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[Digestion Time Remaining 00:03]
[00:02]
[00:01]
[C+ Ranked Virus: Amalgamation Successfully Digested]
[Please Check Your Rewards]
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Finally! I've been bored just reading in Sher's space until the digestion is completed. So far, the only interesting information worth mentioning is the [5 Properties]. I scroll through to find the hologram again.
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[5 Properties]
Destruction- This property's main function is to damage data, viruses and players in [Fractal]. Example: A player with the [Bombardier] class can destroy networks of data through their bombs.
Creation- This property's main function is to create usable items or creatures in [Fractal]. Example: A player with the [Blacksmith] class can create a [Weapon] for others to use.
Transformation-This property's main function is to change the nature of data in [Fractal]. Example: A player with the [Propagator] class can change harmless code into a deadly virus that can infect systems.
Encryption- This property's main function is to hide anything in [Fractal]. Example: A player with the [Spy] class can use a series of codes to hide a treasure or cloaking skills to sneak into enemy bases.
Restoration- This property's main function is to restore anything in [Fractal]. Example: A player with the [Priest] class can restore a Kaleidoscope's [Integrity].
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But enough about that! It's time for the moment every gamer lives for: LOOT! I excitedly scroll through the notifications to find the one for my rewards. Without hesitation, I tap it.
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[Overeating Lv. 1 --> Lv. 2]
[Virus Digestion Lv. 1 --> Lv. 2]
[Received: Robotics Lv. 1 (Grade: Common Creation Skill)]
[Received: Amalgamation's Core (Grade: Uncommon Destruction Material)]
[The C+ Rank Virus: Amalgamation Will Be Added To Training Space]
[Hero of Gluttony Receives Magic +4 and Strength +2 for Consuming a Destruction Type Virus]
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Wait, that was it?! I waited 5 hours for the digestion to finish and this is all I got? I scroll through the notice again but nothing changes. Damn my luck.
Seeing my despair, Sher chimes in as she busies herself with organizing a bunch of holograms. "I don't know why you're so upset, Devon. You read the description for Virus Digestion right?"
I sigh. "I know, but this is my first time playing a game after a long time. I guess I just got too excited."
"Oh? I thought you were too poor to play anything."
"Har, har. I'll have you know, there's a lot of good Metroidvanias and RPG games out there for personal computers."
"Pfft. You used to own one of those ancient things? Don't you have a personal hologram like a normal person?"
"Hey! Don't diss it! It might not be fancy like holograms or your 'oh so mighty' Kaleidoscope but it still never fails to entertain."
I wave my hand to check out what I got. Loot's, loot so I can't complain when it's literally my first day in this game-like world. Right?
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[Robotics Lv. 1]
Summary: Machines are your friends. Well, once you make them that is. This skill allows you to use materials in both [IRL] and [Fractal] to make machines that will do your bidding. Every successful blueprint will be stored in the Kaleidoscope's database. Currently, you can make simple machines. Increase this skill's level before attempting to make higher caliber machines.
[Amalgamation's Core]
Summary: All that's left of the Amalgamation. Can be used for crafting using an Uncommon or higher [Creation] skill. Alternatively, can be consumed using an Uncommon or higher [Transformation] skill to receive a random skill from the Amalgamation base code.
[Training Space]
Summary: The Hero of Gluttony can summon the ghost of an enemy that the Omniphage has eaten. Use the [Edit] window to adjust its strength according to your liking and train to your heart's content.
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I scratch my head. Did different people write the descriptions for each of them? Robotics is certainly unexpected but I guess I just have to learn how to use it. I tap on the [Training Space] interface and it presents me with various knobs and slides.
"Oh!" Sher exclaims. "You don't have to worry about that. Let me take care of your sparring settings."
She waves her hand and the confusing system alters itself to her whims.
"There. Just call out the name of the training partner you want. But you'll have to do that next time."
"Why?"
"You got a visitor."
Immediately, my consciousness gets pulled out of Sher's space and I find myself back to Barry's bedroom. The door slowly opens and Barry peeks in.
"Good, you're awake," he says. He's already dressed for work but his hair and face are still dreadful. "There's an emergency at the precinct so I have to go. I got no groceries in the fridge so you'll have to figure something out."
He then leaves as quickly as he entered. I look at the clock on the wall.
[3:20 AM]
It's still too early but I don't feel sleepy at all. I guess I'll make myself some coffee and scavenge for food in the kitchen. Even if there's no food in the fridge, there HAS to be something edible there right? As I prop myself up, I hear a knock on the door.
"Coming!" I yell.
The knocks get louder.
"Coming! Jeeze, Barry did you forget your ke-"
*Click*
Unexpectedly, the person who greets me is not the smelly, grimy detective. It's the foul-mouthed, violent woman who was my neighbor for the past 5 years.
"Eleanor..."
We lock eyes for a brief moment before she pulls me into a tight hug. I'm dumbfounded. It takes me a moment before I hesitantly return the favor.
"Wh-why are you here?" I ask as I welcome her in.
"I figured you'd be hungry so I brought something," she replies and presents me a plastic bag. The smell is faint, but I can tell that it's Chinese take-out.
I take the bag and using Barry's plates and utensils from the cupboard, I proceed to divvy up the portions of sweetly-scented fried rice and sweet & sour pork.
"Thanks for the food!" I say. "I was starving."
I'd hoped to lighten the mood a bit by making small talk but her face shows no signs of releasing its tense and stoic mood. I pause my preparations and address her.
"You have something to say," I comment.
She bites her lips in a grimace. "A lot, actually, Devon," she says quietly without looking at me. "Why didn't you say anything before disappearing like that?"
My mind sorts through dozens of reasons but all of them sound like cheap excuses so I settle with the one honest thing I could say. "I messed up," I reply weakly.
She looks at me with visible surprise and sighs before pulling something out from her pocket.
"Here," she hands it to me.
"What is it?"
"Just click the button in the middle."
I inspect the small rectangular device in my hand before pressing the button as she said.
"So, Veronica, could you tell us what you're drawing is about?" a female's voice rings out from it. It seems to be Judie, the owner and instructor of Veronica's Kindergarten.
"Yes!" Veronica's voice replies energetically. "So thwis is me, thwis is momma, and thwis is Debwon."
A drawing? Me? I snap my eyes to Eleanor and she nods at me to continue listening.
"Ooohhh wow," Judie continues. "So what do you call this picture Veronica?"
"I call it, 'Fun Times'!" she replies. I can just imagine the big smile on her face.
"That's great, Veronica! Can you tell the class why you chose that title?"
There's a pause.
"Becwause, when me, momma, and Debwon are togethwer, I always have tooooons of fun!"
"Wow! Can we clap for Veronica's art piece, class?"
A round of tiny applause rushes out from the speakers.
After the clapping, Judie continues. "So, does anyone have questions for Veronica's picture?"
A pause again.
"Oh! Raymond, what's your question?"
"Is that your dad in the picture?" a male kid's high-pitched voice asks. "My mom said you don't have a dad so why did you draw a guy?"
My heart beats faster and I could feel my breath grow short.
"Raymond! That's not appropriate to ask," Judie's voice says a pitch higher. She's clearly angry and embarrassed. "I'm sorry, Veronica. You don't have to answer the question."
"I's ok teacher, Ray isn't wrong," Veronica reassures Judie without a hint of distress. "I don't know who my dadda is and momma doesn't tell me anything. But I's ok because Debwon loves me lots!"
Eleanor snatches the device and I see drops of water splash onto my now empty hand.
"Huh?" I mumble as I notice my vision blur with tears.
As she fiddles with the device, Eleanor speaks. "This was recorded the day before you disappeared. She was looking forward to seeing you after you were discharged from the hospital but you never came home."
She pauses. I want to reply but I've become such a sobbing mess that not a single syllable can escape from my mouth.
"That girl has gone through a lot ever since that bastard left us," she continues. "My parents tried to persuade me to get married so she doesn't have to grow up without a father. But I steeled myself to raise her myself. Fight the world if I have to. I don't care if the other parents gossip about us and if the other kids make fun of her, I'll teach her how to smack some sense into them. I'd do anything if it means I don't have to risk a guy hurting us again."
I look at her and see that she is biting her lips to the point that it's bleeding and her knuckles are whitening from clenching her fists.
"But you, you son of a bitch," she roars. "You were so damn persistent. So fucking friendly and helpful to everyone that even the Skytrain got a fucking name! And before I knew it, you were eating with us everyday and I've been leaving her in your care instead of my parents'."
The tension then reaches its climax and she grabs me by the collar. "5 fucking years Devon. We've been friends for 5 years and Veronica's known you ever since she was born. But when your bitch-ass friend tells you to leave, you fucking do it without saying anything."
She raises her fist and I don't even flinch. I'm fully prepared to receive what I deserve. But instead of bringing it down to my face, tears begin to flow like river from her eyes.
"Was it all meaningless to you?" she sobs. "So meaningless that you didn't even kick and scream? Maybe if not for me, just for Veronica... why didn't you resist?"
"N-no I...!" I start but I can't disagree. I didn't resist at all. What did they mean to me? I've known them for so long but did I care so little that I didn't even think of finding a different way? Or hell, even breaking that stupid contract? I thought I've changed ever since meeting a lot of good people here but I guess deep down, I'm still the same Devon that did everything he could to survive in the "Outside". I turn my eyes away.
"I'm sorry..." I say weakly.
She lets go of my collar and wipes her nose. "Prove it," she says.
I look at her curiously.
"Prove that you're sorry," she clarifies. "We can't change the past but before I let you see her again, you need to prove that you mean what you say."
"I... what do you want me to do?" I ask.
She pulls out some tiny L*go blocks from her purse and scatters them on the floor.
"Kneel on these, bow down to me three times, and say sorry every time you do it," she explains.
Without hesitation, I plop my knees on the children's torture device and bang my head on the floor.
*Bang*
"I'm sorry!"
*Bang*
"I'm sorry!"
*Bang*
"I'm sorry!"
I stay in a deep bow as I await her response. Then, I see her crouch in front of me. I look up and see her chuckle softly.
"I just wanted to see how sincere you are but you did it so fast that I didn't even have time to stop you," she says with a quivering voice. "Take responsibility, Devon Miller. For better or worse, you're the closest Veronica's ever gonna get for a father figure. So don't you dare disappear like my bastard ex-boyfriend did ever again."
I chuckle. "A 26 year old virgin and a dad. Never thought it'd be possible."
She responds with a playful kick to the chest which send me flat on my back.
"Bastard," she chuckles. "Maybe if you weren't such a pussy, you'll put some bitches on your dick."
"And maybe if your mouth isn't such a garbage dump, you'll finally have a man kiss you," I retort.
She throws a spoon at me in reply.