It was noon in the game, around 2 am in the real world. Around the small pond of the Between Ring, three horses grazed peacefully on patches of grass, keeping a wary eye on the giant ground sloth, who snored softly nearby.
Close to a tent and a large pile of bulrush rope, two makeshift logs framed a fire, with Amari, Horace, and Marie on one side, still bewildered, and Jack and his cousin on the other.
Jack took a moment to study Rob’s in-game setup: leather armor dyed black and longer-than-usual daggers that looked closer to short swords. It felt odd seeing his cousin, usually at home in sweatpants and a plain shirt, decked out like a rogue.
Jack had started the fire to help everyone recover their health and stamina. Still, a silent tension hung in the air.
“So, let me get this straight,” Horace began. “This is your cousin?”
“Yes,” Jack confirmed.
Horace raised a brow. “And he just happens to be the assassin sent by IronIre to take us out?”
Jack nodded, glancing at his friends to gauge their reactions. Amari seemed calm, sipping from his bowl. Horace squinted, still assessing the situation. Marie looked grouchier than ever, her gaze intense on Rob.
Wait. Do they suspect I’m also with IronIre?
The thought hit Jack like a hammer. If he were in their shoes, he would think that. This really was too big of a coincidence. He’d been the one telling the gang to come meet him here, in this secluded place. And then, suddenly, his cousin of all people appears to kill them all?
He tried telling himself that they couldn’t possibly think that. Hadn’t they been through so much together? Hadn’t they completed several quests, shoulder to shoulder? Moreover, it was impossible for him to have known about Amari’s identity from the beginning. Only after they had quested together did he start releasing the videos of his new account.
He searched Amari’s face, looking for signs that he thought the same, but his expression remained blank. For a few long moments, the sounds of the horses, Snowy’s snores, and the fire crackling filled the air.
Then, Horace’s face broke into a grin, and he burst out laughing. “Oh, Jackie. Just when I think I’ve seen it all. Things are never boring when you’re around.”
“It’s not really a huge coincidence,” Amari reasoned. “The Slayer probably asked if anyone was going to Embersgate, and since Rob wanted to see Jack, he looked for missions around here. If Jack hadn’t been here, Rob wouldn’t have come.”
Rob chimed in. “That’s exactly what happened. The Slayer posted the mission on our board, and since I wanted to come this way to see Jack, I thought, why not?”
Jack exhaled. He was relieved his friends trusted him. Well, most of them, anyway—Marie’s narrowed gaze didn’t budge.
“So the friends who’ve been helping you were these guys. Were they the ones who helped you capture a queen bee?”
Horace answered before Jack could. “Yes, we were.”
Rob laughed. “Unreal, man!”
“Why didn’t you tell me you were in IronIre?” Jack asked while passing Rob a bowl of stew.
Rob shrugged. “I told you I was in a guild plenty of times. You never asked which one.”
Jack scratched the back of his head.
“How’d you end up with them, anyway?” Amari asked from across the fire.
“Honestly? I was just walking toward the gate one day, and some stranger invited me to join IronIre on the spot. I didn’t have a guild, and they promised it’d be fun, so I figured, why not?”
“And is it? Fun, I mean.” Jack asked.
Rob’s face lit up. “Definitely! The core group is super talented. We win a lot, and winning is fun, especially in sieges. Plus, they’re a top mercenary guild, so some missions pay in IRL currency. It’s a nice gig.”
Jack pursed his lips. “It’s just that I’ve heard that IronIre is a guild of bullies.”
Rob shrugged again. “From these three’s perspective, sure. But that's just how guilds are, isn't it? They get involved in little squabbles and then show the common man that they are the true rulers of the game. All guilds do this, cous.”
Marie cut in sharply. “There’s a difference, though. We’re not talking about a petty squabble caused by a few low-life wannabes. Your guild leader hunts down anyone he dislikes until they uninstall the game or reset the account. It’s just too toxic. That Slayer kid is a menace.”
Rob chuckled. “True, he’s got a temper. But he’s actually cool… if you don’t provoke him.”
“What does joining IronIre say about someone, though?” Marie pressed.
Jack jumped in. “Marie, Rob’s cool. I swear.”
Rob waved him off. “It’s fine, Jack. I mean, I did just try to kill her.” He smirked at Marie. “Hey, Aunty, I’m just a regular guy who joined a guild for fun. Don’t read too much into it.”
Jack noted Marie’s face flushed with anger—not from Rob’s attempt to brush her off, but from being called ‘Aunty.’
Unbothered, Rob turned to Jack. “Anyway, Jack! Your armor’s awesome! Did you make it?”
Jack’s cheeks warmed. His gear already looked shabby compared to Amari’s and the others’, but when compared to his cousin’s, he looked like a beggar. “Yeah.”
“It’s great, man! Looks like you’ve leveled up since the last time you showed me your character sheet. Mind if I check out your stats?”
Stolen novel; please report.
Jack shrugged and shared his character info with Rob.
CHARACTER INFORMATION
Name: JackofDiamonds
Level: 19
Fame: 17
Class: Handyman
Mount: Snowy, the Ground Sloth
Minors:
[Bushcraft], lvl. 10
[Pottery], lvl. 10
[Bard], lvl. 9
[Beekeeping], lvl. 9
Titles: [Consistent Quality], [Embersgate Civil Servant], [Junior Craftsman]; [Museum Donor], [Novice Explorer], [Novice Firekeeper], [Overreacher], [Pride of the Innovator], [S-Grade Adventurer], [Slayer of Monsters], [Uniqueness]
ATTRIBUTES
Hit points: 100/160
Stamina points: 87/141
Movement Speed: 111%
Attack: 1
Strength: 6
Constitution: 10
Agility: 29
Intellect: 6
Stealth: 5
Luck: 5
RESISTANCES:
Defense: 15
Block: 9
Fire: 2
EQUIPMENT
Right-Hand: [Empty]
Off-Hand: [Empty]
Head: [Grass Rope Hat]
Torso: [Grass Rope Overall]
Pants: [Grass Rope Overall]
Gloves: [Empty]
Shoes: [Grass Rope Sandals]
Cape: [Moss Cape]
SKILLS:
Fighting: [Blocking Stance], [Dash], [Heavy Strike], [Minor Synergy], [Unbound Knowledge]
Bard: [A Morning of Spring], [Angry Void], [March of the Embers], [Ocarina Mastery], [Self-Taught], [Sitting Wind], [Sonic Valley], [Swing Step]
Beekeeping: [Brood Breeding], [Friendly Scent], [Honey Harvesting], [Hive Ownership], [Nectar Harvesting], [Queen Breeding], [Sturdy Sting]
Bushcraft: [Bush Immunity], [Camping], [First Aid], [Forage], [Kindle], [Rope Weaving], [Sticksmithing], [Survival Cooking], [Water Sniffing]
Pottery: [Clay Drying], [Clay Gathering], [Clay Molding], [Clay Tempering]; [Pot Firing], [Pottery Etching], [Pottery Glazing], [Touch of the Potter]
“Whoa!” Rob exclaimed, eyes wide. “It’s amazing seeing all your skills lined up like that.”
Jack noticed he wasn’t praising his equipment anymore. He didn’t blame him; the gear definitely needed upgrading.
“Anyway, we need to figure out our next move,” Amari said. “The Slayer’s still on our trail.”
“Yeah… Rob, think you could tell that Slayer kid you finished us off or something?” Horace suggested.
Rob shook his head. “Better idea—I’ll say I tracked you to another city. That should throw him off for a while.”
“Smart. Yes, please,” Horace said, looking relieved.
“But that won’t fool him for long. If the Slayer’s still after us, he probably won’t quit until he’s got his revenge. Rob, if you come up empty, he might turn on you,” Amari warned.
Rob shrugged. “Doesn’t bother me. If they get annoying, I’ll just leave IronIre. I joined for fun, not to get bossed around. I already have a real boss breathing down my neck at work.”
Everyone seemed to have relaxed a little, even Marie. Jack grinned—Rob was hard to dislike once you got to know him.
“So, where do we go?” Jack asked.
“Well… Rob’s cover story will buy us time. But that won't last forever. We need somewhere the Slayer won’t look,” Amari said, scratching his chin.
“The Wilds?” Horace suggested.
“Nope. Crawling with IronIre players.”
“What about the Sand Sea?” Rob offered. “IronIre doesn’t have much influence there.”
Marie shook her head. “Not a chance. We wouldn’t last a minute at our levels. What about a breach?” she asked, glancing at Amari.
For a moment, hope flickered in his eyes, but it quickly faded. “We don’t have enough fame,” he said.
“Fame?” Jack’s interest piqued. “How much do we need?”
“A combined total of 30, and at least one person with 15.”
“How much do you all have?” Jack asked.
“Four,” Horace said, grimacing.
“Same,” Marie muttered.
“Six,” Amari added.
Jack frowned. “That’s all? I’ve got 17.”
Amari’s head whipped around. “What?! How?”
“A bunch of titles and achievements,” Jack replied, sharing his stats.
Amari burst into laughter. “Jack! You’ve got a legendary title!”
“What?!” Horace yelped, rushing over to grab Jack’s collar. “Jackie boy! You’ve been holding out on me! How’d you get that juicy title?”
Jack shrugged. “You have to be the only one with a class in the game. Good luck with that.”
Horace deflated, sighing.
“With [Uniqueness] alone, he’s got five fame! Jack, you’re full of surprises. That settles it! We’re going to the breach!”
“What’s a breach?” Jack asked, intrigued.
“It’s… well, a special quest. Only nobles can issue it. I’ll explain on the way.” He turned to Rob. “Where are you going to say we’re headed?”
Rob considered for a moment. “Uh… Pearlgate?”
“Perfect! Thanks, Rob. You’re a good man.”
“Nah, just a regular guy. I respect you guys. Even though I’m stronger, you survived way longer than I expected before I found out you were my cousin’s friends.”
“That settles it then,” Horace said.
Amari turned to Jack. “By the way, there’s something I’d like to discuss with you,” he said, nodding away from the camp.
Horace and Marie visibly relaxed, making Jack suspicious that they already knew what was coming. Rob raised an eyebrow at Jack, who shrugged back, just as clueless.
Jack followed Amari to the edge of the camp, where Amari stood, gazing at the pond as if it were an endless ocean.
“What’s up?” Jack asked.
Amari’s expression turned serious. “Do you know why the Slayer keeps coming after us?”
Jack thought for a moment. “Your channel?”
Amari nodded, his tone grave. “I’m stuck, Jack. On one hand, I’d love to start fresh with a new channel to shake him off. But I’ve poured too much into it. It’s my livelihood—I’ve got loans to pay.”
“Of course, I get it.”
“I can’t keep broadcasting my location, or this will keep happening. And creating a ‘rising from the ashes’ series won’t fly twice. That your cousin was sent after us was pure luck. Next time, we won’t be that lucky.”
Jack paled at the thought.
Amari turned to him. “That’s why I wanted to talk to you. How’s your own channel going? You never sent me a link for me to add to the compy raid video description.”
Jack’s face flushed. “You’ll probably laugh, but my parents hate the idea of me having a channel.”
Amari blinked. “Aren’t you an adult?”
“Yeah… but… it’s complicated.”
“So, no channel,” Amari confirmed, then smiled with a spark of excitement. “Well, I’ve got a proposal for you. I want to feature you on my channel.”
“Huh? Like a guest interview?”
“No. More than that. I want to do a series on you.”
“What?!”
“Think about it! You have a unique class—pure gold for content. Plus, with your crafting ability, we can make videos solely focused on that without the Slayer pinpointing our location,” Amari explained.
Jack fidgeted. He liked Amari, but the sudden proposition left him wondering about the logistics.
“I’ve done something similar with Horace already. I did a series about tanks where I organized Horace’s footage and then did a voiceover and a few interviews.”
“Really? I didn’t know that.”
Amari grinned. “You’d get an extra income stream. Your family wouldn’t even have to know—it’s all on my channel. All you’d need to do is give me access to your footage, and I’ll handle the rest.”
At the mention of ‘income,’ Jack’s eyes widened. “You’re paying me?”
Amari nodded. “For episodes focused solely on you, I was thinking a 50/50 split. For group videos, like when we’re on adventures, I’d cut you in like Horace and Marie—10% each.”
Jack bit his lip. He couldn’t help but recall the first time he and Amari had gone off adventuring. When Amari demanded that he pay for some of the supplies, he questioned his good motives and put himself in a difficult situation. He’d learned then that Amari was an honest guy. But this was different. He wondered whether he should try to negotiate it.
Was 50/50 truly fair? It was his unique class, his hard-earned progress. Was Amari just swooping in at the last minute to scoop up all the rewards for his hard work? Jack stared at his friend. He had a decision to make.
