A/N: Hello, minna-san!

I'm glad I was able to write the other half of my chapter one as early as this.

I don't have my own pc and I'm busy with my own life, too.

(Fighting monsters in reality, =D)

Anyway, most of the Chapter One's scenario was derived from the original Log Horizon.

ZantLeaf or Sand Leaf (based on the novel) is one of the locations that are part of the main story.

I also forgot to mention that this training camp consist of beginners from different guilds.

Or even descriptions of their looks!

Ugh! Sorry, everyone.

I'll try to elaborate much better in future.

I'm thinking of putting some Terminology section here but…

I'll talk about it some other times ^_^

So, uh, have fun reading!

*All characters are owned by their respective creators.

"Have any of you heard the news?" Ana, a brown-haired beginner Cleric from Cresent Moon Alliance approached Hiccup's group while eating barbecue as their celebration dinner for arriving safely at their training location.

Since Hiccup has sort of friends with Merida and of course Rapunzel, he decided to tag along with them.

They were situated near the camp fire with Merida on his left and Rapunzel sat next to her.

The other participants are scattered around the fire a little further from them, all of them lively eating dinner.

"What news?" Merida asked while munching her food.

"Our training will be divided into two categories and those of us having higher than level 20 will raid a Dungeon!" Ana answered, a glint of anticipation in her voice.

Merida can't contain her sudden excitement shouted and punch the air, "Yeah!"making the others look at their way but she doesn't seem to mind. "Great. It means I'm in too."

"What about us?" Rapunzel asserted, making them stare at her as if she's a ghost appeared all of a sudden.

Hiccup can understand Rapunzel's abrupt concern.

During his Hamelin days, he experienced farming for a short period of time, reason why he grew to level 20. But Rapunzel worked there by grinding her subclass, Tailor, sewing leather armors. She didn't have a chance to experience actual combat during those times, reason why her class' level is lower than 20.

On the other hand, Merida is like a lonesome hunter. She gained her level by adventuring on her own. She once mentioned to him too that back in the real world, Merida is a champion in archery, making her really good for her class.

Ana's the first to recover, "the training would be at the beach, most probably to fight Ascot Crabs. I just don't know what would be the set up there."

"I think it'll be one-on-one." Hiccup concluded.

In Elder Tale, raiding a dungeon usually requires a party to complete the quest so it's easy to guess. Fighting Ascot Crabs which level range from level 5-15 means it must be a task to know the capacity, capability and limits of a player.

Asking Hiccup, he would prefer raiding a dungeon as training but he isn't stupid or insolent to push it.

Besides, he wanted to know what he can do.

"Be a man and trust yourself." Astrid would tell him if she's with him.

Astrid.

He shook his head to remove all negative thoughts.

"Are you alright?"

Rapunzel, looking at him with a worried expression on her face. She's now seating beside him.

Hiccup nodded and looked around to find Ana and Merida engaged in their own conversation.

He turned back to her, "I'm fine" then hesitated for a moment but continued, "How about you? You seemed… uh, preoccupied."

She looked away from him and stared blankly at the fire, as if she has no intention of answering his question.

Hiccup was about to change topic when she spoke again in a low voice.

"Back in reality, I'm quite isolated."

"Isolated?"

She nodded, "My mother is overprotective. She never let me out, says it's so dangerous outside.

It wasn't really a problem. I'm home-schooled and she provides me all that I need.

At first, she's also against on the idea of playing Elder Tale but since it'll keep me inside our house, I managed to convince her."

Rapunzel continued, "At times I wished I listened to her but I feel guilty because by the moment we are already trapped in the game, instead of feeling bad, I'm really happy. I was like, I'm free! I can do what I want."

She sighed and hugged her knees as she proceeds, "The new experienced made me feel ecstatic. I saw new places, met new people, made few friends. It's like a dream come true.

But then, the reality hit me. No shelter, no good food, I can't logged out. I'm lost."

"That's where Hamelin came?" Hiccup confirmed.

"Yes, I'm lured to Hamelin because of that. We all experience how hard our situation back there. I keep thinking it's my punishment for not listening to my mother when she is right."

Now, Hiccup knew.
He only joined Hamelin when he learned that she joined there, too.

By that time, he already knew that something is going on with that guild.

Back then, Rapunzel is so popular with the beginners.

She was friendly to everyone. Appreciate things as if seen for the first time. Smiling like sunshine despite of the gloomy atmosphere of their new reality.

She's the reason why he realize that there must be a way to survive.

Maybe she didn't know it herself, but she save him from falling to an abyss called despair.

And he felt that he needs to return the favor.

So he entered Hamelin and tried to protect the child lost in wonderland.

"Do you really think everything happened to you are bad?" Hiccup asked, looking at Rapunzel's green eyes intently.

She shook her head, "I found friends. All of you are very nice and I don't regret knowing everyone of you."

"Then, you're just confused." Hiccup stand up, "These are all new to you. Your mother had her own ways of bringing you up and I know she has her own reason why she told you that. But don't let it bother you. ", He offered his hand.

For the first time in weeks, Rapunzel smiled brightly. She perfectly understands what he meant and reached his hand to pull her up.

They stand and Hiccup led her to Ana and Merida that's still talking to each other, a little further from them.

Before proceeding, Hiccup quoted something he heard somewhere,

"Remember, Adventurers are free. But being free takes a lot of resolve."

Okay, thank you for reading! I don't know when my next chapter would be, though.

Ciao!

I.C.