Home?

We gather up the loot and I ask Skylar if she wants anything. She declines, saying that the experience was enough. I open up the party interface and check her level. She’s gained a level and is now level 13. There’s nothing really useful in the loot. More rat bones and rat meat. The $5000 from the boss is useful though.

I notice that create and escape ID have both gained a level, which is nice. Hopefully I’ll be able to start creating dungeons with more variety of monsters in them. All three of us raise our hands and exit the barrier. Skylar bids us goodnight, letting us know that she has to go home for the evening.

I can tell that Mia is slightly disappointed over that news, but takes it with the same positivity as always. “Alright, we’ll see you tomorrow! Come hang out with us again.” She says with a wave. Skylar waves back, seeming slightly bewildered, before turning, walking away and exiting the Burgess barrier.

I turn to Mia. “Want to eat some food? My HP is low and food helps me heal.” “Not because you're hungry?” She asks, poking my stomach. I snort at the gesture. “Okay, maybe a little of that too. Training is hard.” “Yeah, especially when a mage tries to be a melee fighter.” She remarks drily.

“Shut up! I want to be a battle mage eventually!” I shoot back and Mia giggles. “You will be. Just not yet.” She says encouragingly. She puts her arm around me and guides me back inside. We grab some snacks and keep going through Love, **** and Robots.

After a while, I check the time. It’s currently 7PM. “I better get home now Mia. It’s been lovely spending time with you, but I do need to go.” I say. “Aww couldn’t stay longer? I need my Netflix buddy!” She laughs. “Wow, is that all I’m good for now?” I retort. “Yes. You sit down, shut up and keep me company while I watch my shows.” Mia says, somehow managing to keep a straight face for a second, before snorting.

“Okay fine, your company and banter is nice.” She admits with a smile on her face. She hugs me. “Be safe, okay?” She tells me with a serious look on her face. I nod. “I will be.” I promise her. I double check to make sure, and my mana bar and HP bar are both fully topped off.

Mia walks me back to the front entrance. I wave at her and she waves back, before I step outside the barrier. I look around at the night sky and inhale the nice smelling air deeply. The cool breeze feels nice, the temperature is near perfect for me. Although it could stand to be a little colder of course. I set my shoulders and back straight and start walking, already knowing the route to the bus stop from previous experience.

I reflect on the day. I’m happy with how everything went, despite the rocky start. Mia and I are getting closer, and now Skylar is a part of the guild too. I briefly entertain the fantasy of building a sort of polyamorous relationship with the both of them, then dismiss it. It would be a dream come true, but there’s no way that could ever happen.

I might have magic gamer powers, but I still don’t think something like that could develop. That doesn’t really bother me though. I’m just happy with what I have, and the fact that my future is looking bright, thanks to these powers.

I spot a group of men walking towards me. Being a generally antisocial person, I’m not particularly fond of even walking past people, let alone looking at them, but something makes me pause. They’re looking straight at me, and walking at me with purpose.

Wade Lynton

Lvl 18, thug

Gang leader (The Crystal Ravens)

24 years old

Taken

Relationship: -32 (You are his current target)

Emotions: Confident, annoyed, cheerful

Oh for fucks sake, not again.

I immediately take out my phone and call Mia. Pick up, pick up. I see one of them start to raise their hand, just as she picks up. “Gem?” “Mia, help-” The call cuts to static as I get that dreaded notification.

You have been **** into an illusion barrier. You may only leave after all hostiles are defeated, or when you are allowed by the person in control.

Damnit.

I put my phone away and draw my knife, readying myself for a fight. “Nowhere ta run this time bitch. We’ve ‘eard about the shit ya like ta pull. Come quietly, and we won’t ‘urt you.” The man called Wade threatens. “Why the fuck are you people after me so much?” “Somebody’s put a bounty on your ‘ead mate. And we want it. Come the fuck with us, now.” He orders once again.

I don’t respond, instead throwing out a mana arrow aimed at his head, immediately followed by a freezing blast. The mana arrow hits Wade in the shoulder and he snarls angrily. “Fine, fuckface. Don’t say I didn’t warn ya.” The blast washes over the group of men, little icicles starting to form on their bodies.

I throw more mana arrows at the man, but he dodges them quickly. Just as I’m wishing that observe told me what kind of magic he uses, an absolutely crushing **** presses down on me. I’m **** to my knees, I can barely hold my arms upright to use spells. I fire off a couple more mana arrows in vain, but they miss wildly.

Two of his lackeys walk past him. One of them punches me across the face. The blow is crudely executed, but the strength behind it makes up for the rough technique. My head snaps to the side and I lose 8HP. A sharp pain rings in my cheek and the side of my head. I struggle to reach one hand up to fire a spell at them, but the other guy kicks it away.

In the split second before the crushing **** takes a hold of my arm again, I instead fire an icicle at Wade. Instead of dissipating like the mana arrow, it embeds itself into his stomach. He cries out in pain and the awful pressure lifts.

The hand with my knife, previously pressed to the ground, suddenly has movement again. I waste no time, stabbing the blade upwards at one of the two men in front of me. In a stroke of luck, it’s a direct hit up and under his ribcage. Following instinct, I drive my shoulder into him to try **** him back a little, withdrawing the knife immediately afterwards.

He stumbles backwards and I lunge at the other guy, pressing my advantage. A torrent of water sends me flying onto my back. A foot rushes towards my face in the low light, and I scramble to roll over. I feel the boot of the man scrape past my hair.

200xp

That must be from the man I stabbed. I hastily get to my feet, just in time to see a fist rushing for my stomach. I’m too slow to dodge and the punch winds me. I double over in pain, dropping my knife and suddenly the overwhelmingly crushing **** presses down on me again.

I fall to my knees and I hear quick footsteps as the remaining members of the gang come to subdue me. A powerful straight punch hits me square in the nose, and I hear the audible crack of my nose breaking. Pain shoots through my face as I slump backwards, and my eyes tear up involuntarily. Blurrily, I can see that I’ve lost another 21HP.

Blows begin to rain down on me as the oppressive pressure forces me to stay on the ground and prevents me from struggling. I can taste blood. Even though Gamer’s Body has already fixed the wound, the pain is still there. I’m starting to lose consciousness and my HP is dipping dangerously low.

“She’s ‘ad enough. Tie ‘er up, let’s take ‘er.” I hear the voice of Wade say. I feel my hands and legs being grabbed, pushed together and tied up. I try to resist but I have no more energy to fight after the tirade of blows, and they’re too strong anyway. A flash of anxiety goes through my mind.

Fuck! No! This can’t be how it ends!

I try to twist my body away, but another kick to the ribs pushes me back. “Stop struggling girlie. You’ll only make it worse for yourself.” The almost pitying voice of the gang leader says.

A single tear wells up in my eyes. No…I guess this is how it ends then… I remind myself that I can’t fight if I’m dead, and that there’s at least a possibility to escape if I’m still alive. Wade seems to notice the shift in my body language and demeanor. “That’s it. Don’t fight it.” A sack is put over my head and somebody lifts my legs, beginning to drag my body. “Oi don’t drag ‘er mate, pick her up-”

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing, you greasy disgusting assholes?”

I hear a sharp voice cut through the night like a whip. I perk up slightly at the sound. The voice sounds familiar but not at the same time. The sack over my head prevents me from seeing anything. Whoever is dragging me, drops my legs in order to talk to the newcomer. “Get lost stranger. Ya don’t want this fight.” “No can do buddy. Give her to me, or else.” “Fuck off.” A pause. “So be it.”