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  The Dragon's Wrath

  A Virtual Dream

  Volume 1

  Brent Roth

  Copyrights

  The Dragon's Wrath: A Virtual Dream

  Copyright © 2015 by Brent Roth

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in retrieval system, copied in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise transmitted without written permission from the publisher.

  Contents

  The Dragon's Wrath

  A Virtual Dream

  Copyrights

  Contents

  A Word from the Author

  Chapter 00: The Preamble

  (Thursday, December 31st Real Day)

  Chapter 0: The Preamble, Ext.

  (Thursday, December 31st Real Day)

  Chapter 1: The Beginning

  (Friday, January 1st Game Day / Friday, January 1st Real Day)

  Chapter 2: First Quest

  (Friday, January 1st Game Day / Friday, January 1st Real Day)

  Chapter 3: Level Up

  (Saturday, January 2nd Game Day / January 1st Real Day)

  Chapter 4: Why I Game

  (Saturday, January 2nd Game Day / January 1st Real Day)

  Chapter 5: A Step to Greatness

  (Saturday, January 2nd Game Day / January 1st Real Day)

  Chapter 6: It's a Grind

  (Tuesday, January 5th Game Day / Saturday, January 2nd Real Day)

  Chapter 7: A Camp Site

  (Friday, January 22nd Game Day / Friday, January 8th Real Day)

  Chapter 8: Alpha n' Beta Meeting

  (Saturday, January 9th Real Day)

  Chapter 9: AnB Meeting Plus One

  (Saturday, January 9th Real Day)

  Chapter 10: Planning for the Future

  (Thursday, January 28nd Game Day / Sunday, January 10th Real Day)

  Chapter 11: Scaling the Mountain

  (Tuesday, February 9th Game Day / Thursday, January 14th Real Day)

  Chapter 12: Return to the Face

  (Wednesday, February 10th Game Day / Thursday, January 14th Real Day)

  Chapter 13: The Mountain's Peak

  (February 24th Game Day / January 18th Real Day)

  Chapter 14: Anvil Descending

  (March 3rd Game Day / January 21th Real Day)

  Chapter 15: At the Base, a Woman

  (Saturday, March 6th Game Day / Friday, January 22nd Real Day)

  Chapter 16: A Crowded Cabin for Two

  (Saturday, March 6th Game Day / Friday, January 22nd Real Day)

  Chapter 17: The Earl and Selene

  (Saturday, March 6th Game Day / Friday, January 22nd Real Day)

  Chapter 18: Changing of the Guard

  (Sunday, March 7th Game Day / Friday, January 22nd Real Day)

  Chapter 19: Awaiting the Search

  (Monday, March 8th Game Day / Saturday, January 23rd Real Day)

  Chapter 20: Killing the Earl

  (Monday, March 8th Game Day / Saturday, January 23rd Real Day)

  Chapter 21: Freedom or Something like It

  (Monday, March 8th Game Day / Saturday, January 23rd Real Day)

  Chapter 22: After the Earl, After the Past

  (Tuesday, March 9th Game Day / Saturday, January 23rd Real Day)

  Chapter 23: Alpha n' Beta Meeting #2

  (Saturday, January 23rd Real Day)

  Chapter 24: The Journey back to Camp

  (Tuesday, March 9th Game Day / Saturday, January 23rd Real Day)

  Chapter 25: Selene and Katherine

  (Thursday, March 11th Game Day / Sunday, January 24rd Real Day)

  Chapter 26: I Didn't Know

  (Thursday, March 11th Game Day / Sunday, January 24rd Real Day)

  Chapter 27: Diggin' a Hunt

  (Thursday, March 11th Game Day / Sunday, January 24rd Real Day)

  Chapter 28: Working Through the Days

  (Thursday, March 11th Game Day / Sunday, January 24rd Real Day)

  Chapter 29: NPC-Recruiter Oh My

  (Sunday, April 25th Game Day / Monday, February 8th Real Day)

  Chapter 30: Recruit! Recruit! Recruit!

  (Sunday, April 25th Game Day / Monday, February 8th Real Day)

  Chapter 31: Ocean Air in the Moonlight

  (Friday, April 30th Game Day / Tuesday, February 9th Real Day)

  Chapter 32: Thoughts of Companions' Past

  (Sunday, May 9th Game Day / Friday, February 12th Real Day)

  Chapter 33: Developing Culture

  (Monday, May 10th Game Day / Saturday, February 13th Real Day)

  Chapter 34: Alpha n' Beta Meeting #3

  (Saturday, February 13th Real Day)

  Chapter 35: Bad Motivation

  (Tuesday, May 11th Game Day / Saturday, February 13th Real Day)

  Chapter 36: Call to Arms

  (Monday, May 17th Game Day / Monday, February 15th Real Day)

  Chapter 37: A Real Town

  (Sunday, May 23rd Game Day / Wednesday, February 17th Real Day)

  Chapter 38: Looking For Group

  (Sunday, May 23rd Game Day / Wednesday, February 17th Real Day)

  Chapter 39: The First Floor

  (Sunday, May 23rd Game Day / Wednesday, February 17th Real Day)

  Chapter 40: The First Floor, Pt. 2

  (Sunday, May 23rd Game Day / Wednesday, February 17th Real Day)

  Afterword from the Author

  A Word from the Author

  The following work contains mature themes, including but not limited to detailed representations of violent combat, death, and occasional profanity that are intended for a mature audience and may not be suitable for children under the age of unknown.

  In truth, there are many other mature themes throughout the entire novel that cover a wide range of topics, many of which are quite personal. Though the original intent was to produce an adventure fantasy with a mixture of personal struggle, character development, and plenty of action… somehow some romance slipped in.

  The story is mostly a fictional one with real life experiences strewn about for added realism, but all names or places contained within are purely fictitious with no relation to any real-life entity.

  As far as the contents and the relatively short chapters are concerned, the original design of the work was as a weekly web-novel and was written as such. The general premise for those unfamiliar with that format is self-contained short chapters that can be read individually and within ten to thirty minutes on the go.

  Of specific note to the style contained within, if it would help readers visualize the narrative, think of a diary that's done in real-time or shortly thereafter with the ability to edit.

  In the end though, I sincerely hope that you enjoy the book and find something positive to take away from it. Having personally struggled far more than anything detailed in this book, I can only say that sometimes, a little dream can take you quite far.

  Chapter 00: The Preamble

  (Thursday, December 31st Real Day)

  I must confess; I am a man of many faces. What appears on the surface belies a complicated, tormented interior.

  In public I'm a well-spoken and social man with a confident but passive disposition often considered optimistic and positive. A man who most consider genuinely kind and who will always be there to support or help one in need.

  In private, I'm a conflicted person who often struggles with doubt and apprehension, motivational issues stemming from a lack of self-confidence, and a myriad of health issues that have plagued me for nearly half my life.

  I'm a quiet person that prefers isolation and solitude as
I run from my constant failure. I've failed myself, failed my family, failed my friends, and failed all of those who have tried to help me over the years.

  But then there's also the virtual side of me… the best side of me. The side that showcases everything I'm too afraid to do in real life, everything I failed to achieve personally, where my confidence knows no bounds.

  I found redemption online. I found success. Within that virtual world I found myself. Within that game were all of the answers I sought, where my dreams could come true. All of it was inside The Dragon's Wrath.

  Chapter 0: The Preamble, Ext.

  (Thursday, December 31st Real Day)

  Strapped into the chair at the center of the perfectly square room, I slowly closed my eyes while trying to clear my mind. The lights had already begun to dim in the silence until I found myself in complete darkness.

  Though one could hear the faint whirring of the computer's fans running in the background, the droll hum was soon forgotten. The eerie feeling washed over as my mind relaxed and received the first of many electrical signals to come; The Cube had entered the login phase.

  Lights began to flash inside my mind, first of a dim golden white and then soon after brighter colors began to appear as they mixed and became fluid. In but a moment, the fluid colors became one and in a slow fade started to morph into something recognizable. An image of something I had seen before, an image of the world of The Dragon's Wrath.

  The bold letters of the game's title soon materialized in front of the world while the image behind started to flutter like leaflets in the wind. Before I knew it, hundreds of picturesque locations had flashed before me, showcasing the entirety of the world contained within.

  And then, there I was.

  Naked and alone in some dark place; staring at a mirror in an illuminated circle, staring at myself. Turning to the side, I viewed myself in the virtual space and could find no flaw. I was represented exactly how I was, it was a perfect recreation.

  Accepting the character as it stood, I skipped past the submenus to the side of my visual field that allowed for customization and confirmed my decision. A prompt then appeared asking for my name.

  My character's name… my name would be Roth Sigurd.

  Upon confirmation, the mirror tipped back and fell off into the darkness below, taking with it the darkness as well. Before I could even register the change, I was floating amongst the imagery of seven distinct geographical regions.

  These were the starter zones.

  Looking down to the Southwest was the land of the Dark Elves in the heart of the swamplands, while to the Southeast were the Orcs in the plains.

  Neither of those regions held any interest for me, they simply were not what I wanted.

  Looking up I saw the Central-western region that contained the majority of the Human population, with its near perfect weather and lush forests it was considered the prime destination in the game.

  One of the top two regions by a large margin; still not quite what I was looking for.

  Turning my head to the right, I gazed upon the Central-eastern region that was split into a northern Wood Elf dominated area and a southern range occupied by the mixed Animal Races.

  Both were areas that would undoubtedly prove popular with many; too popular for me.

  Then I lifted my gaze slightly higher to the North-central region of the Dwarves, located in the mountainous forest range of the North. A cold place, but not too far removed from civilization.

  I had no desire to live under a mountain.

  Second to last of the starter zones was the North-eastern region of the High Elves, a place rich with massive forests and numerous rivers that somehow escaped the cold of the North.

  It was an anomaly, but again an area I thought lacking.

  With only one region left, I quickly selected it without hesitation.

  The North-western region that was regarded as the true North was where I would call home. A desolate snow-covered wasteland inhabited sparsely by Humans too far removed from civilization.

  That was where I wanted to be.

  That was where I would start.

  That was the land that would soon become mine.

  And all was rendered black once more.

  In the darkness I stood motionless as I waited for what was to come, but it was what I heard that reassured me.

  In that very darkness where nothing could be seen, a low hum soon became a low chant and then followed the sounds of drums and horns as the chanting became increasingly loud.

  And at that very moment, where I had thought the noise could get no louder, I was engulfed in the warming light.

  Golden rays had descended and with it, so too had I.

  As the warmth of the light dissipated, I found myself shivering in the snow. The golden rays quickly shrinking into oblivion with only the light of the moon left to illuminate me. Behind, the slight warmth of a fire could be felt while the distinct smell of ash permeated the air. In front, the village elder waited silently, kneeling down with gift in hand.

  With a deep breathe I inhaled the cold crisp air of the North and let out a large exhale. The road I chose would be a hard one, a lonely one.

  But it didn't matter, for I had finally arrived.

  I had finally begun my journey in the VR-MMORPG known as The Dragon's Wrath.

  Chapter 1: The Beginning

  (Friday, January 1st Game Day / Friday, January 1st Real Day)

  The rising sun greets me as the snow starts to glisten far out in front of the forest line. As if tipping its hat, the sun's rays cast a long and low angular shadow off the trees surrounding me, shrouding me in the darkness of the early morning while illuminating the world directly in front. The shadows only offered a temporary concealment, but I still gladly welcomed it.

  I paused for but a moment to give my thanks, it would seem the sun has given me its blessing.

  The future looked bright.

  Without any further hesitation I took a knee and removed the bow that was hanging off my shoulder. It was a crude bow, made of some inferior quality wood, wood that was unbeknownst to me. But it mattered not, the target was sitting idly by unaware of my presence, masked by the shadow of the elm and pine trees both above and behind. As darkness slowly turned to light I made no effort to rush, for patience was essential.

  No, it was crucial.

  Holding the crude wooden bow in my left hand, I picked a suitable arrow with my right. Squaring the hips and shoulders first, ensuring proper posture, I then nocked an arrow with my right hand and extended my left arm straight-out.

  I loosely grasped the rough bow with my thumb and index finger pointing outwards and simultaneously drew the bowstring back with my right hand. When the side of my hand brushed against my cheek I knew I was ready to proceed.

  Keeping my chest in parallel with the nocked arrow and my elbow straight back, I shifted the weight of the draw from shoulder and arm to back. The muscles in my back tightened, with general relief spreading through the body as the burden had been lifted off the weaker intrinsic muscles in the shoulder.

  I was now ready.

  I took a second to line up my sight, keeping the sinew-string centerline with the bow and a fixed gaze on the [Northern White Fox] just beyond the forest line. The same [Northern White Fox] that seemed to be perfectly illuminated in the transition between night and day.

  As I steadily inhaled I let the bowstring slip cleanly off my finger-tips and followed the arrow's trajectory with my eyes.

  It flew true.

  The thwack of the bowstring releasing its tension brought a strange satisfying feeling, in essence, it was soothing.

  To some, Archery is considered an Art form.

  I don't believe they are wrong.

  But a moment later I see the fox twitch and jerk upwards, the thud of the arrow masked by the yelp of the fox. Momentary indiscretions in the serenity of the forest, but all things pass.

  At the end of my exhale I proclaim to no on
e in particular, "Alright, clean kill." But before I could utter another syllable I was interrupted by the system message:

  [Northern White Fox, Level 6 has been slain!]

  [You have gained +78 Experience!]

  My first hunt and first successful kill had gone without a hitch; I would be lying if I said I wasn't excited and grinning ear to ear. Though I would also be lying if I said it was my first kill ever in the game, having played in the unreleased version during the Alpha and Beta testing phase of the game's development.

  Yeah, I wasn't exactly a first-timer here.

  Getting back to my feet, I looked on at the [Northern White Fox] as it lay forever still, thinking to myself how much easier that had gone than the first time I ever tried to kill a creature in-game.

  Doing one better, I decided to think out-loud.

  After all, in the middle of the deserted northern forests on a bright winter day I had to stave off the boredom between hunts somehow, even if it was entirely crazy to do so.

  "Mission accomplished!"

  "And I'm almost level 1 whistle~."

  Brushing the snow off my knees first, I then placed my [Old Hunting Bow] on my shoulder as if it were a bag of sorts and picked up my remaining [Crude Wooden Arrow x9] to hold in my left hand. Beginners like me without a backpack have to deal with carrying everything by hand.

  An unfortunate set of circumstances for the time being.

  Walking towards the body of the fox I decided to continue my game of thinking out-loud, "What will you provide me with today, my little [Northern Fox]!" …of course I already knew the answer to that, as a fox didn't drop weapons, armor, or items.

  That would be… silly.

  "Simply silly should something so satisfying show," oh alliteration how I love thee. If only I were a more talented being, that wouldn't have been so lame. Oh well, the things one comes up with when bored and alone. It's like singing in the shower even though you're tone deaf and monotone.