//** Continuation of chapter 11. (From 11.1) **//

Time passed and now they were at the front of the line. Before they entered Kotori asked.

-hey Arata what should we ask about?

-well, about the quest I guess.

-not that. The future. Blacksmith said that we should first ask for something before we can talk about the quest.

Arata didn’t give it much thought. He didn’t believe in it anyway.

-ask what you want. It is your quest, after all.

-okay.

They entered the dark tent. A woman in purple robe was waiting inside. A scarf was hiding her face.

There was a table on which a magical silver orb was shining. There were three chairs on opposite of woman so they sited on two of them. Kotori on middle one, Arata on left one. The woman spoke.

-welcome. You have come here to find out what awaits you in the future. What exactly do you want to know? What will happen today, tomorrow, next year or the year after. I will use my magical orb to see what lies ahead. So what is it that you want to know?

-then…is it possible that I and Arata become lovers in future? Arata is this guy.

Kotori asked without worry.

That was something that Arata should expect leaving the question in Kotori’s hands but in truth he didn’t thought that she will really ask something like that.

-hey Kotori!

-Arata, you said that I am pretty, so take responsibility. You don’t hate me, do you?

-of course not. Why would I?

-see, there is no problem.

-I think there is problem but fine do what you want.

-hahaha Arata, I already heard the sounds of your heart already. You can’t hide it from me.

-I don’t know what you think you heard but you probably got it wrong.

-yes, yes…

“When she is like that I can’t stop her.”

-so, tell us, tell us.

-I see that you are already close enough, maybe you want another question?

-no, this one is fine.

The orb started to shine when the woman started to wave her hands around it.

-I see that there is a path for you two to be happy together…

After she said that, Kotori become happier right away. Arata really couldn’t understand if she really is serious or not. He really did not know what to do in this situation.

“Hey this fortune telling will only make it harder. That woman just says what Kotori wants.”

The fortuneteller continued.

-but it is not an easy path so I can’t tell you for sure.

-what is it then? Didn’t you say that you can see the future?

Kotori asked.

-future is an endless possibility my dear.

“Yes, endless possibility. With that, she can say what she wants and when she is wrong it’s because of endless possibility.”

-so for what reason do we even ask you about it?

-ah, you won’t waste your money. Many have asked about the future or how will they die. When I tell them how it will happen they can avoid it.

-but I didn’t ask about that.

-you asked about your chances with the young man over there, yes…

“Hello I can hear you.”

-I take it you want to be lovers?

-hmm, maybe, hey Arata you want to start going out?

“How can she say a thing like that is beyond me? What does she expect to hear? Does she thinks that I will say ‘-sure no problem let’s get old together’… it wouldn’t be that bad scenario though. … Wait! Don’t even start thinking like that! She is just playing around.”

-Kotori you really should stop saying it like it’s not a big deal. You say thing this to any person that you just meet?

-of course not but if it’s legendary Arata then… Anyway you are not the one to talk. I am sure that you also thought that it wouldn’t be bad.

-… .

-you also let me ask what I want…

“I can’t win against her.”

Arata gave up and decided to not say anything anymore. Because so far it didn’t go as he planned.

-please continue.

Kotori asked and the woman continued.

-if that is what you seek you must know that it’s not an easy way. He has darkness in his heart which he just accepted after many years of running…

“This is not the first time that this game uses information like that, do they spy on players or what.”

-…but it’s not an easy thing and the darkness will stay in him whatever he wants or not…

“It’s not I can be like it never happened. But with my new resolve I won’t let it, control me anymore. Nor will I get sad just because someone is talking about it. Although this game should study human rights. People have their privacy. But I will let her say what she wants.”

-…if you can become his light that will brighten that darkness in him, you will be on the path you seek. You should be able to easily understand that darkness as you experiencing the same darkness as well…-

-stop.

Suddenly Kotori said in the low voice that only Arata could hear, he looked at her who started to shiver and her ever so smiling face was a little pale. The strangest thing was that it all happened in the instant. Second ago she was happy while playing around.

“Kotori?”

-…But you who still can’t deal with it yourself, how do you think you can…-

-STOP!…

When the woman tried to continue Arata interrupted her loudly.

-darkness in heart as if I had something like that, and Kotori definitely doesn’t have it. Right Kotori?

Kotori regain her usual self with Arata’s words.

-Arata you were right, this fortune telling is stupid. Hey, you can stop now. I don’t want to ask anymore. No matter the fate, I won’t let it influence me.

The orb stopped to shine and woman answered.

-I see that you already understand each other really well. You don’t need love advice from an old woman like me.

“I wouldn’t say I understand her? I just saw that Kotori didn’t want to listen to it so I stopped it. I also didn’t like when that woman was scanning my brain. Maybe Kotori also had some unpleasant experience. Woman talked about some darkness in her as well. Still at least, I for one should know the best that I shouldn’t ask her about it. Who am I to ask her that? Anyway she is cheerful, happy and already back to her usual self so I will leave it be.”

Kotori continued with their main objective.

-anyway we didn’t come here for fortune telling in the first place.

-why did you come then? Didn’t you read the sign?

-I heard that you are someone who can create magic items, and I was wondering if you could make something specific for moonlight priestess.

“Yes, same as always, ‘give me the quest and do it fast!’.”

-you heard something like that? Ah it must have been Rodrigez from the forge, and here I told him to not say it to anyone. Well, he must have his reasons. Well it’s not a big secret as I told him when I was drunk.

“What. Are they drinking buddies?”

-so, can you make something?

-I can and in reward that you found out about me I will make you something. Problem is I lack the material for it, and you wanted a specific item for your profession, correct?

-yes, normal things won’t do.

Normal player would be happy with anything but not Kotori.

-in that case I will tell you about the place where you can get a material for it. Deep in eastern mountains is a place where people once mined ore from. But one day the place was invaded by monsters and no one goes there anymore. The road was destroyed, and everything was buried under the snow. As for the mine, most of it is not accessible anymore, but the back entrance can still be used. Through it, you will reach the old magazine. Be careful though as it’s now a den of monstrous beast. I have to ask you to slay that beast and find a magical golden stone it has. It will serve as material. I am sure that the beast has it in its belly. With it, I can create an item for you. I can make you whatever you want but we will talk about it when you get it material.

-about the item, what is it?

-anything you wish. But just so you know I am best at accessories and material isn’t that big in the first place so consider it while thinking what you want me to make.

-great I will come up with something. Anyway, can you tell us how to find the entrance?

-as I said the entrance is on the mountain. Explaining the route would be rather hard because you never have been there before.

“I didn’t get better explanation on my quest either, so we can’t expect anything from her.”

Arata thought that but Kotori didn’t give up.

-but it’s a large mountain, right? How are we supposed to find an entrance? It will take us too long and monsters will be lurking around at every step. Help us!

“As always, give me, give me, give me.”

-I understand your worry I also wouldn’t want to experience that. In that case, here take this. It’s magical compass that will show you the way to the cave. It can show the way to any location I set it on. Just please don’t lose it and return it, when you come back.

-ah, thank you very much.

“Those NPC are really something, it’s the same as when I once cheated wizard out of gold. Speaking of Wizard, I still have to set scores with him. Just you wait till I find you!”

Arata and Kotori left the tent and walked to exit of the village but when they were about to leave Kotori spotted familiar person and run up to him.

-hey, Loki!

-ah Kotori, you are already after the break?

-no, I didn’t go for a break.

-but didn’t you play nonstop since beginning of test or even before that? It’s not healthy.

-but you are the same, aren’t you?

-no I had many breaks and it was not me who was fighting all that time. But whatever, do what you want. You don’t need me to babysit you.

Arata come as well and asked.

-how the search going?

-you are here as well, Arata…

Loki answered.

-how the search is going you ask? Too put it simply, bad as usual. It’s not that easy to find good players after all. And we need not only good players but great ones. Full group of them in fact.

-then, how did you select those guys who were with me?

-don’t say that Kotori, they weren’t bad. At least they could do something. You should see the first party that I got. They died instantly without trying to fight back. Well, I wasn’t the one to choose that time.

-you didn’t?

-Gerald said that he will get all people for the test and I just need to wait so I let him do that one time. Well, it’s true he has an eye for people but his criteria were simply too low. Let’s just say that from that time on, I choose my own party. Although, my second party died quickly all the same, so I can’t say that I did better. Anyway now every time I try to find better people that group before but with given time of one day, it’s hard.

-but Gerald stayed in Loris for 5 days last time so why do you look for people only in one day.

Arata interrupted.

-it was a onetime thing as he was looking for Anari’s friend because he wanted a mage to join the guild. Wasn’t that you Arata?

-yes.

-see he had a reason for staying five days, and thanks to that we have two new members.

-so shouldn’t you look longer as well?

Arata asked the obvious question.

-if I was sure that it would help in finding people I would do that but it’s better to just go as many times as possible. Also looking for new people is frustrating even for me. I want to get over with it quickly. It would be way too painful to do this, say two-three days in a row.

-well, good luck with a search.

-ah, if only luck was enough we would be done in no time.

-don’t worry Loki you have an eye for people. You found me after all.

Kotori tried to cheer him up

-even if I have eye for people, if there are no people to find, I can’t find anyone, can I? That’s another reason to look for only one day. If you look two days in the row you won’t find many new people which you didn’t find the first day, but if you look one day go for training for three day and return the mix will be little bigger.

-that’s true, anyway we should go. See you later.

-wait a second Arata. Hey Loki! I found a quest in this village.

Kotori bragged to him.

-wow, good job, how did you find it?

-ah that was easy. All you need to do is be in the presence of legendary Arata and you can find it in no time.

-Kotori we only found it because I got my quest before.

-so you two have different quest?

Loki asked.

-yes, it’s two different class quest, but to same place.

Kotori explained.

-class quests are even harder to find that normal ones. Also even though you two have this quest it doesn’t matter that every class here does. Anyway where do you have to go?

-the mountains to the east.

Kotori answered happy but Loki become little worried.

-mountains to the east? You didn’t have enough of our guild test and now want to go there?…

Loki’s comment was not really encouraging. Then he also added.

-sorry but I must tell you that you won’t be able to make it as you are now.

-you worry too much Loki, me and Arata will be okay.

-no, no, that’s not it, I trust that you can defeat monsters, and if you kill enough of them, you level will get higher, then you plan to go for boss right?

-well that was the plan. I did the same on the test.

Arata answered.

-if you think about it rationally, you will find that this is most natural response. But ignoring high level monsters, there is a different wall that you need to break through.

Arata didn’t see any other problems with quest than high level. Even if he couldn’t deal with all monsters yet, he could ding few levels somewhere else and try again. Hearing something about different obstacle, he had to ask.

-what different wall? You say that we should go somewhere else right now and exp up?

-if you have really problem with monsters then you can do it but that’s not what I was about. Anyway you talked to me so this shouldn’t be the problem anymore.

-ah Loki you are coming with us?

Kotori asked.

-no. In truth, because we are in the same guild I should go and help, especially when you have a class quest to complete but as you know I busy here. You will have to do it on your own but here take this.

Loki took out two rings with blue crystal with it.

-those are?

-equip it…

[Ring of Frost

Frost Resist: +80 %.

Ring made by skilled jewelcrafter called Maya. Made from the heart of the mountain, Islos. The crafter made it so people can survive the most dangerous spells of frost mage. Very useful in bad weather condition.

Level required None]

-going to the mountain without frost resistance gear is not the best idea. Your moves will become slower and not only because there is snow up to your waist but also because you will get a negative statuses.

Loki explained.

-you can sick in this game?

-sure you can and when you are going to the mountains there is 100% chances for it to happen. Frost gear is a must. Even with frost gear you will still probably get sick.

-so what’s the reason for the frost resistance gear in the first place?

-you won’t get a status that won’t allow you to move, but just a small cold. Well, that is of course as long as you don’t do anything stupid don’t try to swim in a lake there as its one way ticked to getting worse status you can…

“Who sane would do that?”

-anyway without frost resistance gear, even spending five minutes deep in mountains brings the same effect for most people.

-shouldn’t we buy some warm clothes then?

Kotori asked but Arata understood the situation.

-it may help us but don’t forget that we still have monsters to defeat. Rings are the best thing that we could get.

-that’s why I gave them to you. Anyway, good luck with your quest, if you die once, level up and try again. If you still have problems after that. Come back to village and when we finish with recruiting we will go with bigger party.

That looked like solid plan.

-Loki you should be the leader of the Guild. You look like you could manage it better than Gerald.

Arata come up with interesting idea.

-you think so? Well I could be a leader of some guild, I think you could be one as well. But we are not some guild but soon to be strongest guild, right? You will understand one day why Gerald is our best candidate for the leader.

-no I already do.

Arata answered to him.

-I see… Anyway I leave Kotori in your care.

-it’s not like she needs to be in anyone care.

-that’s also true. For now I will continue my search, although I don’t see many chances today… Hmm, maybe I should add new criteria? You must find the quest in city with no quests.

With those words Loki spotted one group that came to the Loris and started asking them questions. It looked like he looking in this place because there were people who were both entering and leaving Loris.

-Loki is a good guy isn’t he?

Kotori said to him.

-the most normal person in our guild I would say.

Arata answered with what he thought as so far, no one else than Loki could be considered normal in this guild.

-hahaha, you didn’t see how he fights, you wouldn’t call him normal then…

Still from Kotori comment it looked like it was also a false image.

-anyway should we go now?

They walked through the gate and left Loris.

To take off right now was Arata’s original plan but there was something he couldn’t overlook.

-wait a second, Kotori.

He said to her after they walked away from the gate.

-yes?

-you know how long it will take to get to the mountains, complete the quest and return after it?

-well, we don’t have to rush. It will take them some time to find anyone who can pass the test. And the leader said that they want to find 4 people at that. We have plenty of time.

-I am not about that. I am saying that when we start it would be best if we just end it in one go. I mean without logging out.

-well that’s rather natural as if we log out for too long, mobs will respawn.

-exactly but Loki just said that you played without a break for like what two real time days.

-but it’s better to sleep here right? As we get more time. Playing in capsule is similar to sleep so I don’t get tired in real world. I already used to it as I played other VR before.

-but it’s not very healthy you know.

-don’t worry I go to gym regularly so it’s not a problem. It’s normal for VR-gamers to do that. Anyway I can still go on.

-at least you should eat something you will end up as skeleton.

-but aren’t slim girls more popular? And I don’t have to worry about my look that much. For your information I used the default option of looking like in normal life so my moves would be more natural. Do you still have some complains?

After hearing that Arata was dumb fooled and only after ten seconds he asked again for confirmation.

-really! It’s not avatar?

-yep.

She answered with a smile.

“It’s somehow hard to believe but I guess this evil game would not be able to generate a look like that. Still, why does someone like her play games ever since she was 10 years old? Well games were just as popular as they are now but still.”

-anyway you really don’t need a break? Why do you insist on going, right now?

Arata asked returning to the topic.

-well, a break would be good but you said that you planned to go for the quest first thing in the morning and you already wasted enough time for me and I don’t like to be in someone’s way.

“Ah, that’s why. She should consider herself a little bit more. It’s a good thing we talked to Loki.”

-if you want a break say it. We are not on some stupid test anymore. We need to be in best condition for it.

-okay, okay. So we are doing two hours standard break?

-no, no, we are not going for a simple break. It will be more like we will meet tomorrow. Now that I think about it, I also only logged out only for two hours and didn’t do my running routine, I planned to do it when I reach the mountains but we are doing it now.

-a whole day, what do you need it for?

-I don’t need it. But you do. Anyway let’s move over to that tree first so we can log from there. How much do time you need?

-I don’t need any, decide on your own.

-in that case, 14 hours.

-14 hours? But!

-it’s for your own good.

Kotori was finally convinced and stopped fighting his decision. Instead.

-Arata.

-hmm?

-thanks.

She said that to him in an unusual tone, with slightly different look than usual.

-well it’s natural to have a break isn’t it?

-it’s not about the break, but about before. I just wanted to thank you before I log off…

She was a little different than usual while saying it.

-see you in 14 hours.

She didn’t give him the time to reply and waved her hand and then logged out.

“She could at least explain what she meant.”

Arata also followed her footstep.

-aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.

Coming out from the capsule Arthur had a long yawn.

“Anari once said that playing is this game is like normal sleeping but I think that’s only counts if you do sleep in game.”

After the guild’s test, Arthur took small break. He eat something and washed himself but that was all that was. No sleeping. On test, he was pushing himself nonstop so he got tired from it. Sleeping in game was the same as in real life but if you don’t do it there, it doesn’t mean anything. He slept two hours on hard rocks during the test. Then during the night before Loki and Kotori came he also didn’t get too much sleep either. So after he went to the toilet, he soon fell on the bed. In the end, traditional sleep was the best thing after all.

This was the first night of Arthur that he had actually had a dream since a long time ago. Normally all he could see was a nightmare about what happen to his family, but he finally more or less get over it and stopped thinking negatively.

In his dream, Arthur observed the girl with long golden hair. The girl was about ten years old. She was playing in a garden with her brother and sister, she was really happy while doing so. Arthur was immersed in her smile. There were also two adults who were sitting on the bench near them. The first one was a man in glasses and black hair who was wearing white shirt and jeans. Next to him there was a woman with the same golden hair as the girl. It was a picture of a happy family. Unfortunately the dream didn’t end well as the girl stopped smiling at some point. Her siblings and the woman disappeared as well. The scenery changed from the garden to the closed of dark room. The man with glasses was now wearing a black suit and was asking the girl to come with him, but when he tried to reach out her hand, the girl ran away from him. The rest of the dream was her continually running on the road as the world behind her was getting darker and darker. She was running away. She was running away from the darkness.

The next day Arthur woke up at 10. He slept for full 8 hours which was unusual for him, but he was tired from the guild test. He also for the first time in a long time had a dream although he didn’t remember much of it. Dreams didn’t mean anything to him but it was just interesting to see them once in a while.

Arthur got up, went to the bathroom and did usual things one do in bathroom. He went to the kitchen. He found out that there isn’t anything to make dinner from so after eating the breakfast he decided to go to the shop.

‘Cooking skills’ of Arthur weren’t on very high level. Normally he would buy something that was already prepared. He would just heat it up and eat. Boiled pasta with sauce from a jar was his ‘highest level’ dish, but this time he came up with crazy idea. He decided to make curry with normal fresh ingredients. He got this idea after making curry in the game where he used Marco’s cooking book to make it. The book was well written as it was like real cooking book so Arthur just decide to try it out in real world, even if it would probably end up bad. Marco told him that if he wants to learn cooking, he needed to cook and no matter what turns out from his efforts, he had to eat it. He explained this logic that if you remember how bad something tasted, you will try you hardest next time, so you don’t have to eat it the same horrible thing again. Still, Arthur had some faith in Marco’s curry. The instruction wasn’t just saying do this or use that but rather it gave explanation as to why you should do it this or that way.

After buying everything he thought he would need for curry as well as some instant soup in case of disaster, Arthur went back to his home as he didn’t really have anything else planned. On his way back however something unexpected happened and he spotted a girl lying without movement on the ground.

“Looks like she log out before eating and after coming back, she is like this. Ah… old times.”

Those were Arthur first thought but he realized.

“HEY! This isn’t a game!”

He ran to the person who was lying on the ground.

When he got closer Arthur realized that he knew this person. He even spoke once with her although it didn’t end well as he released his anger on her when she asked about his parents. Arthur wasn’t sure if he is ready to talk with this girl again. But yesterday he decided that he won’t run away anymore so he called out to her.

-Ali, are you okay?…

The girl name was Alice but Arthur used to call her differently in the past. She was one of his friends back in the day. He didn’t remember her last time he meet her. But now he remembered. Although right now Arthur didn’t consider her to be his friend because he thought that he didn’t deserve it after what he has done.

The girl get up very fast hearing this name that she didn’t hear for more than five years already, she looked at Arthur who was standing before her. She didn’t know what to say, but Arthur knew exactly what to say.

-Ali, I am really sorry for everything. That I yelled at you last time, that I didn’t remember you, and that I didn’t tell you anything when I left this town. I had my reasons which I didn’t want to reveal but I can tell you them right now if you are willing to hear them.

Arthur was ready to tell her about what happened to his parents. He decided to repair what could be repaired. He wouldn’t tell everyone about that but he could at least tell it to Ali.

-Arthur…

The girl said his name but didn’t pry any further.

-no I don’t need to know, and I also sorry that I asked about it. I shouldn’t. I won’t ask you about your reasons as I don’t have right to know about them. My mom said that I shouldn’t ask you about it but if you ever decided to tell me, then I will listen to it, but it won’t change the fact that I am your friend.

“Grandpa told me that the best way to apologize is to just to apologize and say everything that you have on mind. She told me that she doesn’t want to know, but if I really decided not to run anymore I have to say it.”

-but I will tell you nevertheless. During Christmas, five years ago, when I was visiting my grandfather. An accident occurred in which my parents died and I was the only that survived.

Even though he decided that he won’t let it bother him, he couldn’t just say it without any effect of this. Alice seeing this tried to stop him.

-Arthur you really don’t have to.

But he wanted to continue.

-let me finish, after that, I started to live with my grandfather in different town that’s why I wasn’t here anymore. I was in despair for a long time, then I somehow stand back on my feet but I was still not over it. It’s rather normal as my parents died. For last five years I kept everyone away from me so I don’t get close to anyone and don’t lose anyone that I care about. I didn’t want to go through the same thing once again. I also didn’t want anyone to pity me, that is why, I didn’t want to tell anyone about it.

-Arthur, I didn’t know.

-anyway Ali, don’t worry about me anymore as right now, I really fine. I can’t take back what happened but there are other people that had worse experience than me so I can’t cry about my life forever. If you still think that you should pity me try to google children in Africa and you will see that my problems are not that big.

Alice was hearing Arthur’s true thoughts and found out that he didn’t try to be strong. He really was strong to hold his head high and speak it without reserve. He was like the old Arthur always speaking what he wanted and doing crazy thing and also yawning.

-hahaha, children in Africa what is it?

-recently someone told me that. Anyway why were you lying on the ground?

Arthur closed the case as there was no need to say anything else.

-my mom shooed me out of the house.

-what!?

-she told me that I play games all day and didn’t kept my promise to run around for an hour so she shooed me out and said that I won’t be able to come back until I run for five hours to repent. So I started to run but after half an hour I didn’t have any strength so I somehow ended up collapsing to the ground, now I waiting until more time passes, so I can return to home.

-why don’t you just sit somewhere? Instead of lying on the sidewalk?

-I am too hungry to move right now, I can’t help it.

“People and their problems, but I think I can help her. I will also have one tester for my curry.”

-you can come to my house I was about to make dinner.

-really?

-you used to come to my house many times in the past so you can do it today as well.

They walked together to Arthur house. Inside they moved to the kitchen where Arthur started to prepare curry.

-Arthur what are you making?

-curry.

-you can make curry, waaaa! I can’t really do anything myself.

-in that case I have advice for you. Don’t tell it to guys because they want to have a wife who will cook dinners for them.

-then maybe you will teach me how to cook.

-it’s not like I good at it myself. Ask your mom. She was good at it if I remember correctly.

-she is, but you are making curry right now, and you do it without cookbook. That means you are good.

-I didn’t tell you yet but you are going to be my test rat.

-waa?

-I never cooked curry before so you are going to taste it. If you survive then it will be proved to be eatable.

-ehe…maybe I should go already.

-hahaha, don’t worry Ali.

-easy for you to say. Anyway you just said that guys don’t like girls who can’t cook, but what about you? You were always game freak, you think any girl will like someone who play games all day long?

-it’s not me who was shooed out from the house because I played too much.

-wawa. But it’s really immersive game. Like a real thing. Also what should I be doing? It’s holidays after all, and even if it wouldn’t be holidays. I used the capsule to study as I got 5x more time in it.

-see playing games is normal nowadays.

-games in general are still the same as they used to be, but VR and eye of Adventure have good opinion. There are television programs and endless number of websites about it. The good players are even invited to those programs. I watch once how one big guild went on a quest it had such high viewership.

-oh, I didn’t watch anything like that. What was the quest about?

Arata was rather ignorant about what others were doing and he didn’t want spoilers. Playing on your own and finding things out on your own was much better.

-it was a big battle but I can’t tell you much about it as I didn’t really understand it. To me it looked like fantasy movie. But the thing I understood is that that was one of the top guilds and this was the first time that someone completed a quest of rank 4 so those were the big news. After the quest even new race was unlocked.

“Quest of rank 4 on air?”

-see you are probably already as big game freak just like me.

-no I am nowhere close to you. Right! I have some news. Following your advice I joined a guild.

-well… good for you.

-it’s still a small guild but there are good people in it. Right now our guild leader is teaching me how to play.

-I see, it’s a good guild leader then.

“Someone who can take their time and teach people from the very basis is rare. In comparison my guild leader would just put people to impossible trial and ignore everyone who didn’t pass it.”

-ah right, I also wanted to ask how are you doing in the game, you are strong right?

Alice asked him.

“Well I just started but…”

-I started it a bit late so I am a little behind but soon I will become the best player, the fans are waiting.

-fans? Haha.

-don’t laugh at it. I recently found out that I had a fan club in the previous game that I played.

-ah, it’s good to have dreams like that.

Arthur thought like it will sound like a good joke but because Alice took is seriously he just make a fool of himself.

-of course it’s not like I believe it either! Anyway the food will be ready soon so you better prepare yourself. If you don’t turn green after it, I will call it a success.

-wawa.

Arthur took out the rice placed it on the plates and after that he took out the curry and putted it on the rice. Somehow it didn’t look poisonous at all.

-the time has come, Ali. If anything happen I will call for ambulance.

-maybe it’s not best idea.

-you are hungry, right? Even if it’s bad, the hunger is the best spice in the world so go on.

Unwillingly Alice tried the food.

“Oh, she didn’t pass out on the spot so it’s eatable, she didn’t make a strange face either.”

-Arthur, you were lying.

-ha? About what?

-it was strange that you didn’t use cooking book, you must have made it a million times, and perfected it.

-no I didn’t.

-so how did it end up this good? I saw that you used normal ingredients, no some already made just to heat up. Also frozen food doesn’t taste like that.

Still not believing what she is saying, Arthur tried as well.

-hey it’s really good.

-don’t play dumb!

-I am not playing dumb.

-so how did you learn make it?

-you won’t believe it but I learned it in EOA.

Arata tried to explain himself. He also did not except this result.

-in EOA?

-yes, in the city of beginners I worked for a guy who had restaurant and earned some money. This recipe is also from him. Today I came up with crazy idea that I could use this recipe in the real world as well. Well it’s not as good as it was in the game but sill edible.

-ah, who said that you won’t learn anything if you play games all day.

-let us finish it first.

They finished one plate then second plate, and then sited in the chair. After 10 minutes of siting Arthur stood up and said.

-okay, Ali it’s time to go.

-where are you going Arthur?

-for my training and you are coming as well. You still have some laps and you can’t complain about being hungry now.

-but.

-here is an advice, while you run, you shouldn’t think too hard on it but simply get out from your house and simply run. Time is running short, let’s go Ali!

-okay I am going.

After the dinner Arthur and Alice started to run together around. As Alice was slower than Arthur, she couldn’t keep up, but still she tried her best to catch up to him. It was like the picture from the past where she used to run after him every day.

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