95 Becoming a real NPC 1 (1/2)
” Those immoral acts I had expected nothing less from you”, the NPC who had spoken those words, was looking like the average NPC.Clothing made out of fur, its design was looking like a modern reimagination of the Stone age. It was just missing the yellow dotted spots plastered all over the fur and it would have been perfect.
”Would have been a lot harder without your help though.”
” Oh, so you noticed? What gave me away?” a genuine expression of interest could be seen passing over his face.
” For instance, no NPC would look at me smiling and pretend as if nothing had happened. They either would run back and alarm their master or try to catch me. But by then you already knew, that I was aware of your interference. ”
He looked not too surprised at my revelation, this much was still what he had anticipated.
” If I am being honest it was a gamble at first.After all, I did not know exactly how or when I had been summoned to that space. All I had were an empty promise and your words of having a use for me to go on.”
This guy is so hard to read, not even after throwing a bone to him, does he react in any manner.
” Do you remember the first order? ” Kill them for me”. The big brawny NPC was hesitating and struggling but he could resist the order in the end.Nobody can resist the order they have been given.It was the first time you meddled in this affair. ”
” Oh, but why do you think so, the reaction was something a human would show into thrown into such a situation.” his expression did not change but I could hear a bit of mocking tone in his voice.
” Oh, you mean the same kind of human, who just stood there rooted to the spot waiting while this dude tries to murder them. How oddly human they are. Or the fact, that every NPC who had been tasked with the same did not struggle at all? Do you expect me to believe, that just because this one NPC could not resist their order they would not at least try to do the same?”
He looked at me with a puzzled expression.
” Is that all, that your theory is based on? The uncharacteristic behaviour of those NPCs is interpreted as an act of meddling from my side? What if said behaviour is caused by prioritizing player interest over realistic human behaviour?”
A fair point, humans do not serve any valuable purpose in this world. They neither are strong, neither teach any tactics or strategies. Currently, they are just used as a tool to get rid of one's boredom. But exactly this point was evidence for his interference.
” Appeasing the fantasy of power. an event which utilizes the helpless humans to fuel their ego. Judging from your previous description everything seems logical. But then why was I there? Was there any point in me being there? Every NPC had a higher level, better stats and served this narrative way better than I could have ever done. So why was my presence even needed?”
”Tsk, Tsk, Tsk. How often do I have to tell you, I don't interfere, I don't temper, I don't influence. All I do is observe.”
”I am just a simple NPC.I have no strength and I am still a young boy. ”
”You see but are not seen. I talk but only answer.”
” You tell but are not told to. You sleep but lie wide awake.”
” I perceive but am not percieved.”
This short exchange told me more about the whole situation, then all the previous talk. Although the voices in my head required a little help to understand the exact meaning.
” The Observer told me, that it does not have any direct influence on the system, all it can do is observe. Therefore I asked whether 0r not the system only sees me as a young boy with next to no strength. It told me, that my current strength is real but is not recognized by the system itself. Furthermore, it told me, that it only can answer the system if its expertise is required.
” Afterwards I reminded him, that he was advising the system not listening to its orders. While it may seem like it is only active during patches it is always watching and evaluating all the developments. That was confirmed by the Observer itself. Or did I say something wrong?”
The Observer shook his head. ” You got the gist of it. ”
” I doubt, that you are here to waste any of your valuable time. So why have you appeared right in front of me?” I inquired this information to get to the core of this visit.
”While you were chosen at random as part of the summoning process my appearance here is not without any reason. I am here to give you the task I had picked for you. At first, I had planned to wait till you reach for your full strength but the circumstances have changed as might have guessed.”
That much was obvious the Observer would not do anything pointless. Any of its act could influence this entire world, so it would not do anything like this if it was not forced to. I asked myself what kind of task awaited me. Since I did not have all of my strength it could hardly demand anything too crazy from me.
I was still thinking about my future. The Observer continued his monologue.
” I want you to act as a guide for a certain player from the Church”
I did not give any reply yet, because I would not have much of a say in this matter regardless. It must have its reasons to utilize me in such a fashion. If it can not be avoided I will have to try to get the most out of it.
” This player is not someone who stands a chance at winning the tactical warfare event. The odds of this occurring are nonexistent to be exact because he had even failed to register in the first place. Please help him to leave a lasting impression.”
I could certainly ask myself about the reasoning for this kind of weird mission, but it was none of my business to wonder about the ins and outs, at least not yet. My current predicament did not leave any room for negotiation.
” You will be following this player and stay by his side. You will be seen as a summoned NPC who is tasked with helping the player.”
Despite being drawn into the role of a guide, I had a smile on my face. Just thinking about the alternative caused me to shudder. If I get in their fingers after I made such a fool out of them...
It's best to disappear from the face of the earth. This time metaphorically instead of literally.
” You are oddly calm, I would have expected a lot more questions and anger coming from you.”
I gave him a thumbs-up before I spoke my reply.
” I wanted to listen to your task in its entirety to form my opinion. Listening earnestly helped me evaluating the risks and opportunities that come with it. The tasks seem sensible given my current situation, therefore I agree.”
” Wait, what? Really?” It was the first time I had seen the Observer being caught off guard. But this sensation only lasted for an instant before his face returned to its usual indifference.