“Path 2. I choose path 2.” Whispering it into the air and trying not to laugh maniacally.
I had been given another break, just like the conversion skill. This so-called “path” was a game-changer, no doubt about it.
[Selection confirmed]
[Recruitment Path Unlocked]
[As a sign of good faith, you have been given a free recruitment token]
Good faith you reckon.
“What does this recruitment token do? Don’t I just find myself a minion and make him or her, just smack their John Hancock on the dotted line?” My hand instinctively already swiping through my menu, to find the new option.
[The free recruitment token can be used in the storefront, which now has a selection for your Recruitment Path]
I checked and froze at the type of recruits I could employ. “System, are you sure this information is correct?”
[All details are correct]
I wasn’t sure what to expect, but my gut dropped when I saw the names: Slime, Skeleton, Goblin and many… many more. And while the prices were quite obscene, the fact that I could now recruit monsters into a zone that was meant to keep them out—made me uncomfortable.
There were numerous fields below, that were locked too. By level progression no doubt. Making me second-guess myself, on my decision to focus on the Safezone’s progression over my own.
I was still sitting on the floor, pondering the type of monster I should recruit or if I should just ask Bowlin and the others to join me. One or two of them should be more than happy to join me.
The prospect of running a business with employees made me snicker to myself, as I imagined how I would allocate holidays and sick-leave.
I went back into my recruitment path, thoroughly reading it this time.
Honestly, if this system tries to pull another one over my head. But continuing to read with suspicious eyes. “Oh… interesting.”
A section at the very bottom, after the long text explaining how the contracts work and how I can alter them, if need be. Minimum wage workers watch out. The section in question, contract terms.
I’m not a labour lawyer, but the sheer amount of stuff I could alter, without any oversight or fear of overreach were almost—slave-like.
I decided to let that information simmer for a bit, while I went back to the storefront, to determine my first line of defence.
[Token Conditions]
[Whoever or whatever you decide to recruit through means of tokens, will not be required to sign a contract]
[That being is required to serve, until it either dies or you release it from its position]
Yup, that makes me uncomfortable.
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How could I… in good conscience, condemn someone or something to service—indefinitely? Gumlick’s words echoing in my skull once more.
“They could’ve easily fucked me up and not given a damn.”
My logic was fighting my morals, while my ass was getting numb from the cold tiles.
It was getting late. That orc feast had taken up a good majority of the day and a good amount of the money they’d given me. 9 gold coins left, just barely enough to pay Lomber.
I rotated through my options and landed on a path I would not take. “No token use for adventurers and other sentient life forms.” I exhaled with much needed relief. “So I just need to figure out what monster I can recruit and not feel like a POS about it later.”
Just pick whatever Greg. Closing my eyes and flipping up and down the storefront page, until I just clicked.
[Selection Confirmed]
[Mimic Selected]
Wait, shouldn’t there be a “are you sure” popup before purchase? Shit!
[Would you like to set a name for it?]
“What… like peekaboo?” I snorted, shaking my head at the prospect of giving a monster a pet-name of sorts.
*Ding*
You have got to be shitting me.
[Mimic name confirmed: Peekaboo]
The air in-front of me began to shift, as small sparks and bright lights created a curtain of sorts.
At the height of the event, a loud electric-like “whoosh” emerged and a chest was unceremoniously dropped with a soft-ish plonk.
Great, a chest to protect me from the dangers of looters and murderers.
[Token redeemed]
[Good Luck Greg]
And once more—silence.
I sat there, frozen. Looking at the seemingly lifeless wooden chest and expecting a sudden lunge, with my face disappearing within a mouth with razor-sharp teeth.
Instead I only heard the faint noises I could barely make out.
“Master?”
Nope, not in that creepy tone you’re not!
“No! My name’s Greg. We’re partners, sort of, but I need your help.”
“Help?” It answered, its voice still faint, but somewhat fleshy? Like someone was eating with a mouthful of mince. Pretty gross.
“Yes, I need your help.” Pausing to stand up, but my legs giving me the silent treatment mixed with static.
“Fighting?”
Well, not untrue, but not really what I was after. I just needed a deterrent, not an executioner in form of slender man. “Can you manage defence? Like, make sure no one hurts me or others in here?” I asked, the chest slowly starting to move toward me… scraping over my nice tiles.
“Order?”
Okay, this was getting frustrating. How the hell am I supposed to manage a Safezone, while teaching a monster to use more than singular word responses? Also, fuck you Greg for choosing at random. My fingers instinctively pinching the bridge of my nose.
“Can you not speak proper sentences?”
I could now see its mouth now; the rows of teeth along the small seam that was connecting the lid. Still moving forward… still creeping me out.
“Sentences?”
Wait a moment, I have an idea. “Peekaboo!” That’ll take some getting used to. “Will you get smarter, when consuming things or beings?”
“Smart?”
“Eh, not like I’ve got anything to lose.” As I threw my phone in the space above it and gave it the command. “Eat it!”
It lunged forward with such speed, I barely saw its mouth open and close, but heard the lid slam shut. Following a soft plop to the ground, as it sat there—motionless.
“Soo? Can you speak now?” My eyes glued to the stoic chest.
“Woof.”
“Did you just bark at me?”
“Hello Greg, your personal assistant Peekaboo is ready for your first prompt.” The upbeat, almost animatronic voice replied.
I blinked.
It used my AI???
