Jericho The Bard A VRMMORPG Story 28 I.D. Ten T.

Michael Rune smiled, revealing slight dimpled beneath his unshaven face. "I'm surprised you remember my name, Jericho Maestro. You have a good memory. But please, call me RuneHeart. Is that a new duet you are writing? It's really good so far."

The bard laughed. "It is. Thank you, RuneHeart. I thought you looked familiar when you approached last time. What can I do for you, my fellow musician and former best friend? Last I knew we agreed never to speak again."

"I have a shameless request, especially after I mocked you by calling you a relic of the past that belonged in a museum..." He paused "When I learned you were playing the game and had caught the attention of Xanoth, I realized just how wrong I was. I'm sorry." He looked down in shame.

Jericho smiled and grabbed the man's upper arm. "It's alright Mikey Heart; we were both hot-blooded young adults back then. You weren't wrong though; my method of playing instruments to create music is definitely outdated. If you think about it, this game world is like jumping back into the past but with magic and really cool creatures. It makes sense that I am more in-tune with my musical element here. So what is this shameless request of yours?"

"First, can you please just call me by my artist name? I'll feel less awkward that way."

"Sure RuneHeart, now ask your request."

"Will you teach me how to play these older musical instruments?" He asked. "I really want to bring my own music into the game like you have. There have been times I have felt inspired by something and couldn't work on it until after I logged off. It is really frustrating."

"I know the feeling. When I worked and was away from my instruments it was hard. I'm not opposed to teaching you, but I will have to check with my biggest fan and the one you made the most upset back then, my little sister. I remember her saying some unpleasant words we were all shocked to hear come out of a five year old's mouth."

RuneHeart chuckled slightly and scratched his cheek. "She was so calm and gentle I didn't expect her to call me a son of a motherless seagull and an 'I, D, ten, T,' like they were the greatest insults in the world."

"Wow, she must have left a decent impact on you if you remember the insults that clearly."

The other musician half-smiled. "Not really, they were just so funny I couldn't forget them. If I'm right, Moira is Dancing Princess. Where is she? I know I will probably get an earful, but I think I should ask for permission in person."

"Fair enough. I'll be meeting up with her in a while. You are welcome to come with us unless she banishes you. Regardless, if you would like, we can try being friends again."

[Jericho the Bard has sent you a friend request.]

RuneHeart smiled as he accepted the friend request. "Thanks, does this mean we can put the past behind us?"

Jericho laughed. "The past was always behind us. I forgave you a long time ago, but I am glad to see you have matured just a bit."

"I didn't want to forgive you until recently. I'm glad, other than your temperament which seem much more upbeat than before, you have stayed the same. So what is that instrument called?"

Jericho brought him over. "This is a piano. It is one of the few instruments that can be played with many notes and chords simultaneously. A lot of the ancient cla.s.sical songs were performed on the piano." He pulled out a bench and started playing Chopin's Waltz in A minor. "You might recognize this one considering one of your best pieces is inspired by it."

The musician let out a light laugh. "Wait, you have been listening to my music still? How did you know? Not even most of my fans know the inspiration for my Ghostly Ballroom."

"Knowing these older pieces comes with the territory of learning how to play instruments. When I heard your song, I recognized the style. Besides, our mutual dislike for each other didn't change the fact that you are talented and I enjoyed the music you made."

"Oh, that makes sense. While I would have never admitted it in the past, I was always jealous that your music gave off a stronger feeling then mine did."

"That is a unique aspect to playing something you created rather than filling in something you create. While your music is more flawless, it is hard to pore your soul into a music making program as the feelings and creation times are difficult to synchronize. I can pore my soul into the instrument as I play. The exact feelings I have go into the notes actively produced. The things I project to others are able to be received more effectively because of that."

"Huh, I never really thought of it like that. I didn't know you knew some complex scientific facts like that."

"Science? No, that is simply something my grandfather taught me. Apparently it is something ancient musicians held to for quite some time."

RuneHeart laughed. "I see. Now I want to learn how you play even more. I want to hear the difference in my own music when I recreate it."

Jericho gave a nod. "So how is Xanoth doing? I haven't talked to him in a while either." He asked while continuing to play.

"The guy is doing great. He has been raving about how cool you are for a few days now. You know how he can get when he gets overly excited about something. It is almost like that recluse turns into a completely different person. He even suggested creating a guild for musicians so we can emulate you."

Jericho sighed and stopped playing. "Sometimes his ideas are not all that great. Gathering the musicians together in a guild is almost as bad of an idea as his musician's conference we had a few years ago where it turned into a huge musical debate and who should be recognized at the top 100 artists in the area. I know he meant well, but we musicians can be quite fierce."

RuneHeart laughed. "That's true. Most of his ideas are great but every once in a while he goes a little too far. You got to like him though. He is a great guy."

Jericho nodded. "Indeed, he is a great friend despite the fact that he is rarely social."

"Yeah."

Princess sent a message. [I'm done!]

Jericho sent a message to Ken. [Call it. Princess is done.]

[The compet.i.tion has ended. Ken 1231 kills. Lux 1223 kills.] [Total kills 2454] [Thanks to you and your pet's efforts the pest population has dwindled. The farmer's crops should be safe for quite some time.]

The bard smiled. [Be there in a bit.] He replied to his sister. "Eight again but this time it is the reverse."

"What was that?" The other musician inquired.

"I'm going to keep practicing the duet. I want to refine it some more while I still have it fresh on my mind." Jericho answered and resumed having his two halves playfully battle it out on the piano.

After a few playthroughs, RuneHeart couldn't keep his curiosity down. "What is this piece called and what is it about this place that gave you the sudden inspiration to make it?"

Jericho laughed as he sent a message to Ken. [Where are you guys? Selling stuff is going to take some time right?] He looked up. "It is t.i.tled, Compet.i.tive Kittens, and you will see what inspired me soon enough."

[Your 'pets' have entered combat with hostile humans. Their kill count will be reflected on you as their owner.]

RuneHeart c.o.c.ked an eyebrow. "That is a strange name for a…" he started.

{Glaw, Ken and Lux are in trouble.}

{I saw, are we going to a.s.sist?}

Jericho hesitated.

{I know you hate fighting but are you going to let two of the mortals you sent out there and care about be hunted down and killed?}

Jericho's eyes turned grey as regret and grief reminded him of his parents. His thoughts started berating him. -They died because you sent them.- -You knew the danger and chose to do nothing.- -Did you really love them? Why would you let them die if you did?- -You could have saved them but you didn't.-

{The water element in your body is in chaos.} Glaw commentated. {Why are you in turmoil? Isn't trying to save them as simple as going and doing something?}

The darkness intensified as Glaw's words. .h.i.t Jericho right where it hurt the most.

RuneHeart noticed Jericho being distracted. "What's going on?"

"My sister's friend is in danger." He replied listlessly.

"I heard you turned into a pacifist. Where are they? I'll go help them, I specialize in electric magic."

{Are we going?} Glaw asked.

Jericho clenched his fist. "Let's go." He put away the piano and ran towards the farmer's fields.

***

[Call it. Princess is done.] [...]

Ken a.s.signed the Mexp. He felt his body grow and the weakness of being a tier 1 creature leaving him.

[Your claw skill has reached 0/10 Adept] [Your bite skill has reached 0/10 Adept.]… [Your animal (Predator) skill line has grown to Tier 2. You have grown to a tier 2 lynx. You have gained the skills Thick hide 0/10 beginner, Fierce Roar 0/10 beginner…]

Pleased with the results, Ken went to go find Lux.

The farmers watched carefully and relaxed after seeing the lynx show no hostile intent towards them.

Lux and Ken ran into each other. (Brother Ken! Now you really are like my older brother! You should improve your fis.h.i.+ng skills so you can catch fish for your adorable little brother!)

Ken let out a feline laugh sound. (Dream on, little brother. You promised me a while back that you would do all the fis.h.i.+ng for both of us. Besides, you need to grow stronger too.)

(It was worth a shot.) Lux muttered before leaping at a nearby rat to vent.

"Woah, a field boss sp.a.w.ned out here? Awesome!" A man shouted.

"Let's get it!" Another person replied.

(c.r.a.p! Lux, hide!) Ken roared as he noticed a group of five rush towards him.
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The small lynx backed off and hid.

The armored man in front charged at Ken.

The lynx leaped to the side avoiding the blow.

[You have become engaged in combat with other players. As an in-game creature you are subject to the rules of Aggression. Unless you possess specific skills that ignore or reset the aggression counter you cannot attack any other creature except your target. Unless your enemy flees, you must continue the fight. As you are 'owned' by Jericho the Bard all kills you achieve will be placed on his head.] [If you wish to flee combat, you may activate your Human Form skill; however, there are many witnesses. Monster to Human and Human to Monster transformations are feared by most people in this world. Your infamy may rise.] [Monster to Monster transformations are not as feared and are expected to a degree.]

Ken felt upset as he fought the group's tank. Logically, taking out the healer and the highest damage dealers would be the wisest course of action because the tank of a group was usually a high health difficult to kill opponent.

The closest farmer tried to rush forward. "Wait, stop fighting please!" She cried out.

"The dagger wielding damage dealer pushed the farmer away. "These beasts are dangerous it is best if you stay back."

The farmer frowned. "These beasts are helping us hunt down our pests and they belong to someone else. Stop!" She shouted as she tried pulling the rogue's arm away.

The dagger wielder pushed the woman to the ground. "If you don't want to get killed, get out of here." He lifted his dagger threateningly.

The farmer seeing the malicious intent in the man's eyes backed off in fear.

The fight continued.

Lux grew angry. (How dare you attack my brother and the nice lady trying to help him!)

Ken's ears twitched. (Lux wait!)

The kitten paused before jumping into combat.

(Sneak behind them and take out the guy in white.) He directed.

The kitten worked his way around the group.

Ken noticed his health dropping to 50% (Monster form). He snarled as he stood on his hind legs, not even thinking that he was acting the same way monster bosses typically do when their health drops. He hopped back out of the fighter's range and drew his bow with his clawed hands. (It feels really weird but here goes.) Ken thought back to the sounds of the dance lessons. Despite his knees being the wrong direction and his feet still being oversized paws, he was able to pick up a rhythm again.

"The boss has entered its second phase guys, we've got this!" Their tank shouted.