Chapter 39: The Smart

Jaxir had a much easier time walking around these days. His body was still a stick figure, and his cheeks were still gaunt, but he was steadily starting to fill out a bit.

He wasn’t going to get back to his peak anytime soon, but after this first month was up he could finally start working out again and really lock in.

For now, he was quite happy that he could walk without feeling like the world was spinning around him.

He slipped on some sweats after he let the pod wipe the green goo off of him. After Lue told him how expensive it was, he didn’t want to waste any of it.

Then, it wasn’t long before he was at the door and opening it.

The dimming lights of dusk hung over the horizon and the tall street lights had already flickered on. In the doorway a man in a pressed black suit stood. His glasses looked a millimeter away from falling off his large nose, and his hair, while well maintained and gelled, somehow looked... out of place.

It was almost like he had rushed over here or had just gotten into a fight he had cleaned up for. Either that or he was on drugs.

It was hard to tell which one.

"Good evening, Jaxir. I am Sinha Mathe, lawyer of the Chance Corporation. Might I come in?"

Jaxir stood at the door, looking down at the man. He was starting to be able to stand at his full height once again without his back feeling a great ache. There were few people in this world he would have to look up at.

Sinha didn’t notice, but the moment Jaxir heard Chance Corporation, the grip he had on his door tightened considerably.

"Is something the matter?" Jaxir asked, a hint of cold flowing into his words.

"Of course not, no." Sinha said with a smile. "Just some housekeeping matters. I think it would be best if things were handled inside."

Jaxir, to Sinha’s surprise, stepped aside quite easily.

"Come in."

Sinha nodded, smiled, and then stepped inside, even showing the courtesy of taking his shoes off before strolling into Jaxir’s living room.

The room was spacious, the ceilings tall as well. It would have likely been more grand if the 20ft, floor to ceiling windows weren’t buttoned up with heavy duty curtains, but the dim lighting worked well enough.

The furniture looked as though it hadn’t been sat on a day in its life. Well, it had only just once, and that was when Lue was over yesterday.

Sinha took a seat and placed his briefcase on the coffee table. He put in the password, opened it, took out two single pieces of paper, and then closed it.

"I’ll keep this brief, Jaxir, so as not to take up too much of your time. It has come to the Chance Corporation’s attention that you have entered the game of Divinity as a player. This is great, and your uncle has asked me to inform you that he is happy to see that you are finally on the road of healing."

Jaxir continued to stand, his expression not changing much as he listened to the words.

"However, there are other stakes involved in this as well. As you well know, the Chance Corporation has made major contributions to the creation of the game, of which your parents were at the forefront. Because of this, our interaction with the game comes with certain responsibilities that come tied with the Chance name.

"When players see Jaxir Chance on their screens, they―rightfully so―recognize the name of the heroes that gave them this great game. This comes with some moral and ethical responsibilities.

"Today, I have brought you two options.

"One is for a full legal name change. So long as you change your name from Jaxir Chance to any other of your choosing, you can continue to play the game as you so desire without restrictions of any sort."

A flash of dimly lit rage pulsed in Jaxir’s eyes, his heart rate accelerating as though fuel was being slowly poured over it.

"The corporation, however, understands the sentiment and attachment you might have toward the name your parents gave you. As such, there is another option here as well." Sinha spread his hands out over the second paper. "This here is an application that will only change your name in the game itself.

"As such, you will be able to keep your true legal name in the most important of senses and only change your name in game. However, using this half-measure comes with its drawbacks. You will also have to agree to some other matters."

"Such as?" Jaxir asked, his voice a lot calmer than the storm brewing in his chest.

Sinha smiled as though he was happy Jaxir seemed to be cooperating.

"Just a few simple things. It’s all outlined here. You won’t be able to go after certain high rated items. Anything up to Ultra items are still fine. But Legendary, Wonder, and God items are a no go. The odds of finding anything like them, anyway, are basically impossible, so I don’t think this is too much of a loss.

"You’ll also have to agree not to join any guilds or any government factions as well, as that would give the illusion of favoritism on the Chance Corporation’s part, and that won’t be good for the brand image.

"And, of course, agreeing not to join also means that you cannot have any conflicts with them as well. If you should have any such conflicts, compensating them and settling things as quickly as possible must be done on your own dollar.

"We know that conflicts in the game are inevitable, so you won’t be penalized should such a thing happen so long as you take obvious and strong steps toward resolving the conflict as quickly as possible.

"The last thing is that you won’t be able to join any Divinities either. This one here is a bit more tricky. On the surface it doesn’t look like it should be a big deal. But the Major and Minor Divinities are almost always monopolized by large groups and factions as well.

"It is basically impossible to separate the churches, their leadership, and their following away from these larger guilds and powers. Joining any one of them basically ties you to these groups, which also means that you cannot have any conflicts with Divinities as well. So again, we’d like to avoid even the appearance of impropriety."

Sinha nodded as he continued to and eventually finished reading off his checklist.

He cleared his throat and left the two papers on the table.

"You don’t have to make a decision today. The corporation is willing to give you a week to decide on your choice. Though, the sooner, the better."

With another nod, Sinha started to make his way toward the door. He opened it and stepped out to find Jaxir had followed him.

"Oh, and Jaxir." Sinha looked back one more time. "We would like to keep things amiable, if at all possible. The Chance Corporation has parted with a lot of money to keep you happy. You’ll never have to work another day in your life if you don’t want to.

"You can enjoy the game, day after day if that’s what you want. You can have a wife and kids, away from all the hardship of the corporate world.

"The Chance name has long been trademarked by the corporation. We don’t have to make this a legal battle. As much money as you have now, you cannot face a corporate giant. Make the intelligent choice. The easy choice."

Sinha almost seemed to be pleading near the end.

Jaxir closed the door without replying.

He didn’t know when he got to his bathroom, or when he started staring at his reflection in the mirror, but he stood there for a long while, his eyes blank.

Jaxir suddenly grinned a wild grin.

He took a breath that seemed to breathe in the world for the first time in years, his blood raging through his body.

"I’ll raze it all to the ground if I have to."