-9.00 a.m.-

‘ugh so sore damn it those penalties, why do he always have to target me’

It was the weekend, a time where student rest their body and mind after undertaking the stressful and boring life as a student.

Well its more of this guy lifestyle of being the hit and run kind of a guy. After class he went back straight to his home. Not caring of doing any extracurricular activities or sports or even being in a club. Too him its more of a hassle.

But others at his age were enjoying their fountain of youth. Dreaming a goal together as a club, being in love with your first love, or studying to the most earnest achieving better grades were the options of these youngsters.

Out of all these students there were still minor percentage of them not involve in any of those, one such as these ‘guy’. Doesn’t have any real commitment in his life that barely reach the age of 17. It was his last year in school and still he doesn’t have anything serious going on. But there was one thing that he was recognized as, holding the record of being the most unpunctual student of the year. Well it was not official but it was the title given to him by the discipline teacher.

He does have a clash of opinion with the discipline teacher but deep down he knows that the teacher care for him. But his character instill in him isn’t really concern with something unimportant like that.

As he groans on his bed, he stretches his rigid body with few crackling sound that echoes through his room. it was a simple room with a basic layout, a single bed at the corner of a room and at the opposite corner a study table with an open laptop. In front of the bed lay a cupboard and other than that hmmmm… that’s it I guess, simple with no hint individualistic nature of the ‘guy’.

Then his smartphone rang, seeing the caller name on the screen he released a big sigh.

‘what now that she want, doesn’t she know im always too lazy on the weekend’

He then rejected the call and make way to the bathroom tidying up himself. Most boys would skip the part but even as lazy as this guy he put hygiene as the utmost importance. After refreshing up, he goes downstairs and saw the bountiful harvest upon the dining table.

This was a surprise, usually it would be only rice miso soup and egg omelet. Didn’t know that her mother would suddenly cook a feast like this. He was weird out but he kept his mouth shut and just enjoys the feast that was prepared for him. As he hold his spoon to ready engulf the food, the door bell rung.

‘KRING KRING’

‘Ah, she’s here Kichiro go get her at the door’

‘eh?’

‘it’s a guest go get her, it would be rude if the food gone cold come on and invite her for breakfast’

‘ah ye okaa-san’

Yup this guy name was Kichiro, and as a obedient son he follow his mother order wholeheartedly thou it annoys him he does cherish his mother.

Walking to the front door, he rustles his hair hinting annoyance unconsciously.

Opening the door, in front of him stood a tall lady that was even taller than him. From the height itself she must be at least 175cm. Kichiro shows an annoyed face it was none other than the one who call him this morning. His childhood friend

‘Hye Kichiro and why didn’t you answer my call haaa?’

‘just get in, okaa-san prepared breakfast’

‘ehh she did? Lets go!’

She lightheartedly entered the house like it was hers. She cheerfully greet Kichiro mother.

‘good morning, Okaa-san’

‘araa you are here Layla-chan, come and eat breakfast’

‘huhu okay… itadakimasuuu’

Kichiro could only see a beautiful looking lady gorging upon the food that was served at the table. The term beautiful was sadly lost by the scene that seen by him. He didn’t bother by it, but if the admirer of hers knows this horrible scene they would probably lost their interest.

Layla Kitagawa, the number one idol of the school. She is beautiful, athletic, socially active and the top 5 smartest student in the whole school. Boys at every grade were drooling over her, even nearby schools take notice of this girl.

She’s a half Japanese and half American, due to her genetics her looks is stunning. Like a fusion of Asian and western facial feature created a whole other level of beauty along with her iconic blonde color hair. Even her tall height was attributed to her father’s gene. Moreover the curves of her body were one of the reasons for the boys to stare at her during P.E. wearing just a tshirt and bloomer that flaunt her sexy curves.

Taking a seat on the dining table, he joins Layla having breakfast. He ignores the glutton in front of him and comfortable enjoy his meal.

‘oh yeah Kichi-kun’

Yeah its Kichiro nickname.

He looks at Layla with an expression telling ‘what’

Since they have known each other from small, Layla got the cue and explain

‘You heard about the new game?’

Seeing how Kichiro only look at her with a blank face state he doesn’t really know.

‘Since you are like that let me tell you, a virtual game created that mimics the same reality that we see right now. It was a breakthrough in gaming and in science, since the age of console gaming virtual reality is a new world and new age for gamers all alike, even non-gamers are starting to get interested in this virtual reality and bla bla bla bla bla’

Kichiro was staring blankly at Layla as he watches her talk on and on. He wasn’t even listening to her as he thought it must be one of those games that she likes to play. Finishing his meal he then stands to wash the dishes. He stands up until he heard Layla shout at him.

‘Kichi-kun!!’

‘eh, what?’

‘so do you want to play with me or not?’

‘ya ya ya sure’

He satisfies to his childhood friend’s wish not knowing what he had got himself into.

Before he could return to the dwelling of slumber. Layla walk alongside him as he climb the stairs he wasn’t bother at first but then he question her.

‘uhmm where are you going?’

‘to your room of course hihi’

Kichiro doesn’t mind about it until he heard from his mother

‘ouh Kichiro, can you prepared the guest room for Layla, she would be staying here until the college entrance exam.’

‘oh I see…. Eh? What!’

‘oh Layla-chan didn’t tell you, her parents are away to the U.S and they ask us to take care of her until they come back’

‘ah’

‘Take care of me ok Kichi-kun hihi’

Kichiro could only sigh but then again he doesn’t really mind about her living in the house as long as she wasn’t disturbing him it would be fine. He already thought of her as some kind of sister I guess but the feeling was still lackluster and blur, not knowing where it stands.

After both of them prepared the guest room, Kichiro take his leave and want to land back into dreamland as time was more precious for him to rest his body.

Before he could walk out, Layla tug his shirt and he change direction to her.

‘what’

As she stood in front of him at close distance, the difference between them was apparent Kichiro was only 168cm at best and her height was at 175cm. with a cheery smile she pat Kichiro at his head. this certainly annoys him, he doesn’t like how she pat at him implicating that he was short.

‘bugs off’

He shrug off her hand that was patting him.

‘eh Kichi where you going?’

‘going back to sleep, try not to bother me’

‘but you promise to play the game with me’

‘what? You mean right now’

‘of course’

‘wait I go install the game first, so what’s the title of it?’

This time it was Layla whose face turn blank,

‘you are really clueless, aren’t you’

Layla walks toward the bag that she brought. Opening the bag she took out two weird looking helmets and gave one to Kichiro.

‘here’

‘what’s this?’

‘it’s the access point to enter the game you dimwit, here let me tell you how it works’

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

-Last night 8 p.m. news-

‘Breaking new, the new released game made by the giant company NinEnix has achieved tremendous success over the last 6 months upon it released internationally. The company earns billions upon reaching the third month as its real life time graphic and addictive gameplay capture of the world gamer and non-gamer like. As a special segment here we are with the director of the company that heads the creation of the VRMMORPG game called, Daitai no Sekai, Prof. Eiichi Todai sensei.’

‘thank you thank you it’s an honor for being here’

‘no the honor is ours, well since the game is a major breakthrough would you explain a bit about this new genre of game of yours’

‘Daitai no Sekai is the pioneer of the coming of a new gaming era, virtual reality was a dream that many gamer has dreamt of and this game was the success of the collective effort of those dreamer. Different from the console gaming that we usual accustomed to, this headgear or EroHelm is the device used to connect the player to the gaming world. it acts like a gateway to transfer our mind into the game, in other words you yourself are inside the game, moving the virtual body as it was your real one. Giving you the excitement of moving your own body braving through the adventure of this new game.’

‘ah ha no wonder, it was a success. It seems the effort that your company have put into this game has pay off, would you like to say anything else Prof?’

‘I would like to give thanks to all the people out there who support us, as we ourselves are a new build company that origin from the merge of all the Japanese gaming companies. Through our hardwork we present to you Daitai no Sekai. a game that will surprass all game and the game that will conquer the gaming community until 10 or 20 more years to the future. Support us and happy gaming!’

‘that’s it for our special segment, many thanks our Prof and the news will continue to our sport segment’

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

‘Understand now Kichi-kun?’

‘yeah yeah’

‘okay now lets play, come here and lay beside me’

‘no I don’t want to I prefer laying on my bed’

‘then lets go’

‘what do you mean, you stay here in your room’

Layna pouted as she was dissatisfied by Kichiro decision, then she thought of something

‘or are you embarrassed of lying beside a beauty like me hehe’

She struck a model like pose after saying her words. Kichiro only replied

‘you are just too big we wont fit together in that single bed’

Her cheeks blush after hearing what he said

‘are you telling me im fat?!’

‘just get in the game’

‘yaaaa im asking you KICHIRO!!’

Tired of her constant babbles, he left the noisy childhood friend. Going inside the room he put on the helmet and connects it to the internet outlet. Lying on the bed, the EroHelm start to blink in response to the power surge.

Green light blink on the indicator hinting it was turning on. For once Kichiro was nervous he doesn’t really like being in unnatural environment moreover wearing something over his head, then a voice resound from within the helmet.

‘DETECTING NEW USER’

‘AS SIGNING IN PROCEDURE PLEASE MAINTAIN OPENING YOUR EYE’

‘PLEASE WAIT UNTIL THE END OF RETINA SCAN’

Bzzz bzzz bzzzz

‘SCAN FINISH’

‘DO NOT BE ALARM AS YOU WILL FEEL A SLIGHT STATIC’

Then a surge of low voltage ran through his head, he felt a bit uncomfortable.

‘YOU WILL FELL ASLEEP IN 3…2…1…’

Surprisingly after the end of the countdown, he suddenly went to sleep.

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

After a brief moment he opens his eyes. In his sight was something that he could not comprehend, it was a vast white space with nothing that can be seen. his feet wasn’t touch on the ground as if he was floating in mid-air. He look around and he notice that his body was not covered by a single thread.

Not that he mind but blankly search for anything, until a voice resounded through the vast white space.

‘HELLO NEW USER, IM AILA YOUR GUIDANCE A.I, WE WILL NOW PROCEED TO CREATING YOUR AVATAR’

‘okay’

‘PLEASE CHOOSE YOUR AVATAR RACE BASED ON THE CHOICES GIVEN’

‘Hmm, shit I didn’t ask her what to choose, anyway can you please explain for each races?’

‘IT WOULD BE MY PLEASURE’

‘THE FIRST RACE IS HUMAN THE MOST POPULATED RACE IN THE WORLD OF GAIA, THE HUMAN HAS AN AVERAGE CAPABILITIES AND CAN CHANGE TO MOST OF THE JOBS AVAILABLE IN GAIA’

‘ELF, A RACE THAT EMBODIED THE WORD BEAUTIFUL, THEIR PROWESS LIES ON MAGIC, THEIR AFFINITY TOWARD MAGIC LET THEM TO BE KNOWN AS THE EASIEST TO CULTURE MAGIC AS THEIR REPERTOIRE. THIS RACE ALSO HELD AN INNATE TALENT USING THE BOW AS ITS MAIN WEAPON’

‘DWARF, STOUT, SHORT AND STRONG. DO NOT TAKE LIGHT OF ITS SHORT STATURE AS EVEN THE MIGHTIEST KNIGHT HAVE TROUBLE FACING ONE AT THE SAME CALIBER. A RACE THAT IS LOVE BY THE MOUNTAIN, THEIR ROUGH AND TOUGH HAND ARE NIMBLE CONTRARY TO ITS APPEARANCE. DWARF IS A RACE THAT EXCEL IN CRAFTSMANSHIP AND ALSO IN MINING PROCESS. THOU IT HAS AFFINITY IN CRAFTING ITS SHEER POWER AND DEFENSE MADE THEM A PERFECT CANDICATE FOR THE FRONT LINE’

‘GIANT, LIKE IT NAME IMPLY, A HUMAN APPERANCE BUT HAS A SIGNIFICANT LARGER BUILD. THE SHORTEST AMONG THEM IS 2 METER AND THE TALLEST IS 4 METER. ITS ADVANTAGE LIE ON ITS BRUTE STRENGTH THAT CAN EVEN RIVAL THE HORRENDOUS MONSTER ORC. ITS JOB PROSPECT LIE ON BEING THE OFFENSIVE LINE. DESPITE BEING STRONG ITS LACKS THE AFFINITY ON USING MAGIC AS IT HAS THE MOST LOWEST AFFINITY MAGIC COMPARE TO OTHER RACE’

‘HALFLING, A RACE THAT RESEMBLE A HUMAN CHILD. NIMBLE AND AGILE, WITH THE FACE OF AN INNOCENT CHILD. IT LOVES THE OUTDOOR AND NATURE. WITH ITS SMALL STATURE, IT MAKE USE OF IT BY BECOMING AN UNNOCTIED ROGUE. IT ALSO HAS AFFINITY WITH MAGIC MOST HIGHEST WITH THE EARTH MAGIC.’

‘THIS ARE THE BASIC CLASS PROVIDED DEAR USER, FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION A NEW RACE WAS UNLOCKED BY THE USER’

‘WERECAT, A HUMANOID APPERANCE WITH ADDITIONAL FEAUTURES OF FELINE CHARACTERISTIC. SUCH CHARACTERISTIC ARE CAT EARS, CAT PAW, CAT FEET, CAT TAIL AND THE MOST DISTINCT FEATURE OF CAT EYE. IT’S A CLASS THAT EXCEL IN STEALTH AND ASSASINATION, BUT IT STILL SHOW PROMISE IN OTHER AREA OF EXPERTISE.’

‘PLEASE CHOOSE YOUR RACE, DEAR USER’

‘hmm this is hard, didn’t think it would be this difficult in choosing. Let see being a giant seems not bad but I really cant imagine being that tall it must be uncomfortable. Huh~ since im just helping her let just stick with the basic’

‘I choose human’

‘ACCEPTED’

‘YOU MAY ALTER YOUR APPERANCE TO YOUR LIKING’

A sudden mirror appear in front of Kichiro, to his awkwardness a naked body of himself was reflected by the mirror. It was unpleasant but still he didn’t mind. at the mirror reflect Kichiro’s body. His height was only at a mere 168cm . his muscle wasn’t big but appropriate to his body size, muscle definition can be clearly seen on some part of his body but his abdomen doesn’t show the 6 pack that he desire. His hair was medium length with wavy texture with little strand of grey hair. His eye was black as night.

‘should I alter? Having a virtual six pack would be rewarding enough’

‘hmm hah no need I guess’

‘just maintain the as it is’

‘I WILL OBLIGE’

‘WE MAY NOW PROCEDE WITH CHOOSING YOUR BEGINNER TOWN’

‘Eraborn’

‘YOU MAY NOW CREATED YOUR NAME’

‘Roki’

‘AVATAR CREATION COMPLETE, YOU WILL NOW BE TRANSPORTED TO YOUR DESIGNATED TOWN IN 3…2…1…’

Bright light engulf Kichiro or Roki entire body, that turns into a white orb floating in mid air that suddenly disperse into fine particles.

The scene then changes from the white blank space to a sky view of a bustling city. Tall 2 and 3 stories buildings made up the layout of the town. Their buildings structures are made out of stone that resemble the old medieval age’s style of buildings. To home quarters to business quarters, all of it are made out of stone and lumber.

Cobblestones road fill the pathway of this city bringing one destination to another, many different kinds of shops were located in the city selling various goods and merchandise. Public structure such bath house, granary, church, adventurer’s house are available to the entire user. It was typical fantasy city but with a twist of realism in it further increasing the gamer’s heart of living the adventure.

At the center of it all is a large castle made out of stone, royal banner consisting of the royal insignia was hanging at each corner of the castle’s wall. The King reside under the closely guard doors of Eraborn’s castle. But not to far from the castle door, a square plaza reside at the middle of the bustling scene.

Users was shouting and screaming their lungs out trying to gain attention for their goods and wares, competing with other users. Most of them are user with their class as merchant that heavily rely on trading than killing monsters for leveling.

Every kind of people in different races and different style of appearance were doing their own business at the square plaza. Some can be seen with high level equipment and some walk around fascinated by the spectacles in front of them that clearly show they are newbies.

Then at the center of the plaza, several bright lights formed into a shape of a human. As the light fades, emerge new users in the world of Gaia. Among the tens of new users, one of them was Roki. amidst of all the excited new users, Roki was calm as he usually is.

Looking at his hands, he tries to move his hand. For him it felt he was in the game itself. It was like he himself was in another whole world. a spark start to light in deep in his heart. Then a voice called his name;

‘Kichi-kun!!’

Glancing toward the voice that was loudly calling his name, he saw a female elf running toward him while waving her hand. By her looks alone it was none other than his childhood friend, Layla. She was the same as usual except for her elf like ears, emerald green eyes, and a tint of emerald green highlight on her hair. her height was certainly the same much taller than him or is she becoming more taller than before hmm.

For Roki she was the same as usual but to the other users, her appearance was enough to captivate their eyes on to stare at her without them noticing. The characteristic of an elf beauty enhance the already beautiful Layla increasing her overall attractiveness luring even the eyes of the NPC of the plaza.

Men and women alike unknowingly fixed their eyes to the elf maiden. Layla who was still a newbie still looks gorgeous even while wearing beginner’s cloth. With her unusual large mounds for a high school student it certainly attract a few of those lecherous eyes. But then again, like Roki care if she’s been stared at or not.

He was more annoyed to the jealous eye and hated gaze from the users and NPC alike as he was seen talking to the beautiful Elf maiden.

‘hye Kichi-kun what took you so long?’

‘nothing, I must have take too much time talking with the A.I’

‘Ooo you are flirting with the A.I, naughty Kichi-kun’

She make an unusual expression to Roki. He retort;

‘no im not the A.I just talk too much, anyway my name in here is Roki not Kichiro, so keep the fact straight’

‘ok Roki-kun, and mine is Rinoa huhu’

‘oh you choose your favorite character name huh’

‘hehe of course’

She shows a peace sign to Roki as she winks toward him. The feeling of hatred started to surround Roki after her action toward him.

‘can we get away from this place, im kind of getting an unpleasant feeling’

Showing a blanked face, she hardly understands the situation that Roki was currently in.

Roki jolt hurriedly while grabbing hold of Rinoa’s hand. Dragging her out of the prying eyes. Moving along crowds of people, he swiftly move between them and head into an empty store.

Catching their breath, he was still feeling unreal that he could felt tired like this even in a game. While catching his breath, he notices a green bar at the corner of his eye slowly getting its bar full. In his mind it must be the so call stamina bar. At least it does correspond to his real life lacking kind of stamina.

Gasping for air, he then scans the store to view what kind of place he ends up with.

It was empty, empty in a sense of no customer. There were only different kind of jars and vials fill with different kind of colors cover in dust. At the counter was an old woman wearing a garment that resembles a gypsy. Medallion and shiny ornament decorates the old woman cloth. Her eyes were closed; it seems she was dozing off at the counter.

While Rinoa was still catching her breath, Roki was going around the store looking the merchandise. Elf have a lesser stamina than human thus show how Roki recover first than her. Searching around all he could see were weird looking vial with weird looking liquid. Picking up one of those vial a blue window open ups describing the object.

Red Slime Vial Quality:NormalPrice:2 GoldA potion concoct from the core of a Red Slime making use of its hidden abilities to increase those who drank it gaining a 3 second time of fire element that infuse with physical attack.Requirement:None

Stamina++ Potion Quality:NormalPrice:25 GoldA potion made from the nectar’s of Alraune plant. A plant monster known to man as a vicious predator that entrance and trap human adventurer. Its nectar was known to consist of a strong aphrodisiac that increase the stamina of a person a 100% with increase in stamina regeneration up to 100%. The effect last for 30 minute.

WARNING: be cautious in after ingesting the potion certain side effect could take hold of the userRequirement:None

‘wo, didn’t know this kind potion and exist, and no wonder there was no customer the price is too freaking high’

‘what are you looking at, Kichi-kun’

‘its not Kichi but Roki, Rinoa’

‘’ouh yeah Roki hehe sorry’

‘huh never mind, these vials have interesting effects’

‘ooo why don’t we buy one?’

‘maybe not its too damn expensive’

Then another voice joins in the duo chatter; the old lady spoke;

‘boy, the price is appropriate to its ingredient and its effect is remarkable compare to the other store’

Roki could only heard attentively to the grandma words. it meant that she must be hinting something. But to Rinoa demise, she retort to her;

‘not many customer in this store don’t you think so grandma’

‘young child you wouldn’t know you wouldn’t the art of my potion compare to other cheap stores’

A hint of displeased can be heard from her voice, I guess she take pride on her skills and goods. Not wanting to stay any longer Rinoa dash out of the store not wanting to converse with the rude NPC.

‘lets go Roki we don’t need to waste time anymore over this store we got a lot of things to do in this confinement period’

‘yeah sure’

While he was getting out of the store, he stares at the old gypsy like woman. Her eyes were showing sign of keen interest to Roki like she sensed something was within him. He only nods to her before he step out of the store, the old woman pose a smile to Roki.

Exiting the store both of them went to the nearby adventurer’s guild. It was a large building that consist of three combine stores altogether. At the upfront of the stores was the adventurers’ emblem, two swords clashing together. Not knowing the basic of this game Roki questions the motive of her friend every action but only within his mind.

Drag by her into the guild, they went to the front desk, a brunette woman in her early twenties was standing there at the front desk, she was wearing a uniform of some sort that resembles the usual French maid garment. Facing the woman, Rinoa ask;

‘hye me and my friend here are both newbies can we get the gift pack for new user?’

‘well sure you have come to the right place, please wait for a while’

“I see no wonder she wants to come here, I forgot that she really love freebies”

Two boxes were brought by the brunette wearing cloth maid. She greets them with a smile;

‘Here’s the beginner package for the both of you and please enjoy your stay here in Eraborn, if you have any inquiry you could ask me for more details and for your information you could do quest that are posted on the bulletin board.’

‘thank you Miss?’

‘ah yes just call me Miss Nara, I will be of help to all your needs’

‘thank you Miss Nara, Roki lets check for any quest that we can do’

‘ahh sure’

As both of them went to the bulletin board, a group of people barge in from the front door. Sensing that they were bad news, Roki try to retreat before stumbling into them. Unfortunately the group eyes were already fixated to the elf beauty that was radiating like the sun in the enclosed guild house.

‘Boss look at that elf, she’s really pretty’

‘I know you jest’

‘boss based on her clothing, shes a newbie how about we try recruiting her’

‘you read my mind CrackleBone, come lets go’

The group approaches the duo with slow and steady strides while making a ruckus in the guild disturbing the others. it was a 5 man team, at the front was a human wearing high grade heavy armour with a sword at his belt, at his right were a rotten looking man with light armor as his clothing, a pair of dagger swirling on his hand, beside him was also a man with a bow hanging on his body, he has a quite look and not really interested in the affairs of his group. On the boss left, were another two human, wearing heavy armor one was wielding a spear and another with a large shield on his back.

The boss eye was glued to the radiance of Rinoa, Before Roki could take her away, they were already surrounded. Nearby spectators were whispering to each other hinting how bad there are encountering these troublemakers on their first day. Then Rino spoke;

‘can you make way, we are leaving this place’

‘hey hey little missy treat some respect to your seniors in this game, you wouldn’t want to trouble our boss here hehe’

‘shush CrackleBone, hello there miss elf can you tell me your name?’

A crooked smile from the crooked man with an ill intention to Rinoa, but she blatantly reply;

‘I have no need to tell you my name, please begone so with we could play this game’

Her tone was high showing authority fighting back against the intimidating aura of the group expressing to them that she was not afraid of a group little threats. Voice of mockery and insult was threw at her from the boss other colleagues or to be more precise his henchmen. Roki at the side of Rinoa was holding her hand tightly waiting for the opportunity to run away, it may be a slim chance but at least he would try.

To be too unknown in this game made him realize that he was at a disadvantage especially during a time of need like the current one. But with Rinoa determined look, the boss could nudge a back and close distance while saying;

‘I will give a chance to you pretty elf if you join our group I will let you and that damn shortie noob beside you to be free but if do not join us, sadly to say everyday life in this game you will meet hell by the blade of our sword’

Rinoa was silent for a moment she know for a level one newbie it would be too much of a disadvantage to go against a group of probably level 60 to level 70 users. Getting killed by these dumbshits would not be pleasant. But then a voice rang out;

‘Stop!!’

A loud voice that came from the second story of the guild’s house. As the voice end someone leaps from the second story and land in front of the two newbies. Raising her head, she said once again with her eyes showing ready fight;

‘You shall not threaten them no more!’

‘