The memories crashed into him like a wave.
He remembered the door crashing.
He remembered his mother's screams.
He remembered the intruders.
He remembered his mother's corpse.
He remembered getting shot.
He remembered seeing his prism gift entering his body.
He remembered seeing rows of texts in his vision.
"She's dead... She's dead... And I'm supposed to be dead. I was shot. And those intruders! OSLO YOU BASTARD!!!!"
"Hello? Asher? Are you with me?"
The lawyer snapped him out of his spiral.
"Sorry. Yeah, I'm here. What happened after I blacked out? I was shot. What happened to the intruders? How did I get here?"
"I can answer those for you. First of all, you weren't shot. There was no bullet wound in you. Maybe your mind is still playing tricks on you. A neighbor called the cops after they heard the shot. However, when the cops got there, you were lying over your mother's corpse as if protecting her. And the intruders were nowhere to be found.
We found lots of blood that didn't belong to either you or your mom. Working theory is that the intruders had an argument after you passed out, and did some real damage to themselves... Or... Someone unlucky came around, and a fight broke out.
This is the conclusion the cops made after finishing their investigation. It also helped that the last time you woke up, that's what your testimony said. Also, the doctors said that you might have a little bit of amnesia, due to the drugs they pumped into you, so you won't recall much."
"What...? This is too much..."
"I know I was shot. What is she talking about? How am I not paralyzed?"
[HOST HAS BEEN COMPLETELY HEALED, AND THREATS HAVE BEEN ELIMINATED]
[SAVE ALL QUESTIONS FOR WHEN HOST IS AT THE MANSION]
"What!? What's going on!? Okay... Calm down... Don't freak out here. You'll deal with it later. At whatever mansion."
"Are you okay, Asher?"
"No, I'm not. My mom's dead. Now you're saying something about inheritance s? How long was I out of it?"
"It's okay, Asher. You'll be fine. You've been unconscious for a week. And yes, you have two inheritances. The first is your mom. She didn't have much to leave you, but she left you the house and some money. The money will be wired to your account by the end of the day."
"Okay. But whose inheritance is the second?"
At that, she smiled softly. Albeit a sad smile.
"It's from your Sensei. He passed away the day after your mother."
That hit Asher almost as bad as knowing his mom is dead. His sensei was the closest thing he had to a father, after...
He shook his head so he won't think about it.
"H-How?"
"We don't know. He came to me, wrote his will, then collapsed on the way out. Tragic, really. Are you ready to hear what he's left you?"
"Sure."
"Okay. So, first of all, he's giving you a mansion. It seems it was recently built. It's in a remote area, but nice surroundings. He also leaves you some money. He didn't tell me the amount, but he said that it's everything he has. He also said to tell you, 'Vad will guide you, so trust him'. I don't know what or who Vad is, but I've told you. Inside the mansion, you will find everything else he has entrusted to you. Here are the keys and directions to the house. Again, I'm sorry. Good luck."
With that, she walked out and left Asher to his thoughts.
"A mansion, sensei? Really? How did you even get that? And Vad? Who the hell is -"
Then Asher recalled seeing that name, or rather the initials, among the rows of texts.
He decided to try something.
"Hey, Vad?"
∆∆∆
HELLO HOST ASHER
I AM V.A.D.
∆∆∆
This time, Asher heard a childish male voice speak to him in his head.
"What, exactly, are you? How can I see the texts and hear your voice in my head?"
∆∆∆
I AM A SYSTEM THAT IS LINKED TO YOU.
AS FAR AS I AM AWARE, THERE IS NONE OTHER LIKE ME.
I WILL HELP YOU BECOME STRONGER THAN YOU CAN EVER IMAGINE.
STRONG ENOUGH TO STAND ON TOP OF ALL UNIVERSES.
∆∆∆
"That's interesting. What does V.A.D. stand for? And what else can you show me?"
∆∆∆
V.A.D. STANDS FOR VOID'S ANGEL OF DEATH.
YOU CAN ALSO CALL ME VADER.
∆∆∆
Before Asher could comment on that, a doctor walked in to check on Asher.
"Hello Asher. How are you feeling?"
"I'm not in pain, if that's what you mean."
"That's good. Your tests are clean, and you should be good to go. Your body has made a splendid recovery. It's almost shocking."
"Thanks, doctor. I can't wait to head home."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Asher soon got checked out and decided not to go back home. He wasn't ready to relieve those memories.
He just wanted to go to his mansion and see what it's about. He started walking in the right direction, but later realized that he didn't want to make that long trip on foot.
∆∆∆
DO YOU WISH TO WARP TO YOUR MANSION?
∆∆∆
"Wait... What do you mean, warp?"
∆∆∆
SPACE JUMP. YOU NOW HAVE PRIMARY AFFINITIES FOR SPACE AND VOID.
∆∆∆
∆∆∆
NORMALLY, YOU SHOULD ONLY BE ABLE TO MAKE SHORT DISTANCE JUMPS FOR NOW, BUT THIS IS TO GET TO YOUR HOME BASE.
∆∆∆
"Oh ... Okay. Let's do it!"
Suddenly, Asher felt a presence wrap around him, like he was in the world's embrace. As fast as it came, the presence was gone, and Asher was left longing.
He found himself in front of a huge gate with walls surrounding the compound.
∆∆∆
WELCOME TO YOUR NEW HOME, AND BASE, ASHER. ONCE YOU GET SETTLED IN, I CAN ANSWER THE QUESTIONS YOU HAVE.
∆∆∆
∆∆∆
TO START, PLACE YOUR RIGHT PALM ON THE GATE SO IT REGISTERS YOU AS THE OWNER.
∆∆∆
"Oh, that's interesting. From this alone, I don't think this will be a normal home."
Asher spoke as he walked towards the gate. He got there and placed his right palm on the gate, as instructed.
As soon as he did, he felt like something invaded his body, like it was searching. It must have found whatever it was looking for because the invasion ended. As soon as that happened, I received more rows of texts, and it appeared to be a list of places I could Warp to, in the mansion.
[Unlock Gate]
[Open Gate]
[Lock Gate]
[Close Gate]
----------------
WARP TO:
[Living Room]
[Kitchen]
[Dining]
[Master Bedroom]
[Guest Bedroom]*
[Pool]*
***
[Training Room]
[Mission Room]
[Armoury]
[Guild Room]
***
[Garage]
[Gaming Room]
"Well...that certainly makes things easier. Hey Vader, why do some of them have tags at the end, and why is Guild Room not active?"
∆∆∆
THE ROOMS WITH TAGS HAVE MULTIPLE APPLICABLE ROOMS. YOU WILL HAVE TO SELECT WHICH ROOM EXACTLY, YOU WISH TO WARP TO.
AS FOR THE GUILD ROOM, YOU DON'T HAVE A GUILD YET. YOU CANNOT CREATE A GUILD YET.
∆∆∆
"Okay, I guess that explains stuff. I guess I'll go to the game room."
He only had to think it, for the gate to accept the prompt.
Asher felt the same comforting presence around him, before he appeared in a black painted room that represents space, with stars in the distance, all around.
He instantly loved the theme in the room.
As he admired the room decor, he noticed a large white capsule in the center of the room. It was hooked up to various machines. Besides them, were various pieces of clothing and equipment.
They all looked familiar to Asher.
"There's no way!! Is that the latest VR setup from G.O.?? And this even looks like a custom model. Those things are worth more than some people's lives! How did Sensei get this for me?"
∆∆∆
THERE ARE THINGS YOU DON'T, AND PROBABLY WILL NEVER KNOW, ABOUT YOUR SENSEI.
IF YOU NEED TO KNOW IT, YOU WILL.
FOR NOW, JUST KNOW THAT HE EXPECTS A LOT FROM YOU, AND WISHES YOU THE BEST.
∆∆∆
"Oh, okay. Hey Vader, how exactly will you help me get strong? What do I need to do?"
∆∆∆
OH, THAT'S SIMPLE.
YOU WILL KILL.
THE MORE TARGETS YOU KILL - PREFERABLY SENTIENT BEINGS - THE STRONGER TOU GET.
YOU WILL RECEIVE HIT JOBS TO CARRY OUT.
DON'T GET ME WRONG. YOU CAN STILL KILL MONSTERS AND LEVEL UP. HOWEVER, YOUR BEST BET WOULD BE HIT JOBS.
∆∆∆
"Oh, that's interesting. I'm cool with that. I have no more tires to these people, so I'm cool with taking them out of the board."
Asher wasn't perturbed, even after finding out he has to kill to move forward. In fact, part of him was eagerly looking forward to it. He did have one concern though.
"Hey Vader, what happened after my mom died and I was shot?"
There was a bit of silence, before Vader responded.
∆∆∆
I HAD TO ACTIVATE EMERGENCY FEATURES TO TAKE CONTROL ON YOUR BODY, AND ALSO TO HEAL YOU.
I CONTROLLED YOUR BODY AND KILLED EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THE INTRUDERS.
THAT'S WHY THE COPS SAW MORE BLOOD STAINS THAN THERE SHOULD'VE BEEN.
∆∆∆
"Okay... I can understand that. Thank you Vad. What did you...we...do with the bodies?"
∆∆∆
OH, THOSE? THEY'RE IN YOUR SPACIAL STORAGE SPACE.
THAT REMINDS ME TO INFORM YOU, YOU ARE CURRENTLY THE ONLY HUMAN IN POSSESSION OF ANY FORM OF SPACIAL STORAGE.
∆∆∆
∆∆∆
THOSE KILLS ALSO HELPED YOU LEVEL UP. IT'S NOT MUCH, SINCE EVERYONE ON EARTH IS ESSENTIALLY LEVEL 0, FOR NOW.
AND YES, YOU CAL LEVEL UP IN RL AND ALSO IN SUNSHINE VALLEY. COOL, RIGHT?
(≧▽≦)
NOW, IF YOU WANT TO SEE YOUR STATUS, OR CHARACTER SHEET, JUST THINK OF IT, AND IT WILL COME UP.
AFTER I'VE EXPLAINED THAT TO YOU, WE CAN ENTER SUNSHINE VALLEY.
∆∆∆
"This is a lot! But it's also awesome!!!! I can't wait! I sure hope I get a mission to kill Oslo. That thing needs to die."
As Asher was speaking, he didn't realize the faint pressure he was releasing. It was gone before he could even have time to realize it.
"Status Sheet"