The Dragon's Wrath: A Virtual Dream

Chapter 9: AnB Meeting Plus One

(Saturday, January 9th Real Day)

There was a long period of silence between the blind girl to my left and me, but it couldn't be helped as the conversation had suffered a swift death. So, without anything better to do I started to think of conversation topics to attempt a restart.

But then the presenter on stage asked a question that I couldn't quite ignore, "Are there any opinions as to why the Northwestern region would be an unpopular destination?" On this subject I was basically the reigning expert, by my own admission.

But I kept quiet.

I disliked answering questions first and preferred to let others make an attempt at conjecture. If they're reasonably close I don't get involved but if they're all way off base then I'll usually try to rectify the situation.

The first few people to raise their hands were all called on in order: "I believe the main issue is the distance between villages and society in general, it's sparsely populated as well.", "There are a lack of proficiency trainers in the far north, it's essentially void of all but poor hunter-gatherer type NPCs.", "The weather and environment are significantly worse than other locations.", "The economy is terrible.", "There aren't a lot of quests available.", "The landscape is almost like a frozen tundra for a quarter of the year.", "It's too far from the center of the continent, where all the important quest chains are."

They were all sound arguments; I didn't necessarily disagree with any of it.

The researcher continued, "Yes, those are all valid complaints. Now does anyone have an opinion on why you think the Northwest is a good destination?"

Hah, crickets.

If you were decent at reading people's body behavior and speech, you could tell that the presenter was disappointed by the negative opinions as they were all very common responses.

They were all valid, but they had been repeated hundreds of times over by the Alpha and Beta testers over the past year, I'm sure she was tired of hearing it by now.

"Is there really no positive to living in the Northwest? No one? Anyone?" …poor gal, I had no interest in sharing the positives, it was my domain!

And then a hand was silently raised, all the way in the back. The back row, first seat from the door; the one occupied by a mysterious girl with sunglasses.

The presenter was looking dejected until she finally saw the hand that was raised, then her mood suddenly chippered up as she excitedly said, "Yes, the miss all the way in the back."

After being called on she had lowered her hand and waited a moment to be sure that no one else had started talking, in that moment I almost wanted to tell her it was her turn.

But she was more than competent and I didn't want to take that away from her.

A moment of silence had passed until she had come to the conclusion that it was her turn, "I feel one of the greatest attractions of the North lies in its isolation. There is beauty in the calmness of the forest, the flow of the rivers, the rising mountain peaks with their white caps that litter the land.

"The solace that you find when you walk a dozen miles and are alone except for the birds and animals that might wander near. To be able to enjoy the peace and serenity of nature undisturbed, I find that one of the most compelling reasons to start in the North."

She definitely understood the niceties of the North; an intelligent beauty such as she is more than welcome to enter my domain.

I turned my face away from her and found roughly a quarter of the room staring back at her, scoffing at the notion of enjoying the virtual reality for what it was. These people had misunderstood the concept of virtual reality; there was more to it than just playing a video game and slaying monsters and fellow humans alike.

There was a sense of reality, a realness that could nearly reach the level of true reality. And in that, a person could come to experience the many things they could not in real life. That was one of the true goals of virtual reality, a place where one could experience the fantasy that they lacked in real life.

For one person, perhaps that only extended to slaying monsters in a realistic first-person way. For another, maybe they wanted to escape the pain of real-life, for some maybe it was about the accomplishment and competition that they couldn't achieve physically, mentally, financially, politically, or in any other sense in real-life.

For her, maybe it was something she was unable to ever experience in her lifetime if not for virtual reality, the gift of sight.

Most of them turned back quickly, but a few started to laugh with a mocking tone. If I could hear the laughs and mocks, I was sure she could hear them too. I glanced at her face expecting to see embarrassment or something, but she remained poised and calm throughout all of the chatter.

She wasn't shaken at all, at least not externally.

The presenter found the crowd rude as it seemed she had thoroughly enjoyed that answer, so she attempted to settle the crowd down by asking another question, "You know, I quite liked that answer and I think it's worth exploring."

The raucous part of the crowd took exception here and scoffed at the thought. I didn't really like where this was going, whether she truly believed the answer was a good one or not didn't really matter, at this point the crowd was attempting to belittle both the presenter and the girl to my left.

I didn't like bullies very much, especially group bullies who were cowards on their own.

Then one of the guys that had been laughing spoke out, "If the only positive of the far North is that it lacks a population and has pretty scenery, I think that speaks more to the character of the person who would enjoy such a thing. Some people do prefer to be alone, and the scenery is certainly pretty."

Some people took his words as sincere; those people have misunderstood his intent. Though he spoke and voiced his words in a positive and reassuring manner, they were veiled insults. From the tone of his voice and the delivery it sounded as if he were taking her side, defending her difference of opinion. But in the words, he was mocking her further as an introverted loner whose sole purpose was to enjoy the so-called beautiful scenery.

If I really wanted to stretch I could say he was even attacking her intellect.

As someone whose humor is most often of the dry nature, and whose insults tend to stay dry as well, I understood what he was saying.

An asshole like me wouldn't miss something like that. I knew from the way he was laughing and mocking moments earlier.

He was insulting both the girl to my left and the presenter Emily up on stage. I had heard enough. I raised my hand next. "Ah, yes, in the back," the announcer said while trying to force a smile.

She was surely apprehensive about continuing the topic.

"I would like to espouse on the merits of the statement made earlier. It is of my opinion that the beauty of the North is explicitly related to its isolation, but not purely or solely in an aesthetic manner," with the beginning of my statement I had the entire room staring back at me.

I was always known as someone who was well spoken and with a somewhat deep yet clear voice that carried well I could command some attention.

These peons would do well to listen.

"For the way I see it, the most important prospect of isolation is the scarcity of other players, not in the scarcity of resources. If we quantify NPCs, raw materials, supplies, natural resources, quests, hunt-able creatures, and territory as in-game resources at the disposal of the player-adventurer, the one common denominator for all of those listed resources, are other players.

"If comparing, strictly speaking, the amount of quests available in a region and then comparing it to the amount of competition between players for said quest's requirements, I believe the relative proportion of player to quest would greatly favor those in the North.

"If we were to examine the lack of NPC trainers that are available in a smaller region, it is wrong to measure quality by quantity where specialization would be the more prudent measure. Nearly every class is represented in the North by an NPC; they are just more spread out without needless duplicates whereas in the other kingdoms they are clustered at every major population hub.

"Is there a difference in ease of use? Certainly, but that does not render the North useless, the North is simply more efficient with its numbers. But what of the poor weather you ask, well, what of it? It is cold in the winter and requires some clothing and a fire at night. Are these requirements too much to ask of a player? I was not aware that players were incapable of gathering firewood and wearing clothing in this game.

"Ah and lest I forget, the raw materials and natural resources, there simply cannot be enough to go around in the North. Well, perhaps this would be true if the population received a massive boon but as it currently stands the numbers are more than sufficient.

"In closing, I do not encourage or recommend coming to the North if you already deemed it unworthy, please stay where you originally decided on. But if you are a new player or relatively removed from your starting location, there is plenty of opportunity to be had in parts of the North. And it really is, possibly the most beautiful part of the continent. I mean, the Aurora Borealis isn't half bad to fall asleep to every night, at least if you like that kind of thing."

Well, I hope I elaborated properly; I'm not even sure myself.

Effusing like that makes me forget what my original intent was. I looked down for a second in the silence and noticed I was still crossing my arms and had my foot up on my knee, I certainly looked ultra-casual here. Oh well~ what can you do when comfort is a high demand.

No one replied or laughed or mocked, they all simply turned their heads back to the front and a momentary silence filled the room.

I hated it.

Was my reasoning off, or was it my delivery, or maybe I was incoherent?

Bah, whatever.

Yawn.

I was getting bored, and sleepy.

The presenter started nodding her head like she had caught on to something and couldn't help but agree, frankly it looked like she was kind of crazy since she didn't say anything and was standing on stage nodding away.

But then she started to talk and it seemed a little less crazy, "If I may ask, for clarification purposes, you believe the most important thing in the North, the selling point if I may, is the scarcity of other players? Correct?"

Yeah, I think that's what I said, right?

Well, to reiterate, "That's correct."

She smiled as she decided to prod further, "Then, if we were to take that a step further, that even though the starter villages in the far north are rated an abysmal 0.5/10 and the burden is on the player to succeed, you believe it to actually be advantageous to start there?"

Yawn, did we really have to keep this up.

"If you're referencing the Northern Triangle, it's only as advantageous as you are willing. The North is what you make of it, success won't come easy and it won't be handed to you. But if you're willing to persevere, then the opportunity is there."

Clasping her hands together with a smile, she spoke once more, "Lovely, thank you for your input, I believe you have shed a lot of light on the subject matter."

Finally I thought, we can change subjects or call it a day, I just want to eat and leave.

But before we could change the topic, the guy who had spoken out earlier with his sardonic comment decided to interject once again, "Simply for the sake of playing Devil's advocate, I have to say… everything you have mentioned is pure hearsay, it is pure conjecture. What proof, what evidence do you have to back up your words?

"The 0.5/10 rating is a factual rating. The lack of quests, NPCs, hunt-able creatures, raw materials, natural resources, trade… all of those are factual entities.

"You said that it is all relative to the number of players, but the fact is that there simply isn’t enough out there, even for the number of players already there. So how can you, in good faith, encourage others to come to the North? I can't help but feel you are baiting others into a hopeless situation."

A part of me had no interest in replying, I was already over this conversation by the second line of my original statement. And even though I could see that the presenter on stage was eager for me to reply, I really had no interest in arguing with this guy.

"I speak from experience, whether you believe it to be factual or not is up to you. Your sources say one thing, and you believe it to be factual. I won't question who your sources are, nor do I particularly care. My source is my own experience in the North, and it is as factual as any source you have heard from. Care to believe it at your own convenience."

Of course, that only fanned the flames and Mr. Sardonic jumped right on it, proclaiming before everyone, "We are to believe in your experience then, that you are so experienced in the, 'Northern Triangle', as you called it. That the area was so great that you have so much to show for it compared to the guilds in the other regions.

"If I recall, the Northern Triangle wasn't even included in the map provided earlier… so we are to believe the results of someone who has yet to actually see results? You speak of achievements but have none to speak of. I daresay, you shant pull the wool over my eyes, no oh no."

Yeah, this guy was a douchebag through and through.

I had no interest in continuing the conversation so I simply smiled and gave him a wink.

To continue would mean exposing me and my territory to unnecessary risk. No short amount of fame here was worth it to me.

A few people got a laugh when I winked at him, he believed himself the victor and I had no problem conceding that to him if he so wished.

The others could come up with their own opinion and I left it as a matter of intelligence for them to decipher which side was the correct one. I mainly just wanted the mystery girl to know she wasn't alone in her opinion and to stop the mocking laughs of the men with inferiority complexes.

My job was done.

The presenter decided to end the subject and the discussion there, much to my pleasure, but before it was over she said something rather unnecessary, "I believe Brent is the most qualified here to speak on the matter, actually. I would not dare spill any personal information but, he is certainly experienced in the region and what he says should merit some consideration. With that I would like to close our topics for discussion and encourage everyone to share their opinions in the survey. And if you will, please enjoy the food that has been prepared in the banquet hall, I believe you will all find it to your liking. Thank you everyone for coming, and from everyone at AIcorps, we hope you continue to enjoy your adventures in Dragon's Wrath."

And with that Emily turned around and walked off stage.

Except, Emily contradicted herself before she left… and to my dismay it happened to be my name and that I was experienced in the North. I was trying to help you lady and I understand you were trying to help me here, but come on.

Why did she even know my name, anyways?

Why does everyone always seem to know my name?

As people had started funneling out, some had glanced at me as they walked pass. I simply gave them a faint smile and a nod of recognition; I had no desire to be the focus of attention here today, nor any day.

As the room cleared out the mystery girl had started to get up, I kind of wanted to talk to her a bit more but felt a little bad. It would have been easier if I wasn't attracted to her. I always fall apart when I'm interested, but then I'm a damn maestro when I'm not.

After she stood up she turned to me and spoke softly, "Thank you for today, Brent."

I was caught a little off-guard but saw the opportunity flash before my eyes, I had to take it.

I quietly stood up as well and replied in kind, "Anytime, miss… sorry I didn't catch your name." I trailed off on purpose, hoping to get her name in return.

Taking the bait, she replied, "Ah, I'm sorry. It's Valerie."

With a smile she couldn't see and a hand extended that she wouldn't notice to take, I laughed at myself while following up, "Nice to meet you Valerie, I'm Brent… as you so heard earlier ha."

As she nodded in my general direction, she excused herself, "It was nice to meet you as well; perhaps we'll run into each other again sometime."

With that she turned towards the door and started to leave, I was at a critical situation and my mind said no! Don't go! But it also knew I shouldn't push where I'm not welcome.

It was worth the risk this time, I decided.

"Oh, are you not having lunch here? Care to join me?"

"Ah, as you can see, I cannot see. So banquets and buffets like these are a little hard for me as I am unfamiliar with the layout. I typically just go home afterwards."

"Oh. If you don't mind, I could serve as a guide. Although I admit I'm a bit inexperienced in guiding, I can at least attest to the quality of the food provided."

I said the last half with a bit of a laugh to lighten the mood, but her face seemed to show a look of pity and I kind of had a feeling for what was coming next.

On cue, she frowned while answering, "Mm. I believe you would make a very capable guide, but I already have prior arrangements. Thank you for the offer."

I was shot down.

Damn.

Well, I knew when to cut my losses and this was certainly the time to do so, "Well, I can at least hold the door open for you."

I did as I said, and after she passed through I came up with some parting words but decided against it as I watched her walk away. Operation invite-a-girl to lunch was a complete failure.

Mission aborted and returning to base, well… after I eat some free food that is.