I sat in my basement, completely focused on the large screen hung on the wall. It's been a day since the hangout and I've decided to try out the game. And holy fucking Lotus I'm addicted. Sleep Mode? Charge while playing. Food? Eat while playing. Bathroom breaks? Actually can't bypass that sadly. People are asking where I disappeared to? They can wait.
Because this game was far better than I imagined. Was it similar to my journey? Very, but you can do whatever you want! Nothing is forcing you, no morals, no fear. Just go in and kill, you die? Respawn. So simple yet great and the details? Immaculate. Apparently, this game stopped receiving updates only about 20 years ago. Which meant this game was out and being updated for over a thousand years. That's fucking insane!
After the initial panic attack, I calmed down and decided to actually try out the game. Which first of all, was the greatest single decision I've ever made. And second of all, it helped my mental health a lot, like actually. I've never been better, especially since this wasn't temporary like alcohol. Also, there was no way I would be done with the game anytime soon. Since you know, over one thousand years old. Which was great, I now had an actual hobby that didn't risk my life.
Then a thought struck me, almost literally, about how shocking it was. Joseph... he knew, he must know. There was no possible explanation other than that. The game is perfectly placed, with a slight pause to enter the game. The fact that he looked straight towards me.
And I knew, I had to set some rules, just in case he thought of doing something I wouldn't stand for.
***
And so I was in Joseph's base, looking around. He had built quite a good layout. Sure, my scan detected more secret areas, but that didn't concern me. I was more surprised that there weren't any cameras. Like actually zero surveillance equipment.
Then the owner of said base finally arrived, only to meet Optics with me. He just stood there for a while, clearly calculating his options.
In the end, he chose nonviolence. Which was good for him, since I had euphona hidden in my coat.
"Well hello"
Was Joseph's simple and boring conversation started, not that I could judge that, mine were worse.
I simply nodded back at him, uncrossing my arms.
And I got right to the point.
"How did you find out about me?"
He raised a digital eyebrow, clearly not cheating at life in the current moment.
"Saw you in class...?"
I just stared at him, stupefied.
"You know damn well what I mean!" I snarled out through clenched teeth.
He raised up his hands in the universal gesture of surrender.
"Okay okay! Honestly, I wasn't sure till I saw your reaction"
I stared at him, anger dying out.
"Alright, anyways".
He gave me another look, but I spoke before he could.
"When will the exit be done?"
He just gave me the most "bruh" expression ever,
"Not even working on it yet, since I won't go outside till I get my teenage frame"
"Bruh" was my response, actually annoyed now.
"Well, that was wasted time waiting".
Then I coughed(unnecessarily) and continued
"Well, nice talking to you, ima a head out now".
I started walking, but then I remembered something.
"By the way, you should definitely add some surveillance equipment around these parts"
And with that, I left, plans already forming and being scraped on how to leave the bunker with my warframes.
***
I was sitting in my basement (technically a bunker now), as usual, my human fingers working on Protea.
I had finally managed to make some progress with the time warping she did, I just needed to make sure it didn't turn me into a baby or just age me to the point of dust. Which was actually easier than the first part, somehow.
I continued to tinker, loud music blaring through my hab. I didn't need to think about noise complaints either, since I had made sure everything was fully soundproofed. The only noise I can hear is from the doors, and only from the outside. Suddenly, I received a message from Joseph in the group chat telling everyone to meet at his house.
Titania: Do I have to?
There was a pause of nothing before I was literally bombarded with answers to my question.
Isekai_Protagonist: Obviously.
TotesBestGirl: Duh.
Babeatron-Queenthousand: YES!
Darkxwolf16: Of course! What are you busy?
A few more messages came in, but at that point, I didn't read them. Letting out a sigh of a defeated man, I cleaned my hands and left my basement and then the hab, sending a message to the group.
Titania: On my way.
For some reason, I had a feeling I wouldn't quite like what this was about.
And as I entered the room, others literally bleeding themselves into thermoses, I knew, I was right once again.
I just stared at the literal children, who were seemingly preparing some ritual.
"I thought I had said before that I would, in fact, not participate in satanic rituals?"
Everyone paused, confusion and then panic filling the room, everyone trying to explain, shouting over one another. I just stared curiously at Joseph, him sitting relaxed, far too relaxed for the current situation in my opinion.
I was soon briefed on the situation and, quite literally, offered up my oil to the apparent vampire in our midst.
It wasn't too strange, I have experienced far stranger things in my lifetime after all, but what threw me off was that these people were supposed to be kids. Why are they acting so... normal in such a situation?
After no answer came to me in my mind, I just shrugged at the idea and stayed quiet, watching everyone quite literally draining themselves.
An odd expression formed on my face, neither disgust nor wariness. It was a mix of several complex emotions.
What was happening in this God forsaken bunker?
Next thing is gonna be an eldritch horror spawning from thin air, trying to swallow the planet whole.
I shuddered at the thought, I had fought enough such abominations for several lifetimes already.
Thanks for reading and support!
[Psst, leave power stones or else!]