4 The End of the Beginning

I logged back in. The still foreighn feeling of my soul leaving my body greeting me as I pressed play. And once more I was in the autumn forest. I ran into the woods and kept running.

Now that I'm level 9 I think I can leave this area. The forest's warm clour and exposed light changed as I ran. In between trees webs started to appear, I kept running and running until there was no light left. It was pitch black. I stumbled around looking for some kind of light, anything to help me see. I walked backwards bumping into a tree. My head exploded with pain as I fell to the floor, the damp ground squishing as my hands drove into the soil.

Standing up I closed my eyes. I saw it in a TV show. If I close my eyes I won't worry about where I'm going, right? Ahh the admins are probably dying of laughter watching the top ranked stumble through a forest with his eyes closed and his hands outstretched. Then I ran into something else, something unfamiliar, it was like silk as I walked into its comfortable embrace, I tried to move backwards but I couldn't. The wall was gripping my body, it wouldn't let me go.

I struggled and wriggled but my body won't move. I stood there for minutes, I know what this is, it is a spider web. I hate bugs and spiders creep me the hell out. I need to escape but I can't reach my dagger. Maybe I can get someone to help. If only I could spend out a signol.

I pulled my wrists together as far as they could go. An arrow of light forming in my hands, I shot it upwards, the light showering through the area as it pillered into the sky creating a huge white beacon. I looked up smiling.

Aha yes Charlie you genius once again your brain has saved the day.

I looked down a stupid gin across my face. The light was still lingering in the dark surroundings. I opened my eyes to look around and saw eight red circles. Small circles dotted across a black hairy face. There were fangs attached to that face, long and serrated fangs that scuttled as I stared at them. Behind that was a small mouth lined with teeth.

Hehe aw shit im gonna die! My own brilliance was my downfall. The spider wrapped its long hairy legs around my body, the hard limbs pressing against my body and forcing my head close to that hellish mouth. I can't move! I can't speak! Ah I'm going to die! This doesn't feel like a game! It's so realistic! Too realistic I 100% believe I'm about to get devoured by a giant spider!

C'mon admins play the game over music already I'm done for just let me die! I don't want to get eaten by that thing.

"Hello! Damn where is this quest? I could have sworn the signal was around here."

I looked back, tilting my head to see a man, fire sprouting from his palm. His flesh is like the bottom of a fireplace.

Yes, Pyromancy! This lucky bastard got such a good US! And I can get out now!

Muahahahahaha the genius of Charlie strikes again!

I'm so lucky! I thought I was going to die!

'Error - Maximum amount of skills copied reached, level up to unlock more would you like to sacrifice a skill in exchange for learning skill - 'Pyro lamp'

Huh? I have to give up a skill. I'll do it! This thing is way beyond my level.

"Sacrifice skill - 'Hardening hide'!!!"

The kid walked forward dropping his sword and the light flickered. But that's fine. I can do this! Just remember, it's a game! Nothing more!

I activated the lamp burning the web that was binding me and slipping under the spider's legs. I then jumped backwards and pulled my knife.

I looked down at the guy on the floor. He was crawling backwards, his eyes widening at the sight of the spider. Guess I can't blame him. And great job to the developers of this game. So realistic. And so challenging! This is truly a fun game! I charged forward activating the double slash, my knife cutting into the flesh of the spider. I cut through the leg dealing two hundred damage.

The spider lunged forward spraying webs at me. I thrust my hand out burning the white silk as it touched the fire. Then I jumped into the air, my body moving like a feather in a storm twirling and swirling through the air..

'Special skill activated 'Eye of death' '

Suddenly I could see it. A bright blue target piping blood out. Just in the middle of his chest. I could see. I Clapped my hands together, the light spreading between the two wrists as an arrow formed. My body arced above the spider as I looked down at the bullseye. I took a deep breath and released the bright light shooting out and slamming into the spider's heart. Blood sprayed out of the hairy monster each drop illuminated and shining in the sparkling light.

'Critical hit -500'

I let out a sigh, my breath still shaky from the battle. I don't think I'll ever get used to this.

My heart was pounding.

My mind is racing

I looked down at the kid, he must have been at least a year younger than me. I looked down at him, a shaky smile forming across my mouth.

"Wow, thank you, you totally saved me."

"How the hell! That's my ability! You're a hacker and I'm reporting you! No one can be that good!"

"Huh?"

"You stole my ability and what's more you had two unique skills that's not possible so you must be hacking!"

"See now I thought this would happen at some point, oh well guess there's not much I can do. thanks for the ability dude you're right I stole it and I'm sure it'll be useful for a light and that's about it. Im not a hacker because if i was i would've gotten a much better ability than a stupid lamp get better and turn it into something cooler for me to steal next time."

"Hey shut up the USs are given out randomly it's not my fault!"

"Sure sure kid don't walk into any webs like I did cuz you wont be able to get anyones attention with that dull light of yours. Maybe focus on sword skills, magic doesn't seem like you."

I walked back into the darkness, the light flickering from my finger.

I guess I leveled up from killing that spider.. I can now store five skills that's handy. So the blank page from before writes down my skills but doesn't tell me how many I have left? I have to do math in a game!?!?! Lame but necessary I suppose.

I got a web shooting skill from that spider but it's pretty lame right now. However if I become level one hundred and become apple to create webs sticky and strong enough to hold a human does that mean I could???? Become….??? I have learnt my objective in this game! To get to level one hundred and make webs strong enough to swing around on and also to find red and blue clothes to wear! It shall be the most noble of crusades!!!! Hahahahha I'm so lame!

I ran into eight more spiders, none of them were much trouble now I can see. I got to level fifteen and then logged off. I feel sad playing it on my own.

I wonder when I can play with S.I Rene?

I wonder weather real name is… can I ask her? I'll go down to the store tomorrow and ask! Maybe.

'Message to Unknown:

Hey had fun playing today I leveled a little afterwards so you have to catch up wanna play tomorrow'

Should I send it? Aaaah!

I closed my eyes and pressed down the electronic whir chiming as I sent.

A pain in my stomach shot up my entire body felt wrong and I felt sick. My head started to burn as I stared at the blank screen.

I put the phone down and headbutted my pillow smacking my head into the soft white rectangle.

'Ding'

'Unknown:

It's not that late, wanna play now? I'm curious about night time in LSO'

'message to unknown:

Sure, give me a second.'

I logged in the theme playing, my heart was racing. This is so much more exciting than playing on my own.

_________________________________________________________________________

Username: ItsAssassin

Race: Shadowrath

Class: Knife

Level: 15

Vitality: 20

Wisdom: 10

Strength: 10

Speed: 30

Title: none

Unique skill: Copy

Special skills: Eye of death

Inventory: Knife of beginnings

_________________________________________________________________________

"Assassin!"

She was standing in the woods, her hand waving and flailing above her head.

"Hey"

"What level are you at????"

"Fifteen"

"Wow! Are you still at the top?"

"Yeah I think the only people close to me are level eleven but most people like you are around four, five and six since that's when you have to start relying on your US and if you don't you'll just keep dying."

"So if you get a bad US your stuck at level five thats a sucky system!"

"But there arent bad skills only bad applications. I got a lamp skill which the guy was using as a lamp but if you use it as a shield to defend against animals or as a punching attack you can defeat boars easily this game is about taking skills unique to you and using the realism to problem solve and make yourself powerful, for instance my copy skill would be bad if I for example only took sword skills or ranged skills because that wouldn't let me have the variety that other skills don't allow like your arrow."

"Hey! What's wrong with my arrow?"

"Well if you had selected archer class it would have only been a slightly more powerful attack but because you chose a close combat class like a sword you can switch between range and close combat."

"Wow… you really thought about this… I think you'll do fine making up for my lost gamer pals!"

"Thanks… if we're friends shouldn't I know your name?"

"Oh yeah I guess I never told you.. It's Psyche… Psye for short."

"Psyche where have I heard that before?"

"Ahhh it's a really arrogant name, I hate it!"

"Oh yeah, isn't it a Greek myth or something?"

"Yes but please stop its too embarrassing"

"...ok"

We walked back into the woods. The forest was dark under the starlight. It made her hair brighter, her eyes too. It was peaceful and beautiful. Even fighting in such scenery was pleasant. I grinded for a couple hours but I still couldn't level up. It's like I've hit a wall with monster killing. Psye reached level nine before we both logged out.

"Hey assassin, I'm streaming tomorrow, do it with me?"

"Sure just text me when"

I logged out and returned to my body. It's hard to move afterwards like getting a vaccine. My body feels like lead. I rolled out of bed and turned on my computer.

"Hey admins, I found this player who steals USs ban him please."

"Kyn: please rest assured there has been no stealing of abilities as of yet."

"I'm telling you I found one he used my ability right in front of me"

"Kyn: since all USs are unique to a player if a player uses a US not registered to him we pick it up immediately and please rest assured that there has been no stealing of abilities as of yet."

"Please rest assured this and that I know what I saw!"

Way to go Kyn thank you!

"Anyone know where I can find 'ItsAssassin'? He just leveled up to fifteen in one day, awesome!!!!!"

"S.I Rene: He'll be on my stream tomorrow if you want to watch."

"Woah is that the real S.I Rene????"

"And she's playing with ItsAssassin? lucky man"

"Ahh I need to surpass this dude immediately!"

"This means war my man"

"ItsAssassin duel me for this privilege!"

And just like that I am hated again.

I shut off the computer and clicked off the various death threats.

'Banana_Boy83:

I finally got it what's your username???

You:

ItsAssasssin

Banana_Boy83:

Thats a dumb name but play with me tomorrow???

You:

Nah sorry I'm playing with S.I Rene

Banana_Boy83:

Funny joke man but seriously?

You:

I'm serious

Banana_Boy83:

No your not

Banana_Boy83:

That's impossible. How did a guy like you get to play with her????

You:

I'm the top ranked player in LSO I guess.

Banana_Boy83:

I need to sweat this game now. We'll play some other time though?

You:

Yeah, send me a friend request.'

I shut my phone down and dropped it on my bed, the black rectangle bouncing on the sheets.

Then there was a knock at the door, it was timid and quiet.

I opened the door and looked down to see Ellie, a book clutched in her hand.

"What's up?"

"Um, can you teach me how to play games?"

"What kind of games?"

"Um computer games?"

"Really? I thought you preferred work?"

"I do it's just um that's getting less fun because it's easy but mom said something new might be more exciting."

"And you think gaming is for you?"

"Yeah I mean you like it."

"Well ok. I'll work a little the day after tomorrow and get enough to buy the game for you and we'll play together provided mom says it's ok."

"Really?!?! Thank you!"

I smiled down at her as she walked back to her room.'

My sister wants to get into games?!?!!?! Aaaaah the internet is a weird place. Should such a small kid be getting into that?

I'll hatch a plan!

'Message to Banana_Boy83:

Hey man, in like three days do you want to play LSO with me? My sister wants to play and I want some people there so she doesn't get scared cuz its like crazy realistic and I don't think she's ever played a game.

Banana_Boy83:

Sure man tell me when.'

'Message to Psye:

As payment for going on your stream will you p[lay with me in three days cuz my sister wants to try out games and it would be helpful to have a few other people there.

Psye:

You have a sister? Sure I'd be happy to, I'll see you tomorrow!'

Alright, at this current point in time I have forty quid for the game and the rig it's 70 - 80 so I'll need to make a fair amount of money. Shouldn't be too difficult and if worst comes to worst i can ask mom for some money although I'd prefer not to. If I work three hours and then do quests the rest of the time I can probably keep my place as the top player.

Tomorrow I'm going to be on a S.I Rene stream!!!! I can't wait.

I'm so nervous I can hardly sleep.