dramadramaduck | One of these Days

So I think I just did something incredibly stupid but I was forgiven for it. Lemme recap.

So I saved a young player in the forest from a bunch of Apes a few levels higher than she was. Her name is Silica, and she's a nice girl. Lemme get a picture up of her, I got a screenshot.

Silica Right Here

Cute huh? In any case, I saved her and her pet dragon Pima was killed in battle. So we went to the 45th floor and I helped her get a flower that will revive battle pets within 3 days of their death.

Now the dumb thing about it, is that she was being hunted by a PK guild. I know, horrible isn't it? They were scouting her and lining her up for a kill when I intervened. I sent those scum to jail after stating in no matter of terms that I would kill them all if I wasn't asked to send them to jail by a crystal made from a Guild Leader who's guild was wiped out by these cutthroats.

Thing is, we promised to see each other in the real world. So I guess I got myself a extra goal to reach now.

So yeah, you can tell me it was a dumb idea, killing two birds with one stone metaphorically. What I want to know is was it a really dumb idea to use Silica as bait, or should I have come clean? The letter I got from myself said I should use her as bait and apologize but you know how well that turns out even if she likes me.

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Well I've already told her the truth. I guess there's nowhere to go but up.

How'd she take it? [She grins, teasing.] Got yourself a girlfriend?

Pfffh. Well... she took it better than expected. And she said she'd fight for my affections.

Does it really count, if it's a game? I mean, it's all just pixels and stuff, right?

Oh yeah you're new here. So basically put, we're all trapped in the game, in my world. So she's a real person after all.

I know how games work...

Wait, trapped? Like somebody has you tied to the chair? [What...kind of picture is that?]

No, we're trapped INSIDE the game. Through virtual reality immersion.

Virtual Reality? What kind of game is that?

A virtual reality mmo called Sword Art Online.

Still don't get it. But good job, I guess.

Basically our consciousness has been trapped within the game, and if someone disconnects us forcibly, we will die. But thanks.

[She lets out a whistle.] Sounds crazy. Why'd you start playing in the first place?

[Even if she wants to try one, she didn't want to that badly.]

Initially it was a form of escape, and playing in a world which I enjoyed. But the Beta never had any indication of us being trapped in the game when the live game hit.

[He shrugged.] It's old hat now. I'm still working my way to clear enough content to proceed.

[Even with the video on, she begins to pace a little.] Sucks. The government can get away with anything.

Wasn't the government. Was a video game corporation with a system designed by a single man and his team.

And they're just letting them get by with it?

They're working on trying to get everyone out. But in-game, the conditions are "defeat the level 100 boss at the top of the castle" and so far we're only around the 50th floor.

Hey, half way done, right? [She tries to sound optimistic.] What is the boss, anyway?

We're not entirely certain. Most people don't have any idea what kind of boss enemy we're facing, other than reports from failed attempts to contain and defeat them.