FANTASY GAME
CHAPTER 6: NOSTRADAMUS DECIDES TO LEAD
The Frostfang Wilderness was slowly disappearing behind them as Nixon Ballot, Sukishi, and Nostradamus continued their journey.
Nixon was still shivering from the cold, while Sukishi walked ahead with her usual serious expression.
Nostradamus suddenly stopped walking.
"My dear teammates, I believe it is time we had a conversation."
Nixon turned around.
"What's wrong?"
Nostradamus adjusted his elegant English outfit and looked at both of them.
"The second phase of this game has begun. From this moment onward, I intend to take command of our team."
Sukishi looked at him calmly.
"And what exactly does that mean?"
"It means that if you wish for my protection, you must accept me as your leader. You will follow my instructions, even when you disagree with them. Disobedience will have consequences."
Nixon blinked.
"Wait a minute. Are you seriously trying to become our boss?"
Nostradamus smiled politely.
"Not merely your boss, my dear fellow. Your leader. There is a considerable difference."
He clasped his hands behind his back.
"I am an autocrat. I make the decisions, I establish the rules, and I expect obedience. I have no intention of allowing unnecessary arguments to endanger our survival."
For several seconds, neither teammate responded.
Then Nostradamus asked the question directly.
"Are you willing to accept my leadership?"
Sukishi answered without hesitation.
"Of course. I have no objection to following someone competent enough to lead us."
Nostradamus nodded approvingly.
"Excellent. I appreciate your cooperation."
He turned toward Nixon.
"And you, my dear fellow?"
Nixon stared at him.
"Do I have a choice?"
"Naturally. You may refuse and attempt to survive without my protection."
Nixon looked at Sukishi, then remembered the monsters they had encountered in the Frostfang Wilderness.
He remembered how his Lightning Bolt had failed, how his Mystic Armor had barely protected him, and how his teammates had eliminated their enemies with ridiculous ease.
He sighed.
"Fine. I don't have much of a choice anyway. I'll follow you."
Nostradamus smiled.
"Splendid. Then our arrangement is settled."
He raised one finger.
"However, I expect you to learn, Nixon. I am not interested in carrying an incompetent teammate forever. If you wish to remain with us, you must gradually become more capable."
Nixon frowned.
"Could you at least say that in a less insulting way?"
"No."
Sukishi almost smiled.
Nixon groaned.
"I've made a terrible decision."
Before anyone could respond, the surrounding environment began to distort.
A brilliant light enveloped the three players.
Nixon shielded his eyes.
"What's happening now?!"
A familiar voice echoed throughout the area.
"CONGRATULATIONS, SURVIVING PLAYERS!"
It was the Ultimate Announcer.
"YOU HAVE COMPLETED THE FIRST PHASE OF THE GAME! MOST OF YOU HAVE SURVIVED LONG ENOUGH TO DEVELOP YOUR ABILITIES, ACQUIRE EXPERIENCE, AND REACH LEVEL TWO!"
Nixon looked around.
"Most of us? How many players actually survived?"
The announcer ignored his question.
"YOUR NEXT CHALLENGE WILL TEST SOMETHING FAR MORE COMPLICATED THAN YOUR ABILITY TO FIGHT MONSTERS!"
The light intensified.
Then everything disappeared.
When Nixon opened his eyes, he was standing in the middle of a massive city.
Tall buildings stretched toward the sky. Roads crossed between enormous commercial districts, and digital billboards illuminated the streets.
Vehicles moved through intersections while crowds of people walked along the pavements.
For a moment, Nixon thought he had returned to the real world.
Then he noticed the other players.
Hundreds of them had appeared throughout the city, some gathering in groups while others stared at their surroundings in confusion.
Some wore expensive-looking armor. Others carried swords, magical staffs, or weapons Nixon couldn't identify.
A few players were already examining their status windows.
Nixon turned toward his teammates.
"Where are we?"
Nostradamus studied the surrounding buildings.
"A city, evidently."
Nixon gave him an annoyed look.
"I KNOW IT'S A CITY! I MEAN, WHY ARE WE HERE?"
Nostradamus chuckled.
"Ah. That is a considerably better question."
Suddenly, every digital billboard in the city went black.
A giant image of the Ultimate Announcer appeared across the screens.
His masked face stared down at the players.
"ATTENTION, PLAYERS! WELCOME TO THE SECOND PHASE OF FANTASY GAME!"
The entire city fell silent.
"YOUR NEXT CHALLENGE IS SIMPLE TO UNDERSTAND, BUT FAR MORE DIFFICULT TO COMPLETE!"
A map appeared on the billboards, displaying several different cities.
"YOU WILL BE ASSIGNED TO SEPARATE CITIES. YOUR OBJECTIVE IS TO SURVIVE FOR FIFTY DAYS!"
The players began murmuring among themselves.
"Fifty days?"
"Are we supposed to fight monsters for fifty days straight?"
"What happens if we fail?"
The announcer continued.
"EVERY CITY WILL EXPERIENCE SERIOUS CRISES AND PROBLEMS. THESE MAY INCLUDE RESOURCE SHORTAGES, SOCIAL CONFLICTS, DANGEROUS THREATS, AND OTHER EMERGENCIES!"
The map changed, showing different districts marked in red.
"YOU HAVE TWO CHOICES. YOU MAY ATTEMPT TO SOLVE YOUR CITY'S PROBLEMS AND HELP IT SURVIVE, OR YOU MAY ABANDON YOUR ASSIGNED CITY!"
Several players looked relieved.
"Then we can just leave?"
The announcer's next words extinguished their optimism.
"HOWEVER, ABANDONING YOUR CITY MEANS AUTOMATIC FAILURE!"
The screens flashed red.
"THERE WILL BE NO REWARD FOR THOSE WHO ABANDON THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES. YOU MUST REMAIN IN YOUR ASSIGNED CITY AND SURVIVE THE FULL FIFTY DAYS TO COMPLETE THE CHALLENGE!"
Nixon stared at the screen.
"Wait. So we have to survive for fifty days while dealing with an entire city's problems?"
"CORRECT!" the announcer replied.
"AND REMEMBER: YOU ARE NOT THE ONLY PEOPLE IN THESE CITIES. THEIR INHABITANTS HAVE THEIR OWN LIVES, INTERESTS, AND PROBLEMS. YOUR ACTIONS WILL HAVE CONSEQUENCES!"
Nostradamus's expression changed slightly.
For the first time since the group had entered the city, he appeared genuinely interested.
"How fascinating."
Sukishi looked at him.
"What are you thinking?"
Nostradamus adjusted his collar.
"This challenge is fundamentally different from the previous one. We are no longer dealing exclusively with enemies that can be defeated through combat. We must understand the city, identify its problems, and determine which actions will produce the most favorable outcomes."
Nixon nodded slowly.
"So basically, we're playing a city-management game?"
"Precisely, my dear fellow. Except that failure has considerably more serious consequences."
The announcer continued.
"YOUR ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED SHORTLY! YOU WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO CHOOSE YOUR CITY!"
A notification appeared before every player.
PHASE TWO: CITY SURVIVAL.
OBJECTIVE: SURVIVE FOR 50 DAYS.
SECONDARY OBJECTIVE: ADDRESS YOUR CITY'S CRISES.
FAILURE CONDITION: ABANDONING YOUR ASSIGNED CITY.
WARNING: CITY CONDITIONS MAY CHANGE DURING THE CHALLENGE.
Nixon opened his status window.
NAME: NIXON BALLOT.
LEVEL: 2.
CLASS: UNASSIGNED.
SPECIAL ABILITIES: NONE.
He stared at the screen.
"Wonderful. I'm still the weakest person here, and now I'm supposed to help manage an entire city."
Nostradamus placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Do not concern yourself unnecessarily, Nixon. You have already agreed to follow my leadership."
Nixon looked at him suspiciously.
"What exactly are you planning to do?"
Nostradamus smiled.
"First, we shall determine the rules. Then we shall gather information, assess our resources, and identify the most pressing problems. We will not waste time reacting blindly to every crisis that emerges."
Sukishi nodded.
"That sounds reasonable."
Nostradamus's smile widened.
"Excellent. Then remember our agreement. I will make the decisions, and you will carry out your assigned responsibilities."
Nixon sighed.
"I knew there was going to be a catch."
Before Nostradamus could respond, the system chimed again.
CITY ASSIGNMENTS BEGINNING.
PREPARE FOR TELEPORTATION.
The three teammates exchanged glances.
Their first challenge had tested their ability to survive monsters.
Their second challenge would test their intelligence, cooperation, judgment, and leadership.
And Nostradamus had already decided who would be in charge.
The city lights flickered.
The countdown began.
50 DAYS REMAINING.
Nostradamus calmly adjusted his sleeves.
"Well, my dear teammates, let us see what sort of mess awaits us."
Then the world went white.