This is the beta version of the First chapter. Many segments were already posted, but others were greatly changed. Please, point out any mistakes you find, so I can correct them.
Her ear met the wall, and only the hum of the machine, could be heard on the other side. Quietly, she made her way to the kitchen, stopping on the way back, to peek on the keyhole, and under the door, and with both failures opening the door slightly to see her brother lying on his bed as if sleeping.
He didn’t react to the door, so he was really out. Closing the door quietly, and made her way back to her room, and reaching under the bed, pulled the box of her newest purchase.
Her own NervGear.
Opening the manual, she searched for the setup entry and started cabling the thing to her own computer, and then proceeded to the first use configuration.
“Hold it to your left arm, and press the spacebar again.†She was mumbling aloud again, but it was that things fault for being so complicated. Couldn’t they make one of those Plug-and-play consoles like her studying Computer? Plug it into the energy and turn it on?
‘Stop complaining. This is for your brother. You’re playing the game so you could see what he sees in those things and undertand him more.’ She put the helmet, and laid down, reading the last instruction on the manual, and pushing it under her bed, saying the activation command as loud as she dared.
…Which was barely above a whisper. “Link Start.â€
“You’re late Shinji!†Said boy decided to scowl at the captain for her obvious statement. I didn’t even took my eyes of the router I was setting up. No one would like to game with lag, and I was going to do my best so they can enjoy the experience. “And whose is that?†That caught my curiosity, but only for a moment. Shinji is a sociable person, and quite popular. It ins’t strange of him to bring a girl. I finished setting up the connection and applied the configurations, and turned “…IYA!†to get Ayako screaming at my face.
“Sorry, I was caught in the task.â€
“Figures.†She grumbled good naturedly as only she was capable to do. “This is Sakura. Shinji’s sister, and she’s planning to join our club next year. Shinji decided to be nice for a change and brought her to play with us today.†The dark haired girl (it looked purple, but it must be a trick of the light, people don’t have purple hair, right?) bowed and greeted me, and I in return, and I was about to offer my NervGear for her to play, when Ayako tossed another one to me, and smiled mischievously. “Help her calibrate it.â€
“Ok.†Why is her smiling like that? And why did Shinji tried to object (and got elbowed in the gut)?
“While you’re at it, help me afterwards, my brother decalibrated it with that judo program of his.â€
“Sure.†I replied and started the caibration wizard, [hold the Nervegear to the center of the chest-] I looked to the girl, Sakura, and then to Ayako, more precisely, to the their, or at least the former’s bust...
... and of course I got slapped upside the head for it. “Hey!â€
“You just thought something very rude now. I know it!†Ayako glared at me, and I put myself to work.
A few procedures and blushes later, we positioned the futons around the impromptu technology hub.
“It’s just like our camping trip.†Shinji commented.
“Except with boys and girls in the same room, yes.†Ayako agreed, then looked at Shinji with a smirk.
My friend paled. “Don’t say it.†Say what?
“Fine, but you’ll take us to dinner after here.â€
He nodded, and I wondered what he wanted to hide so badly. He isn’t a bad person, if a little misguided and rude at times. “It’s blackmail, I swear.†I heard him mutter.
The redheaded vice-captain clapped to silence stray comments and spoke: “Remember, pick the archer class, and wear something red. Shirou here said we should meet in the fountain of the central plaza.â€
I answered with a ‘Hai’ and Shinji and his sister confirmed with a pair of and she laid her body down with the helmet in her head. “What about Fuji-nee?†I asked.
“Probably late, as always.†Ayako shrugged. “We find her in game!†Before I could protest, as Fuji-nee didn’t had our in-game handles, she put the helmet and laid down. “Link Start!â€
Figures.
I did the same, and a silent blackness engulfed my senses. One by one I felt the Nervgear take control of my senses, before the login screen appeared.
Trying to type was useless, as I din’t have a body or fingers in here, but it was the thought of acting that made it work. After “Clicking†the OK button, I was rewarded with the sight of the [Loading…] message, written in some classic handwriting-like characters.
I carefully read the contract, as Dad and Raiga-san taught me to do, and “Yes, I’m old enough.†Selected the [ Yes] option.
[ No], I played a Saber at the Beta, and we have all agreed to use Archers now.
For an instant I imagined Mitsuzuri screaming “Get on with the game already!â€, and pressed [ Yes].
There was a sensation like acceleration, and a light appeared in the distance, rapidly approaching as if he was running to the exit of a tunnel.
I felt the cold of the floor under my bare feet, and the texture of the rock, and the smell of damp air with a slight touch of incense. I saw the light playing in the stained glass windows ten times larger than a person, and the same light playing over my skin and dress, as well as its warmth if I focused on it.
It felt real.
Unbelievably so, that I even grabbed my own long hair to look at it, as if to confirm that I was looking at my character and not at myself.
‘No, still blonde.’
This is amazing!
Looking around, the room was divided in seven equal alcoves, each with a pair of white marble statues and a plaque of black marble with inscriptions on them. I was immediately attracted by the largest one, an enormous man stood in spiked armor, along a lithe woman in a black elaborate dress with horns and a tail. He was shouldering a sword nearly his size, she had a spiked spear. He had a crazed look and she had a demonic smirk. I felt an uncomfortable shudder just from standing near the figures, so realistic they looked even in their lack of color.
Behind them, the large window depicted a steel colored giant facing a dark skinned man in close combat, a woman with a large mace battling a blonde man with a golden ax in the stairs and a disturbing amount of blood from those battles. I took a step back, and only then looked at the plaque sitting right in front of me:
‘Who would be crazy to play such a… crazy class?’
I wasn’t, this much was certain, so I decided to look at the next one to the right.
I looked back at the marble figures: A man in Middle Eastern robes, his face covered by a mask but his eyes still showing wicked cunning. His hand held a curved dagger in a reverse grip, and I once more felt uncomfortable in the shadows, of a dark blue hue, of the stained glass. The woman, no, the child, looked positively more innocent, if you ignored the half-dozen knives, some reaching almost a third of her size hanging from her body. I decided against looking up to the window’s glass and glanced at the rest of the information, even if I wasn’t going to be, no play, in this class.
I hope they also have non-disturbing classes to play, because I can’t imagine Onii-san playing something as creepy as these two, even if he played those bloody zombie games I saw once. I shook my head and looked around, and sighed in relief once I saw a couple of robed figures that didn’t look ready to stab someone. Yeah, let’s look at those instead.
Ok, those don’t look so bad. Mages like those of fairy tales, ah, but younger now that I look at the marble replicas. There was a man in long robes with a staff in hand, and a woman with long, flowing robes, a cape obscuring the face upper features, but not the delicate chin and lips. Beautiful, and dressed, unlike what I saw when looking for game magician pictures in the internet… And there was a floating book too! Before I thought of anything else, I reached to it… and nearly fell on my behind with a yelp when a message window popped up! There was a cheerful chime, and a white floating window, asking if I wanted to be a [Caster]. Taking a deep breath, and reminding myself again it was just a game, I dismissed the window.
‘Should I pick this one?’ Well, which girl wouldn’t love to be able to use magic? Still, ‘I better take a look at the others before, even if I end up choosing this class. Yes, it was just like buying a dress! If I have to pick just one, I better pick the prettiest one!’
…Since the Berserker was at my right, I walked to the left and looked at the couple in a horse and a… cart? No, it wasn’t. It was one of those old roman… what was the word again?
Anyways, there was this girl with her hair done in a braided bun, wearing a dress with puffed shoulders and conducting the… vehicle, as if racing with the long haired knight in the horse. She had a wavy long blade in her hands, he carried a long spear and a blade. Behind them, the multicolor window depicted black horse-eagle-creature, fighting a white winged horse, no a Pegasus, in the sky, and a group of mounted knights in the ground.
Amazing.
I was between anticipating and fearing the next one, but the couple of marble statues didn’t looked disturbing neither exotic, to my disappointment. A marble huntress kneeled at one side, a hooded hunter-like fellow with an old styled rifle stood at the other, she aiming high, he pointing low.
There was also a bow with a quiver and a crossbow in front of the plaque, but I walked to the next one.
‘Why one would pick arrows when you could have magic?’
The next one was better, well the woman in heavy armor with the winged helmet was impressing if nothing else. Especially the large, decorated halberd in her hands, held blade down as if the image was ready to charge at her enemy. The male one was also quite eye-catching, a dashing and handsome warrior with a roguish smile, and probably very skilled too, holding a spear in each hand, one of his weapons over his shoulder, the other loose at his side.
Dear Kami, was I blushing to a stone statue?
I sincerely hope not.
Distracting myself from the statue, I looked at the pedestal, where a short and a long spear rested over the description of their powers:
And then I came to the last one.
More than the statues, which both depicted knights with poised blades, it was the stained glass that caught my eye on this one. A luminous golden blade was held skyward by a figure clad in blue and silver, against the ominous red of a golden armored knight, while another figure, clearly female, held a burning sword foward, commanding an army charge. In the black marble plate, a sword was stuck, like that story of old times.[Saber], I read above it.
It wasn’t about the powers, but there was something, like an… aura, of nobility, of command and power, and it called to me. It was tempting.
Before I changed my mind, I walked to the robed pair, and picked the jeweled scepter.
“You have to put some effort in the blocking or it won’t work.†I commented off-handedly. I don’t know if it was attracted by sound of my voice or if it was because Klein was down, but the thing turned its attention to me, and instead of meeting it head on, I sidestepped, and brought my blade down in a quick swipe.
A light trail marked the blade trajectory, showing that the [Strike Art] was successfully activated, hitting the beast on its neck, spraying a bright red mist and knocking the creature’s head on the dirt.
“See, it’s not that difficult. Grip your weapon tightly in any ready position, and try to swing your weapon by the Angles that show up in your HUD. You’ll know when you do it right, because there will be less resistance, and you’ll feel the blade speeding up by itself.†I explained once more, dismissing the results window from defeating the Boar.
“Ok, How does the system know what is a ready position anyways?†I blinked. Good Question. “Does the NerveGear read your mind or something like that?â€
“Technically speaking, it kind of does that, else your avatar wouldn’t move. But I think they programmed some basic martial arts information in-†I was flung sideways into the dirt, before my gaming reflexes kicked in, allowing a quick recovery, and I noticed the one responsible for the blast.
Fancy robe tied by a length of rope on the waist, long wavy hair and a book floating in front of him. A [Caster] class player, and judging by the laughter, it wasn’t an accident.
He threw a second spell, but this time I evaded. A quick glance at my [Health Indicator], a tridimensional asterisk shaped icon, showed moderate damage to my left shoulder, and light damage to the head totaling nearly a tenth of my health. The [Mana Metter] already full, due to the [Berserker] class lack of magic, flashed red once, as if to make its readiness.
The [Caster] attacked again, a hail of ice blades rising from the ground, and I was caught by surprise expecting another direct strike. A [Heavy Damage to the Legs] message showed on the log, and I thanked the game gods for the [Battle Continuation] skill that prevented any penalties from it.
I dashed forward, and brought the two-handed-blade on the lightning spell that he shot next, which didn’t help attenuating the damage at all. But I reached him, and the blade in my hands cut his arm off with barely any resistance…
He panicked, and I smirked at him. ‘Backing off now?’ I turned the downwards motion into a horizontal one, but he was backing down so it only ripped cloth.
‘Tch, too shallow.’ A couple of steps forward, then the third turned into stomping kick which hit his knees with a satisfying crunch, and served as a springboard to a spinning slash that lopped the head off. I hit him a few more times before my arms grew heavy again…
[ Caster defeated! ]
[ 100 experience points acquired! ]
I blinked at the message that jumped at my lower left corner, and then looked at the body in front of me. Or rather, the minced meat looking… thing that had the [Caster Remains] label attached to it. Good grief, if the guy was a real person… Bah, I’m thinking too much, he probably felt the equivalent of a paper cut anyway. And looking back at it, it felt good. I felt like I could do anything, and the guy was one annoying bug-
“Man, you’re scary when you fight seriously, you know that?†Klein, the [Saber] that asked for help earlier, interrupted that train of thought, asking from what he probably thought it was a safe distance.
“Well, I hope you learned something from that.†I waved it off, trying my best to not think too deeply of it, and just file it for later experiment. Yes, play it cool like a [Main Character] would.
“Don’t PK on strong people?†He asked cluelessly. “Or should it be: When you see the other guy’s eyes glowing red, run like the blazes.â€
Ugh. Did my eyes really turned red like a cheap vampire knock-off? “Let’s go with ‘Don’t start a fight unless you know what you’re doing.’ And leave it at that.†He nodded a little too quickly.
I turned to a nearby mob, and kicked a stone at it, readying my sword for a quick decapitation move. I missed, or rather, the [Wild Boar] was faster than the last one, so I hit its hindquarters instead, crippling the beast.
Lightning coursed through my body, though I only felt a light pinprick, and I heard the mad [Caster] laugh again. Persistent Idiot. My asterisk shaped [HP indicator] showed moderate damage to the torso, and the [Mana Meter] around it jumped from the lower-middle to full at once, once more flashing red. Instead of trying to suppress that effect from before, I decided to try and pay attention on how it worked. So, embracing the madness, my vision turned red, literally, and I advanced towards the guy, intent into hammering into his hard head that I wasn’t a good PvP target. Or bashing him into mush, whichever came first. The rush came again, like having one too many of those energy drinks and then going to play fast-paced fighting games with your heart hammering in your ears and feeling like everything is in slow-motion. I crossed the distance before I knew it, and my blade sung through the air, aiming to his neck again.
But it met something in the way, a metallic sound and a shockwave, as a milky glass dented in. He spoke something, but I didn’t understood, I just wanted to see him dead.
I attacked from the other side, but the same shield stopped me again. “Die!†I planted my foot and swung with all my weight, and the resulting breaking sound brought a smile to my face.
Again. I shouted, but my voice came hoarse an distorted, I swung the blade, and it sounded like a jet engine starting, then a grenade basting point blank and glass cracking.
“ψφЖЩѤҴ₴₵ ₦ℓ₫₡₠₢!†The guy was saying something, and there was the pinprick sensation of another spell hitting me, but he wasn’t dead.
My blade was still stuck on the breaking shield, so instead of pushing it deeper or pulling it off, I grabbed the neck of his robe and pulled. He felt light like a cat or a small dog, and made a satisfying sound when I smashed him against its own shield.
So I did it again.
And again, and again, until the thing broke apart.
Then my blade was free again, no, it’s tip was stuck into him so I just pushed it deeper and pinned him to the ground with it.
“₳₴€₮₱ â„“â‚« ₡₠₵₦₪! ₪€₮₱ ßØ ×ĦŦŧ ƔƫƗ ƛƢÇȸȺ ʚʑʤ ʬΘΔϕ ÏЉĦŦ!†He was speaking, I knew somehow, but it just didn’t make sense. And it was irritating.
So I punched his face, and when he didn’t stop talking, I punched again.
He didn’t stopped either, instead it got louder, so I pulled the blade off and up.
Then he did shut up.
[ Caster defeated! ]
[ 100 experience point acquired! ]
I looked at the [Caster Remain’s] and the evaporating red mist that passed for blood here. Then it clicked.
[Mad Enhancement], The [Berserker] Class trademark. Wow. I was expecting a [Battle Buff] or a [Limit Breaker] sort of thing. But instead, they took full advantage of the NervGear capabilities of Inputing and Outputing signals directly into the brain to… Put me into a trance? Well, there was the rush, the empowering feeling, and a sort of haze. It felt like someone turned [analog TV effect] on and tinted it red, and turned the soundtrack volume up to eleven in a bad mix of metal and nonsense screaming. And I couldn’t, or rather I didn’t want to stop and all that was in my head was the ways I could hurt the guy and how much he annoyed me…
I think is the first game I ever played that going berserker meant Berserking for real. “-oi, Kirito!†Oh, yeah, Klein. I’m getting sidetracked here.
“Did you get all five [Ivory Pieces]?†I asked him.
“Yup!â€
“Then let’s get out of here, before that guy comes back.â€
He followed me silently back into the city, and I couldn’t decide if he was put out or impressed by my brutal [Overkill] of the mage.
It wasn’t a particularly cold floor, or uncomfortable situation.
No it just reminded her from the real pain.
‘…there’s just nowhere far enough for me to run, is there?’
She looked around, until she spotted a warrior carrying a bow. [Archer] it read on the plate.
She touched the plate.
A chime like a bell sounded, and a small floating window appeared in front of her white clad figure.
Her hands trebled a bit from the surprise and hesitation, but she reached out and touched the [ Yes ]
The entire alcove that contained the statue shifted, and the wall opened into a staircase just below the stained glass window.
One step after the other, out of darkness and into the light she walked, to a balcony and then into smaller room into a lower level, right in between of two larger wardrobes and two waiting maids.
“Milady, we’re here to provide you the equipment.†One of them spoke, neither excited nor dull, while the other opened the wardrobe at her left.
A selection of clothes, from dresses, to kimonos, to other exotic clothing was available inside, and while they all looked fit for a combatant, they were all better than a common soldier or hunter was expected to wear.
“Anything catch your eye, lady?†One of the maids held a daring turquoise dress that looked vaguely European, but with an open belly and a few plates of armor, while the other held a toga-like piece in off-white. She shook her head to both designs and looking the options disinterestedly, picked a white kimono with red decorations and a red hakama.
Both Maids helped her dress, which she felt was a little uncomfortable and embarrassing, but at least they explained how to place and strap her armor in place.
Then they opened the other wardrobe, or rather, the armory.
Therein, every type of bow made by human hand, as well as muskets, old pistols and crossbows, laid neatly arranged into rows and columns of deadly ranged weaponry.
A black colored Daikyu was presented to her and one of the maids helped her to position her body and draw it experimentally. “Look at your target, try to see where the shot will land.†She explained helpfully, but ultimately unnecessarily: right after she pulled the string, a green colored dot showed on the wall, as if to show where she was aiming.
“If you focus yourself, the potency and precision of your shooting will increase.â€
She did so, on the only way she knew how. The expected pain, however, never came. The arrow hummed with power, as did her own body, but there was no pain.
[ Magecraft Skill Unlocked! ]
Something appeared briefly in the edge of her sight, but then the other maid retrieved a quiver with arrows, and two other bundles attached to the sides, and helped to fit them on her back, before showing her the corridor.
She was released, amidst the other people, girls and boys, every color of the rainbow in their clothing, eyes and hair, everyone walking enthusiastically outside.
It was like a party, and for the first time in ages, she felt like joining that party.
“Hmm, are you an Archer?†I looked to the source of the voice. She was standing there, both hands pulling her short, tunic-styled red dress a little lower with a blush on her face. I blinked.
“Yes, I’m an [Archer]. Erm, Sakura?†I lowered my voice. Fuji-nee taught me is kind of impolite to use a person’s real name-
“What? No! I’m Aya…†She lowered her voice to a whisper: “Ayako, well, [Ayame] in game.â€
I looked closer. Long braided cooper colored hair, purple eyes, and an unhappy expression. “What’s wrong?â€
“Damn dress is too short. I hate skirts.†I blinked at that. It did look much shorter than Homurahara uniform skirt, but the leather corset, boots and gloves made for a quite eye-catching combination with the crimson tunic. “Stop staring.†She blushed again.
“It looks good on you?â€
“It’s not a compliment if you say it like a question!†She shot an annoyed look back at me.
“Ah, Hey, you two?†I looked at the hesitant, cheerful voice, and so did Ayako, no Ayame.
White and red Kimono, long dark hair in a ponytail, and bright blue eyes.
Sa-
“Oh, come on! Why does she have a Hakama and I have to wear this!?†Aya-me complained loudly. I guess it is Sakura? Well, she is an archer, she has a Daikyu.
“I picked the red one.†Sakura, I don’t think she gave me her character name, took a step back from Ayako’s outburst. “Does it look weird? Am I wearing it wrong?â€
Well, it made sense to ask us, as we are part of the Archery club and she is not. “Looks right to me.†I close on her, and lower my voice. “What is your name here?â€
She tilted her her head slightly, and I regretted not taking the time to explain this before we logged in. “It’s Sakura. …Should I have put a different one?â€
I scratched my head. “Just make sure people don’t find it’s your real name.†I offered. “I’m Archer, She’s Ayame in here.†I pointed to Ayako, who was fiddling with that western longbow of hers.
Is she really that cross because of outfits? Mine isn’t that bad, it’s easy to move in, and Sakura’s is normal. She gets the most eye-catching one and complains.
“Now we’re just missing Shi- your brother.†I still managed to correct myself at the last moment.
“Ah, the names and roles we take in this life, for the sake of a good adventure and storytelling!†I blinked at the new voice. Green coat, unruly hair with a goatee, and a cape half worn. Oh, also a large tome under one arm, so he must be a [Caster].
“Nice character. Didn’t knew I could look that different.†Ayako was examining the man curiously.
“I’m seldom a character, lest I’m at the stage, although I’m often in character when writing the ramblings of my mind.†Wait, what? “The name is Shakespeare, William if you must treat me with intimacy before we get to a closer understanding, my lady.†What was the word Fuji-nee used? Enpicee? Well, I remember him from the beta, he was the guy that worked at the library.
“He isn’t a Player Aya-meâ€
“Oh but we are always players. The question is: are we playing the games of our choice, or being pawns at another’s?â€
“Oh, and should you need a new look, many a seller would take your request in this city.†He commented off-handedly.
He left then, maybe because we didn’t look like we would take a [quest].
She tossed the accursed weapon on the ground with a scream, and jumped back a few steps as if the thing would explode. Unfortunately for her, that also mean being out of the delimited [Cover] area, and being noticed by another of the wolves.
It dashed to her, and she ran, managing only couple of steps only before it tackled her body. She was knocked on the dirt, and grabbed her [Hunting Knife], the lines of the [System Assistance] showing on the beast’s flanks, head and briefly on its chest. It pounced again, and her arm swung aimlessly, both bodies bouncing out each other, her vision flashing red intermittently, and the creature hitting the dirt with the blood colored effect spraying from its neck and consuming its body until nothing was left.
It felt too real. The sound, the sensation, even the smell. She remembered it all.
‘I’m out!’ Her arm swung down in the movement of opening the menu, and she quickly navigated through tabs, to reach the last one:
It was there, crossed out, unresponsive, an exclamation button blinking by its side. She clicked the mark.
She felt like crying. Still, mustering all her courage, she crawled to her weapon, a [Musket Acquired] Message briefly popping up at her lower left corner, along with the much more important instructions on how reload the weapon. Her vision also showed her the cursors on two other wolves, too far (?) to attack her, but not to be seen.
She returned her knife to the sheath and swung the weapon at her back. ‘One more time, then I’ll go back to the city until I can log out.’ She reloaded, it seemed difficult at first glance, but it wasn’t, you half-tried to do it, half let the system guide you through the motions, much like aiming. ‘Put a lead ball in the breech, pull it forward, fill with gunpowder, close.’ She raised the archaic weapon again, and her hands trembled. ‘It’s just a game. Just a game. Just a game!’ She chanted repeatedly, red dot aiming inside the green circle, and finger pulling the trigger.
Once more, she dropped the weapon, but this time, caught it by the strap, and run, not interested in the least in knowing if her shot missed, or if the other wolf was actually following her.
She simply ran, into the city’s direction, then into it, and holed into the first building she could, hands, and knees shaking like a leaf in the wind.
‘I’m just too much of a coward.’ Asada Shino cried to herself.
[ Suguha Kirigaya ]
“Onii-chan! I’m going to take a nap!†She honestly felt a bit bad about lying to him, but it was such a small thing, a white lie, really. Thinking about it, it wasn’t even that, the Neuro Helmet, or however it was called, was meant to put the person in a sleep-like state, right? She would be sleeping.Her ear met the wall, and only the hum of the machine, could be heard on the other side. Quietly, she made her way to the kitchen, stopping on the way back, to peek on the keyhole, and under the door, and with both failures opening the door slightly to see her brother lying on his bed as if sleeping.
He didn’t react to the door, so he was really out. Closing the door quietly, and made her way back to her room, and reaching under the bed, pulled the box of her newest purchase.
Her own NervGear.
Opening the manual, she searched for the setup entry and started cabling the thing to her own computer, and then proceeded to the first use configuration.
“Hold it to your left arm, and press the spacebar again.†She was mumbling aloud again, but it was that things fault for being so complicated. Couldn’t they make one of those Plug-and-play consoles like her studying Computer? Plug it into the energy and turn it on?
‘Stop complaining. This is for your brother. You’re playing the game so you could see what he sees in those things and undertand him more.’ She put the helmet, and laid down, reading the last instruction on the manual, and pushing it under her bed, saying the activation command as loud as she dared.
…Which was barely above a whisper. “Link Start.â€
[ Shirou Emiya ]
Elsewhere…“You’re late Shinji!†Said boy decided to scowl at the captain for her obvious statement. I didn’t even took my eyes of the router I was setting up. No one would like to game with lag, and I was going to do my best so they can enjoy the experience. “And whose is that?†That caught my curiosity, but only for a moment. Shinji is a sociable person, and quite popular. It ins’t strange of him to bring a girl. I finished setting up the connection and applied the configurations, and turned “…IYA!†to get Ayako screaming at my face.
“Sorry, I was caught in the task.â€
“Figures.†She grumbled good naturedly as only she was capable to do. “This is Sakura. Shinji’s sister, and she’s planning to join our club next year. Shinji decided to be nice for a change and brought her to play with us today.†The dark haired girl (it looked purple, but it must be a trick of the light, people don’t have purple hair, right?) bowed and greeted me, and I in return, and I was about to offer my NervGear for her to play, when Ayako tossed another one to me, and smiled mischievously. “Help her calibrate it.â€
“Ok.†Why is her smiling like that? And why did Shinji tried to object (and got elbowed in the gut)?
“While you’re at it, help me afterwards, my brother decalibrated it with that judo program of his.â€
“Sure.†I replied and started the caibration wizard, [hold the Nervegear to the center of the chest-] I looked to the girl, Sakura, and then to Ayako, more precisely, to the their, or at least the former’s bust...
... and of course I got slapped upside the head for it. “Hey!â€
“You just thought something very rude now. I know it!†Ayako glared at me, and I put myself to work.
A few procedures and blushes later, we positioned the futons around the impromptu technology hub.
“It’s just like our camping trip.†Shinji commented.
“Except with boys and girls in the same room, yes.†Ayako agreed, then looked at Shinji with a smirk.
My friend paled. “Don’t say it.†Say what?
“Fine, but you’ll take us to dinner after here.â€
He nodded, and I wondered what he wanted to hide so badly. He isn’t a bad person, if a little misguided and rude at times. “It’s blackmail, I swear.†I heard him mutter.
The redheaded vice-captain clapped to silence stray comments and spoke: “Remember, pick the archer class, and wear something red. Shirou here said we should meet in the fountain of the central plaza.â€
I answered with a ‘Hai’ and Shinji and his sister confirmed with a pair of and she laid her body down with the helmet in her head. “What about Fuji-nee?†I asked.
“Probably late, as always.†Ayako shrugged. “We find her in game!†Before I could protest, as Fuji-nee didn’t had our in-game handles, she put the helmet and laid down. “Link Start!â€
Figures.
I did the same, and a silent blackness engulfed my senses. One by one I felt the Nervgear take control of my senses, before the login screen appeared.
Trying to type was useless, as I din’t have a body or fingers in here, but it was the thought of acting that made it work. After “Clicking†the OK button, I was rewarded with the sight of the [Loading…] message, written in some classic handwriting-like characters.
[ Disclaimer: ]
[ The views expressed by any non-player characters are based on their time period and the historical personalities they are intended to represent. The views expressed by other players are their own. Those views don’t represent Argus or the Author views on any subject, matter or form, nor should said parties be responsible for them.
The popular culture, legends, and myths, as well as published stories used in this work of fiction are intended for fun and entertainment. No harm was intended to the reputation of the historical or fictional personalities by the author. Characters of any media still belong to their original authors. No copyright laws were infringed.
This game contain scenes of violence, gore, and mature humor and themes at times. Parental discretion is advised. The rating doesn’t cover online interactions with other players. ]
[ Proceed? [ Yes ] No ]
[ The views expressed by any non-player characters are based on their time period and the historical personalities they are intended to represent. The views expressed by other players are their own. Those views don’t represent Argus or the Author views on any subject, matter or form, nor should said parties be responsible for them.
The popular culture, legends, and myths, as well as published stories used in this work of fiction are intended for fun and entertainment. No harm was intended to the reputation of the historical or fictional personalities by the author. Characters of any media still belong to their original authors. No copyright laws were infringed.
This game contain scenes of violence, gore, and mature humor and themes at times. Parental discretion is advised. The rating doesn’t cover online interactions with other players. ]
[ Proceed? [ Yes ] No ]
I carefully read the contract, as Dad and Raiga-san taught me to do, and “Yes, I’m old enough.†Selected the [ Yes] option.
[ Beta Test Save Data available. Import Avatar? [ Yes ] / No ]
[ No], I played a Saber at the Beta, and we have all agreed to use Archers now.
[ Import Settings and Preferences? [ Yes ] / No ]
For an instant I imagined Mitsuzuri screaming “Get on with the game already!â€, and pressed [ Yes].
There was a sensation like acceleration, and a light appeared in the distance, rapidly approaching as if he was running to the exit of a tunnel.
THRONE OF HEROES ONLINE - PROLOGUE - LINK START
[ Leafa ]
I was struck silent. Sure, the brochures said the Neurogear brought fantasy into life and all that stuff you saw into commercials about new technologies (especially those about new video disc technologies), but this…I felt the cold of the floor under my bare feet, and the texture of the rock, and the smell of damp air with a slight touch of incense. I saw the light playing in the stained glass windows ten times larger than a person, and the same light playing over my skin and dress, as well as its warmth if I focused on it.
It felt real.
Unbelievably so, that I even grabbed my own long hair to look at it, as if to confirm that I was looking at my character and not at myself.
‘No, still blonde.’
This is amazing!
Looking around, the room was divided in seven equal alcoves, each with a pair of white marble statues and a plaque of black marble with inscriptions on them. I was immediately attracted by the largest one, an enormous man stood in spiked armor, along a lithe woman in a black elaborate dress with horns and a tail. He was shouldering a sword nearly his size, she had a spiked spear. He had a crazed look and she had a demonic smirk. I felt an uncomfortable shudder just from standing near the figures, so realistic they looked even in their lack of color.
Behind them, the large window depicted a steel colored giant facing a dark skinned man in close combat, a woman with a large mace battling a blonde man with a golden ax in the stairs and a disturbing amount of blood from those battles. I took a step back, and only then looked at the plaque sitting right in front of me:
[ Berserker: Abandoning all strategy, all reasoning and even part of one’s consciousness, and trading them for raw, undiluted power, warriors of this class are capable of utterly annihilating obstacles in their path. Many became, or were born from masters of the wild, while others embraced the berserker ways after one all-consuming moment of fury in their life. ]
[ Strength C, Endurance D, Agility D, Mana E, Luck E ]
[ Class Skill: Mad Enhancement, plus one of the following: Battle Continuation, Mental Pollution, Monstrous Strength ]
[ Strength C, Endurance D, Agility D, Mana E, Luck E ]
[ Class Skill: Mad Enhancement, plus one of the following: Battle Continuation, Mental Pollution, Monstrous Strength ]
‘Who would be crazy to play such a… crazy class?’
I wasn’t, this much was certain, so I decided to look at the next one to the right.
[ Assassin: Fight smarter, not harder, is the motto of their profession. Striking from the shadows, taking opponents when they least expect and staying undetected when their targets are alert. For an Assassin, nothing is true, everything is permitted. ]
I looked back at the marble figures: A man in Middle Eastern robes, his face covered by a mask but his eyes still showing wicked cunning. His hand held a curved dagger in a reverse grip, and I once more felt uncomfortable in the shadows, of a dark blue hue, of the stained glass. The woman, no, the child, looked positively more innocent, if you ignored the half-dozen knives, some reaching almost a third of her size hanging from her body. I decided against looking up to the window’s glass and glanced at the rest of the information, even if I wasn’t going to be, no play, in this class.
[ Strength D, Endurance D, Agility B, Mana E, Luck B ]
[ Class Skill: Presence Concealment, plus one of the following: Disengage, Independent Action, Information Erasure, Presence Detection, Subversive Activities ]
[ Class Skill: Presence Concealment, plus one of the following: Disengage, Independent Action, Information Erasure, Presence Detection, Subversive Activities ]
I hope they also have non-disturbing classes to play, because I can’t imagine Onii-san playing something as creepy as these two, even if he played those bloody zombie games I saw once. I shook my head and looked around, and sighed in relief once I saw a couple of robed figures that didn’t look ready to stab someone. Yeah, let’s look at those instead.
[ Caster: One that draws the forces of the arcane, cheating the very world to produce supernatural results. They trade weaker melee for variety of abilities, and spells that if well used can decimate the battlefield. ]
[ Strength E, Endurance E, Agility C, Mana A, Luck B ]
[Class Skill: Magecraft, plus one of the following: Item Creation, Library of Stored Knowledge, Territory Creation. ]
[ Strength E, Endurance E, Agility C, Mana A, Luck B ]
[Class Skill: Magecraft, plus one of the following: Item Creation, Library of Stored Knowledge, Territory Creation. ]
Ok, those don’t look so bad. Mages like those of fairy tales, ah, but younger now that I look at the marble replicas. There was a man in long robes with a staff in hand, and a woman with long, flowing robes, a cape obscuring the face upper features, but not the delicate chin and lips. Beautiful, and dressed, unlike what I saw when looking for game magician pictures in the internet… And there was a floating book too! Before I thought of anything else, I reached to it… and nearly fell on my behind with a yelp when a message window popped up! There was a cheerful chime, and a white floating window, asking if I wanted to be a [Caster]. Taking a deep breath, and reminding myself again it was just a game, I dismissed the window.
‘Should I pick this one?’ Well, which girl wouldn’t love to be able to use magic? Still, ‘I better take a look at the others before, even if I end up choosing this class. Yes, it was just like buying a dress! If I have to pick just one, I better pick the prettiest one!’
…Since the Berserker was at my right, I walked to the left and looked at the couple in a horse and a… cart? No, it wasn’t. It was one of those old roman… what was the word again?
Anyways, there was this girl with her hair done in a braided bun, wearing a dress with puffed shoulders and conducting the… vehicle, as if racing with the long haired knight in the horse. She had a wavy long blade in her hands, he carried a long spear and a blade. Behind them, the multicolor window depicted black horse-eagle-creature, fighting a white winged horse, no a Pegasus, in the sky, and a group of mounted knights in the ground.
Amazing.
[ Rider: The ability of calling his own means of transport, as well as launching devastating attacks makes this a fast, versatile and skilled, if less powerful type of hero and unpredictable foe. ]
[ Strength D, Endurance D, Agility B, Mana C, Luck E ]
[ Class Skill: Riding, plus one of the following: Battle Continuation, Disengage, Military Tactics ]
[ Strength D, Endurance D, Agility B, Mana C, Luck E ]
[ Class Skill: Riding, plus one of the following: Battle Continuation, Disengage, Military Tactics ]
I was between anticipating and fearing the next one, but the couple of marble statues didn’t looked disturbing neither exotic, to my disappointment. A marble huntress kneeled at one side, a hooded hunter-like fellow with an old styled rifle stood at the other, she aiming high, he pointing low.
[ Archer: Since civilization started, humanity had sought for ways to reach farther and attack those out of melee range. Sometimes alone, others in great numbers, ranged fighters can always make a difference in the battle field, be it by sniping from afar, or by showering enemies with death in large scale battlefields. ]
[ Strength C, Endurance C, Agility C, Mana E, Luck E ]
[ Class Skill (choose one): Independent Action, Magic Resistance, Presence Concealment ]
[ Strength C, Endurance C, Agility C, Mana E, Luck E ]
[ Class Skill (choose one): Independent Action, Magic Resistance, Presence Concealment ]
There was also a bow with a quiver and a crossbow in front of the plaque, but I walked to the next one.
‘Why one would pick arrows when you could have magic?’
The next one was better, well the woman in heavy armor with the winged helmet was impressing if nothing else. Especially the large, decorated halberd in her hands, held blade down as if the image was ready to charge at her enemy. The male one was also quite eye-catching, a dashing and handsome warrior with a roguish smile, and probably very skilled too, holding a spear in each hand, one of his weapons over his shoulder, the other loose at his side.
Dear Kami, was I blushing to a stone statue?
I sincerely hope not.
Distracting myself from the statue, I looked at the pedestal, where a short and a long spear rested over the description of their powers:
[ Lancer: From elite knights to vagrants, hunters and gladiators, many are those who prefer to focus on the spear, a weapon of offense and speed in a melee, rather than defensive combat. Their high-speed capacities make them most effective against single targets. ]
[ Strength B, Endurance C, Agility A, Mana D, Luck E ]
[ Class Skill (choose one): Disengage, Instinct, Magic Resistance ]
[ Strength B, Endurance C, Agility A, Mana D, Luck E ]
[ Class Skill (choose one): Disengage, Instinct, Magic Resistance ]
And then I came to the last one.
More than the statues, which both depicted knights with poised blades, it was the stained glass that caught my eye on this one. A luminous golden blade was held skyward by a figure clad in blue and silver, against the ominous red of a golden armored knight, while another figure, clearly female, held a burning sword foward, commanding an army charge. In the black marble plate, a sword was stuck, like that story of old times.[Saber], I read above it.
[ Honored warriors of military tradition, trained as nobility from birth or experienced soldiers rewarded with such rank by his heroic deeds in battle, Sabers are specialists in melee combat and defense, a balanced class against both single targets and small numbers. ]
[ Strength A, Endurance B, Agility B, Mana C, Luck D ]
[ Class Skill (choose one): Bravery, Magic Resistance, Riding ]
[ Strength A, Endurance B, Agility B, Mana C, Luck D ]
[ Class Skill (choose one): Bravery, Magic Resistance, Riding ]
It wasn’t about the powers, but there was something, like an… aura, of nobility, of command and power, and it called to me. It was tempting.
Before I changed my mind, I walked to the robed pair, and picked the jeweled scepter.
[ Kirito ]
The [Wild Boar]’s eyes glowed orange, and he charged the red clad Samurai, who was knocked on his backside. I shook my head in exasperation.“You have to put some effort in the blocking or it won’t work.†I commented off-handedly. I don’t know if it was attracted by sound of my voice or if it was because Klein was down, but the thing turned its attention to me, and instead of meeting it head on, I sidestepped, and brought my blade down in a quick swipe.
A light trail marked the blade trajectory, showing that the [Strike Art] was successfully activated, hitting the beast on its neck, spraying a bright red mist and knocking the creature’s head on the dirt.
“See, it’s not that difficult. Grip your weapon tightly in any ready position, and try to swing your weapon by the Angles that show up in your HUD. You’ll know when you do it right, because there will be less resistance, and you’ll feel the blade speeding up by itself.†I explained once more, dismissing the results window from defeating the Boar.
“Ok, How does the system know what is a ready position anyways?†I blinked. Good Question. “Does the NerveGear read your mind or something like that?â€
“Technically speaking, it kind of does that, else your avatar wouldn’t move. But I think they programmed some basic martial arts information in-†I was flung sideways into the dirt, before my gaming reflexes kicked in, allowing a quick recovery, and I noticed the one responsible for the blast.
Fancy robe tied by a length of rope on the waist, long wavy hair and a book floating in front of him. A [Caster] class player, and judging by the laughter, it wasn’t an accident.
He threw a second spell, but this time I evaded. A quick glance at my [Health Indicator], a tridimensional asterisk shaped icon, showed moderate damage to my left shoulder, and light damage to the head totaling nearly a tenth of my health. The [Mana Metter] already full, due to the [Berserker] class lack of magic, flashed red once, as if to make its readiness.
The [Caster] attacked again, a hail of ice blades rising from the ground, and I was caught by surprise expecting another direct strike. A [Heavy Damage to the Legs] message showed on the log, and I thanked the game gods for the [Battle Continuation] skill that prevented any penalties from it.
I dashed forward, and brought the two-handed-blade on the lightning spell that he shot next, which didn’t help attenuating the damage at all. But I reached him, and the blade in my hands cut his arm off with barely any resistance…
He panicked, and I smirked at him. ‘Backing off now?’ I turned the downwards motion into a horizontal one, but he was backing down so it only ripped cloth.
‘Tch, too shallow.’ A couple of steps forward, then the third turned into stomping kick which hit his knees with a satisfying crunch, and served as a springboard to a spinning slash that lopped the head off. I hit him a few more times before my arms grew heavy again…
[ Caster defeated! ]
[ 100 experience points acquired! ]
I blinked at the message that jumped at my lower left corner, and then looked at the body in front of me. Or rather, the minced meat looking… thing that had the [Caster Remains] label attached to it. Good grief, if the guy was a real person… Bah, I’m thinking too much, he probably felt the equivalent of a paper cut anyway. And looking back at it, it felt good. I felt like I could do anything, and the guy was one annoying bug-
“Man, you’re scary when you fight seriously, you know that?†Klein, the [Saber] that asked for help earlier, interrupted that train of thought, asking from what he probably thought it was a safe distance.
“Well, I hope you learned something from that.†I waved it off, trying my best to not think too deeply of it, and just file it for later experiment. Yes, play it cool like a [Main Character] would.
“Don’t PK on strong people?†He asked cluelessly. “Or should it be: When you see the other guy’s eyes glowing red, run like the blazes.â€
Ugh. Did my eyes really turned red like a cheap vampire knock-off? “Let’s go with ‘Don’t start a fight unless you know what you’re doing.’ And leave it at that.†He nodded a little too quickly.
I turned to a nearby mob, and kicked a stone at it, readying my sword for a quick decapitation move. I missed, or rather, the [Wild Boar] was faster than the last one, so I hit its hindquarters instead, crippling the beast.
Lightning coursed through my body, though I only felt a light pinprick, and I heard the mad [Caster] laugh again. Persistent Idiot. My asterisk shaped [HP indicator] showed moderate damage to the torso, and the [Mana Meter] around it jumped from the lower-middle to full at once, once more flashing red. Instead of trying to suppress that effect from before, I decided to try and pay attention on how it worked. So, embracing the madness, my vision turned red, literally, and I advanced towards the guy, intent into hammering into his hard head that I wasn’t a good PvP target. Or bashing him into mush, whichever came first. The rush came again, like having one too many of those energy drinks and then going to play fast-paced fighting games with your heart hammering in your ears and feeling like everything is in slow-motion. I crossed the distance before I knew it, and my blade sung through the air, aiming to his neck again.
But it met something in the way, a metallic sound and a shockwave, as a milky glass dented in. He spoke something, but I didn’t understood, I just wanted to see him dead.
I attacked from the other side, but the same shield stopped me again. “Die!†I planted my foot and swung with all my weight, and the resulting breaking sound brought a smile to my face.
Again. I shouted, but my voice came hoarse an distorted, I swung the blade, and it sounded like a jet engine starting, then a grenade basting point blank and glass cracking.
“ψφЖЩѤҴ₴₵ ₦ℓ₫₡₠₢!†The guy was saying something, and there was the pinprick sensation of another spell hitting me, but he wasn’t dead.
My blade was still stuck on the breaking shield, so instead of pushing it deeper or pulling it off, I grabbed the neck of his robe and pulled. He felt light like a cat or a small dog, and made a satisfying sound when I smashed him against its own shield.
So I did it again.
And again, and again, until the thing broke apart.
Then my blade was free again, no, it’s tip was stuck into him so I just pushed it deeper and pinned him to the ground with it.
“₳₴€₮₱ â„“â‚« ₡₠₵₦₪! ₪€₮₱ ßØ ×ĦŦŧ ƔƫƗ ƛƢÇȸȺ ʚʑʤ ʬΘΔϕ ÏЉĦŦ!†He was speaking, I knew somehow, but it just didn’t make sense. And it was irritating.
So I punched his face, and when he didn’t stop talking, I punched again.
He didn’t stopped either, instead it got louder, so I pulled the blade off and up.
Then he did shut up.
[ Caster defeated! ]
[ 100 experience point acquired! ]
I looked at the [Caster Remain’s] and the evaporating red mist that passed for blood here. Then it clicked.
[Mad Enhancement], The [Berserker] Class trademark. Wow. I was expecting a [Battle Buff] or a [Limit Breaker] sort of thing. But instead, they took full advantage of the NervGear capabilities of Inputing and Outputing signals directly into the brain to… Put me into a trance? Well, there was the rush, the empowering feeling, and a sort of haze. It felt like someone turned [analog TV effect] on and tinted it red, and turned the soundtrack volume up to eleven in a bad mix of metal and nonsense screaming. And I couldn’t, or rather I didn’t want to stop and all that was in my head was the ways I could hurt the guy and how much he annoyed me…
I think is the first game I ever played that going berserker meant Berserking for real. “-oi, Kirito!†Oh, yeah, Klein. I’m getting sidetracked here.
“Did you get all five [Ivory Pieces]?†I asked him.
“Yup!â€
“Then let’s get out of here, before that guy comes back.â€
He followed me silently back into the city, and I couldn’t decide if he was put out or impressed by my brutal [Overkill] of the mage.
[ Sakura ]
Her bare feet touched the dark marble, and she shuddered.It wasn’t a particularly cold floor, or uncomfortable situation.
No it just reminded her from the real pain.
‘…there’s just nowhere far enough for me to run, is there?’
She looked around, until she spotted a warrior carrying a bow. [Archer] it read on the plate.
She touched the plate.
A chime like a bell sounded, and a small floating window appeared in front of her white clad figure.
[ Archer Class Selected. Proceed? [ Yes ] / No ]
Her hands trebled a bit from the surprise and hesitation, but she reached out and touched the [ Yes ]
The entire alcove that contained the statue shifted, and the wall opened into a staircase just below the stained glass window.
One step after the other, out of darkness and into the light she walked, to a balcony and then into smaller room into a lower level, right in between of two larger wardrobes and two waiting maids.
“Milady, we’re here to provide you the equipment.†One of them spoke, neither excited nor dull, while the other opened the wardrobe at her left.
A selection of clothes, from dresses, to kimonos, to other exotic clothing was available inside, and while they all looked fit for a combatant, they were all better than a common soldier or hunter was expected to wear.
“Anything catch your eye, lady?†One of the maids held a daring turquoise dress that looked vaguely European, but with an open belly and a few plates of armor, while the other held a toga-like piece in off-white. She shook her head to both designs and looking the options disinterestedly, picked a white kimono with red decorations and a red hakama.
Both Maids helped her dress, which she felt was a little uncomfortable and embarrassing, but at least they explained how to place and strap her armor in place.
Then they opened the other wardrobe, or rather, the armory.
Therein, every type of bow made by human hand, as well as muskets, old pistols and crossbows, laid neatly arranged into rows and columns of deadly ranged weaponry.
A black colored Daikyu was presented to her and one of the maids helped her to position her body and draw it experimentally. “Look at your target, try to see where the shot will land.†She explained helpfully, but ultimately unnecessarily: right after she pulled the string, a green colored dot showed on the wall, as if to show where she was aiming.
“If you focus yourself, the potency and precision of your shooting will increase.â€
She did so, on the only way she knew how. The expected pain, however, never came. The arrow hummed with power, as did her own body, but there was no pain.
[ Magecraft Skill Unlocked! ]
Something appeared briefly in the edge of her sight, but then the other maid retrieved a quiver with arrows, and two other bundles attached to the sides, and helped to fit them on her back, before showing her the corridor.
She was released, amidst the other people, girls and boys, every color of the rainbow in their clothing, eyes and hair, everyone walking enthusiastically outside.
It was like a party, and for the first time in ages, she felt like joining that party.
[ Archer ]
Another girl passed on the street, in one of those red Chinese dresses, and I followed her briefly with my eyes. No, she was a [Lancer], not an [Archer].“Hmm, are you an Archer?†I looked to the source of the voice. She was standing there, both hands pulling her short, tunic-styled red dress a little lower with a blush on her face. I blinked.
“Yes, I’m an [Archer]. Erm, Sakura?†I lowered my voice. Fuji-nee taught me is kind of impolite to use a person’s real name-
“What? No! I’m Aya…†She lowered her voice to a whisper: “Ayako, well, [Ayame] in game.â€
I looked closer. Long braided cooper colored hair, purple eyes, and an unhappy expression. “What’s wrong?â€
“Damn dress is too short. I hate skirts.†I blinked at that. It did look much shorter than Homurahara uniform skirt, but the leather corset, boots and gloves made for a quite eye-catching combination with the crimson tunic. “Stop staring.†She blushed again.
“It looks good on you?â€
“It’s not a compliment if you say it like a question!†She shot an annoyed look back at me.
“Ah, Hey, you two?†I looked at the hesitant, cheerful voice, and so did Ayako, no Ayame.
White and red Kimono, long dark hair in a ponytail, and bright blue eyes.
Sa-
“Oh, come on! Why does she have a Hakama and I have to wear this!?†Aya-me complained loudly. I guess it is Sakura? Well, she is an archer, she has a Daikyu.
“I picked the red one.†Sakura, I don’t think she gave me her character name, took a step back from Ayako’s outburst. “Does it look weird? Am I wearing it wrong?â€
Well, it made sense to ask us, as we are part of the Archery club and she is not. “Looks right to me.†I close on her, and lower my voice. “What is your name here?â€
She tilted her her head slightly, and I regretted not taking the time to explain this before we logged in. “It’s Sakura. …Should I have put a different one?â€
I scratched my head. “Just make sure people don’t find it’s your real name.†I offered. “I’m Archer, She’s Ayame in here.†I pointed to Ayako, who was fiddling with that western longbow of hers.
Is she really that cross because of outfits? Mine isn’t that bad, it’s easy to move in, and Sakura’s is normal. She gets the most eye-catching one and complains.
“Now we’re just missing Shi- your brother.†I still managed to correct myself at the last moment.
“Ah, the names and roles we take in this life, for the sake of a good adventure and storytelling!†I blinked at the new voice. Green coat, unruly hair with a goatee, and a cape half worn. Oh, also a large tome under one arm, so he must be a [Caster].
“Nice character. Didn’t knew I could look that different.†Ayako was examining the man curiously.
“I’m seldom a character, lest I’m at the stage, although I’m often in character when writing the ramblings of my mind.†Wait, what? “The name is Shakespeare, William if you must treat me with intimacy before we get to a closer understanding, my lady.†What was the word Fuji-nee used? Enpicee? Well, I remember him from the beta, he was the guy that worked at the library.
“He isn’t a Player Aya-meâ€
“Oh but we are always players. The question is: are we playing the games of our choice, or being pawns at another’s?â€
“Oh, and should you need a new look, many a seller would take your request in this city.†He commented off-handedly.
He left then, maybe because we didn’t look like we would take a [quest].
[ Sinon ]
‘I can do this!’ The old rifle was aimed, the tip inside the green circle, hovering on the grey wolf. It looked just like a dog. The weapon thundered, and she expected the recoil to knock her back, the red mist exploding from the man’s corpse…She tossed the accursed weapon on the ground with a scream, and jumped back a few steps as if the thing would explode. Unfortunately for her, that also mean being out of the delimited [Cover] area, and being noticed by another of the wolves.
It dashed to her, and she ran, managing only couple of steps only before it tackled her body. She was knocked on the dirt, and grabbed her [Hunting Knife], the lines of the [System Assistance] showing on the beast’s flanks, head and briefly on its chest. It pounced again, and her arm swung aimlessly, both bodies bouncing out each other, her vision flashing red intermittently, and the creature hitting the dirt with the blood colored effect spraying from its neck and consuming its body until nothing was left.
It felt too real. The sound, the sensation, even the smell. She remembered it all.
‘I’m out!’ Her arm swung down in the movement of opening the menu, and she quickly navigated through tabs, to reach the last one:
[ SYSTEM ]
[ HUD Color - [ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ] ]
[ [Auto] Inverse Customize [ ][ ] ]
[ HUD Timeout (seconds) - 15 + ]
[ Harassment Warnings - [ ON ] OFF ]
[ Ethic Codes - [ ON ] OFF ]
[ Message Log ]
[ Help ]
[ Log Out [ ! ] ]
[ HUD Color - [ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ][ ] ]
[ [Auto] Inverse Customize [ ][ ] ]
[ HUD Timeout (seconds) - 15 + ]
[ Harassment Warnings - [ ON ] OFF ]
[ Ethic Codes - [ ON ] OFF ]
[ Message Log ]
[ Help ]
[ Log Out [ ! ] ]
It was there, crossed out, unresponsive, an exclamation button blinking by its side. She clicked the mark.
[ Due to server issues, this operation is temporarily disabled until further notice. ]
She felt like crying. Still, mustering all her courage, she crawled to her weapon, a [Musket Acquired] Message briefly popping up at her lower left corner, along with the much more important instructions on how reload the weapon. Her vision also showed her the cursors on two other wolves, too far (?) to attack her, but not to be seen.
She returned her knife to the sheath and swung the weapon at her back. ‘One more time, then I’ll go back to the city until I can log out.’ She reloaded, it seemed difficult at first glance, but it wasn’t, you half-tried to do it, half let the system guide you through the motions, much like aiming. ‘Put a lead ball in the breech, pull it forward, fill with gunpowder, close.’ She raised the archaic weapon again, and her hands trembled. ‘It’s just a game. Just a game. Just a game!’ She chanted repeatedly, red dot aiming inside the green circle, and finger pulling the trigger.
Once more, she dropped the weapon, but this time, caught it by the strap, and run, not interested in the least in knowing if her shot missed, or if the other wolf was actually following her.
She simply ran, into the city’s direction, then into it, and holed into the first building she could, hands, and knees shaking like a leaf in the wind.
‘I’m just too much of a coward.’ Asada Shino cried to herself.