Dungeon Core Online

Chapter 64

James followed Z silently as the man led him from the medical office towards the parking lot. Generally, public transportation was all everyone used now a days, which is why it was so easy for James to simply ride the bullet train to and from his house. However, it appeared as if Z was one of the old school type, who preferred private transportation.

"I hope you will excuse me for the mess in my car." Z's voice broke the silence between the two as he motioned towards a car, one of maybe seven in the entire parking lot. He was motioning towards the passenger side door of a car that was currently plugged up to one of the charging stations. All cars were electric and utilized solar charging ports to replenish their batteries.

The car was not what James was expecting, and yet, in his mind, he realized it was also exactly what he was expecting. If, of course, this Z was the same Z from DCO. A thought he was starting to fully accept the more he saw.

It was an all-black, save for a white line running along the lower part of the body, four door car the likes of which James had never seen before. Every modern car he had seen had the same, slim, ergonomic and environment friendly shape, with crisp rounded edges. This, this was on a different level. The front and rear were practically squared, with a hard, somewhat rectangular body and top to it. That being said, it had the faintest amounts of curves and sleekness to it, giving off the image of muscle, power. This, from what little James knew of cars and their pasts, was a muscle car.

"Like my ride?" Z was grinning as he stepped up to the passenger side door, his hand caressing its side in a loving fashion for a moment, before moving down to the handle. James knew Z was activating the car's security system, which would recognize Z's chip's proximity, and unlock the vehicle.

"What, is it?" James murmured as he stepped forward, looking past Z to the interior. It was covered in all black leather, drawing another surprised look from James. Leather had been phased out over 30 years ago, to be replaced with synthetic materials and fibers. But James was certain what he was looking at, was actual leather.

"This, James, is Baby. She's a 1967 Chevy Impala that I have had since I was about 19." He held the door open, allowing James to slide in as he headed over to the other side. The 'mess' Z had referred to, was an odd amount of what appeared to be playing cards, various types of dice, and a collection of what looked to be old school dungeon manuals and character sheets. He was 99% sure this was indeed the Z from DCO.

"But that means your car is almost 100 years old."

"You can do basic math, that's good." Z shot James a smirk as he started the car. Its engine let out a rumbling growl that was completely opposite of the silent electric cars James had seen before. The sound cut off James's retort, but his face revealed he did not appreciate the comment.

Z took not of his reaction and offered him a wider smile. "I wasn't being a dick James. Sometimes mild concussions can lead to confusion and disrupt your mental functions, such as problem solving, including the ability to do basic math. So, the fact you were able to make that observation so quickly, is a good sign."

He let out a laugh, a laugh James had heard countless times over the last two nights, confirming 100% James's suspicions. He was being driven home by Z, the very adventurer who was putting together a raid to bring down the Terminus. The very adventurer Rue had practically created a virtual fan club for.

"But, yes, Baby is almost 100 years old. When I originally got her, it was from my father, who had purchased her later in his life, because of his love of the show 'Supernatural'." He glanced at James to see if that got a reaction. James had never heard of the show, but he had a feeling he knew what he was going to be watching the rest of the day.

"My father bought the car off an old collector, and lovingly restored it. When he passed away, I was left the car." For the slightest moment, Z's face took on a slight hint of sorrow, and James realized why. Z mentioned he received the car when he was 19, that meant his father had passed away when he was 19. "I've kept her taken care of ever since, especially since I too loved Supernatural, though I had to admit it was time to let the season end at 15 seasons. It just got a little too drawn out there. Now firefly, I wish they had gotten another season. That show, was amazing." His eyes were half fixed on the road, half fixed in the past, and James wasn't sure if Z reminiscing while driving him home was the smartest idea. Then again, because so few people used private vehicles anymore, the road was practically empty.

"Firefly?" Another show James had never heard of. If it only had one season though, he was adding that to the top of the to watch list for the day. Supernatural would have to wait. He would probably start streaming episodes while he played DCO, since there was bound to be some down time while he was waiting on experience.

Speaking of DCO. He had a momentary urge to pull up DCO, to check his resources and research, but stopped. Even though it was impossible for Z to see what he pulled up on his glasses, he was still hesitant to do it in the man's presence. Especially now that James knew who the guy was.

"A great show, with an amazing fanbase, that sadly only got one season. They just don't make shows and movies like they used to. I blame the Snowflake movement of the 2010s, and the censorship period of 2023-2025." His face was grim as he spoke. "Should have learned from prohibition, but noooo."

He made a turn and continued on the road, heading in the general direction of James's house. He was sure Z had gotten his address from his parents and was using his AR glasses to plot the exact course he needed to take to bring James home.

James knew about the Censorship period, everyone did. Following turmoil in the late 2010s and early 2020s, mass censorship was applied to almost all forms of media. Anything that could possibly be construed as even a tiny bit offensive, was censored. This led to a major decrease in large scale movies, games, and any form of media being produced. At the same time, it led to some of the most creative efforts ever seen to avoid and skirt the censorship rules. The Censorship Period of 2023-2025 had given the world the Bear Truths movie series, which followed a detective teddy bear, McStuffin, who found himself in unlikely, unfortunate situations, where only he could save the world. The movies were full of over the top amounts of stuffing, fluffy carnage, and strings of hysterical variations of cursing, all of which just skirted under the 'safe line' set by the censors in place.

"But, enough about the past." Z shot a grin towards James. "What do you think about DCO?" Z's question caught James completely by surprise and pulled him immediately away from him replaying a scene from Bear Truths 4: Stuff This.

"I, uh, umm." James was at a loss for words. Where had that question come from? Why had Z suddenly switched to DCO. Had James revealed secrets while he was unconscious? Was that even possible?

"Relax James, deep breaths." Z offered him a friendly smile and continued driving. "I'm just guessing you're a big gamer, given the level of your tech. As such, I'm curious if I've run into you DCO."

"Oh, right." James shook his head, a movement that immediately reminded him of why he shouldn't be shaking his head.

"I er." James had never expected to have to talk about DCO, especially not with Z. He would have to tread carefully, because he really wouldn't want to breach the NDA. The pain and fogginess in his mind, therefore, was not being helpful.

"I get it, you don't want to chat about it." Z offered him a knowing grin. "I know how that is, keeping your online profile separate from your real self is important to some."

Z leaned back and laughed. "I, on the other hand, don't really care who knows who I am." He waved a hand in a grandiose manner. "On DCO, I am Z, leader of The Knights Who Go Ni." James nodded, though he had already figured that out.

"Oh?" James spoke slowly. Z was offering him a way to avoid directly talking about himself and a link DCO. That was fine, and, it gave James a way to listen to Z's plans for the upcoming night of gaming. "So, you're planning on taking down the Terminus in a raid?"

Z's eyebrow arched, and a cocky smile appeared on the face. Typical Z. "Yeah I am, want to hear about it?"

James started to nod, before remembering the pain such an action would bring. He smiled and made the slightest nod towards Z, and for the next hour of the drive, Z happily shared all of his plans with James.