kobold Chef's reaction

  Experience received: 80 Exp.

  "Good. Goblin take and bring — help," the chef mercifully allowed and handed me the plate-laden tray. "Going stairs up and door is of left."

  Successful Agility check

  Experience received: 16 Exp.

  I nearly spilled. Due to the large size of the tray, I couldn't see in front of myself and tripped on the first stair. The wood nymph helped me, setting the plates and glasses back in their places on the tray, and speaking with a trembling in her voice:

  "I seem to have caught a bit of the jitters. It is now night, and those people are like, supposed to change into their alter ego. I mean, what if it isn't just some harmless big-bellied countrywoman and her nephews behind that door, but a pack of hungry killer wargs of an unknown level?! Or what if they're people now, but go alter-ego when they find out we've discovered their secret?"

  I stopped sharply. What was there to say? It really was a very possible way this situation could develop.

  "Hold the tray!" I said, passing it to my sister. "I need to take some precautions first. I have a tiny bit of wolfsbane in my Inventory. Just one lone leaf, but it should be enough to powder up and add to one of the big food dishes. If they don't attack us right away, and start eating, we'll neutralize the biggest of them right off the bat. And if we're wrong, and those people aren’t our wargs, the garnish won't do them a bit of harm."

  Valerianna returned me the tray of goodies, pushed her green hair out of her eyes, and took the wand in her hands.

  "You go in, leave the tray on the table and start the conversation. They're expecting someone to bring in food, so they won't be surprised. In the meantime, I'll wait and see how this plays out behind the door. I'll butt right in if something goes wrong. Try not to die too quickly. If it starts going bad, lead them out into the hall. There's a bunch of human guards there, and they'll be able to help us against the predatory wargs. And also, our goblin allies can come help..." said Valerianna, thinking things over. I could read alarm and indecision in her face.

  "Let's go up there, Val. At the very least, we won't know who's in the room until I've opened the door. So, here goes nothing! Let’s hope they're just humans."

  Holding the tray in one hand, I politely knocked and entered the room. And... I stopped dead in my tracks. When my sister and I were considering the two options — humans or wargs — we hadn't even considered this possibility. It all turned out much worse...

  Until the Hunt Begins

  ALL THE WORDS I had prepared in advance for the NPC runaway got caught in my throat. I mean, they weren't going to be tricking the character before me now. I found myself being stared down by a living player — a woman with dark, short hair of thirty years in a long bright-red dressing gown. Even her loose clothing couldn't hide her huge stomach and impending birth.

  Belle Sweetypie

  Human

  Level-78 Druid

  Not really believing my eyes, I opened the information on the character, and my last doubts were finally unraveled.The person before me really was a player, I could even read her primary skills:

  Animal Empathy (P Ch) level 56

  Transformation (C S) level 44

  Thick skin (C S) level 39

  Animal Control (P Ch) level 29

  Hand-to-Hand Combat (S A) level 50

  Tracking (P A) level 89

  Stealth (A C) level 67

  Well, well! I had no words. My little goblin Amra had no chance against her, even considering the woman's present extra weight and difficulty in maneuvering. On a carpet next to the pregnant woman, there were two NPC children sitting and playing quietly with stuffed dolls: a boy and a girl.

  Darius Violent

  Level-19 Human Townsperson

  Darina Violent

  Level-18 Human Townsperson

  The room was immersed in gloom. The oil lamps on the walls were not lit, but there was a candelabra on the table with three candles, giving off just enough glow for me to make out everything. I took a quick look around. It was a spacious room, with expensive furniture. The floor was carpeted with thick rugs. On the wall, there was a painting of a battle scene. All three of the windows were adorned with thick blackout curtains. By the standards of the modest kobolds, this wasn't just a room, but a true palace.

  In the prolonged silence, I made a few steps forward and placed the dish on the table. The woman looked at the dinner, then at me and said quietly, not hiding her surprise:

  "What is this all about then?"

  I decided to return to my initial plan, and answered the high-level player innocently:

  "Down here is NPC chef, very busying. Merchant to come with guard division. All is hungry. I saying to help kobold man. Me bring plates. We was hungry already, and chef is making food slow for goblin. No me expect see undying here."

  "I see..." the woman replied, unable to hold back a smile as she listened to my incomprehensible gabbing. "Alright then, boy. You've done your job. You brought me and my companions dinner. Now leave us so we can eat in peace."

  I was being forced out the door. Fairly politely, but still adamantly. Should I just leave? Or was it better to find some pretext to chat, so I could find out a bit more about this mysterious Belle? I pointed at her big stomach and asked:

  "Is really a woman play Boundless Realm with so big tummy allowed? Is dangerous in virtual world. Stress, worry, heavy lifting. Game can to harm baby health. Is especially bad in last of pregnant time."

  Belle laughed heartily, tears welling up in her eyes:

  "Boy, you must understand perfectly that we don't always look the same in the game as in real life. I mean, do you really walk around with green skin and massive ears outside Boundless Realm?"

  I shook my head so hard my ears started flapping.

  "So, you see! I just play a big-bellied lady, but in reality, I’m not even considering having a baby. It's just a quest. Very rare. I have to bear it and pretend to be pregnant."

  Just then, th
e girl sitting on the floor, who was wearing a well-kept light-colored dress and playing with toys made an unexpected incursion into our adult conversation:

  "Aunty Belle, what are you talking about? Does this mean you've been tricking me and Dar, pretending to be pregnant? Aren't you going to give birth to Fenrir's heir?"

  Fenrir's heir?! I strained to pick up my fallen jaw.

  Mission renewed: The Gray Pack's Past

  Mission class: Rare, Group

  Description: Find the owner of the headband in the room and return it to them

  Reward: 2000 Exp., the ability to include Wargs in the Gray Pack

  What was there to figure out? The pregnant Belle had a stylish short hairdo. For her, the headband would be nothing but an extraneous nuisance. Darius was a boy. And although he did have long braids below the shoulders, young boys wouldn’t wear such girlish attire. The only person in the room who could possibly have a need for the headband was Darina.

  While I read the message and thought over the simple choice, the aristocrat chewed out the girl for crawling into the conversation uninvited. Belle's pretty face transformed into an evil grin as she spoke:

  "Darina, how many times have I told you not to interrupt! No matter what, you don't understand even a third of what Amra and I are talking about, and only prove your ignorance! You will be punished very severely!"

  "Yes, aunty," said the frightened girl, lowering her head and starting to play nervously with her waist-length hair.

  "Amra, the quest updated for me!" Valerianna Quickfoot messaged, confirming my own observations. "It looks like you’re on the right track!"