***

In another room of the keep, six figures sat. Before them, a multitude of screens showed flashing, deadly fights, with figures wielding weapons with skill, demonstrating unique abilities seldom seen, even within the Game. But all attention was focused on another screen, one which depicted a single, foolish human, slumped over unconscious in a training room.

“Did, did he just—?”

“Yes.”

“Huh… I can see why you might want him. But still, 5000 points? What did he do, break into the Vault?”

“He escaped.”

“Well, yes, everyone escaped if that was part of the test they were given, what’s so—”

“No, you misunderstand. He escaped all pursuit and detection.”

“All?”

“Yes, he escaped even the evaluators, who the recruits weren’t even supposed to be aware of. Do you really think we’d send possible guild members somewhere as dangerous as the Undercity without proper defense measures? Well, he managed to evade those, including the tail we set on him. Then, even with the guild members deployed throughout the city, he wasn’t seen again until he reached the quest area. Then, he managed to escape not only the elite guards, but us as well, reaching the hangar without alerting a single one of the watchers we had at every Undercity exit!”

“What? But that’s impossible! And he still managed to make it back with the item? How—”

“Enough. I take it he is your choice, then?”

“Yes. Unless he completely fails tomorrow.”

“Alright. Well, you all know who my choice has been from the start. The rest of you should hurry up and make your decision.”

“Of course.”

And the figures turned back to the screens, watching every movement.

***

Alan awoke on a cold, metal surface. Groaning, he rolled over, feeling nothing but the floor. He opened his eyes and glanced around him, surprised to find himself still in the same training room. He slowly sat up, wincing at the soreness spread throughout his body.

Damn, Eve, why do I feel so sore now? I wasn’t sore after that chase in the Undercity.

Most likely due to the adrenaline coursing through your system, you were able to ignore the soreness. Also you died before the next day, resetting the state of your body. I also suppressed some of your pain using the light power armor.

Great, do that now.

That is unadvised. I am currently downloading and analyzing data available to us in the Black Rose database. The resources that I would devote to easing your pain are better spent elsewhere.

In other words, suck it up?

Affirmative. If it becomes an issue during an assessment I will try to help you.

Smiling, Alan sat up, making his way to the sort of locker room he had seen earlier, glancing at the time. It was around 6:30 a.m., an hour and a half before the guild assessments began, but Alan could see a number of other recruits in the weight room warming up with light workouts. Of course, that also might have to do with the fact that Khersath didn't have exactly a 24 hour day, not that Alan really minded. His sleep schedule had always been strange.