Getting to know an NPC better

Chapter 5- Getting to know an NPC better

Drakus POV

A day; or rather what we perceived was a day from the digital clock has passed since our arrival in the new world. While recounting the facts from yesterday, I still had a hard time wrapping my head around it.

First was the pain and all of us waking up as our Eternia characters. Then there was the issue of the NPC’s coming to life. Finally and the biggest one of them all, we were in another world. At first I believed it all to be a dream. Something that I would eventually wake up from.

But when I did, I found myself on the bed in one of the bedrooms within the Inner Sanctum. No matter how much I want to or wish to, this is my reality. As I sat on the bed contemplating, I was brought out it by a sudden message. For a second, I believed it to be the notification from before. In actuality it was Echo message from Nu-Ru.

“Drakus. I don’t know if you’re awake or not when you receive this message but the rest of us are awake. We’ll be waiting the Council room for you.”

Reading the message he left, I immediately checked the time. Doing the math, I slept a total of fifteen hours. This fact surprised me as I was never much of a heavy sleeper. ‘Then again, with all that transpired yesterday. I should be that surprise…’ Indulging in my own thoughts, I finally worked myself out of bed.

Making sure that everything was in order, I used the guild ring and teleported away. And like the message said, everyone was sitting about. Entering, everyone looked to me. The first thing I noticed was the solemn looks on each of them. I wasn’t the only one having a bad day.

Convening again from yesterday, there was two major topic of discussion. Finding a way back home and planning out next course of action.

“We now know that we’re not on Earth or Eternia anymore but some other world. It’s safe to say we need to plan our next course of action carefully.”

Taking charge was Nu-Ru. In situation like these it was always him that took charge despite my role as the guild master. Truthfully I felt extremely guilty as I couldn’t contribute as much as I wanted to and that Nu-Ru was taking care of most of it for me.

For the next hour, we all talked and discuss what to do next.

“Regarding the forest surrounding us, it’s safe to say we’re not in Eternia anymore.”

“That or we’re somehow in another region of Eternia.”

“Doubt it, if we were in Eternia, then Sirva should have encounter some form of mobs roaming about. Yet there’s nothing to of note.”

“Agreed. But that leaves the question where exactly are we?”

“For now, let’s try learning more about this world if we are truly in another world.”

“Perhaps we can send scouts to go beyond what Sirva searched.”

“I’m against that notion. We need to prepare ourselves first. What happens if we encounter something we can’t handle?”

“I second that notion. If we don’t prepare then we’ll regret it later on.”

“Then what do you suggest Nu-Ru?”

“I was thinking that perhaps we can spend time fortifying the base while getting to know the NPC’s better.”

“Huh?” Everyone replied with confused expressions. We already proven that NPC are loyal to us. Then what was the point of getting to know the NPC’s better?

“Is there really a need? I mean the—“

“You seem to forget that they aren’t just NPC’s anymore. They aren’t bits of data that follow orders; they are living beings with thoughts and emotions. There is no doubt of their loyalty but we must be cautious as well.” Cutting me off he shared his thought with us. The thought seems a bit too paranoid but in a situation like this, anything was possible.

“What do you suggest we do then?”

“I suggest we split up and help the NPC’s. For example going to the individual sanctum to lend them a helping hand.”

Putting the idea out, we all talked amongst one another regarding his idea. It was certainly sound and it would give us a better look in how the Sanctuary functions now. One by one we all agreed to his idea.

“Thank you. As for how we’ll divide ourselves. Everyone will be traveling from sanctum to sanctum. As Drakos and I, we’ll be staying with the Inner Sanctum and continuing our investigation.”

“Huh? Why me?” I didn’t mean to but it came out as a low moaning statement.

“As guild master you have complete control over the building remember? Since it’s real now we need to do our own investigation into it.”

Resisting the urge to argue further he brought up another valid point. Since coming to the new world the guild building somehow retained its functions from back in the game. Which conflicted with the idea of us being in Eternia.

Silently resigning myself to it, we all got to work. The others teleported away to the sanctum while Nu-Ru left with Sirva to do his own research. The only one left in the council room was me.

“Might as well get to work.” Cracking my fingers I opened up the various screens. The council room was the main headquarter of the building or guild, where as I as the guild master maintained everything. In Eternia everything was managed by programs and codes.

And thanks to my job back in the real world as a coder, the massive flood of data was child’s play. Flipping through the various screens I learned that everything was the same as it was in Eternia. One screen showed an over layer of the entire building. Another showed the total amount of players and NPC present. Our financial reserve, list of created NPC’s and so forth.

While shifting through all of it, it felt that I was back in the game again. Which only conflicted me more from our recent discovery. Eventually I shifted through all the data and confirmed that everything was maintained as it was back in the game.

As I investigated further, I began to wonder how exactly the guild was still functioning. In Eternia, it’s easy to write it off as a program of the game. But since everything is now real, how is it that I can operate it like it was back when it was a game.

The questioned gnawed at me and I found myself lost work. Searching through various screens and data to find anything and everything that might give me a clue. By the time I stopped for a break, around an hour passed in the blink of an eye.

To think I would be tired from shifting through the various data. It was enough for me to take a break and recover from a small headache. Leaning back on the chair, I took a moment to catch my bearings.

“Are you alright master Drakos?” Hearing a sudden voice I jumped up to see Altina standing right behind me. My sudden action even managed to cause her to jump.

“Altina? …Yes…I’m fine. Just tired that’s all.” Trying to regain my composure I played it off.

“Is there perhaps anything I can assist with master Drakos?” asked Altina, readily to offer her assistance.

“You wouldn’t happen to know how to look at the internal code or how to shift through the data do you?”

“… I’m sorry but I am not familiar with those words. My deepest apologies.” Apologizing, Altina bowed her head.

‘I figured as much.’ Keeping the thought to myself, I held onto some hope that perhaps she would know something as her position was similar to mine. Suppressing the urge to sigh I got back to work. But there was an issue that I addressed first.

“Altina.”

“Yes master Drakos?”

“Aren’t you forgetting something?” Tilting her head I could see the question mark floating on top of her head as she had no idea of what I meant.

“I believe we made it clear that you would address us by our names.”

“Ahhh, forgive me master Drakos…it’s just…”

“There you go again with the ‘master’ part!”

“Forgive me master Drak–“

“You did it again!”

“Ehhh!”

*******

It was something out of a bad comedy sketch. Back and forth we went, me trying to stop and her unintentionally doing it. Although it was comical seeing her frantic expression. Every time she’s around us, Altina always maintain a proper attitude and posture.

It was quite nice and refreshing to see her other personality. Altinia still maintained a dignified look so this little exchange was insightful. Eventually we settled down and got to addressing the issue.

“Repeat after me. D.r.a.k.o.s.” I repeated stretching each letter

“M-mas Drakos.”

“Just Drakos.”

“Lord Drak–“

“Leave out any title, just Drakos.”

“Dr-Drrraakos.”

Slowly and steadily we were getting there. Eventually she got the hang of it.

“Drakos.”

“There we go, now that wasn’t so hard was it?” I said with an exasperated voice. To think it would take around ten whole minutes just to get someone to say your name.

“One more time.”

“Drakos.” Content with her progress I finally got back to work after the delay. However Altina interrupted me one more time.

“M…I mean Drakos. If I may ask you something.”

“Go ahead.”

“Yesterday you made your intention clear regarding this matter. However I still am puzzled as to why you order us to do so.”

“Do you perhaps have a problem with it?”

“No, of course not! I am…simply curious as to why our creators would treat us like this?”

What she was saying puzzled me as well. From the way she spoke it was as if she wanted to treat us as superior beings. We on the other hand wish for a more equal relationship. For us it wasn’t such a big deal but to her and perhaps the others; they’re hesitant.

If she felt that way, then the others might be feeling the same. A justifiable explanation was needed to quell her and the other worries.

“In truth having you all call us master is well…awkward. Yeah, let’s go with that.”

“But…we’re are but creation of your making. It’s only obvious that we would respect you as such.”

Scratching my head, the situation was going nowhere. I needed a powerful reason but there was none. So I tried the truth.

“I understand where you’re coming from. In truth I want to start as friends rather than simply ‘master’ and ‘servant’.”

That was the simple truth. Despite being NPC’s I wanted to be on good terms with all of them. They were our creations yes, but we didn’t create them as servants. It might seem lame but I held a relationship with all our Guild’s NPCs during the time we played.

All the guild raids that our base endured. Us fighting alongside our NPCs and winning. Those were the memories that I cherished the most. In a sense they were like a child that was conceived through data rather than actual birth. Feeling pretty lame about myself I looked to see how she was taking it. Her reaction was not what I expected.

Her previous demeanor was gone. No it was more accurate to say replaced with something else. The air of seriousness was replaced with a more…bubbly atmosphere. A light red hue colored her cheeks. She was also more a lot more fidgety. It even looked like she was resisting the urge to smile from the corners of her lips.

Before I could delve more into it I received an Echo. It was a multiparty invite message, so everyone else would be in the call.

“Nu-Ru? What’s up?”

“I wanted give an update on how everyone’s doing? So how is everyone’s time with their NPC?”

One by one we all listed our opinions regarding the interaction between the NPC’s. For the most part it was extremely positive. We also learned that the respawnable NPCs in each sanctum also holds a similar intelligence to our created NPC’s.

It was quite humorous to see their interaction with us. For Nu-Ru, his situation is very similar to mine. Sirva would just stand in the room and watched over while he worked. And whenever he really needed something she took care of it.

Arsenal was getting a kick of his zone. From the sound when he was making the call he was going on a rampage. Perhaps venting some of his anger and trying his skills.

Shae and Meral were engaging in a peaceful talk. Something about sea urchins or whatever.

When it came to Trion Jazz, all that we could hear was loud music. Manom on the other hand busy with some experiment as he would call it.

Kaetzchen by far was the one who had the most fun. From her exhilarated scream and the whirling noise of the air I surmised that she was sky diving.

Each one of them was having fun making me a bit jealous. It was also interesting to learn of their personality. They each displayed traits and personalities that were inputted during their conception. We made this conclusion through Kaetzchen and Leona.

From my memory Leona was designed to be a loving individual and Kaetzchen chose a personality matrix that fitted the trait. A stark contrast to Kaetzchen’s energetic and daredevil nature. From listening in I could make out the distinction of Leona’s voice. Namely a panicked voice trying to talk Kaetzchen out of it.

With their personality in check it now would be easier to build a better relationship with one another. But as I made that founding an epiphany struck me. Altina. The different personality matrix implemented in her clearly shows, but that wasn’t what struck me.

Her behavior after I explained my reasoning to her strange. Much different from her usual attitude. Recounting the time I opened up her data folder I distinctly remembered her personality matrix. In short she was to be a strong and dignified. Yet her previous behavior somehow went against it.

I gave it some thought until it hit me again. The two inputs that she had stored inside her. Undying loyalty to the guild and guild master and completely in love with guild master, Drakus. Those were the two that came to mind and went against her normal attitude.

In fact I was wondering why she came here of all places. As the Grand Guardian I believed that she was needed elsewhere. But like in the game she would always know where I was and be close to me. But what worried me the most was the ‘Completely in love’ part.

When I made that conclusion I was jumpy. Now I couldn’t look her straight in the eye.

‘Damn it. To think it would be like this in the end.’ Whispering my complaint I refocused myself back to my work and put it on hold. But no matter how hard I tried, the thought lingered in my mind. Soon I found myself taking quick glances at her, like a boy embarrassedly looking at his crush.

‘Ahhh! There’s no way right? I mean an NPC in love with me…That’s just ridiculous…’ Mentally screaming in my head I tried to disprove it.

She never displayed anything to show it until…that time I shared my thoughts with her. The blush and fidgety movement. It would make sense that she would act that way as I, the man she’s in love with, gave an explanation like that. I was basically asking to be friends before going steady!

Of course that wasn’t entirely true and extremely exaggerated. Telling myself to calm down, nothing was set in stone. I needed more proof.

“Altina.”

“Yes?”

“Please place your hand on your heart.” Hearing my order she did as she was instructed.

“Jump.” On my command, Altina performed a small jump.

“Say hello.”

“Hello.”

‘This isn’t working!’ All I was doing was giving her commands. They didn’t help me one bit in uncovering the truth. So I went at it from a different approach, a bold risk.

“Altina…please take off your clothes.”

Since she was alive now she had her own opinion and personality along with her personality matrix. She was a woman now and not scarps of data. So I’ll played on that fact. No sane woman would simply strip because someone ask them to. At last I would get my answer–

Looking back Altina hugged her with an embarrassed face.

Yes.

“Drakos…for such a request…I”

Yes.

“Such a request. I cannot see myself complying.”

YES!

“But for you. I shall happily comply.”

NOOO!

She was supposed to reject me! Even a look of disgust would have been a victory and now she was stripping. Looking back most of her clothes were already gone, replaced with her bare skin and underwear.

How did she undress so quickly I will never question nor know. However I had much bigger problem. I felt my eyes looking at every nook and cranny of her body. From her plumb but tender legs to her fair caramel like skin. How she was holding up her amble breasts with her arms which seemingly bounce each time she moved.

Her breathing was more intense. Short inhales and exhales.

A red complexion covered her face from the cheek and up, only adding to the embarrassed and cute look.

“Are we…perhaps doing it here?”

Her question brought me back to reality as she leaned while hugging her body. It took me a moment before realizing what she meant. Taking a fearful step back I fell and landed on my butt. Not a second later she came down on me and bodies touch.

In short it felt like heaven. Her smooth skin of her body rubbing against mine. And each movement only made the feeling more intense.

“Please use m-my body as you see fit.”

Hugging me, she left her body for me to do as I wish.

Resist! There’s no way I could defile the body of an NPC that my precious guild mates created. I would stand my ground. Tell her to get off of me and……Why the hell am I reaching for her butt!?!? Despite my mental preparation my body was moving on it’s on. My mind was telling no! This is bad! But my body…my body was telling yes!

Just before I could do anything I felt a chill running down my spine. Following my instincts I looked around until my sight set on the double doors. It was open or accurately said, slightly open. But that wasn’t the issue, the issue was that I clearly saw Nu-Ru staring at us…intently.

But it wasn’t just any look. The look could only be described as when one was caught masturbating or their porn stash discovered. A look of disgust, pity and sadness; all at the same time. Before I could do anything he slowly backed away all the while closing the door.

“Wait! It’s not what you think!!!!”