Chapter 74: Stretched Thin

Chapter 74: Stretched Thin

The top of his pod opened, and Milo simply didn't have the will to get out. He knew something was wrong, but he just didn't care.

Finally, he summoned the energy to whisper. "Run medical scan, suggest treatment." The pod came further to life, taking a blood test, analyzing his breath, heartrate, skin temperature and a dozen other tests.

Patient is suffering depression from severe emotional distress and mental exhaustion. Chemical analysis of the brain indicates imbalances of glutamates, lack of endorphins, buildup of fatigue poisons. Hypothalamus operating at low levels. Melatonin below critical levels.

Disclaimer: Modified nervous system adds an error possibility of +/- 23% to any diagnosis.

Recommended treatment: Minimum 4 hours sleep, and 4 additional hours light activity. Two healthy meals. Vitamin supplements, and ongoing medications increased. Injecting now.

"Would you like to notify the authorities of your medical emergency? This is recommended."

"No, I would not, and I made sure you can't send out my medical data a long time ago."

Since we cannot contact the authorities, would you like 'Advice from the Country Doctor?'

"What? Sure."

"Son, you look like a hundred miles of bad road stretched over three of the worst counties in Alabama. I've seen a roadkill possum with more pep in its step than you. Get your scrawny ass out of bed, get something to eat and a cup of coffee. Then sit in the sun and smell the flowers for an afternoon."

"Treatment complete. Advice given."The roots of this story extend from novell bìn origin.

Milo didn't know what the hell a roadkill possum was, but it didn't sound good. He slowly got out of the pod, and staggered over to his chair. Physically he was fine. Mentally he was a wreck. There was a downside to having a nervous system that let you think faster than normal. For others it had been a hectic few days, but for Milo it felt like weeks. He'd run so many projections and plans to try and stop first the Snake, and then the World Boss, that he was simply worn out.

The hundreds of attempts that he had made to form the rune of velocity on Capt. Pike’s harpoon had been nerve wracking. He had tried every way he knew, every combination, and then experimented. The attempt of charging the runes has taken the last of his energy.

When he had passed out in the game, his pod must have decided he needed to take a break. He agreed with it. Either they won and things were fine, or they lost and the city came crashing down and he died along with everyone else. He'd been too tired to care.

That last stunt had been too much for him. He'd thrown everything he had at one last chance. He thought it had worked. He'd seen the throw, and the harpoon going deep into the monster. Then seen the monster jerked into the air as the engineers sent tons of rock falling downwards to lift the thing. He'd go back and check in a bit. For now, he just wanted to sit and watch his screens as his systems scanned Section E for problems.

His stomach growling reminded him that he was supposed to eat. He pulled a large block of cheese from his refrigerated drawer. It was a tangy blend of cheddar and parmesan, just perfect for a small snack.

An alarm went off as he started to take a bite!

All of his screens lit up, and he saw a stern-faced Milo pointing at him from all directions. "You're eating like shit! You know you need balance in your diet. Quit being weak and use your brain!"

Sometimes Milo hated that guy. The one who was responsible and left him messages telling him to eat right. He never should have put an alarm on the cheese drawer. But ResponsibleMilo had a point. He brought out crackers, a small tin that proclaimed itself to be 100% Real substitute tuna, and a jar of peaches with almond slices. The crackers went well with the cheese, the meat tasted like food cubes, and the fruit was delicious. This was the second or third time he'd had a jar of real fruit. He liked it. He should see what flavors fruit came in and try some other things.

You have failed to form the velocity rune, you have lost some of your bone...

You have learned something! You must make the bone harder...thicker...

WARNING: You have taken a large amount of bone from your body; this is not recommended!

WARNING: All cheese in your body is depleted. Your body is entering severe cheese withdrawal!

WARNING: You are approaching death.

You have succeeded in coating a magical harpoon in your own bone.

You have succeeded in forming multiple velocity runes.

You have charged a velocity rune.

You have charged a velocity rune. Your mana is running low.

You have charged a velocity rune (3). Your mana is depleted.

You have charged a velocity rune (4). Your stamina is depleted.

Your velocity runes have activated! Your projectile has surpassed the speed of sound! You are deafened for 6 hours.

You have abused your body, sacrificing your own bones and mana to construct a magical weapon.

Actions have consequences...

You have lost your connection to your Arcane Library.

You have lost your connection to the Bone Runed Cowl.

You have lost your connection to Shadowblight.

You are no longer a Bonecaster.

You are near death and unconscious.

You have been logged out of the game.