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  John gives Jeff one more shove, sending him tumbling to the ground, then he turns to Marcy. “Yeah, and the last guy you cheated on me with was also a musician too. You expect me to believe you weren’t trying to get in this losers pants too? Please, we’re done.” The grass skirt wearing bro walks away, Marcy trailing after him, trying to get him to stop and talk to her.

  I walk over to Jeff to help him up, my blood pumping and ask, “Hey, you ok man?” I look over at the guy walking away, imagining how I could toss him through the air with my superior stats. “You want to make a big deal out of this with that guy? I have your back if you do.”

  Jeff just swats the grass off his kaki pants and laughs. “No man. It’s all good. The guy was just defending his lady.” Jeff smirks as he looks over at the arguing couple, “Besides, it looks like it’s a huge hassle that I don’t need.” “There are plenty of other fish in the sea,” raising his instrument he continues, “and I have the perfect bait to reel them in.”

  He drags me to another group of people, and I just shrug as I let him. I wave goodbye to Peggy, who waves back before walking away towards her friend.

  I spend the rest of the night trying to make small talk with strangers that Jeff introduces me to. Everyone seems to know Jeff and loves him. A tall guy in a toga tries to push a beer into my hand but I decline. I don’t really drink alcohol. My dad’s an alcoholic, and I’d frankly rather not imitate him since he abandoned us when I was younger. Still, no use in explaining that to this guy so I just tell him, “Thanks for the offer man. But I’m the designated driver for my friend.”

  He nods appreciatively, “Oh, you know Jeff? He’s awesome. Good on you bro for taking one for the team.” He downs the beer in my honor and then walks away drunkenly.

  As the night goes on, people seem to get more drunk and at some point I find myself in a corner of the sorority, just people watching. it’s a good excuse to level up my Inspect skill, which is a little invasive, but I get some juicy tidbits of info.

  Ryan Rucker

  He’s a graphic arts major and is well known for the amazing characters he creates for his tabletop campaigns, especially the famous kobold Saint Token.

  Likes: Tabletop games, rum and coke, getting down with his bad self.

  Dislikes: A boring GM.

  Bonus Info: Likes to be called ‘Race’ and has the uncanny ability to tell what a woman is thinking just by looking at her posterior.

  Jason Myers

  He, like most college students, is undecided on a major. Though he is considered to be wise for his age, he often goes against the grain while working with wood.

  Likes: The 17th Kingdom Hearts Game: Kingdom Hearts 5, Metallica.

  Dislikes: Non-consensual bear hugs.

  Bonus Info: Is great at catching inconsistencies in his favorite novels.

  I smile, reading some of the information Inspect gives me. Sometimes it’s stuff that would make a great short story.

  Aside from going to parties on the weekend, during the weekdays, I help Jeff study for his classes and this earns me the skill Tutor.

  Tutor

  Current Level: 1

  Increases your ability to pass on information and teach others. When tutoring non-Users, you can increase your students’ efficiency and comprehension. When tutoring Users, you have a 1% chance to teach them a skill you currently possess.

  Cooking for us raises my cooking skill and Jeff seems to generally appreciate my making stuff. In particular he likes the baked ziti I make. I love the dish too. It has a creamy tomato sauce, slightly salty mozzarella cheese, and al dente ziti noodles.

  On several occasions, I even make food for Jeff and his date, which he presents as his own work. I don’t mind helping him out, but one thing that I hadn’t counted on was just how popular Jeff is with the ladies. Sure, I knew that he had game and that he wasn’t afraid to chat up some pretty lady he just met, but I didn’t realize just how successful he was. I came home several times in the evening only to walk in on Jeff playing his guitar and wearing nothing but his boxers while serenading some girl. I think I spoiled their romantic mood one time when I started dinner and offered her some. After the third time, Jeff and I decided to work out a system: if I hear him playing the guitar, or if there is a balloon tied to the doorknob, I don’t go inside the apartment, and I have to find some way to occupy myself for the next couple of hours. Of course, Jeff will extend me the same courtesy should I ever have a woman over. For some reason, he chuckled when he said that, though. Still the next day Jeff comes home with a box of balloons and a tank of helium.

  My classes aren’t particularly challenging since most of the information in these early weeks is stuff that just needs to be memorized, and my intelligence stat of 20 helps me out in that regard. I will admit that some of the skills the classes give are interesting.

  Com 100 - Public Speaking gives me the Orator skill that boosts my ability to convince someone. Its efficiency increases as its level goes up. I think it also ties in my Charisma score, but since that’s still sitting at 10, it doesn’t likely have much influence.

  ANT 491 - Forensic Anthropology gives me the skill Bone Identification. The skill seems to work with Inspect and just gives me specific information about any bone that I’m looking at. Oddly, the information I get is dependent on what I’ve learned in the class or from books. When I first try it out, the skill just tells me that I’m looking at a bone. However, after learning where the bone came from and what species it belongs to, that information is then available any time I look at a similar bone.

  HST 202 - Likely from my constant efforts to stay awake in one of the most boring courses I’ve ever taken, United States History course gives me the skill Resist Sleep. It’s not really the subject that’s boring, but the droning tone that the professor uses while lecturing. The skill thankfully helps me resist effects that cause a sleep-like state.

  EC 201 - Principles of Economics gives the Haggle skill and allows me to negotiate deals in my favor. When buying goods, I am able to either receive a discount or negotiate a lower price, and when selling goods, I am able to make a greater profit. The skill even works with the System store, though it’s only a small discount of 1% right now.

  While Lillian and I made up after she told me I was being demoted from Alpha team, our relationship has become a little strained. Since I’ve started college again, I’ve spent less time with her. Sure, I pop into Monster Squashers Inc. to do a bit of studying and train a little, but every time I’m there, she’s off on some mission or in a meeting. It’s not that we don’t want to see each other, but rather that we’re both busy. I’m occupied with school, visiting my family, and an occasional dungeon dive, and she is constantly tied up leading major dungeon-clearing efforts and running a new business. If I’m honest with myself, part of the strain is also my own doubts about whether or not I’m even good enough for her.

  A few weeks after our fight, we’re able to schedule a date, and Lillian ports us over to Paris to enjoy a walk along the Seine River. The ability to travel so freely and quickly is one of the best parts of being a User. The two of us walk along the river while eating baguettes with melted cheese. The river is beautiful and the boats that run along it are calming contrast to the bustling city. Lillian has come prepared with a picnic lunch she pulls out of her inventory and sets it up along the river bank. She pours some wine for herself and we eat some delicious hot fried chicken, cheese, and grapes for us to eat while we sit and talk.

  “So, how has work been? You’ve been pretty busy with it whenever I’ve ported over to Monster Squashers Inc.,” I ask.

  Her lips compress at the jab, but she shrugs her shoulders and says, “I know that I’ve been busy. But I’m trying to make time for us Anthony. Work has been...challenging. Maintaining the new dungeon has been much more credit intensive than expected. I’m getting pressure to bring on investors to cover the expense, but have decided to go the other direction and rely on the dungeon dive revenue instea
d. It’s a gamble, and if we can’t get enough dives, we may be in trouble.”

  The mention of the dungeon dives creates an awkward silence. After all, she’d recently demoted me to a lesser team. Still, she’s going through a problem. “I’m sorry. I hadn’t known things were that tough at work. I can’t imagine how much pressure you’re under.”

  She shrugs, but my apology seems to relax things between us. “How have things been with you? College going well?”

  I smile. I know she doesn’t think that I should waste my time at college, but I appreciate her showing concern anyways. “It’s been interesting. It’s not as hard as I’d thought it would be. But that’s probably because the System has given me some skills that makes studying easy. Though I’ve also gotten some really neat System Skills from the classes I’m taking. Still, it’s really been a good experience. My roommate Jeff has helped me come out of my shell a little. He’s taken me to some parties and I’ve met a lot of new people. He’s a surprisingly popular guy.” I laugh out loud thinking of how often I have to go to the library because Jeff has a balloon wrapped around the front door handle. When I explain Jeff and my signal for when one of us is busy with a date she laughs with me.

  “So, when do you think I’ll get to come over? Do I need to bring my own balloons?”

  The question makes me pause for a second. After all, it never really occurred to me that my new college life would mix with my old life being a User. I mean, sure, I use my skills and abilities all the time, but Lillian coming over to my apartment would definitely blur the lines more. Before I can answer her, she gets a call and has to leave to handle some business-related emergency. Our date ends with a sweet kiss and her running off to find a door to use and then porting away.

  I decide to hang around, but even with the exciting experience of being in a new country, it’s just not the same once Lillian is gone. It also doesn’t help that the only French I speak was learned from a cartoon skunk. I’m almost ready to port home after pressing my way through several protests but decide to grind out some skills instead since I’m in a new area. My general-use skills that I can spam while just walking around are Inspect, Dungeon Scan, and Mapping. Mapping only levels when I’m in a new area, and it works by automatically charting the area I’m in. Inspect and Dungeon Scan are active abilities which require me to intentionally use them. So, as I’m walking around Paris, a densely populated city, I use Inspect on every person I see and activate Dungeon Scan whenever it comes off cooldown, which is about every ten minutes. I don’t have any local currency to buy a bus pass, so I’m hoofing it the whole way. It’s a very economical way to see one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and it’s not a strain since I have a fairly decent Constitution stat. I head to the Eiffel Tower, walk over some very pretty bridges that I’m sure are famous, visit the rebuilt Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Sainte-Chapelle, and the gardens near the Louvre. I actually want to go inside the famous museum, but a lack of foresight on my part precludes it since I didn’t bring a credit card or cash with me.

  Even though I’m spamming Dungeon Scan, I’m surprised when I get a hit, indicating that a dungeon is nearby. I was just trying to level the skill and not actually find one. I check my inventory.

  Inventory slots - 11

  War Hammer

  Grenade Launcher

  Grenade Ammo - Ice

  Trap - Rope

  Portable Crafting Station

  Public Speaking: Concepts & Delivery

  Introduction to Forensic Anthropology

  The American Promises

  Economically Developing

  I don't have anything other than my war hammer if I get into a melee fight and only limited ammunition for my grenade launcher. Still, I’m here. I don’t have classes today, and it’s been a few weeks since I ran that last dungeon, so I figure I might as well investigate.

  I pull up the System Map my skill has been charting of the area and see the new dungeon icon on the System Screen. I veer off the main road and down several side streets between tall buildings. The architecture in Paris is gorgeous, and the same is true even here where there is little light. The tall buildings on either side of the alleyway are ornately-detailed, making them seem grand compared to what I’m used to back home. The path I’ve chosen isn’t the most efficient, and I hit several dead ends before I find the dungeon entrance tucked away in the corner of some back alley. There are several businesses around, but I’m not sure what they are since their signs are all in French. There are also several groups of shady young men hanging around, and most turn away as I pass, hiding whatever they’re holding, and I wonder if the influence of the dungeon has already started corrupting people, or if they were already gathering here, and that’s what made the dungeon. It’s a circular debate that I’ve had time and again with myself. The bright red dungeon entrance is clear as day to me, even though the other men seem to shy away from it unconsciously. As I approach it, I activate Dungeon Inspect, a skill I’ve rarely had occasion to use recently.

  Dungeon - Dame Rebelle

  Recommended for levels 7-11

  Classification: Fantasy

  Restrictions: No Ranged Weapons

  The ban on ranged weapons gives me pause, but I’m feeling confident. Giving one last look down the alley, I turn the handle on the red door and enter.

  Chapter 7 - Interlude 1

  “God, the neighborhood is going to shit,” Samantha says as she swerves to avoid a drunk man walking in the middle of the dark street, her headlights barely illuminating him in time for her to maneuver. She can’t help but think how different the neighborhood looked when she was growing up there. The streets used to be safe enough that her parents would watch her run around, and she raced the other kids up and down the street without worrying about finding used needles, drugs, or a dead body. Her parents never let her go anywhere as a kid without them by her side. But that was more about them being helicopter parents. She looks in the rear-view mirror and sees her blonde three-year-old in her car seat, tapping away at an old tablet while watching a cartoon and giggling and she thinks that she’s not much better than her own parents.

  Her eyes return to the road and scan the streets, seeing more haggard and angry strangers just roaming around aimlessly. Things sure seemed to have made a turn for the worse around here recently. Three nights this month, she’d been woken up by sirens, cop or emergency vehicles racing down her street to one of her neighbors. Three break-ins this month, just on her street. Not only that, but she’s seen more violence. Just last week, at the grocery store, a fight broke out between two guys just because one bumped the other. If security hadn’t stopped it, one of the guys would have been seriously hurt. When she asked the manager about it, he said that he hired the security guard after the fifth fight broke out in the store. He doesn’t know what’s wrong with people, but everyone seems like they’re ready to explode.

  The situation makes her wish that her last tenant hadn’t moved. Sure, he spent all day in his room writing something called GamerLit, but he paid his rent on time and kept his room clean. The house also just felt more secure. While she doesn’t think she or her daughter, Samus, really need a man around to protect them, there’s an ache in her chest when she thinks about how lonely she’s felt lately. She knows her daughter is great, but she misses the company of other adults.

  As it does more often than not, her mind drifts back to thoughts of Tony, her former co-worker. She laughs, thinking of how much she teased him at work by calling him Tony and not his full name, Anthony. They’d worked together for some time, and while she always thought he was cute, he came off as being too serious. Always too much of a rule follower. Then, one night, it just changed. He seemed like a different person. He was funny, making dirty jokes, and teasing her back. They ended up dating for a while. She had taken him to her favorite club, even though it was such a hassle to get babysitting arranged. He took her to his favorite place to get chili fries. They made out a lot, and he was a very go
od kisser. But things never got more serious. I mean, they couldn’t. He was a good guy that was taking care of his family and going to college to make something of himself. He told her all about it; he was such an open book. But for her, it was different. She just couldn’t let him into her personal life. Sure, she could banter and joke with him, but for some reason, she couldn’t ever open up about her life: not her getting knocked up as a teen, her parent’s death, the house she had inherited, or the string of shitty, abusive boyfriends. No, he didn’t deserve to get caught up in her messy, complex situation or to be dragged down. So, she ended it and the two stayed friends. At least as long as he had continued to work at the Quickie Stop Mart. It’s been months since he left that job, and he had only ever left her a single voice message saying goodbye. She left too, determined to continue with her online classes and eventually get a degree in accounting. She never really needed the money from the job, it was just spending cash and a way to get out of the house.

  There are still nights even now when she wonders if she and Anthony could have made it if she hadn’t been afraid to let him into her crazy, messed-up world. Sure, she’s been on dates with other guys since then, but there was something special about Anthony, like he had some secret sexy aura or something. She wonders why she couldn’t give it another shot and remembers she still has his phone number.