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I remember when I was 7.

Kids my age would be clamoring for the latest handheld gadgets in the market.

Regardless if it was expensive, most of my playmates has one.

It was sort of a status symbol.

If you have one, then you are sort of rich.

It makes you more popular with the other kids in the neighborhood.

And when you are a kid, you really would like to be part of the popular cliques.

My playmates would be boasting their devices to everyone in the sandbox.

They would wave the devices in each other’s faces arguing as to which one is better and which device holds the most fun factor.

The gang would argue for hours until late in the afternoon.

Eventually, no one wins because each one wants to be the best.

They each believe that only theirs was the best.

Silly really, but that’s how kids were.

As for me though, I never wanted one.

Well, I sort of wanted one but our family couldn’t afford it.

Only my father has a handheld device and that was because it was crucial for his work.

'"Jake you’re still a child. Why would you need one for?"

Frowning, my father asked me this when I quipped during dinner time, many months ago.

It was about the idea of having my own handheld device.

'Blame it on the other kids, dad. They made me.'

'I got jealous.'

I wanted to answer it out loud.

Instead, I responded by quitely sipping my soup with my head down.

I was focusing on the bowl like it was the most important thing on the table.

That was the last time I asked about it and never to be brought up again.

What I did brought up though on the same dinner table, two following weeks after, was about wanting something much simple.

A bike.

Yes. I wished for a bike.

The two wheeled wonder.

The one with the shiny skeletal steel body.

The one that propels you forward when you hit the pedals.

The one that challenges your balance.

The one that takes you to many places without fuel.

Yes, a bike.

The car for kids.

I wanted one please!

I expressed my intention to my father while thrusting my spoon up in the air.

Like a declaration of war.

He responded with a “Let me see what we can do with that wish”

Father was a firm believer of hard work.

You deserve to have possessions only if you pay for them with your own sweat and blood.

If you wanted something, then you have to grasp it firmly with your own bare hands.

With your own power.

In short, he wanted something from me first as an exchange.

A barter if you will.

Father wanted a good grade.

A grade point average of 90.

I knew I was in for a fight but I accepted the challenge nevertheless.

Few months have past, I remember after blowing my birthday cake, father guided me towards our small garage from the kitchen backdoor.

He was covering my eyes as I walked.

“No peeking!” Mother said while joining my father.

My brothers and sister followed suit.

I already knew what it was but I can’t help but still feel ecstatic.

I was laughing and slightly tripping while walking towards my surprise.

I heard the garage door opened as if it was a big curtain for a big stage.

It was being lifted slowly for a grand reveal.

It set the atmosphere just right.

“Open your eyes. Come see!” Father’s voice was just as excited.

I opened my eyes and I knew that it was what I have wished for.

The big wrapper covering it, along with the giant bow did not do its job of keeping it secret as to what it was.

I did not complan though.

I was going to tore it apart (the wrapper) anyway the moment I got my hands on it.

True to what I had in mind, I tore the wrapper apart in mere seconds.

My mother laughed commenting as to how I looked like a grizzly bear, hacking hastily over a fish, so he can quickly eat it.

No big deal for me.

I can be a grizzly bear just this once.

It was my moment.

Both my eyes shone like there were thousands of shootings stars passing by and I was seeing it up close.

I didnt mind if it was going to blind me.

Wow!

The bike was shining like a blue skeletal gem.

The silver steel and the blue painting of the body was perfect.

It had the right height just for me.

The wheels has those reflectors attached to it along with the training wheel on the right side.

It was just the right combination.

I loved it already!

“Thanks Dad!”

Two words that expressed all of my deepest gratitude for the greatest parent a child could ever have.

I looked at my mother and she was happy for me too.

For the next two weeks I trained with my bike. With training wheels attached still of course.

Suddenly, I was the popular kid in the sandbox.

I managed to beat the Tablet Gang (kids with the handheld gadgets).

Everybody wants to have a go at my bike.

I was puffing with pride.

One hot sunny weekend, I approached my father of having my training wheels removed.

It was about time that I drove free.

He nodded briefly and dropped the newspaper that he was reading .

“Remember to just look ahead. Don’t look at the pedals. Allow your body to be as one with the bike. Feel the handles as if they were the extension of your arms. The pedals as extension of your legs. It’s like walking but on wheels. You will eventually find your balance. Just look ahead. You got this. Okay?”

He was looking me straight in the eye.

I saw his concern and hopes at the same time in those eyes.

He knew I was going to be okay.

I looked straight ahead.

Both my hands gripping the steering wheel very tightly.

I was tense and was holding on to it like a lifeline.

I was nervous as hell.

My dad was holding the back of my chair using his left hand.

He was assisting my balance while I rode the bike at halt.

I twisted my neck towards the back and nodded at him confirming that I was ready.

He gave the bike a gentle push thru the chair but still holding on to it so he can assist my balance just a little bit more.

I was pedaling as well to match his effort, and I know I was gaining some acceleration little by little, while dad ran by my side.

I felt the wind on my face.

I was gaining momentum.

I was like floating.

It was one of the nicest feeling one could have.

“Son, I’m going to let go”

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‘Please choose a Name”

I’ve been itching to use this name ever since I signed the contract for this game.

It was what most Vegans use as a meat substitute.

Seeing that was a demon, I thought the name would fit me so well.

SEITAN!

The word reverberated inside the egg as I confirmed it.

I swore I was going to get really mad if the name got already chosen by another player.

I was going to demand a trial to secure my rightful name just in case.

"The name Seitan is not beholden to anyone.I am accepting this offer."

Mister Freeman cooly confirmed.

Watch out Cefiro….

Seitan is coming!

I grinned like a madman.

“Very well. You shall be known as Seitan of the Demon race henceforth.”

Aw Mister Freeman. He was still very serious even while acknowledging me.

“The World of Cefiro awaits you young demon. Honor. Glory. Terror. Ruin. Euphoria. Salvation. Bring them all as you see fit. Shape and bend your destiny as you hope.”

Goodness Morgan you are so poetic sir! You are making me tear up.

And here I was inside an egg where there’s no freaking tissue.

How am I going to wipe my tears then?

Well played sir!

Geesh ninjas cutting onions again!

“You will emerge in

5…

4…

3…

2…

1….

Goodluck”

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How many of you can still recall that one scene from the famed Terminator movie as how Arnold emerged from the time warp for the very first time?

Because folks... I emerged just like that!

Kneeling on my one knee,buck naked and all mysterious as fuck.

'Damn I was so in-character!'

I have always wanted to do that tacky pose if given the chance and this was it.

I pulled it off!

Bucketlist... one check!

I hope you were not secretly recording me Cefiro Admins. That would be so embarassing!

Once I stood straight up, the first thing I did was to examine my features of my young body.

Yes...

I said young!

During the character customization stage, instead of choosing my default body for my age, I deciced to go against it.

This was a virtual world remember?

And if I was going to re-live my childhood, then, what fitting way to kickstart that goal if not choosing a body of a young boy as well, right?

After all, this is a role playing game.

I was assuming the role of my choosing.

The body and height I had was of a 6 year old boy.

I was not kidding when I told Mister Freeman that I wanted to be a Chibi Demon.

So here I was... a 42 year old Chibi Demon with the body of a 6 year old.

Lets just say that I was playing the Demon Possession game.

I had possessed the body of a child.

I liked the unintentional evil tone already.

"BuaHahahaha"

I looked and examined my skin.

It was like black but with an ashen tone.

My chibi body was riddled with freckles all over.

Dust and specks of light gray and deep black colors are sprinkled here and there, adding dimension and dept to my child like body.

Both my hands and feet were small while short.

I opted for clean short nails.

I dont know but I dislike unhygenic long nails even in real life. It just wasnt my style despite being a demon here.

I wanted to be a clean looking demon if possible.

Medium pointed ears were also sported with my looks together with a short devil like tail.

My eyeballs and pupils were all black.

My hair was also short. Sleek and black with one side of it parted.

Feeling my mouth, all my teeth were human like except for the two fangs on each side at the bottom.

They were protruding like a sort of tusks.

I was seriously channeling a FunkoPop action figure vibe here. Me thinks.

Trying my movement, I starded tightening my fist and then releasing it to an open palm thereafter.

Rinse and repeat.

This was so I can guage my grip.

"Powerful!I have an excellent grip" I confirmed.

I was feeling the +10 strength already.

I squatted next, repeating the action 10 times. I can confirm that my legs are sturdy and well balanced.

I tried jumping.

The gravity was perfect and had the right feel when both my foot impacted the dirt as I landed.

Despite being chibi, this body was truly very capable!

I sort of praised my self.

"Well then lets see what we have in the inventory. Where is my weapon?"

I opened a transparent window in front of me.

I was rummaging through the Equipment tab of the menu.

Wondering where it could be since there was none displayed.

While rummaging like a hobo doing dumpster dive, that was when I noticed that there were some really strange moving lights from afar.

Aside from life steal, the Demon race had a bonus trait of being able to see clearly in the dark too from a certain range.

That was how I managed to detect the movements early on.

The distance was about 50 meters from where I once stood.

My demon senses told me that those red moving dots can't be any good.

My body was screaming for me to run.

And I did.

I was running for a good 12 seconds and already, I can detect the floating 'reds' following me.

Trouble. I knew.

With no weapon in my inventory to defend myself, I cant expect to win this.

I needed a safe place for cover.

I was searching for a crevase or perhaps a tree that I can take refuge from but to no avail.

My pursuers were at my tail.

Goddamnit theyre so fast!

Inch by inch theyre gaining on me.

I was panicking for my life.

"Mister Freeman? A little help please?"

I pleaded for help but I got nothing.

Finally, I knew that my pursuers have caught up with me since I can finally read their names like an apparition on top of their heads.

Lvl.10 Hellwolf

They were fast fiery buggers.

And what the hell was that level?

Isnt this supposed to be the beginner floor?

Why are there level 10 mobs in here?

"Are you kidding me Mister Freeman??? Thats cheating Sir!"

I ran and ran but they finally cornered me.

There was no choice.

I stopped and faced my pursuers. It was futile to run anyway. Might as well get it over with.

'Fucking hell I hope my LifeSteal could save me!'

I am a demon and I almost wanted to pray!

I assumed the basic boxing stance.

Fist at the ready.

"Come at me bitches!"

The red fiery Hellwolves bared their fangs against me.

The monsters had surrounded me from all sides. Waiting for that one ripe moment to snatch my neck.

Their mouths dripping with drools of fluid fire.

"Come" I said once again. Challenging all of them.

As I was trying to put a brave front while facing my nemesis, I remembered that moment again when I was a kid.

When I was 7, I rode my bike for the very first time without the training wheels.

I remembered my father.

He was guiding me.

"Son, I am letting go"

I also remembered speeding up.

I remembered losing control.

I remembered smashing into the trees.

I remember how my body ached after the impact. Face firmly planted on the ground. My chest heaving ecstatically.

There were bruises all over me despite not seeing them myslef. I just knew that I got lots of those from the stings and the shooting pain that I felt.

I remembered crying.

I was crying hard because I knew....

I knew then ....

I knew then that I had failed!

System Message

You have died

You will respawn in approximately 432 hours!

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