Chapter 6

Beauty.

Yes, she was beautiful. Her radiance outshining even the sun, this young lady across the street had resplendence so delightful, I had to stop and witness it, as this virtual world´s warm sunset light bathed her with even more luminescence.

I had just joined the Aincrad Liberation Squad a while ago, and as I was heading towards the main plaza, I happened to turn and look at a spot where multiple players were waiting in line, impatient. They seemed to be waiting at a small stand on the side of the road. They all gave the impression of being low-level players, from the original starting clothing that they still had on, even though new equipment is available in every shop at affordable prices. It was probable that they were of the many that refused to go out on the fields and just stayed in the Town of Beginnings for safety.

Poor people, they still believe that this situation is some kind of bad dream and that they will get out any moment now. It's a sad sight, yet there is still hope for them. We are their hope; we will clear this game for them and for the rest of the players still surviving.

Analyzing this, I then thought.

But if they are resigned and won't go out to fight for at least enough to feed themselves, why are they lined up in a stand as if they were going to buy something?

As I was analyzing, the beautiful young lady and a few other people called out and began handing out small leather bags.

In between my thoughts, I still couldn't take my eyes off the delightful view. It was this one person that kept me immobile, as I glanced from a distance. She wore a dark green, yellow striped cloak and beneath it, the simple warrior´s equipment and no armor except the chest plate. Her weapon: some type of short sword or long dagger hanging from her waist, yet all of that wasn't what caught my eye. It was because of her aura; and yet I also couldn't ignore the fact that she wasn't of Japanese descent.

Her gleaming long strawberry blonde hair flowed down on her shoulder, like a small, yet graceful waterfall. Her pearl white skin seemed so soft, like fluffy clouds on a sunny day. And topping it all, her alluring light-green eyes were the center of attention of my sight. Like pools of sparkling turquoise water, they seemed to have the power to pull you in.

And with all of this, she wasn't just superbly attractive; she was also doing something that I thought no one else was doing: helping the weak. Yes, the very players gathered here were those that chose not to ever leave the city, those who couldn't level-up, in exchange for their survival, because that was all they were doing: Surviving.

But it wasn't their fault, they were scared. If it was anyone´s fault, it was ours, for not clearing dungeons and floors faster.

I promised to help out anyone and everyone I met, yet look at me, I'm still being selfish.

"That's one of the head organizers of the mutual aid organization"

Oh shoot! Damn, she scared me!

As I turned surprised at the sudden speech, a dark shadow appeared. It was a familiar player that was quite well known, yet very secretive; a girl with cat-like whisker stripes on her face, the most famous information broker: [Argo].

If you were looking for information about anything, and I mean anything, in the game, she was the one to go to.

"[MMO Today] huh?"

"That's right; if you want I could sell you information for 15,000 col"

15,000! Now that's a pricey tag!

"…No thanks, I don't like to go into people´s personal information, besides, I like doing stuff by myself"

"Suit yourself, but remember, the deal will still be available if you change your mind"

"Thanks, but no thanks. I've got more important stuff to do anyway"

As soon as my response came out and I turned around, the girl was already gone. She had quite the skills to wander around and disappear suddenly.

Yet, I have a strange urge to want to at least meet this young lady….What am I thinking? Someone like her would never hang around someone like me! Yet it's strange that I actually want to meet someone in the first place, considering that I don't even have any friends up until now….But you know what, F this! I'll just go up there and ask for her name! I wouldn't let this fear of being close to people take the best of me.

"It's just a name, right? How hard can it be?"

Determined, I starting walking towards the almost empty stand; the majority of the players were already gone, most likely back to their hiding places.

But as soon as I was just a few feet away, a familiar sound reverberated and a tingle ran down my body. It was a player holding a dagger, pointed straight at me.

Damn!

"Hold it big buy! Where are you going? You seem like you have enough money, so what's your business here? You here to persuade us not to be doing things like this? Or are you just a stingy one that doesn't want to let go of his coin?!"

What a little brat! This little girl, was actually threatening me?

She wore a similar cloak to the one on the beautiful young lady; yet, her hood was on, so it wasn't possible to see her face. But it was obvious that she had some guts! With her short stature and apparent attitude problem, it seemed that a type of incident like this had already happened, thus her reaction.

But what could've happened to make her so aggravated?

"Hey, take it easy, I was just going to ask about the deeds you do, that's all. I had never seen others help those who are still afraid, it was just curiosity"

"Well, you know what happened to the cat that got curious! Same thing will happen to you if you don't take of the mask and start talking!"

"Ange, leave the guy alone, there is no need for this quarrel"

Her soft voice rang out, as both the little brat and I stood on the middle of the road. We both turned surprised, yet I was even more by the sound of her voice. It was soothing and calm, yet filled with a tinge of command.

"It's ok, it was my error to just walk up here, I apologize. My name is Christopher and as you can see, I'm not from around here"

With my eyes meeting hers, I unequipped the head gear that covered most of my face and introduced myself. Staring for quite a long while, it seemed that everyone was surprised from my looks.

"I was passing by when your acts of charity caught my eye; I just wanted information, that's all. I also want to lend a hand, if I could, to help out in any way; you see, guilds are pretty much broke these days and I doubt yours has enough funds to keep conducting these generous acts"

"Wait, did you just say your avatar's name, or your real name? You know, that's really stupid of you"

The soft voice that came from the beautiful girl´s lips was tender, yet it hurt so much because she was speaking the truth. However, my avatar´s name is quite complex so I couldn't just give it out; I wanted to calm everyone, seeing that they were uneasy from my presence, but didn't want to start a discussion about my name.

As I was about to speak once again, the small girl with the menacing dagger yelled out.

"Just drop the act! I've chased away others like you. All of you are pervert bastards! Wanting to get close to my friend with who-knows what intentions!"

You know, you're starting to get on my nerves!

This little one was quite protective of her friend, and she was in her right. I've heard stories about male players harassing female players. She was right, those are bastards! It was bad enough that there were few female players; they are very prone to be afraid of dangerous situations and on top of that, they also had to face threats like those.

But this girl had it all wrong; yes, I was going to ask for her friend's name, just her name, nothing more. But I also wanted to know about the aid services of their group.

Man! What did I get myself into!?

"No, no. you have it all wrong! I'm not like that! I admit, I was surprised to see another foreigner just like me, yet I'm here is because I wanted to offer my assistance… You see, I once made a promise to help out anyone I met, yet, I haven't lived up to that promise…. But I want to mend my errors, make up for the lost time and help out others before myself!"

"So you want to help, now do you? Tell me Christopher, how do we know we can trust you? What could really be driving you to help others? It's true that we have financial problems and we´re also short-handed, yet we can't just be begging for charity from strangers"

"…Well… in the real world… I was helped out by a lot of people. Despite my mistakes, they were still there, giving me a helping hand. I realized too late that I should be repaying them when we got stuck inside here. I guess… well… this is a way of paying them back, helping others that really need it"

Wait! Why the hell was I giving these strangers my personal explanations!? I can't let my weak side take over! …Yet, for some reason, it feels good letting others know what I think.

I was somewhat embarrassed, turning my head slightly to the side. As soon as I did, the little girl sheathed her dagger and stepped away. To her side, the other three companions also relaxed and took their hands away from their weapons. I hadn't realized it, but they were all female. They were a party of four, tasked with sharing food from what I saw a while ago.

And yet, I could only stand there, shy, waiting for their laughter from the speech I just gave, as I get pretty nervous when I'm around females. But I didn't even hear a single giggle, just a soft voice as it spoke from a pair of tender lips with a faint smile.

"You're quite the strange player, yet I believe your sincerity. Unfortunately it's not up to me, our leader is the one takes up player contributions to the organization. I could talk to him if you want, but the problem is that he went on a mission and won't be back in a while. This is [Ange], send her a friend request and she´ll let you know what he says"

So the little brat´s name is [Ange], huh? …But I have to make her my friend!?... Well I guess I don't have a choice, it's either this or I won't get to know the beautiful young lady´s name.

"WHAT! I have to be his FRIEND!?"

Listen little girl! I'm also not down with the idea, since you're not exactly the first person I would like to be friends with, but it's for a greater good!

As I sent the request, the three female members began to leave, probably heading back to base. It was probably a weird day for all of us, having to watch as I awkwardly requested to help.

"So…. I guess we'll be seeing each other some other time. I should head back now. Thanks again… for everything!"

"No, thank you, it's good to know there are more like us around here. And plus, it's you who will now be helping out after this"

Her dazzling hair flowed with the wind as she turned around and headed north with her companions. The little kid, Ange, also headed out. I was left alone, as I stood there. But suddenly, remembering the true purpose which drove me to this place, I called out.

"Hey wait! I didn't catch your names!"

"I think it's enough for just one of us to be in contact with you. Besides! You're a stranger we just met!"

The one who called out wasn't who I expected. It was one of the two other girls, seemingly nicer than the smallest one.

Standing on the middle if the road, I watched as the group got further away.

"…I guess I just have to wait then. But if this is another challenge, I'll gladly accept it! I WILL get to know her!"

With the orange sky and the sun about to set, I headed for the main plaza. I figured that the day was still young, and what better way to end I than to do some late night leveling!

I was right, today was a great day!