I woke to the sounds of waves softly rolling in under the sounds of screams and laughter. I blinked and sat up, looking around and saw I was back home. Looking down I saw I still had my fighting outfit on and I did a quick change to something casual before heading out. I saw that instead of the guys chasing Inferno he was now chasing them. He saw me out of the corner of his eye and changed direction running for me. " Oh boy," I muttered and got into a defensive position.

Inferno leapt into the air and I was slammed into the sand by his massive body as he lapped at my face. I laughed as the guys came over. " Oi Inferno get off you'll kill her!" Dale shouted.

I looked up to see the guys were attempting to push Inferno off but at his size it would take a monster truck to pull him off. There was a whistle and Inferno looked up then ran for the beach again. I sat up and looked towards the beach where I saw Klein. Inferno ran right up to him and ate something out of his hand, Klein giving him a pat. " You've been asleep for 2 days!" Kunimittz said helping me up.

" If you guys had gone through what I had then you would understand," I replied wiping the sand off the best I could.

" Speaking of which what did happen? And why is Inferno huge now?"

I explained all my battles with the vampire, werewolf, and the final skeleton monster as everyone listened in awe. " Th-That's impossible! No way you did all that in an hour!" Issin replied.

" I could do it because I had a reason to," I said looking at Klein walking in.

" Glad you're up," Klein said scratching the back of his head but not meeting my eyes.

" Speaking of 'reason' how long have you two been… you know," Dale said.

I looked around and everyone was staring at Klein and I suspiciously. " That was the first time ok?" I asked.

" Ya it was nothing… I mean it was just a one-time thing! I mean it's not a big deal! I mean…"

It wasn't like we've gotten the chance to talk about what happened yet. What ARE we going to do now? " Who's hungry?" I asked.

Everyone stared at me as I walked inside. " I don't think there is enough meat for Inferno. He eats at least the size of a horse everyday," Kunimittz said.

I looked in the fridge and indeed there was only a slab of steak, now a snack for my 'puppy'. " OK well I'm starved so let's grab a bite and then we can go out to one of the outer islands and Inferno can do some hunting there."

The others nodded and this time helped as we made simple sandwiches for lunch. Klein wouldn't look at me still so I talked with the other through lunch. The next level, level 38, was a desert themed level form what the guys said. The main town was Hispanic style and some of the low-level monsters people had met so far included rattle snakes, coyotes, owls, and even cacti monsters. A few people have died to those already surprisingly. " We got asked to go down the north route tomorrow. You going to be good to go?" Issin asked.

" I think so. These three sandwiches really filled me up with all the energy I needed," I replied then burped.

" Maybe you should wait a few more days," Klein said and everyone paused. " I mean you only just woke up."

" Well," I said and stood, " I'll get in some practice today. Stretch out with some killing you know?"

" I don't know…" Klein said.

" Aw come on Klein don't be such a downer!" Dale said and stood. " Now let's go do some hunting!"

Everyone cheered and we stood then left the house and headed for the boat. Once on board, I went to the steering wheel and tapped it then a map popped up. " How about here? It's small enough that no major monsters will be there and I haven't been here before," I said pointing to a small island.

" Ya sure," Klein replied dully then sat towards the front. I sighed and pressed enter then the boat began to move. It was a similar, Grecian style ship to the one we were on to earn this boat but it required no driver. I sat at the front and the guys talked about the first time they fought the cactus monster but I watched Klein distracted. We need to talk about what happened the other day but he was just ignoring it. Maybe it really meant nothing to him. Maybe… he didn't really love me.

" Hey we're here suit up," Kunimittz said patting my back. I nodded and put my gear back on then got off the boat. The island was extremely thick with jungle foliage as Inferno ran right into the forest. " Should we go after him?"

" No he should be safe here." There was a puff of fire that rose from the treetops. " I'd be more worried about us."

" Let's do this!" Dale shouted and everyone cheered heading for the forest. I stayed in the back and Klein stayed back with me, the two of us a few paces behind everyone.

" Can we talk?" I asked quietly as the other talked loudly ahead.

" Sure what do you want to talk about?"

" About us?"

" How about we talk about something else. Like cacti am I right? I mean who thought that cacti would be good enemies?"

" Klein-"

" By the way what's for dinner tonight?"

" Please Klein-"

Something ran right behind us and I turned just in time to miss it but Inferno came flying by a moment later, running after whatever it was. I drew my sword and listened to the bushes and trees move. Just as I was about to put my weapon away I turned and saw a boar come out. The boar ran right for me and I smirked pulling my blade forward. " Move!" Klein shouted pushing me.

I fell to the side and watched as Klein killed the boar in a few quick slashes. " Oi Klein Megumi had it," Issin said helping me out.

" Ya overreact much?"

Klein looked at me then shielded his blade. " Just being safe," he replied softly.

Inferno jumped out just then, looking around panting. He ran over to me and whimpered looking around. " Klein took it not me," I said and looked at Inferno's stats. " Besides you're full! No more food for you!"

Inferno ran ahead and I groaned. " Want me to get him?" Kunimitz asked.

" No I got him. I'll meet you guys back at the beach ok?" Everyone nodded and I ran after Inferno. I called out to him for ten minutes before finding him clawing at a large tree and growling up at something. It was a tiger-looking animal but it was green and black instead of orange and black, blending in so well with the tree I barely saw him. I pulled my bow out and shot an arrow, hitting him right in the head for a quick, killing blow. Inferno whined and I laughed, giving him a pat on the head. " Ok buddy let's go," I said and gave him a tug on his collar.

But he whined and sniffed at the tree. I turned back and examined the tree for myself. The bark was a different color than the other trees, a slightly lighter brown than the rest. I placed my hand on the tree and it suddenly turned to code. It was merely a wall, only to be opened by a player. The code shrunk down until a flash later it turned into a chest. Talk about buried treasure I thought to myself before tapping the chest and opening it. The contents were 'Frozen Harpy', an ice bow seemingly made of ice but not cool to the touch and several hundred ice arrows. I took those and saw a note beneath them and opened it, nearly dropping it in surprise.

Dear Fumiko,

Please forgive me for not telling you about my plans with our game. I know you must hate me now for destroying what we created but this is what I needed to do. I never intended for you to follow me into this world but here you are. Hopefully, this is you who has found this weapon and not some normal player. I leave these bows in your care to help you beat the game and survive. Please survive. Only you can revitalize this gaming industry again after he game is beaten. Good luck Fumiko and just remember to never give up.

Sincerely,

Kayaba Akihiko

A moment later the note disintegrated but I remained still. Where are you Kayaba? He must be in the game to be making these kind of changes. Before I could think about it more Klein messaged me. 'Are you ok?'

'Fine just found a hidden chest. Be back in a few.'

I walked back to the boat where the others were waiting and got on along with Inferno and then headed for home. " What did you find?" Dale asked.

" An ice bow actually," I replied.

" Might be useful for tomorrow. We can use it to cool down!" the guys laughed as I mockingly frowned, crossing my arms.

" Well that's if you go," Klein said.

" Hey I just killed a tiger ok? I am obviously fine."

" Just see how you feel tomorrow ok?" Klein hissed and looked back over the ocean. Everyone was quiet now until Dale spoke up again.

" So… what should we do for dinner?"

" Well we have a whole pig so how about a nice roast?" I asked. Everyone besides Klein cheered and everyone as excited when we got back. They helped set up a fire on the beach and everyone took turns spinning the pig as it roasted. We also roasted some corn and I even baked a cake. Everyone sat on the beach, watching Inferno chase after a mouse for a whole hour before he caught it and eating our dinner.

" Ah I'm so tired!" Kunimittz said patting his full stomach. " Let's head to bed now."

" Me too I will never eat again!" I replied.

" You don't mind cleaning up do you?"

" Urgh fine but can one of you will stay and help."

" Let's see… Klein how about you help out?"

" What?" he asked but everyone ran inside all of a sudden. Klein sighed but silently helped me pick up. I fed Inferno the leftovers of the pig and the tiger from earlier as I threw the mess into the fire. After I was done I sat on the beach and wiped my brow, looking out as the sun had just set. " So I'm going to head in now."

" Fine," I replied curtly, not even looking at him. It's obvious he doesn't care about me like that. I heard his footsteps go away and I pulled my legs in and set my head on my knees. Inferno came over and sat beside me, licking at my face and whining lightly. " I'm ok boy. I just misunderstood Klein is all. He doesn't like me the way I like him."

I sniffed when I felt the tears begin to fall. It's ok I don't need him. " Hey Megumi"

I turned around and Klein stood behind me. " Oh hey, sorry, did you forget something?"

" No I just… ya I forgot something," he replied then sat down. " I… I'm sorry. About today. I should have talked to you first. I've been… nervous."

" Nervous? About what?"

" I haven't been in this kind of relationship before and you have!"

" I have?"

" Duh! You're beautiful, smart, and more! Of course someone like you would have some awesome boyfriend in the real world."

I smiled then giggled a little and Klein turned back. " I've never been in a relationship."

" Really?"

" Really."

" Oh uh… ha-ha"

" So want to try this again?"

" Yes! OK," he said and inhaled, " Megumi I really, really like you. Will you go out with me?"

I smiled and leaned in, giving him a sweet kiss before pulling away. " Of course."

Klein smiled and leaned back in, giving me an even deeper kiss than before. This is what I wanted more than anything, to be with him. Inferno yipped and we both pulled away. We both laughed and stood heading inside and for our bedrooms. " Good night Megumi."

" Good night Klein."

I leaned through the doorway and gave a small kiss before shutting the door. I smiled and went to the bathroom, getting ready for bed, when I looked into the mirror as I brushed my teeth. This wasn't me, the real me. I touched the mirror and examined my face closer. It was true I was beautiful like this. My blue hair was silky smooth effortlessly, sparkling blue eyes, and a much curvier body. The real me was smaller, had strange purple eyes, messier hair, much more shy, and just not as good looking. What if Klein didn't like me what if he just liked this person?

I went to bed sullen, Inferno already passed out on his bed. Maybe some good fighting tomorrow will get this off my mind.