Virtual Reality : Dystopian Tales Online

011.1 | Bug Bites

The time went by quickly, and it is already nighttime.

Clover logged in a bit later than usual. This is due to his trending game play video that managed to cross beyond the gaming servers. Many people are interested in his style in fighting and wanted to know some secrets or tips to become an excellent gamer like him.

Many media outlets reached out with the intention of interviewing him but he declined them all. He called his personal to deal with the calls and suggested blacklisting them if they will persist to call after knowing his answer. When things got settled, Clover entered the game.

The game has its own day cycles so when he arrived the sky is already turning orange. A day includes a duration of one hour which means he had been delayed for almost an hour. Nevertheless, he wasn't bothered since he had already distributed the coordinated to his team members.

Their destination for today is the Redwood Valley.

From the name itself, it is a valley occupied by Redwood trees. It is a considerable area covering at least ten hectares of land. The river in the middle of the valley is equally long that extended up to the ends of the fourth world gate.It is the largest flowing river in the game.

The group had explored this place before but seeing it in the sixth server sent a different vibe. If it was before, the valley would only look like a dark forest covered with gray colored clouds and thick fog. Though it is large, it is at most resembling a wood farm.

The area has changed a lot after several modifications.

The dull sky and thick fog remained but the effect had become more genuine. Since the sense of touch has been integrated very well, anyone could feel the bone chilling coldness and the sense of having a hundred eyes watching you. It would become prominent the moment you enter the woods.

Since it is already late afternoon, the area is murkier than usual. It is also raining that thickened the ghostly appearance of the hovering fog.When Clover hopped off from his mount, he was met with the dreadful instance of going to a murder scene.

"..."

The rain poured down with gusto. It even becomes stronger as if it is happy with the player's arrival. Clover checked the weather forecast and found out that coincidentally it is the hour of the day (Earth) when the forest will have a downpour. It has been expected.

He wondered if his team members got drenched by the rain and wanted to apologize for his lateness when he received a message. It is from Leon. It seems that they had arrived earlier today (game's day cycle) but half an hour ago it started to rain.

Fortunately, they already reached three-fourths of the stairs and just hurried over to the temple atop. Mounts and vehicles is restricted within the Redwood Valley so they could not fly over easily. Leon reminded Clover about the weather since there's a high chance that it will get stronger.

The message was sent an hour ago. Clover wasn't able to see it because he immediately hurried over after entering the game.

The rain is not intense but getting soaked by cold water is uncomfortable. There is much equipment or spells they could use to remain dry. It's just that like how mounts and vehicles are restricted, foreign magic is also not allowed. Only the innate skills can generate in this area.

The Redwood Valley remains quite a mystical place and considered holy by the Elven people. They have the advantage under this course and could freely flaunt their elements. Clover is appeased since three of his members are from the Elven race. They could at least enclose the area without any problem.

He sent Leon a message saying that he is already downstairs. He will head up immediately. Leon quickly responded saying he does need to go up quickly. The stairs are slippery, so one should be extra careful. Even though injuries in this world can be healed by potions, it is still painful.

They exchanged a few messages then Clover decided to head out.

The entrance of the stairs is simple. It is adorned with a wooden Japanese Tori with floating paper lanterns on both ends. These are the lanterns that would be lit upon detecting a living creature so it should not be emitting any light. Yet, on the right side of the Japanese Tori, a lantern is lit very brilliantly.

It is quite conspicuous with the dark surroundings.

Clover walked closer and discovered a person standing alone under the lantern. The person is wearing the familiar bartender clothes and seems to be holding a red paper umbrella. He merely stood there with a mild expression looking extremely lonely.

The other player must have felt that someone is looking at him, so he looked up. A smile immediately crept out on his face as he walked towards Clover. Aries held the umbrella above Clover's head making the back part of his clothes to get wet. Clover is pretty much dry since he is wearing water resistant clothing. It will only lose its effect once he stepped on the stairs.

Clover is quietly looking at Aries without any reservations. The dark orbs are obviously probing the person he is examining at. Aries helplessly sighed though he didn't look elsewhere. The back of his clothes is slightly getting wet. If the place wasn't inconvenient, Clover must have tossed Aries away back to the guild.

"What are you doing here?" Clover asked directly.

"Well..." Aries shrugged his shoulders. "I saw you guys are going here, so I also went."

"I know," Clover narrowed his eyes."That's why I am asking, what are you doing here?"

Clover has been expecting to see Aries but not in this condition. Leon and the others are already waiting on the temple, safe and dry. Yet, here come Aries.

Aries scratched the back of his head. "You banned me yesterday, so I do not know the time when you guys will be here so I waited."

"And then?" Clover can see the lies very clearly. "Since you're not sure, you should have arrived early, right? They are already upstairs. I am certain you've encountered them earlier."

"I didn't say I arrived early," Aries retorted. "I am only here for five minutes. It must be a coincidence that I met you here."

Clover gave Aries a scrutinizing look.

"For a person who has been waiting for five minutes, your pants and shoes are abnormally soaked. You must have played in the water while waiting for me..."

Aries accepted the reason without batting an eye. He knows that Clover is just interrogating him to tease him. The smile on his face deepened as he leaned closer to Clover. The frigid water had permeated his clothes and a cold wind just blew by.It made him subconsciously want to get closer to warmer objects.

"They must have been waiting for a long time. How about us going now?"Aries suggested.

He held his palm up asking to hold Clover's hand. The latter simply placed his hand unto the open palm and held it close. Aries let out a soft chuckle.

"Lead the way," Clover nonchalantly nodded.

The two of them started taking up the stairs. The strange feeling around the forest is gone the moment they crossed the gate. The strength of the rain also waned making it look like the downpour didn't happen.

The trip is silent. Nobody talked between them. Only the pitter-patter of droplets falling to the paper umbrella could be heard. Their pace is quick, but it didn't look hurried at all. It is strange, but the atmosphere between them is quite warm and peaceful.

A thousand steps couldn't be covered quickly with their pace. It is already night (game's time) when they reached the end of the stairs. Aries took a look back before taking the last step. The lanterns of the thousand stairs are slowly extinguishing starting from the bottom. It is quite a breathtaking view.

"Let's go,"Clover said.

An old temple lies in the top part of the Redwood Valley. It is designed after the ancient temples in a country called Japan from the past. History books call them Shinto temples that is often represented by purity.

The game generated quite a good shrine. The roofs are made up of red tiles while the eaves are in a darker color. There are paper straws and cloth streamers hanging on specific places. Two stone guard statues were found on the entrance going towards the offering hall.

The Sora did not enter the hall but remained on the outside as they took shelter under the eaves. The twin noticed them coming first. The rain had become weaker, so Aries closed the umbrella then shook it to brush off the water.

"Sorry for coming late. Have you guys waited for so long?"Clover asked as he accepted the twins to his arms. The two teenagers happily played with Clover's arms.

"No worries," Shin happily replied."This place has changed and we took the time when you're still coming up to walk around. You should also do that."

"You surveyed the area?" Clover looked at Leon. "Did you notice anything?"

Leon shook his head. "But we haven't gone inside the hall yet. We decided to just wait on you since you're already close."

The hall already has its wooden framed paper doors opened. The first thing people will see are the smoking incense burners, candles burning, and the scriptures pasted on the wall. The main attraction of worship is placed in an elevated platform of a wooden table.

Typically, there should be a statue in the altar that represented the image of a god. Yet, the one in place is a five-petal blue flower donned with white blotches. It has a average size that is at most a hand's length. It is glittering with a gold light that seems to be its pollen.

Clover went closer to examine the plant. Yiel had forwarded the initial information, but he wanted to perceive the object closely. His members followed him behind as they scrutinized the plant carefully. Clover extended his arms to try touching the flower when a shrilling scream suddenly reverberated.

Frass assumed the position of looking around to check if there are any other people around. But they didn't find any. Clover looked at the flower and his hand then realized something. He pushed his hand near the plant and the same shrilling sound came up.

They all realized it. The sound is from the flower.

"Why is it shouting?" Marlene asked.

"I am not sure, but this isn't a good thing," Leon supplemented information to the twins."It must be a warning or some sort."

"Right," Clover added."This is to prevent people from stealing it. It makes an illusion to divert the attention of the player. Like what you guys did, you would look around to find the source of that shout."

"It is intelligent," Marlene commented.

"It is," Clover nodded."Now, how are we going to harvest this..."

A lot of ideas were shared. There are many options on how to harvest a plant but this flower is a new one so nobody knows if it will be effective. Someone suggested they could just uproot the flower and scatter it back into their guild.

Clover is devising a plan when the System made a loud announcement. It is about the Merlin's Box and Artisan's Guild clearing the boss on the 200th level. It has not been a day, yet the floor has been cleared. Shin scratched his cheeks and glanced at Clover.

Clover ignored the announcement. He does not concern on whatever stuff the other guilds wanted to do. He maintains no obligation to prove himself and to attain the validation of the masses. Leon nudged Shin to look elsewhere. Shin shrugged his shoulder and tossed the question on the back of his mind.

"We won't be able to bring this thing back. There are inscriptions written here that say the flower that was born from purity should not touch the filth of dying men," Aries pointed to the scriptures pasted unto the wall.

"Purity?" Clover looked over at the script. A frown appeared on his face.

"What's wrong with it?" Aries asked.

"Don't you think it is kind of odd?" Clover touched the scriptures then traced the phrase he has been reading."This item is a previous life saving device yet it cannot leave its dwellings. There must have been a condition that will let us seize this away."

They don't know what to do so they decided to leave as of the moment.