The Xp; Chapter 2

It’s a busy day in Finderal. A large city built around the player economy. At the very center of the city sat a large fountain depicting the three characters that started Finderal when the game was a text based Multi User Dungeon. Bob sat down and pulled her Sabertaur off her back. The combination of guitar and giant sword was slightly taller than she was if she stood next to it but she played it with a level of skill that made the imposing size of it disappear. Another player logged into the game sitting next to her. “I really appreciate you coming back Stygian..” She said without stopping her song.

The other player was hidden under layers of black and blue armor. “I was getting bored with real life.” Stygian replied.

Bob stood and slung her Sabertaur on her back again. “Do want to check your bags or need to do anything else to get familiarized with the game?”

Stygian stood up and shook his head in the negative. “No, let’s get going. If I start rummaging through my bags it’ll take me weeks just to figure out what’s worth anything anymore.”

Bob nodded and made her way out of the center of the city. Stygian followed. “Blackout’s meeting us at the dungeon entrance.”

Stygian laughed. “That fool is still around?”

Bob nodded. “And leveled half a dozen characters.”

The crowds were thick as they made their way through the scrolls and potions district. “so why the rush all of a sudden?” Stygian asked.

Bob was shoving people nearly twice her size out of her path. “Blackout’s got and acquaintance, who has a roommate that’s a data miner. He found the stats for a series of weapons in the expansion that’s about to come out that use nothing but old world materials.”

They cleared the scrolls and potions district and were now on the outskirts of town. Once they had finally put some distance between them and Finderal. Stygian continued their conversation. “Am I missing the part where this isn’t just sliding for dollars?” he asked slightly annoyed.

Bob turned around to clarify face to face. “LOTS of dollars.” She held her hands out wide as if describing an impossibly large fish. “Orb’s of questionable sanity are required for each one of these new weapons and this dungeon drops them like they are going out of style.”

Stygian pointed at something behind Bob. “Same shit different day, eh Bob?” Torcano asked.

Bob turned around angry and annoyed. “Jeez B.O. did you even try to fight him?” She demanded of her friend who was sitting defeated on the ground.

Blackout pointed at Torcano. “He snuck up on me, and my name is Blackout not B.O”

Bob shrugged. “Coulda fooled me, cause you stink.”

Stygian shook his huge armored head. “You two fight like an old married couple.”

Torcano looked at him in pleasant surprise. “Stygian! It’s been so long…I hardly recognized you!” he laughed.

Stygian shrugged his huge armored shoulders. “I’ve lost weight.” He offered. As they fist bumped.

Torcano turned his attention back to Bob and Blackout. “All right then, who tipped you of about the orbs?” he asked, looking intensely in Blackout’s direction.

“The…matriarch?” Blackout offered hesitantly.

Torcano shook his head. “Uh huh, sure she did. No matter, it’s an easy fix. I wouldn’t bother farming them here from now on. I dropped the percentages back down to a more reasonable level.

Bob kicks at the dirt. “It really gonna be like that?” She asked.

Torcano nodded. “Sorry Bob, it’s my job.”

She glared up at him. “Being a dick is NOT your job.” She accused.

He smiled right back at her. “Always the silver tongue.” He turned his attention to Stygian. “I’d say welcome back but you were gone for nearly two years, been back almost twenty minutes and you already got wrapped up with these two, might want to think about finding new people to play with my friend.” Torcano offered before he waved his hand and disappeared in a flash of light.

Blackout stood up and brushed himself off “well, now what?” He asked.

Bob thought about it for a second and then perked up. “Sea of ever burning fury?” She offered.

“The sea of what?” Stygian asked.

“Oh man! Wait till you see this place, the artists really out did themselves!” She started heading off in the direction of the sea.

Stygian and Blackout followed. “Any good gear for a Ruffian in the sea?” Stygian asked.

Blackout nodded. “The gauntlets of eternal rage.” He answered.

Bob turned around and talked to them while walking backwards. “Oh yeah! Those drop off the magma squid!” She waved her arms in an attempt to interpret the squid, making both Blackout and Stygian laugh.