Vivid Stars Online

I tested out my new ability over the next couple of days as I finished up this round of exploring. It took a while to figure out how to use it, however, I was very pleased with it after that.

To use the ability, I had to focus on a target and visualize the roots growing from the ground while channeling Psi Energy. It didn’t seem to matter what the surface actually was, as I could form the roots even on top of rocks or water.

After spending a couple of seconds channeling energy, ghostly white roots sprung from the ground and wrapped themselves around the target. At my current level, I could only get them to reach up about a foot, but that was more than enough to bring an enemy to a halt.

Despite their ethereal-looking nature, the roots had a very real effect on those who were trapped. Much like a physical set of roots would they held the target in place until I either stopped channeling energy or they managed to break the roots.

This could be done either through strength or through damaging the roots, which then allowed the target to escape. While some of the strong Beasts were able to break out quickly, even they were trapped for at least a few seconds.

Definitely going to try to upgrade that further, I thought with a smile as visions of enemies completely wrapped in vines came to mind. It’s probably even more important than Skin Hardening.

By the end of the second day, I had boosted the Ethereal Roots’ skill to level 2 through copious practice. Then, on the third day, I called Brian over and returned to the city.

Not only was I once again nearly overweighed with cores to sell, but it was also the day of my date with Linnea. I was actually a little nervous about how it would go, particularly about the hints she’d given about her real-world situation.

I couldn’t be sure if the reason she was stuck in full-time immersion was related to the oddities happening in the real world, but I also couldn’t rule it out. Thankfully, I could at least rule out her being involved in the hidden criminal world in my city since she was from a different country.

In the end, I decided to just take it slow and see what she wanted to reveal to me.

Upon arrival, I sold my cores as usual and withdraw another month’s worth of expenses to the real world. This still left me with more than enough to hire help for the one to two weeks that the next expedition would require.

For the first time starting one of these, I was good on money before we even began and the feeling of relief that brought was amazing. Even if I made no money at all from it, I would still be fine and anything I did get would just be a bonus.

After finishing my sale, I refilled myself on food and medical supplies before heading to the guild to get a room. There, I dumped all of my stuff and settled in to do a little planning.

I still had half a day before my scheduled meeting time with Linnea and I was going to put that time to use on planning the next expedition.

The first step was that I would have to travel the rest of the way to the base of the mountain and secure a suitable landing area. Then I would head back, resupply again, and return with Linnea and Elana.

After that, we would head into the mountains. Unlike the last two facilities which had been in or near the peaks, this one was about halfway up, overlooking a valley. While it was hard to be sure, I estimated it would take about four days to get there.

So four days up, a day or two to explore and loot the facility, followed by four days back. I had some hope that we would be quick in the facility with Elana’s help, however, I wasn’t going to count on it.

Instead, I organized for everyone to have two weeks’ supplies just in case. Every other time I’d been in a facility we had nearly run out of supplies, this time I wanted to be as prepared as possible.

By the time I had plotted the routes there and organized everything, it was time to get ready. While most of my clothes were a wreck from traveling, apart from my nano-weave armor, which I didn’t feel was appropriate, I had taken to storing a single good set at the guild.

It turned out that one of the services they provided was to give each member a small locker in the guild hall. Once I found that out, I had immediately gone out and purchased a nice set of clothes to store there.

It had felt like the logical thing to do given how often I was visiting the palace and it was a godsend here, too. Given how scraggly my hair and beard had become, I also visited a barbershop and got both of them trimmed.

With that sorted, I got dressed and left for the restaurant we had agreed to meet at. Dining in the city was slowly getting back on its feet as more food trickled into the city.

Fish was now the most common food item to see in any recipes, showing that the fishing village was doing well. It was nice to see how much of a difference I’d made, as the food shortage was slowly beginning to be solved.

Once I reached the restaurant, I was only waiting for a couple of minutes before Linnea arrived. Somewhat to my surprise, she was wearing a long skirt, a blouse, and had even styled her hair.

Given that I had only ever seen her in either her combat gear or in a pair of casual pants and a t-shirt, it was quite a change. Seeing that she had put at least as much effort into this as I had gave me hope it would work out well.

“Hey,” I said with a wave as she walked up. “You're looking great.”

“Thanks,” she replied with a little laugh. “You're looking pretty good yourself.”

We stood there awkwardly for a few moments after that, before I gestured for us to go inside. We slipped into the restaurant and were directed over to the table I had booked.

While the menu was still small, the options looked nice, and we both ordered a fish stew. The conversation was a little awkward, but before I knew it, we had settled into talking about work.

Since we had last gone out together, Linnea had been working dozens of small jobs guarding people heading out into the wilderness. Amusingly, most of them were to collect resources that I had found and reported to the guild.

While it was decent money, most of the only lasted less than a day with the longest only lasting two, which restricted her income somewhat. Given that, she was more than ready to go on another long trip and we excitedly discussed my next expedition until the food arrived.

After dinner, we turned to a more light-hearted conversation while we waited for dessert, discussing each other's likes, and dislikes along with just generally getting to know each other. It wasn't until after dinner that the conversation turned serious.

“Thanks for this, Jared,” Linnea said with a smile as she lay a hand on my arm. “I really enjoyed spending time with you but…,” she paused and I could see a mixture of worry and annoyance on her face.

“Damn, I’m bad at this,” she eventually sighed and continued. “I can’t leave VR immersion right now because of some personal circumstances that I’m not a liberty to discuss.” She finished in a rush as if trying to get it out.

“So, while I would like to keep seeing you, we will not be able to meet in real life. Not now, and perhaps not ever.”

“Ah,” I said in response while trying to process how I felt about that. Given how far apart we were in real life, I hadn’t really expected to meet any time soon. Hearing that it might never happen, however, was a bit of a shock.

Her somewhat evasive answer didn’t help to allay my fears about her being related to the real-world effect of VSO either, if anything, it felt like a suggestion that she really was involved.

Those were solid reasons to move back to a purely working relationship, however, I wasn’t sure if that was what I wanted. I really did like Linnea, both her competent work persona and the more fun and lively side of herself that she sometimes let show.

I’d seen a lot more of that side tonight and I had liked what I’d seen. While I certainly wasn’t in love or anything yet, I felt like the potential might be there.

Given that I wasn’t exactly in a secure position in life myself, It wasn't like I was really prepared for a serious relationship either. Given that the best solution might be to just go with the flow and see what developed between us.

A slight tightening of Linnea’s hand brought me back to reality, and I realized I had been lost in thought for some time. Her face now mostly showed worry, and I kicked myself for leaving her hanging.

“Look,” I said with a smile. “It’s not like I’m in a stable situation, either. I only just started getting my life together and I’ll be moving soon. I’m not really in a position for anything super serious right now, so how about we just take it slow and see where this leads?

“If one day we can meet in the real world, then that would be great, but perhaps we won’t even be together for that long. Or maybe we will be and we’ll find that VR is enough for us, given how realistic it is in here.”

“That… that sounds good,” she responded as relief blossomed on her face.

I got the feeling that she had been anxious that I’d push for more details, and perhaps if I hadn’t experienced my psionics working in the real world, I would have.

It’s not like I was rushing to share that information either, so I could respect her need for secrets, and perhaps the danger that revealing them might have. Perhaps one day she would share them with me if we got more serious.

For now, we finished our date with a walk in the park before separating. We kissed once before she left, as well as organizing another date the day before we would head up the mountain.

Once we parted, I moved back to my guild and logged out into the real world a little earlier than usual. It was only a few more days before I would be moving to the VR facility and it was time to get everything organized.

While I owned little, there was still a surprising amount of packing to do when moving. Beyond that, I also had to organize a truck to transport my stuff there, as well as selling off things that I no longer needed.

My accommodation in the VR facility came fully furnished, so all of my furniture had to go. Luckily, there was no shortage of people needing cheap stuff around the area, so it wouldn’t be too hard to sell it off.

I spent a few hours that night getting started on my preparations and would have to spend a few more each night until the big day happened. Then I would have to spend at least half a day on the move there if not a full day depending on how it went.

While it was inconvenient to lose so much time, I felt like it would be more than worth it. I still hadn’t left the apartment since the last incident, even having my food supplies delivered.

It would be nice to finally be out of this area and somewhere safe, somewhere that I could fully focus on the game. Just thinking about it caused my excitement to grow, I couldn’t wait to get in there.