Dystopian Tales Online

The music in the background is a Rondo Allegro Grazio, played efficently by a costumer with a girl on the side, impressively moving his fingers around the keys. Everyone listened silently, savoring the good sound on the ears while enjoying the medievalistic atmosphere of the historical cafe. Well, this cafe is not really that historicaly bound but just the furnishing made it look like a setting cut out from the 18th century picture book.

Well, one could just simply relax in a place like this. The cafe only started two years ago by a kid who is still underaged. Under the supervision of a certain person, the cafe remained until now that he is legal and handling it by himself. The design was also done by this person with the touch of the recent technology.

"What can I say? This place is so heartwarming I can tell why I'm becoming a regular here," Shin said, watching the costumer who is still playing the piano. The lady closed her eyes as if listening to it intently, not wasting any note to pass by. Shin would want to do it. But how can he read the book he's holding if he will close his eyes?

"You can always become a regular. A costumer with an unlimited money supply is a good customer," Leon muttered, not looking at Shin but to the sheets of paper he's holding.

"And here I am complimenting your cafe. I never thought you hooked me here for my money. Should I start crying now," Shin said in almost monotone voice it sounded very sarcastic.

"Suit yourself. Money is everything for an entrepeneur," Leon chuckled.

This would be a common conversation of these two in a common day. Shin lowered the book on the table to take a sip from the cup and maybe a small bite from the cookie he ordered. This is an ideal place for reading, no doubt with that. Especially that Leon is sitting in a special corner where only a few costumers are allowed to sit.

The cafe is owned by Leon with a name of Dandelion Curse. Despite the curse on the end, the name is quite catchy and has interested a lot of regulars. The cafe is mainly for the idle and relaxed costumers with a menu mainly serving some sweet delicacies and drinks. There are sections inside the cafe that let people choose wherever they want, may it be on the second floor where the view of a garden can be seen, or on the ground floor where people who enjoyed a bit bustling stays.

Leon and Shin is sitting on a corner of the ground floor where an elevated platform is constructed. This platform is for personal use where costumers who wanted to stay longer occupies. It's done with a reservation for a certain amount of time. Though, Leon owned the place so he can stay here whenever he wants.

"Oh yeah, by the way, I heard from the higher ups that a meeting happened between the top ten players of the game. What do you think?" Shin asked.

"What do I think?" Leon repeated the question.

Currently, he's handling the accounting of the cafe. He always does that before giving it to the main accountant to see if the cafe is doing well or not. Then it looks like the cafe is getting stable on the long run. He stopped from his mental calculations and looked up at Shin.

"No need to guess. That would be for the sixth server," Leon hypothesized.

"Oh," Shin nodded. "Then, what can you say? Anything that could help me understand what would be this sixth server all about."

"Hmmm..." And Leon continues to scribble down.

The playing of the piano started a new rythm. This time, it was the lady who is playing it. It's a bit off tune but still good in the ears. Shin looked at them while the man teaching the lady the proper keys. He decided to stopped reading for a while and just relax a bit.

"This is very peaceful, I could wish no more," he muttered, feeling a bit sleepy. He rested his chin on his hand, closing his eyes, feeling the sensation of being restless for a while.

"The very idea of the sixth server is the continuation of the second phase of the experiment. Guessing the time given and the number we are in, the expansion would be an addition of more floor worlds. Maybe three or five more floors. And maybe there's a twist like creating a main attraction on the second floor world," Leon said.

"Attraction, huh? Then why the second floor? There are new floors..." Shin asked.

"It's because of the celebration for reaching the 100th level of all the players. We all know that the requirement for stepping on the second floor is reaching level one hundred. By letting all the VR players reach 100 means that there's something on the second floor."

Shin nodded. Well, that makes sense at all.

"Then, what about the experiment? You think the idea of creating a new world is still a possibility?"

Shin might not be able to comprehend but Leon is seeing some numbers in front of him. This time, he actually stopped calculating for the work and shifted his eyes to the piano playing. Now, the player shifted to the minor keys sounding deeper than earlier. Though still good in the ears, it sent chills on his back.

"There's... a premonition..." Leon said.

"Hmmm? A premonition...?"

Leon never used such word before. He would always say that "I guess" or "I feel" as if just guessing but actually these answers leads to the valid action. Using such word caught Shin wondered. From the relaxed state he have, he looked up to see Leon watching the piano stand. Somehow, the costumers ended the fun time and left to their table.

"Premonition huh... If could be done... but a possibility..."

The concentration of his eyes made Shin believe that this premonition is something that should not be taken for granted. He reached his hand out to poke Leon on the cheeks but the guy looked at him before he was able to do it. Leon raised his eyebrow up.

"Huh? What are you doing?" Leon asked, a bit confused.

"I never see you look things like that I'm thinking I should hit a strike and surprise you," Shin casually replied.

Leon heaved a sigh. He closed the account book. It looks like he's done with it. Shin wanted to ask more about this premonition but it looks like Leon is not interested. But why? Is this premonition something good or bad? Leon is the type to take action but it looks like he's not going to do everything.

"I know you wanted to know it but let's talk about it with Aud. We can use his influence," Leon said, grinning.

"Ah, you got me," Shin rolled his eyes.

The two of them called the servers. Leon gave them the book and Shin paid for the food he ordered. Leon roamed around the staff room for a while to talk with the employees. His friendlyness made him popular inside and the trust he gives made them more motivation to work. Besides, Leon is paying them a good salary. Anyone would be happy about that.

"Have a good day, sir," one of them escorted them to the door.

Leon just waved his hand.

"I'm jealous. Having a business like this, maybe I should start my own fast food chain?" Shin muttered.

"Don't act dumb. I know you're day trading. You can't hide the fact that we're earning the same money."

Shin just laughed out. Nobody could really hide anything from Leon.

"Though, day-trading is fun. Want to try it? Maybe with your ability to look beyond statistics can help you earn more."

Now that he's caught, Shin took out his phone to check. He's only doing it with a couple of electronic devices and some internet connection. Actually, he's not moving a single inch from his house in this kind of work.

"Simulation is more fun. I enjoy management," Leon dismissed the idea.

"Then, what about I ask for some numbers whenever I don't know how much I price it?"

"How could a person like you, who mastered the rules and flow by just reading the book once, asking my advice? You don't need my statistics. You can already see it through with no problem."

Both of their phones rang. Leon picked it up and received an email from Aud. The same thing happen to Shin.

"Speaking of the devil, I need to discuss something to him now," Leon muttered.

The email sent has only one message. And if it was a necromancer, the text is enough to summon a command.

FROM: AUD

SUBJ: NEW SERVER

MEET ME ON DISBOARD. I'LL DISCUSS SOMETHING.

I'LL DISCUSS SOMETHING