Chapter 20: Damned LitRPG
"What do you mean by that?" I demanded aloud. The succubus's presence in my soul felt heavier and more tangible than usual. "What am I 'leveling up'? I thought you were mad at me; not working on some side project."
Oh, I was mad at you. Charlotte's voice resonated in my mind, sharp and clear. I still am, a little bit, to be honest.
Her tone softened slightly, tinged with resignation.
But I realized some people can't help but be racist or bigoted. It doesn't change the fact that the Pillar of Light gave us a mission and a way to make you strong enough to beat the big baddie.
Guilt gnawed at my insides as I remembered my behavior that morning. "Look, I said I was sorry, and I know I shouldn't have said or even thought what I did. I know I was in the wrong," I apologized, my voice low and contrite.
"Um, excuse me," a timid voice interrupted. I blinked, suddenly aware of my surroundings. A young freshman stood before me, her eyes darting nervously. I realized I was blocking the doorway to the campus store, causing a small crowd to form. Curious and annoyed glances were thrown my way. Flushing with embarrassment, I stepped aside, pressing a finger to my ear as if on a call.
Yeah, yeah,
Charlotte dismissed.
I know you do. It doesn't change the fact that you said it.
Her tone sharpened, focusing.
Anyway, that's not the important thing right now. The important thing is that I need to tell you how to level up and get stronger.
Level up?
I thought back, careful to keep it internal this time. Frustration bubbled up inside me.
My life isn't some game! I told the Pillar of Light that.
Anxiety crept into my mental voice.
I don't know how I'm supposed to take on a god, much less one she couldn't handle on her own, or her predecessor, or whatever. Why didn't they just kill him instead of imprisoning him? Don't they know that's how you cause problems down the line?
Charlotte's response carried the weight of millennia.
Some gods can't be killed so easily,
she said, her tone grave.
But listen, this is serious. When you told her life wasn't a game, it gave her an idea, and she gave me the ability to make it like a game for you. I spent most of the day working out the finer details.
A thought struck me, derailing my other train of thought. Perhaps I was avoiding the implications of what Charlotte was saying, my mind grasping for a distraction.
Wait,
I interrupted,
why didn't she destroy you or permanently pull you out of me? She expressly forbade you from joining with me, yet she barely seemed to care that you were there.
The bustling campus faded into the background as I awaited Charlotte's response, the weight of divine politics and otherworldly powers pressing down on my shoulders.
I thought that was obvious,
Charlotte's voice dripped with condescension. She continued as if explaining quantum physics to a toddler.
She's an all-powerful, all-seeing god. She knew that if she gave me permission, I would have ended up in my own body and wouldn't have been there to protect or guide you. But by denying me that option, I only had one chance, and she knew I would take it. In a way, she was the Blue Fairy, and I became your Jiminy Cricket. Only, it's not your nose that likes to grow.
Her cackling at her own crude joke echoed in my mind. I shook my head, desperately trying to maintain a neutral expression as curious onlookers cast sidelong glances my way.
Now, quit changing the subject!
Charlotte's mental voice cracked like a whip. Feeling suddenly drained, I stumbled to a nearby bench and sank onto it, bracing myself for the inevitable bad news.
Just like in any good role-playing game--I'll spare you the obligatory joke about my love for role-playing--you need to gain experience points, level up, and become stronger.
I sighed heavily, my shoulders slumping. The idea of living life like a game filled me with dread. "Sure, I enjoyed playing games," I muttered under my breath, "but that was playing them, not living them!" Memories of VR-related tragedies flashed through my mind - elderly people dying, kids in Michigan suffering psychotic breaks. Was I about to join their ranks? The graphics became too good, and people lost track of reality. Now, the graphics were still amazing but augmented enough to differentiate fact from fantasy.
Now, to get stronger in games, you usually defeat beasts or monsters, evil guards, or whatever the plot requires,
Charlotte continued, her enthusiasm undiminished by my growing unease.
Of course, we can't go around killing people just to level up. No going murder hobo. You could also complete quests, discover new locations, or find a ton of other ways to gain experience. Some of those might work for us, but considering what we are, I thought up an even better way!
A cold dread settled in the pit of my stomach. "Oh, shit!" I exclaimed, drawing startled looks from passing students. I didn't like where this was going.
That's right! Charlotte crowed triumphantly; her glee palpable. You'll get stronger by making connections with other people. The stronger the connection, the more E-X-P you'll gain.
Did you seriously just spell out EXP instead of saying experience?
I thought back, desperately wishing I could wake up from this surreal nightmare.
Focus!
she snapped, her patience wearing thin.
You can still complete quests and other boring objectives, but with our powers combined, we'll level up in no time! I can't wait until you get your first level up. Oh, I'm so excited!
I could feel Charlotte's joy radiating through my being, a stark contrast to the growing sense of panic rising within me. The once-familiar campus now felt alien and threatening, as if every interaction could trigger some unseen game mechanic. I sat frozen on the bench, overwhelmed by the weight of my new reality, as life continued to bustle obliviously around me.
What did you do?
I demanded, my mental voice taut with frustration and a hint of fear.
Charlotte's response came with a patronizing tone that set my teeth on edge.
I told you. I gave us a way to power up and become even stronger by making connections with other people.
