Path To Radiance; First Ascent

I would have liked to say that I got up before Brick. The truth is, I wasn't able to sleep at all. I probably dozed off for brief moments at a time if at all. Flashbacks of the fight playing over and over in my mind.

I was worried about a lot of things. The girl who was assaulted the night before had many bruises on her arms and face. Is she doing ok?

I just killed three Players, were the authorities going to be looking for me? Am I a monster for feeling exhilaration as my boot crushed Goreton's face? I'm still having a hard time coming to grips with how real everything is.

The blinking red indicator in my HUD aided in my discomfort. It was turned off pretty quickly thereafter. I was not ready to see what this game was going to tell me about my gruesome act just then.

I just couldn't get comfortable. The bed at the Inn was soft enough. It wasn't that. It must have been my demons keeping me awake.

I silently pack up my stuff and leave the room around six a.m. Brick wasn't drunk when we made our way back to the inn, but he hadn't exactly gotten a lot of sleep at George and Betty's either. I figure he'll want to catch up on some shuteye while he can. I'm all too keen to let him.

I turn my HUD back on and lock up behind me. I pay to keep both rooms for the next few nights and ditch the Southern Comfort.

I figure a walk would do me some good. Besides, I want to check out the scene of the fight. Maybe there will be someone investigating who I can question. I decide to cycle through my notifications on the walk.

The first window opens with a chorus of trumpets. It's red with blood dripping down the edge window:

Congratulations

You have killed your first player! PvP (Player v. Player) mode has been unlocked.

Victorious players receive 20% of the other Player's wealth at the time of death but no EXP. Only the value on their person is factored into the reward. If the dying Player's wealth is made mostly of coin, only coin will drop. Soulbound items cannot be won unless willingly wagered before the fight. If a player is unable to meet the 20% value drop, they will drop an EXP crystal made up of their Experience Points that will make up the difference in value.

The next few windows are summaries of the three players' deaths.  I hadn't bothered to pick up their dropped loot. I was just a little preoccupied at the time.

The last two windows give me pause. The first of the two is green with an hourglass draining sand at the top:

Warning

You have left claimable loot unattended for 10 minutes. If you do not claim the loot in the next 5 minutes, it will become lootable by other Players.

That was followed up with a red screen:

Your loot has been claimed by another Player. Bad luck.

Well, that's a note-to-self moment if I ever had one. 'Always pick up your loot.' I hope whoever found my stash is enjoying it.

Even being so early, NPCs and a few players were on the streets already. Nobody pays me too much mind as I make my way to the alley. I get there in good time as I easily remember where the ally was. Not to mention, my A.C.E. shows me where I've been. Some games will reveal the whole map of a city when you discover it. Not here.

I hesitate for only a second before rounding the corner to see: nothing.

Not a speck of blood anywhere, no bodies, and most importantly no loot. This is a game after all and I had already been prompted as to what happens upon the death of a Player. What I wasn't told is where I would be "reborn" or "re-spawn" when I die. Where had my three victims ended up? I hope I won't find out any time soon.