The ethereal blue notification of his level up lingered at the periphery of ProlixalParagon’s vision for only a fleeting moment before Bennett willed it away. The unexpected surge of experience, the tingling sense of progress, was immediately overshadowed by the cold, hard numbers that flashed in his mind. He had lost track of time again, his focus entirely consumed by the intricacies of reactivating Ralyria. A sudden, sharp stab of anxiety pierced through the lingering warmth of the vardo and the faint scent of pipe tobacco. He needed to log out. Now.
With a decisive mental command, ProlixalParagon brought up the system menu. The crisp, white text against the subtly shifting backdrop of his inventory felt jarringly real. His mental cursor hovered over the “Logout” option. The familiar wave of disorientation that always accompanied the transition flickered at the edge of his awareness, a prelude to the abrupt shift back to the physical world. He selected “Confirm Logout” without a moment’s hesitation.
The vibrant tapestry of the Fennician vardo began to dissolve, the rich, earthy tones bleeding into a swirling vortex of light and shadow. The gentle sway beneath his virtual feet vanished, replaced by the unsettling sensation of weightlessness. The faint, almost imagined scent of woodsmoke and exotic spices receded, leaving a void in its wake. Bennett’s consciousness began its rapid ascent, the neural interface severing its connection to the detailed sensory input of Ludere Online.
His eyes snapped open. The sterile hum of the D.I.V.E. pod filled his ears, a stark and unwelcome contrast to the quiet murmur of Lyra’s voice he had just been hearing. The smooth, cool plastic of the helmet pressed against his forehead. The cramped confines of the storage room swam into focus, the dim, utilitarian light revealing the familiar stacks of forgotten equipment and the dust motes dancing in the still air.
Panic seized him instantly. He fumbled for the helmet’s release mechanism, his fingers clumsy and uncoordinated with the sudden shift back to his physical form. The latch clicked, and he yanked the helmet off, the faint scent of ozone lingering in the air around it. He scrambled out of the pod, his gaze darting immediately to the digital clock on the wall. 5:58 AM.
The stark red numerals blared like a siren in the quiet room. His breath hitched in his throat. Two minutes. He had two minutes to get to the time clock and swipe his brown wristband. The image of Dave Smith’s face, the unexpected opportunity, the explicit warning – it all flashed through his mind in a chaotic jumble. He had to move. Now.
Ignoring the lingering disorientation, the phantom sensation of his Fennician fur against his skin, Bennett propelled himself out of the storage room. His cleaning cart, thankfully left near the door, stood waiting like a silent accomplice. He didn’t even spare it a glance. His focus was solely on reaching the time clock before the dreaded 6:00 AM mark.
He burst into the relatively quiet hallway, his worn work boots scuffing softly against the linoleum floor. The low hum of the building’s ventilation system seemed louder than usual, amplifying the silence of the pre-dawn hours. Most of the night shift would have already clocked out. He was one of the last.
His mind raced, a frantic calculation of distance and time. The time clock was located near the employee entrance, a considerable distance from the storage room in the administrative wing. He pictured the route, the turns he needed to make, the potential for encountering someone. Any delay could be catastrophic.
He hurried down the hallway, his steps quickening into a near jog. He briefly registered the closed doors of the developer offices, the faint murmur of their tireless work usually a constant backdrop to his late-night cleaning. Tonight, however, the silence was heavy, amplifying his own frantic movements.
Thoughts of his experience in Ludere Online warred with the urgency of his situation. The level up, his interactions with Lyra and Ralyria – he needed to formulate a coherent report for Dave. But that would have to wait. Survival in the real world of Alluring Realms, his job security, Brecken’s health – these were the immediate priorities.
He rounded a corner, his breath coming in short, sharp gasps. The familiar green glow of the emergency exit signs seemed to mock his haste. He pushed through the double doors leading to the main corridor, the time clock now within sight.
The digital display seemed to pulse with a malevolent red light. **5:59 AM**.
His heart hammered against his ribs. He was cutting it impossibly close. He could almost taste the metallic tang of panic in his mouth. He sprinted the remaining distance, his brown wristband feeling suddenly heavy on his arm. The rhythmic hum of the time clock grew louder as he approached, the small green light beside the scanner his only beacon of hope. He reached the machine, his lungs burning, his hand trembling as he lifted his wrist.
Bennett’s outstretched hand trembled slightly as he positioned his brown wristband beneath the scanner. The clock on the wall ticked audibly in the sudden silence – **5:59 AM** flashed, the final minute feeling impossibly short. He held his breath as the scanner whirred softly, a momentary eternity stretching before the small green light finally blinked into existence. A wave of relief, so potent it almost buckled his knees, washed over him. He had made it. By the skin of his teeth, he had clocked out within the agreed-upon timeframe.
He snatched his wrist back, his gaze still fixed on the unforgiving red numerals. The tension in his shoulders, coiled tight as a spring for the past few frantic minutes, began to ease, replaced by a shaky exhaustion. His lungs burned from the near-sprint, and his heart continued its frantic rhythm, a lingering echo of his panic. He took a deep, shuddering breath, the stale air of the hallway doing little to soothe his frayed nerves.
Now came the second, perhaps even more daunting, part of his agreement with Dave. The report. The details of his time in Ludere Online. The unexpected level up. What exactly had he accomplished? He had reactivated Ralyria, a significant step, he believed, though he wasn't entirely sure of its implications. He had also spent a considerable amount of time simply navigating the menu, a testament to his inexperience. He needed to organize his thoughts, to present a coherent account that would justify his continued access to the D.I.V.E. pod and demonstrate his potential value to Dave.
He glanced down at his hands, still slightly damp with a nervous sweat. He wiped them absently on the side of his work pants. He needed to compose himself, to project an air of professionalism, or at least something approaching calm, when he faced the CEO. The memory of Dave's piercing gaze, the weight of his unexpected opportunity, settled heavily upon him. He couldn't afford to squander this chance with a disorganized or flustered report.
Another deep breath, this one more measured. He straightened his slightly rumpled uniform, a futile attempt to appear more collected than he felt. He pushed the lingering images of the vibrant world of Ludere Online to the back of his mind, focusing on the task at hand. Dave's office. Administrative wing. He knew the way.
He turned and began to walk, his steps quicker now, driven by a renewed sense of purpose. The hallway seemed quieter than before, the usual low hum of the building almost imperceptible in his heightened state of awareness. He passed the darkened offices, the closed doors like silent sentinels. The fluorescent lights cast long, pale shadows on the linoleum floor, illuminating the path to his impending meeting.
As he walked, he mentally rehearsed what he would say. He would start with the time he logged in, the activities he undertook within the game – the exploration, the interaction with the environment, the specific task of reactivating Ralyria. He would mention the level up, its timing, and the brief notification. He would emphasize his focus on the task Dave had implicitly assigned: understanding the game and its mechanics. He hoped Dave would see his dedication, his willingness to learn and explore.
He reached the entrance to the administrative wing, the air here feeling slightly more formal, less utilitarian than the general office areas. The muted lighting and the carpeted floors contributed to a hushed atmosphere. He adjusted his glasses, his gaze scanning the hallway for Dave's office. He knew it was towards the end of the corridor, a corner office with a large window overlooking the still-dark grounds.
His footsteps softened on the carpet as he proceeded, each step bringing him closer to the moment of reckoning and opportunity. He could feel a nervous flutter in his stomach, a mixture of anxiety and anticipation. What would Dave's reaction be? Would he be pleased with the progress, or would his impatience have grown in the intervening hours?
He finally reached the door to Dave Smith’s office. It was a solid, imposing door, the frosted glass panel bearing only a discreet plaque with the CEO's name. He paused, taking one final deep breath to steady his nerves. He had two minutes to spare before the clock struck 6:00 AM, but the real clock he was operating under was Dave’s expectation. He raised his hand and gave a light, deliberate knock. The fate of his secret gaming, his potential future at Alluring Realms, and, in no small part, the well-being of his family, rested on the conversation that was about to begin.
Bennett’s light knock was answered almost immediately by a curt, “Enter.” He pushed open the door to Dave Smith’s office, stepping into the cool, meticulously organized space. Dave was seated behind his large, uncluttered desk, the soft glow of a monitor illuminating his face. He looked up, his expression neutral but with a hint of the keen focus Bennett had come to associate with him.
“Ah, Mr. Davies. Good morning,” Dave said, his gaze steady. “Please, have a seat.” He gestured towards one of the two modern chairs positioned in front of his desk.
Bennett moved as directed, his brown wristband catching momentarily on the edge of his cleaning uniform. He sat down, feeling a familiar mix of nervousness and anticipation. He had a lot to report, and the memory of his unexpected level up lingered in his mind.
"Good morning, Mr. Smith," Bennett replied, trying to keep his voice even.
Dave leaned back slightly in his chair, his arms resting on the armrests. “So,” he began, his gaze direct, “tell me about your continued… exploration”.
Bennett took a breath and started his account, beginning where he had left off in the storage room, before his unscheduled extension in Ludere Online. “As you instructed, sir, I logged back into the game and found myself still in the desert, near the Red Fox Caravan,” Bennett began, recalling his initial disorientation and then his focus on observing the surroundings. “However, I soon realized that the Vermillion Troupe, the smaller group I had briefly observed before, had moved and set up a temporary camp within the desert oasis city of Pella”.
He elaborated on the city, drawing on his observations. “Pella was quite different from Oakhaven, sir. It was a bustling hub, even in the desert, with various races and factions present. The Vermillion Troupe had positioned their colorful vardo wagons and larger Conestogas on the outskirts, but they frequently interacted with the city’s inhabitants. I spent a considerable amount of time observing their interactions, trying to understand their role and their connection to the wider Red Fox Caravan”. He mentioned the vibrant atmosphere of the city, the presence of an Adventurers Guild, and the general air of activity, contrasting it with the quieter, more tutorial-focused environment of Oakhaven.
Bennett then recounted the disturbing incident he witnessed. “During my time in Pella, sir, I unfortunately witnessed a rather unpleasant event involving a member of the Vermillion Troupe, a younger Kit Larka. He appeared to be a skilled artisan, crafting intricate leather goods. While he was attempting to trade some of his wares in the city’s marketplace, he was subjected to a racially motivated attack by a couple of individuals who seemed to hold prejudiced views against Fennicians”. Bennett described the verbal abuse and the escalating physical threat, emphasizing the swift and unified response of the Vermillion Troupe in defending their member. “It highlighted the potential for social conflict and racial tensions within Ludere Online, something the armorer in Oakhaven had vaguely alluded to regarding the Kingdom of Draggor and the Altaicians”.
Moving on, Bennett detailed his discovery within Lyra’s vardo. “While observing the Vermillion Troupe, sir, I had the opportunity to spend some time with Lyra, the elder I had briefly spoken with before. Inside her vardo, I discovered a deactivated mana-powered automaton. She referred to it as Ralyria, a relic from a bygone era. With Lyra’s permission and some guidance, I attempted to repair her, drawing on the basic Tinkerer skills my avatar possessed”. He explained the intricate process of examining the automaton's components, identifying damaged conduits, and attempting to reroute mana flow.
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“What was particularly interesting, sir,” Bennett continued, his voice tinged with a sense of wonder, “was the apparent development of… personality within Ralyria as I worked on her. Initially, her responses were purely mechanical, simple activations of functions. However, as her core systems began to function more optimally, she started exhibiting what seemed like curiosity, even hesitant attempts at communication beyond her basic programming”. Bennett recounted specific instances of Ralyria responding to his actions with unexpected vocalizations and slight shifts in her mechanical posture, leading him to consider the potential for emergent AI within the game world. “It made me wonder about the nature of these mana-powered automatons and their history within Ludere Online. Were they simply tools, or did they possess a form of sentience?”.
Bennett then described the Vermillion Troupe’s departure from Pella. “After a few days in the oasis city, sir, the Vermillion Troupe began preparations to move on. Lyra informed me that they were heading towards a village called Dustreach, further into the desert. I observed the intricate process of dismantling their camp, securing their belongings within the vardo wagons, and preparing their beasts of burden for the journey”. He detailed the organized and efficient manner in which the nomadic group broke camp, highlighting their self-sufficiency and adaptability to the harsh desert environment. “I chose to remain with the troupe as they traveled for a short while, continuing to observe their interactions and their navigation of the desert landscape before logging out”.
As Bennett concluded his account of the Vermillion Troupe and their journey, he briefly mentioned his experience upon logging out. “Sir, I also wanted to mention a… peculiar sensation I experienced when I disconnected from the D.I.V.E. unit this time. For a fleeting moment, it felt almost as if I could still feel the fur of my Fennician avatar. It was a strange, almost tactile memory that faded quickly, but it was quite distinct”.
Dave Smith, who had been listening intently, occasionally tapping idly on his desk, finally spoke, his tone thoughtful. “Ah, yes, Mr. Davies, that sensation. We have received other sporadic reports from some of our long-term beta testers describing similar phenomena – a lingering sense of their in-game avatar’s physicality upon disengagement. We’ve tentatively dubbed it ‘cognitive drift.’ It seems the prolonged and immersive nature of the D.I.V.E. technology can, in some instances, lead to a temporary bleed-over of sensory perception. Thus far, our analysis of the neural monitoring data hasn’t indicated any detrimental effects, and the sensations appear to be transient. However, it is something we are actively looking into”. Dave’s comment, delivered in a detached, almost clinical tone, acknowledged Bennett’s experience without dwelling on it, quickly redirecting the focus back to the core information of the report.
Dave nodded slowly, his gaze thoughtful. “Yes, Mr. Davies. The ‘cognitive drift,’ as we’ve termed it. We’ve had a number of reports of similar sensory bleed-over from other long-term immersion testers. It seems the more prolonged and detailed the immersion, the higher the likelihood of these transient phantom sensations. Our team in R&D is actively monitoring the neural feedback data from our testers to understand the mechanisms behind this. Thus far, as I mentioned, the data hasn't indicated any lasting or detrimental neurological effects. It appears to be a temporary recalibration of the brain after an extended period of sensory input within the virtual environment. Your experience aligns with these preliminary findings.”
He steepled his fingers, his gaze now sharp and focused. “However, your observations regarding this… Ralyria… that is quite intriguing, Mr. Davies. The emergence of what appears to be rudimentary consciousness within an NPC automaton is… unexpected. We have safeguards in place to prevent any true AI development within Ludere Online. This warrants further investigation. Your Tinkerer skills, however basic, may have inadvertently triggered some dormant protocols or corrupted data within the automaton's core programming.”
"Thank you, Mr. Davies, for this initial account," Dave said, leaning back in his chair. "It provides a starting point. However, as we discussed, the anomaly of your in-game sleep requires more in-depth investigation, as does the potential significance of the Vermillion Troupe and their connection to the Red Fox Caravan. Therefore, I look forward to a much more comprehensive report following your dedicated immersion period."
Bennett, who had been bracing himself for further questions or directives based on his initial report of reactivating Ralyria and his level up, was taken aback by Dave’s seemingly abrupt dismissal. "My… my dedicated immersion period, sir?" he stammered slightly, a flicker of confusion crossing his face. "Are you expecting me to begin that now?"
Dave nodded, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Indeed, Mr. Davies. After you’ve had some breakfast, of course. You’ve been here for quite some time." He gestured towards the door. "Go and have a proper meal. I will personally ensure your clock-out time from this morning is erased from the system. Consider it a… logistical adjustment for ongoing research."
Bennett’s surprise deepened. He hadn't expected such an immediate and direct transition into this full immersion experiment. "So… so I'm to spend the rest of the day in the D.I.V.E. pod, sir?" he clarified, wanting to ensure he understood correctly.
"Precisely," Dave confirmed, his gaze firm but not unkind. "You may take short breaks as needed to eat, use the restroom, necessary real-world biological functions, Mr. Davies. But otherwise, your focus for the remainder of the day is within Ludere Online. Explore, observe the Vermillion Troupe, and allow these… sleep episodes to occur naturally. Every detail, Mr. Davies. I expect a thorough report before you leave for the evening."
Dave then steepled his fingers and rested them on his desk, his gaze turning slightly distant, as if already contemplating the data Bennett might provide. "That will be all for now, Mr. Davies. Please proceed to have breakfast, and then resume your… research." With a subtle nod, the CEO indicated that their meeting was concluded.
Bennett rose from his chair, a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions swirling within him. He was relieved that his lateness hadn't resulted in immediate termination. He was astonished by the unprecedented opportunity he had been granted – a full day dedicated to playing Ludere Online, sanctioned by the CEO himself. And he was acutely aware of the immense responsibility that came with this privilege. Dave's expectation of a thorough report weighed heavily on him. He had to make this count. He had to justify Dave's unconventional decision.
He offered a respectful, "Yes, sir. Thank you, Mr. Smith," his voice still carrying a note of disbelief. He turned and walked towards the door, his mind already racing with possibilities and strategies for his upcoming immersion. Breakfast suddenly seemed like a crucial first step in preparing for this extraordinary day ahead. The world of Ludere Online, and the watchful gaze of Dave Smith, awaited.
A whirlwind of surprise, disbelief, and a burgeoning sense of opportunity churned within Bennett as he left Dave Smith's office. The abrupt shift from a potentially disciplinary meeting about his lateness to a sanctioned full day of Ludere Online was nothing short of astonishing. He had anticipated further scrutiny regarding the "cognitive drift" he had mentioned or perhaps more questions about Ralyria, the seemingly sentient automaton. Instead, he was being granted an unprecedented, company-sanctioned deep dive into the very game that had so captivated his attention, all under the guise of research.
The CEO's directive to have breakfast before starting this extraordinary assignment was a welcome, grounding thought. Bennett realized he was indeed quite hungry. The adrenaline of the morning’s unexpected turn of events had momentarily masked his physical needs, but now, the prospect of a meal was genuinely appealing. He made his way out of the administrative wing and towards the employee break rooms, the fluorescent lights of the corridor seeming a little brighter than usual.
As he walked, his mind raced with the implications of Dave's instructions. A full day in Ludere Online. What would he focus on? Should he return to the desert and the enigmatic Red Fox Caravan, the last vivid memory before his unplanned logout? Or should he delve deeper into the mysteries surrounding the Vermillion Troupe and Ralyria, whose awakening seemed to have sparked Dave’s particular interest? The CEO's pointed questions about the automaton and the instruction to provide a thorough report echoed in his thoughts. Perhaps he should prioritize further interaction with the Vermillion Troupe if he could locate them again within the game world.
He also considered the "cognitive drift" Dave had referred to. His fleeting sensation of feeling ProlixalParagon's fur upon logging out earlier was now framed as a known phenomenon, a "temporary recalibration of the brain". Knowing this eased some of his earlier unease about the experience, though the very fact that such sensory bleed-over occurred after prolonged immersion was still a fascinating, and perhaps slightly unsettling, notion. He wondered if a full day of immersion would intensify these sensations upon his eventual logout.
Reaching one of the employee break rooms, Bennett found it relatively empty at this hour. He selected a quiet corner and opened his small, packed lunch – a simple sandwich, an apple, and a thermos of coffee. As he ate, his thoughts continued to revolve around the day ahead. He needed a plan. Wandering aimlessly through Ludere Online for an entire day would likely yield little in the way of focused research. He should perhaps try to retrace his steps to Pella, the city where he had encountered the Vermillion Troupe. The game world was vast, he knew from his forum research, and finding a specific group again could be challenging, but it seemed like the most logical starting point given Dave's keen interest in them and Ralyria.
He also needed to be mindful of the time, even within the game. Dave had granted him short breaks for real-world necessities. He would have to set reminders for himself, perhaps utilizing his phone, to ensure he took these breaks and didn't lose track of time as he had done before. The consequences of oversleeping in the D.I.V.E. pod were still fresh in his mind.
As he finished his simple breakfast, Bennett felt a mixture of anticipation and a sense of responsibility. Dave Smith, the CEO of Alluring Realms, had entrusted him with an unusual task, a blurring of the lines between his mundane job and the extraordinary virtual world he had only recently begun to explore in secret. He couldn't afford to squander this opportunity. He needed to be observant, to document his experiences thoroughly, and to provide Dave with a comprehensive report that justified this unexpected research assignment. The stability and care his family deserved, the health benefits for Brecken, were inextricably linked to his continued employment at Alluring Realms. This full day of immersion was not just a chance to play; it was a crucial extension of his job, a high-stakes investigation into the mysteries of Ludere Online. He finished his coffee, a renewed sense of focus settling over him. It was time to return to the D.I.V.E. pod and begin his day of sanctioned adventure.
Emerging from the employee break room, his simple breakfast having settled the immediate pangs of hunger, Bennett still felt the undercurrent of surprise and nervous excitement from his unexpected meeting with Dave Smith. The directive to spend a full day immersed in Ludere Online was still sinking in, a surreal twist to what had started as a potentially disciplinary morning. He knew he needed to prepare himself mentally for this extended period within the D.I.V.E. pod.
Before heading to the storage room and the misplaced pod, Bennett decided to make a quick stop at the restroom. The walk through the familiar corridors of Alluring Realms, usually associated with his cleaning duties, now felt different. He was no longer just an observer in this high-tech facility; he was, in a way, a participant in its core function, a subject of its research. The brown wristband on his arm, typically a symbol of his facilities access, now felt like a passkey to an extraordinary, if unconventional, opportunity.
Entering the restroom, the mundane reality of the tiled walls and the humming ventilation provided a brief contrast to the fantastical world that awaited him. As he washed his hands, he glanced at his reflection in the mirror. The dark coppery brown of his hair, usually self-consciously styled in a top knot, seemed a little less tightly bound this morning, reflecting the slightly looser grip he felt on his anxieties. The wire frames of his glasses sat comfortably on his nose, framing eyes that held a mixture of apprehension and a dawning sense of purpose.
His thoughts returned to Dave's instructions. A full day dedicated to Ludere Online, focused on the anomaly of his in-game sleep and the significance of the Vermillion Troupe. He needed to be observant, to remember details, and to allow the sleep episodes to occur naturally so Dave could gather more data. The weight of Dave's expectation of a thorough report settled upon him once more. This wasn't just a chance to play; it was a task, a form of research sanctioned by the CEO himself. The stability and care his family deserved, especially for Brecken's fragile health, hinged on his continued employment at Alluring Realms. He couldn't afford to squander this unexpected chance to prove his value.
After a few moments of quiet contemplation, Bennett left the restroom and began the short walk towards the less-trafficked hallway leading to the storage room. Each step felt purposeful, a transition from the ordinary to the extraordinary. The low hum of the Alluring Realms facility, a sound that had become a constant backdrop to his janitorial duties, now seemed to resonate with a different kind of energy, the potential for discovery within the digital realm.
Reaching the storage room door, he glanced down the empty hallway, a habit ingrained from his previous clandestine visits. The green light above the access sensor glowed steadily. He swiped his brown wristband, the familiar click of the unlocking mechanism a sound that usually signaled the start of illicit gaming sessions but today marked the beginning of a sanctioned, albeit unusual, work assignment.
Slipping inside the dimly lit storage room, the musty scent of disuse and forgotten equipment filled his nostrils, a stark contrast to the sterile air of the main facility. And there it stood, amidst the shadows and discarded items, the sleek, black silhouette of the D.I.V.E. pod. It hummed softly, its indicator lights blinking in a steady rhythm, a silent invitation to the immersive world within. A surge of anticipation, mixed with a sense of the momentous task ahead, washed over Bennett as he approached the pod, ready to begin his full day of dedicated immersion in Ludere Online.
