FB: Chapter 113 – A Popular Town

I wore different clothing and a mask as I strolled about Halfenbrook. Right now, I was walking down the main avenue through the brothels that had been set up. Even if it was a game, the dancing in the window displays was quite provocative.

Adult entertainers were picked directly from the displays. I paused at the back of the small crowd watching the Saucy Foxes. The women appeared like me and dressed in the same manner. They even had fake mega blades and were shooting weak water skills at each other.

There was a sign offering a more authentic performance for the elite customers. I was popular, also as a sex icon in Exponential. Across the street there were men in a gender reverse cosplay outfit of myself. I had wanted to check out the town since things were going well and I was technically the noble in charge.

Quant Z had created an entire adult entertainment district. The main road here catered to mainstream tastes. But if I stepped into one of the allies, there was much greater depravity offered.

“A bit much?” a man asked me as I looked around. He was wearing a mask as well. There were many colorful mask options offered for people who wanted to hide their identity in this town. I was wearing a Foxy Blight mask, which I thought was funny.

“Perhaps, but the dancers are quite skilled. When you don’t have to worry about a sprain or permanent injury, you can really push what is possible,” I replied as a bunch of oil poured over my models in the display and they began wrestling to the cheers of the crowd.

“You think Foxy knows, what is being done with her image?” the man asked me.

“Of course. She is quite competent after all,” I replied.

“It just seems, a bit much, all of this,” he said.

“So, what are you doing here? If not to enjoy the view?” I asked.

“Oh, I am enjoying it. But I am also here on business,” he answered. “This is a popular destination for various corporate functions. Even if it is a bit much,” he replied while looking at the dancers.

“Well, no one is forced to come here, and it is safe,” I replied.

“What about you? Are you just here to enjoy the view?” he asked me.

“An inspection. I am part of the Fanged Fox Guild, just doing a visual audit,” I replied.

“So, you are part of the Vulpine Vanguard,” he said with a nod.

“Vulpine Vanguard?” I asked in confusion.

“The popular term for Foxy’s devoted followers. I am surprised you haven’t heard of it. It has been catching on lately,” he said.

“It must have escaped my attention, I have a busy schedule,” I replied.

“Well, your hair and build are quite close to Foxy Blight herself. So, you aren’t a devoted follower of hers, why join up?” he asked.

“Benefits. A girl has to eat. So, your corporation, what do they do?” I asked back.

“Insurance. As dry as it gets, but one of the perks of middle management is having team building events in a place like this. Maybe. Do you want to get a drink?” he asked. I hesitated, since I hadn’t been on a date in a long time. But there was no commitment, it wasn’t worth overthinking anything.

“Very well. Lead the way, masked man,” I said.

“Of course, masked woman. I heard the Fang And Tail Tavern has good drinks,” he said.

“Expensive. You might have a decent salary as a middle manager for an insurance company, but can you afford drinks here?” I asked.

“Company tab. Cheaper and less chance of something happening in game. This is a networking opportunity with an esteemed auditor of the Fanged Fox Guild. How do you even get a position like that anyway?” the man asked.

“Connections. Powerful connections,” I joked and told the truth at the same time.

“Drat. I seem to have run out of those,” he said as we made our way into the Fang And Tail Tavern. I pulled out a guild token of the highest level and we were instantly shown to a second floor balcony seat bypassing other people waiting.

“I have more than enough pull around here,” I said as I put the token away.

“Well, thank you masked woman. Allow me to pay for drinks at the very least,” he said as we sat down.

“Welcome to the Fang And Tail Tavern, I am your server Jessica. The meal of the day is a meat dish. We also have a selection of drinks,” she said. I watched as the man hesitated after seeing the menu and the prices.

“I will have a Foxy Special,” I said. That was a green type drink, with darker green cubes of ice that looked like chunks. It had a slight poisonous effect, but was quite tasty, supposedly. Everything still tasted like the Murk Swamp to me unfortunately. It was priced at 10 silver, which was around 70 dollars. Expensive, but not horribly so.

“I might be in trouble,” the masked man muttered. I didn’t say anything as he put in an order for a much cheaper drink.

“Company credit not that much?” I asked.

“My apologies, I didn’t realize how expensive, this place would be,” he said.

“It is fine. If anything it is amusing. So, enjoying Exponential?” I asked.

“Not really. I don’t like fighting. And it is all fake. I prefer the real world,” he said and took off his mask.

“I am Andrew,” he said introducing himself.

“April,” I replied as I removed my mask as well.

“You really are a Foxy fan, you look exactly like her,” he said.

“Well one could say that Foxy is copying my appearance, but popularity has a way of distorting things,” I replied, and Andrew chuckled.

“Your drinks,” the server came back. I picked up mine and sipped it. I had a hard time making out the taste, unfortunate, but expected.

“You don’t like it? It looks disturbing?” Andrew asked.

“Perhaps you can tell me how it tastes,” I said and pushed my drink across the table. He picked it up and gave it a slight sniff before taking a sip.

“Refreshing, but there is a zing. I am poisoned?!”

“A minor effect that is part of the process. It isn’t deadly. Nothing to worry about. Still, I am glad it tastes good.”

“You can’t taste it?” he asked.

“The problem is residual capsule sensory overload. I have full immersion on. And I have to taste several powerful things as part of my job. Unfortunately, that has distorted my taste of everything else,” I replied.

“Is that legal or safe?”

“It is legal after the number of waivers I have signed. As for safe, it is just taste, and it was my choice as part of my job. I knew the risks going in,” I replied.

“An auditor job is that dangerous?” Andrew asked.

“The most dangerous. Kicking ass and taking names is part of the job. And auditor is one of many hats I wear at work. What about you and your insurance company?” I asked.

“Underwriting. I work out the risks related to specific insurance products to help price them appropriately,” he replied.

“And an AI can’t do it?” I asked.

“We have computer programs, but they need to be checked and looked at holistically. Maybe one day we will all be replaced by AI. I mean QAI supposedly built Exponential and it is quite impressive,” Andrew said. QAI was beyond imagination, but I wasn’t going to share that with anyone. Not when it secretly controlled the world to an insane degree. Better stay on the right side of our future QAI overlord.

“I find the most important thing is enjoying what you do. I have actually been stepping back from some of my roles as new people are brought on board. The only constant is change,” I said.

“Working to make a living in a game, but not streaming, it feels weird. Things really do change,” he said.

“Your company looking to sell insurance in game?” I asked.

“It is being considered, but we don’t understand the risks, probabilities, or what would be lost if certain events did happen. It is unlikely that we will enter the marketplace any time soon, but it is unregulated unlike insurance in the real world so it is being considered. My company might even consider trying to pitch your big boss about insuring places in this town one day,” Andrew explained.

He set the drink back down and pushed it back over to me. I picked it up as I enjoyed the moment. Nothing would happen between us. While sleeping with a man in game wouldn’t be a scandal, it wasn’t something I wanted. This might be a town of debauchery, but I wasn’t about to be pulled into such things. I had enough problems to worry about without adding in personal drama to the mix.

“I don’t think insurance will catch on in game, but you never know,” I replied with a shrug.

“If we could work out the risks, maybe. But you are probably right. So, go on any quests lately? Or is that a bit too corny?” Andrew asked.

“A bit too investigative. Such things are considered top secret. Since even insurance companies are involved, I am not about to talk about such things,” I replied.

“Ah, sorry about that. I don’t suppose you want to meet up outside of this place?” he asked me, and I shook my head.

“I appreciate the offer, but it just wouldn’t work out. Even if you are a bit cute,” I replied.

“A shame. At least I am cute,” Andrew said with a slight smile.

“Also consider the drinks are on me. Feel free to order whatever you want. I need to get back to work,” I replied and pulled out a gold coin. I set it on the table and got up. Andrew got up as well.

“Thank you for your time,” he said politely.

“Good luck in Exponential. I suggest you get over your aversion to fighting if you want to progress,” I said and turned away while putting my mask back on.

A minor diversion while I looked at the work Quant Z had been doing in person. Everything was very well managed just like I expected. The man was meticulous. As for Andrew, he was a nice distraction to talk to, but my problems wouldn’t go away just by looking at a cute face.

It would be easy to sit back and rest. To take my money and retire. But this conversation reminded me of my past life. If my past self could visit me now, she would slap me silly. My friend Beth would have slapped me silly as well for thinking about retiring.

Sure, it was hard to stay on top, but I didn’t want a boring life. I wanted to stay at the top as the god player. I was Foxy Blight, the player everyone dreamed about. The pinnacle of success. It was a bit of ego trip, but when you have prostitutes cosplaying you, your ego can’t get much bigger.

It would be interesting to see how far I could go as my advantages due to future knowledge rapidly decreased. I might stumble and fall, but I refused to give up. I would give it my all until I was defeated. I wanted to see just how far I could go since I knew I would regret it if I retired now.

While my new determination wouldn’t change my current plans of moving away from my guild, that was fine. It was no longer just my guild. I had to think of new plans and schemes to fight the greedy politicians and rich investors. Never again would I be pushed down by others.