Chapter 4 - A logical response

Chapter 4

Damon was holding the beet bottle in his hands. He felt nostalgic and weary at the same time; seeing the changes in his life was at best too much to process now; waking up after a year is just sinking in; the confusion waking up didn't even shock him, as if he already understood what would happen, as if subconsciously he wanted to gain a life. Within that entire year, his mind was roaming his inner thoughts like he was having a light dream.

He was talking to somebody as he discussed the details of his life, from his joy, sadness, regret, and hope for even though he knew he just passed away. It was a surreal experience, almost like he was reliving his past year in a matter of minutes. The realization of all that had transpired hit him like a wave, leaving him both overwhelmed and strangely at peace.

As soon as he woke up, the first thing he saw was a floating screen, and as soon as he saw what was written, he knew instantly but wasn't about to test out his theory. At the back of his mind, he was indeed alive in his younger body. This was not a dream were he will jump for joy, the reason that he was alive became a question now that he cant fnd any answers, he knew his resurrection was connected with the massivecountry-sizee tower the rose up from the deeps of the earth and just like that, ruled over every single living organism in the planet.

A new era of peace and prosperity was promised by the loud, commanding voice that suddenly appeared in everyone's minds. It was also full of annoyance and displeasure. But deep down, he couldn't shake the feeling that there was something sinister lurking behind the tower's facade. The voice was indeed beyond just supermatural. But the free down not to follow its orders was a choice he was willing to make.

The power and authority emanating from the tower was too overwhelming, but it was still just and fair, a contradicting combination that left him feeling conflicted. Despite the sense of unease, he knew that challenging the voice would not come without consequences. The fate of the world now rested in their own hands, and he had to decide whether to submit or resist. Within just a year, he woke up in a world where everything is now a mix of two different worlds.

Damon took a sip of the beer on his and while sitting on the Lazarus porch, and like clockwork, the cayote pack leader was killed, and the Lazarus clan returned back to their weekly family gathering. One of his relatives walked towards him and sat next to her father, Dolton. It was Mary Kay, 18 years old. She just looked at Damon with questionable eyes and asked him a very peculiar question.,

"Hay, why didn't you shoot? The gun that Uncle Emmit is still loaded, are ya scared??"

"Don't get me wrong, nor any intention of disturbing you, but you looked calm, despite the chaos that was happening."

"When I first saw those hungry cayotes attack the farm a month ago, I was scared and peed in my pants."

"But as soon as I was able to use my avatar abilities, that fear slowly dissipated. I guess I just trust my instincts in situations like these," Damon replied with a reassuring smile.

"I've learned to control my emotions and focus on what needs to be done."

"The elders need ammo, and looking at you guys, I think you don't need my help anyway."

"You are already at what level?"

"I am already level 13,"

"Sadly, I really can't comprehend what those a level 13 can do in the real world, but in the virtual world, a level 13 game like Avatar can overpower a fully grown black bear. String speeds are already above human life; as I recall, a level 1 player is like a newly born infant; an average human is level 5.."

"In the virtual world, leveling up represents gaining new skills and abilities that can be used to defeat enemies and complete quests. It's all about progression and becoming stronger as you advance through the game."

"But inside the game you really can't physically die, until now."

"Honestly, I was saving my own life the moment I realized the consequences."

"Always, Damon, what is your full name again?"

"It's Damon Rinne Lazarus, ma'am."

"Ma'am, my butt, tomorrow morning the DNA team will be here to test you,"

"I do hope you are kin, Damon! I hate to hunt you down and kill you!"

"Isn't that too harsh!"

"many to use pretending to be blood kin, but they ended up in a Misérables fate."

"The older folks are still too hang up on their past; sadly, we generation has no choice but to play along." "It's a never-ending cycle of lies and deceit, all for the sake of tradition."

"About my father, right?"

"Yup! Any who don't worry too much; you haven't done anything to be considered a treat in our family."

Damon was aware of how the Lazarus treated those who inflicted harm toward their clan. Even when he was young, his cousins were known to be harsh and unforgiving when it came to protecting their family's honor. He just casually smiled toward Mary Kay and assured her he meant no farm toward the only remaining family he has.

Mary Kay was delighted hearing this coming from him; his words were filled with sincerity and warmth. She knew that despite the suddeny coming out from nowhere, she understood that the eldest instinct was always right and never acted like this based on assumptions and prejudice. She felt a sense of relief knowing that Damon truly valued their familial bond and was open to these kinds of treatment, even though sometimes it might look awkward and unconventional to others.

The second Eldest came toward Damon, who was talking to Mary Kay, and gave a multi-tupperware food container to Damon and handed it to him.

"Damon, I apologize in advance; this was really not the situation we are hoping to be in, but I hope this meal will bring you some comfort during this difficult time." The second Eldest's, who was Addison's gesture of kindness, touched Damon deeply; he could not say no, knowing his cousin's dishes were actually delicious.

"I would like to invite you to stay with us, but I am concerned about what others might say considering they are still weary of your status; not all of your cousins are willing to open themselves to a non-blood kin."

"On behalf of myself and my family, I apologize; I already asked them others to install a temporary generator at your father's house."

"Rest assured the property on the Lazarus land is protected by state law, so rest easy. We still have a lot of questions, but sadly we need to follow protocol on said matter of your relationship to our clan."

"For the time being, you need to rest and eat. You look like you haven't eaten for days."

"And I am not that naïve not to notice that you are also in a state of confusion. The fact you personally got dragged into this situation just because Emmit here had a gut feeling about your father's house this morning."

"And the fact he found you inside our cousin house and has the name name at him is such a huge coincidence, its quite scary to even understand."

"We haven't seen him for a while, and when he did come back, he just ignored us, as if he didn't exist at all."

"Imagine we live just a few hundred meters from where his house is standing; such a sad tale to leave behind."

"I wonder what could have caused him to act this way towards us, especially after all these years of silence." "It's like he's a completely different person now, and it's unsettling to think about."

"Always. Let you continue our discussion tomorrow."

Damon could not reach them because what Addison told him was indeed correct. When he was the age of them, he was scared to even face them. The news about his parent's sudden death was a huge blow in his heart. He he unconsciously drowned his emotions in his work as a coping mechanism. It's clear that he's been carrying this burden for a long time, and it's going to take time for him to open up and heal from his past. But in the process, he became distant and isolated; he reluctantly turned his back on his entire family to protect himself from further pain.

Damon lying about him was another way for him to shield himself from vulnerability, but deep down he knows that facing his emotions head-on is the only way to truly heal and move forward. The weight of his secrets and lies is becoming too heavy for him to bear alone, and he will eventually need to confront his past in order to find peace.

He got up and thanked his cousin, who had become his aunt because of his revival after dying a year ago; he had no choice but to lie, as the truth would have caused chaos and confusion among his family. However, he now realizes that living a lie only adds to his internal turmoil and prevents him from fully connecting with those around him. It's time for Damon to find the courage to be honest with himself and others, no matter how difficult it may be.

As he walked back toward his old, dilapidated house. He noticed that the generator had brought electricity to the house, so he went back inside and took his mother's Chokuto sword as he entered his parents' office and entered his private quarters. His laptop was covered in dust, just like it had been a year earlier, so he sat directly in front of it, placed the sword on top of the dusty desk table, took a deep breath, and let out a heavy sigh.

Damon heard his stomach grumbling and decided to eat; dwelling in the current situation was not going to solve anything. He opened the Tupperware container and opened it. Damon was holding his emotion seeing what Addison gave him; it was a homemade meal of his favorite dish, lasagna. The familiar smell brought a sense of comfort and nostalgia, reminding him of happier times spent with his cousins.

Losing his parents was not even that hard to accept, but what was bothering him was that he wasted all his potential to truly experience life with a sense of excitement and adventure; everything he did was too structured and routine. He realized that he had been living in a bubble of his own making, missing out on the richness and spontaneity that life had to offer. It was time for him to break free from his self-imposed limitations and start living authentically, embracing the unknown with open arms.

As he took his last bite, he stood up and went toward his late father's cabinet, opened the secret compartment, and took out his late father's favorite weapon. A double SIG Sauer P320 with 32-round magazines 9х19 mm pistol-fired armor-piercing cartridge 7N31. He felt a rush of adrenaline as he held the weapon in his hands, a symbol of power and liberation. With newfound courage, he made a vow to himself to never again shy away from the challenges and uncertainties that life had in store for him.

He placed the military-grade gun container on the table and placed his late mother's chokutō, or straight sword, on top of the gun case when the system window display flashed in front of him, notifying him if he wished to place the weapons inside his dimensional storage. This was unexpected; he knew the game he helped develop did come to life and has now dominated the lives of so many people. It is also connected to him; he wasn't a player, but he did create many aspects of the game, so testing out the system's capabilities was crucial for him in the past, so each ability must be coded and developed in a way that was tangeable, practical, and easy to understand for the players. He hesitated for a moment, wondering if he should take advantage of this unique opportunity to test out the system himself.

His gaming privilege was so high he could modify and change everything within the game itself. Damon could easily gain overpowered abilities if he wanted to, but this will eventually lead to his dismisal from work as all those who are part of the Virtual Arcane Crusade game are prohibited to create or join the actual gaming world, lest they risk revealing the game's secrets to the public. Damon knew he had to resist the temptation and stick to his role as a developer for the game, even if it meant missing out on some exciting gameplay in the past, but he was fired moments after he died out of exhaustion over work and old age.

"I am no longer the old me; this is my second chance, and I won't make the same mistake again."

So without hesitation, he confirmed the transfer and watched as the weapons disappeared into the digital storage, ready to be accessed whenever needed. The weight of his past and future battles now securely stored away, he felt a sense of relief and readiness for whatever may come his way.

"WOULD YOU LIKE TO MODIFY WEAPONS TO SUIT YOUR EXPERIENCE LEVEL?"

"Huh? I can modify my weapons. I have administrative abilities. what!"

"WOULD YOU LIKE TO MODIFY WEAPONS TO SUIT YOUR EXPERIENCE LEVEL?"

"PRESS YES OR NO."

"YOU HAVE PRESSED YES."

"PLEASE INPUT CORESTPONDING CODE IN YOUR MODIFIED WEAPON"

"EXPERIENCE POINTS SHALL BE DEDUCTED UPON CONFIRMED MODIFICATION."

"DUBPLICATION OF 32-round magazines 9х19 mm pistol-fired armor-piercing cartridge 7N31. "

"PER DUBPLICATION WILL COST 3200 EXPERIENCE POINTS? OR 32 MANA ?

"How big is my mana?

"MANA IS CURENTLY LEVEL 15."

"DO YOU WISH TO INCREASE YOUR MANA?"

"YOU HAVE PRESSED Yes."

"I need enough bullets to survive a full assault. Better to be safe. Lets place a Create a Modified Loop Script and bypass the system primery command by making it think we are only duplicating 16 magazines instead of 32. This way, we can save on experience points or mana while still ensuring we have enough ammunition to survive any assault."

"ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT TO PROCEED WITH THIS MODIFICATION?"

"YES," Damon replied confidently.

"Let's proceed with the modification and ensure we have enough ammunition for any situation."

"I also need to increase my level gradually but not too drastically that other players might see me as a threat. Let's be strategic in our approach to ensure we maintain a balance between gaining experience points and staying under the radar."

"Next, I need to access and add another modified script to instantly switch weapons, allowing for quicker response times in combat situations. This will give us an added advantage without drawing too much attention to our capabilities." Damon nodded in agreement, understanding the importance of staying ahead of the game while remaining discreet.

"Modified script for my late mother's sword properties; convert material to mithril, change sharpness, durabity, and elemental properties. This will enhance the sword's performance without altering its appearance, maintaining its sentimental value while increasing its effectiveness in battle. With this modification, we can ensure that we are well-equipped for any challenges that come our way." Damon smiled, grateful for the opportunity to honor his mother's memory while also improving his combat skills.

"Wait, I need body protection; I can use my late father's tactical gear," he thought to himself. Damon quickly added to the script, "Also modify my late father's tactical gear for better defense and agility in battle. This way, I can carry on the legacy of both my parents in every fight I face." With these enhancements, Damon felt confident that he was ready for whatever battles lay ahead.

He quickly went back into his father's cabinet and took out all of his equipment and placed it inside his dimensional storage. He hoped the system would notify him about the option of modification, and with luck the system granted him full access, so without further delay he also took a few more items that belonged to his mother and other stuff, until the system notified him that his storage box was now full.

"ATTENTION, ALL 50 STORAGE BOX SLOTS ARE NOW FULL."

"WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADD MORE STORAGE SPACE?"

"YOU Selected NO."

"ALL MODIFICATION OF TACTICAL BODY ARMOR HAS BEEN COMPLETED SUCCESSFULLY."

"INCRESE OF LEVEL WITH ADDITIONAL MODIFICATION IS GRANTED,"

"ADMINISTRATOR PRIVILEGE IS NOW ACTIVE."

DAMON LAZARUS 23 YEARS OLD

EARTH HUMAN Can be Edited

JOB TITLE: FACILITATOR 

LEVEL 1 { Modified scripts will increase per kill } one level per kill

STRENGHT 9 { Modified scripts will increase per kill } + 191= 200

SPEED 8 { Modified scripts will increase per kill } +92 = 100

STAMINA 30 { Modified scripts will increase per kill } + 70= 100

AGILITY 10 { Modified scripts will increase per kill } + 90 = 100

AGILITY 10 { Modified scripts will increase per kill } + 90 = 100

INTELIGENCE 56

SKILL 40 { Modified scripts will increase per kill } + 10 = 50

MANA 15 { Modified scripts will increase per kill } +1985 = 2000

CONTROL 0 { Modified scripts will increase per kill } + 50

Resistance 3 { Modified scripts will increase per kill } + 97 = 100

ELEMENTAL AFFINITY

Fire { Modified scripts will increase per kill } +100 Level 100

?????

????

Lightning { Modified scripts will increase per kill } +100 Level 100

???? 

PREMERY WEAPON

A double SIG Sauer P320 with 32-round magazines 9х19 mm pistol-fired armor-piercing cartridge 7N31 { Modified scripts AMMUNITION Duplication loop mana payment 1 PER BULLET }

Command { gun}

STATUS { unused}

Mithril sword { Modified scripts elemental properties lightning and fire mana payment per used 100 mana }

{ The modified scripts for the Mithril sword include elemental properties of lightning and fire, with a mana payment required per use of 100 mana. The durability and sharpness of the sword is set at 100 but can still be increased through further modifications. }

Command { sword }

STATUS { unused}

TACTICAL BODY ARMOR

{ The modified scripts for The Tactical Body Armor are equipped with advanced technology that enhances protection and mobility on the battlefield.}

{ It is designed to withstand various types of attacks and provide the wearer with a tactical advantage in combat situations. }

{mana payment per used 100 mana}

Command { ARMOR}

STATUS { unused}

"ALL MODIFICATION HAS BEEN COMPLEATED EXPERIENCE POINTS ARE BEING DEDUCTED."

"18,136 - EXPERIENCE POINTS DEDUCTED" "ALL MODIFICATIONS ARE NOW ACTIVE AND READY FOR USE."

"MAINTAINING BALANCE OF 1864 EXPERIENCE POINT REMAIN,"