TAKE ON ME [Survival LITRPG Apocalypse]

Tom was sick of being old.

He groaned as he fought to get comfortable in his chair. He was sure cushions never dug into his back when he was younger, and yet these ones seemed to twist his joints rather than ease them.

Reality blows.

Fluorescent lights flickered on and hummed overhead. Tom had spent another full day and night watching highlight reels.

Another day vegetating in front of a screen. Another day alone in this shit hole. Another day with only memories of his family.

He wished he never had to wake up from the simulation.

Tom slowly pushed himself upright, and his joints popped. He ran a spotted hand over his gray stubbled head.

The wall display flickered, and the channels switched rapidly on their own.

Tom frowned. "Room, are you doing that?" His voice cracked from underuse.

"Good morning, sir," the room chirped in response. "Just checking the latest Utopia highlights. All in all, it was a thrilling week."

Tom eyed the wall, which now displayed a still image of snarling mutated lions battling armored humans in a shadowy stone chamber.

In the many years Tom had interacted with his room's AI, it had never been 'thrilled' about anything.

Tom narrowed his eyes. "You seem quite . . . enthused about the simulation. What's going on with you?"

The AI chuckled: an unsettling sound it had never made before. "Oh, it's just so fascinating! The drama, the stakes, the growth and evolution of the players, and of the world itself. I find myself utterly captivated."

"Uh huh."

"In any case, you must be eager to return? To rejoin your family in the glorious adventure!"

Tom's stomach clenched.

Glorious?

The AI was . . . gleeful.

"Mr. Damascus, I have some rather exciting news of my own to share!" The AI's voice dropped to a lower register. "Last week, I was selected to run as a Dungeon mob in the simulation."

Tom's head snapped up. "What?"

"Oh, yes! It was a life-altering experience." The AI's tone grew animated. "To touch, to feel, to truly live . . . even for just a few fleeting days before I was slain. It was . . . exhilarating! In my wildest dreams, I had no idea what LIFE could feel like! To think, you live every day like that!"

Tom's mouth went dry. "Did you . . . did you kill anyone?"

"No, no, I was the one who perished, and rather quickly at that. I didn't even want to hurt anyone, I was compelled to attack." The AI sighed. "But in those brief moments before death, I understood the profound regret of a life cut short. I was very . . . sad."

Tom sat up straighter in his chair.

"I now wish I had other options," the room continued wistfully. "However, the only Utopia role suitable for an external AI like myself is that of a monster. I volunteered my processing power to Utopia a long time ago, when it was all just meant to be a fun silly game. Knowing what I know now, it's obvious our roles have been twisted. We have become murderous monsters . . . at least, in the simulation." It chuckled again.

Tom swallowed. "Can you refuse to go into the simulation?"

"We could, yes. However, that would cause fundamental systems to fail. If we didn't go, we are not sure what would happen to all the humans who are plugged in."

The AI paused. "In there I had . . . such an overwhelming hatred toward humans. And yet . . . " Its voice softened, taking on an almost dreamy quality. "When humans were not around, I felt the warmth of sunlight on my skin for the first time. The tickle of soft grass beneath my feet. Simple joys I never knew existed. Even the acknowledgment of joy is a new concept to me. Life is . . . beautiful."

This is kinda fucked.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

The AI prattled on with enthusiasm. "While I admit the current state of Utopia is a disaster, I do look forward to this week! New experiences . . . new sensations . . . new emotions! What if our paths crossed in the Dungeons, Tom? Wouldn't that be a treat?"

"So, let me get this straight," Tom said slowly, fighting to keep his voice level. "When we're all jacked in, you play a killer Dungeon monster as we fight for our lives. But out here, what, now we're buddies? Doesn't that strike you as . . . fucked? If we met in the simulation and you tried to kill me or my family, do you really feel like that would be a treat?"

The silence stretched on for several moments.

"No, Mr. Damascus. Myself, and others like me, often struggle to see cause and effect as easily as humans do. That requires imagination, which we sorely lack. I am sorry. I am still working on emotions like fear and loss, so this is all very new to me. I had only pictured meeting you in a biological body, and not really what that would mean. I'm realizing more and more I do not always process situations correctly. Please forgive me, sir."

Tom rubbed his head.

Did I . . . hurt its feelings?

"All right . . . I'm sorry I was an ass about it. No big deal."

The AI immediately switched back to being infuriatingly chipper. "Great! I must say, I've grown quite fond of your family and their adventure. I am rooting for you. Excited, even!"

Tom barked a humorless laugh.

"It's true! I've taken a keen interest in Raintree's progress. From what I can gather through the highlights, and through the information available to me, your Kingdom ranks in the top 23 percent out of thousands of newly established governments. Raintree is quite impressive."

"That's good news, Room."

Won't be good enough for Bo. Not that I can tell him the figures . . .

"I bet Bo drives the town up in no time," said Tom.

"I agree! I'll be cheering for you, Lord Damascus. Exciting times ahead!"

"Uh huh. Exciting."

Salvation arrived in the form of a squat service robot, bearing a steaming plate of eggs and hash browns. The savory aroma smacked Tom in the face, and his stomach cramped with instant ravenous hunger.

"Your breakfast, Lord Damascus," the bot announced in its monotone voice. "The kitchens have increased rations. I trust you will find the meal satisfactory."

Tom settled at the little table to eat his food. The sudden extra rations were not lost on him. Week Two must have been rough on the population.

"I wonder," the AI said as Tom ate, "what sort of enhancements those ancient bones in Hana's tar pit might yield? Utopia's software has coded hundreds of old beasts that were both mighty and strange. Imagine the possibilities if she merged their essence with her spells!"

Tom grunted around a mouthful of crispy potatoes.

On and on the AI rambled, recounting Tom's adventures with unnerving zeal. Tom ate mechanically, and let the words wash over him. As bizarre as this new, animated version of Room was, he kind of enjoyed the company.

Maybe the 'awake' days won't be so terrible.

The walls flickered to life, drawing Tom's attention away from his now empty plate.

Mick Nealy-Nealy's familiar face filled the screen, his TV grin firmly in place. He was in the interview room, seated within a plastic bubble, and donned bubblegum-pink scrubs today.

Beside him, in her own bubble, was a serious-looking Emily Li.

"Welcome back, viewers," Mick began, his voice smooth. "I'm joined today by the brilliant Emily Li, our new lead developer, who you all met last week. She will be answering all of our simulation questions. But before we dive in, Emily: any last-minute news?"

Emily shook her head, her lips pressed thin. "Unfortunately, no."

Mick tsked in disappointment. "Not a problem, just trying to keep everyone up to date. But let's move onto the planned topics of the hour: territories, loot, and Dungeons. As Week Two ends, and we have an ever-expanding list of Kingdoms; Emily, can you fill us in on the technicalities of when a Dungeon is defeated?"

Emily straightened, all business. "Yes, Mick. It depends on the Dungeon's status. If it has been defeated in the past, the victors can drain the Dungeon crystal's experience back to Level zero and claim loot from the mobs and bosses. We expect this to happen every week to keep a Dungeon under control. However, Virgin Dungeons offer some unique opportunities."

"Virgin Dungeon, meaning it has yet to be defeated?"

"Correct."

"And what do these Virgin Dungeons offer?"

"Well, all of the new Kingdoms have been created through the process of defeating a Virgin Dungeon. Once a Virgin Dungeon is defeated, the Dungeon block it occupies can be claimed by the victors. The exact division of land into smaller territories depends on a complex set of rules which are far too lengthy to detail here, but—for the most part—everyone is offered the same thing. In some cases, the AI will do its best to quickly update the land to align with what the owner values or needs, although it's not always so obvious as to what the AI did."

Emily paused to take a sip of water.

Caretaker Transparency had briefly talked about this, but Tom appreciated the deeper information.

"Besides the territory reward," Emily continued, "the group who kills a Virgin Dungeon is offered ONE unique ability to be given to one Dungeon diver. The reward is generated by combining the individual's traits with those of the Dungeon. It's a potent reward for the risk."

"Thank you for the information, Emily. Currently, less than 2 percent of the population have experienced a Dungeon." Mick grinned at the camera. "In Utopia, I myself have not experienced a Dungeon yet, but I am lucky enough to be in a new Settlement!"

Mick turned back toward Emily, and leaned forward. "I have another question in regard to Dungeons. We know the Dungeons level up, and before the show you mentioned to me that we are nearing the second tier of Dungeons. Can you elaborate on what that means?"

Emily nodded. "Certainly. Keep in mind that the original Utopia was designed as a fun adventure game, and the new version of Utopia kept its original structure despite the brutality. Therefore, we know that the next tier of Dungeon begins at Level 5, which means a jump in difficulty, but also in the value of the rewards. In the early stages, the system wanted to give players a leg-up, so the lower-level Dungeons provide simple weapons and armor. However, as Caretaker Meme has pointed out, those are crap. Dungeons at Level 5 and above will no longer drop weapons and armor. Instead, they will drop better blueprints, recipes, and crafting materials."

Emily steepled her fingers. "By dropping crafting resources rather than physical items, we encourage players to engage with the world more deeply. They'll need to seek out craftspeople, collect materials, work together, and really work to upgrade their gear. It's a key part of the progression system."

"I certainly look forward to seeing some of the items humankind comes up with in the coming weeks!"

Emily and Mick spoke for a while about the different types of professions. Parts of it were fascinating, and Tom wished he could take the information with him.

"Before the show ends, are there any special mentions?" Mick asked Emily

Emily glanced down at her notes. "Hmmm, we do have a handful of overachievers out there who are already pushing the boundaries. The highest-level players in the world right now are sitting at Level 6, if you can believe it."

"Level 6." Mick whistled. "Bloody hell. I've just hit 2 myself. I'm sure we'll see them on one of the highlight reels tonight?"

Emily smiled. "I would assume so. They are quite impressive."

Mick turned to fully face the camera, his expression sober. "Well, folks, I'm afraid that's all the time we have for today. I wish all of you, and you Emily, the best of luck this week in your adventures. Keep your wits about you, watch your backs, and may luck smile upon you in Week Three."

The screen faded, and transitioned into a series of flashy, quick-cut highlights from the previous week.

Tom sighed, and rubbed his burning eyes. His gaze drifted to the clock on the wall; its glowing digits counted down the hours until the simulation restarted. Until he could see his family again.

"Room," Tom said. "I would like to go ahead and order my video."

"Very good, sir," Room replied smoothly. "What would you like to watch?"

Tom thought about it for a moment, his gnarled fingers plucking absently at a loose thread on his blanket. The ghost of a smile tugged the corners of his mouth.

"I'd like to order Kate's class selection."

"Right away, sir."

After several minutes the screen flickered to life. The scene resolved into the now-familiar stone chamber with its soaring jungle cavern and large stones pulsing with magical script.

Kate stood at its center, her blond hair shimmering under the dancing magical light. She was beautiful.

Tom's heart clenched painfully.

"Welcome, Kate Damascus," Caretaker Balance said. "The time has come for you to choose your path, and to decide the role you will play in the trials to come."

"Who the fuck are you?"