Chapter 1: To Where She is

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I wake up in a dark alley. Uwah I stink. No wait, that’s not me it’s just all this trash that I’m covered in. Guess I got too drunk and thrown out of the bar again. Well it can’t be helped. I’ll just go home for now.

Slowly walking back home I see a piece of paper on the sidewalk. Being I just picked it up and looked at it. Just the newspaper... I must be really drunk to notice that just now. The words “One month after tragic VRMMORPG incident” are printed in huge letters on the front page. Damn that’s annoying.

Feeling frustrated I rip the newspaper to pieces and throw them away. One month. It’s already been one month since Hime was trapped in that fuc*ing game. Now she’s being taken care of in the hospital as are all the users that were trapped in that game. Sometimes the patients brainwave suddenly stopped as if they stopped living, leading the incident to be nicknamed the virtual game of death.

Although the cause is unknown, everyone agrees that when the player dies in game this condition happens to their real body. No news of the person or organization that hacked the game is known. No known motive, known method, absolutely nothing.

“Dude watch where you’re going!” looks like I bumped into someone again. I keep walking without answering but it seems that pissed him off.

“You ignoring me?!” the guy grabs my collar. He’s got bleached hair, tattoos, and piercing all over his face. Guess this guys one of those gangster around here. I keep silent and suddenly I’m on my knees. My stomach ached as he punched me in the gut. He keeps beating on me for 5 minutes before spitting at me and leaving.

I try to stand but can’t. looks like I’m injured pretty bad. Dragging my body down the alley I came from I rested my back on the wall. I close my eyes and fell myself passing out.

“You’re here again huh, Haru?” a voice calls out to me waking me up

“What do you want Yoichi?” I asked feeling irritated

“You haven’t been to class at all. Everyone’s worried sick. Even Professor Miyamoto you know...”

“Like I care”

“Come on Haru, pick yourself up man!”

“Pick myself up!?” I shouted

“Why the hell should I go to college now!! Hime’s gone! I couldn’t care less about some sh*tty class! I’d rather just die and let it be over!” I vented myself at Yoichi

Hearing me say this suddenly Yoichi punched me in the face.

“What’s wrong with you Haru!? Your sister’s not gone! She’s still alive right?! Rather than wasting yourself drinking and getting beaten all the time why don’t you do something about it!”

Hearing this I didn’t say anything. Holding back tears I just turned my back on Yoichi. I know he’s right. He always does come through for me as friend. But I just can’t help feeling helpless same as when my parents died, same when my uncle and aunt died, I couldn’t do anything. Without saying a word I just left the dark alley as Yoichi kept staring at my back.

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Getting home I just fell on my bed without changing. With the lights on I just noticed the blood from my nose and mouth covering my shirt.

“Damn it, damn it, damn it” I whispered

Yoichi’s right. I can’t just die and do nothing. Not after what Hime and her parents did for me. They took care of me after I was left alone in the world. To just wallow in self pity would be a disgrace to all those that raised me. If I’ll die at least I’ll die for the last person I’d let die. Resolving myself I just went to sleep after setting the alarm for 9 o’clock

I woke up the loud sound of the alarm. Throwing the alarm to the wall I took a shower and got dressed and head off to the bar. Walking there I calmed my nerves and quicken my walking pace to a small jog. Reaching the place i went in and headed over to the counter where the bartender spots me.

“Haruki... you’re here again”

“Yes, sir” I answered the old man

“It’s still morning you know, come back later. I don’t want a drunk in my bar first thing in the morning” he said and almost left

“Please wait! I’m not here to drink. I just want some information” I ask while bowing

The old bartender looks at me and scanned me like an x-ray

“Took a bath today huh? Today’s serious business I guess? Fine, what do you want?” He asked me while frowning

“The closest black market dealer.”

“What do you want to buy?” he asked while raising an eyebrow

“VR gear.”

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Here I am in the middle of the warehouse district at the harbor. Looking left and right I try to find the number I’m looking for. The bartender said to come to warehouse 21 at night saying the seller should have what I want. I keep walking looking at the numbers on the plates of the warehouses. 18,19,20, here it is 21. Opening the large metal door I stepped inside an d was greeted by a feminine voice.

“Well what have we here? Aren't you a little past your bedtime boy?” A woman in a black suit with blond hair and blue eyes said while smirking at me. Looks like she’s in her late twenties. Looks like a pro, no doubt from overseas.

“I’m here to buy” I said in an annoyed tone

”And what is it you’re looking for hm?” she grins and gestured me to follow her “By the way I charge what price suits me, so if you’re here to beg just forget about it.” She says mocking me

“I have money.” I show her the briefcase I’m holding. Inside is all the money my parents left me with when they died.

“Suit yourself, that’s your money you’re throwing away” she shrugged “What do you want?” she asks, her face now business like

“VR gear. And a copy of Tales of a New land”

“Those are illegal you know?” she asks while tilting her head

“I wouldn't be here if it were legal, Woman. Now how much is it?”

“Watch your tone boy.” She glares at me “For the price, lets see. Just leave the briefcase with me”

“You don’t know how much is in here” I replied curtly

“I don't care. Nobody’s gonna want a toy that kills you anyway, so I’ll just get rid of it.” She smiles at me

“Fine.” I left the case with her and went on my way after taking the items I bought.

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After the boy left the warehouse Ruth kept staring at the briefcase that the boy left. She didn't know how much was inside the case. She was just glad to be able to sell those cursed toys to anyone for any price honestly.

“Now lets see how much I lost getting scammed” she chuckled

Opening the briefcase her eyes went wide with surprise over the contents of the case. There was money in it. Not just a few hundred thousand yen. It was full of stacks of paper money that filled the case to a brim.

“This, this is....”

Ruth couldn't help wondering why anyone would by those items at this price. There was enough money inside to be lifetimes worth of a directors salary. You could even buy a small estate with this amount.

“Why would he not hesitate to leave this money just for getting yourself killed?” Ruth wondered. At this moment the warehouse door opened again. Looks like another customer.

“Welcome. Something you need?” she smiled putting the thoughts of the previous customer away.

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Haruki rushed home quickly and set up the devices he just bought. Before starting he looked at the pictures on the living room wall and hardened his resolve. Ho stared at his parents picture with him on his ninth birthday just before they died. Next to it was a picture of Haruki, Hime, Uncle Tarou, and Aunt Sayaka 3 years after Haruki met his new family.

While smiling, Haruki prepared himself and sent a text message to Yoichi. Finishing that he set down his cell on the table while he laid down on the sofa. Taking a deep breath he pushed the power button on the right side of the goggles and felt himself drift away.

After regaining consciousness he saw he was in a simple room with white walls and a ceiling s high he couldn’t see the top. Looking around he suddenly became aware he was moving his body and look at himself.

“No way... It’s like I’m really here.”

That is because you ARE here user

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What was that? I scanned the area around me. Is someone here? Crap was this a trap? Flustered by the sudden voice I found myself taking a defensive stance on instinct before the voice called out again.

Welcome, to the first VRMMORPG developed in the world “Tales of a New Land” user. Do you wish to use an existing account or create a new one?

I see it’s this games AI!

“New one” I answered

Very well, you will now proceed to the avatar creation menu

ERROR: Cannot customize avatar. Appearance will be set to the users real body

ERROR: Cannot create avatar name. Name will be set to Haruki.

Confirm Y/N

“yes” I answered. Looks like something happened to the AI here. I wonder if it’s connected to the hacking of the game a month ago?

New Account successfully created

Congratulations, you are the first user to create a new account this month. You will receive a bonus skill based on a question and an affinity to one element

Bonus skill question: For what purpose have you come to decide to play this game?

After thinking for a while and wondering if I should just lie I honestly answered the question.

“To find the person most important to me.” I replied

Affirmative, please select a bonus element affinity

“Lightning” I answered without caring

Thank you, you will now be transported to the “New Land”

With a flash of light I find myself in the middle of a plaza. I look around and see that the place I’m at is a city. With buildings similar to a fantasy movie I saw a long time ago I realize I’m inside the game. Alright looks like I should look around for a bit. Walking around I see some people just lying motionless on some benches.

“Excuse me, can I ask a few questions?” I asked a young guy, maybe 21, that was lying on the bench

“What?” he looked irritated to see me

“Um, are you a player? I want to ask about the game mechanics for some info.”

“What info? We can’t leave! Just check the damn menu rather than bothering me” he said while standing up and leaving

“Hmm, I guess being trapped doesn’t make your mood all that well huh?” I gazed at the man leaving

Not that I blame him though, everyone has their limits I guess. Lets just try stuff out I guess.

“Open Menu” I tried

Instantly a display appeared in front of me. I tried logging out but nothing happens. So it’s true you can’t leave....

Looking at the menu I find a tutorial button and tried pressing it. Having read the details I find out that you’re basically free to do what you want in this game. There were some differences with other games I played but the structure is mostly similar to other MMORPGs. This game doesn’t have classes, stats aren’t dependent on your level, and time here is flows differently meaning one month in the real world was three months here.

Having found out the basics I try looking around the city a bit more.

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Inside a cave somewhere a girl was sitting by a camp fire while roasting some meat. The girl's appearance could be considered breathtaking with her silky black hair tied into a ponytail. On her back was a bow that was slung from her shoulders to her hips that was made from steel and reflected the fire.

Beside her was a another girl wearing a white robe with shoulder length brown hair and light brown eyes.

“What should we do now Hime” the white robed girl asked

“I guess wait till the sun rises than move on to the next city, what was it’s name again Roden I think. That okay with you, Amy?” The black haired girl answered

“Okay, that’s fine.” The girl called Amy said “I guess I’ll go to sleep soon than”

“Sure, I’ll be the lookout first then” Hime replied to her companion

It has been 3 months since Hime last saw Haruki. She shouldn't help but worry how her brother was doing now. Was he sad? Was he depressed? Or maybe he doesn’t care? All those thoughts came to Hime’s mind as she watched the fire burn.

“Haruki.....nii-san.” She whispered as a single tear dropped to stone cave floor

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Reaching Haruki’s house Yoichi tried pressing the bell but no one came out. Is he still sleeping? Yoichi opened Haruki’s text again and read the words

You’re right Yoichi. I can’t die just yet. Please come over in the morning . Take care of me okay?

Yoichi sighed as he tried the bell again. What does he mean take care of him? Was he beaten up again? Yoichi tried the door knob and found it wasn’t locked.

“haru, I’m coming in okay?” he asked but no answer came

Yoichi went to his room but he wasn’t there. Thinking he was out he was about to leave when he spotted haru on the living room sofa. He was about to call out but was shocked when he saw him wearing VR gear. Lying motionless on the table to his side was his phone and a picture of him and his sister celebrating Haru’s acceptance into University last year.

“You crazy bastard...” Yoichi whispered before calling the hospital for an ambulance.

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