The sudden jolt back to the storage room was disorienting. One moment, the vast, golden hues of a desert dawn stretched before ProlixalParagon; the next, the dim, cluttered reality of discarded equipment and the smooth, black shell of the D.I.V.E. pod surrounded Bennett. He pulled off the helmet, his heart still pounding with a mix of adrenaline and disbelief. The encounter with Dave Smith replayed in his mind, a surreal interlude between his virtual and real lives. He, a janitor with a history of rejected beta applications, now had a direct line to the CEO and sanctioned access to the game.
The digital clock on the wall confirmed the lateness of the hour. The first hints of dawn were seeping through the narrow, dusty window of the storage room. Bennett had barely any time left on his shift. He scrambled out of the pod, a sense of urgency replacing the earlier wonder of the desert landscape and the Red Fox Caravan. He had a report to give, a life-altering report.
His remaining tasks suddenly felt insignificant, yet he knew he couldn't neglect them. Dave's final warning echoed in his ears: "Your janitorial duties remain your priority". Any slip-up now could jeopardize everything. Bennett hurried to the supply closet, grabbing a fresh trash bag and a spray bottle. The fluorescent lights of the hallways seemed harsher than usual, the low hum of the building more pronounced.
As he moved through the remaining office spaces, his mind raced. The desert. It was so different from the tutorial zone around Oakhaven. The vibrant colors, the dry heat he had felt, the glimpse of the Red Fox Caravan – it felt like a deliberate shift, perhaps related to his conversation with the developers about the character creation process and his "crash test dummy" idea. Had Dave, the architect of this world, somehow orchestrated his unexpected arrival in this new location? The thought both thrilled and intimidated him.
Emptying the last of the wastepaper baskets, Bennett tried to organize his thoughts for the meeting. He needed to be precise, detailed, and insightful, just as Dave had instructed. He would describe the environment, the feeling of the desert, the appearance of the Red Fox Caravan, and his initial curiosity about their interactions. He wouldn't speculate too much, just present his observations as clearly as possible.
The employee break room was his final stop. He quickly wiped down the tables, the lingering scent of stale coffee a familiar reminder of his earlier, less consequential cleaning tasks. The memory of the beta testers' conversations about the Soohanan Maulers and the Jadefang Basilisk felt distant now, overshadowed by his own unexpected journey beyond the familiar starting zones.
With his duties completed, Bennett headed towards the time clock, his brown wristband now feeling less like a mark of his mundane job and more like a temporary pass into a world of immense possibilities and potential pitfalls. He swiped his card, the small green light a stark contrast to the uncertain future that awaited him.
He took a deep breath before turning towards the administrative wing, Dave's office a looming destination. The early morning quiet of the facility was heavy with anticipation. Bennett, the overlooked janitor, was about to step into the inner sanctum, carrying not a mop and bucket, but the raw, unfiltered experiences of ProlixalParagon and the weight of a promise he couldn't afford to break. The fluorescent lights of the corridor seemed to stretch endlessly before him, each step taking him closer to the unknown consequences of his late-night defiance and the extraordinary opportunity it had somehow yielded.
Bennett’s footsteps echoed softly in the otherwise silent administrative wing as he made his way towards Dave Smith’s office. His brown wristband, moments ago a symbol of his mundane duties, now felt like a fragile key to an unexpected future. The weight of Dave’s instructions – to be thorough, to miss no detail – pressed upon him. He rehearsed his account in his mind, trying to organize the rush of impressions from his brief but momentous foray into Ludere Online.
He reached the door to Dave’s office, a sleek, modern portal that had always felt miles away from his storage room reality. He took a deep breath, smoothed down his slightly rumpled uniform, and tapped lightly.
“Come in,” a calm voice responded.
Bennett opened the door to find Dave seated behind a large, uncluttered desk, a holographic display flickering softly in the air before him. The CEO looked up, his expression neutral but attentive. He gestured to a chair opposite his desk. “Mr. Davies. Please, have a seat.”
Nervously, Bennett settled into the chair, the plush leather a stark contrast to the hard plastic of the D.I.V.E. pod. He clutched his hands together in his lap, trying to still their slight tremor.
“So,” Dave began, his gaze steady, “tell me everything.”
Bennett started from the beginning, recounting his creation of ProlixalParagon, a Fennician Tinkerer with white fur containing swirls and patterns of rich black. He described the vibrant emerald light filtering through the forest canopy and the rich sensory details of the tutorial area around Oakhaven.
He spoke of his interactions with the non-player characters. “I met a baker named Emmarie,” Bennett explained, “who asked me to drag a log for her. It was a simple task, but it felt surprisingly… real.” He then detailed his conversation with the priest at the chapel. “He spoke of the deities, Ilmas and Onthir, and lent me a book about the history of Soohan and the Kingdom of Draggor.” He mentioned learning about the different cultures and beliefs of these regions, recalling information he had also gathered from the game forums.
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Bennett didn’t shy away from recounting his less successful endeavors. “I was also attacked by a pack of wolves outside the village,” he admitted, a slight flush creeping up his neck. “It highlighted my character’s initial lack of combat skills as a Tinkerer.”
He then shifted to his overall impressions of the game. “The level of immersion is incredible, sir,” he said with genuine enthusiasm. “Even in that small starting area, the world felt alive and responsive.” He reiterated his earlier thoughts on the character creation process. “The initial screen felt a bit basic, just a list and a preview. I still think the idea of a ‘crash test dummy’ avatar in the tutorial zone could provide a more engaging first experience.”
He also brought up his burgeoning curiosity about the tutorial’s limitations. “The priest mentioned that to truly progress, I would need to venture beyond Oakhaven.” This led him to his most recent experience after Dave’s intervention.
“After… after I logged back in,” Bennett continued, his voice now holding a note of surprise, “I wasn’t in the forest near Oakhaven anymore. I was in a desert environment, the air was hot and dry, and the sky was just starting to get light. There were sand dunes stretching out as far as I could see.”
He described the prominent feature of this new landscape. “In the distance, there was a large encampment, what looked like a caravan. It was brightly colored, with tents and banners, and I could see figures moving around. It seemed to be the Red Fox Caravan.” He recalled his reading about the Red Fox Caravan being associated with the Altacian faction and the god Onthir.
Bennett then offered his tentative theories. “I wondered if my unexpected arrival in this different location had anything to do with my earlier conversation with the developers about the character creation, the ‘crash test dummy’ idea perhaps placing me in a different starting area.” He also considered Dave’s instructions. “Or perhaps, sir, given your directive to explore and provide insights, I was deliberately placed in a new environment to gather broader observations.”
He concluded his report by emphasizing the significance of this new location. “Being near the Red Fox Caravan, especially given its connection to Onthir and possibly FelineFine, the ShadowBlade, felt… significant. I remembered the priest’s mention of the different kingdoms and the armorer’s hints about racial tensions, particularly with the Kingdom of Draggor and the Altaicians. It felt like a completely different part of Ludere Online, and I was curious to see what I could learn.”
Bennett finished speaking, his heart still pounding slightly. He had done his best to recount everything, just as Dave had instructed. Now, he waited, the silence in the office thick with anticipation for the CEO’s response.
Bennett continued his report, a newfound confidence bolstering his voice after Dave’s unexpected directive. He described his creation of ProlixalParagon, his Fennician Tinkerer with white fur containing swirls and patterns of rich black. He recounted his initial experiences in the tutorial area, Oakhaven, detailing his interactions with Blair and his observations of the village and its inhabitants.
He then touched upon a detail that had piqued his curiosity. “Sir,” Bennett said, shifting slightly in his seat, “when I accessed my character sheet, I noticed that it displayed my basic attributes, class, and some initial skills as a Tinkerer. However, there was no information regarding my character’s background or any potential inherited traits as a Fennician.” He remembered reading about Fennician culture and their connection to lunar cycles, but this information wasn't reflected in his character sheet.
Dave Smith listened intently, his gaze steady. After a brief pause, he nodded slowly. “That’s a valid observation, Mr. Davies. The display of detailed character backgrounds and inherited traits on the initial character sheet is a newer mechanic that was recently implemented.” He tapped a note on his holographic display. “Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I will ensure that the development team assesses this function to confirm it is working as intended and will have it addressed and fixed if necessary. We want players to have a clear understanding of their character’s lineage and potential from the outset.”
Bennett felt a surge of satisfaction. Even a seemingly minor detail he had noticed was being taken seriously by the CEO. He continued his report, detailing his unexpected transport to the desert environment and his encounter with the Red Fox Caravan. He described the vibrant colors of their tents and banners and the diverse appearances of the individuals he observed. He mentioned his brief interaction with the elder of the Vermillion Troupe and their discussion about Fennician culture and crafts.
He concluded his report, reiterating his initial surprise at finding himself in this new location and his burgeoning curiosity about the Red Fox Caravan’s potential connection to the ongoing tensions between the Kingdom of Draggor and the Altaicians. He emphasized his eagerness to continue his exploration and gather more insights, keeping Dave’s instructions firmly in mind.
Dave nodded slowly, a hint of a smile finally touching his lips. "Thank you, Mr. Davies. That is… surprisingly comprehensive for such a brief and unauthorized foray." He paused, his gaze thoughtful. "Your observations about the character creation process, particularly the initial simplicity and your 'crash test dummy' suggestion, echo some of the feedback we've received and internally discussed. It's interesting to hear a fresh perspective, especially one informed by your… thoroughness."
He considered Bennett's account of Oakhaven and his unexpected arrival near the Red Fox Caravan. "Your curiosity about the tutorial zone's limitations and your awareness of the different factions and their potential tensions also align with the intended depth of Ludere Online's world-building. It seems you possess a natural inclination to explore and analyze, qualities that could indeed be valuable."
Dave straightened up, the earlier sternness in his expression softening. "For the moment, Mr. Davies, I am… satisfied. You have provided me with a more insightful initial report than I anticipated, given the circumstances."
He extended a hand towards Bennett. "Thank you for your… direct approach to gaining experience with Ludere Online. While I cannot condone the method, the results have been… informative." His handshake was firm, a tangible shift from the tense atmosphere moments before.
"I will be awaiting your next report, Mr. Davies," Dave stated, his gaze now carrying a sense of anticipation. "Continue your exploration, observe keenly, and formulate your thoughts. I am particularly interested in your impressions of the desert environment and your interactions, if any, with the Red Fox Caravan. Remember our terms." With a final, meaningful look, Dave turned and left the storage room, leaving Bennett to grapple with the weight and the incredible opportunity of his new reality.
