Disclaimer: I don't own Goosebumps; it is the sole property of Scholastic Books and it's maker, RL Stine. Original characters are of my own creation. This is a sidestory to my DMDR series, mostly to introduce the most unlikely of adventure combos to be one of the strongest.

DMDR Rise of the Healing Farmer

Chapter 1: Meet Nathan in Another World

Long ago, in the lands of Mid-Gaia, the Gods were in battle against the Demons and their sub-minions, the Fallen. Their war waged endlessly in the heavens, laying waste to the paradise above, and forged the Pitt below. Their very war forged the world below, raging out of control for what felt like an eternity. Until mankind and various races were born into the world. But from these races… came the most powerful force in Mid-Gaia.

They were the Dragons.

Creatures that represented unstoppable power. Power that could rival the masters of the Fallen and the Demons, the Demon Lords. Power to even rival on par with the Gods themselves. The Dragons were the only race that didn't side with any of the factions of the Great War. In fact, they were the ones to turn the tide and ended the war.

Afterwards, the Gods managed to seal the ancient Demon Kings and Queens, Zophar, Tremscal, and Hopesca being the strongest, and their followers into the Void: a realm that was the manifestation of the unknowable nothingness that lied beyond. The remnants of the Fallen Army scattered about in the Wastelands beyond the Frontier. And the Gods had left the heavens and settled in cities near the Dungeons: formal strongholds of the Demon Lords that created its own monsters by spawning them from its walls and ceilings.

Because of this, the Gods and Goddesses created the Familias of Adventurers Guilds and bestowed those who joined them status to better fight the monsters in and out of the Dungeons. This was called the Blessing. With it, as the Adventurers grew stronger, so did this blessing. Those who achieved these growths… were called Heroes.

Though there were legends and rumors in that the Void would one day reopen and that this would bring about Zophar's resurrection and bring about ruin to Mid-Gaia.

But it also foretold that heroes would grow in strength and experience to fight this evil once and for all.

Are you ready to be that hero?

Welcome to Dungeon Masters and Dragon Riders

This is the coolest MMORPG game that had ever spawned. It started out as a board game in the 1960s and grew on. From LARPing and then on to becoming an MMORPG. And those who don't know what MMORPG means, it's abbreviated for Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game. If you've never played it, then you must have heard it. And if you've never heard of it… where the heck have you been?

Dungeon Masters and Dragon Riders is now a virtual multiplayer video game capable of supporting hundreds or thousands… maybe millions… of players simultaneously. By necessity, it's played mostly on the Internet, and usually features at least one persistent world called the world of Mid-Gaia.

Allow me to explain the basics of the Digital Era of the World of Dungeon Masters and Dragon Riders.

The game itself is set in Mid-Gaia, an earth-based world with 9 continents and 9 oceans. The continents are as follows: Europa, Orienta, Heisan, Wester, Unda, Ashran, The two Winter Poles Polaris and Yukonna, and finally the Wasteland. Though there are Air cities such as Olympus and Laputa, as well as the Flying Continent known as Astra. All continents are just as vast and wondrous much like the real world (with the exception of port gates to allow for ease of travel), though for the flying ones, if you jump off the edge, it's a fast death as you plummet down, so don't do that. Aside from the three air locations, there are no invisible barriers or no-access regions at the edges of the map.

Each continent and realm has its unique climate, geography, fauna, and environment. However, each place has capital cities and villages, though the capitals have a Dungeon or a Labyrinth Tower that can spawn monsters in for those who wish to do battle, as well as the principle that the top of each tower/dungeon is guarded by a Floor Boss, which has to be defeated before players can advance to the next floor. Some floors are known for being fairly cold, while others are known for flowers and forests. Most floors in the dungeons have a theme. Though dungeons/towers are spawning grounds for monsters, the wilderness has its share of monsters, and each enemy are designed with A.I's to challenge the players in strategizing so nobody can easily win at times, to make the gamer plan and come up with combat ease.

After a welcome screen from logging in, a bright light ensues and the player can begin creating their character. The first time a player signs up and begins their journey into DM&DR, players are given an option to choose their in-game appearance however they liked (gender, height, girth, etc.); they can either keep or change their physique to their real-world appearances or make it into something else; make their bodies skinny or fat, buff or weak, ugly or sexy, or even customize their eye color, hair color and style and so on. They even have the unique choice to choose either staying human or go as demi-human.

A number of equipment exists in Dungeon Masters and Dragon Riders, including armors, weapons, and so on. Players can equip them on over ten different parts of their body, including the left and right hand, head, arm, body, wrist and so on. They can even find recipes to make new or old equipment for themselves.

It's the coolest game I have ever played in my life. It's basically my life in general.

Who am I? I'm just a loser gaming orphan turned college student named Alexander Killian. Well, Alex for short and for my friends… I mean, if I had any friends that is. All my life, I've played the game Dungeon Masters and Dragon Riders, from the moment it was a board game to the point of all this VRMMO-RPG talk. It was the only way I could feel important considering I was such a loser loner; not even the other gamers would play with me.

I mean I thought it was all a game… until I became a part of it. Though honestly… I wasn't happy about it at first.

The Realm: Earth
The Year: late 2018, possibly December
Location: New York Gaming Stadium
The Event: the Dungeon Masters and Dragon Riders Championship

The Dungeon Masters and Dragon Riders Championship, ever since it evolved into a MMORPG format for console and computers, became the annual professional world championship tournament hosted by its creator company, WHEE Gaming, and was the culmination of each season that lasted for the past 10 years. Teams competed for the champion title, an impressive 70 lbs Summoner's Cup, a US$1 billion championship prize, as well as a bonus prize for each of the contestants of each team. The finals were watched all over the world, and had recently been watched by 80 million people, breaking the 2014 finals' viewer record ever. It was said to be on par with the Olympics and was under consideration of being an Olympic tournament itself to be included. Though nobody liked the idea of having it only once every 4 years though. And this year, the winning team was of the American group, who were currently standing in the podium.

The podium was a black and white glossy construct as lights shined all around. The stadiums surrounding the area boomed with cheers on the winners who had made it this far and had pushed beyond their set limits. The stadium may have been darkened around the area, but the rear was lighting up like Christmas. A giant screen was behind the six-member team lighting up with firework memes and saying the 2018 Grand Winners. As all focus was being shown and shined upon by the six members… who didn't exactly look all that.

The first contestant was a young eighteen-year-old Caucasian American male of normal height around 5'7" feet, but his build was scrawny to say the least. He had brown messy hair that was combed to the back and spiked up with a bang to stick out on his right side while it was combed to the left, and green eyes hidden behind bottle lens glasses. He was wearing a white t-shirt with a blue jacket with the sleeves rolled up above his elbows, and showing that the inside of the jacket was white, as the hood on it was also white, along with wearing blue jeans and blue and white sneakers. This was Alex Killian, also known in the gaming world as the Sapphire Slayer: a rank in the DM&DR game that was a fitting title for someone who was a 'Jack of All Trades' which included the skills and talents of Ranger, Swordsman, Scout, and Combat Mage all rolled into one.

The second contestant of the team was another young eighteen-year-old Caucasian American male of the same height, and amazingly the same scrawny build. Though a major difference was that he was an albino, with his skin chalk pale white along with having pale white hair, and red eyes halfway hidden in bifocal glasses, and his hair neatly combed slick. He was wearing an orange hoodie with the sleeves rolled up under his elbows, a white turthleneck t-shirt, blackish gray jeans and black sneakers. His name was Ghallis 'Gale' Hoddtuck, also known in the DM&DR as the Dark Combat Mage: a Combat Mage that could use long range and short range magic spells and dealt with using Darkness/Shadows and skilled in Gravity spells to boot.

The third was a young lady of Asian and American mix, and eighteen years old as well. She had clear skin and small blue-green eyes that were covered by oversized circular glasses and dark purple hair that ended just a few inches below her shoulders, which she put into low pigtails. Her most noticeable feature was her overweight body, giving her a rounded figure, and a similarly shaped face. She wore black stockings with brown slip-on shoes, a pink skirt that went under her knees, a baggy gray turtleneck sweater and a pink hoodie jacket. Her name was Sakura Kanzaki, and was known as the Fairy Caster: a Caster Fairy that could wield/invoke/evoke all known Elemental Magics and Summons, making her a powerhouse in magic.

The fourth team member, who seemed like a loner, was a nineteen year old Caucasian American. Unlike the others, he seemed to be of a regular build; slim build with pale skin due to him appearing to stay inside most of the time. He had short brown hair with brown eyes, wearing only a grey hoodie jacket, brown pants, and brown hiking boot shoes. His name was Dante Beatriksan, and in the DM&DR gaming world, he was known as the Undead Rogue: his specialty was in the Assassin/Thief traits.

The fifth member was a young eighteen-year-old Hispanic American young lady. Her frame was slim but not slender, and still retained an A Cup chest, with brown eyes and auburn brown hair that was in small spiky bangs that made it look like an 80s buzz cut, but had a single braid that went down to her mid-back but for now was draped over her left shoulder. Her attire was baggy and modest, which mostly covered her unattractive and undeveloped body; it mostly considered of cut kneed jeans and an orange baggy hoodie jacket, which she kept the hood up at all times, with a jean vest atop of it, and gray and orange sneakers. Her name was Khanni Rhaquille, but in the world of DM&DR, she was given the title Amazon Berserker: a Barbarian class Tank Warrior with a vicious fighting offensive and defensive that was impressive as her avatar's intoxicating beauty.

The sixth member was an eighteen-year-old Asian girl, Japanese as well like the other girl. Though she was slim, but she wore baggy clothing on top. She had dark blue hair with her bangs covering her eyes, pale but clear skin, and looked rather shy. She wore a baggy light brown sweat shirt with a turtleneck, a baggy dark purple coat, a black skirt that went down to her knees with black stockings and brown slip-on shoes. Her name was Nodoka Honjo, but in the world of DM&DR, she was given the title Barbarian Shield Maiden: a Defense Tank with the most powerful Defensive moves in Vitality, but overlooked by her shy and kind nature. Her specialty were Poison, Electric, and Paralyzer moves, as she had defeated an Event Level boss known as the Miasma Storm Hydra.

The Game reverie and announcer, who was a stylish man in a business suit without the tie and his collar unbuttoned, as well as sunglasses, walked up to the podium, as two ladies rewarded each of them with the check each with an equal split share of the money they got from the 1 billion dollar prize money.

The announcer then cheered on to the crowd with a microphone, "This year's winners, known as the Six Pillars, are the lucky winners of this years Dungeon Masters and Dragon Riders Championship. Alex Killian, the Sapphire Slayer. Ghallis Hoddtuck, the Dark Combat Mage. Sakura Kanzai, the Fairy Caster. Dante Beatricksan, the Rogue Archer. Khanni Rhaquille, the Amazon Berserker. And Nodoka Honjo, the Barbarian Shield Maiden." He then whipped around and pointed to the six champions, as he announced, "Not only will this year's cup be etched with their names in it as the champions, as well as an equal cut of the prize money… but also get a grande secret prize."

The screen behind them then displayed a cover of what appeared to be a DM&DR game. Though this was a cover that was brand new, as the announcer explained, "It's a brand new version of the game, it's not even on the market. Yet at least. May I present… Dungeon Masters and Dragon Riders 200X!"

The six gamers looked behind them to see the new console boxed game, as they were amazed by this turn of events, though Dante seemed more on the lax side as he seemed more calm than surprised. But Alex merely whispered in astonishment and awe, "Awesome."

"In fact, the software and gaming systems are still in development before the game can go public or global, but these five will get it early," the announcer replied and turned to the five, "So keep an eye out on your mail, because you five will be the first to sample the latest in one of the greatest games that have ever existed!"

The crowd endlessly cheered, as the five champions waved at the crowd. For them, this was the proudest moment of their lives. Even Alex, who smiled and waved at the applause.

Even one amongst the crowd smiled at this sight. He was a young man of modest build, slim but not muscled though not scrawny. He had clear skin, was at the age of eighteen, with thick black hair and green eyes. He wore blue jeans, green and white sneakers, a black jacket tied around his waist with a black long-sleeved shirt, and with on top was a green hoodie jacket with a white front pocket and white inside, as the sleeves were rolled up to the elbows. This was Nathan Sommers, the official 7th member of the Pillars, and was known as the Peridot Farmer: A Class dealing with great Support and Healing for the group. Due to a rule stating that only six teammates could embark on the tournament, Nathan had to step down, but not before he loaded them up with potions and elixirs for battle.

But even though he wasn't on the team, he would still have the adventure of a lifetime.

Mid-Gaia

Zoltan

6 Months Later

The Borderland Mountain Region known as Zoltan. Between the North and East of the Mainland nestled near the Frontier of Helmsmann was an unexplored mountain region referred to as the Wall of World's End. Which is a fancy way of saying a massive mountain range that connects to the ocean. The rest though is rung by marshlands. This makes the area difficult to reach as well as no strategic value to anyone. Which was nice as it was rich with thick forests and good farmlands. Though nobody bothered to even do so at this point. Believing it to be a no-man's land as no man would ever consider doing anything with it. So development of the land has proceeded at a snail's pace. Even though the forests have monsters, brigands have forsaken this quiet part of the world. There's not really a whole lot worth taking. The only travelers it gets is traveling adventurers, fugitives that want to hide, and merchants just trying to make a living.

In honesty… it's the perfect place for the unwanted.

At that moment, walking into town to the Adventurer's Guild, was one such unwanted.

It was Nathan, but he was different. He was a bit stronger-looking, but instead of black hair, he now was sporting Light Green hair, but his front bangs were still black. He was wearing brown boots with steel tip toes and heels, with a brown belt and buckle strap around the openings of his boots. He wore brown pants with thick knees padded, a green jacket with a diamond shaped tailcoat, with dark green trim, dark green shoulders, and brown straps around his arms, under the ribs, and two buckle straps on the front, as he wore a black turtleneck t-shirt underneath, and the jacket's sleeves were rolled up to the elbows, with his right wrist having a green wrist chain band with a dark green gem in it, and his jacket also had a hood that was currently down. And around his waist was a pouch belt with two straps, and two big pouches in the back. Strapped to his back was a pouch backpack that went across his chest, and had three big pouch backpacks on the back.

Though the happy face was somewhat present on him during that tournament was no longer there. Instead appeared a face showing a dour expression. Whatever joy and excitement he had, seemed extinguished as he walked to the Guild and entered.

The guild was a rather quaint but exuberant cabin mansion of sorts. Three levels and sturdy. There were even rumors of a hot spring built in the back of the 2nd floor with a perfect view of the mountains.

Inside

Though as he did, eyes on him were nothing but disgust and disappointment. Though it was from those that seemed to find him rather useless, even one Pollum smirked, as he chucked a rag at his head… of which he managed to swipe away, as he went to the counter.

There, he met a human girl with grey-ish black hair, eighteen, clear skin, a voluptuous figure with amazing breasts, and wore black stockings, black shoes, a yellow work dress with the skirt ending at her mid thighs, with white collars around her wrists, and a smile on her face. This was Erisa, a clerk guild girl who worked there. Although everyone seemed to snicker or make fun of him behind his back, Erisa treated him rather well.

"Oh, Nathan. You're back," she smiled, as she asked, "I take it you finished with the quest?"

Nathan placed the bag on the table, as he nodded, "Medicinal herbs have been collected. I also sorted out the mushrooms with the clovers and the kings-weed in separate bags so that it'll be easy to identify."

Erisa smiled, "You sure do make my job easier for me." She then pulled out an amount… which wasn't much, as she said, "Your total comes to 130 Jewl." And by much, it was 3 silver pieces and only one gold like piece.

Nathan gently took the money, as he nodded, "Thanks, Erisa."

Erisa smiled as she stated, "Don't mention it." But then looked to him apologetically, "Still, I'm sorry it turned out this small. Nobody seems that interested in herbs this time of year."

Nathan didn't lash out or retort but merely nodded, even as he walked out. Though a trio of adventurers sitting at a table managed to speak to him. It was a small group consisting of a woman with plum colored hair covering her eyes and wearing black and silver armor, a Swordsman class, a man in his 20s or 30s with a shaved head and dressed like a monk, and a blonde guy in leather gear and a cloak stating the role of a ranger.

"Getting a score for medicinal herbs again, Nathan," the girl smirked as she asked. "That's all a guy like you gets these days."

The blonde shrugged, "Well, what do you expect? He's a farmer for the Demeter Familia. They don't even have that many members here, and their goddess is up at Helmsmann." He shrugged, "At the very least, you should have a sword on you." But then stated, "Oh, I forgot. Farmers don't have weapons."

"Will you cut the guy some slack," the monk stated. "Nobody ever wants him in a party, so he's all by himself." The monk then smirked, "Besides, the sword you carry is one for show, isn't it?"

The blonde sneered as he shot, "Hey, you take that back."

All the while, Nathan just calmly left, leaving out of that pointless discussion, while Erisa seemed to generally feel bad for him being left out, as he left the guild. Nathan sighed, as he trekked back to the way he came from the town, back to the forests.

I know what you're thinking. Why am I here, in a world that was solely close to resembling the game I played with my friends, looking different, and down in the dumps? More like I hate everyone around me at this moment. But it doesn't really matter. Though it would make sense on why all this happened.

It all started….

5 Months ago…

After the Tournament

Middleton High School

The place was a rather nice and tidy as well as modern high school. Surrounding it and on the roof edges were plant life; the school liked to fancy it up despite the cold weather. It might have been plastic. The High School was a public co-educational 4-year school founded in the mid-1950s. Its many competitions were Sports tournaments, debates, Chess with rival schools or A.I.s you could program or challenge from others. But the biggest selection was the Athletics, but mostly with Lacrosse.

As the late bell rang out, teenagers of all shapes, races, and sizes were entering the school. Including Justin who was racing through as his uncle dropped him off, and gave him a friendly 'Make Crazy Choices' goodbye.

Justin was bolting towards his class as fast as he could, reaching the door as quickly as possible. He opened it as he sighed in relief, "Made it."

"Well, this is a surprise. You're on time."

Justin blinked, as he looked the source of his life.

She was a young woman of Asian/American mix but had an accent of German from her due to her voice. She was seventeen like him, fair pale skin, dark blue eyes, and long auburn hair which was loose with the flanks held in twin tails with red clips. She had a slender figure with a well-endowed bosom of C or D-Cup, slim waist, and slender legs. She was wearing a light pink spaghetti strap that hid her cleavage rather modestly, a red watch on her left wrist, a red mini-skirt that ended at her mi-thigh with a white sweater jacket tied around her waist, and white strap sandals. Her name was Mitzuki Langley, the class idol, though not really an official one. An athlete, a good speaker, and the gal that every guy wanted to get to date her.

Walking from behind and then to her sides were two gentlemen who were acquaintances of hers, as she seemed to smile when they popped up as they were heading for their home room.

The first gentleman was a Caucasian seventeen-year-old good-looking guy; good looks, athletic body, smarts, and an overall good personality due to the smile on his face when he greeted Mitsuki. He had silky dark blonde hair and gentle green eyes, with a toned and slender body all about 180 centimeters. He was dressed in blue jeans, a white turtleneck shirt, black vest and had a bulky armband-like watch on his left forearm. His name was Kalvin Albertson, the class rep and all around gentleman; a true term to the guy that described him best would be 'Hero Material'.

Though Nathan knew he was more annoying than he looks, but his word usually is the last one. He's a kind and fair guy who's overflowing with sense of justice. However, since he never thought he was wrong, he had got a bad habit of interpreting adverse situations to his own convenience.

The second figure was a rather handsome seventeen-year-old dark-haired man, slim but well-built frame, cut black hair with a bang reaching his jawline, cold blue eyes, which made him distant but not enough to not approachable. He was wearing a black shirt with white pants and black shoes and strapped to his back was a bokan or wooden sword. He was Ren Itsuki, the kendo club champion.

Nathan managed to make his way to his desk and avoid everyone else. For him, he dreaded starting school, not just because some students who bullied him, but mostly because Mitsuki for some odd reason seemed to talk to him, causing problems for him.

Though he did have one friend, and that was sitting as far away from him in the back corner of the class. He was a slightly tanned seventeen-year-old Caucasian with brownish red hair, green eyes, his height, albeit a bit bulky but not with muscle. He was wearing a white shirt with a black hoodie with short sleeves, and blue jeans with brown hiking shoes. His name was Tobias Denner, aka Toby, and much like Justin, he was an orphan living with a single relative, and at first, the two were friends. But something caused that friendship to be cut short.6

As he sat down, Nathan was greeted by the one reason he dreaded school.

It was Mitsuki, as she pulled a seat in front of Nathan's desk, and greeted the boy, almost as if they were friends, with a warm caring smile on her face, "Good morning, Nathan. How was your weekend? Did you work too long? You seem a bit tired."

However, Nathan calmly looked at her, blankly and unflinching in surprise, but nodded, "Morning, Miss Langley" Although he was stone silent and quiet, inside… he was freaking out, as inside his head, a chibi-version of himself was screaming around, 'WHAT SHOULD I SAY?! I CAN'T THINK! THIS IS STILL UNCHARTED TERRITORY FOR ME! CRAP-BASKETS!'

Even though Nathan was calm, innerly, he stopped freaking out and froze, as he heard voices all around him. Behind Mitsuki and her dazzling smile, the other students glared daggers at him. He didn't have to pretend what they were thinking as their faces said it all. Glares and sneers aimed right at him just for being talked to by Mitsuki so casually. This ended up having attract a lot of animosity towards the poor boy. Some of the boys would look at him, and he'd swear it was reading like, 'Why the hell is this nerd favored by our Goddess Mitsuki?' or from the girls, it would feel like, 'You're just trouble to Mitsuki, so back off.'. It was almost as if Nathan could hear with they were thinking. This was another reason why he hated going to public schools.

Among the other one coming into the room.

He was a young man of seventeen, Caucasian, with long red hair to his shoulders in a shaggy look to it, brown eyes, and had an arrogant expression on his face. He was lean built and was dressed in a sleeveless black shirt, baggy blue pants with black belts around his waist, and black boot shoes. His name was Davis Hackins, a delinquent at the school… and one of Nathan's tormentors.

He walked over as he looked at Nathan, who tried to look away, and said, "Well, well, if it isn't Sommers. What'd you do to get Mitsuki to fawn over you now?"

"Didn't do anything, Hackins, you know that," Nathan replied.

However, that seemed to earn a growl as Davis was about to punch him, when Mitsuki stood up, and replied, "Just leave him alone, alright?"

At the mere look of her soft scowl, Davis hung his hands up in defense as he sweatdropped a smirk, "Hey, it's cool. I'm going." But as he did, and with her back turned around, Davis made a slitting motion at Nathan.

But Nathan ignored that, the glares and hate-gazes directed at him, as he looked to the girl in front of him, and had to wonder to himself: why was she like hanging around him? What was so special about him that she would want to hang around him? He wasn't an athlete, he wasn't strong, and he didn't even have Kalvin's good looks or charisma. The only thing he was good at was DM&DR, and he wasn't good enough to make the cut for the Championship cup. But even more so, he was studying farming and agriculture; he was even a member of the Gardening Club to spruce up his trade, and everyone laughed at him saying his skills weren't necessary since most stuff was automated. Why would someone like her, who was considered a goddess among the school, associate herself with a guy like him?

Nathan nodded, and finally managed to speak to her, "The weekend was pretty good. Thank you for asking. And also for what happened."

Mitsuki smiled, as she giggled, "Of course. I'm just glad to help out."

Nathan allowed an awkward but small smile to go on his face, but his thoughts wondered on her behavior towards him, 'Why is she so happy with me returning her greeting? It's kind of odd she only does this with me and no others. I mean, sure there's Kalvin…'

"Why do you bother with him, Mitsuki?"

The nerdy boy sighed and slouched, 'Speak of the Devil.'

Sure enough, the one who spoke up and got both their attention, was Kalvin Albertson with Ren Itsuki who seemed less hostile at Nathan.

Ren looked to Nathan, non-threatening but rather sympathetic, as he berated politely, "Still staying up late? You're cutting it close to the bell."

Kalvin didn't make it easy for him, as he walked up and looked down at Nathan, as he lectured, "Sommers. When are you going to stop fawning over Mitsuki? She can't give you attention forever."

The poor boy merely grimaced, as he innerly groaned, 'Ugh, it's the opposite. I actually want her to leave me alone…'

"But I talk to Nathan because I want to," Mitsuki innocently replied.

Everyone was surprised to hear that, but Nathan just sighed, as it happened again. Everyone's eyes were darting him with envy and rage, and all the poor boy could do was suck up the hatred they were spewing at him. Though he did tell himself innerly, 'I got this. One more year. Just one more year, and then I won't have to be this uncomfortable.' He sighed, as he innerly wished, 'Though if it's not too much to ask… I just wish everyone would disappear.'

Strangely, the room began to shake and shift, as everyone began to lose their footing. Nathan held onto his desk as this didn't make any sense at all. Suddenly, a strange sound emanated all over the place; a high-pitched shriek echoing around the place.

Everyone, including the teacher, covered their ears, as this sound echoed. Davis held his ears, as he screamed, "UGH! What is that!? An Animal?!"

Nathan noticed the sound as well, despite the painful shrieking. To him it sounded like a mix between an insect's chirp and a reptile's screech. Suddenly, the sound began to manifest more and begin to rise quickly in volume, drowning out even a person's thoughts, as someone shouted for it to stop frantically. Red lightning began to appear, arcing and crackling across the place as a pulsing light began to shine in the center of the room.

Nathan managed to see it, as Mitsuki was crouched on the floor next to him, as he crouched down, looking at the light, 'What the.. what is that?'

Now the pulse had increased into a blinding glow, forcing everyone to look away when a final flash occurred. Once it did, everything disappeared in white; the room, the shadows, and everyone as well with Justin as the last to disappear into the light. At that moment, a few teachers opened the door, as they raced in, "Hey, what's going on?"

But the teachers blinked in shock, as they saw that now that the light had faded away… but so did the occupants of the class. All twenty students and their teacher.

Darkness

That's all there was for him. Darkness

Alex, who had been fully formed again, was sitting in a place of total darkness. It stretched on forever all around him, as if the world was nothingness. No lights, no sounds, no feeling. Zippo. A big fat Zero of Nothing. Alex tried to figure out what was going on, but all he could feel was being freaked out by all of this, as he blinked and looked around. All in all, he was happy to be whole again, but this was too much for him.

"Okay," he gulped, as he tried to make sense of all of this, "Yep. I'm definitely gonna freak out on all of this."

"You don't have to get so freaked out by any new and unexpected thing, you know. You might get a heart attack before you can see the new world you're going to."

Alex whipped in front of him to find the source of the voice, and saw the owner of it. It was a white silhouette of what appeared to be a female. She seemed rather physically fit and had long hair that reached her mid-thighs in what appeared to be a ponytail, an impressive hourglass figure with C cup breast, thin waist, well-proportioned hips, long legs, slender arms, and a dazzling facial structure. He could tell all that and best even if she was just a lit-up white silhouette of someone. But he blushed as he realized even if she was a silhouette of someone…. She was naked!

Alex covered his eyes quickly, as he replied, "Oh my god! I'm sorry, I didn't know you were…"

The figure lifted her arms to see, as she casually shrugged, "Oh yeah. Well, this is part of the spell. Can't get clothes to materialize in an astral form, for some reason. But it does help cover up private bits." She then covered herself in a rather sensual way and pose, and pouted, "Why? You wanted a peep? I don't mind. It's been 10,000 years since a guy looked at me or even noticed me."

Nathan just continued to cover his eyes, not wanting this to go on, as he was blushing in embarrassment and tried not to be a total perv. "Sorry, but I…" he started to apologize, but then blinked, as he looked at her, "Wait, 10,000 years? New world? What are you…?"

"Well, you are a big isekai fan, right? You and your class is being sent to the New World to help it out," the figure replied.

Nathan slumped as he groaned, "Oh boy…"

"Well, if you were with the others, you'd have been summoned like them, but since you got left out, I had to go all overboard. Though sending the other class might have been too much," the female figure replied, as she giggled, "But still, this is actually the 7th time this spell's been used." She then walked over to him, "And after seeing your stats, you might be one of the seven that can help me out. I mean if the other six play the 'game' too."

At that moment, the boy blinked as he tried to process this, 'The others? Alex, Nodoka, Ghallis, Dante, Sakura, and Khanni? Wait, spell? What's she talking about?'

"I wish there was more time, but we've gotta say goodbye for now," the girl replied, as she knelt down next to him, but spoke serious as she told him, "Just know, Nathan: the world you've played in and the world you're going in, there's one difference. The world you're going isn't a game, it's real. If you die, you die. That's it. So be alert and take it serious." But then she gently kissed him on the cheek, as she pulled away, "And if you want to find the answers on why you're going there… then find me in Mid-Gaia."

'Mid-Gaia? That's the world I'm going to?' Nathan realized in shock, as the girl stood up right in front of him. But before anything could be said, the world around him started to light up, as it was slowly turning to white. He managed to speak up again, as he asked, "Wait, who are you? How am I gonna find you if I don't know your name."

As she slowly faded in with the white, she managed to say one word before disappearing from sight…

Hope

And suddenly, a bright light shined, and all went quiet, sweeping Nathan with wherever he was going.

And what I thought to be a great adventure… turned out to be disappointing.

Next Chapter: Starting out and Pushed Around