TAKE ON ME [Survival LITRPG Apocalypse]

It was the longest, slowest game of tag in history.

For five time-dilated hours Bo meticulously worked through his mental task list, scribbling notes and calculations onto each stump with charcoal. All the while, he avoided Brad, who moved as though swimming through syrup.

Sam sauntered over from another section of the [Lumber Zone]. He raised an inquisitive eyebrow as Bo stepped around Brad and paced back and forth among the note-covered stumps. One read 'log calcs', and was filled with complex calculations for log production per person, time dilation effects, and other compounding factors. Other stumps around them were similarly covered in scrawls and numbers, addressing various issues such as food and tool production.

"Boss, do you have a minute?"

Bo stopped his pacing. "I don't know about boss but sure, Sam. What's up?" He pointed to one of the freshly chopped log piles. "Great job, by the way."

"Thanks. First, some bad news. The [Simple Bone Hatchet] your wife made has already broken. I witnessed it myself, and no one was misusing it. It simply shattered under the constant use."

"Well, that sucks. Thank you for letting me know."

As for misusing tools, I'll see for myself.

"For tools, go talk with my wife Hana. Long black hair. Japanese. Hot." Bo paused. "Possibly wearing an undead pig arm. If she is, don't freak out, and don't stare."

"Okay," Sam said, slowly.

"There should be a second [Toolmaker] by now. Hana was going to see if she can teach him the [Simple Bone Hatchet] blueprint, although we're not sure if blueprints can be taught, but if so that will help with production. Did you have any good news?"

Bo sighed as 'slo-mo' Brad drifted between Bo and Sam.

They stepped around him and walked away.

"I'll get someone to go find Hana," Sam said, rubbing at his ear. "Yeah, there is good news, or at least interesting news. We chopped down a new type of tree we haven't seen before. I identified it as a [Boldheart Cedar]. The wood looks to be good for tools, weapon handles, furniture, stuff like that. I had the others drag it off to the side over there so we don't accidentally burn it. We're also seeing a noticeable increase in how fast we can chop down trees."

"Well, that is good news! Thanks for the update Sam, and I'll have a look at the tree later. For now, keep clearing this area, and come find me when the Zone is done."

Bo patted Sam on the back, and watched him trudge off.

He walked over to a nearby stump with professions listed on it, and added 'carpenters / lumbermill?' to the list. He paced to another stump labeled 'unknown resources' and added '[Boldheart Cedar]'. He moved to the stump labeled tools, and prepared to change all the calculations he had done earlier to account for tool durability. He rubbed his temples.

Brad trickled over. "Yeah, sheee's hottt."

Bo sighed. He set his charred stick down on the stump and left the work Zone.

Brad appeared at Bo's side. "Time dilation is wild! I can catch some stuff, but that's it. You were in there for several hours' dilated time, right? You done working? You wanna collaborate or innovate or something? I have some wicked lyrics if you want to hear them."

"Brad . . . I wish the work was done, man. I have a week's worth of tasks to try to get done today, or we freeze. I was just heading back down to the [Profession Booth] to recruit more people."

"Great! I don't have a profession yet, and I'm curious. I'll tag along."

I can't shake this dude.

"Yeah . . . speak with Bridget about some professions. She's over there."

Sorry, Bridget.

"Yeah, maybe."

Bo marched down the hill, toward the [Profession Booth].

Brad fell into step beside him, chatting about his true passion—which was, of course, freestyle rap.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

Rap wasn't really Bo's thing, but to each their own.

When Brad mentioned he was Level 2, Bo stopped and looked at him in surprise. They hadn't met anyone else—human at least—who was higher than a Level 1.

Brad explained that he'd fought Pygmies multiple times. Only physically up to that point; he hadn't yet activated his Bard abilities during a fight.

"Check this out," Brad said. He beatboxed, and the rhythm seemed to hang in the air, magically repeating itself. He then launched into one of his personal raps, changing the lyrics to rap about the monster invasion, while the beat he had set played on of its own accord.

It wasn't very good; Bo continued to the Booth, rather than saying anything bad.

Bo—with Brad in tow—spoke with several people who had gathered at the Booth. While there, he checked in with Bridget about the in-demand professions.

Afterward—with Brad on his heels—Bo mingled with the people on the hill, hoping to drum up more recruits.

As the hours wore on, Bo was worn down by Brad's constant chatting, interrupting, and rapping. He cared less and less about hurting Brad's feelings.

Bo's full circuit brought him back to the [Lumber Zone], which was now fully harvested.

Bo was finally saved by Sam, who pulled him away to discuss potential sites for their next [Lumber Zone].

"Okay Brad, back to work for me. Was great meeting you. Come find me when you settle on that profession." Bo practically ran from him.

"Being a Bard is awesome!" Brad called to Bo's retreating back. "The world's a weird place now, we gotta get weird with it."

Bo stopped.

That's what I keep telling everyone about the professions.

"You're right. We'll talk about it later, Brad. We just have to make sure we don't freeze or starve first."

Brad called out his thanks, and promised to come back later.

Bo let out a deep sigh.

Sam joined him. "I suggest expanding the [Lumber Zone] to the east. It means dragging the logs further back to camp, but there were plenty of trees in that direction, including more of the [Boldheart Cedars]."

"That sounds like a solid plan. Lead the way."

Bo glanced over his shoulder, expecting to see Brad running after him.

Bo and Sam made their way to the eastern end of the current [Lumber Zone]. Bo was pleased to see Sam take charge in organizing their people, and before long the two of them had moved the sentries and helped scout the new area. Once Bo had established another [Lumber Zone], Sam and the other [Lumberjacks] threw themselves into clearing the south side of the new Zone.

Bo confronted Sam about the logistics of his decision; clearing the south side first meant pulling the logs through more difficult terrain.

After thirty minutes of heated discussion, Bo begrudgingly accepted that Sam's reasoning was sound. A clearing in between the deep woods and the [Lumber Zone] would make it easier for sentries to spot any approaching monsters, and safety was the top priority.

I gotta learn to trust people.

Bo returned to his stumps and picked up his charred pen-stick, frustrated at himself for wasting time.

Kate waved at him in slow-motion.

Bo let out a long breath. He set down his charred stick and headed out to meet her.

"I chose my profession," Kate said, beaming. "I asked Job for any kind of food production professions. At first he said none, but then he suggested I do something along the lines of [Gathering], like picking berries and stuff. I don't want to go walking around the damn woods, so I asked about farming. He said no, but then I asked if my past obsession over Farmville counted for anything."

"And?" Bo rubbed his temples.

"He thought about it for a minute, and then he agreed! He also said my Druid class and nature affinity wouldn't hurt. I decided not to specialize just yet. Oh, and I also have these . . . "

Kate held up a small pouch and shook it.

"Came with the profession. They're [Moonshadow Carrot Seeds], which become carrots that let you see in the dark. Job told me that there's such a thing as an [Agricultural Zone] that you as a [City Planner] can create. Oh, and the farm can experience time dilation as well. I don't know if that means the crops grow faster, but that's how I'm taking it. Are you free to try and set one up now?"

Bo sighed. "I mean, not really. I have to figure out—"

He stopped.

There was an out-of-place look of anger forming on Kate's face.

Bo glanced at his stump pile, then back at Kate. His body sagged. "Let's see if we can place it on the area we just cleared for lumber."

As fast as it had come, the anger left Kate's face. "Great! Thanks, Bo."

He reached the previous [Lumber Zone] and accessed the mental commands in his [City Planner] interface. He dissolved the area from being a [Lumber Zone], and tried to establish it as an [Agricultural Zone]. Once ready, he mentally hit [Apply]. A red prompt flashed in his vision.

[You may not establish this type of Zone until the territory has been claimed.]

"Shit. I can't set it up till we own the land. Same thing happens with my [Simple Cabin] blueprint."

Kate's face darkened again. She closed her eyes. "Dammit. I thought we were onto something."

"We still are. We just can't make a farm YET."

"Can we try one more open place, just to be sure? Maybe at the bottom of the hill over there, where there are no trees or stumps? Please?"

Bo sighed. "One more try."

They walked to the area Kate had suggested. It didn't work.

Kate thanked him, and headed to the cookfire.

Bo did not like the shadow lurking behind her eyes. He returned to the tree stumps and the mess of notes.

More wasted time.

He wasn't mad at Kate for attempting to start a farm. Food was a priority. However, it was difficult not to be pissed that he could have been doing something else.

He picked up his charcoal stick and found the stump labeled 'ideas'. He found 'farm' and scratched it out.

A few hours later, after another round of profession-related discussion with Bridget, Bo paused on his way to meet with Sam.

Dozens of children all participated in what looked like 'training', with Chloe observing from a distance. Bo allowed himself a brief smile as Tess led the children through several drills that reminded him of football practice.

"Go!" Tess yelled.

The two teams closed on each other, swinging sticks.

Finn tried to follow Tess's attack pattern, but he tripped and fell. He slammed his fist into the dirt, stood up, brushed himself off, and then got back into formation.

Every now and then, a random bang or a bright spark would erupt, either from accidental magic or from an attempt to sneak in a spell. The kids looked around surreptitiously when this happened, in case one of the adults descended on them.

In the midst of a mock battle, Amber extended her hand forward—palm open. Her [Dodge] icon blinked into life above her head. She curled her finger in a 'bring it' motion. Across from her, a young boy with cornrows conjured magical red pulsing spheres and launched them toward Amber.

Amber dodged each sphere with graceful finesse.

She's got a Matrix thing going on.

Her quick reflexes seemed to impress everyone—everyone except for Tom. Bo chuckled as Tom stormed up the hill. He yelled at Amber while waving a half-cooked Kabob around.

Bo peeled himself away; the to-do list waited for no man. He dragged himself back to the [Lumber Zone], and tried to speak with Sam through a haze of mental exhaustion.

The people on the hill made their way through several [Profession Booths]. By the end of the day, there were at least one hundred adults from the neighborhood with professions.

The remaining boar had provided enough meat for everyone for dinner, but there was almost nothing left. Tom was saving a few scraps in case any hungry children arrived at their campsite.

Bo had helped organize dozens of tasks, settled several disagreements, developed work projections, and countless other things.

Now, Bo slumped down by the fire. His muscles were sore, his back ached, and his brain was mush.

Bridget stopped by to tell everyone she had organized guard duty for the night, and that they all had the night off.

As the last rays of light turned into night, the well-stocked roaring fires kept the hillside warm.

The families said goodnight to each other, and they all wrapped themselves in dirty blankets and laid down by the fire.

It didn't take long for the never-ending task list to run wild through Bo's mind. He stared at the fire, unable to sleep.