After three days of harsh reality, I was finaly approved to dive on the fourth day. Randy didn't return until after the 'review' on the third day, carrying a few necessities and the mail from my apartment. He had apparently been delayed by "thangs" that needed "taken care of." By this time, I had moved from the makeshift hospital rooms back to the dorms. But I hadn't slept since waking up in the Doctors care, So Randy stayed awake while I got much needed sleep on night 3. I awoke to a whistle, and the approach of two strangers dressed in the usual Tester's sweats.

"Look Keith, I told you I could show you what failure looks like." The alpha of the two released a choppy annoying laugh, "The first and only Tester demoted from Gold to Silver."

I released a burdened sigh, "Really?" I took a calming breath, "What are you spose to be? The antagonist from an '80s movie? I bet you got a rich kids name too, like Chip or Chad or some shit.. huh?"

"I'm Stephin Roth, and this is Keith Palazzo." Stephin introduced the pair.

"Looks like a drama queen and a clown to me." Randy commented.

"So what,... you went out of your way to insult me. Now what? Do we ski-race down a mountain for ownership of the lodge, or street race to save an orphanage?"

Steph, and Keith looked puzzled, obviously not getting my classic references.

"I think they should of fired you, instead of demoting you." Keith stated coldly.

"And I think your mom should have swallowed, but then who would follow Steph around and agree with all the stupid shit he says?" I asked rhetorically.

Randy's tough guy stare, erupted with laughter. I turned away from my unwanted new rivalry, and went to the coffee machine. I had no doubt stereotypical oneliner's were being said to my back at this moment, such as: "You'll be sorry", or "They all float down here." I started thinking if I would have had my coffee before that situation, I would have probably just grinned and ignored them. After my heavy breakfast and second coffee, I changed into my still unflattering dive suit and entered the Scifi room. I loaded my breakfast with meats and breads, because I planned to stay in Methuselah for a while. Unfortunatley the game played in real time. This was after all, an experimental new technology. Thinking about gaming's future, I daydreamed of ingenious four eye'd strategists with a party of misfits, like pervy tanks and Werecat pirates. I then noticed Ned entering the Scifi room, and called him over.

"Hey wanna party up, again?" I invited back the former party member.

"Sure, after fighting an acidic gummy bear, Soloing just seems boring." He replied.

"That thing didn't hit like a gummy bear, that's for sure." I recalled.

"Oh Casey asked about you, but she was being all tsundere about it." He said casually.

"You like Japan's animation?!" I asked.

"Why... you gonna make fun of me?" Ned demanded, "My parents say I'm too old for it."

"Hey a right shoe can't make fun of a left shoe brother. I draw DSZ characters in my spare time!" I offered a handshake.

Ned looked around to see who was in the room, "I write stories about the characters in 'Fun piece'." He confided, then shook my hand.

I like Ned.

"That's the pirate one, Right? I liked it, but it's not really my style. How crazy would it be if they had a crossover episode?!"

"Nah, I dont think that'll ever happen." Ned laughed.

"Can that shit wait 'till after we dive?" Randy interupted with impatience.

Me and Ned got in our Scifi pods, laughing and smiling. I looked at the Scifi pod and thought for a moment. Before pulling down the metal sarcophagus lid, I looked over to Ned and shouted:

"Maybe one day the Japanese will make a genre of people being transported into alternative game worlds..."

"You mean like ...those movie's Jumanjee, or Tr0n?" Ned replied.

"Yeah, only way better. I think it'd be my favorite thing in the whole world." I stated as I closed the lid.

-----

When I entered the lobby, I immediatly spawned my AVA. A message popped up that read:

*Update notes:

-Fixed several bugs including clipping and dragon's flying backwards.

-Added new types of saddles and wagon's for purchase.

- Increased max players in instance to 8.

-Eliminated duplication glitch.

- For full notes, please refer to your AI.

I looked over the notes and was surprised. I made a mental reminder to summon Lila and ask about the full notes.

"I guess our Coyadae skins and washtub's were lost during the force out." I said, "I'll have to be more careful about that."

"I asked Ms Leibowitz, and she said we can ask our AI for notifications before future updates." Ned informed.

"So.. is me and Bruno gonna leave this lobby and spawn at the cave or what? Where did you spawn at?" Randy asked Ned.

"I spawned in the last town I was at, Greenthorn. I've never logged out anywhere else, so I don't know If that was update related or normal." Ned replied, "Bruno will most likely spawn there too, because he died."

"Like a bitch," Randy added, "Mauled by a gummy bear, Just how I always thought he would go."

Ned and Randy burst into laughter. I tried to look mad, but soon joined them.

"I'm going to town and get a new washtub and maybe a few other things, then I'm heading back for that cave." I declared.

"Are you some kind of masochist now?!" Randy insinuated.

"No. I think I saw some Iron deposits, and I wanna use the bears bones to forge a rudimentary form of steel." I revealed. "My armor got fucked up and steel would be a nice upgrade."

"Oh Casey and I had to turn in that quest, she has someone's share and I have the other's." Ned recalled.

I nodded at Randy to get his share now. I then notified the Nightkin to meet us in town. Upon leaving the void, Randy and I were seperated from Ned. We spawned in the basement of the Adventurers Guild. Ned had previously respawned there, and was already in the main hall.

I went to the market to replace my washtub etc. I asked the smithy if I could use his grinding wheel, to sharpen my weapons. Since I was becoming a regular customer there, he agreed. I sharpened and oiled my 1h axe, then took the bear femur from my inventory then sharpened it as well. I was fortunate this bone could penatrate the Condensed Slime's digestive gland with sheer force. Returning to the adventurers guild, I found a Lich, Dwarf and Nightkin awaiting my arrival.

"Is that Bruno? You musta lost weight, 'cause I can 'Bear'ly see you!" Casey called, upon seeing me.

"What's your secret? It's un'Bear'lievable!" Ned joined.

"Fathead!" Obviously Randy couldn't think of one.

"Mhmm. Clever... Mostly. You guys ready to go?" I replied, unamused.

"Just gotta party up, You wanna send the invites?" Casey replied.

"Doesn't really matter, but sure. I like seeing y'all progress." I admitted.

Name: Randy Jenkins Level:3 (2 point available)

Race: Dwarf Class: White Mage. HP:150/150 ST:160/160 MP:140/140

Age:25 Height 3ft 11in Weight 158lbs.

Stealth:8, Strength:5, Agility:9, Speed:6, Charisma:5, Mercantile:5

Vitality:7, Endurance:8, Intelligence:8. Wisdom:6

Skills: Hearty constitution (racial/passive) Minor heal (magic/active) (novice14%) Bribe(General/active)(Novice05%) Quick shot(combat/active)(novice02%)

Active effects: +5% crafting quality (racial) +5% magic resist (racial) +1 int (accessory)

Armor base: 07 Damage base: 12

Name: Casey Jones Level:4

Race: Nightkin. Class: Assassin. HP:150/150 ST:180/180 MP:137/137.

Age: 21 Height: 5'08 Weight YUSO nosey* (*AI override.)

Stealth:10, Strength:6, Agility:10, Speed:8, Charisma:7, Mercantile:5, Vitality:8, Endurance:6, Intelligence:7, Wisdom:6.

Skills: Cloak (Racial/active) (novice 24%) Basic Waterblast (Magic/active) (novice 21%) Appraise (General/active) (novice 18%)

Active effects: +5% max magic (racial), +2% physical damage(racial), +1agi (armor bonus)

Armor base:10 Damage base:14

Name: Ned Bailey level:4

Race:Undead Class: Black mage HP:150/150. ST:140/140. MP:184/184.

Age:18, Height:5'09 Weight:172lb

Stealth:5, Strength:5, Agility:7, Speed:6, Charisma:5, Mercantile:6, Vitality:8, Endurance:6, Inteligence:12, Wisdom:9.

Skills: Health drain(Racial/active)(novice14%) Basic windshot (Magic/active) (novice 19%) Appraise (General/active) (novice 21%)

Active effects: +5% magic regen (racial), +2% max magic (armor)

+1 Inteligence (accessory)

Armor base:09 Damage base:13

"Wow, you guys are looking stronger." I observed, "Also, you learned a new bow skill Randy."

"Yeah. It helps me nock and draw a lil' faster, for a few minutes. I think it adds speed to the arrow too, but that might be the new bow." He disclosed.

"What about you Bruno? Can I see your stat's?" Ned requested.

"Oh. uh, sure. knock yourself out." I answered.

Name: Bruno Jenkins Level:3. (1 point available)

Race: Beastkin(Dragon type) Class: Tank. HP:180/180 ST:130/130 MP:140/140.

Age: 22. Height:6ft. Weight: 215 lbs.

Stealth:5, Strength:8, Agility:5, Speed:5, Charisma:7, Mercantile:6, Vitality:10, Endurance:10, Intelligence:7 Wisdom:6.

Skills: Dragon Scales(Racial/passive). Appraise (General/active)

(novice12%), Basic firebreath (Racial/active) (novice20%) Guard(Combat/active)(novice12%) Taunt (Combat/active)(Novice08%)

Active effects: +5% stamina regen(racial), +2% health regen. (racial), +10% elemental resistance(racial).

Armor base: 10 Damage base: 08

"Oh, those are good number's. I see you have a point available too." Ned complimented.

"My armor is shit right now, but if there's iron at that cave I can change that." I smiled.

"Let's be on our way then!" Casey exclaimed.

-----

Once at the cave several slimes had reappeared, but nothing like when the quest had been needed. Randy and I dispatched them with bone and bow, reaping the quaint Mana/EXP. Outside of the cave, Ned had a question.

"What if something worse lives in the cave now?" Ned asked.

"Like what? An OP skeleton wizard with an army of maid's and butler's?" I scoffed.

"There was a bear. The slimes killed the bear, and we killed the slimes. Should be ok." Casey surmised.

"Wanna scout it out, assassin? Randy asked.

"Sure give me a minute." Casey activated her Cloak, and disappeared into the cave.

While waiting I went to a tree, and broke off four small branches. I tied some scrap cloth at the end, then added some Coyadae oil. My four make-shift torches were complete.

Moments later, she returned. "All clear!" She called.

We entered the cave, and a chill ran down my spine from recalling the previous battle. Dying was not a fun experience. With any luck it would be an 'one and only time' experience.

"Yo, Randy wanna help me dig? Casey and Ned, can you keep watch at the enterance? Just whistle if shit 'pops off' ok." I directed, while pulling out two recently purchased pick's from my inventory. "Oh but first I need to gather these bones."

I went to collect the bear bones, and using the flickering torch light I noticed several canine skeleton's and countless Bullhares as well. I chose to only gather the wolf and bear bones, because the larger bones should produce more carbon. Once that was done, Randy and I started to harvest the sparse Iron ore deposit's for a few hours. We used the pick's to chip and splice the ore from the rock. Then we began to dig into the walls of the cave, around the deposit's until we found a little more. After the back-breaking labor we had a large sack full of rust-colored ore. I put the tools and ore into my inventory, and we exited the cave. The moment we reached the cave opening I heard a voice call out:

"Hey! What are you people doing in our cave!"