Ch.95
Upon his return, Ron went to the livingroom and sat comfortably before manipulating the the screen and checking the status of the Conquest download. Confirming that it was done he gave the command.
"Burst Link." Ron said and his surroundings faded, replaced by a void while the game generated his avatar based on his physical appearance.
A few moments later and Ron's surroundings brightened to a summoning platform where he was now standing. Ron stepped off the platform and met a guard that led him to the village chief who instructed him to train by sharing a basic mana cultivation technique. The techniques available in Conquest were provided by Xu Ming Yue after Ron explained his interest in slowly integrating cultivation into everyday life. In other words they are both real and he can use his own instead of like others having to hunt for a better one.
Ron knew there were hidden experts in village that if you impressed them before practicing the given cultivation technique would guide you with better ones since Wade and Felix had told him so when he said he was going to join the game. Luckily it was unnecessary since he already knew one of the strongest. Then Ron proceeded to spend four hours cultivating and becoming a heaven grade practitioner. Now you might wonder why it was so easy in comparison to reality and that's simple, Conquest facilitated the beginning steps for you as part of the game experience. Still, it would take a normal person a day to officially become a cultivator.
Afterwards Ron went back to the village chief and showed him that he learned to cultivate and was granted permission to enter the technique hall and chose a technique for himself. Now it must be noted that the techniques available in the village were all normal unless you impressed a hidden expert. Thus prompting Ron to decline since he had access to the best available. Then Ron followed the chain quest leaning various survival techniques that were needed. Once that was done he had to challenge the instructor and only by beating him could he be granted permission to leave the village. The fight was easy as the instructor merely tested basic knowledge on martial arts, so Ron easily subdued him. Finally Ron made his way to the village entrance, asked a guard for directions to the nearest city and began his journey.
Ron's destination was the official world of Conquest since the beginning is the standard tutorial to players, teaching them to cultivate and a technique before they are to start traveling and learning self defense, survival and other skills. The village also serves as a safe haven from stronger players so it's only accessible till you make it to the first city, where you join the real world of Conquest.
On the way to the city Ron officially had his character learn the stealth technique since it's such an effective skill. Then he started bringing his Tai Shing Pek Qwar over as well. Just as he got the notification that he learned his martial arts he arrived at the city, Lorehold, officially completing the tutorial and his first gaming session.
Logging off Ron stood and announced. "I made it to Lorehold, so I'll wait there for you guys to join me."
"Less than one percent make it to Lorehold city as their starter city, you aced the tutorial." Zita says.
"When can I expect you guys to meet me?" Ron asked.
"Should be soon, we have to spend sometime traveling so for now train your proficiencies and cultivation." Shego says.
"Cool but for now I have plans." Ron says and looks at Ann. "Ready?"
"Yeah, whenever you are." Ann said.
"Then let's go, we have a reservation." Ron explains and extends his hand.
Taking his hand Ann agrees and follows Ron out to the garage where they get in a Mercedes Benz and drive to the restaurant.
~~~~~
Tara was sighing to herself as laid on her bed. She had wanted to talk to Ron about her orphanage all day but he was simply too busy.
'I'll log in and check on the kids.' Tara decided. "Burst Link."
Tara's orphanage in Conquest was situated in one of the biggest cities, Arclight, that represents the demi-human capital. Why did she choose Arclight? Tara wasn't sure but she didn't ignore other locations. Tara had taught the kids properly and had asked them that if they ran across any orphans to guide them to her orphanage, so the kids who were now old enough to venture out by themselves were always returning with more kids. They also did what they could to help Tara run the orphange. Some helped provide funds and some of them stayed to help provide care.
Tara was proud of what she accomplished and she wanted to share it with Ron. As she walked around the orphanage some of the younger kids called out to her hoping to play.
"Okay, we'll play hide and seek." Tara agreed when there were around fifteen kids ranging from six to twelve. "So who's going to be it?"
"You!!!" The kids called out in excitement.
"Very well, now remember the rules." Tara said.
"No leaving the grounds of the orphanage." The kids yelled as the scattered.
Tara did her countdown and then began searching. She started outside the three story building that was the orphanage and managed to find four kids who she had tag along. In the first floor of the orphanage she found five, three in the kitchen and two in the lecture hall. Second floor was the girls dormitories and bathrooms where she found two girls one in the dormitories under her bed and the other in the bathroom inside a bathtub. The third floor much like the second was the boy's dormitory and bathrooms with the addition of her own room. In her room Tara found the youngest, a girl barely six hiding under the covers of Tara's bed and giggling as Tara 'searched' for her.
"There you are!" Tara said after finally pulling away the covers.
Giggling the girl raised her hands for a hug and Tara gladly complied. Then Tara found the last four in the boy's dormitory and bathroom.
"Okay now I'm going to get started on dinner, who wants to help?" Tara asked.
"Me!"
"Me too!"
"And me!"
Getting a bunch of positive replies Tara made her way to the Kitchen with the group and began making dinner. The kids were enthusiastic, helping wash vegetables and the older ones helping peel and cut some of them. Then when everything was ready Tara asked them to get everyone.
In total the orphanage had sixty kids and seven aides that were raised there. Then the original three aides that helped Tara operate the orphanage.
After eating and chatting Tara declared. "Time for bed everyone and don't forget to clean up."
"Yes!!" The kids agreed as Tara moved to help with the dishes.
Once the kids were off to bed the aides joined Tara in the lecture hall to talk finances and share news about the current state of affairs. The finances for the most part were fine but some of the news going around was troubling as a couple villages had recently been pillaged with barely a survivor. Luckily there were a few. Tara gave instructions to shelter the kids and then excused herself so she could go train.
Tara was acutely aware of the need for self defense since the Little Diablo incident. A need that was highlighted in Conquest where the players were encouraged to compete and establish their own forces, leading to certain bloodshed. Thus she was striving to get stronger in Conquest to protect the orphanage.
At breakfast, Tara explained that she was going on a journey to meet up with someone and that she be away for a while but that she would come back as soon as she can. As expected the kids cried with some of the new ones thinking she was leaving them like their parents. Tara took the time to soothe them and promised to return. Once the crying stopped Tara started making her way to Lorehold, to Ron.
~~~~~
Like Tara, Bonnie, Monique, Yori, Shego, Amy, Wade, Zita and Felix began their journey to Lorehold.
Bonnie for example was closest at the human empire capital, Lunas, where her business empire was established. She settled some affairs and then boarded a carriage that was escorted by her strongest guards and headed off.
Monique was at the elf kingdom city, Terria, where she had access to the finest fabrics and cloths. She alerted her friends that she was going on a journey and departed.
Yori for her part was in the mountains to the north, where she could train without revealing her secrets. After logging in she immediately departed in a straight line to Lorehold. On her journey Yori encountered monsters but swiftly dealt with them, still training her proficiencies.
Amy for her part was playing casually though she did train her cultivation and proficiencies. Since she began her Conquest experience, she was always traveling and visiting one place or another so it was simple to change her destination.
Shego was deep in hostile territory as she found it more rewarding to train hands on. She slew a liquid stage cultivator from a faction that was at war with the human empire and started on her way to Lorehold.
Wade put the quest he and the twins started on hold and led them to Lorehold.
Zita for her part had admin rights since she was the game's creator and had practiced a high level cultivation. She mostly spent her time training and making sure no error occurs with Bebe's help. A benefit to her cultivation at the solid stage was her greatly improved physique allowing her to cover incredible distances. Thus she was the first to make to Lorehold.
Felix surprised Zita when he arrived the day after and when she asked curious to how he did it, he explained that the movement technique saw a breakthrough to advance on his journey letting him nearly double his speed.
To Felix's and Zita's surprise the next to arrive was Kim whom they did not expect to come. Kim awkwardly greeted the two and then went to the side to cultivate.
~~~~~
It was well past 1am when Ron brought Ann back to the estate and she could say with a hundred percent certainty that it was the most fun she's had in years.
They ate an amazing dinner and then danced their hearts out. By the end of the night Ann's feet hurt but her heart was awash in happiness. She looked over at Ron driving into the garage and spoke. "Ron thank you, really you made me feel loved again. Attractive."
"Ann you are attractive. In fact you're one the most beautiful woman I've ever met. Now come, the night still young and there's one last dance I'd like you to join me in." Ron said.
Ann blushed but her heart raced in anticipation. 'Yes, I can get used to this!' Ann thought.