Chapter Twelve: The Light That Protects The Shadow

“Wake up, wake up. Wake up, Wake up.” The mechanical sound keeps going until Yushin gets out of bed.

“Morning, Roah.”

“Good Morning, Yushin! Would you like to activate my services today?”

It is not surprising that current A.I. has reached new heights. Assistive A.I. systems are common in higher earning households and enterprises. Tet they are still far from accessible to common ones.

Technology becomes cheaper with time. But with the giant leap of quality in those systems, there is a huge gap between top-notch tech and more common ones. Ever since Kingdom Corp amazed the world, its technology is dominating the field. Almost causing a monopoly of sorts.

“Only the usual,” he answered while proceeding to do morning chores. The house could clear itself up and do most of it, but he did it as part of maintaining health. Health problems are number one worries for writers. A good mind requires a good body and persisting in writing, undying will.

The house itself was medium sized with back and front yards. With a simple design, no luxuries around except for electronic devices. As expected from a high tech house, everything inside is integrated and hidden. Yushin even had a company-grade firewall installed.

From the outside, it looked like a common and well cared for house in a great spot. Situated a bit high with a view of the sea, further from there. The neighborhood is mixed, as typical of a medium income area. Few rich families lived there, and there are many small businesses around.

“Sir, your pre-made food is low. Shall I order some more or set up the kitchen?” Usually, Roah stayed silent until Yushin issued a command. If certain conditions are met it can start independently. Food is one of those topics.

“I have some ideas. You may leave that to me,” Roah’s mechanical voice sound in agreement. “News search: Tales Of The Heroic Kingdoms.”

Yushin sits at a table in the kitchen. An apparently inexpensive frame turns into a high-definition Screen. It searched about Tales and displayed the following relevant news:

“Tales Breaks All Records”

“Kingdom Corp New VRMMO Is Legendary”

“Complaints Arise About New VRMMO”

“When A Game Goes Too Far”

“Real Or Not? My First Day In Tales”

“You Cannot Believe This Game Exists!”

And many more hits. He decided to open “Complaints Arise About New VRMMO,” since the writer is someone he knows. It reads:

Tales Of The Heroic Kingdoms finally launched. And, as expected, it did not fail to deliver what every gamer dreams about. Fantasy and immersion. Having spent my first day in it, I can say: this is going to be a blast.

But some people are not happy and that might change everything. It’s too soon to conclude anything, but based on early reviews, Kingdom Corp will have to weigh a few things about the game’s future. Complaints have surfaced about how hard the game is and how there is little info explaining how it works.

Both are true, but is it so bad?

Granted, the game doesn’t hold your hand! Even in the first dungeon, supposed to be a tutorial dungeon, almost every player dies. Myself included!

But that is what makes it so interesting!

I can see a lot of negativity and toxic players already on forums. They’re trying to press the company into making changes. And it’s only been one day. It’s going to get much worse!

The VR system and A.I. have also been subject to scrutiny. There’s little info on how it works or what effects it can have on your brain. The company makes you sign a pretty little waiver at the beginning, but hey, no one plays a game to have brain damage, right?

Kingdom Corp has always been quick to deny any potential harm. But it is that simple?

The game is making huge profit. The company shares are way up there. We all know how the corporate world deals with a few inconveniences like people’s brains.

But, hey, that’s not going to stop me from playing. Neither millions of people worldwide.

Now, see you next time. I’m going to be busy kicking ass with my one-eyed lady Dragonkin.

Yours,

Flower With Thorns

'This woman never changes,' Yushin smiled. 'But it’s something to consider. There’s something going on with the A.I. in this game, for sure. How can it be that good? I couldn’t even tell the difference between it and a normal player. It could’ve fooled me.'

He reaches into his pocket, realizing that he didn’t link his smartphone into the Cockpit yesterday. It can check messages, receive calls and alerts during gameplay. During some events and places, like Dungeons, its functions are blocked to prevent abuse. Much like the in game message system.

Yushin navigates to the ‘Cord Dis! chat app and is not surprised to see Tales is the most talked topic there. He is in a circle of writers and gamers, after all. Two of his most important groups are “Fantasy Greatest Warriors Circle Of Writing” and “Project Legend”.

The first consisted of a small circle of Fantasy Writing Masters, who, like Yushin, achieved success and fame in the same generation. They usually talk about anything but writing, though.

The second one is a former gaming community now turned into a hanging spot. Project Legend was an old popular game. Yushin used to hang out with them on the web much before he became a writer. Over time it dwindled into a small community since most people got jobs and families. A few youngsters joined, mostly related to a member. He first went to the Project chat:

[Ken: Are you guys playing it?]

[Faith: ...It?]

[Ken: Tales, of course. Have you been hiding in a cave, Faith?]

[Ki-Woo: I am. It’s great. I’m ig rite now!]

[Luna: Me too! (ʘ‿ʘ)]

[Faith: I’ve outgrown games, Ken. You should try it.]

[Ken: You’re gonna regret it. Period.]

[Luna: I know, right?! It’s soooo goood. Like a strawberry cake with lots and lots of berries. (♥‿♥)]

[Flower: Right, right?! Much better than Legend!]

[Faith: ...Maybe I’ll look into it as well. Which server?]

[Ken: Only one server. Global. Everyone in it. EVERYONE.]

[Faith: ...Is that even playable?]

[Luna: Wow, sister Faith, you really haven’t heard about Tales? (☉_☉)]

[Faith: I was away for a while. I really haven’t heard of it.]

[Ken: The world is huge. We should get together and form a guild.]

[Roengv: Already joined one \_(ʘ_ʘ)_/]

[Flower: Is everyone even in the same place? I’m at Graceful Wind Kingdom.]

[Luna: Aubrubia Empire! (ಥ‿ಥ)]

[Ken: Nealia Dynasty.]

[Ki-Woo: Same!]

[Roengv: Grillia.]

[Ken: Should we exchange info, Ki-Woo?]

[Ki-Woo: Sure, if you join my guild!]

[Ken: Hmmm?]

[Ki-Woo: Can’t trade info with enemies, right? Hehehe ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)]

[Ki-Woo: Sorry, guild is kinda strict bout it. Info is really rare. Everyone is compiting]

[Ki-Woo: Competing*]

[Ken: I see. I’ll think about it. I’ll PM you my ign.]

[Luna: You guys are really stingy. ( ︶︿︶)]

[Shin: Reeaally stingy.] Yushin joined in.

[Luna: O____o Shin!!!]

[Ken: Hey man. Long time no talk.]

[Ki-Woo: Bro!!!]

[Roengv: Dude. What. The. Hell. You’re. Alive.]

[Shin: Hehehe, everyone’s been well, I see.]

[Flower: Hey, leader!]

[Shin: Oh, Flower Girl. Saw your article. Interesting.]

[Flower: Oh, so you’re playing too?]

[Faith: ...Really? I thought you quit gaming, Shin.]

[Shin: I am. I’m gonna go at it for real this time.]

[Luna: (ಥ﹏ಥ) Leader is back everyone!]

[Ken: Really? Then, me too.]

[Ki-Woo: Oooh, I’m in! I’ll even quit my guild if Shin’s leader!]

[Flower: Dumbass, the game is huge, you can’t simply change kingdoms. You’d die during the travel and respawn. But I’m in too!]

[Roengv: Where are you, Shin?]

[Shin: Vavell.]

[Roengv: Damn, everyone is in different places.]

[Shin: Isn’t that fine? Let’s play and see where it goes. We can meet later on. It’s kinda cool not knowing who everyone is hehehe]

[Flower: You weird lurker!!]

[Ki-Woo: You all gonna eat my dust!]

[Flower: Dream on. This dragon is not sleeping at all ノಠ益ಠ)]

[Luna: So happy (ಥ﹏ಥ)]

[Shin: Good! I gotta go now. Laters.]

[Faith: Wait, Shin!]

[Ken: He is already gone. That was quick.]

[Faith: … Maybe I’ll play, too.]

Yushin was smiling to himself. He holds those people dear, even though he never saw their faces. It was a code between them. Once in a while, some private info popped up, but, for the most part, no one will pry into each other’s life. Time strengthened their bond, but now time was the thing he lacked most.

He then went over to the author’s chat. The topic is also Tales but on more complex issues, such as A.I. and theories. Even though everyone debuted almost at the same time, the age range had quite the disparity. The competitivity in there is also much higher. One might even say brutal.

[PotatoPotato: So, I see you all are also playing Tales. Good. Very good!]

[Chie: Of course. It’s a new experience for us writers. Almost like a living book.]

[Moonlight JJ: Though you probably suck at it, Potato. Like in writing.]

[Hye-Kyo: LOL]

[PotatoPotato: Is that so?? Good. Good. Very good! Then you won’t run from my challenge. Right, writer JJ?]

[Hye-Kyo: God, not another one of those challenges. Last time you and JJ fought over everything.]

[RRJ Ten Kilo: Interesting.]

[PotatoPotato: We all finished our manuscripts, right?]

[Adachi: I’m late…]

[PotatoPotato: You’re always late, no one cares anymore.]

[Adachi: … ]

[PotatoPotato: Let’s all take a break and play Tales. The one that manages to become the best player among us wins it all.]

[RRJ Ten Kilo: OOoh, that sounds cool.]

[Chie: ...Are you just trying to get out of work, Potato?]

[Moonlight JJ: What are the stakes?]

[Hye-Kyo: Not you guys again…]

[PotatoPotato: The losers have to write the winner foreword for his next book.]

[Moonlight JJ: Lame.]

[PotatoPotato: Of course, that is not all. He can only praise. And has to use the sentences “Better than me”, “Better than I will ever be”, “He or she is my master” and “I love him or her.”]

[Moonlight JJ: ...Are you serious?]

[PotatoPotato: Wait, that’s not all. All the losers need to read out loud, record it and post on social media.]

[Hye-Kyo: You’re on drugs.]

[Moonlight JJ: I’m in. I finally get to hear Potato admit he is inferior to me.]

[Chie: ...Seriously? You are really going to do that over a game?]

[PotatoPotato: What’s the matter youngest, cold feet? Not good enough to risk a little?]

[Hye-Kyo: Hahaha she is so stuck up, good luck getting her off that pedestal.]

[Chie: What did you say?]

[Chie: ...If she is in, I’m game.]

[Hye-Kyo: Hahahaha, you think you’re better than me at anything, girl?]

[Chie: Not only better but younger and prettier, too, old lady.]

[RRJ Ten Kilo: Oooh, buuurnt.]

[Hye-Kyo: I’m in. You just wait for me, baby girl.]

[Moonlight JJ: When’s the deadline?]

[Chie: And how do we know who is the best?]

[PotatoPotato: They’re going to release this in-game fame and popularity feature. It will rank every playable character in the game using fame, infamy, popularity and digital presence.]

[PotatoPotat: That’s good enough, isn’t it? Nice and fair.]

[Moonlight JJ: And the deadline?]

[PotatoPotato: One week after the rankings reach. Supposed to be coming in a month or so.]

[Moonlight JJ: Agreed. You better write that love letter, Potato.]

[PotatoPotato: Everyone in?]

[Chie: Yes.]

[Hye-Kyo: Yup.]

[Moonlight JJ: Always.]

[JRR Ten Kilo: Ya.]

[Shin: I’m in as well.]

[Adachi: You too!? You never take breaks!]

[Chie: Really, Writer Shin?]

[Hye-Kyo: Wow, unexpected.]

[Shin: "> ]

[Adachi: I’m in as well!!!]

[Adachi: Our editors are going to kill us though…]

[All: …]

[PotatoPotato: Game on, fellas. Time to work.]

[PotatoPotato: And remember, no using your fame to win. If your identity gets out, you lose.]

Yushin logged off the chat with a new purpose. For the others, it might be a silly bet with odd stakes. For him, it is a competition with people he respects and always aimed to surpass. If he loses that chance, it might never come again. Things got even more interesting.

Before logging in, there is still one more thing he needs to do. The A.I. in tales bugged him to no end.

“Roah, call Mister Rui.” The phone rings a few times and someone picks up.

“Hello, M- *ahem* Yushin. What can I do for you today?” The old man on the other side of the line has a strong, reassuring voice.

“I need you to find out everything about Artificial Intelligence on the new VRMMO, Tales of The Heroic Kingdoms.”

“I understand. I will have people on it right away,” Mister Rui answered calmly.

“It might be tough. From what I understand, it’s top secret information.”

Mister Rui sighed, “Master Yushin. I always tell you to be more aware of your standing.”

“What’s the matter?” Yushin asked cluelessly.

“Kingdom Corporation.”

“What about it?”

“You’re a major shareholder of the company,” Mister Rui explained.

“....Oh?”

“So you didn’t know about it,” It's not surprising. Yushin’s finances are dealt with by other people, including Mister Rui. “Remember that first investment nine years ago? The one your friend asked for. That company is Kingdom Corporation.”

“So it’s Jin’s company. But the president is called Luo Zhou…?”

“Luo Zhou is only a pseudonym. His real name is Takasugi Jin.”

“Oh… I’m glad. His dream finally came true.” Yushin smiled to himself. Distancing himself from friends is common in his case. Jin is also the same. He let go of everything to pursue his goals, “Please send me the information as soon you can.”

“I understand. Please contact me if there is anything you need, M-*ahem* Yushin,” the call ends.

_________________

Mister Rui is sitting in his office chair. The small sign in front of him reads “Future Group CEO, Rui Yijun”. He has waist-length all frosted white hair and eyes shiny and black as oil. His dignified air is as piercing as the noblest sword.

“Something is wrong,” he said it out loud.

“...Is anything the matter, Mr. President? A young looking man with ash gray ruffled hair bowed slightly while asking.

“I need you to find everything you can about a game called Tales of The Heroic Kingdoms. Focus on the A.I. and technical aspects,” he saw the surprised look in front of his assistant’s face. “What is the matter?”

“Oh, nothing. It’s just that the young miss already asked that of me a bit earlier,” he answered, knowing there are only two people capable of ordering him around.

“Rong’er...? That girl is also interested?” Mister Rui is very surprised. Not only his elusive boss but also his own willful daughter…

Yushin’s interest in a game means he is playing it or will at some point. And he hasn’t done that in a long time. For anyone that knows him, that would be enough to raise suspicion. Mister Rui knows him better than anyone else.

‘Why the sudden change…? Did something happen? Since he didn’t know Takasugi is behind the game that can’t be it. The young master will never tell me anything worrying out of his own will. I have a bad feeling about this.’ Somehow, his heart is troubled.

The ash gray haired assistant bowed and was about to leave when that strong voice sounded again:

“Also, find out what has been happening to the Young Master. Be careful not to let him find out.”

The assistant isn’t surprised to hear that request. About Yushin, aside from Mister Rui, he is the only one that knows his true identity. Everything about the “Young Master” always has the utmost secrecy. He bowed and left.

‘I’m sorry to intrude in your life like this, Young Master. But this Old Man’s heart knows you too well to be at ease,’ he sighed.

He didn’t care if Yushin finds out and is mad about it.

In this life, he already swore loyalty to him.

He wanted to be his shadow, but, in the end, he had to settle for the light...