The Grand Game

“Fifty,” I said. “What?” Simone asked with a frown. “I want fifty percent of the loot,” I clarified. Barac barked in laughter. “Nice try, noob, but no…

While the others readied themselves for the battle, I saw to my own preparations. Turning my attention inwards, I acknowledged the waiting Game messages. Status of bounty…

Rinse and repeat. That was what the next few minutes amounted to. We replayed the same successful battle sequence five times over, with Barac staggering the hydra,…

In a flash, Simone disappeared, teleported presumably to the nether. The others followed quickly on her heels, and I scrambled after, surprised at the alacrity with which…

I attempted to sell what I knew of sector 12,560 and of the Awakened Dead’s machinations in the wolves’ valley to Arden. However, because of the age…

I stepped out of the aether and into the shadow of a stygian. Both my blades were still sheathed. They would be of no help in this…

Amantein has died. You and Ghost have reached level 212! Your sneaking has reached rank 21, and your chi rank 18. You are hidden. A few seconds…

I didn’t fall to my death, of course. Midway to the ground my spell finished, and I released it without ado. You have cast windborne. Borne upon…

The tier four jobs were primarily kill orders. As Hannah had said, most were for multiple targets. A disproportionate number, though, were for stygian beasts. But that…

Disguise back in place, I strolled along the street. While I did, I checked the gains I’d earned from the last encounter. My player level hadn’t advanced—but…