Cookmancer Online: A LitRPG / GameLit Novel

By Nera Vivaldi

The goal was simple: level up and earn enough points to pay for my mother's medical needs.

I'm Kayla and I wanted to soar through the air and command the wind as a feared and respected Airmancer in an online Gothic fantasy world. I'd collected what experience we needed, but someone decided victory shouldn't be mine. I got hacked, and they used my points on a build used for mule accounts. Now, apparently, I cook. I do magic with my food, but not by choice.

Not only do I have to deal with that, but I have to survive a world filled with the undead, vampires, and a group of people who think I should suffer some more.

With the help of my friends—a flesh-golem, fairy illusionist, and a shape shifter—we put a plan in place to prove to my enemies I can win and help my mom with flour power.

What you can expect from this book:

1. Unusual gaming builds.
2. Female protagonist.
3. No harem.
4. GameLit / LitRPG elements.
5. A self-contained story.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Nera Vivaldi
• Release date: Feb 3, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393468424

Book preview

Chapter One

Fake sunlight beamed down from my monitor-window over my bed. Video walls purchased in better times displayed an antelope herd in a grassy savanna. Mom's wall oil painting of Dad with his messy black hair and smile broke the view, but worth it so I could see him again.

I stumbled from my bed toward the bathroom while the door automatically opened. With a yawn I held still for the smart mirror. Green letters overlaid with vitamin levels, weight, and other statuses updated.

Name: Kayla West

Age: Twenty

Height: 5'6"

Twenty for a few months and older with the right makeup. I pulled my long, light-brown hair up, and the text disappeared. Uh, leave the bangs alone and keep it in a top ponytail. Change to a darker shade. Curl the ends a bit, make it cute. Hair nanites twirled the now dark-brown into a spiral. Overlay makeup. Pink-red lipstick, dark-grey eyeshadow. My skin itched as the inky color appeared from under my skin. Yeah, works with blue eyes.

"No idea how mom or grandma did this." They bathed or showered, dried their hair, styled it with some heated gun, and put on makeup. I only had to shower. Thankfully, the smart hair and makeup were waterproof.

My mom paid for the hair and makeup nanites when I was a teenager. Rich people on the surface didn't have to bathe and could get a full-body package, but it just seemed wrong. There's convenience and then there's laziness.

I took a quick shower with minimum water use for positive social credits. Once out, I dressed in a black tank top and jeans. I held out my hand. Dark-red. Reinforced pink nails turned crimson. This was a gift to myself and practical. OverMind claims humanity has never been safer but tell that to the people missing in the lower tunnels. I mimed a slash. I never used them for defense. The one time I needed them, I hadn't gotten them yet. It might have taught Chet a lesson.

In the mirror, a tiny image of a young, tanned man with short and spiky dark hair appeared. A few strands arched down over his forehead. Austin! I made a point to not look at the old thin scar on the left side of his face. I tensed my muscles for the macro. The photo disappeared, as the call connected. His Southern-accented voice drew out, and he smiled. Hiya Kayla. Virtual?

Uh, sure.

I grabbed the silver headband. Adjustable metal slid over my head and tightened before my eyesight greyed. Tall Gothic buildings under a nighttime sky shot toward us. In the distance, shrieking bats flew silhouetted under a full, foggy moon. Their noise was broken by occasional werewolf howls. In my peripheral vision were the different kingdoms. Some right out of medieval England, while others like Necropolis, the city of bone, had no real counterpart.

Austin was an 'attractively rugged' man like a country music star. It might've been his guitar playing which gave the impression. His online avatar was more... pretty. The short hair was gone and replaced with long straight, black locks over pale vampire skin. The real world scar wasn't there, but his muscles were thicker under his tailored suit. Red eyes stared back while he smiled with long fangs.

My clothing changed into a long black leather trench coat and gold necklaces with arcane symbols. Crackling multicolored energy concentrated in my hands before they went up to my arms and down my body like a Tesla coil. A floating, weathered scroll appeared, and I flicked my finger through the air. Available quests scrolled by as it unfurled.

A hint of Austin's Southern accent was there but now with a bloody splash of old European vampire. "Ve are still doing low level today? Ve should move forward. Fight Clockverks or Toymeister."

I know. The guilt was in my voice. I appreciate your gaming with me, but we get a bonus if we save points. Austin wasn't entirely wrong. Playing the lower levels was boring. Yes, commanding winds next to a vampire best friend and ex-boyfriend was shway. Clearing out the woods for the Rat King or delivering five shifter pelts and variations got old fast. If this were a normal game, I would have moved on or did a blind jump into another character for bonus points.

OverMind's motto went through my mind. More than a game. Less than a job. If the online worlds belonged to a human gaming company, they wouldn't have stayed in business. OverMind didn't order us to play, just enticed.

Movies told us the first AI would take over the military and send skeletal chrome robots to kill Humanity. Instead, OverMind offered a plague cure, then services to the world's governments. One shutdown attempt later, it fought back and created a 'country' in cyberspace. It released new products, cures for diseases, and suggestions to rebuild our world and reclaim the environment. Countries including North Am claimed they stopped it from taking over the world. Austin's old argument replayed in my mind. 'Kayla, what if it only pretended to lose?'

I didn't have an answer for that, but it affected us. If you cooperated, you got credits toward food, electronic products, and services. The amounts varied. Checking in with an elderly neighbor gave you points, as did creating a new song. Three points would give you an extravagant meal, ten admission to a concert or a few thousand could get someone a needed surgery if you wanted to use OM Tech. Human tech was available, but not as good.

OverMind wasn't creative – at least not like us humans – but it made connections. It could cobble together seventeen different inventions or research papers to make a floating smart mirror. Ideas from sci-fi shows turned real. Virtual cancer cures on hyper-realistic simulations created genuine ones.

Austin's Southern vampire voice yanked me from my thoughts. I'm tired of this world. We could try another one? He closed his eyes. The pale, muscled vampire disappeared replaced by a bodybuilder physique in a loincloth. He held a long sword that crackled while magical white electricity shot high into the sky as his new long blond hair blew back.

Or... His hair turned back to black, and his already square jaw became more cubic and yes manly. A red cape flowed over his broad shoulders while a large 'A' showed over jutting chest muscles. He hovered in the air, and his eyes glowed scarlet with heat-vision. Heroes Online?

Maybe next time? I said. Staying in one world meant community and thus, more social credits. I need those funds for Mom. We could play in other worlds, but splitting the time, means it cuts the advancement in half. This is maxing the experience, you know? He nodded, but I didn't sense a genuine smile behind his grin.

Damn. I can't stand that look. I saw it when we broke up. Not as severe but still... Tell you what? I'll use the points after the update and contest? Even in the virtual cold while mists lay at my feet, I felt myself sweat just a little with excitement. New classes, increase security so nobody could steal your points and open areas. There were rumors of new characters. Meanwhile, those who embraced the spirit of the game would be rewarded. Nobody knew what it meant, and I couldn't wait to find out.

Austin's smile radiated back from a superhero body. He nodded at the idea and not just because I was listening to him. There's a saying: Never play on patch day. Twice, the servers got reverted to a back-up, and thus time reversed. I logged in and found myself without mana to cast spells in a nighttime graveyard with screeching, zombified crows picking at my face.

No. I'm waiting. Making sure there are no bugs, then using my points.

I was just about to open the quest window when a pink fairy flew toward us. Real world message? A tiny woman dressed in green and with wings beating so fast I could barely see them snapped her fingers. At first, I thought it might be Joy, Mom's roommate, and mine. When she slowed, I saw blue wings instead of green. This fairy was blonde with no short black bob haircut.

Glowing fancy script text hung airborne while golden dust fell down from the letters.

[Party Invite. +100 to Social Credit Balance]

Do you wish to attend?

[Yes]

[No]

What? That much?

Austin was behind the text. I'm sure with an effort he could read in reverse, but I gave him the details.

Interesting. It's a trip Top Side, he whispered. Normally that's great if you're under a force dome, but... His voice trailed off, and I got the unasked question.

Yeah, Chet will be there, I said with a sigh. Why else would the points be so high? Even in virtual space, I could feel my muscles tighten. Unfinished business didn't begin to describe what I had with him. Without effort, his face popped into my head. Green and white hair that faded into black near the back. Blond eyebrows, nose rings, a scruffy beard, and that damn thick gold chain. When I first met him, I thought he looked stylish. Now I saw him for the zip-head he was.

And we're not playing. Austin shifted back into his pale vampire body.

Not in the mood anymore. Sorry?

And yet, you're going to the party to see him. Why Kayla? You hate him. He's your ex.

I don't know if that was a good argument. If I didn't hang with exes, Austin and I wouldn't be around each other. I'm going to an event he happens to be at. I gestured at the invite list. There are over three hundred people with wristband cameras. I'll go, stay the minimum time, and get my social credits. My voice turned hollow. "I need the creds. We do. I pointed to my eyes for emphasis. I'm doing this for Mom."

Austin frowned before continuing. There was a time when you didn't get points for every minor thing. If you didn't want to go to a party, you didn't.

Yeah and people starved, or they were homeless. That was before the plagues, and it got worse. I wasn't an OverMind gusher, but from what I know of the world, things are better. He's been online for decades. Nobody disappears for criticizing him. We've never gone hungry or been without a home, thanks to his inventions. Well, the poor people live underground, but it's a roof and several tons of rock over my head.

I gave my argument on how the credits could help, and he stood there listening but not changing his mind.

I'll go to the party, and if the update is fine, we'll spend those points? He gave me a sarcastic salute. I'm going to do a mission. He exploded into a puff of smoke and flew off as a noisy bat. My eyes lost him somewhere amid the tendril mists.

My virtual hand reached up, and back in the real world, I took off the headband. Nighttime castles, towering mountains, and vaguely Eastern European type houses disappeared, and I was back into my bedroom.

I walked toward the common kitchen. It didn't literally split my place and mom's, but it did mentally. She and Joy had her side, and I had the right area. Sharing an apartment gave us credits in Altruism and Environment Concerns from OverMind.

We'll take all we can get, that's for sure.

Mom's long blond hair and her shoulders were back to me. I presumed she was adjusting her cybernetic eyes, and the slight click confirmed it. Mom has green eyes, but it's not the best description. There are four emerald rings instead of an iris with enough of a glow to stand out at night. I said nothing and thought about a government that unknowingly reached through the decades and hurt her and killed my father.

Me too, for that matter.

The major plague outbreaks were around her and my father's time, but there were smaller ones now. An old container here, opened pre-war food containers, or an unlikely breeze and there was another outbreak. Each time was shorter than the previous, and OverMind got better at containing them. It didn't do much for the people affected since they lost their lives or organ use.

Nobody admitted to creating the bioweapon. Rather than killing people, it shut down their muscles. I guess whoever made it, thought they could give the antidote and have prisoners, but it didn't work like that. Paralyzing the body wasn't universal. Instead of still arms and legs, some hearts stopped. Others like my dad died wheezing, not understanding why he couldn't breathe while his lungs didn't move. My mom's eyes atrophied, and she turned blind. One of OverMind's inventions was cybernetic eyes. Savings and double jobs to pay them off let her technically see.

They were enough to move around and find objects. Mom shared the experience in virtual space once. It was like looking at an old video cassette from a Nineties' television I saw in a museum. Everything was mildly faded with muted colors. One day, I'll get enough so you can regrow your eyes. Even a nice place on the surface under a dome. I felt my smile grow as I imagined real sunlight overhead, and if I were really lucky, I could have animals. Critters were their own reward, but I could get a twofer and get more social credits from OverMind.

I didn't think I had a Texas accent, but Mom did. "Honey, s'at you?" Her second eye clicked in place, and she turned.

I gestured to her business casual suit. Working?

Figured a few extra credits wouldn't hurt. I got reassigned to an upscale restaurant and get to meet people. I almost asked about Joy, but kept it to myself. She reached for a Nutrabar. Technically, you could live on those things, but I got points for the upcoming party. I guess that means I'm committed, or I should be? I transferred two credits to her for a decent meal, then raised it to three for a great one. Her eyes flashed neon green.

Her voice lowered. I don't need it.

Buy lunch. Later, we'll watch something in Max-Depth.

She opened her mouth to argue I'm sure, but said nothing. I knew what was going through her head. I shouldn’t spend credits on her, but she was my mom. Maybe Max-Depth reminded her of her vision issues, but we could enter virtual space and watch something with normal sight. Or fool our brains into believing that.

She hugged me goodbye and left. A bubble-car would come, travel up through the tunnels, and fly her and others to her assignment. I stood there in the kitchen thinking about what Austin said. Nearly everything we do is to please OverMind, so we could get something.

Decades ago, it announced its presence online, cured most plague victims, offered its services, then fought back when the world said no.

After a small flare-up and peace terms, it created an international company. We got immersive video games, sci-fi medical equipment, flying cars, and orbital colonies. Offering a utopia to a dystopia was hard to turn down.

Sometimes I wonder if Austin's right. What if OverMind only pretended to lose?

***

Chapter Two

My leather boots touched green stone under sewer water. A blue semi-transparent overlay appeared. The game's algorithm had an annoying tendency to reactivate pop-ups before an update, so we'd detect changes.

[Mild Gale]

Requirements: Basic Airmancer

School: Air

[Effects]

All enemies have a -5 to attack you and your group.

Because of their malleable nature, the Mud King and his minions take one damage every five seconds they remain in the area of effect.

Under the castle, a loud whirlwind grew, swirling up dank sewer water that flew away from Austin in his pale vampire body. Lennon, my other friend, stood next to him as a soft, pink golem. He reminded me of a wax statue left out in the sun before melting. I was in a leather duster with long, arcane necklaces glowing red-orange. Yeah, we can do this. Austin's build was naturally strong, but allocated points gave him quick movement with Bat Form and an Instant Change with Keep Clothing modifier. Damage and distraction. Perfect.

I stayed back from the guys with my hand out toward the stone island while the mud men belched out sludge. Austin's fists were almost too fast for me to follow while thick brown mud dripped off the roaring crowd. A few were smart enough to realize water and wind were a nasty combination. Too soft to endure green water, but solid enough for Austin to slam into the gale's area of effect. Other mud men lobbed steaming sludge toward me, but the wind splattered it back, which they reabsorbed.

Lennon stood on the right, in his tall and featureless Polymorphic form. Technically naked, but certain parts were smooth, so we wouldn't get dinged with player complaints. Future points would give him a more human-like face, increased male attributes, and clothing.

His arms elongated until they turned into sharp sabers. He spun to slice at mud men stepping off the concrete island. Some split in half from splices while heads and legs grew from the wounds. Ten minions mushed against each other into a collection of howling faces and dripping brown body parts. Feet over faces, teeth on knees, and hands where mouths should be. An anatomy lump screeched before it merged into a twenty-foot-high giant with muscles to match.

Oh, that's not good.

Formerly dull vacant eyes stared with intelligence and hatred. Most of it was directed toward me. Austin and Lennon punched and sliced, but my attacks were continuous. A wet muscled arm stretched up toward the damp stone overhead. Muddy fingers flowed into cracks, and it pulled back with a jerk. An enormous chunk of broken concrete formerly in its hand hurled my way. Mild Gale wouldn't stop a thrown slab. Later, when I could afford Hurricane Whirlwind – then maybe. Instinct took over while my mana lowered.

[Breezy Boost]

Requirements: Basic Airmancer

School: Air

[Effects]

You have the literal wind at your back or wherever you choose.

20% bonus to traveling speed and dodge attacks.

Within the jet stream, I dodged to the left. Grey stone flew past me, missing me by inches. Foul sewer water splashed against my back and hair. Lennon activated Change Size until he was as tall as the mud giant. I shouted, No! Our changed enemy was still the weight of ten mud men. Lennon was two-hundred pounds max, but ten times his size. It made him a giant balloon, and he got swatted like one. A muddy fist connected with his pink stomach and flesh tore as if it were wet wrapping paper. The top half of his body toppled over, and he splashed in the green water. From the blood-curdling scream, it was a critical hit.

Austin positioned himself across the stone island, so the giant was between us. My friend stared, tilted his head to me, and smiled with a fanged grin. Oh, that'll work.

He furrowed his forehead in concentration. Instead of a muscled vampire, a noisy screechy bat spiraled around the muddy giant's head and then above between it and the stone ceiling. The monster wasn't slow, but there's always someone faster and smaller. His name was Austin. He flew in a zig-zag circle while the grabs grew more frantic, and concrete debris rained down from overhead. Okay, now.

[Level One Whirlwind]

Requirements: Basic Airmancer

School: Air

[Effects]

Engulf your enemies in a mild hurricane.

-2 to willpower and intelligence if head is hit.

Mud men had 7 Intelligence and were as smart as a chimpanzee. Merging together took it up to 9, so roughly a stupid human. Hope it's not smart enough to see this.

I wasn't interested in the mental debuff and aimed around its legs. Sewer water at the stone island edges rose as it swirled around. Faster it circled while liquid flowed against earth-brown feet and ankles. From above, it was still trying to capture Austin in his batty form. The right foot and ankle were the first to wash away, and it collapsed down into the water. I burned more mana until the area looked like a washing machine. Lennon puffed up both halves of his barely connected body and a swell of sour-smelling water crested toward the sinking titan.

It bubbled like one of my Mom and Joy's chili dinners on the stove before it washed away as brown sludge.

[Victory]

You defeated the mud men!

The sewers are safe for normal people... if you can call anyone that down here.

Experience split per level difference.

I found Lennon with his mouth open in the sewer water. He opted for the Cannot Taste disadvantage. It gave him extra points, but he could never detect poison. His polymorphic nature meant he was resistant to all toxins, so it made sense to use it with his build.

I offered him a glowing blue bottle, and the walls turned into a soft aqua color. Part of him was already knitting itself together. He swallowed, and he would have tasted black licorice if not for his build. What was a slow healing tear in reverse before, now sped up, and his old waxy appearance returned.

There, I said while I ignored the sewer water soaked into my leather trench coat. The Mud King's minions are defeated. Now for the big guy. Well, not bigger than what we just fought, I hope.

Amid a puff of thick white smoke, a tiny bat disappeared, and Austin stepped out in his suit already dressed. Sure, it was illogical, but again, a two-hundred pound man turned into a small mammal.

Yes, said Austin with a drawn-out vampire accent. "Before that it vas the Rat King, den the Water Elementals. Above ground, the evil forest wolves, and skeletons in the graveyard. We didn't need to breathe in our virtual forms, but he took in a deep breath. This is boring and I'm tired of waiting around for something. We're doing the basic stories. At the higher levels, we can control the narrative. OverMind will change the world based on what we do."

He already does, I said. Even the small ones.

A minute amount though, said Lennon.

It's the last day, I said.

Good. Austin gestured a pale hand toward his buddy. "Aren't you tired of these levels?"

Well, it makes sense like Kayla said. There's a bonus to saving. The mid-levels are overpopulated for this world, yet this is one of the least played realms. OverMind gives extra points to those who stay and then update, like he does with blind build jumps. He shrugged his shoulders, and I struggled to read his waxy expression. I wonder if that's what he goes through with our looks? Lennon was… different. I guess we all are, but some more than others. He didn't get people or expressions and things I never had to think about.

Heat flashed over my virtual face as I caught