Chapter 501: Not a great start

Mason snuck through Nassau with his Sleeves active. He abandoned the lifts and platforms, climbing and leaping from tree to tree to get to his hall. It was a little over the top, maybe. OK a

lot

over the top. But he really didn’t want to get delayed. And it was fun.

With his Wayfinder power he could see where everyone was, and sighed with relief when he found Haley in the hall. But all the other girls except Becky were there, too. So now the trick was to get her alone…

Then he remembered civilians had their own classes, that she was his ‘assistant’, and also that he was an idiot. He opened his profile and swiped to her contract—a thing he hadn’t done in…probably months.

A ‘bond’ contract, right there in black and white, making Haley technically his slave. It had ten months left, which didn’t concern him, as he expected nothing to change when it was over. Haley would probably ask him to

renew

it—a fact that was still a bit hard to comprehend.

Without surprise, he found a now expanded list of options under said contract, no doubt generated from the many levels and powers Haley must have had by now. As his assistant, her experience seemed basically linked to him—the more powerful and successful and higher level he was, the more she gained.

Which meant her level had to be in the twenties. He realized he didn’t even

know

what her second class was. Did civilians get those? Hadn’t Lila said something about being an ‘ambassador’ and an entertainer? Mason’s knowledge of the civilian portion of the game was still pretty bad. OK embarrassingly bad.

When he saw the world as soldiers and life or death, he hadn’t been able to bring himself to care. But now he realized the benefits, and maybe the system’s expectation, of civilians out in the world. He realized he needed to adapt. It seemed logical to start with Haley.

He dropped to the platform right behind his hall, then snorted as he saw a literal

summon

button.

“What the fuck,” he muttered, reading the finer print.

Apparently it only worked in ‘safe environments’, which presumably meant settlements? He wasn’t sure. He looked in a window but didn’t see her, then shrugged and thought to hell with it before pushing the button.

Nothing happened.

Mason waited a few seconds, and was about to push it again when Haley materialized out of thin God damn air in a t-shirt, sweats and an apron. She blinked in confusion, but when she saw Mason she flashed him a big smile and threw herself against his chest.

“You’re back. Are you back? What’s going on? I didn’t tell you about that power yet.”

“I found it in my profile. When the hell did you get the ability to teleport?”

“When you were out on the road.” She grinned. “There’s not even a cooldown. But I think it’s pretty limited where you can use it. You can summon me, then send me right back, it’s two way.”

Mason shook his head.

“That’s…amazing.” He blinked as he realized. “You could carry the teleport beacon to me. So even without the scouts to pass a message, I could bring a group without having to figure out exactly when or make them sit in the damn beacon.” He grinned. “Let’s hope the definition of ‘safe’ is bigger than just settlements. What else don’t I know about you?”

“How long do you have?” Haley smiled and pressed herself against him, face turning up for a kiss. He was pulled like a magnet, relaxing as his lips molded to hers, their tongues playing until he forced himself to remember why he was there.

“Not long. I came to give you something.”

“Mmm. And I would like to receive it very much.”

Mason shook his head and took out the orb. “It’s some kind of artifact. Dangerous, and sought after by a variety of scary things. I was hoping you could put it in your void storage until I needed it.”

Haley took the orb and her eyes glazed before she frowned.

“It says I can’t. That it cannot leave this plane. I hadn’t realized I was doing that, but I guess it makes…”

“Shit.” Mason tapped his fingers on the house as he thought. He could hear female voices calling for Haley. “Did you just vanish in front of the girls?”

“No.” Haley grinned. “The system prompted me. I had a few seconds before I had to accept the summon, so I told them I had to pee. But they might be wondering where I went by now. Should we just go in?”

Mason winced, but he saw nothing for it now. Maybe Rosa or especially Ayet could help identify the thing. Though it occurred to him that he might have some kind of problem with elves like he’d had with nymphs…

“Alright.” He sighed. “But I can’t stay. Whatever happens, help me get back out.”

Haley laughed, probably at his seriousness. “Ah, my Mason. He can fight dragons and demons without fear. But a house full of women frightens him.”

“I can kill dragons and demons when they get out of line,” he said wryly. “And I didn’t say I was frightened. I just know when I’m surrounded by you girls my discipline is gonna drop to a negative number. And I don’t have time to indulge. So I’m serious, help get me out of there. Alright?”

“Yes, Master.” Haley pouted then grinned with her devious little smile, and Mason gave her a warning glare. She held up a hand. “No time for pleasure. I understand. And since we were talking about things you don’t know, should I tell you more about my classes? And maybe civilians in general? I know you’ve been busy, but it might be important.”

Mason desperately fought the urge to say no.

“Quickly, please.”

“OK.” Haley took a breath. “Civilians get two classes, too. We don’t get prestige versions, but we

upgrade

our classes with levels and behaviour. How we do that depends on what we are. For me, it’s pretty much about you. You do well, I do well.”

“And how am I doing?”

Haley rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. Mason knew he was doing well, of course, but he honestly wondered how it affected Haley. When she realized he was serious she smiled.

“Mason, I’m pretty sure I’m the highest level civilian in the world. I think my only competition is in the east. The people here are lucky to be level ten. I’m twenty-two.”

“Oh. OK…which means…”

“Which means I have two upgraded classes. I started as a Personal Assistant, which is now a Lord’s Assistant. Later I picked up Settlement Matriarch, which is now a Nexus Matriarch, obviously expanding after…” she gestured at the giant tree city.

“Right.” Mason raised an eyebrow and grinned. “And how does that help me?”

“It helps you,

Patron

, in all manner of ways. My void storage is more like…a

warehouse

now—with all kinds of useful things, by the way. I can identify many objects and player things. As before I make all your contracts better. I increase the experience of everyone in Nassau, especially you. I increase your patron points, and make things cheaper. Oh, and technically I can operate under your authority. I mean I can buy things, promote, punish, operate beacons, command the Nexus guardians. Whatever

you

can do, basically.”

“OK, OK.” Mason chuckled and put up his hands. “Some of that actually does sound worth mentioning.”

Haley narrowed her pretty eyes. “As you can see, I can teleport to you now. Though we can also communicate at a certain distance, so you

could

have just asked me to come outside. I’ve had that awhile.

And

used it. Apparently you forgot.”

“Oh.”

“Yes, oh. I can also show you what I’m hearing or seeing. I can even take snapshots like pictures for you.” She grinned. “I’ve taken a few already…but, maybe they should wait until you have more time…”

Mason perked up at that, but hammered his lust back into place. As thick as he was with the average woman’s feelings, he knew he needed to say something positive here.

Haley pretty much held the settlement together with him gone so much of the time. Not to mention his house. Yes, she was his ‘contractual’ servant, and now his wife, but he knew she needed to feel…appreciated.

“And one more thing…” she started saying, but he put his hands on her arms.

“Haley, I don’t tell you how amazing you are enough. I honestly have no idea how I’d even do any of this without you. I think I just wouldn’t. I’d be in a cave somewhere, waiting out the apocalypse.”

His blonde beauty smiled and kissed his cheek.

“Don’t worry, my love. You don’t need to manage me. It’s my great privilege to help you, to be whatever you need. I am very happy here, managing what you’ve built. I know it is hard for you.”

Mason resisted the urge to make a ‘hard’ joke, kissing Haley again instead.

“Oh, I almost forgot.” Haley beamed. “I’ve started a…I don’t know what to call it, beauty salon. All my own points, don’t worry. I have…a lot. Like a lot a lot. Oh! And I

finally

figured out Lexi’s class—she’s a teacher. Which maybe sounds not that exciting. But actually she can take all kinds of specialties, and

then

teach other civilians at some kind of faster speed, so I made her learn some things to help me. She’s a bit bored, so, this will help. It’s on the platform next to our hall.”

Mason couldn’t help but smile at Haley’s enthusiasm.

“I’m sure the women of Nassau will appreciate it.”

“The men will, too.” Haley laughed. “Mostly I did it for selfish reasons.” She bit her lip and pressed against him, sighing and pulling back again. “OK. Ready to go inside?”

Mason nodded, but suddenly wondered if he should be telling her about Demi. And Lila.

Christ. No, he’d leave that for another time, especially since he really didn’t know what he wanted there. It was almost purely a physical connection. A really

great

physical connection, but he didn’t need more of that. But Demi…

He winced.

“Uh, one more thing—remember Demi? From the Neutral Zone?” Haley nodded and Mason briefly explained how things had progressed. It was still weird telling your wife about the new girl you’d started sleeping with, but as usual, Haley looked more excited than anything.

“Should I make up a new room in the house? Or I can expand the bed. There’s all kinds of options. But I’d have to work on Becky, first…”

“We’re not there yet.” Mason shrugged. “I don’t know what she’s thinking. Or not exactly. She’s been on her own a long time, even before the game. I think we’ll have to ease her into things.”

“Then that’s what we’ll do.” Haley smiled. Mason was reminded yet again he wasn’t alone in this thing. He felt his problems getting a little lighter, and he scooped Haley up into a wordless hug and just took a breather.

“OK,” he said, setting her down.

“Now

I’m ready. Let’s say hello, get some kind of group identification party going, then I’ll leave the seed thing and bolt before clothes start coming off.”

Haley saluted like a soldier, and Mason rolled his eyes. He slapped her ass hard as they went for the door. But instead of jumping Haley just turned and wiggled her eyebrows. So it wasn’t a great start…