4 - fics I read - LIGHTREADER

FanFiction.Net

Just In

Community

Forum

The Guild of Gamers: The Game Master by The Dark Wolf Shiro

Game X-overs & Worm Xover Rated: M, English, Fantasy & Supernatural, Words: 71k+, Favs: 3k+, Follows: 3k+, Published: Sep 11, 2023 Updated: Jun 25

1,030Chapter 4: The Greater Good

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my original characters and works, if you recognise it from somewhere else, surprise it isn't mine.

Betad by morde24, Atrius, Hermes, Priapus, Marethyu, Old Man of the Mountain, TheDonFluffles, Malcolm Tent Mike, God of Lore and Beans

The Guild of Gamers: The Game Master

Chapter 04: The Greater Good

Sitting in my seat, I half-pay attention to the lesson (already knowing the material) as I mentally go through everything in preparation for tomorrow. Waking up, it immediately became clear that I had vastly underestimated the response to my little game.

There's only a single prize on offer but it is getting attention worldwide. I knew I'd get this sort of attention eventually, but I didn't expect this sort of response from the very beginning. The entire reason I made the 'game' be tomorrow was so that there would be less time for word to spread.

A part of me wonders if Cauldron is to blame for the massive response, but after some thought, I've realised that I just genuinely underestimated the average person's reaction to my proclamation. It's not the end of the world, because the short timespan means that Capes from outside the city are having a much harder time getting here before the big show.

Admittedly I got carried away with my promise to help Sveta, because that got some ridiculous attention from all the Case 53s (including Faultline's crew), but Sveta is one of the few truly sympathetic characters in Worm in my humble opinion.

The PRT has already locked down the park I chose for the first game, but they've made a statement that they're just keeping civilians out and won't block other capes from entering (because they don't want to get swarmed by villains who outnumber them). I'm sure they'd love to have only PRT heroes take part in my game, but that's not an option unless they want to deal with the various villains teaming up to beat the shit out of them.

I've made a statement that those who cause undue chaos or harm civilians trying to get into the game will be blacklisted from both this game and future games, with truly bad offenders having their entire organisation blacklisted.

So, my next problem.

I need to make sure I don't get kidnapped before, during or after the game. Before is easy, I just won't be showing up as Azuth until the game begins, but during and after are more complicated.

Several people have already tried to hack into my Omnitool. Fortunately, the cybersecurity VI has already proven worth the cost and logged the various failed attempts to access its systems. I'm pretty sure I have the Deckers to thank for this, but not the Deckers alone.

I have options, but what I don't have are the points required for all the reliable options. Angela is a constant source of income because she's a summon who is very active. Every person she heals as Dr Ziegler earns me some points, but even still I don't have the points I need to afford the security I need for my games and still offer the prizes I've offered.

This brings me to a nice little option that showed up in my system when I spent a little too long looking at options I very much couldn't afford.

When I made my 'build', I took a drawback to make the world an AU for more points, and it turns out that particular option is still available, though more limited now.

There are plenty of different types of drawbacks from what I remember, both in type and severity, but while I could individually pick the drawback during the character build phase, I now have to choose both a type and severity and a random one will be selected, granting points based on my selections.

It's risky, but the more I think about it, the more it seems like the right option. If I can get enough points to make this first game go well, maybe even hand out multiple prizes this game to start off strong, then I'll be in a better position to start growing and I'll be in a better position to act when the next Endbringer attack rolls around.

I'm really cursing my sub-optimal build at this point, had I known I'd actually have to live through my choices I could have made a build far more effective than my summoner build.

As classes come to an end, I head out quickly, noticing how distracted the Wards seem today. Angela has already scolded me for being reckless, so she wouldn't approve of me taking more risks but I'm not in a position to play things safe.

The sooner I'm established, the better, because much like Tinkers, I'm at my weakest at the start before I can get myself set up. The more capes I empower, the faster I can snowball and reach the levels of power that I need to deal with both the Endbringers and Scion.

Going over everything I want for tomorrow, I make two separate 'shopping lists'. One is my ideal list, working out how many points I'd need to get everything I want to make this go flawlessly, and the other is my realistic list of everything I need at the bare minimum for this to not go terribly, then working out how many points I'd need left over to offer either one prize as promised or more if I have leftover points.

As it stands, I have enough for most of the realistic list if I only want to give out a single prize, which would blow through my leftover points and everything I've earned. Thankfully, my announcement had an unexpected side effect, the sheer chaos it started can be linked back to me directly so I got some points for it.

Looking at the drawbacks menu, I hesitate as I look over my options. I don't want to take any drawbacks in the personal category, maybe it's selfish but I can't save this world if I'm stuck dealing with a bunch of unpleasant drawbacks.

After another moment of doubt, I remind myself that I need to do this, whatever chaos I cause now will be worth it if I can stop Scion. Billions are relying on me to stop him, millions will die if I can't stop the Endbringers. I know Angela said that it's not entirely on my shoulders, but realistically, who else can I count on?

The Triumvirate? Eidolon is an ego-maniac with fading powers, even if I could fix his powers the dumbass would probably just summon even stronger Endbringers to test himself against. Alexandria is strong but ineffective against the real threats, and Legend falls into the same category. That's ignoring the Cauldron angle, which is an entirely different mess.

This world has plenty of heroes, but they're outnumbered almost four to one by villains in most places. They can't even handle the gangs, let alone the real threats like Endbringers and Scion.

No, if this world is going to survive (and by extension me, since I'm stuck here until after Scion is dealt with), I need to be the one to save it. I can't rely on anyone to save the day. Yes, I'm well aware that I'm not dealing with this particular situation fantastically, I don't need to be a therapist to know that.

I'm the Game Master, even returning people to life isn't outside of my potential powers. If I get people killed, I can bring them back later. It is far from ideal but I'm in Worm, and nothing about this situation is remotely ideal.

I need to be ready for the potential Leviathan attack on Brockton Bay, which should happen in May. The description for Minor AU says it doesn't change the general story or timeline that much, Golden Morning will still happen in June 2013 if I can't stop it. Leviathan should still come here in four months if nothing changes. If I run from battles, I don't get the points I need to survive Scion's rampage in two years.

I need to kill Jack Slash before then, but that means fighting the Nine sometime in the next year or two, which again, is a daunting task.

All this adds up to one thing, I need points.

Starting small, I pick a minor world drawback, wanting to know exactly what I'm dealing with. The tiers do give me examples of the kind of thing it could be, and minor drawbacks aren't that bad.

Drawback Added

[Serial Killer]

A serial killer has been let loose in Brockton Bay

Well, it could be worse. Actually, this is fine. It should put this serial killer somewhere in Brockton Bay and because it is a minor drawback the killer can't be that powerful which means I should be able to put them down.

Yes, it's not ideal that some people are going to die, but let's be honest, they live in Brockton Bay. Dying was always a risk.

Because of the random nature, I don't get to learn the identity or even the modus operandi of the killer, but surely even Brockton can't have that many serial killers? Worse case, I use the points I gather from the games to summon Batman or Sherlock Holmes and track them down that way. In fact, I can just look for familiar faces that shouldn't be here. It is almost certainly a serial killer from another media, I'm smart enough to find someone out of place even if the changes are retroactive.

The highest tier of severity can include new Scion-level threats, which is a big no-no since I very much don't want to deal with something with Scion's might and none of his depression. Scion's big sad is the only reason we still have a chance, so that tier is entirely out.

The level below can include S-class threats, and as I ride the bus home I give it some serious thought. It could be bad, but unlike the lesser threats, the S-class threat could be anywhere in the world, in fact it's almost guaranteed to not affect Brockton Bay directly or more importantly immediately.

This gives me time, time to prepare to put down whatever chaos this causes. I won't leave my own messes unattended for long and I already planned to deal with the S-class threats of the world anyway, either directly or through my agents.

One more wouldn't be the end of the world, in fact it could be the exact opposite of the end of the world given the considerable amount of points it grants me.

Angela's words echo in my mind, but I shake my head and make my decision. I will do what I must, for the survival of Earth Bet and all the other worlds that Scion would destroy in his apathy. Hell, once I have the power, I can track down the rest of his moronic species and wipe out all the entities and put an end to their cycle of destroying worlds on the whimsical hope that they'll stumble on the answer to entropy.

Fucking morons, tearing the multiverse apart because they're too stupid to come up with a better plan or to look into a solution themselves. They're a blight, and one I'm going to put down.

But that is for the future, for now I need to survive tomorrow.

Drawback Added

[New Endbringer]

A new Endbringer will awaken before the canonical schedule, and the next attack will be its debut.

That's… not that bad actually, all things considered. It doesn't speed up the attacks, it just means I can't try and prepare for one of the three. No, I can definitely work with this. Hell, that means I don't have to prepare to deal with Simmy, which is good because out of all the Endbringers, she scares me the most. Having her attacks be even more delayed is a pro, not a con.

Admittedly, my tune may change when I see the new Endbringer, but for now, I'm cautiously optimistic about this drawback. It could be worse, and in Worm that's about as good as things get.

Looking at my new flush points wallet, I hesitate for a split second before I nod to myself and roll the dice again. One more like that and I'll be able to afford everything on my 'wants' list.

Drawback Added

[Freed from Ego]

The Endbringers are no longer directed by Eidolon's subconscious, now acting on a plan made by Eden before her crash. To encourage growth, each attack causes the Endbringer to hold back slightly less, growing in intensity over time.

That is… worse, but again I can see the silver linings. I was honestly planning on either seeing how much it'd cost to cripple that aspect of Eidolon's powers, or just kill off a member of the Triumvirate, but this means Eidolon is no longer a liability. Thankfully, it doesn't start the escalation retroactively, but it does mean the Endbringers will start getting stronger from now on.

That's… it's fine, as long as I keep summoning and empowering, I can deal with this particular drawback. Escalating Endbringers won't matter much when we've got multiple Triumvirate-level capes to counter them. Leviathan deciding to stop sandbagging a little won't matter if I summon Superman who just uppercuts the bastard into a different solar system.

Yeah, this is fine. Everything will be fine, the sooner I can start the snowball the better. Both serious drawbacks have silver linings, and now I can afford everything I need with some spare for a rainy day.

As I step off the bus, I pause as my mind goes back to the big red button. The drawbacks haven't been that bad, and I could use the extra points to make sure this particular game goes amazingly and grow the legend of Azuth as much as possible.

…Angela doesn't need to know about this.

Drawback Added

[Free as a Bird]

Sometime in the next three months, the Birdcage will be busted open and all the capes within will escape into the world, scattered across Earth Bet.

…fuck.

There's no silver lining to this, this is just genuinely an issue and one that will be problematic to fix. I will fix it, even if I have to execute the formerly Birdcaged villains personally, or indirectly if I get a summon who can help hunt them down and grant them a final justice.

I could even make my own Birdcage, as the Game Master world-building is entirely within my capacity now that I've got such an influx of points, I could make my own interdimensional prison to hold those I capture. If I'm smart I could even turn it into a source of points and put the bastards to work.

Could I warn people about the next Endbringer and Birdcage escape? I have up to three months for the Birdcage and a month for the Endbringer, but how would I explain my knowledge?

Either way, I think that's enough drawbacks. Let's put the big red button away for now.

I think it's for the best that I don't mention this to Angela, she doesn't need to know I'm indirectly responsible for… a considerable amount of future issues. I know I'm her master, but she's very good at making people feel very stupid.

Entering the house, I order Chinese takeaway and take a seat. I'm taking tonight off, so I might as well enjoy it.

I've been thinking about my mid-term plans, and I've come to a conclusion. I'm going to pull a Cauldron and use Brockton Bay as an experiment; but a different one from their canon experiment (which might not even be happening given the distinct lack of Coil).

I want to take out all the gangs, but there are several issues with that. A power vacuum would invite outsiders to try and fill it, and Worm is shitty enough that wiping out all the gangs isn't really viable, to be honest.

Plus, I need my heroes to be gaining points for me, which means they need enemies to fight. No villains, no gangs, no points.

But on the other hand, I won't just ignore violent white supremacists and sex traffickers just because it's somewhat profitable, and I will get a large influx of points for every gang eliminated.

So I'm going to replace them. I'll use permanent summoned companions to build new gangs under my control, gangs whose actions I can control.

I can prevent the worst crimes while making them a big enough threat that the heroes still fight them, my fingers pulling the strings for both sides.

Brockton Bay is a fertile testing ground, it's not like I can make the place worse, and if I can get this scheme working then I can expand and start doing the same everywhere.

Plus, it'd give me an ever-growing army for Endbringer fights, S-rank threats and the final battle.

I can also summon heroes to infiltr- join the PRT, they always want more heroes and some of the heroes I have access to would rapidly rise to positions of power and influence.

Having both sides dancing to my tune would let me keep making points while also minimising all the damage they cause.

But that's for later, for now I'm putting on a fantasy movie from Earth Aleph and relaxing, all work and no play and all that.

– Next Morning –

I prepared everything for the game before I went to bed, staying up late to make sure everything was ready and I had it all planned out before I had to go to school.

Turns out I didn't need to because Arcadia is closed for today.

"It is good to see the PRT is taking this seriously. Hopefully, this should minimise the trouble your little idea will cause," Angela says as she reads the warning the PRT put out, giving me a somewhat reproachful look as I nod.

"They're being more competent than I expected, another of the changes from the Earth Bet I knew?" I mutter, musing on what would cause them to be less incompetent than usual. Coil isn't here, so if the Brockton Bay experiment isn't in effect then maybe the local PRT is better funded.

They've basically shut down part of the city to keep as many civilians away from the park as possible, put out warnings for the locals to stay away, and finally closed the schools for the day and put out a notice to keep kids inside for today.

It's still run by Emily Piggot, which doesn't fill me with confidence, but they already seem smarter than the canonical PRT.

"But you still don't want to work with them?" Angela asks, making me shake my head.

"I don't want to work for them, I refuse to get paralysed by the sheer amount of red tape they'd bind me with, and just because they've reacted smartly to this doesn't mean they aren't the incompetent and corrupt PRT I know," I explain, making her pause as she thinks it through before she nods in agreement.

"A fair point, Overwatch did our best to avoid government interference as well. Having good relations with the local government will help, but not if they try to take control," Angela agrees. "Do you have everything ready for today?"

"I do, at this point, I'm just playing the waiting game. Don't you have work today?" I ask, making her shake her head.

"No, I may be called in, but frankly I'm expecting you to need healing by the end of the day," Angela teases, though she clearly believes it as I smirk, mentally sharing my plans with her. "Ah, well it is good to see you are taking your own safety seriously. You won't be able to save anyone if you get yourself killed."

"I know, believe me, I do," I sigh, this world is far too dangerous for me to not take my safety seriously. "It's the entire reason you were my first summoned companion, I knew I'd need a healer eventually."

"And here I thought I was only summoned for my looks," Angela teases, making me laugh awkwardly.

"No, I summoned you for your healing… I summoned you over any other healer because of your looks," I admit, making her chuckle at my minor embarrassment.

"Ah yes, your original harem plan. Dozens of the most beautiful heroines and villainesses at your beck and call," Angela continues, making me scratch my chin awkwardly. I shared my knowledge of Worm with her, but I accidentally shared a little more than I meant to.

"In my defence, it was late and I was just fucking around with something I thought wouldn't matter," I sigh, and then I got kidnapped and dropped in Worm. I could have picked a much safer 'starter' world and taken my time, but here I am.

"I am only teasing, you had no way of knowing that this was going to happen," Angela says softly, placing a hand over mine. "In truth, I'm glad you chose me, despite your reasons. This world is in dire need of saving, on that we can agree. I just wish you'd talk to me first before making reckless decisions like announcing this 'game'."

I definitely shouldn't mention the drawbacks, but from the look on her face, she already suspects something. Angela is quite literally a genius, and I probably look guilty.

"You don't have to do all this alone, in fact, your powers are entirely based around you not holding the weight of the world on your shoulders," Angela continues, and I can't disagree.

"I know, once this game is finished I should be in a better position to start summoning other people to help so we can start taking the fight to the gangs," I say, making her nod with a frown.

"I can't say I disapprove of that, the sheer amount of patients I've already seen from Cape fights and gang violence is absurd. This world is in a worse state than mine was, and that's saying something. Honestly, I can't disagree with you calling the PRT ineffective when this city has neo-nazis and sex slavers operating openly," Angela says with a deep frown. "You know that the Empire has used me as proof of their ridiculous beliefs being correct?"

" A blonde-haired, blue-eyed, white woman who is both a genius and looks like a supermodel? I can't say I'm surprised," I deadpan, making her smile at the compliments.

"Your knowledge that Medhall is under Empire control is worrying, given how many times I can 'remember' Medhall trying to recruit me or invite me to parties. Even now some of my research is being funded by Eleanor Anders, who I am almost certain is Iron Rain, given the lack of the Kaiser from your memories," Angela sighs, making me nod. I came to the same conclusion during my research.

"Be careful, the Empire I knew wouldn't kidnap a famous doctor and medical researcher outright, but this Empire is more bloody. I can summon you back if anything happens to you, but then we'd both have some awkward questions to answer," I say. We'd have a hard time explaining how she magically escaped them, or even coming back from the dead should the worst happen.

"I have met Eleanor, in my new memories. She was a charming woman, not the frothing-at-the-mouth violent racist that Iron Rain appears during her 'speeches', but you are right of course," Angela agrees. Iron Rain likes the sound of her own voice, but her speeches border on rabid. She hates anything that isn't white, blames everything that goes wrong on either non-whites, immigrants, or of course the Jews, and encourages her people to put their 'lessers' in their place.

She even had a black independent hero fucking lynched not that long ago, and I have a sneaking suspicion I know who that hero was. He went by Blackout, and had the power to summon clouds of darkness. No Undersiders, and no sign of Grue, but that was almost certainly Grue's power.

God, I never thought I'd miss Kaiser.

The Unwritten Rules are unwritten, so they can be conveniently ignored when they're too troublesome to stick to, the Empire's power combined with their close connection to Gesellschaft makes actually fighting them a problematic situation for the PRT, so I'm not surprised there was barely any actual government response to a new independent being killed.

Hookwolf is truly off his leash, Iron Rain lets him rampage and while he's apparently Birdcage bound if he's captured again, the Empire makes sure he doesn't get captured. There's rumours going around that he might get traded to the Gesellschaft for one of their capes to prevent the PRT from getting him, but that's just hearsay for now.

Pausing, I make a note to look into that personal prison idea. Some people need to be locked away, the key tossed into an abyss.

Or I'll just have him killed, I know his identity and have no limit to the amount of assassins and killers I could call upon. Brad Meadows might be a badass cape, but he's very vulnerable to sniper fire, and looking at Mercy for a moment my mind goes to a very good sniper.

Widowmaker could do some genuinely good work here, because some people would really be improved by a sniper round to the head.

Shaking my head, we move the conversation onto safer things, with Angela asking if I've made any friends at Arcadia yet, killing time before things get started.

– Victoria Dallon (Glory Girl) –

Arriving at the place Azuth had designated, she looked around with some nervousness at the sheer amount of capes gathered around. Her mother was practically vibrating as she suppressed the urge to attack the villains casually waiting for the 'game' to begin.

She wasn't surprised, even as Aunt Jess placed a soothing hand on her mother's shoulder, both glaring towards where the Empire contingent was standing, unconcerned by the glares they were getting. It was hard for her not to attack them herself, given that they fucking murdered her father and uncle Mike.

Iron Rain had decided to show up herself, the psychopath lounging on a throne made of her own swords, Fenja and Menja on either side of her. No Hookwolf, but she could see Victor and Othala behind the twins.

The Sons of Samedi were standing at the other side of the park, the three black capes giving challenging looks to the Empire, Mr Sunshine, Sister Calypso and Rougarou almost daring the Empire to attack them. Rougarou was glaring at them with genuine hatred, she could guess why. She didn't look like she was older than thirteen, and she showed up shortly after Blackout was brutally murdered by the Empire with one hell of an axe to grind with them.

No sign of the ABB or the Ronin, but she heard that Ronin ambushed Oni Lee on his way here and drove him back, before Lung attacked them in response.

Even the Westside Rollerz had showed up, Mad Moxxi and Overdrive leaning against one of Overdrive's racing cars (which she knew was far more dangerous than it looked). Faultline was here as well, with Newter and Bitch by her side as she waited a distance away from everyone else. Fuck, even Uber and Leet had showed up, in person, no less, the pair of nerdy bitches quietly talking and occasionally glancing towards everyone else.

She saw more capes she didn't recognise, probably from out of town. There were far too many villains for her to feel comfortable, did Azuth even realise the chaos this was going to cause if he was planning on giving out a single boon?

The PRT was here in force, Armsmaster and Solarflare leading the group, which was probably the main reason nobody had started shit (beyond Azuth's threat of blacklisting people who cause problems), nobody wanted to mess with one of the best Tinkers in the world and the Blaster who was second only to Legend.

No Wards, but that wasn't a surprise. Brockton Bay Wards got more involved in the Cape scene than anywhere else, but this was too dangerous for even them. She was only here because she was hoping to talk some sense into Azuth as the only person who had actually spent time with him. The heroes were in a bad enough position as it was, and now Azuth might be empowering villains? Had he lost his mind?

Ten more minutes until Azuth's game would apparently start, and there was no sign of the man himself, people were getting antsy with the complete lack of Azuth, and a flash of light made everyone turn to it, expecting Azuth to have magically appeared.

Instead, everyone froze as they spotted the newcomers.

Alexandria and Eidolon stood there, undaunted by the stares and the fear she could see on the faces of some of the villains, two of the Triumvirate standing there as a very awkward dark-grey-skinned woman stood behind them. She recognised the New York Ward, Weld, and it didn't take her long to realise why she'd been brought along.

Azuth claimed he could modifiy powers, and Weld was basically the postergirl for Case 53s.

Before anyone could speak, someone else teleported in, and once again it wasn't Azuth.

She was pretty sure everyone was thinking the same thing, what was Mouse Protector doing here, and the mousey cape squeaked as she looked around at the sheer amount of capes staring at her.

More than she'd ever seen outside of an Endbringer attack.

Mouse Protector laughed awkwardly as Armsmaster sighed and Miss Militia facepalmed, but once again, before anyone could speak up another flash of light drew their attention.

Right in the middle of the clearing, the air tore open and a blue rift appeared, all of them watching as it grew until it was about the size of a double-door, the other side clearly visible as they spotted Azuth standing in front of some kind of structure barely visible behind him.

He gestured to them, a clear 'come hither' motion, and while most people hesitated, Iron Rain of all people rose and strutted through the portal with no hesitation, followed by her entourage.

The gauntlet had been thrown, and her mother charged after them, making her and Fleur follow behind.

God, she hoped Azuth knew what he was doing, because this seemed like a disaster in the making.

Author's Note: Sol continues to help.

I am entirely motivated by praise and interaction, so leave a review and I'll probably write faster.

I have a Discord server (technically someone else's but my name is on the server so it's basically mine) with a bunch of other authors and a load of porn. Here's the link for that: discord .gg/wd3tUYWVCd

If it says it's expired, add me (ThePumpkinKing) and I'll invite you myself.

I've finally started to use my pat reon for something, mostly I've just added some discord integration so that my pat reons can read early previews of chapters. This won't affect regular posting, but if you want to read my works a day or two early then consider checking it out

Chapter 761 - 4