Hacking the Game Didn't Go as Intended [Part One]

CHAPTER 9: Survival Tactics

The children observed the silver-haired boy, their expressions ranging from skepticism to curiosity as his words enveloped them. Gathered in a group of little over a dozen, they included four particularly notable individuals: a Wolfkin boy exuding an aura of overconfidence; an older girl with rabbit ears; a younger human girl clinging to a stuffed bear; and a plump boy of the same race.

It's pretty surprising he can be packing so much weight while living in the slums, Daisuke thought inwardly. He's... not a cannibal, is he?

"Hey, fatso," the Wolfkin called with a scathing grin. "How can you look like that when everyone else here is all skin 'n bones? What've you been eating?"

Looks like I wasn't the only one with that chain of thought, Daisuke pondered with an awkward smile. Then he cleared his throat, breaking up their banter.

"To ease the tension," he suggested, "how about we break the ice by introducing ourselves and sharing a bit about our aspirations. I'll start, then we can go around the group."

In response, the Wolfkin clicked his tongue and crossed his arms with an unfriendly scowl. Daisuke laughed awkwardly, suppressing a wicked urge, but he took a calming breath and prepped a pleasant mask.

"I'm Haxks, a seven-year-old who's spent my whole life here in the slums with my mother. My mission is to revitalize our community, to lift everyone up so we can all thrive and lead better lives."

The Wolfkin rolled his eyes mockingly while the other children listened intently, evidently captivated by the conviction in the words.

"My name is Mia," the bunny-eared girl introduced in a velvety tone. "I'm ten years old, and my lifelong dream is to become an apothecary so that I can help those in need."

As all eyes turned to the little girl with pigtails, she clutched her bear tighter and buried her face in Mia's clothes.

"This is April and Mr. Honeykins," Mia introduced with a warm smile, gently stroking the girl's hair. "She says she wants to become my assistant when I become an apothecary."

"I-I'm Ribbit," stammered the stubby human boy, his gaze shyly fixed on his toes. "I'm eight years old and I love food. My dream is to become a chef so that I can prepare delicious meals for everyone."

"I think you meant all for yourself," accused the Wolfkin with a sly grin. "Anyway, as you all know, I'm Brek, nine years old. My dream is to become an adventurer and journey across the world."

At the end of the introductions, Daisuke descended from the podium, his gaze sweeping across the gathered faces to which he could now assign names. "I understand that some of you may have doubts about my proposal," he began, his tone earnest. "Truth be told, I have my own reservations as well. But I truly believe this is a necessary evil to bring about positive change in our community."

"I agree," Mia chimed in sweetly, her voice carrying an aura of unbiased affection. "Personally, I don't think we even need to consider this as a long-term solution; we could pool our earnings and invest in agriculture. That way, we wouldn't need to worry about food."

Exchanging hopeful glances, the children nodded in unison, their heads bobbing up and down like synchronized metronomes as whispers of agreement rippled through the group.

"That's a genius idea," Brek exclaimed with a mischievous grin, shooting Ribbit a teasing glance. "Working the fields would totally whip some people into shape—because let's face it, they could definitely use the workout!"

A chorus of laughter erupted from the children, and Ribbit blushed furiously. "...And you," he countered with an unimpressive scowl. "Instead of a horse, you can be the cart-pulling dog!"

"What?" Brek snapped, his eyes narrowing in disbelief as some of his peers chuckled. "What's that, you fatty?"

Mia ignored the back-and-forth banter between the two boys and knelt in front of April. The little girl's cute pigtails framed her round face, and her shy eyes peeked out from under the veil of her bangs.

With a smile, Mia gently caressed the stuffed animal's head, her voice brimming with kindness as she spoke, "Maybe we can find some friends for Mr. Honeykins to play with, if things go well. Wouldn't that be nice?"

"H-Hn!" the toddler nodded eagerly, her eyes gleaming with excitement as she embraced her cherished toy.

Daisuke's smile widened as he observed the tender scene unfolding before him. Amidst the playful banter between Ribbit and Brek, a palpable sense of camaraderie began to blossom among the other children.

The air, once heavy with tension and uncertainty, was now filled with laughter and shared moments of connection. It was as if a veil had been lifted, revealing the warmth and companionship that had always been there, waiting to be embraced.

PIT-PAT.

Daisuke raised his hand, palm up, as a droplet of rain tapped his head. Tilting his head back, he observed the overcast sky. The sun, just moments ago peeking through the clouds, was now swallowed up entirely.

To a child in Dusthaven, rain was harmless, even fun, but to an orphan in the slums, it was a force to be feared. Without family or guardians, illness could spell death for these children. While others might see a fever as a mere inconvenience, for an abandoned child, it could be fatal.

As the rain intensified into an unrelenting downpour, the children scurried into an old abandoned wagon wedged against the building's wall. Its roof, badly mended with hay and trash, barely held off the leaks.

Outside, the wind gusted, and inside, the children huddled together, shivering from the cold. Daisuke could hear their stomachs grumbling and the soft cries of those who couldn't endure much longer. Their faces were etched with grief and suffering, wearing a sorrowful mask no child should bear.

Unbeknownst to him, Daisuke began to see these people as more than just strings of data. They were real human beings, like him, craving warmth and comfort, harboring dreams and aspirations, and experiencing hurt and loneliness. How then, were these children any different from real human beings?

Fear of monsters & the unknown: 87.4%