Time wore on and not much changed in the shop, apart from Nox and Ashlyn visiting the shop frequently.
The day's happenings were always the same: the players would crowd the upstairs cafe and cause a ruckus, the Hero would pester Faye consistently, and Faye would try to find the time to get away from the shop and read. Although, it wasn't easy, as the Main Computer's warnings were always there in the back of her mind - 'don't go out of character' or 'don't step out of bounds, or you'll suffer the consequences'.
The voice was not pleasant either. It was robotic and had an echo that reverberated inside the skull, giving the NPCs something akin to a headache. That was one reason they were afraid of going against the computer; if it could give them pain just with its voice, what could it do to them using physical means? The NPCs tried not to think of it, and would just go about their normal duties.
However, for the ones who had broken free, the voice was still there and the fear of what might happen lingered behind with their restraints, but they had worked up the courage to think for themselves. And do the things they wanted to do without the Main Computer's influence. Although this was their line of thought, it wasn't entirely the same for Faye. A part of her wanted to be like Ashlyn and Nox, who weren't worried about the computer's supposed consequences, yet another wanted to stay in the bookshop and play it safe.
Fear was something that would always hold a person back from doing the things they genuinely wanted to do, and taking the first step is never easy. And working up the courage to take that step is difficult, but once it's made, the fear will wash away, and what would be left is a feeling of freedom and ecstasy. That was what Faye needed, and with her two friends, that step became even more possible.
☽
"It's so busy out there," Ashlyn commented from the window. They had been sitting on the seat that looked out onto the square and watched as the players moved as a crowd, and gathered around the centre fountain. "I wonder what's going on?"
Faye just shrugged from her usual spot at the desk and lifted her head from the book in her lap to see what Ashlyn was speaking about. She couldn't see much from where she was sitting, but some players were still visible through the window. It was peculiar, but not enough to grab her attention; now and then, the players would congregate in the town square, and to the NPCs who weren't in the Speaker class, it was unknown why the players did it.
"Are you ready for the event?" A voice floated down from upstairs, and Ashlyn focused their attention on what was being said - Faye, who kept her eyes focused on her book, perked up her ears so she could hear the conversation as well.
This was the only way they could get information about the world around them, and along with it a sense of belonging. And it was what made Ashlyn so knowledgeable, and in turn, Faye, after they shared what they had learned with her.
"Almost." The Hero spoke up and complained, "upgrading my weapons is taking so long. So many items needed were out of stock this morning, and I have to go grind for them before the event starts."
"Jarreth, this is why I told you to make sure you have everything days ago." An older male voice sounded exasperated but also contained a hint of laughter. Like a father teaching his son the ways of life. "We only have a few hours left, so finish eating so we can go to the dungeons and get what you need."
"Ok, ok." Jarreth, also known as the Hero, laughed and added, "I'll make sure to finish upgrading everything before the time comes. Stop worrying, Elex."
"Good." Elex sighed and said, "we need to be at full power for this dungeon. There are rumours that the last boss is harder than all the other ones, and you need at least a group of eight to be able to defeat it. And it is said that the drops have a Legendary rating."
"Legendary?" Ayda exclaimed and slapped her hands down on the table in excitement. "No one in our group has one yet, and those who have them said they give you large amounts of power. Can you imagine owning something like that?"
"That's why it's important to be at our best for this event. Not only can we get a legendary item, but there's a new skin that gives you even more power, and a ton of other rewards as well."
"Are we able to beat it, though?" Jarreth sounded worried. "I've heard that the final boss is impossible to defeat, and there's a chance our levels could go back to the start if we're not careful. Getting to this level wasn't easy."
A loud clap was heard as a hand landed heavily on his shoulder. "Don't worry. As long as we work together, it should be fine."
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