The last dregs of Bennett’s energy were leaching away like the final drips from a nearly empty mop bucket. The sky outside the high windows of the Alluring Realms facility was beginning to lighten, a pale, watery blue seeping into the pre-dawn darkness. His muscles ached with a dull, persistent throb, a souvenir from the extra scrubbing and polishing demanded by the impending investor tour. Mentally, he was a frayed wire, the vivid landscapes of Ludere Online still flickering behind his eyelids, a stark contrast to the sterile reality of the office he was currently vacuuming. The white fur containing swirls and patterns of rich black of ProlixalParagon felt more real in his memory than the rough fabric of his janitorial uniform.
He pushed the vacuum cleaner across the carpeted floor of a deserted cubicle farm, the rhythmic hum a monotonous drone that mirrored the exhaustion thrumming in his veins. His mind kept drifting back to Oakhaven, to the friendly face of Blair and the cryptic warnings of the armorer. He longed to know more about the racial tensions between the Kingdom of Draggor and the Altaicians, to understand the significance of the Red Fox Caravan and the god Onthir. The deep clean had been a necessary distraction, but the allure of the virtual world remained a powerful undercurrent.
As he finished the last section of carpet, Bennett rewound the vacuum cord, his movements sluggish. He glanced at his watch – less than half an hour left of his shift. He still needed to empty the last of the trash cans and do a final sweep of the employee break room, a task he always dreaded. The remnants of late-night gaming sessions – the scattered snack wrappers and empty energy drink vessels – were tangible reminders of the world he secretly inhabited, a world tantalizingly close yet officially forbidden during work hours.
As he hauled the full vacuum cleaner towards the supply closet, a figure emerged from the dim hallway leading towards the developer offices. The man was of average height, with slightly disheveled brown hair and tired lines around his eyes. He wore a black wristband, the mark of a coder or someone involved in the game's core development. Bennett instinctively tensed. Black bands usually kept to the inner sanctum, the areas strictly off-limits to brown-banded facilities staff.
The man approached Bennett with a harried but apologetic expression. “Excuse me,” he said, his voice a low murmur. “Are you… Bennett?”
Bennett nodded, a flicker of apprehension tightening his chest. Had his unauthorized entry into the storage room with the D.I.V.E. unit been discovered? Was this about to be the conversation he had been dreading?
“Yeah, that’s me.”
“Hi, I’m Frank,” the man said, extending a hand. His grip was surprisingly firm. “I’m the lead developer on… well, a lot of things.” He gave a weary half-smile. “We’ve had a bit of an… incident in one of the developer rooms. Spilled a truly putrid batch of coffee all over the floor. Security took a swipe at it, but it’s… still very much there.”
Bennett’s apprehension eased slightly, replaced by a surge of curiosity. “Coffee?”
“Yeah. And honestly, the regular cleaning crew for this floor has already clocked out,” Frank continued, glancing towards the brightening windows. “I saw your light on down here and was hoping you could lend a hand. It’s… well, it’s making the whole room smell like something died in a caffeine factory. And honestly, the way it was spilled… it almost looks deliberate, though I can’t prove anything.”
Bennett hesitated. “I… I don’t have clearance for the developer rooms, sir.” He gestured to his brown wristband. “Carol was very clear about the off-limits areas.” His mind raced. Was this a test? A setup related to his secret gaming?
Frank waved a dismissive hand. “Don’t worry about that. I can authorize it. In fact,” he pulled out a small device from his pocket and tapped it quickly, “there. I’ve logged a temporary access override for you in the system, specifically for Room 312. Lead developer request. No repercussions, I promise. We just really need this cleaned up before the day staff arrives.”
He offered another tired smile, this one tinged with a hint of frustration and suspicion. “Honestly, you’d be doing us a huge favor. Some of us have been pulling all-nighters trying to squash a particularly nasty bug, and this… this vile coffee stench isn’t helping our focus. It’s almost like someone wanted to disrupt things.” Frank’s black band flashed under the fluorescent lights as he gestured with his hand. “Think of it as… helping the game.”
Bennett considered his options. He was exhausted and looking forward to the quiet bus ride home and the few precious hours of sleep before his family’s day began. But the allure of the developer rooms, the inner sanctum where Ludere Online was brought to life, was a powerful draw. He had spent weeks cleaning around the periphery, catching glimpses and overhearing snippets. This was a chance to see, however briefly, the heart of it all. And Frank, the lead developer, was personally requesting his help and ensuring there would be no consequences.
He let out a sigh, the resistance melting away. “Alright, Frank. Lead the way. Just how bad is this… deliberate-looking coffee spill?” The weariness in his limbs seemed to lessen slightly, replaced by a nervous anticipation. He followed Frank down the hallway, his brown wristband now theoretically granting him access to a world he had only dreamed of seeing up close. The scent in the air, even out here in the hallway, carried a faint, bitter aroma, a hint of the “vile coffee stench” and Frank’s unspoken suspicions that awaited them. The hum of the servers seemed to grow louder as they approached the door marked “Development – Sector Gamma.” This was it. He was going behind the curtain.
Bennett followed Frank into the developer office, swiping his brown wristband against a newly illuminated sensor beside the door marked "Room 312." A green light flashed instantly. The air inside was thick with the unmistakable, acrid stench of burnt coffee.
"Ugh," Bennett grimaced, his nose wrinkling involuntarily. "You're not kidding, Frank. This isn't just spilled coffee, this smells like a whole pot of it was left to scorch. Definitely a bad batch – too little water, probably burned black. Yeah, that's rough." His years of cleaning break rooms with their questionable coffee habits had given him a discerning nose for such things.
Frank sighed, running a hand through his already tousled brown hair. "Told you. It's been lingering for hours despite what the night security guy tried." He gestured vaguely towards a large desk near the center of the room, where a dark, viscous puddle stained the carpet and dripped onto a power strip, which had thankfully been unplugged. Scattered around it were overturned mugs and coffee-soaked papers. The room itself was cluttered with monitors displaying lines of code, whiteboards covered in diagrams, and half-eaten containers of what looked like ramen and turkey jerky, a sight familiar from his break room duties.
Without further prompting, Bennett moved towards his cleaning cart, which he had thankfully brought with him. "Alright, let's get this sorted." He grabbed a pair of disposable gloves, a heavy-duty absorbent cloth, and a bottle of industrial-strength cleaner from his supplies. His movements were efficient and practiced.
"Just another mess to clean up around here," he thought wryly, though this one came with the unexpected perk of being inside a developer's office. He couldn't help but subtly scan the room as he worked, catching glimpses of code on the monitors – indecipherable symbols that nonetheless represented the magic of Ludere Online. He even noticed a whiteboard with what appeared to be sketches of in-game creatures, one resembling the Jadefang Basilisk he had researched on the forums.
Bennett knelt beside the coffee spill, carefully placing absorbent cloths over the worst of the liquid. The smell was even more potent up close, a truly vile combination of burnt bitterness. "Whoever made this was definitely having a bad morning, or maybe… something else entirely," he murmured, echoing Frank's earlier suspicion. He worked quickly and methodically, blotting the carpet and then applying the cleaner, making sure to get into the fibers to eliminate the lingering odor. Frank watched him with a grateful expression, occasionally pointing out a particularly soaked document or offering a roll of paper towels. For Bennett, it was a familiar task, but the unusual setting and the underlying intrigue of Frank's suspicions added a strange new layer to his routine.
Bennett followed Frank into the developer office, swiping his brown wristband against a newly illuminated sensor beside the door marked "Room 312." A green light flashed instantly. The air inside was thick with the unmistakable, acrid stench of burnt coffee.
"Ugh," Bennett grimaced, his nose wrinkling involuntarily. "You're not kidding, Frank. This isn't just spilled coffee, this smells like a whole pot of it was left to scorch. Definitely a bad batch – too little water, probably burned black. Yeah, that's rough." His years of cleaning break rooms with their questionable coffee habits had given him a discerning nose for such things.
Frank sighed, running a hand through his already tousled brown hair. "Told you. It's been lingering for hours despite what the night security guy tried." He gestured vaguely towards a large desk near the center of the room, where a dark, viscous puddle stained the carpet and dripped onto a power strip, which had thankfully been unplugged. Scattered around it were overturned mugs and coffee-soaked papers. The room itself was cluttered with monitors displaying lines of code, whiteboards covered in diagrams, and half-eaten containers of what looked like ramen and turkey jerky, a sight familiar from his break room duties.
Without further prompting, Bennett moved towards his cleaning cart, which he had thankfully brought with him. "Alright, let's get this sorted." He grabbed a pair of disposable gloves, a heavy-duty absorbent cloth, and a bottle of industrial-strength cleaner from his supplies. His movements were efficient and practiced.
"Just another mess to clean up around here," he thought wryly, though this one came with the unexpected perk of being inside a developer's office. He couldn't help but subtly scan the room as he worked, catching glimpses of code on the monitors – indecipherable symbols that nonetheless represented the magic of Ludere Online. He even noticed a whiteboard with what appeared to be sketches of in-game creatures, one resembling the Jadefang Basilisk he had researched on the forums.
Bennett knelt beside the coffee spill, carefully placing absorbent cloths over the worst of the liquid. The smell was even more potent up close, a truly vile combination of burnt bitterness. "Whoever made this was definitely having a bad morning, or maybe… something else entirely," he murmured, echoing Frank's earlier suspicion. He worked quickly and methodically, blotting the carpet and then applying the cleaner, making sure to get into the fibers to eliminate the lingering odor. Frank watched him with a grateful expression, occasionally pointing out a particularly soaked document or offering a roll of paper towels. For Bennett, it was a familiar task, but the unusual setting and the underlying intrigue of Frank's suspicions added a strange new layer to his routine.
As Bennett continued to blot the burnt coffee from the carpet, the low murmur of voices from other parts of the office began to filter through. He could hear the distinct clatter of keyboards and the occasional frustrated sigh. It was clear that Frank wasn't the only one pulling a late night.
Just then, two more developers approached the coffee-stained area. One was a young man with messy blond hair and wide, slightly panicked eyes – Bennett recognized him as Jason, based on the brief glimpses he'd caught in the hallways. The other was slightly older, with a more laid-back demeanor and a red wristband – a beta tester, Bennett realized. This must be Sean, given his involvement with the character creation system.
"Oh, man, that still smells awful," Jason said, wrinkling his nose as he approached. "What happened here, Frank?"
Frank sighed. "Long story short, we suspect some deliberate sabotage. Hence, Bennett here is our emergency cleanup crew." He gestured towards Bennett, who offered a brief nod without looking up from his task.
Sean chuckled. "Sabotage, huh? Sounds about right for omega testing crunch time. Anything else go sideways?"
"Aside from the usual cascade of unexpected interactions with the new weather system triggering the 'terrified' status in entirely the wrong situations? Not much," Frank replied dryly. "Speaking of which, did you manage to track down why some creature abilities are bypassing intended factional resistances?"
Sean scratched his head. "That's a weird one. I was looking into it earlier. It's almost like certain environmental effects are amplifying base creature stats beyond their intended parameters. Maybe it's tied to the recent mana fluctuations we've been seeing in the Draggor zones?**"
Jason chimed in, fiddling with a stress ball shaped like an in-game monster. "Didn't we say some of the older code related to elemental resistances might be conflicting with the new system? It's like a digital spaghetti monster in there."
Frank nodded thoughtfully. "Could be. We might need to add a specific exception or look at how environmental factors interact with creature abilities more closely. It's causing some major headaches in the new Lunar Empire questline. Players are supposed to feel challenged by the environment, not get one-shotted by a startled squirrel."
Sean then turned to Jason. "Did you get anywhere with the reports of the Hyborian Masters randomly morphing into Paladins? That's a combo we definitely didn't intend."
Jason groaned. "Tell me about it. It seems like some kind of overflow error when their 'adaptability' trait clashes with a high enough devotion score. The system's trying to find a logical progression, and Paladin is the closest it can get, even though lore-wise, it makes zero sense. Hyborian Masters are supposed to be arrogant and Draggor-loyal, not suddenly holy warriors."
Frank sighed again. "Another one for Esteban's miracle patch list." He glanced at Bennett, who was diligently scrubbing at a particularly stubborn coffee stain. "So, Bennett, you a gamer yourself? You seem pretty thorough with that cleanup."
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Bennett paused briefly, his gloved hands still. "I… I enjoy games, sir." He kept his answer vague, not wanting to reveal his clandestine activities.
Sean grinned knowingly. "Who doesn't around here? You probably know more about cleaning up after gamers than anyone. Ever get tempted to jump into one of the pods yourself?"
Bennett chuckled nervously. "My focus is usually on keeping things tidy, sir."
The conversation shifted back to game mechanics. "We're still trying to nail down the specifics for the generational progression with the new beast races in Prasine," Frank said, running a simulation on a nearby monitor. "How do we handle trait inheritance when you've got, say, a Quang mating with an Altacian NPC? Do the scale patterns combine? What about the Altacian's natural camouflage versus the Quang's… well, everything?"
Jason leaned closer to the monitor. "And what about skill inheritance? If a ShadowBlade and a Beastmaster have a kid, does it get stealth bonuses and a pet right off the bat? We need some logical parameters, otherwise it'll be chaos."
Bennett, still on his knees cleaning, subtly absorbed their discussion. He remembered the game function description: "Depending on the skills, primary weapon and alignment or the player and their chosen npc the character information for the second generation will be affected". Their current dilemma seemed to stem from the more exotic racial pairings.
Sean pointed to the screen. "Maybe we could implement a dominant trait system? Like, scale patterns are more likely to be passed down if the Quang parent has higher influence in that region. Or maybe introduce a 'hybrid vigor' mechanic for certain rare pairings, unlocking unique skill combinations."
Frank nodded slowly. "That's an interesting idea. We could even tie it into the lore of Prasine – maybe these mixed-race offspring are more common there due to the fragmented nature of the surviving civilizations."
As Bennett wrung out the soiled cloth, the developers continued to brainstorm, their conversation weaving through complex game systems, racial characteristics, and the delicate balance of lore and gameplay. He was a silent observer, a brown-banded janitor amidst the black and red, catching a fascinating glimpse into the intricate and often chaotic process of creating the world of Ludere Online. The "vile coffee stench" was slowly dissipating, replaced by the low hum of creativity and the murmur of digital world-building.
Bennett meticulously blotted the last of the visible coffee from the carpet, ensuring no lingering dampness remained. However, instead of immediately packing up his cleaning supplies, he began to tidy the surrounding clutter on the desk, carefully stacking the coffee-soaked papers to one side and organizing the scattered mugs. He moved slowly, his ears subtly angled towards the ongoing discussion between Frank, Sean, and Jason.
"So, the dominant trait system sounds promising, but how do we quantify 'influence' within a region?" Jason pondered, tapping his stress ball thoughtfully. "And 'hybrid vigor' could easily become overpowered if we're not careful."
Sean leaned back in his chair, considering. "Maybe it's not just about dominant traits or regional influence. Think about how different races adapt in the lore. The Fennicians, for example, have a very fluid understanding of gender roles and are known for their adaptability and willingness to assume the role that the community requires. Maybe for mixed offspring, we could lean into a similar concept – an inherent adaptability bonus that slightly alters the likelihood of inheriting certain traits or unlocks a small pool of hybrid skills based on the parent races."
Bennett, while dusting a shelf lined with game design books, paused almost imperceptibly. The thought sparked by Sean's mention of racial adaptability reminded him of something he had read. Clearing his throat softly, he offered hesitantly, "Excuse me, sirs? I remember reading something about Fennician families sometimes having extended families living together, depending on their caravan. Maybe for trait inheritance in mixed races, you could consider not just the immediate parents' traits but also draw from a small pool of ancestral traits from both racial lines? It could introduce more variety and unexpected combinations."
The three developers stopped talking and looked towards Bennett, surprised. Frank blinked, a thoughtful expression spreading across his face. "Ancestral traits... that's an interesting angle. It would certainly explain some of the more unusual skill or physical trait combinations players might encounter without making it feel completely random. It could also tie into potential lore about ancient migrations and intermingling of races on Prasine."
Sean nodded slowly. "Yeah, that could work. It adds a layer of depth without us having to hardcode every single potential combination. We could have a small hidden 'ancestry score' for each character that influences the chances of certain recessive or less common traits appearing in offspring."
Jason snapped his fingers. "And it would give players another reason to research the lore of their character's lineage! We could even tie specific ancestral traits to in-game discoveries or questlines."
Frank chuckled, looking genuinely impressed. "Well, Bennett, you've certainly given us something to think about. You know, for a janitor, you've got a surprisingly insightful grasp of game mechanics." He turned to Sean and Jason, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Maybe we should just make Bennett our only cleaner. He's more thorough than anyone we've had, and apparently, he helps solve our coding nightmares in his spare time."
Bennett felt a flush creep up his neck and ears. He mumbled, "Oh, no, sir, I just… I enjoy reading about the game in my free time, that's all." He busied himself with wiping down a particularly dusty monitor, his movements becoming a little less fluid as embarrassment washed over him. He definitely hadn't intended to interject so directly, but the connection to the Fennician lore had been too strong to ignore.
Despite his awkwardness, Bennett continued to clean the developer room with renewed focus. He dusted the remaining shelves, organized the stray cables snaking across the floor, and even emptied the overflowing wastepaper basket filled with crumpled code drafts. He paid meticulous attention to every detail, wanting to disappear into the routine of his job and hopefully let Frank's unexpected compliment fade into the background. As he finally finished wiping down the last desk, the room looked significantly tidier than when he had entered. The lingering scent of burnt coffee was almost completely gone, replaced by the faint, clean smell of the industrial cleaner. He gathered his supplies, a quiet sense of accomplishment mixing with his lingering embarrassment. The developers were already engrossed in a renewed discussion, now incorporating his suggestion about ancestral traits into their brainstorming session, the low hum of their creative energy filling the now-cleaner space.
Bennett finished wiping down the last desk, a faint sheen now visible on the polished surface. He carefully coiled the vacuum cleaner cord and placed the cleaning supplies back onto his cart. The developers, however, were still animatedly discussing his earlier suggestion.
"Honestly," Sean said, tapping his pen against his tablet, "the ancestral trait idea could really add to the replayability. Imagine discovering your seemingly human character has a long-lost lineage that grants them a minor magical resistance or a knack for a specific weapon."
Frank nodded, stretching in his chair. "And it gives our lore team something else to dig into. We could even have in-game historians who specialize in tracing lineage and uncovering these hidden connections." He turned back to Bennett, who was quietly maneuvering his cart towards the door. "Hey, Bennett, hold on a sec. You've got a knack for this game design stuff, apparently."
Bennett stopped, a nervous knot forming in his stomach. He turned to face the three developers, his hands tightening slightly on the handle of his cleaning cart.
"We were just brainstorming about classes and specializations," Jason chimed in. "Something's been bugging us about how they interact with titles, titular functions, and reputation. We were wondering if you had any thoughts on it, given your… thoroughness and insightful contributions tonight."
Frank leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. "**Specifically, we're trying to nail down how titles a player earns should interact with their chosen class and specialization.** Should some titles be class-specific? For example, should only a Swordsman be able to earn the title 'Blade Master of Soohan' after completing a certain questline within that kingdom?"
Sean elaborated, "**And what about specializations? If a Swordsman specializes as a Duelist, should certain Knight-specific titles be unavailable to them, even if they meet the other requirements? Or should their Duelist skills somehow influence the way they earn or utilize Knightly titles, perhaps in a more agile or precision-focused manner?**"
Jason added another layer, "**Then there's reputation. If a player has a high reputation with the Kingdom of Draggor, should that unlock specific titles related to their military or nobility, regardless of their starting faction or even their race? And could those titles grant actual in-game functions – titular functions – like access to certain areas, discounts with merchants, or even the ability to command low-level NPCs in specific situations?**"
Frank then brought up the concept of flexibility. "**Thinking back to what you mentioned about the Fennicians, their fluid gender roles and adaptability… should players be locked into their initial class and specialization forever? Or should there be ways to respecialize, perhaps at a significant cost or through a challenging questline? If they do respecialize, how should their previously earned titles and reputation be affected? Should they lose class-specific titles? Should their reputation with factions that favored their previous class diminish?**"
Bennett listened intently, his mind racing through the information he had gleaned from the forums and his brief time in the game as ProlixalParagon. He thought about the different classes and how their active or passive nature might influence the types of titles they could earn. He considered the reputation he had started to build in Oakhaven and how a higher reputation might logically lead to recognition and perhaps a title.
Taking a deep breath, Bennett offered his perspective, drawing on his understanding of the game's lore and mechanics. "**It seems like there could be a few different approaches, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.**"
He paused, organizing his thoughts before continuing. "**For class-specific titles, like 'Blade Master of Soohan' for a Swordsman, it makes sense for there to be a strong connection.** It provides a clear sense of progression within a specific class and faction. However, you could also consider titles that reflect broader achievements within a region or across multiple classes. For example, a title like 'Hero of the Coast' could be earned by players of any class who successfully defend Soohan from a major sea-based threat."
Regarding specializations, Bennett suggested, "**Specializations could act as filters or modifiers for title acquisition. A Duelist might not be eligible for a title that requires heavy armor proficiency, even if they are a Swordsman. Conversely, their specialization could grant them unique variations of existing titles. Perhaps a Duelist who earns a Knightly title could be known as a 'Swift Knight' or something that reflects their agility.**"
On the topic of reputation and titular functions, Bennett offered, "**Reputation should definitely play a significant role in unlocking titles, especially those with titular functions.** A high reputation with Draggor could grant titles related to their societal structure, perhaps even temporary honorary titles that grant limited access or privileges. The titular functions should feel logical within the game world. A title earned through service to a merchant guild could grant discounts, while a title earned through military service might allow the player to rally local guards in times of need."
Finally, addressing the possibility of respecialization, Bennett said, "**Given the Fennicians' adaptability, perhaps there could be a mechanic for players to respecialize, but it should come with consequences.** They might lose access to titles that were specific to their previous class or specialization, or their reputation with certain factions might be affected if their new path aligns poorly with that faction's values. This would encourage players to make thoughtful choices about their progression while still allowing for some flexibility."
He concluded, "**Ultimately, the goal could be to create a system where a player's class, specialization, titles, and reputation all feel interconnected and tell a story about their journey through Ludere Online.** The titles should be meaningful achievements that reflect their skills, their allegiances, and their impact on the world."
The developers listened intently, nodding and murmuring as Bennett shared his thoughts. Frank smiled, a genuine look of appreciation on his face. "Bennett, you've given us a lot of valuable insights here. You clearly put a lot of thought into this game, even outside of… well, you know." He gestured vaguely with his hand. "Thanks. Seriously. We might just have to keep you around for more of these impromptu design sessions."
Bennett felt a small flicker of hope ignite within him, a feeling warmer and more significant than the satisfaction of a clean room. He offered a shy smile. "You're welcome, sirs. I'm happy to help in any way I can." He gathered his cart again, a lighter step in his gait. As he finally headed towards the door to put away his supplies, the low hum of the developers' renewed brainstorming session followed him, this time carrying a distinct note of collaboration.
Bennett pushed his cleaning cart out of the developer room, the soft hum of their continued discussion a pleasant sound in his ears. He carefully maneuvered the cart towards the janitorial supply closet, a small smile playing on his lips. The developers' genuine interest in his opinions had been unexpected, a stark contrast to the usual indifference he felt. **The feeling of being seen, of his thoughts being valued, was a novel and welcome sensation**.
As he neatly arranged the cleaning supplies back on their designated shelves, Bennett replayed the conversation in his mind. Frank's comment about keeping him around for more design sessions sparked a flicker of genuine hope within him. Could this be a turning point? Could his passion for Ludere Online, combined with his meticulous nature, finally open a door to the beta testing program, or even something more?
He thought about the specific questions they had raised. The idea of class-specific titles like "Blade Master of Soohan" felt right, creating a clear path of progression for players dedicated to a particular class and region. He also considered his suggestion about specializations acting as filters or modifiers, allowing for nuanced title variations like a "Swift Knight" for a Duelist.
The discussion about reputation and titular functions resonated with his understanding of MMO mechanics. The idea that a high reputation with Draggor could grant honorary titles and privileges, or that service to a merchant guild could lead to discounts, felt like logical and immersive design choices. He even briefly considered the Red Fox Caravan mentioned by the armorer in Oakhaven and how reputation with such a group might unlock unique titles or access to specific lore.
The question of respecialization and its impact on titles and reputation lingered in his thoughts. His suggestion of consequences for respeccing, such as losing class-specific titles or affecting faction standing, seemed like a way to balance flexibility with meaningful character choices. He thought about his own character, ProlixalParagon, the Fennician Jester. The Fennicians' adaptability, as the developers had noted, could potentially be reflected in a less severe penalty for respeccing compared to a more rigid race like perhaps the Kisicks, with their strict social hierarchy.
With his supplies stowed, Bennett grabbed his time card, a sense of lightness accompanying him. He walked towards the clock-out station, the familiar fluorescent lights seeming a little less sterile tonight. The conversation with the developers had injected a new energy into his otherwise routine shift.
As he swiped his card, the time displayed on the screen confirmed he was nearing the end of his workday. He hesitated for a moment, a thought forming in his mind. Should he mention his forum research or his brief, unauthorized foray into Ludere Online as ProlixalParagon? He quickly dismissed the latter idea; the risk was still too great. However, perhaps he could subtly weave in some of his forum knowledge in future casual conversations, further demonstrating his understanding of the player experience.
A wave of weary satisfaction washed over him. He had not only completed his janitorial duties but had also unexpectedly contributed to the game's development. As he walked towards the exit, the cool night air felt refreshing. The image of ProlixalParagon, his white fur containing swirls and patterns of rich black, flickered in his mind. Tonight, he hadn't entered the virtual world, but he had, in a way, made his presence felt within the real one that created it. The possibility of a future where his janitorial duties might intersect more directly with his passion for Ludere Online no longer seemed like a distant fantasy. For the first time in a long time, Bennett felt a genuine sense of optimism about his unexpected journey at Alluring Realms.
