Radical-9

CHAPTER 5: Auguries of Innocence

February 21^st, 2022

4:53 am

Klein isn’t that hard to find. I just look for any other female players around and he’s bound to show up. I decide to put my theory to the test and begin walking down the road. I'm passing by different sorts of buildings, judging from the signs placed out front I believe that some of these are actually player-owned houses, but obviously none of them are bought out yet.

I think some Technodome employees might be on duty as some of the merchants and real estate agents...or whatever the hell a medieval equivalent would be. The world seems to dim, the sky above me begins fading into a midnight blue.

On both sides of me purple balls of fire begin floating, hovering even over the ground, illuminating the town in a small glow. What were they called again? Will-O’-The-Wisps?

They must have been put in for the people who can't see as well at night. I find my way to the town pub and can only assume that Klein's found his way here as well. I walk up to the door and open up the command prompt, select yes, and see the interior appear before my eyes. When I find him he’s just finished what seems like getting rejected for the umpteenth time sure enough. He turns around, his shoulders sagging.

“How'd you find me?” He asks.

I look around me. I see two women sitting down at a booth to my right, one is wearing one of the really skimpy outfits I'd seen earlier, and the other is dressed more modestly, she has bright red hair. I also see a man and a woman chatting at one at our left, “There's booze and women here, how couldn't I find you here?” I ask.

“You're painting me as an alcoholic and creep,” He says.

“And you aren't?” I ask, turning my head.

“No, I am none of those things!” He says, stamping his foot.

I move past him and put my hand down on the table the two women are sitting at, “Excuse me, miss?” I ask, turning to each of them.

The redhead turns around and smiles at me, “Yes darlin'? How can I help you?” Her southern accent peaks through just fine.

I turn to point at Klein, “Has this guy been hitting on you?” I ask.

“Yeah, he was a little bit creepy,” she says.

“Ah, yes, thank you for your time...”

“Evelyn,” she responds.

“Yes, Evelyn,” I say, nodding my head. I walk back to Klein, folding my arms, trying hard not to burst into laughter.

“Okay, so I'm maybe a little teensy bit one of those things once in a blue moon,” he says, holding up his hands.

“Right, anyway, I'm done with my partner search, we've got three people, and it's getting kind of late out,” I say.

“Yeah, okay. I don't think we're going to find anyone else here,” Klein says.

“I don't think you're finding anyone at all unless they have boobs or booze. Besides, finding them and having them agree to join you are two different things,” I say.

“Right,” he says.

“She said she’ll meet us by the fountain once we’re done equipping ourselves at the armory.”

“Ah, I see. I don’t really need to upgrade, my gear is kind of overpowered for this section of the game anyway, but I can see why she would want you to.”

I shake my head, “Is it really that fair that you get to start with that? How long until I get something on that level?” I ask.

“Hours of raiding and grinding man, hours and hours,” he says.

“You sure?”

“Yes.”

“You don't sound it,” I say.

“Just shut up and let’s get going, we're sitting here talking about powerful weapons yet we can go see if we can get you one now!” He says, pointing to the door. “The armory should be a few blocks down from here, that is, if the rest of the town is the same, which seems to be the case. I know the guy who runs the joint. He was a beta tester, so we should be able to get some nice prices,” he boasts, puffing out his chest.

“Prices? We actually have to pay?” I ask, beginning to walk. Klein joins beside me, and we both leave the pub.

“What game don't you pay, Dex?” Klein asks, stepping down the steps two at a time, dismounting on the dirt road below.

“What game don't you get gold to pay? Last I checked we're broke.”

“You're broke, little dude. I have gold saved from beta. The only enemy you've gone up against was another player, some of which didn't seem to have any kind of loot on them, I may add. You have got to get the good mobs for the good loot! Wild Orcs! Ferocious Boars!” He says, acting out the creatures he names.

“Wait a second, that's weird, don't you think?” I ask.

“What, my acting skills are not weird, I'll have you know, I was top of my class in-”

“No, no, not that. Those Python players, they had no loot. Shouldn't they have dropped their weapons? Gear? Anything they had?”

“Well, in the beta you drop everything but your essentials. Obviously they aren't going to have characters running around in the nude, so think of those default clothes as your essentials. That, and your sword.”

“They had robes,” I say.

Klein begins walking down the road, I follow in anticipation, “Well, those players chose a mage for their starting class, that would be their starting attire and spell, Fireball. The robe is a unique code unlock if I remember right, you had to know a Python member to be able to start as one,” Klein explains.

“Where do you think they spawned?” I ask.

“Huh?”

“Something isn't right. I don't know exactly what, but what kind of MMO has you start off with a fight against another player? Isn't there usually a tutorial enemy or quest or something?”

“Well, this isn't a normal MMO, Dex. Jack Adata seemed to have his own hands into this whole mess, he may have wanted to cut the bullshit to get to the fun part, the death game?”

“So, you think maybe that he put those guys there? Why for us?”

“You can't think he has some vendetta against you or I, right? We don't even know him. Tons of other players died, he said something around four thousand, maybe those guys all spawned near other players who were able to kill them as well?”

“I guess it makes sense,” I say.

“I don't know, now that you mention it, members of a guild don't usually spawn together, it is kind of weird how there were so many of 'em in one place,” Klein says.

“Maybe they're with him? Jack Adata could be the head of the guild, or maybe even hired him,” I say.

“Maybe,” Klein says.

We make it to a large scaled building that looks to be made entirely of stone brick. A dingy sign hangs atop the door, reading “Gregor’s Armory”.

“So, your friend is this Gregor fellow?” I ask.

“Yeah, after beta I guess he was contacted by the dev team over at Technodome asking him to join up to be a part of it all. They must've seen something in him from the beta, I guess. I've got another friend who works up on one of the higher floors also, I haven't seen him in quite some time,” he says.

“What's his username?” I ask, turning my head.

“Oaken, he's quite a character, that guy.”

“Sounds interesting.”

Klein nods, and looks back towards the giant wooden door, I do the same. It looks like it were made for a man twice my size. I open my menu and head on in. The scene shifts and we’re inside the grungy main room. Spider webs amass underneath the counter tops which are glazed a vermillion shade from the torchlight. Klein walks over to the empty front desk and rings the bell.

“Hey! Gregor, get out here you lazy oaf!” He calls out, ringing the bell incessantly.

A large red headed man, similar in stature to something like a Viking stumbles out of the back room, rubbing his eyes.

“What want? Gregor is sleeping,” he says in a thick and grungy accent.

He opens his eyes and yawns a big hearty sound, it sends vibrations through my body.

“Oh, is only you, Guile. What you want?” He looks over at me and laughs.

“Guile?” I ask, turning my head.

Klein only slightly cocks his, “My last name, I just used my real name as my username, I hid the Guile bit after beta just because it rolls easier with Klein.”

“Who is puny boy here, he looks like a skeleton who forgot he was dead!” He begins laughing up a storm.

Klein chuckles, I don't.

“This is Dex. He and I are going out to the dungeon on the second floor.”

“Oh, you're going to solve the game, yes? Save the day?” Gregor asks.

“Correctamundo, I need you to outfit puny here...” he rests his arm on my shoulder, to which I shove him off, “...with the latest and greatest. You think you can do that?”

Gregor looks from Klein back to me and studies me much as Athena did earlier, “He isn’t bad, but needs work. You owe me, I am supposed to be doing the sleeping now.”

Klein navigates through his menu, “How does…50 Gold sound?”

“It sounds like we have a lot of work to do. Come Shlopka, we have to get you fit for battle.” He steps back into the back room. I look over to Klein.

“What the hell is a Shlopka?” I ask.

Klein laughs, “It is you my friend, you are the Shlopka.”

Gregor reemerges from his room, wearing his gear.

“Come Shlopka, I introduce you to blacksmith. We make you new sword that make your old one cry in river of shame, and then drown in river.”

“O-Oh that's a little dark,” I say.

“No, it is quite bright enough, I have enough torches to keep armory lit, silly Shlopka!” Gregor says, shaking his head and stepping past me. I nervously laugh and look back to Klein. He gives me thumbs up and winks.

Something tells me that I’m going to regret this.

I follow Gregor up the stairs to the side. The staircase is twisting and bending to proportions that would be impossible to create in the real world. It looks like something straight out of an M.C. Esher painting. It amazes me how much you can bend reality in this land. Gregor stops at a large metal door and he knocks heavily. The force resounds throughout the room beyond. It takes a few seconds, but it finally begins to open, creaking as it slides against the brick floor.

Inside is a girl near an anvil. Her back is turned away from us. She has short-cut purple hair and is wearing a black-stained apron and a heavy pair of gloves.

“Hey, Beth. We have Shlopka who needs a sword. Fix him up one, da?” Gregor heaves out.

Beth turns around and looks at me with an annoyed look. “He's not really much up for talking, I apologize for that,” she says. “Especially when he doesn't tell me we have more customers!” She says to Gregor.

Gregor sighs heavily, letting it sink throughout the whole room, it feels like the air just got heavier. it sound through the entire room.

“Fine fine, let's do this,” Beth says, nodding her head slowly.

Gregor pushes my back and I stumble into the room, almost tripping over myself. He then shuts the door and I can hear his lumbering footsteps as he chugs down the stairs.

“So, another new player in need of a weapon. Just what I need tonight. Do you have any materials for me?”

“M-Materials?” I stammer out.

She groans, throwing her hands up in the air, “Why does he always give me the difficult ones? Okay, materials are the loot that you get from monsters you’ve killed. You have killed some monsters, right?”

I shake my head, “No loot, sorry. My friend downstairs is willing to pay, though,” I say, pointing to the door.

“The gold is one thing, but to actually make the sword I need materials. Oh, this is going to be a long night…” She whispers. “We can use some of mine, I have spares, but only because I want to end this as soon as possible. Okay? I need sleep.”

I nod my head, “O-Okay.”

She walks over to the desk beside her and clicks on the window prompt. She empties the desk of its contents into her inventory and walks back to the anvil, “There’s also another condition I have.”

I cock my head, “What condition is that?”

She grins, “Since I’m shelling out my rare materials for your sword, you have to pay me back. Since you’re heading out to the higher floors, it shouldn’t be too hard, right? It’s a win-win situation. You'll be chopping up monsters and be getting all kinds of rare loot. Just bring me back an equal amount to what I'm dishing out here and we're set,” she says.

“Terms accepted. I’ll pay you back in full, I swear it.” I say.

“Wow, you’re either really brave or really stupid to accept so quickly. I was expecting a little haggling, but that's totally fine. Let’s get working on that sword.”

She presses on the command window on the anvil and adds the materials. I can’t read what they are, but they sure do look weird. Various metals and what looks to be claws of various animals. The materials are then enveloped in a white light and merge into one object. It begins to grow and shrink simultaneously. She equips her hammer and begins working out the kinks. The whole process is awe inspiring. Then it is complete. It is an azure blue blade with an edge that looks like it could slice a cinder block into pieces.

“Its name is Elcor.” Beth says, handing the sword to me.

“Elcor?” I repeat.

“Each weapon forged is different than one bought in the store, it has its own item name. I’m going to be honest here, that is the highest level sword I have ever forged. I hadn’t expected something with my blacksmith level, especially something from just the first floor.”

I take Elcor in my hands and it seems to glow faintly when I touch it.

“It’s a wonderful sword, thank you Beth,” I say sheathing it. I turn to leave.

“You know, getting a little bit more of those materials than I originally asked for might inspire-”

“Don't worry about it, I don't have plans to stay here long, any materials I get I'll bring 'em here,” I say, and then I head out of the door.

“T-Thank you.”

I walk out the door and continue down the confusing staircase. Klein and Gregor are making small talk as I reenter the lobby. Klein looks straight at me as I walk in, “So Dex, where’s this new sword of yours?” He asks.

I pull out Elcor from its sheathe and it glows with a faint aquamarine aura. I find myself being mesmerized by it.

“Woah, dude! You have to let me borrow that! It’s so cool!” Klein says, practically drooling.

“I'm pretty sure it's class exclusive, dude,” I say, unable to take my eyes off of it.

“What important is not sword, but man behind sword, Shlopka.” Gregor remarks, his arms folded.

“The sword is pretty important, Gregor.” Klein adds.

“Sword may help, but what Gregor think better is armor. Sword isn't help when your foe can stab your squishy parts easy-like. Come Shlopka, Gregor will outfit you with the nifty armor of the century!” Gregor laughs and begins walking in the direction opposite the stairs, towards the bare wall.

“Hey Gregor, where’re you-”

Gregor puts his hand on the brick wall and closes his eyes, “Hush Shlopka, Gregor is doing work.”

I look over to Klein who shrugs his shoulders. After a few moments of pure silence, one brick in the wall begins shifting. Soon the other bricks beside it follow suit and they all shift to unveil a hidden passageway.

“Gregor wall is finished. Come Shlopka, we move,” he mutters and descends into the darkness before him.

I once again look at Klein, expecting an answer.

“Don’t look at me dude, I didn’t know he could do that,” was all he said.

I take a deep breath and begin following Gregor down the depths of the hidden passage. It’s so dark in this place. I cannot even see my own hand in front of me. The only noise I can hear is Gregor’s heavy footsteps and the ceiling leaking.

I don’t remember how long ago I stepped into this darkness. It feels like it’s been forever. It just keeps going, deeper and deeper. It isn’t until I accidentally run into Gregor, who seemed to have stopped do I realize we’ve hit the bottom.

“My workshop is in here, Shlopka. Be careful to not be the scared of the dark.”

I sigh, “You say this now? After we spent all that time back there?”

He laughs.

I see a creak of light and I notice it’s a door being open. Gregor walks into his workshop, which is lit like the sun comparable to the walk down. It takes me a few minutes to get fully adjusted from the change in light. Gregor’s workshop is nothing pretty to look at. It’s a small cube of solid brick with a solid desk and work bench, illuminated by various candles upholstered on the walls.

“Okay Shlopka. I know you no have materials, I hear Beth yelling at you upstairs. I always hear her yelling, it get tiring. So how about we make the same deal? It’s easy, da?”

“So, you want me to fetch you materials too? No problem, I’ll already be out fetching some for one, so two shouldn’t be so bad.”

Gregor smiles, “Da! Is good!” He claps. He then opens his menu and takes an item into his own inventory, “Now, here is some armor.” He sends me a solitary black coat. It’s the length of something like a trench coat, but it has some style. I like how it matches my hair, the only thing is...its buffs in defense are almost non-existent. It’s barely better than the clothes I have on.

“This is it? I thought you were going to make me some super rare piece of armor that won't get me stabbed?” I ask, the disappointment draining from my face into my voice.

“Da! Is good rare armor. It’s about as rare as mother’s steak on dinner!”

“Couldn’t you have just given me this back up on the top level? What was the point of bringing me down here?” I ask.

“It simple...atmosphere!” Gregor has the largest grin on his face. I didn’t think it was possible, but it’s even larger than Klein’s. It’s official, this guy has completely lost it. I sigh. I guess I should’ve been expecting this. I equip the coat, reading its name as I do. “Shroud of Darkness”.

Quite the name for a piece of- “Oh! Gregor almost forget! Armor has special ability!”

This piques my interest, “What kind of special ability?” I ask, hoping this shroud has any redeemable qualities whatsoever other than its style.

“Da! Shroud can ‘shroud’ wearer for time short! Shlopka become poof gone!”

“Huh?”

I open my menu and go back to the Shroud. I notice it actually has an item description.

“Wearer of this item can become invisible for up to 30 seconds in battle.”

“Ah! That is so cool! Thanks Gregor!” I chime.

“No being of problem. Just remember you made deal with Gregor, so Gregor hold you to deal.”

I honestly think he’s getting less understandable every minute I speak to him.

“Uh…yeah, sure. I’ll keep the deal.” I say.

“Good, good Shlopka!” He laughs and begins to clap some more.

He turns around and begins to walk back up the stairs.

“Make sure you no be scared of dark on way up, Shlopka.” I groan and follow him up the stairs. Once we breach the surface, my eyes have an easier time adjusting to the light and I see Klein twiddling his thumbs on the counter top.

“Ah! There you…are? That’s you’re new gear? I’ll be honest Dex, the sword was a bit more impressive.”

Gregor snorts, “Shlopka doesn’t see fine art when it bites him in the rear. Dexboy see potential in armor.”

Klein’s jaw drops, “Aw man! Now I’m Shlopka? What does that even mean?!”

I roll my eyes, chuckling, “Not so fun when you're under the joke table now, huh?” I laugh and then turn to Gregor, “It’s just Dex, Gregor.”

He waves me off as if I just told him the moon was made of cheese.

“Now, don’t forget our deal, da?”

I nod my head. Klein gives me a confused look. I shoot back a look that says “I’ll tell you later.” Klein pays Gregor the 50 Gold and we exit the armory.

Once we’re outside, Klein leads the way to the fountain. The more time I spend in this digital world, the more I become accustomed to its rules and layout. I almost feel like I know where I am going this time around. The moon is full as we cross the park, not many people are out this late in the game. I assume everyone who is heading up to the dungeon is already at the park, and anyone who isn't has found some place to camp out.

I check the clock in my menu, it's about 6:50, we've got ten minutes to spare. The only ones here in the park now are the ones who are taking charge with us to the second floor. Athena is waiting for us by the fountain, just like she said. She’s leaning up against the side of the fountain, looking up at the virtual stars. The moonlight is shining through her hair brilliantly, she doesn’t seem to see us yet. No! I need to stop, need to focus on the current objective. I'm not here to stare at girls. Our goal is to get out of this world, not to gawk at pretty…soft…flowing….No! Stop! Get a hold of yourself. I’m shaken out of my trance by Klein.

“Hey dude, you okay? You look like you just saw a ghost or something…” He looks over and sees Athena. His eyes come back to me and the smallest of grins forms on his face.

“No,” I say.

It grows.

“No,” I repeat, nervousness creeping into my voice.

He seems to be smiling enough for two people.

“Say a word...any word and I’ll kill you right here,” I reply back.

He flexes his muscles, which isn’t that easy to see through his armor. “Weeeell, you’d have a pretty tough time with that, Dex,” He begins laughing.

I blush slightly and punch him in the gut. It hurts me more than I want to let on. “C’mon Dex, just tell me, you like her!” He begins taunting.

“No, I don't, now please shut it before you get too loud,” I say.

“Too loud for what?” I jump as Athena has jumped into our conversation.

“It's nothing, he's just being an idiot. This is Klein, by the way,” I say, I can tell my face is beet red.

She looks from Klein then back to me, “You didn't tell me your friend was a beta tester,” She says, a sort of venom enters her voice.

“I didn’t think it’d matter. In the end we have someone with experience. What’s wrong with him being a beta tester?” I ask.

She walks past both of us, not even turning back.

“Wait! Athena! Where are you going?”

I go to grab for her arm. I’m met with a sword, a katana to be precise, pointing right at my face.

“Beta testers are scum. It matters a lot. I’d rather cut him down here than work with him on anything,” she hisses.

Klein pushes me aside and struts, “Listen, I don’t know what I’ve done to insult you-” The katana points on him now, inches from his face.

“Your existence insults me,” She says.

“Don’t you know that health doesn’t decrease in towns? Slicing him up here won’t do anything.” I explain.

“You don’t think I know that? Towns are safe from player killing…unless that player is a part of a duel.” Athena begins.

“A duel?” I ask.

I look over at Klein, who seems to have a straight face put on, the one time I’ve seen him serious.

“You’re challenging me to a duel, then?” He asks calmly.

Athena sheathes her blade.

“I would. Are you man enough to accept?” She asks, taunting.

I step back, putting my hands up, “Guys, we don’t have to-” Klein puts his hand up.

“Dex, let me do this, if Barbie here needs to be taught that I'm not a bad dude, then so be it.” he says, his voice is sharper than his sword.

“You did not just call me Barbie,” She says.

“Hit a nerve?” He asks.

“Accept the damn duel already and I'll be sure to show you exactly which one.”

“I will, but how about we up the ante, shall we?”

“How do you mean?” Athena asks.

Klein swipes open his menu, “If you win, you can hand out whatever punishment you deem worthy on me. I will not resist.”

Athena seems to have a sort of glint in her eye, “I’m listening, and if you win?”

Klein raises his hand and puts it to the duel option, “Simple, you explain why it is you hate beta testers so much.”

Athena looks surprised, “That’s it? No sex fantasy or even forcing me to tag along with you?”

Klein shakes his head, “I only require an explanation. That is all. You are free to do whatever you wish afterward.” I’m surprised, moreso even than Athena is. When Klein is offered a challenge a whole new side of him comes out. He's like a whole different person when fighting comes into play.

Athena shows of a small grin, “Okay, I accept your terms.”

Klein hits the ‘send request’ option and a window comes up on Athena’s side.

She accepts and then a makeshift arena rises from the ground. A force field surrounds the arena, to prevent any other player interaction. I notice the other players gather around the force field, they're eager to see a fight.

Nowhere in the crowd do I see Eldon, he doesn't seem to have arrived yet. Text above the arena reads, “THE FIRST PLAYER TO GET THEIR OPPONENT TO 30% HEALTH WINS.” I can only sit and watch as the fight ensues. Both sides are gearing up, ready to go. I hope Klein can back up his talk, or else this could be his last fight.