Evolution: A Warlock's Rise To Power

Lucan rose from his bed in a brand-new world. The sensation of his clothing against his skin felt no different than real life. The colors were more vibrant than he thought possible. The game capsule gave Brax a feeling of completely stepping into another body instead of controlling an avatar.

Lucan was on his porch making wands for a few minutes before Silent showed up.

She smiled and sat beside him while he put his things away.

"So what's new?" Lucan asked.

"I advanced my class to Rogue Sniper and I really love the bow you got me. Its so amazing, and my new class let me put a sight on it. Its range is crazy broken."

Silent and Lucan walked around the village several times while she told him what adventures she had been on. She was just as eager to hear what Lucan had done.

She was surprised and happy to hear he became a thief and had reached level 87. The construction of his castle had already begun and there were several mines set up outside of the city. About half the villagers worked for Lucan in one way or another.

Realizing they had wasted half the day walking in circles, Lucan and Silent headed to the Assassin's Guild to pick up some contracts. Lucan only had 3 months left in game to become level 100.

When Lucan walked in with Silent, Super shot him a big smile and a thumbs up. Lucan shook his head and hopped in line with Silent.

"Hey look, there are some new Mithril contracts. 1 of those should get you the contribution points you need for your next armor set." Silent said.

"Are their any that are doable for our levels?" Lucan asked.

"Ah, well, only one." Silent said with an upset expression. She sighed, forced herself to put on a smile and said. "Let's do it."

"Nah, it made you upset for some reason. Let's not bother, we can just pick up a couple of Gold contracts."

"No, it's alright." Silent said. "I need to do this one."

"What's up?"

"Yesterday I told my parents that I didn't start grad school and have been playing Evolution. It went as well as it could have, but I still haven't told my sister. And this contract was issued by her and her guild."

"Oh, I get it."

"It will be better if she finds out now rather than if I blindside her at some competition."

"Let's accept it." Lucan said taking the contract to the counter.

***

Lucan and Silent stood before Cloud Saint city. It had started the game as a no name village in Baramore until Heaven's Kiss started her own Guild in the village. The Cloud Saint Guild quickly rose in popularity along with Heaven's Kiss and soon became the soul of the growing village.

Now the city was the Guild and the people, NPCs and Travelers supported the guild.

Both Lucan and Silent wore cloaks that concealed their identities as they walked to front door of the Guild Headquarters and knocked on the large gate. A player leaned over the top and hollered down.

"What do you want?"

"We are here about a job?" Lucan said while holding up the contract.

"Oh, alright." The you man said, disappearing before the gate cracked open. "I will take you to the Guild Coordinator."

Lucan and Silent followed him inside. "You can wait in here." He said leading them to a small sitting room with a table and chairs.

Lucan and Silent entered while the young man shut them inside and ran off to find the Coordinator. Lucan moved the hood of his cloak down and revealed his face while Silent stayed covered.

Several minutes later a young woman entered the room. Lucan recognized her. Spicypumpkin, was her name. Last time Lucan saw Heaven, this girl had been whispering in her ear.

"Wait, I know you." She said.

"Yepp, I am the guy you hired to deal with your bandit problem." Lucan said.

"No, your Lucan, we ran into you in Vertshadow."

"Oh, so you didn't hire me to deal with your bandit problem."

"What, that's not what I meant. Are you really from the Assassin's Guild?"

Lucan pulled out the contract and placed it on the table. Spicy sat down and made sure it was the real thing.

"Wow, What a coincidence."

"Eh, not really. I only took it because Heaven's Kiss is the Guild Leader. Where is she by the way?"

"Did you come here to stir up trouble?"

"Me? No. But since I am here, I should make it clear she has no chance of going on a date with me." Lucan said.

Silent giggled. She was nervous about talking to her sister, but she was happy to hear Lucan declare he would never be involved with her.

"You jerk! You are just here to cause problems. Who would just openly disrespect our fairy leader like that?!" Spicy said jumping up from her chair and yelling.

A few players entered the room to see what the commotion was about.

Lucan smiled. "Do not forget that you invited high ranking members of the Assassin's Guild into your Guild. Will you take responsibility if anything were to happen to us?" When she didn't answer right away Lucan continued. "Run along and get Heaven, I need to discuss other matters that interest her."

Spicy scrunched up her face. "I don't like you." She said as she left with the other players.

Silent was so nervous that she didn't take the opportunity to criticize Lucan for being intentionally difficult. Lucan mustered up his courage and reach out undernearth the table and took Silent's hand.

Above the table they pretended as if nothing was happening and patiently waited. Beneath the table Silent held Lucan's hand tightly with her own.

As the door sprung open, Silent pulled her hand back and turned away from the woman who entered.

"You toad, why are you here hassling my people? If you took our request, fine, do it, that's no reason for me to leave my quest and come back."

"You are correct. Can you please shut the door and join us at the table?" Lucan asked politely.

"You don't tell me what to do." She said while slamming the door shut and coming over to the table. She grumbled and whined but sat down. "Why the hell am I here?"

"So we can clear the air." Lucan said.

"Hmpf, no need." Heaven replied.

Lucan turned to look at Silent who was starting to fidget. The room grew quiet.

"For goodness sake." Lucan said as he pulled down Silent's hood.

Heaven looked at the shadow elf for a moment, then Silent spoke. "Hey sis, long time no see." Said Silent with a cheesy grin.

"What?!? You're…."

"It's me."

"But, grad school?"

"I have been playing Evolution for a while now and I thought you should know." Silent said while nodding. Heaven was in a daze. "Lucan and I are leveling partners and you should know that nobody was pretending to be you, I was just being me and people made a mistake."

"You mean you are with this dirtbag." Heaven said jumping across the table trying the get to Lucan. "If you hurt my sister I will burry you in the ground, you worthless pile of trash."

Silent was holding her sister back while Lucan tried to distance himself

"Heaven, knock it off. Lucan is my… He is my best friend here. Don't make things hard for me."

"What!!! You better not have touched her! I will end you!" She kept screaming.

Players once again burst into the room. "Ha, ha, maybe I should wait outside." Lucan said heading out the open door while the players ogled the gorgeous shadow elf holding back their half-dressed idol.