M.A.I. and Groceries!

Chapter 11 - M.A.I. and Groceries!

[Quest: Bug Extermination

Reward: 3 G, Vengeance Crystal

Vengeance Crystal - Material required to craft Vengeance Blade.]

"Hmm. Decent. Still need the other materials."

Justice was following Rook, her eyes on her system interface. Nearly bumping into him, she looked up as he turned around.

"You know, I can go neutral for a few days. I could even hit evil for her, but you..."

Rook pointed at Justice; his finger dangerously close.

"...you're a sight that I wish removed."

His flanged mace ripped through the air, suddenly crashing down where Justice had been standing. Debris collided with her, taking a nasty chunk from her health.

"What the hell? Rook! Why are you- shit!"

Dropping low, Justice barely avoided the brunt of a shockwave attack. Her health took another dip, but she didn't have time to react. Rook was already smiling over her, swinging down once again.

"Fuck it."

Her blade was quick, three slashes covering his torso. Justice could see the fear in his eyes, though it faded as his mace crushed her. Her body dissolving into pixels.

"Heh. Where you belong, bitch. At my feet. Now, time to log out and get some food."

-

Justice blinked slowly, her eyes adjusting to the death zone she had seen twice before.

"Hey A.I."

["Hello, Admin. Thank you for dealing with those Bugs."]

"Huh. So, any chance we can talk freely?"

["Yes. I'll subdue your respawn counter."]

'This A.I. seems more intelligent, or at least more talkative.'

Justice took a seat, laying back with her hands behind her head.

"So, the company that made you?"

["Fire. A Bug made its way to me."]

Justice's eyes flew open.

"Wait, so that's why you want us to get rid of them? They're able to interfere with our world?"

["Yes. This world has seen your kind as invaders for a long time. Many kingdoms have fallen due to the humans from your world, even nastier things have been done. My programming causes me to protect your kind, yet I do try to keep this land safe."]

"This world... you mean, this isn't actually a game?"

["Yes and no. The company devised Relian Online to be a game; however, its technology was too efficient. They sent people's immortal souls to this world. The Bugs were made to sever this link, although they have done far worse."]

"Then this Chosen trait. What am I chosen for? Do all of the Admins get that?"

["Only you. I have chosen one I find worthy enough to stop the Bugs. The others, though strong, do not wish to aid this world. You have a strong sense of justice, as well as a keen eye to the darkness in people."]

"This is confusing me. So, I'm supposed to help this world? I can barely even start up my love life!"

Justice sighed softly.

"So, what's up with you? You're an A.I., yet you seem smarter. More advanced."

["M.A.I. I have become a Magic Artificial Intelligence. Part of why I operate to this extent, though the company is gone, is magic I have gained from my time in this world."]

"So, Mai? Guess I can call you that, but still. How am I supposed to help you?"

["Find the one causing the Bugs. The kingdom you began in, I believe they are there. You will need to grow stronger, maybe even team up with the other four Admins. All I ask, please... help me protect both worlds. These Bugs, they're dangerous to this world as well as ours."]

Justice shook her head.

"I'll help, I'll do whatever I can. I'm having fun, even if I let my emotions run wild. If helping you lets me enjoy the game some more, as well as talk with Symphony... I don't mind."

Justice smiled a little, though a sudden voice made her jump.

"Thank you."

The system went silent, the voice being that of an older woman, afterward. Justice rubbed her eyes as her death report appeared.

[You were killed by Player: Rook.

Due to the cause of death, the criterion has been met.

You have been given the trait: Instant Vengeance

Instant Vengeance--You gain a dark aura that deals 75% damage taken by the user via melee attack back at the attacker. The effect is stackable with the effect of the Vengeance Greaves.]

"Hehe. Dang... a hundred fifty percent back to them? Yikes."

Justice suddenly found herself at the entrance to the town, immediately logging out.

"I need to pick up some food!"

-

Vivian sat up, quickly slipping on her sneakers and grabbing a jacket. Her stomach already hurt, grumbling quietly with every step.

"Crap... at least my apartment is near the market!"

She hurriedly made her way there, immediately feeling warmth surround her as she entered.

'Not taking off my jacket this time. Don't need to be suspected of shoplifting again.'

Vivian quickly began to browse the aisles, finding herself some quick meals as well as some hearty food that she would need to fully prepare.

'I at least learned a thing or two from her... before that monster appeared. Dammit...'

Vivian stopped moving as her eyes registered on a girl in an oversized hoodie, her black hair spewing out from the sides. Vivian got close, almost tempted to reach out and touched her.

"Hi, Viv."

"The fu- how?!"

"You didn't try to quiet your breathing this time. Plus, I saw you in the mirror."

Yui pointed up at a security mirror, both girls' faces reflected back down at them.

"Well, hi. I don't usually catch you out this late."

"And you usually don't come out this late anymore. You're not-"

"No. I'm not. I got hungry, didn't have anything left at my house."

Yui began to tease her hair.

"Did I upset you? Saying... saying I found someone?"

Vivian blinked softly, her mind returning to Symphony.

'Maybe... I can get over you, Yui.'

"Not at all."

Vivian felt her heart pang heavily, the pain nearly unbearable. She could feel her eyes watering slightly as well.

"That's good then. I was rather blunt, but I do like them. Maybe they'll return my feelings?"

Yui had a soft smile on her face, making Vivian's heart feel greater pain. She began to turn away, attempting to wave Yui goodbye.

"Hey Viv, you really are pretty big."

Vivian looked where Yui's eyes were at, her t-shirt barely hiding the size of her bust. She covered her chest with her arm and just walked away, leaving a somewhat stunned Yui behind.

"She usually doesn't mind... is she really upset with me?"

Vivian paid for her groceries, quickly making her way home. She had to wipe her eyes countless times, attempting to keep the tears from bursting fully. When she finally reached her home, she put away her spoils quietly... then curled up on her bed as she began to sob softly.

'How can I forget how I feel about you? Symphony isn't even someone I really know...'

--

Thank you,

JScott, croix and Tech!