Chapter 7


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    So, the fourth day of life outside the comfort of my parents'' home.


    Alive, unharmed, cheerful. Got a place to live and a steady income. I saw a living dead man, a werewolf, a witch. Teleported a dozen times to different distances. Picked on a girl with a tail. I have infiltrated a secret organization of delivery. I learned about the existence of an incomprehensible phenomenon codenamed "unreal".


    I dread to think what will be there by the end of the month. How can I go back to my cozy attic after all this?


    "Hello, folks!" I hand my phone to the storekeeper, and he almost immediately hands over a thick envelope with something that looks like a book. "Bye, folks!"


    The workday has begun. Today''s slot is for eight hours, with two quest deliveries. Two, so I can get an hour of personal time in the middle of the day with the second one. And if I do it right, in the evening, when I close my shift, I''ll redeem the "ring of invisibility" and activate it at the same time. After that, I''ll be without the bonus again, but that''s bullshit. Teleport plus sneak equals safety! The best defense is to stay away from where something happens.


    "Hello, delivery courier, please open..."


    Each time I pretended to shoot the order intake and scanned the customers. People, just people. Maybe the scanner didn''t have enough power? What''s it based on? How does it recognize this stuff without even touching it?


    Oh, you''d think I''d know how a phone does everything else. I pressed a button and it did it. Electric waves, pièce de résistance... or pi-en? I always get them mixed up. Magic, rituals, divine blessings. Sitting in a Chinese workshop somewhere, a thousand monks methodically praying over a circuit board - why not, in light of what I''ve recently learned?


    However, there are more important questions. For example, the same "employees of the Department" - and on what basis do they actually work? How can we prove witchcraft in court? How to explain the detention of the same witch, or, for example, an "umrun" who was inexplicably "discharged". What, without a decision by an authorized authority, they saw him and immediately atomized him? Okay, let''s say the client was undead, but why didn''t they deliver the body to the right place? Whose authority are they under, the Holy Inquisition?


    My dad blew my brains out with these things. His favorite pastime is to watch the show and then explain point by point why it''s not a police procedural, but even a comedy with a fantasy element.


    Come to think of it, what kind of activity does magic qualify under?


    "Hello, order delivery..."


    Innovative technologies? Who controls them? The Ministry of what exactly? Magic is not industry, not minerals... although purely formally, education can be engaged and a cultural moment is involved. So the inspector works for the RONO? Or in the Philharmonic... Thinking about it, I found a list of ministries and federal agencies, it turns out that the magic can go under the Department of Consumer Rights. Do they have an Enforcement Branch?


    Fuck all of them! What makes me think it should even be an official service? They covered themselves with a warranty and no one would even think of them. Technique or mystique? What direction to go in?


    Okay, let''s pretend that this is all really magic and I''m in the game. What am I limited to? The list of available orders. Is there anything more profitable in terms of points? Who distributes this advantageous thing? Brute clearly shows that the normal courier will not chase bonuses and he has not yet had anyone object, not even the storekeeper. Let''s assume that with each level there is not a doubling, at least a significant increase. I now have an "E" and I get seven hundred for a simple messenger quest.


    So, maybe it''s because I''m a "messenger"?


    "Hello, courier... Yes, I got it, I''ll leave it."


    I sat down on the bench outside, putting my bag next to it. There was something so incomprehensible in my head. Like a tail of something important, except... So, I thought - the bonuses are dangerous... because the unreal is addictive... because...


    Right, I remembered. Those words of the inspector about the umrun starting to look for something and automatically switched on the Delivery. So there''s some mechanism for transferring mystical clients to the System. So there''s a steady stream of such clients, right? It''s clear that there is because we''re sitting on quests.


    But if they are there, they are coming from somewhere! And they pay with something! And it is something profitable for the System. That is, we need to understand where this unreal comes from... Okay, let''s make a note here - there is a System. At least not chaos, but something organized. And at a level that is comparable to the state - because the application opens all over the country, I also checked it, the quests are available there. So far it is not clear why we need such a structure, but since it is there...


    "I want order number seventeen-twenty-zero-three."


    Damn, it''s 15 kilos again. How do the poor guys carry that without a system bag? The customers have no conscience, if only they ordered cakes and carried the bottles themselves!


    Okay, there is a structure. And if the Department uses comparable terms, can they be a Department of Delivery? No, it doesn''t work. Until I figure out what the System''s profit from quests and unreal is, I won''t understand where the exit to suppliers of the same "meat" is. And I won''t be able to rise above the level of a courier.


    By the way, where did I get the initial "B" that was enough to see the invitation? I should clarify the question. And again - I saw the plate myself, without the application, that is possible and so?


    "Thank you, have a good day."


    After noting the completion of the order and making sure that I had somehow imperceptibly completed two-thirds of the day''s quota, I finally poked at the "quest" sign and proceeded to complete the task.


    A person may not know that he has cat ears or even that he is not alive at all. And how and who determines if the meat with unreal? Where do miracle cows graze?


    When I received the package from the storekeeper, I immediately checked to see if it was radiating, but the phone placed on the quest parcel did not enrich me. It makes sense, in games quest items are usually useless and are only used by NPCs. So, I must either become an NPC or go on quests that use normal resources. In addition, the bag, cape, and ring are clearly unreal things, but points from them did not drop. That is, the System integrates something and does not intend to share. For the bag I was given access to the system quests, two hundred points apiece - this is for the item, which in theory by its very existence should generate many times more, if not by an order of magnitude!


    We note the second - magic can be separated and the source can be determined, so it''s not just for fun. It''s much more complicated than that. But how do I find out exactly where and why so?


    The quest was simple, and it reminded me of something - I had to stop in one spot in the yard and wait for a strong, steady wind to blow in my back. As I waited, I turned and walked toward the entrance, writhing against the gusts. Some girl walked toward me and judging by her hair, the wind did not exist for her.


    The client, an ordinary gloomy man in his forties, took the package silently. He looks like the most ordinary average man, and behind him is an ordinary apartment. I quickly picked up my phone, while he could not see it, caught it in the lens:


    Wanderer, 24 lv.


    Wow, the first double-digit level, and you wouldn''t know it from the looks of it. Although who would believe it if I revealed my secret side? Besides, half the customers are afraid of viruses and ask to leave the order under the door, so you never know what scary secrets are hiding behind all those doors.


    Honest witches and werewolves might be a lot less intimidating when you meet them.


    I got so bored with all these thoughts repeated more than once that I decided to use up my teleport charge: standing on the stairs, I aimed at the span and swung across several floors in one leap. If I have more charges, I need to check how this thing works under different conditions. Does it only transport an operator or anyone who stands on the "receiving" spot?


    It became so interesting that when I delivered the next order, which was across the street, I checked right there. Poke my finger under my feet, poke the floor a little further, throw a can of soda bought on the way into the receiving blue spot, realizing at the last moment that it was not human and now there would be a "bang-pshh" and a sweet puddle...


    The cola flew out of the orange spot and flew up almost vertically. Barely had time to catch it. What does that mean? That the cake might be a lie, but I''m definitely lucky. A mighty thing, by the way.


    I stroked the ring, which was exactly the right size for some reason, and moved on with the proud gait of a novice wizard. I only noted the need to check to see if Normis could see the spot on the teleporter pad.


    I checked right away, poking myself under my feet. On the white tiles, the blue spot of the teleport stood out so clearly that it was impossible not to notice it. But customers don''t know that word! What''s the point of ordering a rush delivery if you''re going to wash your head?! Only wasted a charge, she with a towel thrown over her, she found the package at all by touch.Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    "Hello, delivery courier... Okay, I can wait five minutes."


    It turns out that not only customers are waiting for couriers, but it also happens the other way around.


    The orders were flying nonstop, I was delivering one when the next one was already coming down. The idea of taking a break was dismissed in a fit of greed, I really wanted to earn more. I did not even have lunch, just turned on the warranty to lose my appetite. Closing the slot immediately took the second, smaller. No matter what you say, it was a meditative way to think along the way. Yes, chewing gum, but somehow it''s all convincing in reality. So would sit in a room and try to put it out of my head, but on the road is nowhere to go, you resign yourself and accept. My legs only hurt.


    After delivering the last order, I finally opened the "special tasks" tab and randomly clicked the first one I saw. Then I remembered that I was kind of under warranty and I should have taken it off, but I couldn''t take it off, could I? What if I get a fine?


    After reading the description, I sighed. I should have taken it in the daytime, now I''m going to have a hard time with it. First, delivery from one part of the city to another, and second, conditions: buy candles in a particular church, thirteen of them. Each one burns the wick over the lamp. Take them... It''s an hour''s drive. Shit. Follow the signs. Hand over the candles.


    No, the usual quest, if you think about it, but what''s the point of all this?


    Why do we need quests at all? What exactly do customers get? I don''t know why I''m bothering!


    Snorting at myself, I opened the bonus store. After completing this quest, I''ll have enough points to buy - my precious! And then I''ll be able to jump right in the street! Why? Well... Isn''t that cool? And I can compare it with the price of teleport - will they give a new level or slightly increase?


    Okay, stop talking yourself into it.


    In fact, I don''t even need to pick up the ring today. Who am I going to test it on? I''ve closed the slot, so I should go home and sleep. And tomorrow I''ll suit up, sit in the hall, and try to get my colleagues to tell me what the hell is going on here.


    The list of bonus equipment, which seemed quite large recently, was now scrolled through in three stops. There was no teleporter on it, which means that my level is insufficient. I can wear it, but I can''t buy it. Twin-gear? Buy a ring, invite someone in, lure them in with a minor miracle? Sounds reasonable.


    At the very end were the protective amulets. It was bad enough that even the cheapest one cost so much that I was itching to start selling fakes. Seventy thousand bonus points and the characteristics are unlocked upon purchase! Two months'' work for a raffle ticket... Yeah, well, that''s to get more people to sit on the delivery. If there''s a goal, it''s somehow easier. Good, at least there are no loot boxes. On the other hand, if there is protective gear, then it can be useful.


    But there has to be a way to score points somehow faster, right?


    And I will find it.


    In the meantime, I have to find these jerks.


    The first marker was found right on the tile at the subway exit. It was like a children''s game - follow the arrow, blue base, red tip. I shrugged and moved on, looking around through the scanner. Hey, this isn''t a shipping simulator any more, it''s a full-fledged adventure. The lights aren''t even on everywhere, and that one over there blinks suspiciously.


    On the broken one, I found cardboard with a two-color arrow and a sign indicating "70 steps". Smartasses, which ones? This quest was the most idiotic so far, the rest felt like some kind of mystery or at least a riddle. Not the kind you want to solve, but the kind that''s interesting to see. And here?


    A break in the fence, edges in blue paint on one side, red on the other. All right, let''s climb. What greed does to people, I mean me. Instead of spitting and going home, I wade through some construction site. God forbid I tear my sneakers, they are my work tool! I have to work three days for the new ones, by the way. Or a day, if I don''t feel pity for my feet.


    I had to turn on the flashlight and look around for monsters. No, everything was deserted. In the distance, I could see houses behind the fence, people living there normally, and only me lurking...


    "Hello? Courier delivery!"


    I thought about homeless people, but what would they do here? Unless the romantics are going to have sexual adventures. What sane person would hang around a construction site right now? It''s not the 20th century, we live in civilized times. By the way, why isn''t there a guard?


    Finally, I found two wires on the ceiling, one blue and one red. I cursed inwardly the quest organizers and followed them, hoping that it was indeed a sign.


    The dull chanting made me start to perk up. Finally something definitive! Walking up the bare concrete steps and crunching garbage underfoot, I walked around a wheelbarrow (the one handle was blue, the other red) and through the door, which was flanked by two colorful bottles. The singing was becoming more and more audible. Someone yelled in the distance, but since there was no call for help, I didn''t pay attention, searching for the next sign. Oh, a puddle. It smells like blood - and blood is red! The drips lead that way, something had been dragged that way. That''s where we''re going.


    "Mo-ortal!"


    Whooh, I was beginning to worry. The usual greeting, so all is well. Found it.


    "Your order, thirteen candles."


    The hand that reached for the bag of candles was clawed and bony. Slipping the order into it, I quickly jabbed at the app button. "Stand by..."


    "Mo-ortal, you want..."


    "Yeah, yeah, just a minute."


    The hooded shadows surrounded me. The shadows were not close, so if I guessed right, I''d have time to poke my finger twice. Under my feet and over there, to the window, where I could teleport directly to the courtyard.


    "The abyss is calling you..."


    "My shift is over. I''m sorry."


    After a short silence, the clawed-boned man glared at me with scarlet eyes and shook his head: "Well, man, your nerves are like steel cords! It''s a prank, bro! And you didn''t even flinch!"


    The shadows began to pull back their hoods, and I watched with one eye the cameraman, who appeared from somewhere behind the screen, and the boys and girls talking. The main man, in addition to the hood, took off a cloth mask, to which two lights were attached.


    "Congratulations, you''re the first one who didn''t run away!"


    "System of Delivery, please contact us. We fulfill even the most complex orders."


    Buzz!


    Finally, the quest was accepted, the account was updated, and the icon in the bonus store became active. I hesitated for a second, then clicked "buy".


    The item has been moved to a storage facility. You can pick it up at your convenience.


    I couldn''t move what I bought from the "warehouse" panel to the equipment slot. Well, yes, that would be too good.


    "Look, seriously, weren''t you scared?


    Putting the phone in my pocket, I threw the bag behind my back and explained: "Only that I won''t be able to deliver everything in time. How long have you been pranking here?"


    "The fourth day. Maybe you found out about us from somewhere?"


    The clawed man, who was indeed tall and skinny, was curious. And everyone around me was listening.


    "No. But it''s an interesting quest, are you serious about it?"


    Take an interest in the person, even if it''s useless. Because we''re still in a deserted place, and who knows what they''ll think? So it''s better to be nice, just in case.


    The conversation did not last long, they decided that the time was childish and it was possible to call another courier. I said goodbye and headed out, thinking about what had happened on the way. It''s a prank, theatrical and in costume. But it''s also a system quest, that is, something related to the unreal. I got paid, didn''t I? So they paid the system something. And what can a normal person pay?


    Oh, the kids are going to overplay at some moment.


    Sitting on the subway train, I remembered the day, my thoughts, and I checked what I had recorded on my dictaphone. I have a habit of hastily leaving something for the memory, usually, I prepared for the streams this way. Well, what do we have in the end?


    If you reduce everything to the basics, then you need to understand what the benefits of all participants are.


    What can I determine on my own? What am I dealing with?


    With Sistem of Delivery.


    How does it interact with me?


    Phone, room number seven, dorms, and bonuses.


    About the hall I''ll find out tomorrow, the phone is not yet for my brains, but the game incentive scheme... The games usually have gold, they pay for minor services and are exchanged between players at the auction. And there are other currencies, for example, an "honor" or "reputation", which is the "currency of diligence" or "loyalty". Ideally, each player''s movement is paid for separately, so that he is always motivated to continue.


    Gold is our money. It''s simple - housing and munchies, or you can buy a bike from someone like me. Not the main currency, you can''t buy magic with it, right? But - the same goat heads in the delivery hall, they work for the "gold". What do they exchange it for? Or don''t they all know they''re not really human? Yeah, right, I do. So there is an exchanger of real money for unreal values. Would they let an outsider in? Only to get scammed on something. That is until I figure out the ground rules and increase the reputation is not worth prying into it.


    System bonus points are the "currency of diligence". Buy souvenirs, rare materials for crafting, and so on. New quests are opened, not for enrichment, but to work even harder.


    Logically, the System should have a " currency of reputation", a.k.a. "loyalty". That''s what the courier gets if he goes to work every day. It''s not like I''m an employee of Delivery, but a self-employed partner on a contract. Consequently, there must be a retention lure - but what kind?


    Although, to begin with, I have to figure out if System has the benefit of me really getting into wonders. Or would it be fine with a courier sitting on small wonders?


    Stop.


    I''ve been thinking about it since this morning - those who get into unreal situations, the System finds them all by itself. You open a tab in an app and suddenly you see something else, right? Then it turns out that the further into the weird you get, the more possibilities? But why do you have to climb only within Delivery? Or does it still need to be that way? Not enough data to conclude.


    What does a smart man do if he wants a promotion? Well, not me, I''m beautiful - a regular working man, someone like the viewers from my stream? By the way, I should go out for half an hour and explain. They''re not strangers after all.


    Although in light of the events of recent days, are they really all human?


    I turned on the recorder: "Watch competitors'' streams through the scanner."


    Just in case.


    Well, the standard way is to look for openings at competitors. The big companies just have to keep track of that. As if to casually hint to Delivery that I may not only work for them. How will they respond?


    That is - in the phone should appear history of requests for interesting quests, plus a little in the browser, plus the shooting of yellow or green couriers. And we''ll see the reaction. We couriers are obviously a valuable resource, there are never more than six at a time in the seventh hall, and there are dozens of quests on the list. Consequently, we just have to be controlled so we don''t get poached.


    I stared blankly at the wall, trying to figure out exactly what I was supposed to do now. Something in my mind was wrong. With what "wrong" is connected to me?


    Application, working settings, warranty - off.


    I slapped myself on the forehead and immediately opened the browser and started typing:


    How do I earn more Delivery Points?


    Which Delivery System quests are the most profitable?


    Auction of Delivery System.


    Full list of System gadgets.


    I didn''t look at the links that came up, just typed everything that came into my head. Why would I wait and guess when I could do it all right now?


    Delivery System policy on competitors.


    Courier for Unreal.


    Better options than the Delivery System.


    What else could you think of? For example...


    Buzz.


    I made a triumphant gesture and tapped the notification:


    Congratulations on completing your probationary period!


    You are assigned the rank "E1"


    The following application features are available - auction, equipment upgrade.


    Well, you should have just thought with your head, not clouded by a guarantee!


    What one human has done, the other can always overplay!


    Although about the "human" here is still a question, let''s not be in a hurry. Now the main thing is not to get cocky, it was not me who won. It was them by simple manipulations that brought the employee to the point, forcing him to do everything himself. And now they start to milk me.


    I looked at the auction briefly, checked the upgrade - nothing is clear but very interesting. The main thing is: they somehow check me, and they really need me.


    With this, I can play...


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