Alt F4 Headquarter, 7:30 AM

“So, little Priscy, it seems your nephew became an intern? What can he do? Coffee?”

She hates this guy.

Banal physique, a little bit taller than her, a long nose vaulted in two.

“Thanks Aquila, but coffee machines are capable enough to prepare really proper coffee. I don’t need to ask my nephew to make me one. Maybe you want me to prepare you one? You forgot how to do it, maybe.”

Brief and small laugh.

“If it’s from you, I can’t say no.”

Badge move in front of the sensor.

“Espresso, of course. Black as usual, isn’t it?”

“It is.”

The coffee sank slowly in the biodegradable carton cup.

“You are not used to come so early in the morning, usually. Thanks for the coffee. What can I do for you?”

“I’d like to know more on the psukhôstase role on environments.”

The movement of putting coffee to the mouth stopped at the lips limit.

“Confidential. At least, I don’t have to tell you, you are not in the design service that runs Alter Life invisible aspects, even more on this so sensible subject that is intelligent ecosystems…”

“And what would make you obliged to tell me?”

Short laugh a little bit less brief.

“I think… that a little entertainment wouldn’t be bad. What about a challenge?”

She hold the gaze.

“What kind of challenge?”

“I’ve got a little cousin that plays not far from the black sea. What about a race war with you nephew?”

Silence.

“Challenge accepted”

“I like it.”

***

Alt F4 Headquarter, ground floor, 7:50 AM

I’d love to say that coming inside this building is now for me an everyday routine, but no.

It’s really huge.

Passing by the reception desk, just when I was about to take my badge, my aunty ran into me.

“Jules, we need to talk.”

“Good morning aunty. You offer me a hot chocolate, then?”

“Proposition granted. Come.

“It was funny, your game, yesterday?”

“Oh, yes! I progressed much in no time! I unlocked many competences, I made a few quests, I discovered the town. It was so much fun!”

The elevator was going to the floor where my aunty made the presentation.

“Nice. You changed class?”

“Yes, I became a ghoul.”

People in the elevator either looked at me weirdly, either were like they had not heard anything.

‘Mmh, quite unusual. Good. Do you like it?”

“Yes, but there are so many things to eat if I want it to become more interesting. Do you know what I have to do to get the legendary class?”

She looked at me straight in the eyes, making big eyes, the sign I had to shut up.

“No, but I suppose you have a lead. It’s extremely difficult to get information on it, it’s not me who will be able to inform you.”

Exiting the elevator, we enter her office.

“I have to eat 10 zombies!”

“Never ever talk about it in front of anyone but me!”

She seems angry.

“Why?”

“Because it’s confidential! It’s a for-bi-den class!”

She insists on each syllable.

“Who told you about it?”

“Guess who?”

Silence…

« Gandock ! »

« Gandock ? »

***

Alone in her office, Priscille looks pensively through the window.

It’s been a few years now that she works in virtual reality.

Alter Life, it will soon be a year.

A year full of projects to design the game architecture, places, development of places filled with monsters, fantastic creatures, manage flying cities or those in the sea abysses.

Alter Life should not have a secret for her.

But no, there are.

And as time goes by, they accumulate.

“Forbidden class, huh?”

Just this: why is it forbidden to communicate on those classes which are not interesting in battles, or for the game stories?

“Ecosystems…”

Alter Life made the choice to not let monsters or items appear from nowhere, so it complicates considerably the game mechanics, but in return it promotes players imagination.

“Psukhôphage and psukhôstase…”

Undead are most certainly the hardest race to deal with.

How to balance the game so that they don’t dominate the world, but in the same time leave this option open for players who play undead to still be able to do conquer it!”

« Gandock... »

Cursed Gandock!

How does he know for the forbidden classes!

Worse than this: why proposing me, her nephew, to take one?

Worst in the worse: why stopping at this point?

He proposed to her nephew’s friend to take another one!

“A race war, mmh?”

If Aquila wants war, then so be it.

After all, does he know that a war against her nephew, it’s a war against Gandock?

And against her!

***

Offenburg, by a beautiful spring day.

Next to the courtyard, the same small chapel, with stained glass, not figurative, letting warm colours going throw.

In the courtyard, the dummies for the training.

And three people having a snack and laughing together.

“And at this moment, he tells me to become a reaper! When I am a mage! It’s really because it’s needed to become a psukhôpomp!”

“Yes, you will see, the best from this point, it’s to go downright to become a ghost. But you will see everything on the extension I just gave you. So that there is no confusion, you will have the quests Emile followed, it’s him who experimented everything I put inside, even if I had done them before him.”

“You were a reaper?”

“It’s long story. Just look who is here! Your best friend! Jules, sit down, eat something, the day will be long! Undead don’t have to eat, but humans yes!”

“I see you got acquainted…”

My little Kanhchrong jumps on me as soon as he sees me.

It’s nice to have a little dog!

“Eat some porridge and a good bread slice, filled with grains, as you tell us your stories in zombieland!”

“Well, good timing, I think I’m just about to begin a bigger adventure…”

The three look at me.

“My aunty received a challenge.”

“What kind of challenge?”

“I have to defeat a guy during the race war, this weekend.”

Gandock looks at me deeply.

“You want to take part in the race war?”

***

“… and everything should be alright.”

Bwof, these explanations are not reassuring me…

“Whatever, we will continue your training, and you know what we are going to do that will be all the most useful?”

“Train?”

“Yes, but you will learn a new job!”

Blacksmith? Lumberjack? Engraver?

“Miner!”

“Why? It’s useless!”

“You will soon understand. Furthermore, caves are a place of great intensity during the race wars!”

“Why?”

“At the mine entry, several races fight to control the exterior border. Putting your hand on underground resources as well as supplying with food thanks to the outdoor places, it’s of essence. So, outside, it’s war!”

“And inside?”

“I’m coming! Undead like underground corridors, but also dwarves, cave trolls, golems. With outdoors orcs and goblins, diplomatic relations are very complex!

“Our undead village is next to the black sea. There are links with sea creatures?”

“Sometimes, yes. Underground rivers and lakes can be linked to the sea. It’s possible to circulate from one to the others. And undines can also trade or even found underground counters!”

My universe of possibilities widened in an instant.

“How do I know if a lake is linked to the outside?”

“If it’s a river, you just have to follow the flow. It’s fresh water. But if it’s a salted lake: bingo! It’s linked to the sea. Try it next time!

… okay!