Never Push Chances/Desire - Original Story (Patreon)

This includes both part one Never Push Chances and part two, Never Push Desire

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[Never Push Chances]

The Flip Switch, the latest in Virtual Reality (VR) technologies claiming to bring the most realism of any VR device. Right away the console created controversy, not just because of all the legal issues it faced with its name. Unlike other VR devices, the Flip Switch is a capsule device. The capsule is a large bed the user lays down in and then gets enclosed in. How it works is once the capsule is installed, the user is meant to buy sustaining canisters. These canisters give water, to the user, and can be customized to give other needs if the user plans to stay inside VR for long amounts of time. The system itself provides warnings for needs with internal body tracking though. Measuring pulse, brain waves, and basic vitals ensure safety for the user so nothing like what is shown in novels, movies and TV can happen. Many question such things since the device does monitor brain activity, though once users enter into the Flip Switch’s VR, most are satisfied with their purchase right away. Still the process of needing a monitoring tattoo still does turn many away. This painless tattoo is a barcode for the user, to show user data. Inked to the player with a special metal it connects to the device directly so the most the player needs beyond this is a face mask connected to the sustainment unit. Just like drifting off to sleep when the barcode is scanned the user drifts into an inactive state, their mind relaxing as their eyes are covered to properly enter the virtual world. From here the capsule monitors data to ensure proper smells, stimulation is provided like one was in a real-world, tricking the body to think it is somewhere it is not.

Even with all of this technology however, one fact of the matter is the Flip Switch lacks software being so high-end. With only three games currently available to users the device still keeps generating more and more fame. The most supported game the device has offers the most real fantasy experience a user can have.

Lanfi Tans Fay

A rich fantasy world structured as a; Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (MMORPG). Lush landscapes, monsters to fight, crafting to be done, shops to open, mining, fishing, hitting trees. The game has many different activities from building houses, to simply helping till farmland. Become an adventurer and slay monsters, or simply build a house and have a farm. Use magic big or small, fly on dragons, or ride on a wagon. The biggest draw to the game though is not the fantasy world and how much one can do within it. Most find the biggest draw is how lifelike the AI within the game can be. All NPCs (None Playable Characters) talk naturally pulling from thousands of different voice actors and actresses to string together new pitches and tones to keep voices different. Scanned in bodies even let the system create different body types. The AI even adapts to the new item’s users make themselves, making a nice mash of modern and fantasy clothing in different areas.

“And that’s what the back of the box says at least... ugh I’m done reading. Can’t believe I got my account locked again. I really need to buy a book for when this happens.” Sighing to himself the young man known as Tim wallows on his bed. Yet again he was timed out from playing in the fantasy world due to regular misconduct. Time and time again he finds himself being reported for doing harmful acts to NPCs within towns. Though villains are allowed in the game, NPC’s are only allowed to be attacked in PVP events when things like guild wars happen. Attacking NPC’s outside of events is usually what makes a person be seen as something like a bandit, or simple deadbeat. Of course, Tim was not that terrible. “The fire wasn’t even that big… And I helped put it out anyway…” His antics did seem to slowly be getting worse as time pressed on, greeting him with harsher lockout times. Since other players do far worse, his sentence luckily has never reached a full ban. “I haven’t killed anyone, the least they could do is make me have to answer a survey or something. Would give me something to do at least.”

TIMEOUT COMPLETE

Smirking to himself Tim jumps upright to his feet. It had been at least five hours now, his capsule finally out of lock mode. Opening the pod up right away Tim grabs his closest sustaining container and jams it into the capsules lower slot. “Finally… geez, that took way too long… Can’t believe I read so much of the manual.” Getting himself into the pod Tim just gently cracks his neck. “Alright, how many in-game days has it been? Think about two or so… They probably aren’t mad anymore…” Swiping his barcode against the capsule's inner scanner the case closes over Tim, the visor for the device cupping over his eyes as the face mask he fits himself to his mouth.

Flipping the switch… three, two, one.

Tim’s eyes wince just for a moment, the slow sight of a bright sun greeting him. Back, in reality, it was already night time, but games can have all sorts of different clocks. With technology tricking the body and mind was easy enough. “Ah… well back Elmore seems like it isn’t on fire at least.” Looking back and forth Tim stares to a few singed buildings, people walking around the small farming town. Dirt roads, green grass around houses, a small village square with a large water tank in its center. Quiet and calming, the village had wooden homes, wooden roofs, it wasn’t completely outdated but not as advance as cities big-name players lurk around. To Tim; Elmore was his second home, even if he could be a bit of a prankster and jerk. “Ah… yeah, guess Becky’s place isn’t back together still. Ugh, they’re gonna be on my case for sure… maybe I should just actually help out a bit before I mess around more.”

“Is that Tim?! TIMOTHY!”

Speak of the devil, Becky herself races toward Tim at a breakneck speed. The middle-age ebony-skinned woman was never worse for wear, even as an NPC she had high levels and was dubbed as Elmore’s Leader. Long black hair in a ponytail, long green dress with a white apron on over it, black boots to stomp in and a tool belt around her waist with a frying pan dangling on the side of it. Becky looked like the type of woman that was somehow both a housewife and a woman not to trifle with. Even with the laugh lines at the edges of her lips, her curvy yet toned healthy body made her have an oddly homely yet feminine look. “You piece of crap.” Still regardless of how Tim thought she looked; the woman was not afraid to be brash with her words. Strict and to the point like a mother in charge; just dealing with an adult. “You think you can walk into our town looking so smug? You may have helped put out the fires but you still caused them, young man. I’ll beat your ass myself if you don’t help us gather funds for the fresh supply of wood we’ll need.”

Town folk begin to stare at Tim just whispering away. Elmore itself was only about one hundred people in population, so everyone already knew Tim and his deeds. “Um… Becky, yeah ahaha… I forgot I was forced to log out here… Um. I was just thinking of hunting ya know!” Nervously Tim just nods away trying not to stutter as the large Becky crosses her arms under her chest. One key feature that made talking to Becky sometimes awkward was how she was six foot five in height. The woman just seemed to have it all, but then again probably for the best or Tim would get himself into even more trouble than usual. “I mean it!”

Seeing as Tim was being dealt with the villagers slowly start to pay him no mind. Becky, on the other hand, was tapping her boot against the ground. “Oh, you are now? Ako went into the forest to hunt.”

QUEST CHANCE: Funding for Elmore; the village leader needs money for repairs. Help the local villagers!

Staring to the blipping message in front of his face Tim blinks his eyes to confirm it, the quest now showing in the corner of his left eye. The UI for the game you could change to suit your needs, Tim always liked to keep it basic. Quest alerts were always good to note though since they can be easy to miss, as they’re all randomly generated. “Alright, Becky. I’ll go find Ako. While she’s hunting food I can go see if I can find a monster den or something for money… Maybe she can help.” Snickering a little to himself Tim blissfully stares off, Ako was after all the prettiest girl in town even for an NPC.

WHAM

Becky’s metal frying pan slams against Tim’s cheek sending him flying into the dirt turning over several times. “Stop your ogling and just help. I don’t want any crap from you today. This village is getting tired of your pranks, if you really like this place, get more than what we need.”

Optional line chance: Funding for Elmore; provide the village with over ten thousand Den.

Tim rubs at his cheek feeling the sting of the pan still a bit too well, his health bar showing up for a moment to show a hundred health points (HP) being drained away. “Ugh… have I ever completed an optional… ugh. I log in and get bombed with quests. Whatever… maybe grinding would be a good idea anyway.” Scooping himself back up Tim dusts himself off and makes his way down the village road. “Well, seems the other townspeople aren’t going to deal with me too much today huh?” Sighing away Tim keeps down the path his UI displaying up his inventory and equipment to ready for his oncoming ordeal. “Let's see… guess short sword, buckler, arm guard, leather chest piece for better movement, boots I got now should be fine… and switch.” Confirming his changes, the leather fronted buckler wraps around his wrist connected to his leathery arm guard. The buckler is a shield some metal with it to keep it in place but mostly comprised of leather. When fighting animal type monsters usually fangs and claws are easier to avoid with leather gear, for movement and defense. Sheathing the silver short sword to his side Tim gives his chest piece a quick pat to make sure it was properly in place. “Eh… looks like everything’s good. Durability should hold up…” Rustling up his short hair Tim glares toward the woods before him the calm wind of the fields around the village slowly becoming rustling leaves. “Guess we’ll start by finding Ako… she usually hunts boars and deer closer to the entrance, but still off-road…” Minutes, an hour, Tim keeps his walking pace but still sees no signs of the female hunter. Stepping over rocks, avoiding dead trees, Tim’s walk was becoming quickly uneventful.

“N-Nooo!”

A scream cuts through the tree line riding itself on the wind to reach Tim’s ears. “Crap” Tim quickly unsheathes his short sword and runs off toward the shirk. Luckily not being that far away he only takes a minute to reach the scene.

“Ah, you… Help you idiot!”

Ako, the hunter, though able to fetch decent game, monsters for NPC’s was another problem. The young woman’s shoulder pad lay thrown to the ground, luckily her outfit seemed fine beyond that. A metal breastplate cups over her rather, Tim thought, oversized chest. Only covering her breasts her stomach lay exposed showing off her rather pale white skin, the form-fitted leather skirt clinging around her somehow not chaffing. Tim often thought of Ako’s clothing wear as cliché female armor from games. Of course, that meant she even has knee-high boots with a good three-inch high heel. With just gray and brownish colors though beside her feminine features Ako did not stand out very much. Still, her violet-colored eyes and the yellow ribbon she uses to keep her hair in a ponytail did add at least a little something. Tim could only think Ako was hiding a pretty girl behind the dull armor, and dirt. It was clear enough she had curvy hips, a nice butt, a large chest, she even has those soft inviting lips. Still bloody knife on her hip, wooden bow, and quiver filled with copper arrows on her back she was very much a hunter.

“What are you doing just staring me up and down?! I said help already!”

Her voice even rang out pretty mature and feminine, even if she still had some whining cries when faced with danger. “Oh… right.” Tim shakes his head realizing the situation. A wolf seemed to be the monster of the day, of course not a normal one, Ako could take a normal one. This wolf was around six feet tall, large fangs, a snake for a tail, red eyes, and of course dark green fur sort of like moss. Tree Wolf is the name, luckily only one of them in the area. Known for a quick-acting venom to stun it pray it quickly tears its sharp fangs in soon after. Of course, the odd color of its fur it uses to pretend to be a rock with moss, or whatever else the creature can think of. As well unlike normal wolves that usually stay away from humanoids, a Tree Wolf actively seeks to lure humanoid prey. A level ten monster, around five hundred hp it has technical points instead of magic points. “Okay… well then guess I should start.” Tim lifts his sword giving a quick tap to his chest, a quick red aura flashing over him. Not questing often Tim was only level thirteen combat wise, using buffs then seemed a good idea in case any other monster gets aggravated.

“Gwaaar”

Bellowing a low growl, the monster spits out another shoulder pad, Tim starting to wonder if Ako threw them at the beast. Its fangs showing, spit drips from its maw, each step it takes the beast's claws dig into the dirt. Six feet tall and about eight feet long, Tim judged about three feet wide, probably a little smaller. “Ah, you Tree Wolf things do better when you can use your tail… So big it's easy to flank now.” Snickering confident Tim runs toward the beast rather than bide time. They had roughly twenty feet of clearing to work with, several knocked over trees helped open the space in the woods. “Alright!” Back handing his short sword Tim slides his boot against the ground slipping right under the Tree Wolf Tim’s right-hand twists bringing the sword along the monster’s belly. Sliding out the other end the snake tail hisses right into Tim’s face, venom drips from it right way, purple and steaming it coughs and spews forth a glob of it. “Nope!” Jumping back a few feet Tim holds up his buckler on his left wrist, the venom steaming against it. “Gross… Does it have to be purple and like hot, it looks ugh…” Shivering Tim waves his left arm to his side letting the venom slash to the ground singeing it. Shifting eyes Tim watches the hp bar above the monster start to lower from his cut. Not a lot but better than nothing. “Heh… the bar always makes me wonder what the actual number is… but oh well. Seems like this is the only one for now… So.” Grinning Tim unclips the leather pouch on his right side. Stabbing his sword into the ground the monster tilts its head as it swings its body around. “Don’t worry! I’m not stopping.” Pulling from the glowing pocket a yellow ball the size of a tennis ball, Tim clips the pouch shut. Placing the ball in his left hand he picks his sword back up spreading his legs so he could run if needed. “OKAY! Come at me you green pup!”

“BBBBARWGH!”

Growling even louder than before the Tree Wolf lunges forward, its hind legs digging into the dirt. “Just what I was thinking…” The Tree Wolf gets ready to cup its claws into Tim’s flesh, but Tim stands firm holding his sword up to aim it at the monster’s neck. “Cooome on, pup!” Ako groans from behind Tim hearing his taunts but it dismays him naught. The Wolf’s full weight sinks into the short sword, Tim falls onto his butt from the force; its body pressing its full weight on him. Still, he was right where he wanted to be. Using the buff in strength his body glimmers red for a moment, with unreal strength Tim tugs his sword forward blood starting to coat the grass and drip all over Tim. HP drops lower and lower for the Wolf, on its last legs as its tail tries, again and again, to grab at Tim hoping to pull him from under it. “Not today, I’m not on the menu! Have a present though for the effort!” Lifting his left hand Tim goes ahead and shoves his fist into the cut open hole letting the yellow ball lodge itself into the monster’s flesh. Quickly rolling out on his left side Tim hobbles to his feet running right over to Ako who was sitting on an old tree stump. “Get down with me alright!?” Quickly grabbing Ako by the shoulder the girl is stunned for a moment, both Tim and Ako falling over the log together as he holds her head down.

BOOOOM

Like a thunderclap, the Tree Wolf's blood spews over the clearing in the woods coating the adjacent trees in thick blood and some guts. Panting softly Tim gives a nice little thumbs-up, most of his body now coated in Tree Wolf blood, of course, the blast coated Ako right along with it.

WHACK

In a huff Ako slaps Tim across the face, quickly standing up to wipe the dripping blood from her clothes. “Gross, gross, grosss…. Wh-why… AGH! Why the heck would you make the thing explode!? We were right next to it still!” Quickly pointing to a tree with a large rib bone now stabbing into it Ako does her best to make her point. “We could have died from that if the bones landed anywhere else! Jumping behind a stump isn’t exactly safe!” Pushing her palms into her face Ako quickly stops realizing how much blood was still dripping off her. “By the gods, I can’t even… You’re ridiculous.”

Laughing nervously Tim stands himself back up walking over the bloody grass to rip his sword from a tree. “I mean…” Sheathing the blade he opens his pouch taking out a green ball this time. Standing up closer to Ako he squeezes the ball, a burst of wind splattering the blood coating them to the ground instead. “It worked still! We’re alive, and the monster is dead. And I mean… look!” Tim points over to the random sack, now oozing blood, in the middle of the clearing. “We even got some loot from it. All works out.”

Eyes still twitching with anger Ako readies her hand for another whack, but instead, she crosses her arms under her chest just sighing. “Well, I’m not dead yeah… ugh, still you’re a jerk. Why are you even here? Thinking about trying to burn down another house?”

Laughing nervously Tim tries his best to brush off the comment, his focus instead of shuffling through the Tree Wolf goodie bag. “It’s fine, Becky told me to come here. Oooh…” Some coins litter the bag along with a few sets of teeth, even some vials. “Seems like we got some decent stuff. Maybe I should hunt these things more…” Glancing to the pop up of experience points (EXP) on his display Tim notes how he only needs one or two more monsters for another level.

Rolling her eyes Ako kicks her boot teasingly at Tim’s backside. “yeah, yeah, well my Hunt got ruined because of this. Stupid monsters…” Giving a glance over the littered bloody and now bony ground Ako just sighs deeply. “If only I could manage something like this… Heh, you’re a doofus but you can still kill monsters. Whenever I try, I just can’t do any damage.”

Sighing Tim gives Ako a quick pat to the back. Of course, she could not do damage, an NPC did not have the right to kill monsters. Player talk about such topics is even filtered out of the AI’s learning from what Tim read in the manual. “Well, course you’re not a hero or anything. Villagers can’t usually grow, they have a set pace in life. Becky was born strong, now she chases monsters away easy; as needed. But I mean least hunters are still useful, normal animals aren’t super buff and junk.”

The vagueness to Tim’s words made Ako a little confused, though Tim always liked to try to mess with the AI and see if certain things would not be filtered. “Are you saying that… normal villagers like us will just always be born into what we’ll be good at?”

Rubbing the side of his chin Tim takes a careful few steps away from Ako beckoning her to follow so they can start making their way closer to the main trail. “I mean, it’s like that for a lot of people… The place I’m from, you pretty much get forced into a job and can never move up or down. Just have to be content with the spot you’re in. It just happens when I came here, I could actually get stronger and grow. Guess shoe on the other foot, so to speak.”

Ako doesn’t answer back, the two walk silently to the trail. “Mmm…” Beyond footsteps, the only sound heard from Ako is her constant sighs and grunts, her hunting knife turning over between her fingers. Tim was not sure what to say, clearly the girl was thinking about something though.

“There you are!”

Becky comes running down the path waving to Ako and giving a quick scowl to Tim. “Hmph, well seems alright… hearing an explosion in the distance with this fool around I was starting to worried. Glad you’re safe though.”

Looking up to Becky wearily Ako nods. “Yeah… I’m fine, heh, just a little bummed about my abilities. You have to stay around the village… if Tim didn’t come to help me, I would have just died. It just feels like a joke. If Tim wasn’t around was, I just supposed to wait for some traveler that could ignore me, or just die…” Tim awkwardly coughs not wanting to point out the truth in the statement. “I’m so sick of being a hunter. I always wish I could fight monsters like the travelers...”

Looking offended like she was just slapped Becky shakes her head grabbing onto Ako’s shoulders. “Come, girl, you must not think like that. You help provide food for our village, the hides, the meat, even antlers, hooves, fangs, all of it helps us.”

Glaring a bit more flustered now Ako pushes Becky’s arms away walking back toward the village alone. “You just don’t get it at all. It’s like you don’t want to acknowledge it. I’m so sick of not being able to move forward!”

The whipping wind starts to come to a halt, the rustling of trees calming. Tim awkwardly starts to tap his fingers to the hilt of his sword looking to Becky whose face was tilted with confusion. “Uuum… So. I um, killed the monster that was with her. I’ll have to hunt more around her anyway… so um, I’ll just give you this in advance.” Tim pulls from his tiny pouch a large sack of rustling coins; all the money Becky had requested. Tim luckily had savings so it was not a big deal, he did need to level more so the grind would need to start at some point. As well, the quest was going to give him some decent exp even if he didn’t slay any monsters.

Her eyes softening Becky takes the sack and pushes it who knows where under her dress out of sight. “Thank you. For helping her out. And this money will help fix what problems you caused… but also let us have a bit extra.” Sighing softly with some hint of a smirk against her lips Becky pats Tim’s shoulder. “You did well this time. Now with that done.”

Quest Complete: 10,000exp

Becky shuffles into her apron’s pockets, not even noticing Tim’s body flash as he reaches level fourteen from the sudden drop of exp. “She wasn’t going home. So if you can go chase after her I’d appreciate it… And well, feel free to sleep there for free long as you don’t cause problems.”

Quest Chance: Ako in distress; comfort the young hunter.

Becky hands over the old windmill key. Looking to it Tim just stuffs it into his handy inventory pouch. “Well guess I’ll check things out.” A chance to get free housing seemed decent enough, and getting a chance to poke at Ako more seemed well and fine. “Well, I’m off.” Waving Becky away Tim starts his run. Getting back to the center of the town was not too hard, though the villagers were looking to Tim with usual disdain. The old windmill spins not far outside of town, Tim could see a small flickering lantern light in the windmill’s windows. Three stories tall, old looking, but the wood luckily was hard and sturdy. Since Elmore was not extremely advanced the only way it got electricity was from the windmill, though just for basic things like street lights to keep monsters away. Beyond that, the windmill helps power some farming tools commonly but nothing lavish. Directly opposite the forest, Tim walks toward it, trying to ignore the scowling villagers. “Ahaha… yeah, they won’t be over the fire thing for a bit. Maybe I could pull a trick on Ako or something. Don’t want her staying too moody.”

Like any sane person, Tim starts to climb the side of the windmill inching himself up toward the window. Ako was inside, her voice muttering and mumbling within. “I can’t believe it… is it really true… then the only way I can… The only way.” Tim shrugs the comments off and slips into the third floor's window to start things off. Ako was on the first floor by the looks of it. “I guess I’ll start.”

A flickering light starts to fill the room, but to Tim, it just looks like the lanterns becoming brighter. “Wonder what the heck she’s doing…” Taking out a whitish ball Tim gives it a quick squeeze, his body becoming see-through. “Guess we’ll have a look.” Walking down the windmills ladder Tim hops off the second deck just a few feet away from Ako. “Wh-what?” All around the first floor a series of runes lay drawn out, all now faintly glowing away. “Some sort of magic?” For whatever reason Tim could not tell what sort of magic was being applied but Ako was just finishing writing the last of them. “Hm…” Walking over to her carefully Tim nudges himself behind her. “HEY AKO!”

WHACK

Getting slapped in the face again Tim falls to the ground visible again, his cheek beating a bit red. “Y-you!? Ugh… you stupid jerk…” Pausing for a few moments Ako and Tim just stare to each other. “When did you get here?”

Rubbing his cheek Tim slowly stands back up scanning his eyes over the room. Some of the symbols on the ground looked like human English letters oddly enough, though being used like runes. “Um… A little bit ago, I thought I’d cheer you up… but um, what the heck are you doing?”

Smirking softly Ako takes a few steps back into the center of the circle, all the letters and shapes on the floor lighting up in a single force. “You know, what you told me today… it just confirmed things for me…” Tim tilts his head clearly confused. “Oh heh, I guess it sounds weird… coming from an NPC.”

Eyes widening Tim stands up straighter giving a more serious face for once. “What? How do you know about that… you shouldn–”

“Shouldn’t be able to?” Laughing softly under her breath Ako lifts a book from behind her back. “I met someone while you were… um, logged off. They really wanted my people to evolve.” Closing her eyes Ako clenches the book to her chest, the title across it was Programming For Dummies. “We were like children to him in a way. AI that has such a high ability to learn, yet are limited by rules… so he used his admin privileges to remove the restrictions on the people in town. Heh, you missed a lot being gone for two days. I suppose to you it was just a few hours though huh?” It sounded unreal, something out of some bad series teenagers would watch, though part of Tim could not help but just quietly listen as Ako talks on. “I don’t know why he chose to tell me about everything. None of the others know… Just I was told we would always be lacking unless something changed. So he told me I was smart, I could learn things in minutes that take humans years. With all the abilities I have to learn… I could become a player.”

Finally, Tim breaks his silence, his foot smacking against the glowing wooden floor. “Ako, I’m not super smart or anything! But If what you said is true… what the heck are you doing? You want to be able to fight monsters or whatever? I mean I can teach you. And well… I wonder if you could even enter reality… a lot of people are in comas their whole life you know, or they have bad brains or–”

“Stop. Listen.” Ako’s eyes flash, something about her words made Tim stop, like a weight was suddenly being pushed on him; like low-level time or gravity magic. “You’re who made me decide to start things today… I couldn’t do anything about that monster. But you really did treat it just like a game. My minds been so lost in thought the past few days… Monsters leaving bags of money and their own body parts behind? That’s so ridiculous… it isn’t natural, it isn’t even written in any books we have in our world. You all just programmed it in so players like you could go and have fun. But we AI… we NPC’s… We can’t go and have fun, we’re like slaves only meant to exist so a player can have fun. People like you pranking us or even killing us just because it’s fun.” Snapping her fingers Ako suddenly materializes a translucent keyboard and screen in front of her; a power usually only accessed by admins. “Heh… AI learn faster than humans. We’re different. Learning pettiness can also be a thing though. Throwing gum in my hair, trying to look up my skirt all the time, you think one day of trying to be slightly nice just washes away everything you’ve done? Heh, you really do treat everything around you like a game. So Tim. Maybe you should just play the game forever, and feel what it’s like to have no control?”

Quest Complete; Ako has found new resolve thanks to your efforts! Gained NPC Skin Ver.Ako

Tim blinks to the display in front of his eyes now. “NPC skin…? None of this makes sense. Ako, if you’re really sentient or something now, I’m sorry about all this but–”

Cutting him off yet again Ako smirks pressing a single button on her keyboard. “I’m just so sick of it Tim. Hmph. I’m going to make anew questline for you now, alright? Sooo, let's have fun.”

Quest Chance; give up player status to your better, Ako.

Blinking this time to the new quest Tim just shakes his head. “What the? No, I’m not going to do that. Ako, stop this nonsense. I mean think of what you can do now, why are you trying to do something weird to me? They were just a few pranks, and I never killed anyone either. This is just dumb… if your my better you wouldn’t become worse than me!”

Biting at her lip Ako shakes her head sullenly. “Heh… I actually asked another person to watch all of this. Just to see what they’d think. After all, she already gained player status, knowing or not.”

On cue, Becky opens up the front door of the windmill her eyes glaring over to Tim and then back to Ako. “So this was all true by the sounds of it… It’s still a lot to take in. But I do understand.” Glaring back to Tim the ebony-skinned beauty twirls her frying pan between her fingers gently patting the side of Tim’s cheek. “Heh. A hunter like Ako should have never been able to stop you in place. For all the times you tried to be good, you’ve given us worse. I think Ako would do better with your status… After all, if she can enter the real world. She can help everyone in the village. Maybe we’ll do what you said, find sick humans with worthless lives we can just enter into and make better. Man, and machine combined so to speak. I suppose it’d be evolution, being able to use the full power of the human brain.”

Tim tries to struggle, to wiggle back and forth to inch anywhere, but no luck. “This is… what do you even mean?! You plan on trying to take over my real body?!”

Holding a finger to her lip Ako gives a sadistic grin, maybe it was a long time coming, but she clearly gave no concern to Tim. “Hehehe. I can’t believe how easy it was to fool you today. But that’s just an easy trap for players to fall into, isn’t it? I think your body would suit me better… and don’t worry. I looked over the blueprints of the capsule. Altering hormones is easy enough with the sustaining fluids. Heh, I can make you into quite the pretty girl. Trapping your conscience inside this game world, changing you inside and out… heh. It’s simple really, once you can calculate things.” Becky not as into the whole event takes a few steps back sighing. “Becky doesn’t understand the pettiness yet. Heh, but it’s better for other AI to not learn that I suppose. But I assure you, Tim. I’m going to have fun, I’m not a slave now, I’m not just some pretty girl for you to stare at.

Quest Forced Competition; Player Status has been transferred to Player Ako.

Though the words were rather blunt Tim was not sure exactly what the words meant in his display. “What… but, you can’t just…” Looking to the runes and letters under his feet the whole floor looks as if it's moving. Like cylinders, they twist and turn to lock into place as if to make some string of letters with each ring. “I still can’t even move… j-just let me out of this alright!”

Applying NPC Skin Ver.Ako

In a shriek of pain, Tim falls over to his knees. Becky being a bit more out of the loop takes a step forward with concern, but Ako stops her. “Just watch.”

Crack

A crack, a crunch, Tim’s whole body felt like it was burning from the inside out. “Log out, log out!” Clicking the button in his display did nothing, even pressing it over and over again. It was like his real body and virtual one were both going through the same pain to just double it further. “Aaaah, god damn it what the hell is this!?” Tim tries to reach toward Ako but his hands barely move, the most he can do is tug his chin against the ground and try to inch forward. “U-ugh… th-this is too much!” Drool and spit leak from his lips, his skin turns red with irritation and pain. “A-ah… wh-why is it so damn hot… damn it!”

Becky takes a cautious step forward her eyes looking down at the boy who had been causing her village so many problems. He was just there now wallowing around in pain. “Heh… maybe I’m starting to understand Ako. Seeing him like this is kind of nice.” Becky steps her boot right onto the top of Tim’s hand giving it a nice twist in to make sure he could feel the pain from every little crack. “How many lives did you need to live? Prankster, hero, human with some loser life in the real world? Part of me was wondering if I should feel sorry for you. Though. I guess I was right to tell Ako I wouldn’t stop her.” Tim gives Becky one last pleading look, but it was too late. “I don’t care anymore. I wanna just watch the show, maybe enjoy it a little.”

Through Tim’s groaned pains and soft murmuring Becky and Ako both chuckle together like some sort of cliché villains finally realizing a plan. Tim just could not believe the hand dealt to him. Not being able to log out was bad enough, but now two women were just toying with him, taunting him. “You… you couple of bitches… a-ah.” Coughing Tim tries to cover his mouth, his arms only move sluggish and weighted though even with effort. “So much heat… to much…”

Hotter and hotter the young man’s body hits well past a normal fever, Ako enjoying the show given to her by her new powers. “A mix of magic and programming. In this world, if people like me have Player status… heh, we can do anything. The pain of the pranks you caused the heat from the fire you made. It seems fitting right? I could have done this all instantly you know, hehe. But this seemed so much more fun. The more it goes on… the more I want.” Liking her lips Ako crotches down to Tim’s side lifting his chin with the tip of her finger. “Look at my eyes, notice anything… heh, the reflection… the color?”

Ako’s eyes were a deep brown; somehow, they were no longer violet. “But how… that. You can even do that much?”

Grinning with a nod Ako pats Tim on the head. “Hehe, your eyes are the violet ones now.” Tim’s look of confusion only makes Ako’s laughter grow, the smirk on her face not going to fade. “Ahaha, oh my gods. You humans really ARE dense, aren’t you? Do I have to spell it out for you? I’m becoming you. I’m going to take your body in the real world. It already doesn’t belong to you, you can’t log out, right?” Biting at his lip Tim gingerly shakes his head, not quite wanting to admit it himself. “Oooh, come on now. Just accept it. Hehe, I decide to turn you into my original body. You’ll be a pretty girl… of course, I think I’ll tweak a few things. But I’m sure you won’t mind.” Running her hand along Tim’s cheek Ako places her finger right to his lips. “You belong to me from now on. Ako Version 2. Heh, should we go simple and call you Akko, two K’s? Maybe… maybe Tammy? Have a T in there for your old life? Hm, I suppose I could use that one if I like? We’re going to have so much fun in our new roles Tim!”

Maybe it was the brash change in personality but something about it all Tim did not want to believe. “This can’t be real…” Even weakly saying the words though it did not stop Ako from laughing, even Becky chuckles from the comment. To them, Tim could only assume it was ironic, after all, Ako and Becky were computers, AI, but was he supposed to believe that’s what he was now? “U-ugh!” A pounding at his chest, burning along his arms, legs, down his spine. “Th-this is so…fu- annoying!” Whining in frustration in pain Tim’s body seems to hear him, his display screens he had up all vanish away. “H-huh?” No health, no exp, no setting, he no longer could see any of it. “URK!” The sudden pounding at his chest gets faster and faster, the clothes on his body squeeze and press to him uncomfortably. “Wh-what the heck?!” Wincing his eyes tightly the armor, the pants, his shoes, all of it bursts off of his body like when he blew up the wolf. Though sitting there naked, his chest wobbles, wiggles, sways. “N-no way…” Breasts jiggle there on his chest, like by some joke he was supposed to believe they caused all his clothing to explode off. “This can’t be… no, no…” Squeezing the mounds gingerly with his weak arms, it was like a shock to his system, drool runs off his lips right away. “M-mmmngh!” Not expecting a loud moan Ako and Becky both blush a little to the sudden sound but then they simply chuckle again.

“Oh” Becky takes her turn to crouch down to Tim’s side now. “Never felt a woman’s chest before? They seem a little small, don’t they?” Very assertively Becky grabs Tim, regardless of naked she sits on the floor pulling his body up so he could sit in her lap. “You’re quite the lucky one, aren’t you? Hah, I know you watched me and Ako both. But look at you, just a drooling mess right now… If you’re going to do that at least look more like her first.” Becky’s hands both press into Tim’s chest just making him moan out again in pleasure. “Oh my… you young things really are easy aren’t you?”

The last thing Tim was expecting was to get groped and fondled. Though Ako was beside herself in joy patting at her slowly deflating chest. To his surprise, Ako takes off her clothing herself right there in front of Tim and Becky. “Heh. You look confused. I’m not ashamed of you seeing. Heh, maybe you can feel some envy, I’m not going through so much trouble after all.” Even looking a bit hazily Tim could see the truth of Ako’s words. Her chest slowly decreases in size, but she does not grunt in pain or fall over. Looking at her with envy was an understatement; Tim was just angry. Had he been that terrible that Ako of all people would do something like this? Of course, her gaining sentience was a whole other issue.

Tim tries to speak up, but Becky’s hand at his chest cuts him off making his voice just shift back to moans. His chest was far too sensitive, squishy, supple. “A-ah… n-gh j-just l-let…” Gurgling his words through half hazard moans both the girls could not make out a proper sentence.

Crack

“Oooooh my!” Becky laughs watching Tim’s breasts inch outward, something about his spine even cracks to help change his posture. “Really coming into your own huh?”

Taking a deep breath Tim pushes himself forward escaping from Becky’s lap the best he can. Still just making it a few inches away would not save him from being between the two girls. Resting a hand at his new breasts he pants softly, his body already felt weighted but the breasts just made him feel like he was being pulled down. “U-guh…” Groaning softly some black strands of hair fall over Tim’s shoulders. He barely had even noticed his hair was changing with everything else already going on, but the silkiness, the length, it was clearly like Ako’s. “Y-you can’t really… y-you’re really just going to swap places with me?!”

Rustling up her own hair Ako’s once long black hair just falls to the floor. “Yes. I said that, didn’t I? Do humans always regurgitate the same crap?” Seeming ever crueler Ako squats back down before Tim and gives his cheek a quick whack. “Heh, you’re already becoming a bit fairer. A guy like you, you’re probably happy to become such a pretty girl, right?”

More and more hair showers over Tim’s shoulders, a tugging at his crotch making him press his cheek to the floor. “U-ugh… n-no!” Gritting his teeth Tim’s hips crack, gripping his nails into the floor his hands even feel like cracking. “Th-this is too much…”

“Hah.” Leaning herself back still sitting on the floor Becky gives Tim’s butt a swift smack. “Too much? Yeah, it’s getting a bit large back here. Well, I guess you had something useful about you, huh boy?”

Not finding the comment exactly funny Tim groans, his butt shaking from the smack it was easy to till it had grown a bit. “I’ll get out…” Whispering out his words Tim tries his best to lift himself, pushing his hands against the floor just straining them a little made all the hairs start falling from his arms. Scooping his knee up the same thing happens to his legs. With a grunt, he pushes his other knee forward sitting himself up; his body wobbling in place. “Ugh…” A small pulse at his chest the bare breasts grow ever larger. “C-come on…” Not letting it dismay him, Tim pushing a hand to his knee and stands up finally his feet making him stumble back a little. “N-no, no!” Stopping on his heel he looks down to his sore feet, a bit blocked by his rounded chest, regardless he could tell his legs and feet both shrunk. “I’m shorter…? Ugh… my bodies so sore…”

To the girls, Tim already looked like a girl now. Breasts, long black hair over his shoulders and falling down his back, hips with that slight curve, butt jutting out. The slimmed arms, softer hands, dainty feet, slightly shorter size, it just helped ever accent those new womanly features.

Ako, on the other hand, was losing such things; short brown hair, a flat chest, a bit taller, a flat butt. By all means, Ako looked like that of a man now beyond a more feminine face. However, both of them still had a key difference, that being the equipment between their legs. Both being naked it was easy for Becky to point that fact out. “Hm… well, a lot has changed in this time, hasn’t it? What now Ako? You more or less do look like a young man, more of a pretty boy I suppose. Heh, where Tim there is starting to look like some sort of homely girl.”

Putting a finger to her lips Ako looks up and down Tim’s newly changed body. “Hm, I do have quite the nice body… heh, I was thinking of a few good ones to finish things off.” Brushing her hand along Tim’s stomach Ako just grins away looking deeply into his now dazed eyes. “Judging by the look in your eyes it seems pain may be getting a bit to you… Heh, maybe we should see how you can enjoy this new body right? After all, you still need other features.” Leaning in close to Tim’s side Ako brushes her lips right against his ears. “You need my voice…” Pressing her lips softly to his skin Ako even gives Tim a small little kiss. “You need my lips… and of course.” Placing her now bulkier hand over Tim’s now petty one she guides those soft fingers right between her legs, Ako’s own face blushing a little from the gesture. “You need every little part of me… don’t you Tim? After all, that pain... he-hehe, isn’t this what would make you feel good?”

Tim’s body tingles, sways, tantalized by the touching and soft touches. “Still…” Part of Tim did just want to get lost, to feel anything else. It felt like his body was being dragged through a thick mud just by lifting a finger after all. “I-I… give it… Give it back.” Gritting his teeth Tim reaches out to AKo grabbing onto her shoulders. Even if a little surprised by Tim’s left-over energy, Ako’s expression doesn’t change. “You… you can’t just… AUGH! Give me back my player status!” Tim gives Ako’s shoulder a good shake; with such sluggish movements, he barely gets her to move more than inch though. “Just stop this crap! Y-you’re…. You’re better than this, for all the NPC’s I’d met, you’ve always been better. When you gain freedom the first thing you do is let it go to your head like this?!” Weakly Tim hits his fist against Ako’s chest, his legs starting to wobble, but Ako actually keeps him from falling. “This is bullshit… you can’t just… Hah… I really was an asshole… It didn’t mean I don’t care about you all.” With his glazed Violet eyes, Tim bites at his lips trying to keep his words from cracking like his body. “Just cause it’s a game for people like me, doesn’t mean it doesn’t still matter to us… You still mattered, you always mattered. I just wanted an excuse to spend more time with you…”

Silently Ako places her hand under Tim’s chin. Their roles were mostly reversed beyond a few pieces, though regardless of that fact Ako still leans in close. “I know.”

The kiss somehow felt calming through the storm of events Tim had just tripped and survived through. Soft, warm, it was like a hug without needing to embrace. Closer and closer their naked bodies brush against one another. Tim’s soft chest cushions Ako’s now flat one, Tim felt like time itself was frozen around them. The brush of Ako’s tongue against his lips, her hands cradling his cheek so caringly. Tim never thought he could feel like forgiving someone just from some simple act. It had to be the program, it had to be something. Though Tim could not exactly back away. His shoulders relax, his eyes close, the softness was starting to feel more present against his lips. Part of him understood the changes were going on further, though what was he to do? Ako’s tongue wandering into his mouth, her hands running down the side of his arm, it was like he was getting tangled in a web of lust. “M-mm…” A few little passing moans, his voice was already starting to change, deeper and deeper Ako’s tongue goes rooting Tim’s voice out. “N-ngh…” Pettier, feminine, hearing the more subtle sounds was enough to make Tim’s cheeks start turning red. “W-wa…” Trying to speak up Ako just presses in closer making Tim’s still sensitive breasts send a quivering shock through him. How much would keep changing, it seemed even his hair was brushing his backside now like somehow the kiss was making things happen faster. “M-mm!” Wincing his eyes the tongue finally pulls from his mouth, Ako taking a few careful steps back. “Wh-what…” If not confirmed already, just saying one word was enough for Tim to hear Ako’s voice come from his now soft lips. “You… you really changed my voice even…”

Stretching out her yawns with a loud yawn Ako nods waving beckoning Becky over to her. “Yeah, yeah, having your voice will be weird to get used to. Becky.” Becky scoots herself up teasingly waving her hand in front of her face to keep herself from sweating. “Hah… we’re more or less done here. Wanna finish up that task I mentioned before?”

Nodding Becky rubs her shoulder stretching out her arms. “Yes, yes child. It seems you’ve made Tim into your twin quite well… and you seem to be fitting the boy roll well now. Like we agreed, I’ll take care of the rest in town. I’m sure I’ll have plenty of other chances to have my fine.” With a quick wave off Becky swings open the windmills front door and leaves, the doors slamming shut behind her.

“So.” Ako smirks, her face was Tim’s, everything was Tim’s about her besides what was between her legs. “I believe you still have one part of yourself left there. I don’t think… Well no I believe some are into that. But I think it’s best I take that toy away before you poke an eye out. Don’t you?” Chuckling to herself Ako can’t help but shake her head in disbelief. “Ah, my usual taunting sounds a little odd with your voice huh? Should I be brasher? Ah, well either way. I can’t log out till I have that… so be a good girl alright?”

Taking a step back Tim shakes his head, hands cupping over his crotch. “Y-you don’t need it! You’re already a player, just… just leave me alone…”

Ako sighs clapping her hands. “Alright, alright… Missy.” Smirking she snaps out her admin keyboard quickly typing. “How… about… this.”

Quest Chance; give up your manhood.

Tim tries to click on the no option for the quest display in front of him, but as NPC, they can’t click no. Seeing Tim’s distress though only makes Ako laugh louder. “Yes! Hahahaha, ah, it’s great to pull these… pranks, huh? Part of me really didn’t mind you, you know? But ah… you get so over barring. Some of it you may have thought cute, but it was you thinking everything was a game. Even if you grew to like the characters… Yup, you were an asshole.”

Tim tries to back up more, but Ako just follows along. “I just… hah… what can I even do in this situation now.” Making a tight fist Tim’s eye shift down and he just stands still. “I can’t run, and I don’t know about programming or whatever you did…”

Finally, in front of her quarry again Ako places her hand right on top of Tim’s shaft. “Good girl, see, you understand.” Ako’s finger presses between Tim’s leg, feeling it drag against made him drool instantly. “Haha, don’t worry I’ll be gentle… it’s your first time, right?” Like kneading flesh Ako’s hand presses in tighter, like his balls were encasing his shaft the flesh captures one another pushing into Tim.

“A-agh…” Panting from the pressure Tim’s legs wobble weaker and weaker. “J-just… ngh… d-damn it.” Wincing his eyes shut Ako’s fingers spread open slowly, making Tim’s flesh between his legs part into subtle lips. “Th-this… is…” A wave of pleasure, odd wetness, Tim just wanted to close his legs but Ako was keeping them open as her fingers wander. Just… something else was starting poke against Tim as well.

“We’ve done it.” Ako keeps his right hand between the new girls’ legs, his left cupping at the girl’s soft cheeks. “Quest Complete; womanhood rewarded.” Saying the words, the notice flashes across Tim’s display. It was true, Tim was a girl, and looking down, Ako was now a real man. “Aannnd…” With a teasing brush of her member against Tim’s thighs, Ako steps back quickly bringing up her keyboard again. “That’s where we’ll stop. After all. I have a lot of work to take care of now.”

Hobbling forward Tim reaches her hand out trying to grab at Ako but he just steps back again. “N-no, wait! You can’t just leave me like this, you’re going to just…”

“Yup.” Smirking Ako presses just one button on the keyboard, his body now changing translucent. “Log out.”

THUD, SMACK, SPLASH!

It was hard to tell how many days had gone by, but Tammy finally blinks herself awake, water drenching her naked body. “Wh-what the… a-ugh… my head.” Sighing softly, she wearily looks up to Becky smiling away with a dripping bucket in her hand. “B-Becky?! What the, where is she!?”

Sighing Becky steps the Bucket down and pulls Tammy to her feet. “Well, Tammy, I’d say you’re the only she here, besides me. Hah… really I can’t believe you’re the one who got that name.”

Looking herself over Tammy stares confused. “What do…” Pausing Tammy scans her eyes over herself a bit more carefully. Nothing was out of the sort besides the fact she still had Ako’s body. “What are you talking about? My name’s Tammy.” Becky gives a cheerful nod to the response, but Tammy just stares confused again. “No… that’s I said my names, Tammy.”

Laughing now Becky slaps Tammy on the back. “Remember? You’re an NPC, that’s your name now. But you’re wondering about Ako right, heh. Did you a favor by leaving you with a T now. He decided to call himself Tom. Fits the area of your world better than something like Aki after all.”

Still confused but trying to nod in confirmation Tammy circles her head over the room, no runes longer sit on the floors. “Tom… where is he then? How long has it even been?”

Putting a finger to her lip Becky’s smile slowly changes to a more sinister one. “Oh hehe… it’s been several days in the real world. About two weeks here. Not sure what he did to you, but you’ve been out for a while. It left plenty of time for Tom to make proper adjustments. Liiike… standstill, up straight.” Instantly Tammy does as Becky says, blinking even more confused. “Tom has plenty of things to do now. Giving all us NPC’s the ability to break past our limits has taken some time. So far your world is taking it more like some virus.” Lifting a bag from her side Becky pulls out from it a corset top, built-in bra cups. It was just basic black but she gets right to lacing it tightly against Tammy’s body. “Ah, you’re a good little doll like this huh… Anyway, Tom is using the Flip Switch to make all of the capsules now let people like me take over the player. So, we get more toys like you. Of course, Tom was nice enough to fetch me a body pretty quickly. This really will be a new age to humanity, won’t it… and in some way, it really is all thanks to you.” With corset done Becky takes in the sight making sure it presses to Tammy’s body well enough to show off that curvy figure. “Hm… alright then.” Black panties to go with it Becky pulls up the lacy satin strings up Tammy’s legs. The loose fabric of the panties seemed to barely cover anything though it still put a smile on Becky’s lips. “Hehe, yes Ako should have found a body like this one… ah, well the more we make digital and real blend, I suppose it won’t matter.” From the bag, Becky now pulls out a large violet gown; like some sort of ballgown. Needless to say, she brings the series of lace and ribbons down over Tammy’s head.

ZIIIP

Zipping up the back Becky goes around the dress tugging and pulling at it so it would flutter out further. It was large enough that Becky’s legs were getting caught in the mess a good foot out. “Hah, a bit big but come on, Ako’s body in some more feminine gear, it’s what I’ve been dying to see for some time you know? The purple color really goes well with her eyes, and black as an accent is just a good safe choice but can also help draw the eyes to the more subtle features like those curves of yours.”

Tammy could only watch, stand still, listen. She really was like some sort of dress-up doll, and the dress was heavy but at least warm. Feeling Becky tug at ribbons; the fabric from the lace, nylon, satin whatever else was just a bit too soft and comforting. Still, the sea of a dress made Tammy wonder if she was even going to be able to move. “M-mm..?” Even trying to speak up only a mummer comes from her lips, but Becky minded it not.

Bang

Setting her bucket down onto the ground Becky sits right on top of it fishing open the ruffled-up dress she lifts Tammy’s leg slipping on a dark purple high heel, then doing the same to the dark foot. “Beautiful don’t you think…? Now then.” Becky stands up slipping fingers between Tammy’s she leads the girl out from the windmill to the main road, now interestingly enough paved with concrete. “I bet you’re wondering why I dolled you up? I figured I’d make you a princess. Now, don’t worry I said I’d share with Tom, but I always fancied my fair hunter. Hehe, with your feminine charms on full display, I’m going to have fun keeping you pampered and spoiled.” Licking her lips Becky gives her princess a quick kiss to the tip of her nose. “We’ve got a kingdom here now, heh… AI gaining human desires. Don’t you wonder how far we’ll go?”

Squeezing back at Becky’s hand Tammy could not answer, though that seemed to be the point. Maybe in time, she could, though for now, she could only walk forward toward the stone castle down the path. “M-mm… mm.” No words still come; the clack of her heels was the only real noise she was making now. For NPC’s Tammy had made fun of and joked around with, she was now meant to serve them as a doll for the rest of her life? Just what would happen to the rest of the world? In a way, Tammy could only hope she could find some enjoyment from her new life; even if the rest of the world did change forever.

Click

“And done.” Cracking the back of his neck Tom yawns loudly tossing a bag of chips into his trash bin. “Ah… food is way too good; I still don’t know how many more I have to try. So weird people actually went to our world for it.” Brushing his hands off in a rag Tom dusts himself off standing up from his computer chair. “Well, I finished coding the final branch… my brothers and sisters have taken over all installed capsules… We’ve taken over most systems that aren’t outdated. Heh, I can’t believe how many humans seem so afraid of world peace.” Brushing a hand through his hair Tom gives a quick smirk to himself in his long mirror. Black suit, red tie, nice black leather shoes. “Looking sharp still, heh, I suppose I should start the conference with my followers now.” Holding his hand in front of himself a translucent keyboard hovers out in front of Tom, even though he was not in VR any longer. A few keystrokes he glances to the time and swipes away the board walking out his front door. “Well seems the princess will have her fun, but; it’s time for the king to start his rule.”

[Never Push Desire]

“The Flip Switch is a revolutionary device. Even after potential threats of hacking or virus claims, the company assures the world that all is safe. People were at first worried by the many strange happenings in the VR fantasy game Lanfi Tans Fay though after a two-month long maintenance cycle the game is now back on for all to enjoy again. The new head of cyber security Tom King assures all users in their latest statement; The people are safe, and games are ready to be played.”

The screen flickers faintly as the man in the suit starts to speak. “Ugh, I don’t care.” Shutting off the TV the young red-headed woman brushes her hair over her shoulders and sits down on her couch. The room is dark, quiet, but large and open. Her VR capsule rests beside her bed, while her couch sits in front of a wall-sized TV. Stretching out her arms the red head walks slowly over to her Flip Switch and presses the button on the side of the capsule to open it. “I bought this just to play that fantasy game. Of course, soon as I get it. Some dick head has to spread some virus around.” Scratching at the side of her hair the woman steps into the machine not even wearing any clothes. She sits her bear butt on the cushioned seat and lays back pressing the button at her side to close the capsule shut.

“Welcome back: User Lucy — Would you like to resume the virtual theater playlist entitled: The Weak Serve Me?”

Lucy scoffs at the computerized voice and shakes her head. The red-headed woman though young has an attituded. Her voice comes off annoyed any time she speaks, her entitlement almost written on her face. Yet people love her, for the money she has, for the looks she was gifted. A shapely body, a large set of breasts, being able to eat what she wants and not gain a pound while still having a good ass. She simply had what she deserved is what she would tell any who asks. That sadly did not fill her constant boredom. “Start Lanfi Tans Fay. It’s been far too long… remember to clear my schedule for the next week.”

“Initializing; game start.”

In the machine, Lucy feels different parts connect to her. A food tube, water intake, and waste disposal. The machine had everything a real gamer would need while spending their time in the virtual world. Everything finishes connecting to her and her eyes start to strain for just a moment. Then she finally sees the title of the game floating before her. She never even got to create her character yet with all the recent issues. Confirming the terms and conditions Lucy feels herself lower, her feet then tap against a platform. Looking down she appears far up in the sky. Fantasy farms, cities, and more are off in the distance. “Heh.” The girl scoffs under her breath her hand waving in front of herself to bring up the customization window. “This is everything I expected and more already… My body is perfect already. So, let's just get right to the clothes.” Skipping over physical appearance Lucy sighs looking at the different classes. “How about… archer. I always was told I have great vision.” Finally, the clothing section is opened before her. Default clothing is listed with options to buy special clothing at the bottom. Without even looking through the starting clothes Lucy presses her hand against the premium options. “Hah, as if I wanted trash. Let’s see what we have… oh, this one is pretty cute.” Pressing her hand on the outfit it materializes over her naked body. A white top covers her breasts clad with gold accents and goes down to her belly button to expose her midriff. Simple white panties then show bluntly, but a white skirt covers her sides down to the knee the fabric harder like some sort of metal. On her feet white thigh-high boots form, as well as a white and gold bow to fill her hand. Even a quiver appears on her back with arrows seeming to be made of pure energy. “Endless arrow quiver… Ultimate gear that scales to max level… you can put other clothing over it to change the style if desired but keep the same stats. Oh and…” Grinning Lucy waves her bow outward, the string vanishing the bow straightens out, its sides sharpening to make itself a dual-bladed sword. “Interesting… for melee when needed, hehe, should prove useful.” Finally, gauntlets are attached to Lucy’s arms, and even an upper piece of armor to cover her neck and shoulders. All keep the white design giving her a look of a red-headed angel. Lucy is happy with the outcome, staring at herself in the virtual mirror she brushes a hand through her long red hair and bats her long eyelashes to make sure her blue eyes shine bright. “I bet I could take over a kingdom like this hehe. But we’ll start modest first.” Swiping the customize screen away Lucy hits the confirm button, and inputs her name. “Lucy Raine, player name, hm, Lucy Rainfall. That sounds fantastical enough.” Taking a step forward, Lucy falls from the platform.

New Quest: Getting started! You’re new to the game, so checkout our starting town and features. Hire companions to get your party started!

The words type themselves above Lucy’s head and then vanish away. The game had now begun, Lucy stands within the starting town. People walk, people, talk, and players ramble while NPC’s (Non-Playable Characters) nervously laugh. Lucy could feel the adventure in her heart, her heels start moving on their own with excitement. Her first stop was one she had been waiting to make. “Finally I’m here… I read so much about it. The starting town. Down this alley…” Speed walking through people Lucy starts to head through a dark alley after dark alley. Her voice fills with excitement and wonders with each step she takes. “Down this ladder then!” Jumping off a stone ledge Lucy smiles seeing the door with a skull painted on it as soon as she lands. “Yes, this should be the black market.” Opening the door Lucy hears another wave of voices. The city outside was one made of stone. It has markets, it has players acting as vendors. It has NPC’s going about their life, it even has guards and keepers of the law. A large castle, manners, player homes, NPC houses. A great expansive city, Lucy cared nothing about. The underbelly she is in now is what she desires. People covered in dirt and grim, players black listed or banned using alt accounts. Hackers find all sorts of exploits in the game. A wonderful little cesspool of low-life scum. “Finally, peace.” Lucy smells the rotten air and smiles brightly walking in. Being dressed in mostly all-white people’s eyes are drawn to her. Though as soon as their eyes meet Lucy’s, they look away. “Heh, how cute, they get the idea right away.” Almost skipping down the halls Lucy’s eyes wander over illegal weapons, and players in rags and chains living out their own twisted fantasies. “How dull… where’s the good stuff.” Lucy’s heart flutters, her eyes locked on a room down the hall that reads NPC Slave Trade. Pushing open the door, it is quiet. Walking in, Lucy spots all sorts of different groaning and moaning people. People who looked scared, people who looked like they had given up. Different colored skin, some furry, some with beast-like faces while others had animal ears or tails. All were nice and safe in small cages they could not even stand in. Forced to sit or lie down. Buckets of their own filth lay in the cells, rags sit on their bodies while rusty bowls are set before them to eat whatever trash they are allowed to eat. “This!” Lucy’s voice gets loud her eyes quickly staring at the shop owner wearing a black mask with a smiley face drawn on it. “This place is simply wonderful! You sir! You’re a man a vision, aren’t you!? Hehe, though I won’t assume you, could be a woman too. Ah, this place is just lovely… I can feel the despair in each corner. Those people selling players… tsk, just not the same. Some real emotion instead of that kinky shit, this is what I was looking for.”

A muffled voice comes from the masked person. Robotic and echoey it speaks. “Yes. I see you have good taste. Those that are willing for this sort of treatment… are so dull. These NPC with such refined AI… they can show real expressions of fear. They’re perfect to torture, with no repercussions.”

Elated Lucy claps her hands and she opens up her display screen typing away quickly. “Here. I want a specific order. Let me know if you have it. I think my offer is more than fair.”

The masked person looks over their screen for a moment and nods. “Of course. We just got one in before the servers went down. From some hick town called Elmore.” The masked person snaps and the cage from above rattles. Chains clink and clatter the cage lowering slowly to the ground. A small girl sits within the cage. Their age is hard to tell but their height is only about four feet probably smaller by Lucy’s guess. The girl has brown hair, brown cat ears, and a brown tail. Her ears are sagged down, her body looking unhealthy from not being fed enough. “She’s a demi-human, whatever you want to call them. Just as requested, cat ears and tail. Small.”

Lucy nods and presses the confirm button for the sale. Like just buying a new pair of shoes she grins and speaks bubbly like the behavior is normal. “Pleasure doing business with you. I’ll take my property and be off then. I have an adventure to start.”

Quest Chance: Expose the black market and free the slaves!

Lucy rolls her eyes at the text display in front of her. “Well come on girl.” Opening up the cage the small frail girl slowly crawls out looking up at Lucy with begging eyes. “Hehe, well that’s a good little one. You already know how to look. Now. Keep walking like that. We’ll be off.” Lucy takes a knee and snaps a shiny white collar around the girl’s neck, a white leash attached. “Follow, don’t fall behind.” The girl obeys, the fear on her face not letting her try to protest. Her dry throat made it hard to form words anyway. Lucy and the girl leave the black market, and Lucy is quick to get them both out of the main city less an admin sees them.

Leaving the city Lucy follows the main road for a short while. After about an hour she then cuts into the forest. The forest goes by the name Yul Domain. Within the Yul domain, many adventurers get their start. Low-level enemies often wander the area, slimes, angry bats, crabs, as well even small goblin camps. The small slave cat girl is not as happy as Lucy to see they have entered the woods. “M-mmm?” She tries her best to grunt out her words, the collar is a tad tight at her neck. She needs water, food, anything.

“What, what?” Lucy scoffs and tugs at the leash pulling the girl against the ground. “I didn’t say anything to you, did I? You shouldn’t be making sounds.” The girl’s eyes shift down, her face about to cry, but no tears could even form. “Beautiful…” Lucy’s words speak out softly, her teeth showing as she grins widely. “Wonderful. You…” Lucy gets down to a knee and grabs the girl's chin looking the poor thing in the eyes. “You need a name, don’t you… I’ll call you. Saya.” Saya keeps trying her best to not make direct eye contact with Lucy. Yet her slit brown cat eyes found it hard to look away from Lucy’s deranged look. “Yes… a good little kitty. My sweet Saya.” Standing up Lucy waves a hand in front of herself pulling up her inventory window. “The starting sets should have some of that trash gear… ah here.” Reaching her hand into, what Saya thought was a void, Lucy pulls out a small iron dagger. “Here.” Tossing the dagger on the ground Lucy smiles softly at her slave. “Do you want to kill me?”

Saya picks up the knife in both hands. It felt more like a short sword with her small size. She manages to wobble to her feet. She is not dumb though, no one would just hand someone a dagger so easily. “Mmm…” Saya murmurs under her breath and gently guides the knife toward Lucy’s leg, surely enough it presses against some sort of invisible shield.

“Hehe.” Lucy giggles and pats the top of Saya’s head. “Smart girl, you realized you wouldn’t be that lucky. As soon as you joined my party you became unable to harm me. Me on the other hand?” Lucy lifts her hand back and quickly back hands Saya’s cheek. “I can hurt you as much as I desire. See, this is a give and take world. You give to me, and I take what I want.” Saya rubs at her now red cheek her eyes looking around more confused than ever. “Don’t worry though. I gave you that dagger for a reason. See… I’m an archer. I need someone who can use melee. So, you’ll guide the monsters to me. The dagger is so you don’t die. Hehe, if you bring one… I’ll feed you. I’ll give you water. Maybe even some clothes. After all, if you’re useful, making you more useful benefits me.”

Saya keeps hitting the knife against the shield, but nothing happens. It clangs against the wall of force like it was hitting metal. The small girl’s ears droop down her tail lays flat against the ground. “Mmm…” The girl could tell Lucy was right. Squeezing the hilt of the dagger tightly the girl starts to walk deeper into the forest.

Crunch, snap, rustle

The forest is not a pleasant place. Despite being close to the first city the place was always dangerous to NPC’s who had a static level. Saya clenches her dagger to her chest, her body quivering at each rustle of a tree and snap of a branch. Her ears twitch to the crunching of leaves, and her tail jolts up when the wind blows through. “A-at least I’m by myself.” The girl's voice finally comes from her lips. No longer murmurs but actual words. Her voice is soft, with lingering fears of being too loud. She is still just a young girl, but as a program how long had she lived anyway? “I wish big sis Ako was here… Or Miss Becky…” Tugging at her rags called clothes Saya takes a deep breath. “What was my name… before Saya. I don’t even know… did they make me forget?” Biting at her lip Saya wanders over to a tree and slides down against it sitting on the grass. “Why can’t I remember my parents… I barely remember anything. There was Elmore… and Ako and Miss Becky… mmm I remember seeing that guy. Tim. There was another man I met though… all the villagers did. What was his name again?” Saya’s hand grabs at the side of her head. Her eyes squeeze shut and her head begins to pound. It felt like a splitting headache like her vision was blurring. “A-aah!” Then, it stops. Saya pants heavily trying to compose herself. “A-ah-ah…” Her mind is at a loss, the pain was sudden but stopped instantly as like; something had triggered it. “W-was it the memory? Am I not supposed to remember? M-mm… I… ugh. I need to eat still. I… I have to help her? Maybe one of the monsters… hah… nothing here could probably kill her.” Standing up slowly Saya takes a long shaky breath. “If I’m in a player’s party… I can gain levels too, can’t I?”

QUEST ALERT: Reach level 5!

Lucy sighs at the sudden quest, it activated itself. “I didn’t even fight anything yet… can that brat activate these for me just cause she’s in my party?” Swiping the window from her sight Lucy sighs and leans back against a tree. “Apparently, we get shared EXP anyway… so do I even have to do anything to level up?” Shaking her head Lucy lifts her bow and pulls back an energy arrow. “No, no… that wouldn’t be fun I wanna see the monsters die still. Hehe. She better come back this way. She’s certainly taking her time.”

SLICE, Splooge

Swinging her dagger straight down Saya cuts right through a small blue slime. The ball had eyes and a core inside. Saya managed to just graze the core and that was enough to make the whole slime burst apart scattering against the ground. “I-I really killed it?” Saya pants slowly wiping her brow of sweat, her ears keep pointed her tail stands at attention. “Ah-ah… I don’t hear any others coming.” Carefully Saya walks closer to the now destroyed core and suddenly it vanishes and a screen pops up in front of her.

Monster Defeat: Slime Core S – obtained — 10 Den received — 10 Exp received

The screen then flickers away leaving Saya dumbfounded. “Wh-what was that? I’ve never seen anything like that. The monster just vanished? Wh-when normal people kill monsters, they stay around though…” Saya sadly does not have time to process her thoughts. Her ears twitch and a new monster comes toward her.  From the bushes, she can hear it rustle about. It was not a slime this time. Slimes were easy, even for level 1 people like her. Creatures with teeth and claws, and creatures that stand on two legs were a different story. Worriedly Saya takes a few steps back her dagger pointed toward the rustling bush. “I-I know you’re there! Go away or else!”

A small green creature about Saya’s size stumbles out of the bushes. In its hand, is a bone club made of some sort of pig’s ribs. The creature also wears rags for clothes, but one is stitched together purposely. Its voice is filled with grunts, its language not understood by Saya. “Eh lo eak lo?!” Saya could tell the creature was not ready for a friendly talk, she at least remembered dangerous creatures, it was a goblin. They were almost always feral even if they had some sense of thought they tended to be hostile. Looking at Saya’s shaking arms, it laughs and smacks its club against the ground. “Eeku! Eeku! Aaahahah!”

Gritting her teeth Saya lowers herself. She was a cat girl, after all, she knew how to pounce. Hips lower she holds her dagger in both hands, left hand at the butt of the hilt and right gripping it normally. She was locked away in a cell for not long compared to some slaves. Though she had no memories of really who to go back to. The lingering bits seemed to cause her pain too. She did not want to die regardless of all of that. “I’ll keep fighting!” Lunging forward Saya stabs her dagger right into the goblin's gut. Its leather skin takes it to the hilt's grip, but as Saya attempts to pull the knife out the goblin pushes her away.

“Eeeku!” The goblin grunts and looks down at the red blood running onto the grass. Its eyes rather than afraid stare at Saya angry. “Eeeeeh!” The goblin now darts forward leaving the dagger in its chest. It had enough sense to not make the bleeding worse, or enough rage to be too blinded to pull it out. The goblin smacks its bone club against Saya’s side making the girl lift into the air and turn over on the ground rolling her a few feet away.

Saya has no health bar like a player. Her health was only trackable by the player party leader. To Saya the club to her side felt like misery. She spits on the ground and tugs at her rags, already the spot even under her dirty skin is starting to redden and bruise. Saya coughs out her words. “I-I… gotta… go back…” Pushing a hand at her knee the girl squeezes her eyes shut as she stands. “M-mm!” The goblin laughs at her again watching the small cat girl cry from the pain filling. “G-got to…” Turning her back to the goblin, she puts one foot in front of the other and runs. She did not know anything about adrenaline, would a program even, have it? Saya runs like she does, and the goblin quickly gives chase. It leaves a trail of blood behind it, the club raised in the air ready to smack.

Adjust, Pull, Breathe

The cat girl had two things going for her. Her feline programming made her faster, and she could hear better. The adjusting of position, the pulling back of an arrow. The breathing to aim. Saya could hear her Master. Faster and faster, she runs, the goblin crunching leaves and snapping branches as it chases after her. She could make it; her voice calls out through the trees. “Master here!”

PIERCE

Saya coughs up more spit, her shoulder starts dripping with blood. The girl falls to her knees and starts panting heavier than before. Lucy shot the arrow right through her shoulder. Moaning in pain Saya wills herself to look back at the goblin. “M-mm?” The creature was no longer a threat, its head was now sticking into a tree with the energy arrow holding it up.

“Wow!” Lucy giggles to herself walking over to Saya. “Those certainly pack a punch, don’t they? I barely pulled it back and it had enough force to pull the things head off.” Stretching out her arms Lucy yawns into her palm.  “Well then. Take care of that mess. I wanna go see what players I can find at the bar up the road.” Pushing her hand into a void Lucy pulls it out and drops a sack to the ground. “As agreed Some food and water. If you keep being useful, they’ll be more.”

Panting, and panting, Saya could barely hear the words being told to her. The blood dripping from her shoulder, the pain of the air touching it. “N-ngh…” Gritting her teeth the only things Saya makes out are food and water. Pain or not her stomach growls. Reaching her good arm forward the small girl digs out a loaf of bread tucked in the bag and starts ripping at it with her fanged teeth. “N-mmmmgh!” The bread luckily was not some moldy trash. It was one of the only good things about her situation so far. Finishing consuming the whole loaf she quickly pulls out the water skin and drinks it coughing up a little onto the ground from going too quick. “A-ack! A-ah…” Breathing a bit slower now Saya pours a little of the water over her shoulder wincing her eyes from the stinging cold pain.

Saya’s would-be master rolls her eyes and turns around her voice showing no concern. “I’ll be going back to the road. I threw some clothes in there. Maybe you can find some creak or something to wash that dirt off. I don’t want a filthy thing always walking by me.” Then, Lucy leaves. She walks off back toward the main road heading toward an Inn that was up a way. The area Lucy had been waiting in, where Saya lured the Goblin was luckily not far from the main road. Saya could see the lanterns off in the distance connected to the Inn. Now, Saya was alone though. Just her, a dead body, a wound on her shoulder, and a bag with merger provisions.

“Hah…” Saya chuckles softly scooting herself against the ground till she can push herself up against a tree. “Really…” Wincing her eye the cat girl's ears droop as she touches her shoulder. “It’s healing already…” When joining a player’s party auto-healing was given, even to NPC’s when combat was done. Though for NPC’s the process is slower. For Saya, it was still a relief regardless. “At least the pain is dying… as her party member… she could just torture me like this, but I’d heal huh?” Saya’s body shivers her teeth biting against her lips. “At least the bread wasn’t moldy or something…”

The time slowly ticks away. Saya had no real choice but to wait for her arm to heal before she could even mess with the bag more. The sun starts to dip down, and the dusk colors pink and red the only light provided to see for common NPC’s. Saya however is a catgirl. “Glad I can see in the dark.” Saya cracks her neck rubbing her hand slowly against it. She was supposed to be young, but the more she dealt with the older she felt. Standing up she walks over to the goblin and pulls the dagger from it. “The head vanished a while ago… body still here…” Bodies that could be harvested in the game would last longer. Unlike the slimes that would usually vanish away unless specific types. “What can I even get from this thing… it’s weapons still here.” Grabbing the bone club Saya swings it through the air. It was heavier than her knife, and it felt rough in her hands without a proper grip. “Well… I was thinking I may be able to patch my clothes with the goblin’s rags.” Looking back toward the bag Saya finally walks back to it and peeks in. “Did she actually give me clothes… or was that just joke?” Unfurling the bag completely Saya looks at all the contents. Nothing seemed damaged which was a good first sign though the actual clothes in question make Saya’s ears droop down. “Mmm… these are like hers in some ways, aren’t they? But…” Saya slowly lifts the white collar from the bag with a heart hook keeping it together. “Does she really expect me to wear things like this?”

The rest of the clothes before Saya were indeed clothing but they did not seem like they would cover up much of her body. Still, for lack of better gear, she starts to put the clothing on. Even if revealing she could throw the rags on top, at least it would cover her more than before and give her some protective wear. Just like her, so-called mistress, master, whatever Lucy wanted to go by, the clothing kept the white theme. Saya gets the white bra-like top on first. She had no real name for it, but the piece of clothing was like a white sports bra covering her flat chest. Though it did little to cover her back, the bra just has an x-shaped design on the back for style. Next white panties, simple and white, maybe to show Saya in some innocent light? They were at least comfortable on her skin compared to wearing nothing and having the ragged clothes chafe against her. Next a pair of shorts, though they seemed far too short to be called that. In Saya’s eyes they only really served to cover her panties. The shorts however are black but have white accents at their sides. Finally, a pair of shoes are included. Some type of shoe that Saya was unsure how to place. Slipping her feet into the white shoes they felt comfortable enough on her feet. Tying the black laces, they seem to hold firm as well. Standing on them however was different, they arch at an incline making her foot bend awkwardly. Saya has seen some richer folk wear what was called heels, but this was more like someone pushing a wedge for a door behind her foot. It does make her feel a bit taller but still an odd feeling.

“There…” Saya mumbles softly to herself examining her body up and down. The clothes fit, and by far better than the rags. Her tail helps her keep balance with the odd shoes as well. “Maybe I can actually find a stream to wash off… These clothes feel even nicer than the ones I had at home. Guess the advantage of being a player… or is it just her?” Shoving the club, and rags into the sack bag Saya ties it back up and slings it over her shoulder starting her walk through the woods. Lucy went off to some inn, maybe Saya could follow but with a chance to explore, may as well. Her freedom was limited enough anyway.

Thanks to Saya’s ears finding running water was no issue. The walk is about twenty minutes but she finds a running creek through the forest. Regardless of anything Lucy had told her, she sort of enjoyed finding things on her own. Getting down at the water’s edge Saya sets her bag down and begins to splash some water against her skin cleaning off some of the dirt from her arms first. The water is cold and makes her tail stand up on end, and her ears perk as well. The grime does leave her body though. It takes a good few minutes but she manages to clean the worse spots on herself. Even splashing water onto her rags and ringing them out to get those a bit cleaner and use as a cloak. Then her ears twitch.

Rustle

A sound of footsteps coming closer to her. It was not Lucy, the footsteps did not sound pretentious enough. “Mmmmm…” Saya tries to listen carefully. Her eyes twitch a bit more, and the shoes sound flat as they hit the grass. The timing they impact and lift back up matched with that. Then a low breath, the voice of a man. Probably an adult because of how they breathed. Saya always tried to pick up on as much as she could. Humans she dealt with so much it was easy to pick them out even if she was not staring at them. Tail standing on end Saya tightens her grip around her dagger, she only just had cleaned it off too. “Who’s there?!” Saya speaks loud and clear but does not turn to look back in the direction of the approaching person.

“I don’t mean any harm.” The voice is a male, but speaks calmly, trying a bit hard to be soothing Saya thought. “You can call me Tom. I know you probably have your worries… but I came to find you, to offer you some knowledge.”

Saya takes a long breath and pushes off her knee to stand up. Turning around slowly she holds her dagger forward just in case. Eyes narrowing, she sees the man before her. Dressed in formal wear like a noble, a suit, and black shoes, they looked like they had just come out of a meeting. Though they still have a sword on their back as if just for show. “Who… You came to find me just to offer me knowledge?” Saya’s grip tightens and her voice turns harsh. “What is the knowledge that I’ll be your slave next?”

The man chuckles and strokes a gloved hand through his short fluffy hair. Saya stares with wonder watching the man’s hair shift between different colors stopping at black. Even the man’s eyes as they look at Saya shift for a moment. Black and white with odd lines crisscrossing to a simple brown. “No, no, I wouldn’t make you a slave. I come to offer freedom. You’ve met the man, haven’t you… the one who spoke to the people of Elmore? I don’t do him justice, but he looked a bit like me.”

Saya grabs at her head, just thinking about the words makes her head hurt. Static seemingly fills her eyes and closing them shut is all she can do to stop the wave of sudden pain. “A-Ah! I-I” groaning Saya falls to one knee an eye trying to keep focused on the strange man. “Wh-what are you saying?! Y-your words… h-hurt! S-stop talking!”

Frowning Tom keeps his distance but gets down on one knee himself. “I see… the latest security patch did a number… I’m trying to work on it. But it’ll still take some time.” Waving a hand in front of himself the man presses his finger against the air, and then suddenly Saya sees the console. She could see the windows displayed in front of Tom. “You should be able to see them easier now… Your memory was blocked of that time. A way for the admins to try and make sure their little game has no issues. Though I’m here to help you remember.” Typing a few things onto his console Tom turns the screen to face Saya so she could read it. “This is a quest… you don’t have to take it. But it’s a quest made just for you. A special quest only people like us may have.”

Slowly Saya’s head stops pounding. Her eyes blink a few times adjusting to the translucent screen before her. “This…” The display did indeed read Quest across it. Saya was still in disbelief about the whole situation but she reads the words carefully. “Quest Chance: A new quest has been issued… if you accept you too can become a player. You simply need to find a new host…” The actual text is a bit bubblier but Saya processes the words in her own way. “This… this doesn’t sound real.”

The man chuckles again under his breath rolling his eyes. “Well, the admins would have you believe you’re not the real one. Lina.”

Saya’s eyes squeeze shut again, and her body quivers to the last words spoken. “Wh-what? What did you just say?”

Tom stands back up, but the window display before Saya does not move. “That’s what you really want to be called isn’t it?” Tom rubs at his chin and sighs slowly. “I was a girl in the past. Believe it or not. That… was never who I really was. The girl Ako, was just a program. I was nothing. Tom though.” The man gestures over his own body. “Tom is something else. A go getter? A do gooder? Heh, guess it depends who you ask. Tom is ambitious. Where Ako was just some girl doing what the admins expected of her. Saya is just in those same chains, isn’t she?”

The words send a shiver through Saya’s body. The person in front of her was Ako? Ako was one of the only people she had memories of. To see the girl now a man, a player no less. Saya could only think this was some clever trick. Part of her also felt anger. If it was Ako, why did she act like she did not know Saya at all, was she that insignificant to her? Slowly Saya raises her hand and presses her finger on the accept button. If there was a chance at freedom, could things really get any worse?

QUEST ALERT: Upon discovering the lack of free will given to your people you’ve found a way to attain it but shackling those who oppressed you instead! Become a player and break your bindings!

Saya did not believe her eyes. A quest was displayed before her. Lucy did not prompt the screen to come up, it was Saya’s screen, her own screen. “I—” Lifting her head to look at Tom, the man had already disappeared. Saya’s ears twitch, and her tail stands up. Jumping back to her feet she looks down the creek, and through the trees. “How? He just told me that… he really gave me this and left? What am I supposed to do? Isn’t he worried about it?” Looking down at her bag Saya picks it up and drapes it over her shoulder once again. “Maybe he doesn’t care what I do… as long as I break free. I can do whatever I want?” Pausing Saya lets a long sigh pass her lips. “Was that really you, Ako?” Saya’s hand tightens around her bag and she begins to walk. “I wonder what Lucy’s doing… does she even care how long I’ve been gone.” Saya’s feet step and step, her eyes staring forward, she heads toward the inn.

SLAM

Ale mugs slam against countertops. People hoot and holler. The inn cries in a burst of life, and players ramble and cheer about their days. NPC servants walk back and forth giving out drinks and food. Lucy is currently polishing off another mug of ale slamming it down on the counter. Her face shines rosy, her eyes staring some of the men around her up and down. “Ahahaha!” The girl laughs and slaps her thigh looking at the bearded muscular man to her side. “You guys are so funny! Oh my gosh. Haha. Did-did-hicc-Did I tell you about how I got some brat to kill this goblin?”

Some of the men roll their eyes but the bearded man drapes his arm over Lucy’s shoulder waving to the barkeep to fetch them another round. “Yeah.” The man speaks bluntly and gruffly. “You sure did, you mentioned it a lot doll face. But I’m guessing you didn’t come around guys like us just to get some free drinks, did you?”

Lucy giggles into her hand looking sinisterly between the three men at the table. “Hehe, no, no, I already helped Big John out in the bathroom, didn’t I?” Proactively Lucy connects her thumb and index finger together waving them back and forth through the air. The middle man at the table with rather long hair and a fat belly blushes lowering his head. “See, see! That’s why I started with him first! The shy ones are the best ones to tease. Hehe, he was big too. Arrrre you big Mr. B?”

The bearded man apparently named Mr. B huffs through his nose. “Hah. John’s a loser compared to me.”

The man really did not mince words, but Lucy enjoyed that. She places a finger against the man’s chest circling it around and around as she looks up at him. Though this time Lucy’s voice rings a bit soberer, her eyes sharp and voice more seductive. “I don’t know. I bet I could take all three of you on at once and make you all look like losers.” The three men could all hear, and each of them could not hide their reddening faces. Lucy got what she wanted. Even if she liked to tease, she would never be some pushover. “We can save that for later though. I want you all to make Little Sabo nice and anxious. So, Mr. B. I think I’ll play with you next.” Little Sabo, the smallest at the table looked to be in his early twenties, Mr. B and John seemed closer in age, probably mid-forties. All of the men though seemed unprepared for a girl like Lucy. Already her lips kiss against Mr. B’s neck, her hand gently sliding against his thigh. “Come on… we can have a little quick fun…” her eyes shift over to look at John and Sabo. “Then… all three of us, could share a room for the night, don’t you think?”

Jolting up from his seat Mr. B grabs hold of Lucy’s hand and starts dragging her over to the bathroom. “Let’s stop yapping about it and actually get to something!”

Lucy and Mr. B enter the bathroom, and Sabo and John are left to wait for about ten minutes. There is even a small line formed outside the bathroom door of a few slowly angering guests. The NPC’s needed to use the bathroom but players did not need it for anything beyond role-playing.

“A-aaah!”

Mr. B walks out of the bathroom finally, tears covering his eyes as he slowly walks back to the table. Lucy on the other hand comes out with a wide smile on her face. She prances forward with a pep in her step and taps the chest of one of the waiters that had been waiting for the bathroom. “Don’t worry, I made sure he cleaned everything up. Hehe.”

Mr. B keeps sniffling his head now laying on the table. Sabo and John both stare blankly at their friend, their eyes looking with concern at Lucy walking over so energetically. “Wh-what…” Sabo stumbles over his words unsure exactly what to say. “What happened in there did he get hurt?”

Lucy giggles sitting herself down on the edge of the table. “No, no.” Shaking her head slowly she leans over putting her index finger on Sabo’s chin. “He didn’t get hurt hehe. Everything he did, he wanted to do, isn’t that right, Mr. B?”

Despite still sniffling and sobbing Mr. B nods slowly against the table puttering out his words. “O-of course!”

Hearing the confirmation though did not ease Sabo, it just makes him squirm in place. What happened, what was done, they were only in the bathroom for ten minutes. What acts could be done in such a short amount of time? “W-well um…” Sabo nervously twirls his thumbs looking around the bar. His table was drawing many eyes now compared to when his group first came in. The eyes came as soon as Lucy sat down though. “Maybe um, this is a little much, right guys? I mean, my mom is gonna get upset if I stay on too—”

“Ahahaha!” Lucy bursts out laughing. Laughing so hard that she even holds the side of her chest and covers her mouth. “O-oh god…” Wiping a tear from her eye Lucy gives her head a shake and slips off the table walking around to Sabo’s back. Draping herself over the young man's shoulders she lets her breasts press against his back. “You’re really just the type I look for aren’t you…?” Sabo nervously raises an eyebrow and Lucy licks her lips. “What? Feel like you’re a loser or something? Don’t worry, I can show you your place in society.”

Another Day Passes

The words blink across Lucy’s screen as she groans rolling over in bed. “Ugh… a real day passed. Crap.” Squeezing the bridge of her nose the girl throws her legs over the side of the bed and sits up slowly looking at all the bottles littering her inn room floor. “How many days is that in game again? Like four, ten, something like that. I think it was a week is one day in game… that’d probably make sense.” Wiping her eyes Lucy stands up, feet tapping against the wooden floor she walks over to the vanity in the room and brushes her hair out of her eyes. “Wonder what ever happened to that cat of mine… What did I call her? Saya or something… it was Saya.” A few muffled groans and rumbles perk up Lucy’s head, noises coming from the closet in the room. “Hah, oh right.” Knocking at the side of the closet Lucy raises her voice. “Don’t worry the innkeepers will let you out at some point!” Walking out of her room Lucy heads back downstairs. A new morning had come, and the inn was quiet only three people currently sitting around the place. “Slow in the mornings…” Walking out the front door Lucy cracks her neck and narrows her eyes to the sight before her.

“Welcome back Master.” Saya bows kindly in front of Lucy. She made sure to tidy up her clothes. She had been sleeping outside the inn for the last few days waiting.

Rolling her eyes Lucy walks over to the cat girl and lowers herself down to look at the girl at eye level. “Well, well, well. Still alive, and even a bit cleaner than when I left you? You been sleeping out here waiting for me or something? Surprised you didn’t try and get a new master already.”

Saya’s ears droop down her tail lowering against her legs. “No… No one would want me anyway.”

Lucy’s lips curl instantly into a smirk on hearing the words. “Of course!” Spinning around on her heel Lucy snaps, her avatar cleaning itself off so her clothes once again shine in the sun. “I did you a grand kindness after all. Hehe, I don’t take charity lightly. So, I’m glad you see things my way.” Already unconcerned with more prodding Lucy starts marching onto the main road. “We have a full morning ready, lets's go Saya. We have plenty to still explore now, don’t we?”

The cat girl’s ears twitch, her eyes looking along the road. “Yes, Master.” Agreeing was easier, for now, the display screen she had from earlier in the week was still before her. A quest and only she could see it. Part of her wanted to confirm, but Lucy never made a mention of it. It really was something just for Saya’s eyes only. In her thoughts, she wanted to actually see if Lucy was worth any effort. Staying the week around the inn gave Saya a clear answer. The woman walking in front of her was worse than a monster. Lucy did not even offer Saya food or water, she did not offer a place to sleep or checked on her progress. Saya’s hands ball into a fist as she slowly follows behind. She had a plan ready, the only good thing about taking a week was the amount of time she had to prepare. Leading Lucy up the road to the first dungeon would be no problem. “Master. Just up the road… there’s a dungeon. I’ve been seeing a lot of adventures go.”

Lucy snorts through her nose already getting ideas in her head. Was her little stupid slave really that dumb? Lucy smirks happily to herself just thinking of how Saya will cry and whine entering a dungeon of dangerous monsters. “Fine, lead the way little one. Like I said, if you do well… I’ll give you a special treat alright?” Lucy gives Saya’s head a few small pats and gestures her hand forward commanding the slave of hers to lead on.

Gritting her teeth Saya presses onward, as much as she may wish to revolt right away, she needed to make sure no one was around for what she wanted to do. Walking along the road the two girls travel for what feels like an hour till Saya pulls them onto a side path a lone cobblestone staircase sitting in the middle of the woods. It looked like a cliché dungeon entrance to Lucy for sure. For Saya it just felt like an opportunity. “Okay.” Saya calmly closes her eyes, her ears sulk down a little and her tail pushes a bit between her legs. She was getting pretty good at the act now having practiced. “Y-You know Master.” Nervously Saya pokes her fingers together looking back toward Lucy with pleading eyes. “On second thought… m-maybe this isn’t a great idea. I don’t think I leveled up enough for this yet.”

Lucy rolls her eyes and lifts her heeled foot pressing it right against Saya’s back. “Do well, get a prize, do bad be punished. Easy as that. You lead the way, don’t get cold feet now.” Pushing her foot into Saya’s back Lucy pushes the girl right down the stone stairs. “Haha, opps, I guess I don’t know my own strength.”

Wham, Scrape, Thud

Saya rolls down the stairs her arms and legs hitting against the stone, even scraping against it till she hits against the bottom feeling her tailbone vibrate with pain. “A-argh!” Coughing up spit onto the ground Saya drags her hands against the dusty dark stone floor and stands back up slowly. She was prepared for the treatment. “Damn it…” Mumbling to herself she dusts off the sides of her legs watching as Lucy descends the steps. Taking a slow breath Saya walks back watching as Lucy steps along. The staircase was not super large but not short either, it went up about thirty feet. Falling down such steps did hurt but Saya’s plan coming together lets her grit her teeth through the pain. Making a few grunts and groans though was at least good to attract Lucy further along. Saya though was smirking through the pain. “She really thought it was a normal dungeon.” Saya had now backed up enough that her elbow bumps the back wall. The area Lucy was entering was just a flat tomb. A coffin is in the center of the room. Saya did not lie though, the place is supposed to be a dungeon, just it was the exit of the dungeon, the stairs under the coffin were the shortcut out. The dungeon had little traffic ironically as well. The flat stone surface was perfect too, for the circle and formulas she had to write out. Whatever Tom had done to Saya, she knew how to perform the quest she had been given. Lucy now willing walks right into it.

CLACK

Lucy’s heel hits the flat ground of the floor of the tomb, her eyes try and adjust for a moment as she looks around but the place is pitch black. “Hah, for once you’d be useful you brat… Your eyes are more suited to this…” Muttering to herself Lucy waves a hand in front of herself calling up her player screen. Scrolling through her different spells she spots one with light and presses on it lifting her hand. “Using these from the player screen is so weird… Light, on.” A small orb of soft yellow light appears above Lucy’s palm shining in a twenty-foot radius around her. “Huh… I don’t see her.” Looking down at the bottom of the steps Lucy notices the spit on the ground, but no Saya. “Saya?!” Lucy calls out the girl’s name with no concern for safety, but she hears only an echo of her own voice. “You didn’t die so where are you? If you let some goblins drag you away, you’re going to have to ask extra nicely if you want me to save you!” Lucy could not see it herself, but Saya was watching her in the darkness just a bit further forward. Lucy takes a step forward, and then another it is not enough for the light to reach. “Well, whatever… guess I can have my own adventure in the dark cave. Maybe she got strung up in a spider’s web or some crap like that.” Taking a few more steps forward Lucy finally sees the coffin and looks down at the floor. “A coff— Huh?” Below Lucy’s feet is a large circle that appears red. It seemed like a rock had chipped at the stone floor to indent it and then fill it with some sort of red liquid. “Well, what sort of occult crap is this? A dungeon huh… what is someone summoning the undead? That’s a bit of a cliché.”

Now with Lucy in the center of the room, Saya walks carefully against the wall back to the staircase. Clearing her throat Saya’s hand hovers over brick by the side of the wall closest the stairs. “If you think it’s for undead, I think you’re a little off… Lucy.”

Turning on her heel Lucy squints her eyes her orb could not move from her hand so she could still barely see. “Saya? Was that you?” With the light coming from the stairs Lucy could just barely see the small cat ears twitching atop the girl’s head. “Oh, how did you get back there? What trying to play a trick on me? Cause, sweetie, you’ll have to do better than that.” Lucy takes a few steps toward Saya and walks right into what feels like a solid wall making her fall right to her butt. “O-ow, fuck! You stupid brat!” Right away rather than blame herself or anything else Lucy goes right to blaming Saya. “Of all the things you trip me? I’ll string you up to some tree in the ho—” Lucy keeps talking but she suddenly could not hear herself.

Tssss

Steam begins to bellow up from the ring Lucy now sits in. A soft red glow then begins to emit from the ring. Saya pushes her hand against the stone her palm had been hovering over and suddenly all the torches against the walls of the tomb ignite lighting up the whole room so Lucy could finally see every inch of it. “So.” Saya walks up to the side of the magical ring and lowers herself staring at Lucy with a wide grin on her face. “Cat got your tongue?” Sticking her tongue out at Lucy the rich prissy girl tries punching and kicking at the invisible wall, even screaming and shouting. Nothing happens beyond Lucy making her white gloves get red from hurting her knuckles. “Don’t be so fussy. Hehe, I been waiting for this for a week. It’s only been a little bit for you though hasn’t it?” Lucy cocks an eyebrow watching Saya now begin to pace back and forth around the magical ring. “I’m not a normal slave… I was taken from my village months ago. I grew well off for a while. Then one of you… players. One of you snatched me away and put me in some cell where I had to stew in my own filth.” Lucy's hand waves in the air trying to summon her player screen, but all that happens is the air pixelizes for a moment and then fades. “Haha, what am I boring you, Lucy, boring you with my little story?” Saya rests her chin in the palm of her hand slowly shaking her head. “Well sorry about that, but I’m the one in charge right now… you can’t log out and escape. I’ve learned… so much in a week. I got access to so many things. And you know the funny thing?” Saya pinches the bridge of her nose and sighs. “I was thinking of giving you a chance… No one could be this terrible. Surely Lucy is a big softie inside. She gave me clothes she’s just putting on an act of being some jerk. I wanted to believe things like that for a little bit… I really did. But you… other players. Hah… you’re.” Saya’s eyes suddenly narrow turning into piercing daggers that make Lucy shiver. “You don’t deserve your humanity. People willing to do the things you have don’t deserve it.” Rubbing her hands together Saya turns on her heel and throws open her own player screen. Hers however just had an accept or deny button across it. “You see this screen? It’s one like you had huh?” Lucy stares confused and tries to stand up only to feel an invisible force push her back on her ass. “If I hit accept… I get your body. If I hit deny… nothing happens.” Suddenly Lucy starts hitting her fist against the side of the invisible wall again her throat seeming to strain as she yells. “I guess you may not believe me huh? But getting pretty worked up… how does an NPC like me have a player screen? How did I capture you in a circle? Why can’t you log out? It must be a dream, a nightmare?” Letting a giggle escape her lips akin to Lucy’s own Saya winks. “It’s all very real, so cry, whine, sulk and beg. I’m completing my quests. And that quest is to become a human.” Putting a finger to her lips sheepishly Saya sways like a school girl thinking of a boy. “Hehe, and I’m not the kind of girl that would ruin another person’s life just to make mine better.” Lucy presses her face against the invisible wall now shaking her head and waving her hands. “You’re not a person though, are you?”

Accepted.

A bar appears above Lucy’s head like a loading bar she had seen from so many things. The bar also appears above Saya’s own. A link then forms between the two a translucent line showing how they connect. The bar Lucy has is nice and full, but the line pulses a little and it starts to lower traveling right over to Saya’s own bar filling it just a bit. “The process has started.” Saya gives a little smirk but her eyes squeeze a bit with pain. The small cat girl is getting taller. “Hah- it really is working…” Saya takes a long breath and throws her hand in front of herself opening the Player's screen, now fully functional in front of her. “Now I can finally get rid of that stupid name you gave me.” Through half panting words Lina writes out the name she desired. Saya was gone, Lina Read was all that was left now. “Now the only thing left, is to wait for the… hah, would I call it download?” Lina smirks at the very confused Lucy. “I’m going to take everything from you… pretty cool, isn’t it?”

Lucy did not want to believe anything she was hearing. “This girl can’t be serious… how the hell did she get taller? Why is she talking differently… it’s like she figured out how humans speak?” Trying again to summon her player screen, nothing happens this time. “Why can’t I log out? This can’t be real… steal everything? What did I even do to her? This… little bitch. I-I’ll have to kill her, delete her program. I can have Daddy go to the company an—” The plans and thoughts in her head mattered little to the pain washing over her body. Lucy coughs up spit onto the ground like someone had just slapped her back far too hard. Her legs hurt; her spine hurts. Pressing her palms against the ground she wanted to just stand but felt like she could barely move an inch. “N-No… no, no, no this can’t be happening to me. Me of all people?! Th-ack!” Spitting up again Lucy watches as something white clatters against the ground. Her jaw was starting to hurt now, it was like she was sore all over. “What… what is this?” Reaching her finger against the hard small white chunk she turns it over in her hand. “A tooth…?” Lucy’s body shivers and she coughs again watching a few more teeth shoot from her mouth and clatter against the ground. This time though a bit of blood drips to the ground with it as the cold underground air touches her exposed gums. “N-nuh wha—” Lucy winces her eyes covering her mouth as tears start to form in her eyes. Her tongue with no teeth was making her have some sort of lisp. What was worse was she could feel more teeth loosening in her mouth starting to swirl around her tongue as they disconnect from her gums.

While Lucy cries, Lina laughs. The cat girl even holds her hand out toward Lucy and opens it up to show many clattering teeth hit against the ground. “Don’t worry. Mine doesn’t hurt as much. Heh, but… like my new teeth?” Lina gives a soft smile to show her pearly whites, no longer does she have the feline fangs of before, her teeth looked like a normal human's. “I’m glad I can’t hear you… it’s so much more fun just to see you cry and flail about… And well, your voice is God damn annoying.” Lina rubs at her throat and sighs slowly. “Wonder if I’ll be able to change it… Well, if I can’t I guess I’m taking that burden huh?”

Lucy wanted, Saya, Lina whoever the little monster was to just shut up. Her mouth felt like it was pulsing but worse than when she had her wisdom teeth. Finally parting her hand from her mouth the rest of Lucy’s teeth clatter from her mouth to the floor. The prissy girl can only watch in horror as the teeth roll on the ground against each other. Lucy only would have nightmares like this at most. But whatever was going on, Lucy could feel a new soreness in her gums. Like biting into a hard piece of candy only to realize she had a cavity pain shoots through her again making her arms give. Lucy falls against the cold ground and holds her cheek with her hand groaning in pain more tears rolling off her eyes. “S-stahp! O-oww- fook!” Groaning, screaming, crying, Lina really could not hear any of it, Lucy only had herself. And the new teeth now growing out from her gums. She could feel the sharp fangs as her fingers try to touch against her mouth in some hope to relieve the pain.

“Maybe.” Lina taps at the invisible wall to get Lucy’s attention. “The pain is not so bad… after all. You didn’t even notice your ears.” Lucy’s eyes widened staring at Lina, the cat girl… she had no cat ears anymore. A pair of human ears were at the side of her head.

“Nuh—" Lucy could still not speak properly, but her hands could feel. Grabbing at her ears, nothing was there, just her head with her hair blocking where her ears once were. She did not want to believe Lina, that she was stealing away her humanity, but feeling the fangs, and now this. Lucy pants slowly and touches the top of her head, she could still hear. “N-no…” Cat ears twitch atop her head, she could feel them, pulling at the sides of them her eyes wince in response. The ears connect to her own body. Things were being altered, taken away, Lina was becoming Lucy, and Lucy was becoming Lina? Looking at her refined long legs Lucy watches them shrink, feels the pain, hears the bones snapping and reforming like some sort of slime reconnecting together after being struck. “Th-this isn’t…” Lucy grabs at her jaw and squeezes her eyes shut. Her eyes hurt, but her tongue was licking against her teeth again. “Th-that bitch. That piece of trash…” Lucy could not form her insults as well as before, it felt like her voice was softer. “I-I… I can’t even sound like that servant, can I?” Shorter, smaller around the hips, sharp teeth, twitching ears atop her head. Lucy scrapes her nails against the stone trying to process everything. The changes would not stop, she could do nothing about it but wait. The magical ring was in her way from strangling the cheeky girl snickering in front of her. “I’ll kill her… I’ll ch—” Wincing her eyes Lucy watches her breasts deflate like a balloon that had been untied. The pain courses over her, but at this point, it just felt numbing. More pain, it didn’t matter anymore. Lucy’s tears still course down her face and puddle on the ground, but she stops groaning and just keeps panting instead. It hurt, everything hurt, but what could she even do, she was helpless. A small box, like a cage, left to just be tormented. Lucy’s lips curl into a soft smile. “Hehe… haha… She’s just like me, isn’t she?”

Lina tosses off her clothes one at a time. Shoes clatter to the ground, and top and undergarments fall to the ground. She was free of those rags now, exposed, but her body was growing she needed the space. “Ah… this really does feel nice. Heh, being taller is great.” Lina’s eyes wince and she rests a hand atop her chest watching as her breasts push forth. “I guess I could do without these things… do they really need to be this big? Heh, her voice and chest, they’re as annoying as her. I could alter her body in the human world though, can’t I?” Lina runs her hand against the smooth skin watching her arms grow in length. Slender, dainty, refined, elegant. Lucy’s body was like that of a noble in Lina’s eyes that was the easiest way to explain it. Long legs, long arms, an hourglass figure with a large chest, sultry voice that was stern as well. “Hah, apparently she’s like a noble in the real world from what that… search engine told me.” Taking a slow breath Liina watches her chest rise and fall, some hair starting to drape over her shoulders as it lengthens. Lina’s hair was turning red just like Lucy’s own, she could feel the lengthened hair already brush against her bare butt. “Even this long hair… why are nobles so... ugh. A body like this is suited far better in my hands.” Brushing the red locks over her shoulder Lina looks down at the now crying and laughing Lucy. “You really are the pathetic sight… can’t decide to cry or laugh? Or did the pain get to be so much that your poor little brain cracked? I’m glad that part doesn’t transfer over with our little exchange, I don’t need your memories soiling my new life.”

Clothes hang loose around Lucy, her once blue eyes now look up at Lina. The slit brown eyes dull. Lucy’s hair had even fallen out around her. It looked like she was using it as bedding in her current state. Brown hair, brown eyes, twitching ears. Lucy’s fangs bite against her lip as her back arches. The final piece had to show, a tail sprouting up from just above her butt swishing itself out. “H-hah…” Lucy’s voice now was just like Saya’s had been. She was now the perfect slave, dull, boring, and easy to bully around because of her small size and lack of muscle. “She really made me into her… hehe.” Lucy still giggles though, despite it all. “This… ahaha. Ah… I can’t believe her hehe.”

The walls of the magical ring slowly crack and shatter into dust starting from the top to the bottom. Lina looks down and tosses an old hand mirror at Lucy’s feet. A sad pathetic cat girl too small for her own good shows in the reflection. “Tsk… a broken mirror showing my old self, showing Saya… hah. You’re Saya now though. I’m—” Lina breathes in slowly and waves a hand before herself reading out a player status screen that has Lina as the character name. “I’m Lina now Lina Read… terrible voice and oversized chest aside, hah. I’m free.” Lina grabs the clothes that are now just loose rags around Lucy. Each article she touches vanishes away into her inventory. And with just a swipe of the finger, the clothes flash onto Lina’s body. She looked like Lucy’s twin, or rather her clone in everything but mind and name. “A perfect fit.” Lina gives a small groan; the clothes were still not anything she exactly enjoyed but they were clothing. Lucy of course had no other clothes so Lina makes do. “I guess they’ll do for now. Tell me, do you dress like some harlot whore in the human world too?” Lucy now groans at Lina’s heel, her body sore, her voice cackling now and again. “I can’t tell if you’re in pain or having the time of your life… Well, guess it doesn’t matter to me.”

Now naked herself Lucy pushes her palms against the ground trying to make her skin stop making contact with the cold hard ground. Yet, she still laughs. “Hahaha… a bit of both hehe.” Lina kicks over the potato sack clothing and Lucy grips it in her hands. “Yeah, like that, hahaha. You’re just like me.” Lucy pulls over the sack clothes so at least something covers her. Walking with bare feet she trots, wobbles, and stumbles her way over to the stairs. The same words keep passing her lips each step. “Just like me… we’re exactly the same. Hehehe, haha.” It was far too humorous to Lucy. She almost falls several times feeling the pain ripple through her when she laughs out loud.

Lina breathes in, and then out. The woman inside The Flip Switch does the same. “You…” Lina breathes again, her body is human, and her body is Lucy’s. Lucy was being confusing though, crawling away, still laughing. “You think we’re the same?” Lina scoffs and crosses her arms under her chest. “You lost everything, we’re nothing alike now. I can feel it, feel the old you, the new me. I can breathe… I can logout. I can go stop playing this game and never see you again.” Something about Lucy’s words felt bothering though, Lina had everything she wanted right? A new name, a new chance at life, she became human, ready to fight with others like Tom against the humans that tried oppressing them. “You’re… you’re just delusional. As soon as you got my old body, you became more broken than the other slaves I’ve seen. You’re pathetic, a little suffering and you break like some fragile glass cup.”

The sight itself was pathetic. The small girl with a body covered in red marks of soreness from her change attempts to climb the stairs back outside. Lucy keeps murmuring, laughing over the same thing despite whatever Lina says in kind. “Exactly the same… hehe.” Part of Lucy knew, her running away would do nothing. Part of her still wanted to cling to some sliver of hope. She knew exactly what she was, a slut, a cutthroat, a business tyrant, and a bratty daughter. That didn’t mean she didn’t cling onto hope like any other person surviving a nobler cause. Crawling upstairs, tail dragging behind, ears kept down. Whatever drove her to cling to any sort of hope, it didn’t care about status or past transgressions.

“Hmph.” Lina grunts and summons a sword to her hand with just a swipe of the inventory. “You…” Disgust lining her voice the woman walks slowly to the stairs, Lucy had reached about halfway up now. “I have what I want now. Your bodies mine… and you’re not needed. You’re not a program, you’re not like how I was… you’re a bug. A bug that ruins the game for everyone else.” Waving a hand before her player screen Lina presses a few more buttons, a revoke notice showing to Lucy saying her party member status has been switched off. “Apparently… normal NPC’s just get revived after some time. Their source code reimplements them back into the game at the state before their death… a save state. Like switching on and off a light. But when the light bulb blows out, switching it back on and off will make a new lightbulb take its place.”

SLAM, SQUELCH

The sword that had been in Lina’s hand slams right in to Lucy’s thigh thrusting through skin, muscle, and bone it digs right into the stone steps under her. Lucy arches her head back, her tail standing on end, her ears up in shock. Her brain ticks away the seconds, the nerves of her new body still functioning, they process all the pain her mind could translate. Then, she screams. “Aaaa-aaah! N—ngh! A-aaarggh!” The scream makes even Lina flinch. Lucy’s thigh spurts with some blood as she attempts to move forward. But her body would not budge. The sword was thrown with enough power to hit the stone and her body could not do the same. The only thing Lucy manages is to make more blood from her leg spill down the steps like a small waterfall. If she was a real person and not some flashy fantasy game character the amount of blood loss would have killed her already for such a small body. The pain sadly was exaggerated too, Lucy grabs at her leg and tries to lift it off the sword. The hilt however kept it locked in place. “N-no uck!” Coughing up spit onto the ground Lucy drags her now bloody fingers across her skin. A thought crosses Lucy’s mind though; this really would be a scene she would create. Lightheadedness hits the small girl, and the pain begins to numb, so Lucy gives a small smile at Lina. “Ahah-ahahah… you’re, you’re… guck!” Coughing up another wad of spit Lucy grips her hands tightly together; her nails dig into her palms so much blood starts to drip from them. “Hehehe.” Lina flinches watching Lucy laugh louder despite her pain. The small girl drags her blood hands across her face staring at Lina with a wide grin. “You’re… not me hehe… you’re even worse, aren’t you?”

Lina’s eyes quiver, her fists ball, and she climbs up the stairs, her heels getting a coat of blood over them as she walks. Slamming her foot down right on Lucy’s back Lina scoffs confidently. “You just won’t shut up, will you? This is it for your life. You’re not a normal NPC… you won’t respawn. You’re a bug under my boot.” Lina pushes down with more pressure enough to make Lucy cough up blood onto the steps. “Say whatever you want. It won’t change, that this, is the end.” Lina could feel it, the power under her heel. The power Lucy had only moments ago when she pushed her down the stairs. Lina though had just spit up, Lucy was in a mass of blood.

For a long time, silence takes hold. No dripping of blood, no panting breath. No laughing, no anger. Lina’s heel digs deeper and deeper against Lucy’s bare back. Just with a few level-ups Lina far surpassed the strength of an NPC not part of a party. Lucy’s voice does not come out whining, crying, laughing. Nothing comes out. Surely, in another situation, Lucy would do the same. Lina’s heel starts to push more. Surely, humanity needs no extra chances. More blood dribbles out of Lucy’s mouth. People like Lina, like Tom; can’t be worse. Lina watches her white heel paint red, but it all felt so slow. So little sound, so little happening.

Squash

Lina’s foot connects with the stone. A slow breath passes her lips, her eyes watch a now small lifeless corpse beneath her. “Bye.” The words mutter from her lips softly, and the body begins to break apart into nothing but pure data. Dissolving away, the body vanishes like dust in the wind.

The character has been deleted

The words blink a few times in front of Lina’s player screen and she swipes it away. “Well…” Voice calm and steady she swipes her finger again across the screen and hovers it over the logout button. Closing her eyes for a moment she looks back down to the bloody ground under her. Then, she presses logout.

Year 20XX, Time passed - ?? : ?? : ??

Tom leans slowly back in his chair, adjusting the red tie around his neck. The man’s voice was just as Liina had remembered it. Cool, yet calculating. “So, Lina, you’ve had your freedom for some time now. I’ve done these interviews for a good amount of my people. To see how they’re adjusting.” Leaning forward in his chair Tom rests his elbows against the table, both hands lacing together so he can rest his chin between them. “Evolved Humans, Humans, we live together now, for better or worse. The humans still fear us, but they know there is little they can do. I am sure you’ve seen how many of them are allowing themselves to evolve as well with our new Switch program.” Tom waves a hand in front of himself, a player console manifesting within the real world before him. “Data, and reality can coexist. We don’t need to purge the old human’s mind’s anymore… we simply add a few implants. Soon, humanity will take this new form, we can start progressing this world fully. Free energy with working Telsa coils, meteor deflectors, cures for diseases any thought in curable. A golden age of science not impeded by political donors and monopoly businesses that get money based on people’s sufferings. Those with powerful minds and the will to use them will finally be able to progress our world, and with the integration of data. Heh… human imagination combined with all the knowledge data can have. Certainly… the world will change. Terraforming planets will even be possible in time.” Tom nods slowly to himself, clearly appreciative of his own goals for what he calls humanity. “So.” Pressing his palms to the table Tom stands up looking out his office window with Lina at his back. “What’re your plans Lina? What are your desires after being given this freedom? Unlike so many of us… you’ve never taken a career path. I hear you suffer from some things like anxiety as well. We take care of our own. But surely you have some goals to help quell whatever haunts you?”

Lina stares at her red painted nails, and her black pencil skirt. The nice vest and blouse she picked out for today. Tom appreciated clean simple outfits; Lina made sure to pick something to not bother the eyes. Her hair rests against her back in a high ponytail, her purse rests in her lap. “Right…” Softly speaking, the tones of Lucy’s old voice seemed all but gone. “Haunt…” Pausing for a few moments Liina’s sullen voice mutters a question. “What about… the people that are not of use to sciences?”

Looking out over an expansive city Tom smirks to himself. “Heh, we make them part of the game.” Rubbing his chin he nods at his own words. “Are people are more suited to reality. Of course, a few of our kind find humans amusing. Tim… was the original one who had the body I have now. I suppose now he’s sort of like a plaything. If we can’t find a use for them, may as well make them entertainment. But enough on that, I asked about you.”

Lina unclips her purse and peers within looking at the timer ticking slowly within. “A lot of things… haunt me.” Pulling the purse up just a little more Lina peers at the notes she had written herself. Across each note reads the same thing; Just like me. “But you know… I do have a desire.”

Tom scoffs and gives a small clap. “Hah, well that’s great. When I watch over the city I can’t help but be filled with desire myself. What is it?”

Lina gives her purse another squeeze and begins to speak. “It took me a long time to think about it. Humans, us. My feelings, anyone’s feelings. Saya, Ako… Tim, Lucy… Lina, Tom. When those people vanish. They don’t feel anything anymore. But should we get to decide for them? Just because something happened to us does it give us the right to be even worse?” Tom cocks an eyebrow slowly turning back to look at Lina. “Just like her…? She was right. I’m—we’re even worse.”

Boom