“What’s up?”
Rob looked up from the bottom of the stairs. “Figured you’d visit me tonight.”
“How could I not?” Jack said, crossing his arms as Rob climbed the stairs.
Rob unlocked his apartment door and stepped inside, leaving it open. Jack followed without hesitation.
“How was work?”
“Good. Got a lot done,” Rob replied. He tossed his bag to the floor, grabbed a can of cola from the fridge, and gulped it down.
Jack leaned against the counter, his arms still crossed. “I sent you a few messages earlier. It’s not like you to go radio silent.”
Rob looked guilty for a moment as he set the can down. “Sorry, man. I didn’t even check my phone today. I’ve just been trying to figure out this mess.”
Jack studied him for a moment. “So, what’s the plan?”
Rob pursed his lips, then set the now-empty can down with a thud. “Well… ideally, I want to keep the Slayer off your back forever. I just have to come up with something that doesn’t make me sound incompetent or lose the Slayer’s trust in me but not worrisome enough that he feels the need to look further into it.”
“That’s a thin line to walk,” Jack said, worry etched in his tone. “What happens if he realizes you let Amari go?”
Rob shrugged, a wry grin tugging at his lips. “Traitors are hunted mercilessly by IronIre. It’s practically a spectator sport. They even run bets on how many levels people will lose before they give up and reset their account. Real classy, huh?”
Jack winced. “That’s… dark. What about you? Would you reset if it came to that?”
Rob hesitated, tapping his fingers on the counter. “I’ll cross that bridge if I get to it. Honestly, it’s not like this is my main gig. I’m just a casual gamer. But yeah… it’d suck to lose it.”
Jack nodded slowly, his thoughts spiraling. Rob played it cool, but the hours he’d poured into his account weren’t nothing. And if IronIre came after him, it wouldn’t just be a game—it’d feel personal. Being chased by one’s former allies had to sting.
“You shouldn’t have to clean up his mess,” Jack finally muttered.
Rob smirked. “Family comes first! Between choosing you and the guys at IronIre, it’s a no-brainer.”
Jack sighed, his concern lingering. “You’ve worked hard, Rob. Even if it’s just extra money, it’s still your time on the line. I’m sorry for causing you trouble.”
Rob softened, leaning against the counter beside him. “You don’t need to worry about me. I’m a big boy.”
Jack managed a small smile. “Thanks, Rob. For everything.”
“Don’t mention it. Seriously. I’m not kidding—don’t mention it to anyone. Not even Amari.”
Jack chuckled dryly. “I got it.”
Rob opened the second cola and took a swig. “So, why aren’t you in the game right now?”
“Amari’s editing a video,” Jack replied, welcoming the shift to lighter conversation.
“Ah, one of the videos with you in it?”
“Probably.”
“Looking forward to it.” Rob paused. “Wait a minute. You could be playing while you wait for him to finish. Unless… you’re at the Breach, huh?” Rob asked, his grin widening.
Jack nodded.
“What kind of terrain did you get?”
“A fortress map up in the mountains.”
“Lucky. When I did it, we got stuck in a swamp. Half the team got killed off by mosquitoes, the other half was done in by quicksand.”
“I didn’t know you’d run the Breach. How far did you get?”
“Wave 30, if I’m not mistaken.”
“Was it worth it?”
“Oh yeah! I got one of the daggers I use as a reward. I also got three or four levels off it, if I remember right.”
“Woah! That’s awesome.”
“What’s the strategy you and your team are taking?”
Jack filled him in on the waves, the scouting, and the achievements they’d unlocked. Rob listened intently, nodding along.
“For just four of you to get that much done? That’s impressive,” Rob said when Jack finished.
“Thanks.”
Rob stretched, his tone becoming casual again. “Well, I’m going to shower and log in. What about you?”
“I’ll head home and wait.”
Rob glanced at him, studying his face. “You okay? You seem… off.”
Jack hesitated, then chuckled weakly. “I’ve been spending so much time in the game that I don’t even know what to do with myself when I’m not playing. I—”
I’d call Lydia if we hadn’t broken up, but what would I even say? That I missed her? That gaming filled the silence she left behind? That’s what he wanted to say, but he caught himself in time. He’d already burdened his cousin enough. The last thing he needed was to hear him moping.
Rob looked at him sadly as if he’d heard it all anyway. “Tell you what—I’ll let you spectate me while I play.”
This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.
Jack blinked. “That’s a thing?”
“Yeah. We can chat and hang out. Plus, I could use your help brainstorming how to keep the Slayer off your trail. It’s a thin line, as you said. Probably helps to have a second opinion on whatever wild tale I spin.”
Jack grinned, feeling the weight in his chest ease just a bit. “Deal. How does this spectating thing work?”
“Go home. When I log in, I’ll send you a message. All you have to do is put on the helmet and wait for a message from me.”
Jack pushed off the counter. “Can’t wait.”
*
By the time Jack finished dinner with his parents and slipped on his VRX helmet, his cousin had already texted to let him know he was online.
Jack settled into bed, the cool comfort of fresh PJs making him feel ready for a deep dive until morning. He powered on the helmet, its glow casting soft patterns on his vision as the holographic interface flickered to life.
Ding!
Roberto Sousa has invited you to spectate him as he plays New Earth. Would you like to accept?
“Is it that easy?” Jack muttered, selecting Accept without hesitation.
The world blurred, and a strange, weightless sensation overtook him. For a moment, it felt as if he was hurtling through a tunnel of rushing light, his senses caught between exhilaration and disorientation. When the sensation ebbed, the scene re-formed, and Jack blinked against the sudden clarity.
This wasn’t the Breach.
He was moving—fast. Streets and rooftops below became a blur of smears and shadows. Jack’s breath caught as he tried to process the surreal sensation of being there without being in control. Every stride seemed effortless yet forceful, each landing precise as Rob vaulted across a rooftop gap, landing with a grace that made it seem as easy as stepping off a curb.
He had the [Sprint] skill himself, granting a brief burst of 100% movement speed for a second, but Rob moved like someone under the permanent effects of something like it. It was uncanny.
Looking around, Jack quickly realized this wasn’t Embersgate. The layout was familiar—another gate town hugging its protective walls—but everything else was distinct. Where Embersgate exuded a dark, brooding atmosphere with its weathered stone and heavy, primal designs, this city was brighter, softer.
The pale sandstone of its buildings caught the morning light, bathing the town in a warm, golden hue. The facades were clean and sleek, adorned with minimalist carvings that lent the city an understated elegance.
“This is amazing…” Jack murmured, still taking it all in.
“Oh, you’re here!” Rob’s voice chimed in Jack’s ear, bright and familiar. His cousin vaulted effortlessly from one rooftop to another, the gap between them wide enough to make Jack’s stomach flip.
“Rob! This is… amazing! You’re moving so fast!” Jack exclaimed.
Rob chuckled, his tone casual. “Never spectated someone in VR before?”
“I’ve watched streamers, but never like this,” Jack admitted, trying to make sense of the sensations. “It’s like I’m strapped to the back of your head.”
“That’s a good way of putting it. No one else can see or hear you, so we can chat freely. Oh, and I gave you access to my character sheet and inventory. Feel free to poke around while I run.”
Jack grinned. “You just want to show off, don’t you?”
Rob snorted, leaping across a dizzying gap. “Of course. Why else would I invite you?”
Jack could feel the playfulness in Rob’s voice. Seeing him so carefree despite the awkward situation he was in was a relief.
Navigating the interface, Jack opened Rob’s character sheet. His grin faltered.
CHARACTER INFORMATION
Name: RobbieRobber
Level: 38
Fame: 28
Class: Assassin
Guild: IronIre
Minors:
[Journeyman Herbalist], lvl. 10
[Expert Lockpicker], lvl. 4
Titles:
[Artful Dodger], [Beast Slayer], [Blade in the Shadows], [Dungeon Delver], [Efficient Gatherer], [Expert Explorer], [Guild Swindler], [Guild War Veteran], [Light on Your Feet], [Lock Whisperer], [Midnight Stalker], [Notorious in the Shadows], [Poison Maker], [S-Grade Adventurer], [Siege Specialist], [Silent Eliminator], [Slayer of Monsters III],
ATTRIBUTES
Hit Points: 280/280
Stamina Points: 215/220
Movement Speed: 212%
Attack: 37
Strength: 32
Constitution: 21
Agility: 90
Intellect: 11
Stealth: 31
Luck: 18
RESISTANCES
Defense: 56
Block: 18
Fire: 8
Cold: 9
Poison: 11
Mental: 18
EQUIPMENT
Right-Hand: [Shimmerfang Dagger] (Attack +4, Crit Damage +10%)
Off-Hand: [Blacksteel Dirk] (Bleed Damage +5, Stealth +4)
Head: [Nightveil Hood] (Stealth +5, Crit Damage +5%)
Torso: [Darkleather Jerkin] (Defense +8, Attack +3, Movement Speed +50%)
Pants: [Shadowwoven Trousers] (Agility +4, Stealth +4)
Gloves: [Silent Striker’s Gloves] (Attack +3, Jump +2, Bleed Damage +3)
Shoes: [Shadowstep Boots] (Movement Speed +12%, Crit Damage +5%)
Cape: [Ebon Cloak] (Stealth +6, Jump +3)
SKILLS
Fighting:
[Backstab], [Blade Flurry], [Bleeding Graze], [Critical Strike], [Evasion], [Quickstep], [Shadow Ambush], [Throwing Knife], [Vanishing Step]
Herbalism:
[Aromatic Extraction], [Basic Toxin Crafting], [Efficient Gathering], [Foraging Expertise], [Herb Drying], [Medicinal Mixtures], [Plant Identification], [Preservation Techniques], [Rare Herb Locator], [Refined Oil Extraction], [Spore Harvesting], [Toxin Enhancement], [Wild Growth Recognition]
Lockpicker:
[Advanced Lock Composition], [Alarm Bypass], [Bypass Alarm], [Counter-Trap Engineering], [Disabling Mechanism], [Key Crafting], [Lock Fortification], [Lock Whisperer], [Master Key Tinkering], [Safecracker’s Touch], [Silent Mechanism], [Simple Trap Design], [Trap Disarmament], [Trap Reverse Engineering], [Vault Optimization]
“Rob,” Jack said, his voice wavering slightly. “Are you really just a casual gamer?”
His cousin laughed. “Not bad, right?”
“Not bad? Are you kidding me?” Jack scrolled through the screen, his disbelief growing. “You have triple my agility! And I invest most of my attribute points in it.”
Rob landed smoothly on another rooftop, his movements so effortless it seemed like second nature. “Hey, it’s not like I’m leading raids or anything. I’m just good at sniffing out bargains.”
“A knack?” Jack raised an eyebrow. “Dude, this jacket alone? Where did you even get this?”
“I might’ve spent a week of vacation grinding for it.” Rob’s tone was casual, but the flicker of pride in his voice didn’t go unnoticed.
“You’ve definitely been putting in the hours,” Jack muttered, shaking his head. Despite his admiration, guilt settled in his chest. Rob had invested so much time into his character. The thought that he might lose it all because of him was hard to swallow.
Rob laughed again, breaking the tension. “Hey, you’ll get there. Just keep at it.”
Jack forced a smile and tried to shift his focus. “Where are we?”
“Pearlsgate,” Rob answered simply.
“And where are you going?” Jack asked, his eyes following the streak of rooftops blurring past as Rob sprinted.
Rob tilted his view slightly to the left, gesturing with a nod. “I’m heading toward the gate so we can leave the city. See it over there?”
Jack’s gaze locked onto a massive, gleaming archway. The mother-of-pearl circle atop the gate caught the sunlight, adding elegance to the city.
“At this speed, it’ll only take a couple of minutes to get there.”
“Why do you want to leave the city, though? Do you have a quest outside?” Jack asked.
“There have been some developments since we chatted in the apartment.” Rob’s tone grew sharper, more focused. “As soon as I logged in, I got a message from my guild. There’s a battle happening a little ways outside the city—IronIre versus Prejudice. They want all hands on deck.”
Jack frowned. “Why do you sound so happy about that?”
Rob’s laugh carried a note of triumph. “Some guy the Slayer has a beef with ambushed one of our teams. Told them to pass along a few choice insults for our guild leader after stealing a wild boss. Word got to the Slayer, and he’s here now. Everyone’s been called up to teach Prejudice a lesson.”
Jack’s frown deepened. “And you’re happy because…?”
“Can’t you see, Jack? This is perfect! With my guild at war, the Slayer’s attention is fully occupied. It leaves me completely off the hook.”
Jack mulled it over for a moment. “I guess that makes sense. But doesn’t the Slayer being in Pearlsgate mean there’s a chance he’ll remember his unfinished business with Amari? What if he wins quickly and remembers Amari is also here?”
Rob’s movements slowed just slightly as he leapt to another rooftop. His earlier excitement dimmed, replaced with a thoughtful pause. “I guess that depends on whether Prejudice puts up a fight,” he said finally, his voice quieter now.
The massive gate loomed closer, its shimmering circle catching the light like a beacon. Jack stared at it, his unease deepening. He wanted to trust Rob’s confidence, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that a storm was coming.
***
