Sucked into a Fantasy Game

Later in the day, they found a much smaller group of goblins, so they managed to kill them easily with quick surprise attacks and return to town with their cores as proof—gems that every monster had. Much like a heart. The bigger the monster, the bigger the core. They gained some levels too and unlocked their Unique Skills.

They walked into the Guild and up to the desk. There were still some people around.

Sako set the gems on the desk before the woman along with the quest paper. “There.”

“Well done! Thank you!” She reached under the counter and brought up some silver to hand to her.

Sako took the coins with a smile and looked to Kiyomi who seemed like she was about to pass out, hunching her back and leaning on her staff to support her from falling over. She must’ve been exhausted. Sako wasn’t too tired, and she wasn’t dying like Kiyomi. “Want to find an inn for the night?”

The sun had gone down.

Kiyomi nodded.

“Here.” Sako moved in front of her, turned her back, took Kiyomi’s arm, and wrapped it around her own neck to support Kiyomi as they walked. Sako turned to the woman. “Thanks!”

She waved, “Take care, girls!”

They went out the door.

The moon was out, casting a faint light on the quiet, empty streets. A cool breeze lingered in the air.

As they passed an alley, a girl screamed.

“Go see what’s up. I’ll catch up,” Kiyomi said.

Sako nodded and left her, running into the alley.

There were four men standing around the girl who was on the ground, all Level 12s. They paused and looked at her.

“Sorry, am I interrupting something important?” Sako asked.

“Obviously. Keep walking! You didn’t see nothin’!” one said.

She caught sight of the girl’s bra; the girl didn’t have a shirt on. That wasn’t a good sign.

Before they could draw their weapons, Sako was already airborne. Her foot landed in one face, her elbow in another face, a backhand to another. She punched the last one in the jaw. He fell, out cold like the rest.

She reached a hand out to the girl. Once the girl took it, Sako helped her to her feet.

The girl sniffled. Her voice was shaky. “Thank you.”

“Are you a player or an NPC?” Sako asked. She couldn’t find any icon to indicate any difference between the two.

“Player.” Her hair was long and pink, tied into a side ponytail. And she had freckles sprinkled across her nose and cheeks.

Sako nodded. “You mind if I take a look at your stats and skills?”

“I don’t mind.”

She pulled the girl’s stats up on a holoscreen.

Luna was 2 levels below her and seemed about her age. “Is there anything I can give you in return?”

“Oh, no, no. It’s fine, really.” She smiled as her stats faded away. “Anyway, I should get going.”

“Are you sure?” Luna lowered her head. “I… feel bad…” Tears began streaming down her cheeks.

“Okay, okay! Please don’t cry!” Sako held her hands out. “Um, can I have a hug? Is that enough?”

“No.” Luna sniffled.

“Two hugs?”

“No.”

“Another thanks?”

“No.” She sniffled again.

“A pat on the head?”

“No.” Another sniffle.

“How about…”

She lifted her head to look at Sako. “Hardcore BDSM?”

Hardcore WHAT? Sako grimaced in disgust. “How about no.”

She burst into bawling, holding her head down in her hands. “You don’t think I’m pretty ENOUGH!”

Wow, this girl has issues. Which one of us would even dom—WHY AM I THINKING ABOUT THIS?! Sako groaned. “Look, I’m sorry. I’m just… not into girls.” At least… I don’t think so? I don’t think so… Well, she’s not my type at least… This might as well be a college-level exam question written in English because she couldn’t figure out this girl. Luna should get dressed too. It was chilly out, but she was apparently too busy denying all of Sako’s offers to notice that.

Luna continued her bawling.

“How about this,” Sako began.

She lifted her head from her hands and looked at her, wiping her nose with the back of her naked arm.

“I’ll trade one of my skills for one of yours. Sound good?”

“How?”

“My Unique Skill is Skill Swap. So, if you want…”

“Let’s do it!” Luna beamed.

Why’s she so eager… “Your Dispel for my Light Blast?” Unique Skills couldn’t be traded.

“Yeah!”

“Give me your hands.”

Once Sako held both her hands, she leaned into her, resting her forehead against Luna’s. She mumbled the incantation. They both glowed as Sako felt a pulse leaving her body through one hand and another pulse coming into her body through her other hand. It was done. She stepped back, smiling.  The glow faded. “Thanks. Satisfied now?”

Luna nodded, happy as ever.

Sako waved. “I might be around.”

Luna waved back. “Add me.”

After adding Luna to her friends list, Sako turned away and walked out of the alley. Where is…? She looked left and right on the empty street. There was a body on the ground. She rushed over. Kiyomi was sleeping peacefully. Couldn’t even make it to the alley. “Up you go then.” She crouched and put Kiyomi’s arms around her neck then got up and started walking down the street with Kiyomi on her back. She knew where to find an inn.