Chapter 59: The Invitation
He remained silent for a few seconds. He enjoyed the serenity under the silver moonlight.
Out there he didn’t need to be anyone.
He could breathe and enjoy the twinkling stars.
The night wind of Bérsaic caressed his wounds in a brotherly comfort.
On his side, he observed how his interface glowed slightly. He opened it with a thought.
He quickly saw that most of the notifications belonged to Bella. Due to the successive events he couldn’t control, he had ended up ignoring her for most of the day.
Her successive messages, each more impatient, ended with a simple and direct:
"Fuck you."
It was to his liking. A small and humble trace of humanity that comforted him... despite attacking him.
He wrote a brief apology and sent it.
He was about to disconnect when another message arrived.
"I was joking! Are you free? It’s really big." Her urgency was visible at a glance.
But his wounds were practically incapacitating in his current state. He didn’t have to think about it too long, writing a simple:
"Tomorrow."
He disconnected without waiting for any response.
***
In reality, his stomach roared with a fierce protest. He had gone too long without eating properly.
Even so, his first instinct was to hurriedly check the chat with Noel.
There had been no update since his last message.
His chest filled with frustration. With the veins standing out on his hand.
*Where are you, friend?*
The worry for Noel was a constant weight on his mind. His good friend had disappeared without a trace, only with the ’pleasant’ response from those agents—Animals without reason.
He ended up eating dinner without enthusiasm, despite the hunger squeezing his stomach. The taste of the food was insipid in his mouth.
His mind couldn’t reconcile rest, even when he was in bed. His worries were divided between reality and the game.
The world and the phenomena continued evolving at a pace that gave no respite.
Everything spun like a whirlwind.
But finally without strength, exhaustion defeated him.
***
When he woke up, his first action was to go out shopping. He had little food left and even fewer credits.
Neo-Atlas Lower seemed grayer and more oppressive than ever. Its dirty streets only awakened pessimistic thoughts in him.
Observing people with empty gazes, very similar to everyone.
A veil of profound changes loomed over the exhausting reality and no one, apparently, managed to perceive it.
He bought what he could afford, without being lavish.
For the first time in a long time, he laughed alone in the middle of the street.
A bitter, almost incredulous laugh.
He would never have imagined that his real life would become so monotonous and gray compared to the chaos of a game.
But above all, the unpredictable changes. He would have preferred that everything was part of a big bad joke organized by Kael.
Back in his small apartment, he remained dozens of minutes sitting, wrapped in his thoughts.
His resilience was beginning to crack, though he hated showing it.
The weight of the real world pressed on his shoulders. And the video game gained, more and more, greater importance.
Finally, he took the neural helmet.
The irreversible mysteries were already in motion. Like a pawn or a knight, he was just another player.
He connected.
***
The cold wind of the North hit his face as soon as he appeared. Nothing had changed in Bérsaic.
Players and NPCs carried out their daily routines, oblivious to the whirlwind he had unleashed.
He sighed deeply and headed to the central market.
He quickly wrote a short message to Bella.
He indicated that he was ready.
When he left the market, his appearance had changed drastically.
Once again, he had needed to buy a new outfit. More resistant and of better quality.
His weapons had also changed. Taking charge of choosing them personally.
Finally he got rid of his old and worn daggers, those that had accompanied him for much of his journey.
He thanked them for the great role they had played, storing them carefully. They would serve for some purpose.
But even so, the new equipment was to his liking. In Bérsaic a ritualistic exchange between the blacksmith and the bearer of the precious weapon was respected.
But probably soon he would have to participate in that tradition again. Unless his progress was forcibly stopped.
In his interface shone Bella’s response.
"Meet me at Montseu Plaza!"
It was direct and without twists.
Gabriel immediately approved that type of message, but also felt a slight insecurity.
What was so important that she wanted to talk about it in person?
But his doubts were ephemeral, heading quickly to the place.
***
When he arrived at Montseu Plaza, he saw her immediately.
Bella shone as always. Her presence stood out among the crowd.
As he approached, her expression turned unpleasant.
With a furrowed brow, she crossed her arms.
"Finally you think I’m worthy of your attention, huh?"
"That’s how the real world works. There are responsibilities," he replied calmly.
"I saw you connected all day!"
"Yes, like I said, busy."
He only received a snort of reproach.
Bella observed him more carefully and her expression changed.
"Your face is bruised. Did you get beaten up?"
"Something like that," replied Gabriel without giving more details.
"Anyway! As always you’re a man of few words, I’ll be direct. I have information. Information of great value."
That instantly sparked Gabriel’s curiosity.
"What kind of information? And how does it involve me?"
"Naturally, it involves you. I paid a lot for this information and I’m kindly sharing it with you."
She approached with a paranoid expression and whispered in his ear:
"A dungeon. A big dungeon."
Gabriel felt a wave of excitement.
Dungeons were extremely valuable. But many times their locations were unknown, unless you discovered them personally through exploration.
"What do you want in return?" he asked directly, not believing it was pure kindness.
"A test. You are one of the few really capable people in Bérsaic. You need me and I need you!" she replied seriously.
"What kind of dungeon is it?" asked Gabriel.
"Trusting a pretty girl isn’t something they taught you at home, huh?"
"At home they taught me not to trust a pretty girl," he said sarcastically.
Bella let out a light laugh, but her eyes shone with determination.
During the following minutes, they exchanged questions and answers rapidly.
Bella complained every time Gabriel was too dry, but answered in detail.
The dungeon was of great strategic importance, dangerous and promised great rewards. Finally, they agreed to overcome the dungeon together, relying on their combined strength.
Gabriel felt a new sensation of anticipation.
It was an opportunity to grow on his path.
Bella extended her hand with a serene smile.
"Deal?"
Gabriel shook it firmly.
"Done."
The North wind blew harder around them.
Dungeons, despite their danger, were the most promising zones for any player.
