Lido realized that the reality he was currently in could no longer provide him with answers. Everything here seemed deceptively slow and dull, no matter how hard he tried to grasp its essence.
- I have to go back - Lido whispered, closing the last archive.
While Lido's gaze drifted over the documents, studying the archives, turmoil was brewing in the boardroom - something stirred by his unexpected audacity and the changes no one could have foreseen.
It seemed impossible that the once unnoticeable and virtual-world-absorbed Lido could suddenly become someone whose skills struck fear even into hardened mercenaries.
The faction led by Beos, although initially dismissive of Lido's internal changes, quickly saw in his outburst a chance to turn the situation in their favor. It could be the perfect opportunity to shift the balance of power to their side.
- Mihlawn, have you seen what your son has done? - asked one of the directors, showing a recording on a tablet.
- What? I don't know anything; he was always just interested in games - Mihlawn replied, slightly surprised.
- It seems his interests have broadened - the director chuckled, playing the footage from the cameras.
The security camera footage showed Lido calmly standing in front of the building, looking serenely at the guards, who clearly didn't suspect that in a moment, the situation would change drastically. For a second, everything looked ordinary, but then something unexpected happened.
- Who are these two idiots? Fire them immediately - Mihlawn said irritably, watching the guards interfere with his son.
- Already done. But watch what happens next - added the director, not taking his eyes off the screen.
In the video, one of the guards suddenly found himself on the ground, doubled over from Lido's lightning-fast strike, while the second fell to his knees with a bloodied face, not even having time to react.
- What happened? I didn't see anything - Mihlawn frowned.
- Set the speed to 0.25, then everything will be clear - the director suggested with a slight smile.
Mihlawn slowed down the footage, and now it was visible how Lido delivered two lightning strikes, folding the first guard and then, with a precise blow, brought the second one to his knees.
- These two are young mercenaries from a renowned security company, and Lido took them down like kittens. Who would have thought your son was a master? - said the director with a smirk, but there was also a hint of surprise in his voice.
- A master, right... - Mihlawn muttered, clearly underestimating what had happened.
At that moment, another director approached them - Beos, his face reflecting clear irritation and aggression.
- Mihlawn, what the hell is your son doing? - Beos's voice was sharp, though barely concealing a hint of satisfaction. He had been waiting for this opportunity.
Mihlawn, smiling, looked calmly at him.
- Beos, why shout? What has he done, exactly? - Mihlawn's voice held confidence, though he could feel the situation slipping out of control.
Beos squinted, his gaze filled with a hidden threat.
- Your son injured two guards. What do you think the shareholders will say when they find out? I'm afraid this won't end with a mere warning. We'll need to figure out who's responsible for such a situation
Mihlawn understood instantly: a carefully planned conspiracy was unfolding before him, and his son, Lido, had become a pawn in someone else's game.
- I'll speak with him myself and get to the bottom of this - Mihlawn replied coldly, trying not to show his anxiety.
But Beos, smiling, already knew the plan would work. This was only the beginning.
- Don't worry - his smile widened - I've already arranged for Lieutenant Rudus to bring Lido here. I'm sure this will help resolve things quickly
Meanwhile, Lido had finished analyzing the archives. In the past, it would have taken him hours to review and analyze even a few reports or game projects, but after visiting the Game House of Zircol and inhabiting the body of Duke Antar, everything had changed.
With Duke Antar came not only his memories but also a cold, flawless logic that allowed Lido to see not just information, but hidden intentions and truths.
Duke Antar, one of the most outstanding commanders of the Western Empire, was not only a master of warfare but also a virtuoso of information management and planning. Every day, hundreds of documents and reports passed through his hands, and he read them with ease, instantly analyzing the data.
Now this experience belonged to Lido. He could read documents as if his eyes could see not only the text but also all the hidden meanings. This was Antar's gift - the ability to grasp the essence of a problem in mere moments.
While Lido sat at the computer, thinking about how to return to the Game House of Zircol, his friend Fenri entered the office. His appearance was unexpected, but Lido showed no reaction.
- Lido, how's it going? - Fenri asked with a smile as he approached. Behind him, his secretary followed, holding two cups of coffee, which she carefully placed on the table in front of them.
Lido looked up at Fenri, and an idea crossed his mind: what if he asked the others about what he was thinking?
- Fenri, think about it - would you care for your characters if you knew they were as alive as you? - Lido asked, narrowing his eyes, as if hoping to catch even the slightest reaction from his friend.
- What? Lido, there you go again with your fantasies... But probably not. Maybe I'd care more for my favorites. It's physically impossible to worry about every one - Fenri replied, shaking his head.
Lido nodded. How could a player pay attention to everyone when the goal was to enjoy the process?
Players only care about the leaders - those who stand at the forefront, commanders, and heroes. But who would remember the minor characters living their small lives in the shadows of great events?
But Lido saw what players couldn't: every character prayed to them, the game gods, hoping to be heard. And to the gods, it didn't matter.
- Anabel, what do you think? - Lido asked his secretary.
- Me? Well, honestly? It's like playing chess. Caring for each piece? Only if it helps achieve victory with minimal losses. After all, they're just pieces on the board, and I can always make a new move.
- In the end, you can always reload a save if something goes wrong, right? - Anabel added with a smile, as if it was the most natural solution.
- Good. Could you call the others?
Lido wanted to know each of their opinions. And not out of curiosity - to understand who among them could see the truth hidden behind the Game God's question.
Catherine entered the office, her gaze focused on Lido, as if expecting something unusual or important.
- What do you think about NPCs? What if they were alive? - Lido asked without any preamble.
Catherine frowned, clearly not expecting such a question. She paused for a few seconds, choosing her answer.
- Well... In games, I always try to be the first - she began uncertainly - NPCs are just resources for me. I kill them to become stronger, gain experience, and level up faster. That's the whole point - her voice became increasingly indifferent, as if she were speaking about something insignificant.
Lido nodded slowly, not showing that her answer had affected him in any way. His face remained impassive, as though he already knew what he would hear.
- Call Arkad - he said, averting his gaze from Catherine and giving her no chance to continue.
When Arkad entered, his slight smile showed that he was expecting something amusing.
- NPCs? - he smirked, anticipating the question - They're fun. They create atmosphere and make the game feel alive. But honestly, I'd only care for those who benefit me. The rest... just background
Lido nodded thoughtfully, then added:
- Nice suit, Arkad. I think I'll get one like it
Arkad grinned broadly.
- Thanks, boss. I'll give you the address later
Lido waved dismissively, indicating that the conversation was over.
- Call Albert - he said, showing no further interest in Arkad.
Albert entered with a slight air of contemplation, as if he'd been pondering such questions for a long time. His presence seemed to absorb light rather than reflect it.
- If the game world is real? - he began, not even waiting for Lido to ask.
- Then we are gods. We can change everything as we wish. Our decisions determine the lives of everyone in these world
- The developers are the real gods. They create the worlds - Fennry interjected, who had been sitting nearby, observing Lido with suspicion.
Albert nodded in agreement.
- Perhaps, but we, the players, decide what happens in these worlds. We choose who lives and who dies
- After all, games are created so that we can do what's impossible in real life. And there are no consequences - Albert added, his tone growing colder.
Lido raised an eyebrow but said nothing. What could they know about consequences? He had already seen too much to take their words seriously.
- Call Isabelle
Isabelle entered with a bright sparkle in her eyes, her steps quick and full of energy.
- I'm a hardcore player - she began with a smile - I play with only one life, no room for mistakes
- And what if you die? You start over? - Lido asked, tilting his head slightly.
- Of course - Isabelle replied with an even bigger grin - That's the whole romance of it. But if my characters were alive… they probably wouldn't like it - she laughed, her eyes glinting with adrenaline
Lido pondered her words for a moment, as if something in them struck a chord.
- Fate… - he muttered, his voice almost a whisper. But his thoughts were already far from this conversation.
Suddenly, Isabelle leaned in closer, her eyes flashing playfully.
- Are you free tonight, boss?
Without taking his gaze from the table, Lido answered dryly:
- I'm busy tonight
At that moment, the door opened, and five guards entered the office, led by an officer. Lido cast them a brief, indifferent glance, as if he already knew what would happen next.
As the officer opened his mouth to speak, the world froze. Lido blinked, quickly realizing this was no illusion. Everything around him was suspended, like a scene in a video game paused mid-motion. The silence was so complete that even his own footsteps felt foreign.
He stood up, feeling a shiver run down his spine. Walking past the immobile guards, as though they were just figures in a frozen game, Lido exited into the hall. There, a familiar silhouette waited for him, sitting at a table as if this had all been orchestrated from the very beginning.
- Hello again
- Game God - Lido said calmly, though something inside him tightened with uncertainty.
- That's right - the Game God replied with a wide smile, gesturing for Lido to sit across from him
In that moment, Lido felt his recent confidence, drawn from Duke Antar, begin to slip away. He no longer felt like a warrior or a strategist - just Lido, lost in this endless game. But even so, he was no longer the old Lido. This experience had left a deep mark on him.
- I see you've given my question some thought. How's it going? - the Game God looked at him with unabashed curiosity.
- Not too encouraging - Lido replied with slight disappointment - I have too many questions. What's actually happening?
Lido looked at the Game God with a demanding gaze. If he knew that Lido had been "thinking," then surely he knew the answers to all his questions.
The Game God smirked, as if he had anticipated Lido's reaction.
- That would be too easy, wouldn't it? - he spoke calmly, though there was a hint of challenge in his voice - Questions, answers… Sometimes, it's not the answers that matter, but the process of seeking them
- So what am I supposed to do? - Lido asked coldly. He was tired of this lingering sense of uncertainty.
- It's simple - the Game God said, his eyes glinting with excitement, as though he were anticipating the outcome of a long-planned game - Do what you do best. You've always excelled at it, haven't you?
Lido frowned, feeling irritation rise within him. "Play?" It seemed too simple, too obvious for the situation he was in. Why did everything come down to a game when so much around him was mysterious and unclear?
- Play? - Lido repeated, his voice filled with distrust and a hint of fatigue. He tried to catch the Game God's true intentions, but before him stood only a riddle masked by serene confidence. Everything led back to the game... But why?
- Correct! - the Game God laughed, his laughter echoing through the empty hall like a roll of thunder. He was savoring the moment, like a child with a new toy.
- Let's play a game. But this isn't just any game, Lido. The stakes here are much higher than you can imagine