In the Town of Beginnings there resides a guild that nobody talks about but everybody knows.

Girls who switched off their morality filters and never turned them back on.

Everyone in the game looked down on them for what they did, of all the ways to survive in this world this was just too disgusting too shameful for most other players to accept.

Only Player killers are held in less regard and that is because they are monsters.

The guild is led by Minx. She is not the most beautiful girl in the game and certainly not the most powerful but for the skills that she has mastered in game many players are more than willing to hand over hard won col and valuable items to meet in secret and experience what she has to offer.

She's fiercely protective of the other girls in her guild. No one gets near them without setting up a meeting through her. Even though The town of Beginnings is a safe zone she leaves nothing to chance.

With her earnings she was able to purchase an entire hotel right near the main plaza, much to the dismay of those who wished to sweep her under the rug.

Let them turn up their noses at her, Minx thought. Most of the players that were idolized as great heros here had spent their nights with her or her girls.

Even the thugs that called themselves town guards, were hers by night and they had never even tried to collect their ridiculous "taxes" from her or or anyone in her guild. Getting blocked from her hotel was not something those losers could afford to risk.

The sky was just beginning to darken as her first customer approached the hotel.

The player seemed to be male but was hooded, typical.

Minx checked the time she was expecting a very profitable visit from Commander Heithcliff but not for another hour at least. She greeted the hooded stranger in the foyer.

"Hi honey, do you have a reservation? "

"N..no." The player stuttered.

"Is this your first time here?" Minx asked. She wasn't worried about the players apparent nervousness, she knew how to make a first time newb like this feel right at home.

"There's some refreshments laid out in the hall." She told him.

"Why don't you join me for some tea? No offence sweetie but nobody gets a room till I've checked them out personally. "

The hood nodded and followed obediently.

As Minx sat and poured the tea she said, "I like to know who's with my girls, the hood needs to go."

The player pulled up his control panel and returned the cloak to his stash. Minx noticed that his hands were shaking, she wondered how much of a first-timer the guy actually was.

Without the hood the young man was a little scruffy with red-hair and a sheepish smile.

"I need to see your profile, mostly just to verify your age. No kids allowed." Minx said.

"Klien." She read out loud "Aged 22, impressive stats , I think I have a few girls free tonight."

Klein shifted uncomfortably, " I didn't actually come here for that, I just uh wanted to see you."

Minx hid her surprise and chuckled softly. "Sorry baby, I'm booked tonight, and I don't do walk-ins."

Klein blushed but persisted, "That's not... I just wanted to talk to you."

"Talk?" Minx asked trying not to look thrown.

"That's not usually one of my services but maybe one of the others..."

"No!" Klein interjected again .

"I want to talk to you! You know like... Oh forget it, this was a stupid idea."

He stood to go.

"Wait, wait." Minx said taking hold of his sleeve to stop him.

"My sincere apologies for causing you embarrassment. " Minx said as he returned to his seat.

Klein nodded and stared down into his tea.

"What did you need to say?" Minx prodded.

"I guess you wouldn't remember me. " Klein said.

"We've met before?" Minx asked somewhat apologetically.

Klein nodded.

"I recognized you that first day, after Kyaba changed our avatars to our true faces."

Minx gasped and covered her mouth with her hands. Someone from her real world was here, seeing her in this life. Her cheeks burned hot.

"We had a few classes together back in high school. " Klein said.

"My name was Tsuobi Ryoutaru, I think yours was Hina."

Minx just stared at him, this was too horrible to be real.

"I always kind of liked you." Klein said.

" You were smart and funny, but I just never had the guts to say anything."

"Please, " Minx barely managed to whisper.

"If we ever get back ... don't tell anyone about me.

I'll do anything you want for you here but just don't tell them at home."

Klein was horrified. "I'm sorry Hin- Minx, I did not mean to frighten you with this.

I know it is always stupid to bring up our other lives but I just wanted you to know I was here. I thought we could be friends."

"Friends?" Minx's breath caught on the word. Since she had been here she had her guild and connections and of course the players who she serviced but no friends. She didn't realize until this moment how lonely her existence in Aincrad had been.

"Friends." Klein repeated offering his hand.

She took it and smiled shyly back at him. "I would like that."