1 A Trade

"Hey, Mika! "Noticing his childhood friend's player avatar standing nearby a grand water fountain, Kino rushed over as he caught her attention. "Mika! Hey, is that you?! Wow! You look stunning and very pretty! "

"H-huh!? S-Stop it! "Mika said with a blushing expression from the other side of the screen. "Right. This is your first day logging into 'Reviere' right!? "

"Hm. It is, and I still can't get over this VR insanity! This-this entire world feels and smells like the real thing! "Kino abruptly jumped with excitement in his voice. "I'm super glad we are friends Mika, thanks for lending me one of your spare custom consoles so I can play. I appreciate it! "

"Gah! "Stunned, Mika twirled in her chair from the sudden joy as Kino stood in-game with a curious eye. "Um, no problem, Kino. Glad you like it. "

"So! What do we do now, Mika? Hmm? Mika? "Kino raised his gaze and looked around his screen as he couldn't find any trace of Mika. "Where did she go? She was right here a second ago? Did she really leave me here all alone and ditch me? "

Sliding his hand over the mouse and keys, Kino began moving his character model and started wandering around the town square while looking for Mika.

"I'm hope she didn't go too far... Damn it Mika, if you wanted to play games, you should at least give me a head up. "Kino stopped and turned his head to the right where a massive crowd of NPC's, (Non-player-characters) passed, cheering in anticipation. "What's going on? Is this like a parade? "

"Oh-hoh? "An old, wrinkled monk sitting beside the wall of a townhouse spooked Kino as the old monk soon raised his bounless voice as he asked for Kino's name. "Uh, I'm Kino. Who are you old man? An NPC guy or a real player? "

"I'm just an old monk. But you, seems like this is your first time seeing this event. Am I wrong? "Lowering his gaze from under his hood, the old monk then smiled as Kino held a firm and curious gaze at the old man. "Would you like for me to fill you in on what it is then? "

"Um... Sure. But I don't have any money or special weapons or anything worth to trade. "Kino said in earnest. "I don't think I'll be able to pay for the information as I am now. "

"Hoh! So you know nothing is free in this world. My-my, you have a decent instructor indeed if they warned you about such pesky terms. Tell you what, I'll do you this service and tell you something anyway. I do not seek a reward and you get to be on your way right after, free of charge of course. "Kino held a firm expression at the ground, he then nodded and took a seat before the old monk.

"Very good. Most drifters alike your kind don't wish to hear an old man share what he has to offer. "Turning his head toward the ground, the old monk began. "Kino, one last thing before you learn about this world. Be honest with yourself, are you -- truly free, are you a drifter? "The old monk's gaze lifted, freeing his left eye from the his baggy skin as his red crimson color paralyzed Kino in place while he tried to leave after being freaked out by the old monks words. "Are you really -- truly among the players' of this world that appeared thirty years ago in our world? "

"W-What do you mean? This RPGMMO just came out three days ago. "The monk lowered his gaze as his wrinkled mouth lifted into a smile as he chuckled and stopped.

"Very well, you seem fairly different from the others. I can trust you to this worlds meaning if you do me this one service. "Kino held an eager expression as his blood in his real body began to boiled from exitment from the uknown. "Kino-sama, (Master Kino), will you do me the honor of giving me your life in exchange for protecting this world and the ones that inhabit it? "

Sitting before the computer screen with neither an expression nor fear, a petrified Kino took it seriously as he did over every little thing in his life and proceeded with moving his mouse automatically. His player model then nodded his head as he held a stern gaze at the old monk.

"Very well, I accept your devotion, Kino. Thank you... And may you find that which is you seek. "Standing up after getting ethics free for a split second, Kino abruptly froze once more as the old sitting monk pressed his finger onto Kino's player model's forehead.

("Heh? ") Kino sat still, frozen in his chair, paralyzed and unable to move and instead, spoke within his head. ("W-Why can't I move? What is this?! ")

"I pray for you, Free-Drifter, may your journey be one that gives fruit to your fate. "

Kino sat confused and afraid until the monk's hand suddenly crossed through the computer screen and toward Kino's forehead. Unable to move and terrified, Kino suddenly met the gaze of the old monk on his screen as Kino's body suddenly disappeared from his room.

The image of the old monk soon disappeared as well as the only thing left in Kino's room was his player model in mid-crouch on his computer screen.

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