“I don't care what you need. I'm done. You've already cost me enough time, and that’s all I’ve got. Stupid freaking garbage PKer.” Nick practically spat the words. Whatever tact and diplomacy he had exhibited moments ago were now gone. “I'm out, and I hope I don't have to see your backstabbing, turncoat face again.”

“I'll pay,” Lucas said.

Nick turned and stood frozen in place, grinding his teeth as he stared at Lucas. After a moment of silence, he finally relented. “How much?”

“A plat, and it shouldn't take long,” Lucas said. “Plat” was short for “platinum coin.” They were only a quarter of the size of gold coins, yet they were exchanged at a ratio of ten gold coins per single platinum.

Nick sighed. “God, you're such a plate of spotted dick. Well, fine. Fine, fine, fine! I'll do your stupid freaking favor, but don't think this means I've forgiven you or that we’re friends. I still don't know what kind of man thinks it's cool to stab his teammates in the back over an NPC during a boss fight. That's just low.”

“It was a secret quest,” Lucas admitted, hoping it would tempt the prideful man. “One that unlocked a special racial quest chain only available to Humans.”

“Huh?” Nick looked a little stunned. “That doesn't make sense. Humans are supposed to only have a single racial questline, Redemption of the Fallen People, and that’s not until the final island. They don't have a noob island quest chain.”

“Ah. So, then, it must have been my imagination that I unlocked a way to join the Imperium and gain access to unique trainers and classes . . . like Dark Knight.”

“Dark Knight?” Nick’s eyes turned to saucers at the mention of that name. “But that class is only supposed to be available after you finish the Necessary Sinners questline for the Paladin order. That’s a Level 90, nearly endgame quest,” he said, clearly showing that this was a class he had seriously researched on Blueit.

“Yeah,” Lucas said, “a class I’m sure you, a mighty Spell-Staff in the making, have no interest in attaining.”

“What? No, of course, I—” Nick paused and gulped down whatever saliva was in his mouth. “Of course I would be okay with playing the Dark Knight early. But it’s impossible. You have to be a much higher level, and only a few people have ever finished that stupid escort quest without the NPC dying and killing their chances at it.”

“Well, for that class . . .” Lucas smiled and continued dangling the carrot in front of Nick. “Do you think you could do me a favor? Think of the money as just a bonus. If I finish all my quests, we’ll be able to access the trainer.”

Nick’s eyes narrowed, and his confusion vanished. “What’s your game, Negative? Why are you doing this? What is the questline you’re doing?”