She Rules the Dungeon

After the live stream, Otta's dungeon received a sudden surge in downloads. Within the week, the number of downloads exceeded twenty thousand, putting Otta in the top fifty newcomer spots in Dungeon Ranking e-news. This brought the young woman both joy and stress. While she was happy that it was such a huge success, she was stressed with the mixed reviews it received.

Some were happy with the storyline addition but others compared it with a cheap rip-off of RPG and fairy tales. The comments were sometimes very harsh and even though there were ten other positive reviews for each poor comment, Otta felt extremely affected by chancing across some of those hateful reviews on her official social media page.

Outwardly, Otta behaved as per normal, working on adding new features and creating more dungeons now that her dungeon ranking has increased. She decided on creating her first raid dungeon that requires at least thirty players to complete the stage. Grace knew about it and was excited about the release. However, the adventurer was also worried about her quiet friend. Otta was overworking, neglecting her health in favour of drowning in work.

Michelle called too but Otta pretended that everything was fine, choosing to complain about the amount of work but laughing it away anyways. Deep down, Otta knew her friends were simply worried about her. However, she couldn't let them know how she felt. She was too ashamed to admit that she was affected by hater comments. Logically, Otta understood that with fame, there will be some haters. Every famous celebrity faced this issue so it isn't something to split hairs over. However, emotionally, despite telling herself repeatedly that it was normal, Otta couldn't shake that spark of doubt. While Otta claimed that it was an original creation, was it truly an original creation? The context was very similar to RPGs and some of the characters were borrowed from ancient lores and modern icons.

As such, the downward spiral to depression began. Otta's dungeon making progress slowed and she became afraid of announcing the release as the date drew closer. Grace and Michelle could only watch helplessly as Otta walked the path of self-destruction. They spoke with Adam about this but there was nothing much the scientist could do. He attempted to make contact with PJP's Dr Whitestone and they held a long discussion. Ultimately, even Dr Whitestone was unable to do anything for Otta who had built a wall around her. The red-head merely smiled and politely brushed the man away claiming that the dungeon would require more time and that everything was in place.

Taking matters into her own hand, Grace temporarily moved in with Otta just to ensure that the poor girl wasn't going to collapse. She constantly reminded Otta to eat and take a break. Those eyebags were horrible and Grace wondered if it was her fault for suggesting a dungeon with flying experience.

"Don't be ridiculous!" Michelle chided when Grace confided in the socialite about her insecurities. "It's not your fault or Otta's. Not everyone knows how to deal with fame and you know how sensitive Otta is about other people's opinions. I'm not saying that it is alright for her to react this way but I'm not saying you should take it upon yourself. Otta has to overcome this by herself, it isn't anything that we can do. In fact, it is better that we do not interfere."

Grace pursed her lips. Michelle was right. There was nothing much they could do. However, as a friend, she felt terrible for not being able to help.

"Got it. I'll still keep an eye on her just in case she collapses."

Michelle sighed. "Really Grace, I get that you are worried for her. But Otta's not a little girl. She has to shoulder the responsibility of her life one day. We can't always be there for her."

Grace grimaced. "Well, at least I'm here now."

Michelle said nothing. There was nothing to say because both of them knew how stubborn Grace could get when she sets her mind to something.

"Whatever. Call me again if something happens. Also, you might want to check out the other dungeon creators. Some of them have started copying Otta's ideas. I foresee competition in the near future and a lot of court cases. There is one in particular called Valkyrie Wars. It's a total rip-off from Five Lives."

Grace went to check up on that dungeon immediately after the call ended and gasped at the video preview. Michelle was right. It was definitely someone copying Otta. It was inexcusable and rage flooded the adventurer. First, it was the haters. After the haters, it was a shameless imitator. Grace scrolled down to read the comments and regretted it almost immediately. There were so many people supporting it and claiming that Five Lives was the imitation of Valkyrie Wars despite Five Lives launching a whole week earlier. Grace prayed that the news wouldn't reach Otta. Her friend didn't deserve this.

***

It's been two weeks since Dr Whitestone last spoke with Otta and he hasn't heard from her since. That was odd considering how enthusiastic the red-head was. Five Lives' launch was a huge hit as expected and the scientist was looking forward to more. However, Otta was not replying his calls even though he had good news for her.

A man called Richard Clarkson who had been in the same training batch as Otta came forth to Dr Whitestone with his interest in a collaboration. Richard was a programmer with a physics major background. The man was what Otta needed if she wanted to make dungeons that could break through the stale market.

Richard had played Five Lives and found it promising. He intended to launch a dungeon of his own full of customised battles but when the live stream for Five Live came out, he changed his mind of launching his dungeon. He decided to create a new adventurer identity with a guild to try the dungeon out. It proved to be better than what Richard expected. He found the easter egg that wasn't in the preview after several probes and was entranced by the creativity of the creator. Richard approached Dr Whitestone in hopes of meeting Otta to propose a partnership. Unfortunately, Otta was uncontactable.

Fate has it that Richard and Otta would meet regardless. It happened when Grace was called by her guild for an emergency meeting regarding her live stream appearance in Five Lives' debut. Without Grace, Otta was forced to source for her own food. The fridge was empty and Otta knew that she couldn't ignore the signs her body was giving her. It was ridiculous how she was pushing herself because she couldn't get her mind off those hater comments. It wasn't as if they were capable of doing anything much. It was just that minority of shallow-minded people. However, Otta couldn't feel indifferent after reading their poisonous words. It ate at her heart like cancer and it was slowly driving her to the grave.

Richard was bummed. This was the second time and Dr Whitestone wasn't able to get ahold of the elusive Otta Olley. He wondered what kind of woman she was to be able to think of such ideas and incorporate such an unconventional method. Dungeons were money-making machines for both the scientific world and the adventurers. To satisfy both can be heard. Most dungeon creators opt to satisfy their research partners and line their pockets, neglecting the adventurers. That led to the boycott of dungeon monopoly. The government opened up the playing field to amateurs but none of them showed any signs of change despite the complaints received. Not even the ex-adventurer dungeon creators put in any effort to change the concept.

Otta was the only person who took that first step out of the box and forced that stalemate to end. Her actions could be called both courageous and foolish depending on whose side one was from. While Otta managed to secure new and invaluable data for her research partners, her customers were giving her a hard time. Those haters were vicious. However, there were still plenty of adventurers who supported the adventurer spirit and explored the unknown, challenging the dungeon. Five Lives was more than just a money-making machine. Otta was clever to bring in currency into the game that could be exchanged for in-game perks as well as real cash. This made the adventurers more invested in her dungeon as compared to others. From a business' point of view, that was a smart move. It also benefitted adventurers in the long run and Richard wondered Otta was able to think of such a strategy.

Richard spent four hours bugging the staff in PJP until he was thrown out. It was way past lunch and his stomach protested. The programmer had pulled yet another all-nighter playing Five Lives and was badly in need of a coffee and a sandwich. The best place in town for both was no other than John Mcsmeldy's Cafe. The owner made fantastic tuna melt sandwiches and espressos. Richard was a regular there and so was another red-head who stumbled into the cosy cafe.

"One tuna melt sandwich and a double-shot espresso please," Richard groaned as he entered. The owner's daughter, Jillian giggled at Richard's expression.

"Got it, please take a seat."

Just as Richard was going, the red-head came to the counter to place her order. Richard paused. The girl looked familiar. That red hair and freckles... where had he seen them before?

"Can I have an avocado burrito and a tall mocha?"

Jillian grinned. "Of course! You look like you need one badly, Otta. Did you stay up all night tinkering with the dungeon again?"

The red-head known as Otta sighed. "I couldn't sleep."

Killian clicked her tongue and smacked the red-head with her clipboard. "That's what you say every time. I swear Grace needs to drag your sorry ass back and drug you to sleep! Those eyebags are not healthy at all!"

Otta grinned apologetically but Jillian wasn't having any of that. "Get seated, I'll bring them up shortly."

Richard couldn't believe it when he finally put two and two together. Otta... that name was the same as the creator of Five Lives! That red hair and freckles were the same as the girl he saw talking to Dr Whitestone during the training too! He wanted to slam himself into a brick wall for not noticing sooner. Seriously, the effects of sleep-deprivation were devastating.

After Kill left the counter, Richard walked over to where Otta had taken a seat. He had his hands in his pocket in an attempt to look smooth. However, in reality, his heart was going at two hundred miles per hour. His palms were sweaty from nervousness. Approaching someone first wasn't quite Richard's forte. In fact, he was uncomfortable with any face-to-face interactions. Richard was the kind of guy who felt most at home behind a screen with his keyboard and a stable internet connection. However, with this opportunity gifted by fate, he wouldn't pass it up. Who knows how long more he'd have to wait for Dr Whitestone to finally crack through Otta's defences with a reply.

He reached the table and counted in pi to the twentieth digit before mustering enough courage to speak.

"Hey," Richard started and wasn't quite sure where to steer the conversation after this when Otta looked up.

"Yes?" she squeaked and Richard mentally face-palmed. She looked as if he was out to eat her and the programmer died a little. How could they talk without feeling awkward?

Thankfully, Jillian chose this time to appear with both their orders.

"Oh? You know each other?"

Flustered by the question and not really thinking, Richard stuttered. "We were from the same training batch with Dr Whitestone... I just came to say hi..."

Jillian looked at Richard's red face to Otta before placing both orders on Otta's table. "In that case, I'll not interrupt. Seems like some really important complicated dungeon making mechanics you're going to be talking about. If you need a drink refill just holler for me, I'll be in the kitchen!"

After Jillian left, Richard continued to stand by the table awkwardly until Otta invited him to take a seat in an equally awkward manner. They started up a small conversation of small talk while trying not to choke and stutter. Richard had never felt so stiff in all his life and it was weird talking to a person of the opposite sex about non-work related matters. It was his first time and Richard didn't know what was appropriate and what wasn't.

"How did you know that we were in the same batch?" Otta decided to ask, unable to hide her curiosity any longer.

Finally, a question Richard could answer! He sighed in relief mentally and smiled. "I saw you talking to Dr Whitestone during the break on the first day. Couldn't help but overhear some of your ideas since I was in the front row. I have to say, I'm a huge fan of Five Lives and have been trying to find you again. Unfortunately, Dr Whitestone said that you haven't been answering his calls. It was pure luck to have met you here of all places."

Otta raised a brow, her curiosity growing. "You were looking for me? Also, how did you know about Five Lives?"

Richard deadpanned. "What are you talking about? Five Lives has been ranked as the top five most innovative new dungeons on Dungeon Weekly. I bet you didn't read the e-news. Many scientists have given it a high rank as one of the pioneer dungeons that will change how dungeons work in future. Not to mention, the amount of attention it has gathered among adventurers. many guilds are looking into alliances ever since your announcement for launching a thirty member raid dungeon. Have you been living under a rock all these time? How do you not know news concerning your own creation? Besides, I don't know what you've been up to but there are several other creators imitating your dungeon. I'll have to give it to them for trying. They work fast but none of them could replicate what you had. Who knew that you'd be sneaky enough to include easter eggs within the game?"

Otta couldn't believe her ears. Richard was telling her so many things at once that her brain malfunctioned. Opting to add more caffeine into her system, Otta took a long draught from her mocha. Once the coffee started to kick in, Otta tried to understand what Richard was telling her.

"Sorry about that. I've not been my best these past few weeks. You were saying that there are imitators? Also, they are waiting for my raid dungeon? Wait... you found the easter egg? That's fast! What kind of skills did you integrate? Did you even complete Seer Reina's prophecy quest?"

Richard grinned and showed her a victory sign. "I ran through all three job classes until where the storyline was paused. Tried all the subclasses and skillsets too. I did find a few bugs in your development but don't worry, they mainly cause small glitches. Nothing that a log out won't solve. However, I must say, adding a sneaky healer class option was a fantastic idea! I liked the summoning class better though. The progress at the start was slow but after initialisation, it was like playing chess. Zero damage and record time clearing the triple S difficulty run for your first dungeon."

Otta was amazed. Hearing it from Richard made everything so unreal but she couldn't stop the joy from overwhelming her.

"Thank goodness..." Otta cried. Burying her face in her hands, she felt all the weight from her shoulders melt away with her tears.

On the other hand, Richard panicked, unsure of what he did wrong to make the lady cry. Jillian signalled to the panicking programmer from behind the counter to offer Otta a tissue. Obediently, Richard complied.

Otta took the tissue and blew her nose into it when the tears stopped. She felt so much better than she did in the last few weeks.

"Sorry you had to see that," Otta began but Richard shook his head.

"It's fine. I bet it must have been tough with all those haters everywhere."

The red-head didn't answer but Richard knew it at once that it was true. He'd heard the rumours and saw some of the horrible anti-fans in action. It wasn't pretty but he didn't know Otta was dealing with it so poorly. He felt pity for his fellow dungeon creator. Richard was downright pissed when Valkyrie Wars made its debut. Anyone could tell that it was a complete rip-off from Five Lives but that didn't stop the hater from adding oil to the fire.

"Hey, you're a great dungeon creator," Richard told Otta. The red-head looked up and Richard swallowed. It was now or never.

"I'm very interested in seeing how far Five Lives could go. If you're not against it, I would like to become your business partner. I didn't introduce myself properly earlier but my name is Richard Clarkson. I'm a programmer who dabbled a little in dungeon making. I intended to launch my own dungeon but after Five Lives came out, I wanted to become the strength behind the person who came up with such an interesting concept."

He pushed his name card over to Otta and finished the remaining of his sandwich and coffee. "If you're interested in pushing the limits of dungeon making, please contact me. I'll be taking my leave now, haven't slept at all since yesterday. It was great to finally meet you. Just know that regardless of your decision, I'm a huge fan of Five Lives. Look forward to the release of your raid dungeon patch!"

Jillian beamed as Richard walked away. She gave him an encouraging wink and Richard grinned back. Otta stared at the name card in her hand and chewed numbly.

What just happened?