Into the Game

I didn’t sleep much.

Mei and I shared a room, but there was only one bed. She fell asleep as soon as she hit the bed. I sat on the floor and thought.

It was a small room, just a bed and a dresser, but there was plenty of room in the middle to sleep. I found it interesting that there was a light switch for the torches in the corners. I turned out the lights and sat in the darkness. I had a lot to think about.

I had been so focused on catching up with Billy that I hadn’t bothered to make sure that I was still alive to reach him. I needed to get better gear and training so I could survive the higher tiered zones. I didn’t even know what kind of gear I would need at the higher zones. I needed information.

I decided I would do some research when I woke up. I closed my eyes and laid my head on my rolled up pack.

Sleep came in waves. I would drift off, but thoughts of my brother fighting against the dragon from the cave filled my dreams.

I woke up and wiped the sweat off my face. It was still early, but my heart was beating so fast. I knew I wasn’t going back to sleep.

Mei was snoring. I moved away from the noise and felt for the door in the dark. I slipped out of the room. I wasn’t going to sleep anymore. I might as well do some research.

The innkeeper was still the only one at the bar. I looked out the windows. It was still dark outside.

“Do you need something ma’am?” He asked

I sat down at the bar. "Information.”

He sat down across from me. "What would you like to know?”

“I need to go to the higher zones.” I pulled out my map. "What would be some places I should go first?”

“You want to know where to farm?” He asked

“If I need to.” I said. "But I’m more interested in what I need in the upper zones.”

He looked at my armor. "You’re a sword fighter?”

I nodded

“In light armor?” He asked

“Should I wear something else?”

“You need to be able to take a beating.” He raised an eyebrow. "You should have read that in your stat book.”

“I don’t have a stat book.” I said. "How do I get one?”

He reached under the bar and pulled one out. He passed it over to me. "If you ever lose your stat book, any vendor can replace it.”

“Thank you.” I turned the book around and looked at it. It had a leather cover with my name written on the front in swirly gold font.

“”Is there anything else?” He asked

“Are there any raids going on?” I asked

“In this zone?” He shook his head. "All the troll caves are kept pretty cleared out. Very few raiders stick around.”

I thought for a moment. "What if I knew about a target?” I fingered the cover. "How would I let people know?”

He pointed at the board by the door. “That board is linked to every other one in the game.” He looked me over. "It has to be a real target to be put on.”

I scooted off the stool. "I’ve got a real target.”

“Really?” He asked. "What?”

I grinned as I opened the menu on the board. "A dragon.”