Chapter 3

The cool breeze flowed along the empty street filled with guards. Beside Kazu, the guard from his cell escorted him and opened the gate to let him out. The guard scratched his head all the while looking down as if wanting to say something.

“Look, I’m sorry about the way I treated you.” The guard moved to the side to let Kazu pass through the gate. “I’ve had a rough day. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t take it to heart. Tell you what, if you wait here for a few more minutes until my shift is done, I’ll treat you to dinner.”

Kazu nodded.

“Great. I’ll be right back.”

Now Kazu was alone. A scenic fantasy landscape filled his eyes. It was a view he never would've dreamed of. A large mountain in the east went up as high as the clouds blocking the entire view of the east. The sun sunk down in the west as if it was getting swallowed by the endless horizon of trees. And the walls of the capital reaching as far as the eye could see from left to right. This land of Austere was set on a hill to allow its citizens to view such scenery

“Hm? Your first time seeing Austere is it?” The guard returned with casual clothes. His brown ragged pants looked overused and his leather jacket didn’t look any tidier than his pants. His boots were tattered in dirt.

“By the way, the name's Brett Hseit.” Brett slapped Kazu in the back. “Let’s get along!”

They marched down the empty streets. Kazu gave curious looks at the buildings nearby along the way. He opened his mouth, but decided not to utter his question.

“Boy, what is it?” Brett asked.

“Nothing… haha.” Kazu let out a fake smile. “It’s just that why is this street so empty?”

“Oh, that.” Brett crossed his arms ready to give an answer. “This here is the prison district. Only guards or military personnel are allowed in this district. Most of them are probably inside the prison tunnels in patrol.”

“Heeeh.” Kazu responded.

“You’re really going to forgive me right?” Brett interlocked his hands together hoping for a positive answer from Kazu.

“Of course.” Kazu scratched his head at the sudden action. “It’s not like you did anything bad to me. You were just doing your job… I think.”

“Phew” Brett wiped his sweat on his forehead. “You know, my adventuring party had a falling out just this morning. That bitch Lizzie sure likes being such a drama bitch!”

You’re surprisingly one too…

“You’re looking at me like I’m at fault aren’t you!” Veins popped up in anger on Brett’s forehead. “I’m definitely not! I swear, if I get my hands on that woman I’ll clobber her good!”

“You’re not really making your image any better Brett. Sigh.” Kazu said.

“Say, you’re an adventurer right?” Brett leered at Kazu with enough ominous intent to send a shiver down his spine. “If you ever want a party, why don’t you party up with me? I’ll treat you good ha!”

“Is that an offer I can’t decline?” Kazu grinned.

“Ha! Kid, I like you. You’ll be in my party.” Kazu and Brett came up to a door in the empty street of the prison district. Brett knocked, then opened the door. “Evening old hag.”

“Hmph. Just take your seat.” The old lady had a dry frown on her face while wiping dry a beer glass. “The usual for you is it? What about for the kid?”

Kazu scrambled his hands to take the menu. As he was about to read the menu, it was taken away by Brett who had a wide smile.

“He’ll have the same.” Brett chuckled. “Say, let me see your adventurer card.”

“A-a what?” Kazu’s face knotted. Am I found out already?

“What!?” Brett slammed his hands on the table. “You don’t have one! Alright. We’ll get one next thing in the morning! I’ll build you up from the ground up.”

Kazu sighed in relief. Thank god this man is like this.

“But that does get me thinking.” Brett stared at Kazu dead in the eyes and closed in on his face. “Why were you in that dungeon if you’re not an adventurer?”

“I, uh…” Kazu stumbled on his words as he tried to avoid Brett’s breath. “It was a special circumstance. I’d rather not talk about it.”

“I see.” Brett relieved his pressure off of Kazu. “Well, every man has something they hide anyways. That doesn’t matter to me ha!”

“Orders up!” The waitress put the plates on the table. “Watch your hands. the plates are hot.”

“Thank you.” Kazu said.

“You’re welcome.” She gave a bright smile to Kazu, then turned her head to Brett. “You should follow someone’s example of being polite.”

“Bah. I came here for food not service!” Brett took the silverware on the table and started eating right away.

“Sigh, I wonder how you ever met your wife…” She walked away with low shoulders.

Along with Brett, Kazu began eating his own. It was a 12 oz. steak dripping with gravy with mashed potatoes and broccoli in the side. At least to Kazu, that’s what it looked like.

“Hey Wendy!” Brett shouted at the woman behind the counter. “Did you make his steak smaller than mine?!”

“Of course I did fool.” She put her palm on her face and then shook her head. “Look at how small he is. He wouldn’t be able to eat your portion.”

“I’m paying for this you know!” Brett said.

“It’s fine.” She waved her hand. “His portion will cost less.”

“Good.” Brett continued his meal. “Kazu, you’re not from here are you? Why don’t you stay at my place for the night.”

“Is it really okay?” Kazu’s eyes widened.

“Of course.” Brett chuckled. “But, I’m going to need a bit of your help when we get home.”

“Sure.”

***

They strolled along the path just outside of the south walls near the prison district. The giant trees covering the moon’s glow gave the scenery a serene mood. The light breeze along the leaves of the trees calmed Kazu’s heart.

It’s only been a day. He sighed. So much things happened

“Papa!” The loud scream of a little girl peeking through the window of the house caught Kazu’s attention. Smoke came through the chimney of the house like a western house and the smell of food permeated as they got closer to the house.

The door opened with a creak, and the little girl ran through it to meet with Brett. He lifted her up in joy spinning her once around. Her innocent round face, big eyes, with blond hair gave a sense of a warm family to Kazu. Her dirt tattered clothes must've been from playing around all day, Kazu thought.

“How was your day my little girl?” Brett laughed.

“It was like this papa.” She stared at him still with smudges of food on her mouth. “We and mom went to the, um, the woods to gather leaves!”

“Ha!” Brett put her down and patted her head. “What kind of leaves?”

“Ene, they’re not leaves.” A woman came through the door with a ladle in her hand. She held bright blue eyes with clothing fit to be a housewife. Her physique gave off a mature woman than the curvy body of the woman named Sage. “They’re herbs. And we need them.”

“That’s right Ene. Herbs and leaves are the same.” Brett joked.

“Don’t teach her stupid things.” The woman turned her head to Kazu. “And who is this?”

“Ah. This is Kazu Tomoe.” Brett shoulder slumped. “Its fine for him to stay for the night right? He has nowhere to go.”

“Its fine but…” Her eyes closed half way. “Don’t tell me you already eaten? And I cook everyday for you too.”

“Hey! It’s not my fault. He hadn’t eaten since morning. I had to treat him.” Brett apologized.

She groaned. “Fine. but next time you don’t tell me, you’re sleeping on the sofa.”

Kazu walked up to them and bowed deeply. “My name is Kazu Tomoe. I am indebted to your care.”

Kazu got up from his bow and saw the bewildered faces of Ene and Brett while the woman had a knotted smile.

“U-unn. Nice to meet you. I’m Sene.” Sene went up to Brett and whispered in his ears. “This kid’s weird. Where’s he from?”

“You know. I don’t know myself.” Brett put his hand just above Sene’s waist and guided her to the house. “Let’s go inside first. It’s chilly out here.”

“Ah, that’s right.” Sene reached her hand out to Ene. “Ene, its your bedtime.”

“Heeh?” Ene’s mouth wide open protested. “But papa just got back home…”

“That doesn’t mean you can’t follow your bedtime.” Sene escorted her to the stairs. “Good night.”

“Muu…” Ene groaned.

“So where were we?” They all sat down in the sofa and Sene put down her ladle on the table. “Are you perhaps from the east?”

Just as Kazu was about to say something, Brett interrupts him. “Sene is from Dragonweild. So she might be a bit more familiar to you I hope.”

“Sigh” She shook her head while holding her palm on her forehead. “Its true that I was a foreigner in this kingdom so it was hard to adapt. I came from the central castle of Dragonweild. I guess you’re not from there?”

“A-ah.” Kazu’s eyes looked around in a frantic. “I’m more from the north… you could say that.”

“Hmm… There are many unknown tribes in that land anyways. No need to fret over it.” Sene said. “But your hair colour is really weird. It’s pure black. And that name is something else.”

“It’s also my first time seeing that weird hair.” Brett crossed his arm. “Does everyone in your tribe have black hair?”

“Yes.” Kazu nodded. “I actually thought that black hair was normal?”

“That’s interesting.” Brett nodded. “I guess its the difference in culture huh?”

“You’re so lucky you met us.” Sene chuckled hiding her mouth with her hand. “You might have made some mistakes with the difference in culture as I did back when I moved here.”

“Mistakes?” Kazu tilted his head.

“That’s right! When Sene first came here to Austere, you wouldn’t believe what she did.” Brett gave his signature grinned. “She rented out a horse. Took it out into the woods. Luckily, I was there before she could kill the poor thing. She was planning to eat the horse.”

“Hey!” Sene blushed. “At that time, I thought the phrase “hungry that I could eat a horse” was literal…”

“Hahaha!” Brett’s gave out an obnoxiously loud voice.

“Papa!” The voice came from upstairs. “You’re too loud!”

“Ah, oops. Sorry dear.” Brett said. “Anyways, another thing she did was when we were at a restaurant, her food was served. She walked out the door of the restaurant with the plate in her hand heading back to the inn we were staying at. She asked why I wasn’t coming. And then-”

“Stop, please.” Sene’s face was beet red with a pout. “In the city I grew up in, we take the plates we get from “restaurants” back home to eat okay!”

“That is some weird practices” Brett’s face softened as he looked over at Sene.

Kazu’s face strained from faking the smile. He felt knots in his face he had never felt before from smiling.

“Ah, that’s right.” Sene’s pout became a soft smile. “It’s getting late. We should head to sleep. Are you fine with the sofa?”

“Yes, I’m fine. Thank you very much.” Kazu again gave a low bow to Sene prompting a twisted up-turn of her lips.

“Sorry we don’t have a guest room kid.” Brett patted Kazu on the shoulder. “Good night.”

“Good night.”

Sene got up in a hurry and handed Kazu blankets. “Good night” She smiled.

Sene and Brett headed upstairs. Their loud steps could be heard in the main floor and it stopped just above the living room where Kazu stayed at.

“Status”

StatusNameKazu TomoeLevel1HP80/95MP153/153Strength4Vitality4Wisdom8Intelligence6Agility3Stamina4Endurance9Luck1Phys. R17Mag. R.21

Unique Traits:

Hero Stats

Artifact "Exended Status" [Inactive]

Skill list:

Hide (2)

Sneak

Observe (1)

This… does everyone in this world have this? Kazu sighed. Oh, there’s a help guide.

Kazu clicked the “Help” button with his imaginary cursor.

Help Guide: (Type subject for help)

Type? How the hell do I type without keyboards?! He scratched his head in frustration. Okay, let’s try this.

“Description of Vitality”

Description: Vitality increases hp.

What the? So vague. Wait, that doesn’t even tell me anything!

“Description of Hero Stats”

Description: Hero base stats are acquired. Base stats and stat gain are based on Hero status. They are:

4 strength per level

4 Vitality per level

8 Wisdom per level

6 Intelligence per level

3 Agility per level

5 Stamina per level

0.5 Luck per level

10 Endurance per level..

Gaah! That still doesn’t explain my situation. Kazu put both of his palms on his eyes. Great, I can still see the UI even with my eyes covered.

“Is this really a game or is this real?” He sighed. “It all feels too real. Pain, smell, sounds, the scenery… everything feels too real—Current Location.”

Location: Planet Ilmaira, Asteria Kingdom. Austere Outskirts, Brett’s House.

Whether it’s real or not… right now for me, this is reality. Kazu clenched his fists. Aiko’s letter… I need to get it back... my last memory of that place.

Kazu laid down on the sofa, covering himself in the blanket finally closing the day off. Closing the long, long day.

***

“Nee, Kazu.” Aiko pouted. “Am I that hard to get along with?”

“N-no.” Kazu turned his head away. “It’s easy to talk to you, I guess.”

“Then why aren’t you looking at me when I’m talking to you?” Aiko forced Kazu’s head to turn her way.

“S-s-stupid!” Kazu’s face blushed a bright red. “What are you doing all of a sudden?!”

“W-what?!” Aiko, surprised, jolted backwards. “Why are you making it so awkward?!”

“*Whistle* The lovebirds getting it on.” A boy from behind commented.

“Shut up Hishikawa!” Aiko fumed. “Don’t get the wrong idea or anything Kazu. I was forced t-t-to go with you okay!”

Kazu’s solemn smile came across Aiko’s eyes. “You didn’t have to say it like that, Aiko.”

***

“...Kid?” The shadow shook Kazu’s shoulder.

“Brett?” Kazu muttered.

“Something happen kid? You had tears going down your cheeks.” Brett pointed out.

“N-no.” Kazu shook his head. “It’s nothing.”

“Alright then. We’re supposed to go to the adventurer’s guild today to get your plate. Time to eat breakfast, it’s last night’s leftovers.” Brett lifted Kazu up by his shoulders.

“Woaaaah. What are you doing all of a sudden??”

“Waking you up of course.” Brett smirked. “It worked didn’t it?”

“Sigh.” Kazu gave brett a defeated shrug.

“Hi mister.” Ene stared at Kazu with bright big eyes. “Your hair is weird.”

Kazu patted Ene. “That’s not a nice thing to say to people is it now.”

“But its true!” Ene climbed over the sofa to get a closer look at Kazu’s face, then the pressure of her stare intensified.

“Alright children. The food’s all warmed up.” Sene clapped her hands. “Let’s eat.”

Ene jumped off the sofa, hopping along the floor straight into her chair in the middle of the table. Sene sat at the right of Ene and Brett sat in the left side of Ene. Kazu dragged his feet along and sat in the other end of the table in the middle.

“Dear, any plans for today?” Sene asked.

“We’re going to get Kazu his own adventurer plate” Brett answered.

“Oh, that’s nice.” Sene gave a quick gaze at Kazu. “Are you sure about this? Look at how small he is. It looks like he’ll break anytime.”

“My eyes don’t fool me from potential!” Brett shouted. “This guy has that potential. My instincts are never wrong about strength! HAHAHA!”

“Papa being unreasonable again.” Ene commented while chewing on her food.

“Aw come on. Its true though…” Ene’s comment erased the smile from Brett’s face turning it into an mild frown like that of a father trying to get on his daughter’s good side.

“Your dad’s right you know.” Kazu uttered out. “I might become the strongest even.”

That’s right… He smirked. With this game-like skill. I might actually stand a chance at becoming such a being. With my illness gone, and this fantasy like world, such a thing might even be a possibility for me.

“HAhAHAHAH!” Sene, brett, and Ene laughed at Kazu.

“You don’t have to laugh that hard.” Kazu looked down as his face turned red.

“I’m sorry. But it’s good to have dreams right?” Sene commented.

###########

Editted in some details of Ene (I forgot to write in). 2015-04-26

Editted stat gains. 2015-04-28