The Atmosphere in the snakes den was different than the rest of the virtual community. It had a heavy oxygen content, and the air seemed to be laced with hallucinogenic chemicals. The air seemed to be filled with fog, that made seeing more than a few feet impossible. A simple breath of the air was enough to make a person feel detached from their normal existence. This caused most people to become addicted to the feeling. Only when in this state could these addicts interact with the people who they lost.
Most of the information that floated around this place was not credible. To call it the insane ravings of a madman would be too mild. However there was truth in the words that could be found, one just had to put in the effort to find it.
The truth was that there were several experts lurking in the snakes den. The drug filled air and the mourning addicts were just a cover for the true purpose of this place. The top information guild of the current age had its headquarters here. Any random addict you ran into could be an expert in disguise. In the outside world the agents could be anyone. They could be your neighbor, the mayor, or even your teacher.
The information guild called ECHO had its agents in all industries. They had members in every game, and stocks in every major company. The reason he had come here both times was for this guild. They had tried recruiting him several times through the years, a well known chef had access to some secrets that others did not. This was true of every profession though, everyone could be a spy.
Daniel had always refused the offer, not because he had anything against ECHO, he actually had a good relationship with them. No, he refused them because his passion was with food, and had little use for information. But his circumstances had changed. He needed information from the guild, and it would cost him. It would cost him a lot.
He had two options. He could pay for the information he needed, the cost would be tens of thousands of credits. This would be a one time payment, he would get his information and leave. If he needed any other information he would have to pay again. This is how he had always done his deals with the guild.
The second option was the one he was going to take. This option required him to join the ECHO guild. He would be a formal member, and have access to their training and information. But in return he would have to complete missions for them. The gains were obvious. Those who were formal members of the ECHO guild were the best of the best. The guild invested heavily in there training. The cost was having a noose around your neck. You were a slave to the guild. If they said jump you jumped. It did not matter what you thought or felt. They owned you.
Of course this was worst case scenario. Normally things would not progress to such a level, and they would set you up with a life that went along with their needs. A compromise of sorts. At least that's how it had been explained to him. The bigger the need, the tighter the noose.
He sighed to himself as he walked through the drug filled air. The dark alleyway around him seemed to grow smaller with every step he took. He could feel the collar of his shirt tightening with every step he took. The price he would have to pay was a burden that not many could take. His would be one of the highest. This was the real purpose of the drug filled air. To warn the recruits of the price they would pay.
He grit his teeth as he continued forward. Sweat began to form on his brow as he walked. Each step he took the pressure grew heavier and heavier. Finally a door appeared before him, A door that seemed to frighten the fog around him. As his fingers gripped the handle, the pressure around him disappeared. His mind became clear. His eyes gained a clear look of determination as he pushed the door open. It was too late to turn back.