It's already deep in the night when I logged off from Shardillica Online. I'm terrified to think that I will slowly forget all the fun I had in the game eventually. I wish I could have made more drastic measures to archive my adventures. I think this will be the last time I'll play the game. Kinda sad, but I must move on. I hope I can find a game I can consider a home soon.

  Since there's nothing to do in Gemfall, I went to sleep. I still have work tomorrow. It's just about time too, my stomach is starting to hurt.

  This day is the day. In preparation for the night, I took things easy for now. A quick glance on the internet, and it's the same case as last night. No major breakthroughs so it should be fine.

  Beta tester huh. Kinda whack they allow them to play the game. I mean don't they have an advantage? I wonder if they are still eligible for the 10 billion. That's kinda unfair.

  After work, I went to meet the player I met last night, and Ms Calie- the beta tester. I forgot to ask her name, but no matter.

  I arrived at the restaurant where we were supposed to meet. It looks quite pricey, so I hope I can afford dinner for two people.

  Let's see, the player last night should be wearing black shirt and carrying a game console, and Ms Calie should be wearing a hoodie and reading a book. I think I could see them.

  Is that them? my goodness they look stunning. I'm kinda having second thoughts right now. Do I cancel? like they don't know this is me yet, so i should be clear.

  I wonder if that's really them? It seems they don't know each other. I thought she said they're friends.

  The player last night looked like someone people would call a “goth goddess”, like she’s the definition of the word. Wolf cut, black eye liner, all black, etc… While Ms Calie’s aesthetics is like a normal person? Like her fit looks comfy. She blends well and doesnt grab much attention. Doesn't wear heavy makeup too. I wonder how they met together.

  *gulp*

  Whatever, let's go.

  “U-um, are you Ms Calie?”

  “Hmm? May I help you?”

  I guess that's a yes.

  “I'm the guy from Shardillica”

  “Oohhh!!! Come here, sit, sit… Oh that's right, I forgot to introduce myself last night. My name is Scott”.

  As the player last night extends her hands.

  “Calie, he's the guy I talked about last night. He wanted to talk to you about GemFall.”

  “Oh Gemfall huh? you btch… Do you think I forgot what you did this morning? You said you're sorry last night but then you'll leave me again the second time? and now whoring me to some random dude?”

  ah shit, this is awkward. I want to go home.

  “Now, now, don't be angry now. Don't be rude to our guy. He's paying for our dinner. You should be grateful. Now make your order. Here's the menu, I'm getting hungry already.”

  “Hey butt naked guy! Make your order too, let's get something to eat.”

  “Butt naked guy… Haha… It's alright, I'm fine. I'm already full.”

  I think I can barely afford dinner for two people. Three is out of the question.

  “I'm not really mad or anything. I just wished you stayed longer. You would have seen something interesting.”

  “Oh really? I could tolerate the captain, but not those other guys, especially that chicken head. He thinks he's so funny. ugh.”

  “Not those unfunny soldiers! I mean, there's someone who arrived later on. Ah… Big sis Ria… I wish I could see her again. I'm stuck with the dumb captain. Oh what i'll give to be with her again.”

  I was quite confused, they lost me there.

  “Uh sorry to interrupt, but youre talking about Gemfall right?”

  Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

  “Of course butt nak-”

  “You can call me Igmi.”

  “Ok Igmi... Sorry about earlier… and... thanks for the dinner... You said you wanted to ask about Gemfall, what do you want to ask?”

  Here it goes, I'm finally getting my money's worth.

  “I'm stuck at the game, can you help me out?”

  “Ok, tell me what you did. Right from the start.”

  “Ok, let's see, first on the “choose a color prompt”, I chose color black. Then as for “choose a starting point in the map” prompt, I chose somewhere with a scary name, I think I chose somewhere above the map… and as for-”

  “STOP”

  Calie would interrupt.

  “Where’s the starting point you choose? Why the hell would you pick outside the recommended zones? It's recommended for a reason!”

  “Oh that? You see, all newbies should congregate there right? It will take time to level there. I was hoping I could find challenging enemies right away for faster xp gain.”

  “pffffftttt. HAHAHAHAHA”

  Calie would burst out laughing.

  I was confused as to why. Did I say something wrong?

  “Oh sorry, that was rude. I didn't expect that answer though. I see. Hahaha. So that's why you're stuck.”

  “This guy, dives on a high level area before even learning the mechanics, what a riot. What you did might work in any other games, but not on GemFall. Let me tell you the most important part in gemfall... “

  *Calie mimicking a drum roll*

  “Is speech! yep you heard that right. You are supposed to use speech. Beg, persuade, or any other method you want using speech to make the ingame inhabitants do what you want to do ingame.”

  “So thats why-”

  “Exactly! That's why you can't move or do anything. In this game, you can only talk.”

  Hmmm… I'm dumbfounded. That's something new for a game for sure. Quite the revelation.

  “So in your case, since you landed in some remote area, your account is more or less bricked.”

  Ah. damn.

  That's quite costly.

  Oh well.

  “That's a weak reaction eh? Do you understand what I said? Your account is as good as dead. Do you know how hard it is to get a copy right now?”

  I could only nod in response. I can't really tell them I have more copies. I'm afraid the people around me will mug me.

  “When you say speech is it more like visual novel prompts?”

  I asked.

  “No, it's more like actual words, like speech. same as the way i'm talking to you right now.”

  I wonder if it's more like a voice command like “move five meters north” or something similar. Or maybe not, that will be silly. Too much latency for a single action.

  I can't wait to get back home to try things out.

  Scott then spoke up.

  “But why do they already have a good looking game, but have to ruin it with weird ass mechanics. Players as gems really? Players should have freedom, but it seems we were stripped of our most basic functions.”

  “Gems?”

  I am puzzled.

  “You didn't know? Players play as gems. That's why you can't do anything. It's more like talking gems to be more accurate. Like you see this ring, It can't move right? Yeah just like that.”

  Now that I think about it, that's why the grass seemed too tall. Quite a reveal.

  Calie, with a chicken wing on her hands, would signal us to get closer.

  “Take this with a grain of salt but, rumor has it that this game is to show off their AI research to the public. Players play as gems so that there's a clear distinction of who's the real humans, and who's the AI, the main focus of the game.”

  “If that's the case, why do they need to spend 10 billion? Is that really necessary?”

  “Publicity of course. Also 10 billion is nothing against the trillion dollar industry their AI could potentially pull off if they somehow gain mainstream adoption.”

  “Whatever the reason, I still stand by my opinion. Their game world is wasted on the silly gem mechanic. If their goal is clear distinction, they would have made the players play as demons for example.”

  Scott is adamant on this one.

  As expected of a goth, wants to play as a demon.

  “It's really nothing to make a big deal about.”

  The waiter would suddenly interrupt, as he put the drinks on our table.

  The waiter would continue,

  “There are games where we play as goats, squirrels, and the like. It all ends up to the theme they're trying to convey to the players. It's too early to tell what they're trying to convey at this point.”

  “Huh? where the hell did you come from?”

  This waiter looks suspiciously familiar. He sports an eye-catching afro. I think I've seen him somewhere before but I can't remember where. His glasses are throwing me off.

  “I'm an employee here.”

  He says while he walks away.

  “Yeah i wouldn't worry too much about it. If this is the case, In a game as big as this, they should have probably thought this over, raised the same concern as you, and they would probably have some lore related explanation to it later in the game.”

  Calie would point out.

  Sounds fair.

  “I've been wanting to ask this, but are you eligible for the prize?”

  I can't help but ask.

  “Yeah of course. And oh don't worry. Our advantage is only knowing we are supposed to use speech. Which sooner or later, everyone should know.”

  “We don't have that big advantage because the game world has moved to a different age. So people i used to know and the place we used to hang out don't exist anymore. I have to start over again.”

  I can sense melancholy in Calie's eyes. It seems like Calie made some friends ingame back then. Could that really happen?.

  As they finishing their plate I would ask,

  “Any last tips?”

  “The golden rule. Treat others as you would treat yourself and you'll be fine.”

  Huh, is she implying they are my equal? She makes it sound that they are human.

  “Thank you for the help.”

  This discussion was really helpful for me. Money well spent.

  “Thanks for the dinner! I hope you'll treat us again in the future.”

  “Haha maybe if I need help again.”

  I'll go bankrupt if this becomes a thing.

  Ah… what a day.

  Damn. I'm really off to a bad start. It seems like my usual instincts don't work here. Dropping somewhere remote was a very bad idea.

  But at least i got a pretty solid lead now. I pretty much got the basics of the game down. I can't wait to get home to try things out.