Track, the resident expert on the game, was hunched over where the Bryyn had died mere moments ago, humming happily over a few things it had dropped. “Hmm hmm~ nice nice nice~”

“Track.” The man in question turned to Will, his expression darkening as he remembered that the loot wasn’t all his. “I’d like your assistance in choosing a class.”

Track’s entire body-language perked up. “Oh? Oh! Ohoho! You’re a most wise man, Will! What’d you get? The first three are predetermined so I already know them, but what are the others like?”

“The last two would be ‘Pikeman’ and ‘Assassin’.”

“...Eh? Oh, uh… Um. Right, yeah, uh, Assassin is a class from the Rogue evolution, but I guess that’s possible too… Well, whatever, uh. Considering your place in this party, I really don’t think you should be a Pikeman, unless you want us all to die. So, like, since Fencers are pansies with no armour, I’d recommend Knight or Paladin, even though they are kind of basic…” Will quickly asked what the difference between the two was. “Paladins and Knights both use shields and big swords, but Paladins are virtuous and you have to invest a bunch into the Faith stat. Knights are just warriors but buffer.”

Will considered the idea for a moment. He agreed that his own fighting-style had never been on the dainty or distanced side (apart from in one way), so being an armour-wearing warrior would fit him well. Then, the question here was whether he would become a virtuous paladin or an armoured knight.

Virtuous. That was the crux here, wasn’t it?

Will was not a good man. He exploited his workers through ruthless use of workplace culture all centred around idolization and blind devotion. He stole what he needed and created weapons of destruction unlike anything the world had ever seen before. He corrupted men and workers into villains. He was evil. A bad man.

’He doesn’t seem like a bad guy’.

That’s right. That was it.

This was the virtual world. Here, he didn’t have to be a bad man. He could fight however he wanted to, and he could befriend - yes, befriend people, all without the use of astonishing violence. People who didn’t stay at his side out of fear or misguided respect. Actual, unhindered friends. Why shouldn’t he be virtuous here, when there was nobody to stop him?

Will reached out his hand, let it hover before the blue screen, and pressed the ‘Paladin’ class.

His body shone up in a yellow, holy light.

The class 'Paladin' has been chosen.

You have gained the following skills:

Holy Strike (II)

(Active) Damage increased by 30% for a single strike with a blade-type weapon. Imbued with Holy Damage. Cost: 10 mana

Lesser Heal (II)

(Active) Heal 20 points of Health to one target. Cost: 7 mana

Block (II)

(Active) Damage received decreased by 40% if using a shield or long-sword. Cost: 10 mana

Heaven's Glow (II)

(Passive) Increase Faith stat by 20%.

Protection (II)

(Passive) Higher chance to successfully block using skill (Block).

-Very interesting. Will didn’t need Track’s guidance to equip his new skills and place out his new stat points. Since Track had told him Paladins used Faith as a stat, he placed many of his new stat points there.

William Ainsworth Level 10 Class Paladin (Tier 2) Title(s) Sub-leader Health 55/55 Mana 36,8/36,8 Status Strength 25 (+3,75) Intelligence 10 Vitality 20 (+2) Wisdom 5 Defence 20 (+2) Dexterity 15 Faith 14 (+2,8) Skill points: 0

“Alright, that’s one Bryyn, four to go!” Track said, grabbing Will and Tin’s attention.

Tin paused for a moment, her nose wrinkling up. “Wait. Hold up. What time is it?” She soon answered her own question. “...Holy shit. Okay, um, I’ve gotta go to bed? My mom is going to kill me, Jesus Christ-,”

Track leaned his head. “What? What’s wrong? It’s only barely past midnight though?”

“Dude,” Tin said. “I got school to go to tomorrow. And a family to not disappoint! Aren’t you, like, 19? You should also have school tomorrow! And-, and a family to not disappoint!” Track seemed to want to say something, but Tin continued before he had a moment to speak. “-Like, if they knew you were up playing games past midnight, I’m sure they’d be really mad. Your mom would yell and your dad would be disappointed for sure. I know mine are.”

“I…” Track clenched his hands into white-knuckled fists. “...I don’t got them.” Tin froze where she stood. “I never knew my dad, and my mom… she died in the line of duty 9 years ago.”

Tin shivered, her face darkened. “I-, I’m sorry, I didn’t…”

“Track.” Will placed a large, warm hand on Track’s shoulder. He glanced up at him. “You’re not alone. I lost my father in the line of duty as well, though I was far older than you. Track, your loss saddens me, and you have my deep, sincere condolences. If you are unable to live charitably without your parents, I would gladly nourish you through donations. My company and I can make do.”

Track shook his head slowly. “No, that’s… it’s fine. My brother works hard and he makes a lot, so we can live well. Sorry to put this on you, I just…”

“Your brother…” A little memory Will thought he’d forgotten flashed through his head. “I see. That’s good.”

“Is your mother alright?” Track asked out of the blue. “Not to, like, get into it, or-,”

“I haven’t seen my mother since I was four.”

“Oh,” Track said. “I-, I’m sorry for your lo-,”

Will shook his head. “No, no, she divorced my father. My father got custody of me, and my mother…” Yes, yes, that was it. How had he forgotten such an important detail? “-My mother got custody of my brother. My little baby brother.”

Track lit up. “Ah, is that so? Why-, isn’t that good? Do you meet often?”

“No, no, I… I haven’t met him since the divorce.”

Track frowned. “Isn’t it about time?”

Suppose so. Yes, Will truly did suppose that was the case. To think he could have forgotten such an important thing… Well, then again, it hadn’t been that important. In the 23 years that Will had known his father, he had never spoken once of his mother or what happened to her, and he had been lulled into the belief that family truly didn’t matter. He had been sad when his father died, of course, but he had been prepared for it and he took over the company with no apprehension.

“-Yes. Though, for now, I must get to bed.”

The rest of the party agreed, though Track seemed less willing to go to bed. They did decide to meet at 8 the next night again to continue playing, and that was that.

Will logged out, and for a minute or so, he just sat in his chair. Then, he stood up, and walked over to the large window, giving a full-bodied and shining view of the black, star-lit city. Beautiful. Truly beautiful. Will was not unhappy to be the owner of such a pretty city.

Then, he went to bed, and slept soundly. Deep breaths, empty sleep.

He had much to do tomorrow.