"Lancer Incorporated created a masterpiece of entertainment, freedom, and fun with Aeternitatem Genesis. The way it brought back joy and adventure to VRMMORPGs wasn't seen before. If there were one time in my life where I could go back and do it over again, it'd be playing AG for the first time. There are some moments in your life you can't recreate, and can only dream of."
-Lee Dong Suk, Guild Leader of Flowing Life
~~~(POV: Justin Xander)~~~
~~~(Location: Outside, Geonia City, Aeternitatem Genesis)~~~
~~~(Day, Date, Time: Tuesday, April 16th, 11:00 AM PST)~~~
~~~(Current Age: 19 Years)~~~
The streets of Geonia seem more crowded by the day. The popularity of AG has only grown since its release on the 12th. Thinking about it now, it feels like I've done a month's work, but it's only been FOUR days since AG released.
That's roughly 96 hours the game has been out. Hard to believe so much has happened in that amount of time for me. For everyone, really. People are sinking every second they can spare into AG, and those are the people who don't do this professionally.
"The problem at hand is what I should be focusing on..."
Finding the assassin Dusk, rather than focusing on what's happened over the last four days, is the priority. I have to admit, I don't know where I should start. Normally, I'd find an NPC who sells information about people. The problem with this go-to tactic is I don't know where in Geonia I can find that information.
The business of hired assassins is generally one only the wealthy can afford. Based on that, searching through the contacts of rich merchants and nobles is the best course of action here. I'd ask Eliza, but I'm willing to bet Dusk and her fell out.
"The only noble I know, and I can't use her to set a trap for this assassin..."
That's the crux of the problem. Any way I can think of to get Dusk requires the help of another. If I go around asking for Dusk, that'll only tip them off. Something I have to avoid at all costs.
There is a market for people to get into contact with hired killers. I know there is a criminal underground in Geonia. Any thriving city will have a parasitic leech attached to it. That leech manifests as high-paying crime.
It's something any gamer learns after playing in VRMMORPGs set in a world like AG. In games aside from AG, it was always easy to find these sorts of things. After all, the VRMMORPGs of the last 30 years have spoon-fed their players. Making it super easy to get almost anything done.
It's nice. I don't miss it.
"Where there are thieves, there is a network. Dad always taught us to follow thieves in VRMMORPGs if we wanted to find out a safe location for criminals. Something he and mom would do when they didn't want to spend money on bribing NPCs for the information."
It's a start.
Most thieves hang out in highly populated areas. However, the issue with all of this, and something I'm realizing only now, is an obstacle created by the system.
That being the system itself.
Since NPCs have access to the system, or a version of it, they have an inventory function. Anything of real value to someone will be in their personal inventory. Thieves know this, so they wouldn't waste time on the streets of Geonia hoping to pickpocket. There wouldn't be anything to find.
Scratch out thieves as the place to start.
Instead of continuing my aimless walk, I change direction and start walking to the Auction House of Geonia, Zindars. I spend about 30 minutes walking, taking in the sights and the shops.
"From what I've heard, there is a dungeon around here that's new. Not even the NPCs have seen it before."
As I'm walking, I overhear a conversation among a group of players. Instead of making it obvious, I maneuver around the crowd and find a nice spot out of their line of sight. Leaning against a lampost.
"I know! It's awesome, right?! I heard it doesn't even have a name. Apparently, dungeons aren't named until someone goes in and clears them. Talk about spooky, am I right?"
I had no idea that dungeons in AG aren't named until they're cleared. That's a piece of information likely discovered last night or early this morning. I would've seen it or heard about it if it had occurred sooner.
The member who was speaking waved his fingers mockingly as he said the word spooky. He even used a sarcastic voice.
"How about we give it a shot, huh? There are bound to be good rewards for being the first to clear a new dungeon in AG."
Another member of the group makes a good point. Being the first to clear a newly discovered dungeon has to be lucrative in terms of rewards.
"Are you an idiot, man!? The NPCs have already taken control of it. They're not letting anyone in or around the dungeon. Damn bastards are hogging all the loot and glory for themselves."
I can't help the smile forming on my face at the same time as a more exasperated look does as well. I wasn't going to challenge the dungeon to begin with. Not with everything I have to do in the next seven days.
But it does suck to hear I wouldn't be able to give it a shot, even if I had the time. In AG, NPCs can challenge a dungeon just like a player does. Except NPCs are stronger than the players right now, meaning the player base can't really do anything to challenge a new dungeon. Well, players could be the first to find it and keep it a secret.
That's the only way I can think of at the moment.
"C'mon, man! Don't rub it in my face like that! Let me have some hope! It's hard logging on every day and seeing the announcements about other players!! I want something good too!!"
A fire rises in the player who brought up the idea of challenging the new dungeon. I watch as the group slowly gets fired up with their friend. Eventually, they get in a circle and put their fists together.
"HOOOO!!!! LET'S DO THIS!!"
A dark and almost greedy look appears on their faces as the comical fire surrounds them. It's a scene very familiar to any gamer. The motivation we get from seeing what others have in the same game we're playing can be a driving force that's hard to stop.
After all, AG is a VRMMORPG. It's a competition as much as it's about adventure, quests, and fun. That's why games are so beloved.
I watch in silence as the group of friends charge off with determination in their faces. I bet that energy will disappear when they respawn one player level lower and one skill level lower for all skills.
My eyes shift over my shoulder, and in the distance I see (Zindars Auction House). A small sigh leaves my lips as I stop leaning on the lampost and make my approach. There are dozens upon dozens of players and NPCs coming and going from the Auction House.
"It's only been three days since I was here..."
Seeing that I can spend some time watching the thousands of auctions going on as I think of a solution, I enter the Auction House with the hope that an answer for my question about where to start will show itself. When I walk through the door, I see most people standing in groups, staring at the board for the items fetching the most money.
That's when I see it too. The (Legendary) graded shield that started its auction yesterday is still ongoing.
"180,000 Platinum..."
That's...
Soooo much money.
When Haleen explained the item quality grading system to me, she made it clear that items above (Epic) grade start to drive Kingdoms and Empires to war. The war I'm watching is one of currencies.
I have 30 Gold, 5 Bronze, and 25 Copper to my name. This is a great deal of money for a solo player like me. The money being used to bid on this item is likely a large percentage or the entire amount of a Kingdoms and Empires yearly budget.
Instead of just looking at the board, I walk down the hallway and find an auction hall with a couple seats free. Once I sit down, I see the (Legendary) item up for auction floating in the center of the stage.
Just like the first time I came to the auction house and saw that forgery.
The shield's design is a masterpiece. The metal uses curves and folds in a way I've never seen before. It has sharp, jagged teeth jutting from the shield's sides. The best way I can describe it is like a Venus Flytrap.
However, the sharp and jaggad points are the only part of the shield that reminds me of said plant. The core of the shield is almost like a tower shield. If I were to hold this, and I'm around 6'3, the shield standing would be a couple of inches taller than me.
Makes you wonder why the person who originally found it couldn't use it.
Now that I'm sitting down and thinking, I believe I have somewhere to start. Coming to the Auction House was a good idea. It reminded me of Haleen. And Haleen is sure to have some way I can find Dusk.
Now I do have a place to start.