Calling up an Old Friend

Jose was momentarily stunned when he couldn't see anything anymore before noticing at the corner of his vision the clock was now flashing red. He was forced out of the game because he reached his maximum limits. Clenching his fists he smacked his hand against the walls of his pod.

"Tsk, damn body, not being able to handle the strain of playing for another few hours," Jose had already researched what determines a person playing time. It's a combination of the brain and body, as disconnecting the body from the brain was a dangerous task which required the highly advance gel.

With the gel, the body would be put into a comatose. However, with the length of time which one can remain in comatose is dependent on the individual's body condition. Should they be strong and healthy, the individual would be able to play for entire days if they wished. However, with Jose's old age and degraded body, he wasn't able to do the same.

Opening up the capsule he hopped out and took off the suit; fortunately, the gel wasn't sticky, so it stayed in the capsule without spilling everywhere.

Jose did a few basic stretches; his muscles were sore from sitting in the same position for so long, he heard a few of his bones cracked loudly. After doing that he left the room and locked the door behind him, he wouldn't allow anyone to stumble across his capsule, especially his family, not until he reached the top.

Going upstairs he went into his office, turning on the computer he began to search the web for information. Still curious as to whether or not he was screwed over by the Wizard Solomon, who for some reason swapped his Rupture spell rune for an Earthquake one.

He searched the keywords. 'Wizard Solomon swapping out spell rune' hoping that something should come up, he surely couldn't have been the only one to face such a situation. Fortunately, he really wasn't. But it wasn't what he expected, rather than screw him over it seems Wizard Solomon gave him a little boost. He gives the first person to find him better options.

Those options beings Large Fireball, Blizzard, and Earthquake. These options to double the damage and have slightly better effects. Thereby giving the player an extra edge at the start of the game, which is why being the first to find the Wizard Solomon was actually a heavily sought out achievement. The other class trainers don't give such an option.

Jose was glad that he wasn't screwed over, he had a sigh of relief before he continued his research. He wanted to make sure he did everything right and not waste any time, if he were to build his character in the wrong way, he would have wasted all that effort and money for nothing.

Fortunately, although his character build was rather rare, it was also one of the stronger ones. Instead of doing what most magicians do and throw all their points into Wisdom; by distributing them in the way that he did, he manages to create a unique character that solely focuses on his playstyle with is slightly more upfront and physical. It's almost impossible to copy unless someone was a genetic clone of Jose.

Jose was glad he had managed to do well so far, although slightly annoyed that his body wasn't able to handle it longer, he wasn't deterred from playing. As of now, he's one of the higher levelled players; granted, it doesn't come close to the leaders of big guilds. All of which use their subordinates, who aren't partied with them, to weaken monsters before finishing them off. This way, no exp is shared and it solely goes to the leader.

However, this method is only available to those who possess a lot of money. Almost no player would want to do something like that unless they were given something for it. Money is the number one thing, some players are even set for life IRL from it.

Jose slightly detested the idea of using money to win, but that's basically what the game has become. The game has such an influence in present times, even national conflicts are resolved through it. Because of that, people pay a lot of attention to the top players and guilds. And with that attention comes advertisement.

When a guild or party manages to be the first of doing something, they're allowed to have their name shouted across the server with their accomplishment. If they were to give themselves the name of a company, it's basically a worldwide advertisement to billions of people for free. Who wouldn't want such a thing?

That's where Jose encounters a bit of a problem. His son in law, Ryley, is the owner of a multibillion-dollar company and his guild is ranked at 15th in the world. In terms of power, money, and influence he's far ahead of Jose who's doing this alone.

Jose searched a bit longer of the web, a few hours to be exact. Trying to get all the information he needed to play the game successfully. So far, he's done a pretty good job. However, in the latter stages of the game, things become a lot more specific.

Every ten levels, classes are allowed to go to the next stage, this is where they start to obtain benefits. Apprentice Magicians become magicians, Apprentice Tanks become tanks, and so forth. However, alongside all of this are special class change scrolls. This class change scrolls are incredibly rare, and the higher tier ones are even rarer. Classes like Grand Sage, Dragon Slayer, and Demi-God are just a few of the highest ones.

Unfortunately, once reaching level ten, things become a lot more complicated than just levelling up and changing class. Players also need to pick up a side class, things like Tailor, Blacksmith, Weapons Designer, and Alchemist are to name a few. To evolve to the next stage, one must also level up these subclasses as well.

However, Jose had no clue as to what he wanted to do. Although it would make sense for him to become a Weapons Designer due to him having experience with real-life weapons, to level that up, one would need to work hand in hand with a Blacksmith as well as a Miner, two other subclasses. Something a person couldn't do if they were alone.

Unless they weren't alone…

Jose hopped out of his chair, sprinted out his office and ran down the stairs to get to the phone. Since he couldn't do it alone, how about he give it a try with the help of his old comrades. The first one he called one was his right-hand man, someone he would trust his life with.

"Hey old mate, how's life been? Haven't talked to you in a few months now." Someone picked up the phone and Jose smiled widely. It had been a little while since he talked to the one on the other side, yet the moment he heard his voice he felt as though it had only been a few minutes.

"Hey Adam, life's been somewhat alright, I mean my son in law still has a stick far up his arse, that hasn't changed. And as of now, I'm just kind of relaxing in my home," Jose answered in a joyful voice. "And speaking about my son in law, I have a favour to ask of you."

"What, you finally going to agree on my deal that we beat his arse out in public, possibly in front of his company's building?" Adam replied instantly when he heard Jose wanted a favour. He too has already met Ryley, and similar to Jose he was disrespected.

"No, no, no, we still can't do that, even if we are veterans the law doesn't bend to our will. Rather, I have another idea that could work rather splendidly, that is if you're interested in playing a game with me?" Jose said in a questioning tone, his eyebrows raised, and head tilted even though Adam wasn't able to see him.

"You're talking about Second World, aren't you? If that's the case, I suppose I can lend a hand, I've been slightly interested in a game that manages to solve national conflicts. Also, just a heads up, I know your body isn't in the best condition right now. However, the military is working one something that'll be able to rejuvenate your body and give you back the strength you had when you were younger. Granted, it isn't finished yet and probably won't be finished for another week or so." Adam gave Jose some information that he wasn't expecting but was glad to hear.

"Why is the military working on such a thing? Also, how do you know about? Haven't you retired like me?" Jose asked a few questions concerning the last bit of information. Usually, the military shouldn't be getting involved in something like this.

"It's a game that manages to solve national conflict Jose. When countries can solve things through winning a game, the government becomes very invested in it. As for how I know, well, my son is one of the assistants for it. He says it's on the final stages of testing where they're seeing how it reacts to organic life. Once that's complete, they'll be needing volunteers who are veterans, we'll probably be at the top of their list," Adam answered.

"Why veterans though? Couldn't they use it on some of the younger more youthful soldiers and give them a boost in strength. Surely that'll be a more effective use, right?" Jose couldn't understand the military's train of thought, why wouldn't they use it on someone that's still young and full of life.

"Didn't you hear what I said, it'll rejuvenate your body and give back your lost strength, not give a massive strength boost to your body. And, the reason why they'll be giving it to veterans is because they already know the veterans won't betray them. We spent a majority of our life in the military, fighting on the front lines for years all while coming back safe and sound. That's why we'll be the first," Adam answered. "Granted, if you do take the deal you'll be working with the military inside the game and can't be going out making a guild of your own or join an already existing one."

"I'm taking the deal, that way I'll be able to fight in-game for a much longer period, similar to the younger ones that are doing it. So, will you take the deal and join me? Or do you want to beat your son in law by yourself?" Adam asked in a serious and deep tone.

Jose walked over to a nearby chair and sat down, his head facing the ceiling as he thought about the offer. There's nothing to lose; Ryley is using his money and influence to gain a lead, so why shouldn't he use his own backing and reputation?

With the military by his side, he should be able to take the lead and dominate Ryley in-game, that way, Ryley wouldn't be able to disrespect him anymore. Nor will Ryley have a reason to disrespect any military personal.

Jose brought the phone back up to his ear. "Alright, I'll take the deal as well. Where will it be held?"

"Great to hear, there's no specific location, the military will bring the serum to you along with all the necessary equipment. You just need to prepare yourself, repairing damage and frail bodies is a delicate process that'll put in a whole league of pain," Adam explained.

"In a worse pain to what I felt 20 years ago?" Jose asked in a snarky remarked. 20 years ago Jose was captured by the enemies, a terrorist organisation that managed to get their hands on some pretty dangerous weapons. He was tortured for weeks before his squad was able to rescue him, just about everything was used against him yet he didn't break.

"Ha, not even close."