End Online: Volume 5 by D. Wolfin Page B

expertise in martial arts is more than enough for me to
survive anything short of the ship sinking. The ship sinking would create a
considerable dilemma, given Lost’s party would also be sent back to their spawn
point. I look at the kingdom insignia on the backs of their right hands, and
frown at the thought of chasing them down again.
    For the purpose of countering every possible outcome, I have
some employees stationed near the spawn locations in both Grenton and Iceridge.
If they do end up dying and respawning, my spies can quickly respond and
continue tracking them until I catch up.
    I notice Lost approach stealthily as I am talking with Henry.
His eavesdropping may go unnoticed by a standard player, but I recognize his
intentions immediately.
    ‘Does he suspect me?’ I inwardly worry as I move away from
him and continue talking to Henry who is beside my real body.
    The biggest shock comes during a storm that hits the boat late
one evening. Four players are blown off the ship by the aftermath of a single
lightning bolt. When they climb back onto the ship, they are all afflicted with
a terrible cold from the icy waters of the ocean, even the companion Fen.
    As the sickness overcomes and weakens the companion, a blinding
light issues from her body. What is revealed from the light is not a girl
anymore, but the body of a massive, snow-white wolf. Fragments of the red dress
she once wore float about in the air, before the stormy winds catch them and
carry them off into the sky.
    Seeing the wolf, I immediately recall the day when Henry
informed me about the ‘children’ that the master AI entity ‘Xilbril’ gave birth
to. They have strange abilities, capable of affecting the game around them.
Some are in the form of NPCs, while others play at being various monsters. What
is to stop them from changing in between the two?
    While thinking of how this child AI has attached itself to Lost
in the game, my mind becomes blank and my heart turns cold.
    ***************************************************
***************************************************
    -Lost-
    Fen’s massive wolf body causes the ship to list sideways as one
side drops dangerously low, threatening to sink into the ocean. She is lightly
panting and her eyes remain closed.
    Her wolf form is slightly different than when I first met her
though. Back then she was only about three meters tall and five meters long.
Although she is currently lying down on her side, if she were to stand up she
would be four meters tall and seven meters long; truly a queen among beasts.
    Apart from Sir Laurence, everyone is staring at the wolf with
their mouths open. The only sounds that can be heard are the whistling of the
wind and crack of thunder in the sky.
    “L-lost!?” Mason shouts out in disbelief, “Since when w-was
she!?”
    “S-She isn’t a player?” CaptainGordon stares stupidly and even
forgets to speak in a pirate accent.
    Seeing Verde’s dumbfounded look, I am now one hundred percent
certain about her having amnesia. Sir Laurence spares a glance toward her as
well, coming to the same conclusion. Suddenly, I have a small hope that seeing
Fen in this form may actually help bring some memories back to Verde.
    “W-w-what is s-she?!” Moonkite points her finger at the
motionless wolf, stammering half from shock and half from the bone-chilling
cold she must be feeling as much as I am.
    A lot of eyes fall on me for answers, and I find myself unable
to think of a response.
    Taking a deep breath, I repeat the same explanation I once gave
Mason, “She is a ‘companion’. I have a quest to find her missing father, or at
least find out what happened to him. There are no specific clues as of yet, so
we travel a lot in search of answers.”
    Everyone stares incredulously, but still manages to accept my
explanation.
    “Lost, this may be able to help spark some memories in Verde.
Can you make her small again?”  Sir
Laurence’s voice sounds in my mind as he sends a