Chapter 18

Eyes and Ears

I awoke wet and chilled, it was dark and night had arrived. I must have been out for hours just lying on the grass of the small fenced park. I was not sure what had happened ingame but it was clear that changes had been made to my character. I put my back to the fence and opened up my character and stats notes I had made.

Elf

This race loves both the sea and the forests

Long-lived they are the masters of life magic

They favor the healing and magic class

Both hunters and melee warriors do arise

The Elf’s favor the night and worship the moon goddess

Racial ability quickness, for 5 seconds elves can move at twice normal speed

Strength - starting level one = 50 your strength starting level one =250

Agility – starting level one = 55 your agility starting level one =270

Intellect – starting level one = 55 your intellect starting level one = 55

Health – starting level one = 50 your heath starting level one = 200

Speed – starting level one = 50 your speed starting level one =200

Updated Stats at level 4

Strength = 280

Agility = 280

Intellect = 85

Mana = 190

Health = 320

Speed = 280

+ Racial ability limited time double speed

You have found a Companion

An NPC that will follow your leadership

New ability learned

You have mastered the ability of metamorphic change

You can now shift your body from human to demon

Be warned the transformation will allow others to see you as a Demon

You have accepted a holy entity into your party

The faction changes have been recorded

Komhether is now aligned with the Demonic Prince Torn

New ability to persuade the followers of the Gods to see the truth and join you

Skillset

Lock picking, the basics

Lock picking advanced

Lock picking master level

Pickpocketing, your guide to personal riches through the efforts of others

Climbing walls and hanging around, the right time and approach to let yourself in

Restraints, they are not for the free

What’s yours is mine and what’s mine is mine, confidence benefits a con man

Some gave all and all gave some, how to read a mark

You have discovered a hidden class

Thief

This class allows you to develop a subclass to display to the public, all classes are available

If you are found out you will incur one hundred percent reputation loss with all City NPC guards and King and will be imprisoned by the state

Class bonus

The ability to hear when others speak of you if they are visible to you in the shadows

Nanobot integration into game avatar

Defensive capability, self-healing

Offensive capability, electrical discharge from hands

Strength increase four times normal human

PIM integration into Gaming Interface

Stealth detection enabled

Upgraded map functions

Ability to make calls to the Real World

Ability to access GNet from within the game

Ability to leave and enter the game

Avatar integration into gaming matrix

You are not recognized as a player and the gaming AI has no control over you

It all seemed to be normal until I checked the interface character and stat list and noticed a sub-menu titled, Inactive class all skills set to level one. As I read the description I groaned out loud.

An Ascendant, a mortal who has become one with the Gods and has joined the pantheon of Gods as a demigod. New powers are becoming available to you and through hard work and dedication to your training your abilities as a demigod will be activated. Be aware that not all higher powers will look with favor upon your ascendency. Other demigods may challenge you in the hopes of taking your power.

For your safety it is recommended that you align yourself with one of the major powers, Odin, Zeus and Shiva are the current leaders in the pantheon. As a demigod you will have access to your own place of power which is a safe zone. It is recommended that you use your place of power to identify your place in the pantheon and to continue to train.

This was unbelievable, it would seem that another VR game, one that I had never heard of was somehow cross realm transferring characters. Maybe this was what the mad boy scientist had written about in his journal. At any rate something had happened, time had frozen and beings from alternative realms had somehow transferred over.

They must have been enemies, and when they had destroyed each other, I had somehow gathered up enough of the core code from all three and it had overwritten portions of my own code. This was a little confusing as the game was so real. Trying to remember that all of it was simply computer code including my avatar required a mental shift in the thinking.

Once I had wrapped it all around my head as best I could I left for home, scaling the fence was a breeze and with the heavy fog still rolling around the city I had no problem making my way down through the city finally arriving at my Inn.

Strolling in I was surprised to see both Mecha and Kamasut, I nodded at them and asked, “What are you to doing here, I did not know that you knew each other?”

They both looked at each other and at me and then Kamasut spoke, “I had promised to introduce to the leader of the Thieves Guild. Here he is.”

I sat back stunned, this had caught me by surprise. Looking at Mecha I asked, “Would you have told me at some point?”

Mecha smiled and nodding he said, “I would have told you in a bit but I was enjoying you training yourself. It is not often I see that.”

I nodded, if I was in his shoes I would not have said anything, so no harm taken. “If you have been observing me Mecha, then you know that I have chosen the class of thief, and I need some formal training to raise my level and skills.”

Nodding his head Mecha spoke, “We will get you that training but first we have a meeting to go to, the king has summoned the masters of all the Great Houses and all the Class masters up the hill for a meeting. We must attend, and I have chosen you to join me.”

I looked at Mecha and wondered if he was a little touched, my face must have revealed some of what I was thinking as Mecha looked at me and laughed. After a few seconds with Mecha still laughing he said, “Come along we are going to meet the king, I will explain as we work our way up the levels to the top of thee hill.”

As we walked Mecha spoke, “We are going to meet the King as representatives of the Thieves guild. We have always had a relationship with the King. He does not try to hard to come after us and we don’t make a big haul to often. It is a system that works but we have to pay the price.”

“What is this price?” I asked. “And should I as a new member to the guild be hearing this?”

Mecha glided from shadow to shadow for a moment before answering, “You are here because I want you here tonight, and the price that we pay is to supply the King with two members in good standing, one is to be the Kings eyes and ears wherever the king decides, the other is to be the bloody hand of the King again where he decides.”

I was silent as we approached the last gate to get to the top of the city. It was a lot to take in and I had to think about what I just heard. I had not doubt that it was true, it was how things worked. I was till not sure how it would all come together and I wondered why Mecha wanted me to come, I would watch and listen.

As we approached the guards at the palace Mecha pulled out a small silver badge and showed it to the men. They both looked startled then saluted and opened the door. Mecha turned to me and spoke, “Follow me but do not address anyone who tries to talk to you.” Then handing me a long scarf he said, “Wrap this around your face so that none my see who you are.” I followed him as we both wrapped the scarfs around our faces.

After making our way through two kitchens and several other rooms including a spa with several very attractive naked ladies we arrived at a small door. Mecha rapped on it and it immediately opened we both entered and made our way to a couple of chairs that were empty. Sitting down I began to listen to the people as they spoke. Overall I received an impression that many were afraid.

Another door finally opened and several guardsmen came out followed by the King. We all stood to our feet until the king waved us down. He walked over and talked to several people before making his way to a small podium.

“My friends and other citizens,” he began. “I am glad that you could attend this meeting, I fear that we do not have much time and what we have should be used to prepare.”

The crowd had become still at his words until someone asked, “Prepare for what?”

Looking around the room slowly the King finally answered, “The drums of war are beating, the damned Dwarves under Banhammer have been producing and shipping out weapons of magic and power. They are being sent to his own clan and those of his allies, my eyes and ears informed me before his tragic death, that an uprising against the Dwarves King will occur soon, using weapons made here in my Kingdom.”

The King continued and I listened eagerly, “We know that the treaty we have with the Dwarves will be rendered null once knowledge gets out about where the weapons were made. We must prepare for war, and that is why I have called you together. As you leave you will be given a list of your duties and obligations to the crown. Now I have much to do so until we meet again next weak, Goodnight.”

It was clearly a dismissal and all they all knew it, I watched as the began to leave the room each person receiving a scroll. Finally, the room was empty and still we sat. I looked at Mecha and lit up a smoke. After ten minutes the king came back and walking over to the table he grasped Mecha’s arm.

“It is good to see you, my old friend, especially in these troubled times. I once again have need of your services. I must have eyes and ears in the land of the Dwarves.” Turning to look at me the King spoke, “Is he the one?”

Mecha nodded and said, “Yes your majesty, he is the finest I have seen in many years, and while his level is low for what we do a high level is not needed.”

I kept my face like stone but I was surprised, apparently Micha and the King wanted me to go be a spy. Shit, if I did not already have enough problems, and this one did not have a way out. I would have to do it.

Dropping my voice, I asked, “How long before I must depart my King. I have things to wrap up here if there is time?”

The King looked at me and said, “You will leave in four days, thief, use this time wisely to prepare yourself, you will be traveling in a caravan it will take you two to four weeks to arrive. I will give Micha all the details.”

It was clear I was dismissed, I listened to Micha and the king plan out the operation and finally it was time to leave. Micha looked at me and smiled. “I will send Kamasut to get you once I am ready. Tomorrow you are free but be prepared for three hard days, I have much to teach you.”