System Break

We separated the skins into three piles. Some were pristine because they came from a clean kill and my deft touch cut true. While precision was important, so was knowledge of the beast, a good sharp knife and minimal damage done to the hide during the kill.

When a monster was peppered with a dozen arrows, making a dozen holes, it wouldn't matter if my skill was a hundred. 

I smiled at my latest handiwork as a few of the Dokkalfar poured over them.

"I like your skins," one of Barrin's smiths said. His apron looked like it had better days, so his interest was personal. 

When they were all sorted Barrin said, "This is enough for your weapons. But," he grinned, "If you want masterwork from precious metals you will need to add some qi cores."

I looked at the three large piles of my best work and scoffed. "You're kidding, this is premium shit."

Sakaala held out a hand to quiet me. "The skins are harder to procure than the cores." She held up a beautiful hellhound fur. "Before we came how often would you see the likes of this? And, you know, we're heading to Dawnharbour next. We can easily take these with us and sell them there."

Barrin chuckled. "Sure, sure. But you want the best we can make? Me and my whole team focused on the best polearms in the realm?"

Sakaala looked at me and I shrugged.

"We could get Paphyra to mould them into spears. You don't need metal heads."

I pursed my lips.

Barrin chuckled. "The skins and … ten cores of our choosing."

That was a lot because some of the cores were premium monster grade. "On one condition," I said. "I want to watch you work when I get back."

Barrin smiled. "You cannot learn our secrets by watching." He flexed his fingers. "It's all in the skill of the smith."

"Then you won't mind," I said and held out my hand for him to shake.

"Of course not," he said and shook my hand.

Skinning was the one skill I paid attention to and I don't really know why. I just wanted to improve it and it wasn't something I did on the outside, like tracking, running, or climbing.

.

-Skills-

.

-General-

Running, 51.02

Climbing, 49.42

Negotiation, 20.51

.

-Survival-

Navigation, 39.23

Forest, 35.86

Plains, 31.47

Mountains, 30.55

Foraging, 28.63

Skinning, 50.01

Tracking, 31.36

.

-Combat-

Spear, 42.17

Brawling, 39.78       

Dodge, 36.72

.

-Crafting-

Fabric, 4.22

.

I chuckled at my fabric skill, I don't think it moved since my first week, but my pride and joy was hitting fifty in skinning. How high did it go? Could it hit a hundred? These were the questions that needed answering. 

I was at a level where, with monsters I knew well, if they weren't torn to bits during combat - I could get pristine skins. And good traders like the Dokkalfar could appreciate those skins.

I leaned close to Sakaala and whispered, "Do you have an appreciation skill?"

She nodded and whispered back, "It started when I started trading. I practice it on your skins and the artisans work all the time."

Barrin took the three spear shafts and the others took the skins.

"Leave the qi cores to me," Sakaala said. "You should go to bed. You don't have long now."

I nodded. Sakaala and Ailen could just log out when they were in bed. I was about to be forcibly pulled back and unplugged.

She leaned into me and kissed me on the cheek. "Good luck."

In a quick maneuver which caught her by surprise I put her into a headlock. "If I die, I'm going to kill you."

She hit my back. "Let go."

I laughed and pulled her long while I walked back to our room. When I finally let her go, she frowned and then pursed her lips.

"Just letting you know who's boss."

She put her hands on her hips. "I know. But you're only the boss in here."

I nodded and laughed. "You don't have to tell me. I'm fully aware that I'm a shit kicker in the old world."

She pushed me playfully. "Just be careful. Don't be yourself if you meet father. Be an obedient soldier."

"Really?" I said. "I thought I was an important asset."

"You are, just don't make him nervous. He spent a lot of money on this technology and if you're not with him. You're against him."

I nodded; I knew the sort. "Roger."

Gisael and Reyas sat on our bed and looked at me expectantly.

"I'm just gonna lie down and wait for it to happen," I said.

They moved aside and made room for me in the centre. I lay on my back and looked at the ceiling. Reyas was on my right and lay on her side facing me. Gisael was a mirror image on the other side. I could feel their nervousness.

"Don't worry," I said.

'Then why are Ailen and Sakaala worried?" Gisael asked.

"Because they're nervous nellies."

Reyas ran her hand up and down my side. She snuggled her face into the crook of my neck. "I do not understand where and how you go - but come back."

"The twins do this all the time," I said.

"And you will too? When they make changes?" Reyas asked.

"Why would I? I have too much fun here during the night."

She kissed my neck and rubbed her nose against it.

Gisael caressed my chest and let out a small sigh. "I will lead them while you are gone."

"Let the twins take over in Dawnharbour, just get them there," I said. 

"I will and the Dokkalfar."

"What about demon bird?" Reyas asked.

"He can look after himself. He knows I'll be gone so he's off hunting until I come back."

"He hunts?" Gisael asked.

"Not really, he searches for carrion. He only hunts for dead things,' I said with a laugh. "Easier that way."

As I lay there with the two women doting on me, I realised what I'd be losing if this thing went south. They were both beautiful, cunning, and talented in their own ways. One was lovey dovey, while the other had zero inhibitions and I loved them both.

In here I mattered, people relied on me. In the old world I was a charity case.

"His breathing slowed," Gisael said and checked my eyes.

"I'm still here. Just relaxing and thinking about how much a pain it is having two women rely on me."

"You lie badly," Gisael accused me. "But I …"

I never heard her words I was sucked away. It was cold and I was in the pool again. It wouldn't be long before they sucked me from here and I inspected it with my qi sight. It was a cavern but almost in a perfect sphere shape. The room was round, the ceiling was a dome and I would guess the pool mirrored the ceiling with the white light at the bottom. The light that led to my body.

A stream left my core and through a portal. That was the way back to my earthly body. I turned to look for another portal, but there was none.

Then I felt the tug. They were pulling me back into the old world using their machines. It pulled me through the water and towards the oval portal. The water didn't enter it but I sure did. And with a flash I was back in my old body.

"BP 90 over 60," a nurse said. "Heart rate 62."

Dr Juan nodded while he looked into my eyes. "Good. Very good."

I blinked and remembered to breath.

"Hello Ben," he said. He had an American accent.

"Ah, hi," I said. "Who're you?"

"I'm Dr Juan. I'm in charge of your care. Many specialists will be assisting but I'll be with you every step of the way."

"You work for Huan Industries?" I asked.

He smiled. "Sort of, but the details don't matter. Let's get you stabilized before we begin. Tell me of your last memory inside the game."

"Doc," I said. "Let's get one thing straight. It's not a game."

His smile was patient and disarming. I had to give him full marks for bedside manner. "So I've been told. Tell me your last memory."

"Why? Doesn't matter. Okay. I was in a pool with a portal."

"Interesting. What were you doing in a pool if you knew you were coming back? You're not afraid of the body drowning?"

"Doc, you don't understand. I don't have much choice in the matter. When you pull me back here, I land in a pool during the trip."

"Oh," he said and nodded. "Forgive me, this is all new to me. But don't let that worry you. I'm here as a neurologist primarily to get you unhooked from this interface without damaging you further."

"Further?"

He nodded. "The process used was invasive. I'm sorry Ben but you're no longer just a paraplegic. I'd be surprised if you can move much at all. Try your fingers on your right hand," he said.

"You've got to be shitting me," I said.

He shook his head. He was a wise bugger because he didn't tell me to calm down. A million things went through my mind. Why did I trust them? If I couldn't get back in, then 600k wasn't going to help if I couldn't even use a chair. And this was before the invasive surgery I was about to receive.

"BP 120 over 90," a nurse said. "Heart rate 98."

I exhaled and began to calm myself. "You know what doc," I said. "I prefer it there anyway."