Chapter 23: First Journey Continued

"There's no limit to the roles you could play. You could wipe out the existing NPCs and create a completely new race from scratch using the Genesis Spear—or leave this as a world without the hand of humanoid creatures to shape it. You could also enslave the Nomads. I don't think you'd find acting like a tyrant pleasant, but you're a godling. You can literally get away with torture and murder on your own world. The only laws here are those you create and enforce. The NPCs don't have the power to stop you since, at best, their stats can only reach half of yours. Even if you armed them with weapons and magic to level the field, it'll go against their ingrained beliefs to fight you. Their instincts won't allow it. The same won't be said for visiting players, of course. No matter how poorly you treat your NPCs, they'll still help you fight against other godlings, even those who visit with the intent of heroically ending your villainy."

Hugh let the scenario play out in his head, imagining himself as the type of player who stormed into the NPC village and threw a tantrum demanding to be taken immediately to the Nexus Gateway. The NPCs, not wanting to be struck down by a godling, would bow at his feet, beg forgiveness, and give him what he demanded. He had a feeling such stubbornness was how players who didn't want to play Thrive would get back to a semblance of normal life at a faster rate.

"Let's do that," Hugh said, making Dex jerk in surprise and his bike wobbled a moment before he regained control. "Not the evil tyrant part," he clarified. "But we should make it clear to the NPCs we're not here to play by their rules. If they want our help, they'll have to show us where the Spear and the Gateway is from the start. That way, they'll know I'm sticking around because it's what I want and not because they have some kind of hold on me. We'll spend a day or two getting them set on the right track, then check out Nexus. If my friends aren't there yet, we'll use the Net to leave them a message and head back here to do some more foundation work while we wait for contact. Does that sound like a good plan?"

"What about the Boss you were expecting? Won't he show his face sooner if you push the NPCs too far, too fast?"

Hugh nodded. "I'm expecting it. Doing it this way means we won't have the NPCs backing us when we face off against him, but I don't think that'll be too big of a problem. I have an idea."

"Are you going to share?" Dex asked with a raised eyebrow.

He grinned. "Where's the fun in that?" When Dex's expression fell with disappointment, Hugh rolled his eyes and gave him a hint. "So, if I'm right and there is a Boss, there has to be some way for players who don't want to play to get by him. It probably means there's multiple Boss variations depending on which route we take. I'm thinking the factions play a part in some way, too. Right? Builder's route would lead to a Tech Boss. Explorer's route leads to a Magic Boss. Part of my plan is to follow the Explorer's route up to the town, then switch gears and trigger the Neutral version of the Boss. The rest you'll have to wait and see for yourself."

"I'm not sure if you can switch routes like that," Dex said dubiously.

"Of course you can," Hugh argued. "Part of the fun of a roleplaying game is seeing the consequences of your choices. It's no fun if one decision maps out the rest of your gameplay experience. You have to live in the role—make the choice to be good or bad over and over again until you max out your karma in one direction or the other. Some people pick the middle road and don't aim to max at all—a little good here, a dash of bad there, and that's normal. No one can be completely selfless all the time."

"I think I see your intentions," Dex replied. "You're choosing to seem like a villain at first, then you plan to turn the tables and deal with the consequences in a benevolent way."

"Pretty much," he confirmed, steering his bike around a shallow divot in the ground where his finger must have brushed the surface while he was creating his world. "Do you think it's a stupid plan?"

"Not at all," Dex said, seemingly surprised by the question. "Did you know some of the first games were tools used teach strategy and tactics? I think your plan shows promise in your skills as a tactician."

"What, like an army General?" Hugh guffawed like a fool at the image of himself dressed up like a career soldier. "I don't think so. That's old guys with gray hairs and a chest full of medals. I wouldn't have a clue how to plan strategies in the real world. I just know how games work."

Dex didn't laugh with him. "I'm not comparing you to a military General. You're right—they have a lot more experience to draw on and they're taught how to form strategies using real world resources. But you? Your schooling profile shows a subpar performance and the rest of your profile history suggests you've never been given the support you need to make use of your natural talents. Make no mistake. On paper, you appear to be an average gamer with almost no ambition."

"I can't tell if you just insulted me or said something nice," Hugh replied in confusion. "What are you trying to say?"

Dex shook his head, then tilted his head back to look up at the cloudless sky. "I'm saying you have potential. Your plan has a lot of holes and you've made several large assumptions, but it's not bad for a novice. I'm saying your life in the real world was complete shit at utilizing you or training you to your full potential. I'm saying Thrive might be the best thing to ever happen to you because you'll finally get a chance to shine."

Hugh didn't know whether to be appalled at the way Dex cussed or amused by his contempt for the real world. After a moment, Hugh settled on a snort and exclaimed, "Well, I already knew that!"

Dex shifted on his bike and turned his head so he could pin Hugh with a sour expression. "I think that's the saddest thing of all. You deserve better. All humans do."

He couldn't think of a single way to respond, so he didn't.