MMORPG: GODS GARDEN

Rex nervously shuffled his feet, a faint blush creeping up his neck as he approached Tara, who was engrossed in a book beneath the shade of a large oak tree. He hadn't realized how awkward it would be to talk to her outside of class. He'd always been so focused on Cathy, so oblivious to the quiet presence beside him. Now, faced with Tara's intelligent, observant gaze, he felt strangely flustered. He cleared his throat, the sound a little louder than he intended. "Hey, Tara," he began, trying to sound casual, like this was a completely normal, everyday conversation. "I was wondering... you're planning on playing GODS GARDEN when it launches, right?"

Tara looked up from her book, a slight surprise in her eyes. She marked her page with a delicate bookmark and closed the book gently. "Yeah, I think so," she replied, her voice soft but clear. "I've been following the pre-release stuff. It looks interesting." She tilted her head slightly, as if assessing him.

"Cool," Rex said, a little too enthusiastically. His blush deepened, spreading across his cheeks. He could feel the heat rising. "I'm thinking of putting together a group for it, you know, for dungeons, raids, the whole shebang. I was wondering if you'd maybe be interested in joining? Just, you know, for when it launches." He winced internally. That sounded lame, even to him. He mentally cursed his inability to act naturally around her.

Tara considered for a moment, her brow furrowed slightly. "A group?" she repeated. "Who else is in it?"

Rex hesitated, the question hitting him like a brick wall. He couldn't mention Cathy and Max, not yet. He needed to keep his suspicions close to his chest, to avoid raising any red flags before he was ready. He searched his mind for a plausible answer. "Just a couple of friends," he said vaguely. "We haven't really finalized the roster yet. But I think we'd work well together. You're a great player." He offered a genuine smile, hoping it would distract her from his evasiveness. He was trying to project confidence, but inside, he was a bundle of nerves.

Tara looked at him, her intelligent eyes searching his. He could feel her probing gaze, trying to discern his true intentions. He held her gaze, trying to project an air of innocent enthusiasm, but he knew she was perceptive. She probably saw right through his awkwardness.

"I'm not sure," Tara said slowly, her voice carefully neutral. "I've never really been into group play before. I usually just stick to solo quests."

Rex nodded understandingly. "I get that," he said. "It's nice to be able to do your own thing. But it can be fun to play with other people, especially when you're tackling tougher challenges. You can share strategies, learn new skills... Plus," he added, a playful glint in his eye, trying to lighten the mood, "it's always good to have a strong healer in the group."

Tara chuckled softly, a genuine, warm sound that made Rex's heart skip a beat. "Flattery will get you everywhere," she teased, but there was a hint of amusement in her voice.

Rex grinned, his blush now receding slightly. He felt a little more comfortable, a little less awkward. "I'm just stating the facts," he said. "You're a valuable asset. And honestly," he added, lowering his voice slightly, leaning in a little closer, "I could use someone I trust in my group."

That last sentence hung in the air, laden with unspoken meaning. He wasn't explicitly saying anything, but he was hoping Tara would pick up on the subtle hint. He was letting her know that he valued her judgment, that he trusted her instincts. He was inviting her not just to play the game, but to be his ally, his confidante.

Tara was quiet for a moment, her gaze fixed on her book, though Rex suspected she wasn't reading. She seemed to be considering his words, weighing the pros and cons. Finally, she looked up, a thoughtful expression on her face. "Okay," she said. "I'll join your group."

Rex's heart leaped with relief. "Awesome!" he exclaimed, trying to contain his excitement. "You won't regret it."

"I hope not," Tara replied, her eyes still holding a hint of caution. "But if I see anything… suspicious…"

"You'll tell me, right?" Rex finished, his gaze meeting hers. He wanted to emphasize the importance of her trust, of her vigilance.

Tara nodded, her gaze steady. "Absolutely."

"So," Rex said, trying to keep his voice casual, a slight tremor betraying his nervousness, "now that we're in a group, maybe we should get together outside of the game sometime? Just to get to know each other better, and maybe brainstorm some strategies for GODS GARDEN when it launches." He fidgeted with the edge of his textbook, avoiding direct eye contact. He wasn't sure why he was so nervous. Tara was easy to talk to, intelligent and insightful, but something about this invitation felt different. It felt… important.

Tara looked up from her notes, a flicker of interest in her eyes. "That sounds good," she said, a small smile gracing her lips. "I'd like to talk more about potential builds and roles. I've been thinking about trying a support class this time around, but I'm open to suggestions."

"Great!" Rex replied, his smile widening, relief washing over him. "How about we get together at my place? It's pretty chill, and we can order some pizza and just hang out. I was also thinking of inviting Jin. He's a good friend and a great player. We could use his input too. He's got a knack for finding hidden quests and exploits."

Tara nodded, tapping her pen against her notebook. "That sounds fun. When were you thinking?"

"How about next Saturday?" Rex suggested. "That gives us a week to prepare and strategize before the launch. We can go over character classes, skill trees, maybe even start theory-crafting some early game strategies."

"Saturday works for me," Tara agreed. "What time?"

"How about afternoon?" Rex said. "We can start early, maybe around one or two, and have plenty of time to discuss the game, order food, and just hang out. We could even watch some strategy videos if you're interested."

"Sounds perfect," Tara replied. "I'll clear my schedule."

Rex smiled, a genuine, warm smile that reached his eyes. "Awesome! I'll give Jin a call and let him know. We can finalize the details later in the week, maybe create a group chat so we can share ideas and links."

He was genuinely excited about this get-together. It wasn't just about the game; it was about building a real connection with Tara and strengthening his friendship with Jin. He was starting to feel like he had a solid team, both in and out of the game. He just hoped his past mistakes wouldn't come back to haunt him and jeopardize these newfound friendships. He thought about Cathy and Max, a shadow crossing his features. He pushed the thought away. He wouldn't let them ruin this for him.

"Hey," Rex said, a thought striking him, "maybe we could also talk about… other things, you know? Not just the game. I mean, it would be nice to get to know you guys better outside of the virtual world." He felt his cheeks warming slightly.

Tara looked at him, her eyes meeting his. She seemed to consider his words carefully. "That would be nice," she said softly. "I'm always up for a good conversation."

"Great!" Rex exclaimed, his enthusiasm returning. "I'm looking forward to it."

As they continued talking, the conversation flowed easily between them. They discussed their favorite games, their preferred character classes, their hopes and expectations for GODS GARDEN. Rex found himself drawn to Tara's quiet intelligence, her dry wit, and her insightful observations. He was starting to see her in a new light, not just as a potential ally, but as someone he genuinely admired and respected.

He thought about how different this was from his interactions with Cathy. With Cathy, it had always been about the game, about status, about what she could do for him. With Tara, it was about genuine connection, about shared interests, about mutual respect. It was refreshing, and it made him realize how shallow his previous relationships had been.

He couldn't wait for Saturday. He couldn't wait to spend time with Tara and Jin, to strategize for the game, to get to know them better, to build a real friendship. He was starting to feel hopeful about the future, about GODS GARDEN, and about his own life. He had a feeling that this time, things would be different. This time, he would do things right.

Later that day, Rex called Jin, filling him in on the plans for Saturday. Jin was enthusiastic, eager to dive into the game and excited to hang out with Rex and Tara. They talked for a while about potential group compositions and strategies, their excitement building with each passing day closer to the game's launch.

As Saturday approached, Rex found himself cleaning his apartment meticulously, making sure there was plenty of food and drinks, and even borrowing a couple of extra gaming chairs from a friend. He wanted everything to be perfect. He was nervous, yes, but mostly he was excited. He was looking forward to spending time with two people he genuinely liked and respected. He was looking forward to the start of a new adventure, both in the game and in real life. He was ready.

he day of the get-together arrived, and Rex's apartment was buzzing with anticipation. He'd spent the morning cleaning and preparing, making sure there was ample pizza, snacks, and drinks. He'd even splurged on some new energy drinks, knowing they'd likely be pulling a late-night gaming session. He checked his watch for the tenth time in as many minutes. Tara and Jin were due any minute.

A knock on the door announced their arrival. Rex took a deep breath, smoothed down his shirt, and opened the door, a wide smile on his face. "Hey guys! Come on in!"

Tara and Jin stepped inside, each carrying their gaming rigs. "Hey Rex," Tara greeted, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Ready to conquer GODS GARDEN?"

"Absolutely!" Rex replied. "I've been theory-crafting all week. I think we've got a solid plan."

Jin grinned. "Let's hope so," he said. "I'm itching to try out my new build."

They settled into Rex's living room, which he'd transformed into a gaming haven. Extra monitors were set up, cables snaked across the floor, and the air crackled with anticipation. "So," Rex began, once everyone was comfortable, "before we dive into the game, I wanted to talk about something… something that's been on my mind."

He paused, suddenly feeling a bit nervous. He glanced at Tara, who was watching him with her usual perceptive gaze. He took another deep breath and plunged in. "I've been thinking a lot about GODS GARDEN, and about… Rising Solutions."

Tara's expression turned serious. "Rising Solutions?" she echoed, her voice laced with suspicion.

"Yeah," Rex said. "I know we haven't talked much about it, but… I have a bad feeling about them. Something just doesn't seem right."

Jin frowned. "You mean the company that's offering those part-time jobs?"

"Exactly," Rex said. "I've heard some things… rumors about exploitative contracts, long hours, and… well, let's just say I'm not convinced they're as legitimate as they claim to be." He chose his words carefully, not wanting to reveal too much too soon.

Tara nodded slowly. "I've had some reservations myself," she admitted. "Their recruitment tactics seem a little… aggressive."

"Exactly!" Rex exclaimed. "And I was thinking… maybe we should do some digging. Before anyone else gets involved with them, we should try to find out what's really going on."

Jin nodded in agreement. "I'm in," he said. "I've got some contacts who might be able to help us out."

"Great!" Rex said. "I knew I could count on you guys. So, here's what I was thinking…"

They spent the next hour discussing their suspicions, sharing information, and brainstorming ways to investigate Rising Solutions. They talked about checking online reviews, contacting former employees, and even trying to infiltrate the company themselves. They were determined to uncover the truth, whatever it might be.

"And," Rex added, a mischievous glint in his eye, "I have another idea. Something that might give us some insight into their operations… within GODS GARDEN."

Tara raised an eyebrow. "What do you have in mind?"

"I was thinking," Rex said, "that we should try to connect with some of the higher-level guilds in the game. See if we can find out if Rising Solutions is affiliated with any of them. Maybe they're using their employees for gold farming or something like that."

Jin grinned. "That's a great idea!" he said. "I know a few people in some top guilds. I can put out some feelers."

"Perfect!" Rex said. "Okay, so we've got a plan. We'll investigate Rising Solutions in the real world and in the game. We'll gather information, talk to people, and try to piece together the puzzle. And we'll do it together."

He looked at Tara and Jin, a sense of camaraderie filling him. He knew he could trust them. He knew they would have his back. And he knew that together

"...So," Rex said, a glint in his eye, "I have a plan. A way to hit Rising Solutions where it hurts, and maybe even… benefit ourselves in the process."

Tara raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? Do tell."

"Their whole operation revolves around gold farming, right?" Rex explained. "They've got dozens, maybe even hundreds of low-level characters grinding away, collecting resources, earning in-game currency. What if… we disrupted that? What if we targeted their gold farming operations, crippled their supply chain?"

Jin grinned, a predatory gleam in his eyes. "You're talking about… raiding their farming spots? Wiping out their bots?"

"Exactly," Rex said. "We could systematically target their farming locations, eliminate their bots, steal their resources… It would cripple their operation, disrupt their income, and send a clear message that we're not to be messed with."

A strange silence fell over the room. Tara and Jin exchanged a look, and Rex noticed a flicker of something unsettling in their expressions. It wasn't disagreement, exactly, but something… darker. Jin's grin seemed a little too wide, a little too sharp. Tara's eyes held a strange intensity.

"That's… a pretty aggressive approach," Tara said slowly, her voice laced with a hint of caution.

"Aggressive, but effective," Rex countered. "Think about it. We could not only disrupt their operation, but we could also… acquire some of those resources for ourselves. It would be a win-win."

Jin let out a low chuckle, a sound that sent a shiver down Rex's spine. "A win-win indeed," he echoed, his eyes gleaming. "Easy money, right?"

Rex felt a prickle of unease. He had expected enthusiasm, maybe a little concern about the risks, but this… this was different. There was a hunger in their eyes, a ruthless ambition that made him slightly uncomfortable. He had wanted to strike back at Rising Solutions, to expose their exploitative practices, but he hadn't intended for it to become… this.

"We need to be careful," Rex said, trying to regain control of the conversation. "We can't get greedy. We don't want to become what we're fighting against."

Tara and Jin exchanged another look, and this time, Rex couldn't decipher what passed between them. They just smiled, but the smiles didn't reach their eyes.

"Of course, Rex," Tara said smoothly. "We'll be careful. We're just… excited to finally take some action."

"Yeah," Jin added. "We're with you all the way, Rex."

Rex nodded, trying to shake off his unease. He told himself he was just being paranoid. They were his friends, his allies. They were on the same side. Weren't they?

"Okay," he said, forcing a smile. "Let's finalize the plan. We'll start with their low-level farming spots. Those should be easy targets. We'll hit them hard and fast, and then we'll move on to the higher-level areas."

Rex's casual suggestion about disrupting Rising Solutions' gold farming operations had landed with a thud, a cold, unsettling thud. He'd envisioned it as a strategic maneuver, a way to weaken their grip on the game's economy while simultaneously gathering evidence of their exploitative practices. He'd even, admittedly, entertained the thought of benefiting slightly from the resources they'd liberate. But the way Tara and Jin had reacted… it wasn't what he'd expected.

He'd laid out the plan in detail, explaining how they could target specific farming spots, identify and eliminate their bot programs, and even potentially siphon off some of the harvested resources. He'd tried to keep the tone light, almost playful, emphasizing the strategic advantage and downplaying the… less ethical aspects. He'd wanted to make it clear that the goal was justice, not personal gain. He'd failed miserably.

Instead of the thoughtful discussion he'd anticipated, Tara and Jin had responded with an unsettling enthusiasm. Their eyes gleamed with an almost predatory hunger, their smiles stretched a little too wide, a little too sharp. Jin's low chuckle had sent a shiver down Rex's spine. It wasn't the sound of camaraderie, but something colder, more calculating.

"Easy money, right?" Jin had said, the words echoing in the sudden chill that had fallen over the room.

Rex had immediately backtracked, trying to steer the conversation back on course. "We need to be careful," he'd said, his voice a little too high-pitched, a little too desperate. "We can't get greedy. We don't want to become what we're fighting against."

But it was too late. The shift had already occurred. The casual, almost comical tone he'd adopted had backfired spectacularly. He'd opened a door he now desperately wanted to close. He'd revealed a vulnerability, not just in his plan, but in himself. He'd shown them that he was willing to cross a line, even slightly, and they'd seized on it.

Tara's smooth reassurances and Jin's eager agreement did nothing to soothe Rex's growing unease. He felt like he was watching a scene unfold from a horror movie, the moment when the protagonist realizes they've made a terrible mistake, but it's too late to turn back. He'd given them the idea, painted the picture of easy money and consequence-free revenge, and they'd run with it, leaving him in the dust, wondering if he even knew these people anymore.

He regretted his detailed explanation, the almost flippant way he'd presented the plan. He should have been more cautious, more circumspect. He should have gauged their reactions before revealing so much. Now, he was trapped. He couldn't just back out. He'd planted the seed, and now it was growing into something… monstrous. He was stuck with them, stuck with the plan, and stuck with the growing dread that he'd made a terrible, irreversible mistake. He'd wanted allies, and he'd inadvertently created something else entirely. He'd created partners in something he was no longer sure he wanted to be a part of.

3186 words i did not expect it lol.

Author note :hello guys i hope you like the story i am dark eye it is my pen name if you like this wanna by me a coffe can contact me through email [email protected] and my line id darkeye2326 you can get advance chapters if you contact me thank you.can accept any ideas from you guys.