章節 3: Ten Years Later

"Today is the tenth anniversary of the disappearance of Echo, the once in a million years genius gamer who passed the final test of undergraduates while being an elementary schooler." The television droned on, "Where he went, no one knows. Echo's moved off the grid. In other news..."

"I've taught you all I can Echo. However, today, I have three presents. First, you are going to high school as per law. Secondly, you are not to be called by your given name; you are Lance. I have gone to great lengths to get you a fake identity. You are never to bring up Echo until you have arrived at the top of the gaming world as Lance. Finally, I'm leaving, but I have gotten a Vr headset, and PanzerZone as I promised. Remember, never bring out your true skill until you are at the top. That is all, and now I leave." Rasputin said, eyes glaring at Echo.

"Remember what I have taught you. Also, you are getting a job as a bodyguard for Ceo of Rasphere Co.'s daughter Laney. I'll send you there. I've taught you martial arts as well if you remember. Do not disgrace me, even though I'll not be with you."

"Thank you, Rasputin. And I will Sir!" Echo responded, "I'll make sure never to disgrace you!"

"Good." Rasputin's voice echoed throughout Echo's ears, "Goodbye Son." A white light entirely enveloped Echo, teleporting him in front of a 40 story skyscraper.

Echo took out his wallet and put both of his identifications and licenses in it. "Time to start." he sighed, "Hopefully this CEO knows Rasputin. Or else this may get awkward."

Echo leisurely walked up the steps to the entrance and pushed open the doors. Seeing no one, he started towards the sleek elevator.

He pushed the button, waiting for the elevator with crossed arms.

'Ding'

He stepped into the elevator and punched in the top floor.

'Identification Required'

Echo sighed, "Lance, password ####."

'Ding'

'Arrived at the destination.'

The door opened to a luxurious penthouse suite filled with odd commodities and treasures. Echo slowly stepped out, admiring the sheer amount of junk inside.

"Ah, Lance! You're here!" A voice chuckled, "I'm in the room to your left."

"Hmm." Echo nodded, opening the door to find a study room filled to the brim with papers and books. Pencils and pens were scattered about the place and floor, making the room look clustered.

"You know your duties right Lance?" The man sighed, "I forgot to say, my name is Chuck. Anyways, Laney is at school. Thus to protect her, you are going there too..."

"Okay." Echo nodded, "Is it a gaming school?" He asked curiously, "I have a certain degree of expertise in gaming."

"Hmm, yes... It is Lance. If you have such expertise, then I'm sure you can help Laney with her work. You are 18 right?"

"Yes, I just turned 18 a few days ago." Lance nodded, "However, what does that have to do with anything?"

"Hmm... Nothing. Coincidences?" Chuck muttered uncertainly, "You wouldn't happen to have been in the class of Echo would you?"

Echo stiffened, "No, but I was in the same grade." His eyes glared, "Anyways, shouldn't Laney be back by now?" Echo diverted the conversation, "Should I pick her up?"

"Yes, I would've already picked her up, but you were coming, so I couldn't. You can go pick her up, maybe a good bonding experience."

"Will do, in what car should I pick her up... I assume you have multiple cars?" Echo inquired, "Do you have the keys?"

Chuck ignored the question of multiple cars. Instead, he handed Echo a set of keys saying, "Purple Lamborghini, in the garage. Got it for fun, and because of a song. Now shoo, I have work to do."

Chuck turned back to the papers in his hand, reading avidly. Echo laughed and headed to the garage after hopping off the elevator.

"Purple Lamborghini? Really? Skrillex?" Echo laughed, "Alright here it is. Ooh! Aventador!" He opened the doors and revved the engine. "Here I come!" He cried, after getting onto the street.

"WHEEEEEEEEEEE!" He squealed as he raced down the streets, "FUN!"

20 Minutes Later

"Why isn't my dad here?" Laney muttered, "Maybe a meeting? Oh! Nevermind here he is!" Her blue eyes brightened, "Finally!"

Echo pulled up, stopping beside Laney, "Yo! Your dad said for me to pick you up!" His eyes flashed, Laney was pretty. Not that she was his type, (He wasn't a pedophile) but she was cute.

Laney looked at Echo suspiciously, "You are?"

"I'm Lance; your dad has assigned me to help you with homework and be your bodyguard." Echo said carefully, "If you don't believe me, I'll call him."

"Please do. I'm not stupid. If you are, you'll call Chuck and let me talk to him." Laney said, slowly backing away.

"Alright, to prove it, I'll call him." Echo sighed, dialing Chuck.

"Yo Chuck! Laney wants confirmation, yeah, she's safe. Yep. Mmkay. Here you go." Echo said, handing Laney his phone.

"Hey, dad?" Laney asked tentatively, "He's my bodyguard and mentor?"

"Yep." Chuck said, "Listen, you did good asking first. Most people wouldn't ask confirmation, but thankfully you did. If you hadn't maybe he wouldn't have been good. Anyways, you can trust him."

Laney handed Echo's phone back and clambered into the car. She buckled in, "So, you any good at games? I'd assume so, but..."

"Good?" Echo laughed, driving off, "I'd hope so too. But..." His eyes flashed, "I'm decent." he said after some deliberation.

"Hmm... Okay..." Laney agreed slowly, "How about we play some PanzerZone when we get back?"

"Are you sure?" Echo asked, "That's my forte, and..." He stopped, "Sorry, I can't say more."

"Why not?" Laney asked curiously, "I'm sure you can. You wanna look cool."

"No, I really can't say more. But if I were to go all out..." Echo left the threat there. "Let's just say you wouldn't stand a rat's ass of winning."

"Hah! Sure." Laney laughed, "You're funny."

"Nah, but whatever." Echo replied cooly, "We're here."

"Haha! I'm going to cream you! I'll show you how good you are!" Laney said smugly, "Little cracker!"

"Ayy! That was mean!" Echo joked, "No need for the talk, get your set. I'll set mine up. After I get a room."

Echo stepped out of the elevator with Laney. He talked with Chuck about where he was going to stay.

"Well, you could use the spare bedroom here." Chuck said, tossing a card to Echo, "That's your key." after which Chuck turned back to his book to read.

"Cool." Echo took his backpack, which he'd left in Chuck's office, and lugged it into his new room. He opened it up, pulling out his top of the line headset.

He walked across the hall to Laney's bedroom and knocked.

"Come in!" Laney called, "Get ready for DEATH!"

"Hah! In your dreams!" Echo laughed, bantering with Laney as he pulled out his account card.

"Oh my gosh! Is that a first edition premium card?" Laney cried, "You've been playing for 12 years?"

"Yep." Echo said casually, "I bet you wanna know my username... Get onto the lobby, I'll find you."

"Ooh! I bet you're in the top 1000 right? Lemme guess... 856!" Laney spoke excitedly, "Are you Hellfire?" Laney cried, "I swear if you are I'll faint!"

"Get on." Echo said as he popped on the helmet, which Laney followed suit.

"You haven't changed your avatar right?" Echo asked, "If you have, tell me your IGN."

"PinkFluffyUnicorns is my IGN," Laney said embarrassedly "I changed my avatar to a human with four arms."

"Okay," Echo affirmed, logging into his account. He searched around, before remembering he was in the wrong lobby. He changed hall to the beginner lobby, before finding Laney.

Echo sat down before meeting her in-game. He stealthily snuck up behind her, before vanishing within the crowd of players. He tapped her on the shoulder, and whispered into her ear, "Do not say my name out loud. If you do, you'll kill me..."

"Why?" She asked before he turned her around. Her eyes widened, almost popping out of their sockets. She screamed, the shriek alerting thousands of players in the vicinity.

"Oh. It's just a newbie, and HOLY FUCK IS THAT CREEDOFUNITY" A player cried, "OH MY GOD IT IS! EVERYBODY IT'S CREEDOFUNITY!"

"WHAT? NO WAY! WHY WOULD HE BE HERE AND... OH WOW, HE IS!" This shout rang out from the crowd.

"See?" Echo shook his head at Laney, "Now you know my misery. Party up quick, or we'll become pasta." he said as he sent a party request to Laney.

She quickly accepted, which sent them to the private party lounge.

Laney started hyperventilating, "You are the number one player in PanzerZone?!" she asked heavily, "Now I understand."

"Yep, but, this is the American server. Not the world server. I'm waiting to get into that. Anyways, wanna spar? I can give you some pointers." Echo smiled, "You know, not many people get to do so."

"Fine! Since you insist, I won't refuse. Once I beat you, I'll be better than you!" Laney said, shaking a bit, "Wow, who'dve thought?"

"What?" Echo eyed Laney wearily, "You want to spar or no?"

"Yes you imbecile!" Laney cried, "Let's go."