After taking quite a long time picking a name and customizing my character, Shakinto still wasn't here on time.
I had chosen the name Javity and made a custom outfit for myself consisting of a long white combat jacket and dark purple shirt and pants. I had also chosen some bright lilac combat boots that resembled my own irl. My fashion sense is on fleek, y'know?
I patiently waited for my friend to get here. Wait, does he know how to open the map? Hell, does he know how to open the menu? I started to begin the whole 'I told you so' routine where I tell Shakinto to do something and he doesn't against his worse judgement. In this case, I told him to read the fucking instruction guide. Did he read it? Of course not but, he always figures something out (even if it's highly ridiculous).
I suddenly heard footsteps coming my way. About time. I turn to see my friend out of breath like he just finished everything on the McDonald's menu.
"Why, hello there" I said to him acting as if he were a stranger.
"Don't start" Shakinto replied. "I told you that I didn't need to read the stupid instruction manual."
"Yet, it took you like 10 hours to get here."
"22 minutes to be precise."
"Okay, that's cool and what all, but it was still hella long bitch."
"Whatever."
"Anyway, here we are. Do you want to spend all day debating wether you took a long time or not? Or do you want to play?"
"Well, we're not going to be fighting monsters anytime soon with this equipment."
"Why not? They wouldn't just spawn us here without anything to defend ourselves with."
"You wanna bet? This game is for hardcore gamers. It wouldn't be a surprise if that is how it was."
"So, we need money?"
"Correct. Apparently, the name of the currency in this game is Keru."
"According to the research I did on the game, an easy way to make money or Keru would be to win minigames."
"Where they at though?"
"Look behind you dumbass."
I pointed at the minigame named 'ACTION!' behind Shakinto as he turned around. Shakinto and I walked closer to read the 'How to Play.' It read 'A team of two is required to play. There are three red and white targets. The goal of the game is to hit those targets with the bow and arrow that will be provided. Seems easy right? Well, to make things harder, arrows will be shooting at you from the holes in between the targets. The arrows have a homing spell cast on them meaning you will not be able to dodge them leaving you two options, to block or deflect them. While one team member is trying to hit the targets with the bow and arrow, the other is trying to defend that person using the provided sword. If the arrows hit the team member that is trying to hit the targets three times, It's game over. You will be charged 500 Keru to play. Note: the arrows will begin coming at your team faster the more time you spend.'
"Seems fun." Shakinto said
"Yeah but, we have one problem. We can only go twice seeing as we both have exactly 500 Keru."
"Only two chances huh? I guess the stakes are higher making it all the more fun"
"Lets just try and beat this in one go."
"You do realize more than 2,000 players have tried to beat this right?"
"Yes but, we're not them."
"Well, actually…"
"Listen bitchiest, don't try and get logical on me. It's not a good look for you."
We both walked to the minigame and made the 500 Keru transaction.
"Shakinto, you better defend me." I said
"No guarantees." He replied
We walked in the play area with shaun in front and me in the back. We both grabbed the weapons we specialized in (or at least thought we did) and got into our respective stances. 3...2...1…GO! I immediately grabbed an arrow and pulled back on my bow. It's lighter than I thought. I tried my best to aim for the left target and let go. The arrow flew through the air and hit the target dead center. Something inside of me wanted to stop and yell "YAAAAAS", but I knew I had to stay focused if we wanted to win this keru. One thing was still bothering me though.
"Um, didn't it say it was going to shoot arrows back at us?" Shakinto exclaimed saying exactly what I was thinking "I'm standing here ready, but nothing is coming… kinda makes me feel awkward."
"I know, I know. Just be ready though, there has to be some kind of trick to this for so many people to have lost." I responded
It was time for round two. The thing is round two started earlier than shaun had anticipated. A weird clicking sound emanated from the machine as if something was being rapidly loaded. An arrow suddenly shot out of one of the holes. Before it could hit either of us, I cocked an arrow and shot… the arrows clashed and fell.
"Nice shot," Shakinto sarcastically complained "I could've taken that though."
"Sure thing. Just be ready next time." I mocked
Another arrow came spiraling out of the barrel followed by three more. Shakinto blocked the first and cut the others straight down the middle. This gave Javity enough time to take out the second target.
"See I know what I'm doing! This VR feels is fucking amazing!" He exclaimed
There was only the sound of arrows being shot and steel clashing. Shakinto was managing to hold his own against the increasing speed of the arrows. Until one of the machines aimed directly toward me. Shakinto was busy blocking the rest he didn't notice. Even if he had there was no way he could've blocked it, it was too far out of reach. I reacted fast, drew an arrow, pulled back the string and released. I watched my arrow sail through the air. It was fast and had good aim, but the machine was faster and before I knew it, four arrows hit me in my chest.
"OWWWW!" I screamed.
"You do know that you can't really feel pain right?"
"I'm trying to make this as real as possible and you're ruining it."
"Just saying and it looks like we lost."
"Ya think?" Shakinto said as the arrows that impaled my chest dissipated into thin air.
We had one more shot at this. As much Shakinto didn't want to lose his money, we desperately needed better equipment. We both walked back up to the minigame and made the 500 Keru transaction through Shakinto's wallet. I had a plan this time. Shakinto didn't really have to know seeing as he'll already be playing his part. We'd definitely do it this time. The only difference is… we had an audience. They had seen our first attempt and were drawn to see how we'd do this time.
"I'm not really comfortable with these people looking at us." Shaun said.
"Don't worry about them. Just focus on the goal here." I replied
So, we both got ready for the challenge. 3...2...1...GO!
It didn't take us long to get back to where we were. I hit the first two targets with ease. It seems our audience were amazed at how fast we blew through the two rounds. Now, we were on round three again. The rapid fire started almost immediately. I payed close attention to all the machines. When one started aiming towards me I yelled
"NOW!" at Shakinto. He spun his sword on its nose to deflect incoming arrows for a short time, then jumped as high as he could with his palms facing the sky. I saw the perfect opportunity, jumped on top of his hands,and kicked off with my bow already drawn and aimed at the last target. The machine shot four arrows one after another all going straight in between us. I closed my eyes, released my arrow and heard it whistle through the wind. Suddenly... it stopped and I heard a piercing BANGK'TNG. I opened my eyes and the last target fell down.
We won! My plan worked. Although it could've been executed without Shakinto's improv sword spin. I soon stopped celebrating as i realized i was about ten feet in the air and falling fast. I hit the ground with a thud.
"Where's my… ahem… our money?" Shakinto said before I could even get off my feet.
"I'm sorry dude... , but did you not just see me fall like a story!"
"Psh. I would've fell like a badass, but I know you'll be fine. Now let's go get this keru!"
We walked out of the minigame heading to the check-in counter. As we entered the main lobby we saw everyone staring us down.
"Ugh. What'd we do now?" Shakinto sighed.
"WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOO!" everyone cheered.
"You guys are amazing!"said one person from the crowd. Then everyone started shouting random things
"The best I've ever seen, and I've been working here for years," said an npc.
"I think I might fangirl faint,"
"I've always wanted to beat that damn mini-game, but I never could've done it like that!"
A man with silver hair and and deep blue eyes waked up to us and said "You two are the first to win this mini-game in three months. That means you get all the money that was bet on it. Here's 75,ooo keru for the each of you"
We looked at each other shocked. Neither of us had any idea it was that much keru. We didn't know what else to say or do besides yell
"This will buy us the equipment we need, and the rest could hold us over for weeks! Tank you soooo so much!" We yelled in unison.
We graciously accepted the reward, and walked off to find the nearest armoury and item store.
