I found myself blinking my eyes open in the village square. The realistic graphics were sure the latest! Even the realistic play of light alone was enough to elicit my admiration, and I’ve seen quite a few of the newest MMORPG’s okay? In other words: Virtual Reality is the best!

The grass realistically swayed in the slight breeze. The grain on the wooden boards nearby, the crunch of dirt underfoot, the smell of new hay coming from a nearby hay-wagon: it was so real! The NPC’s movements were also quite lifelike, to the point where I almost thought they were players. But of course, they weren’t players.

So far, most-if not all- players were still wearing their original Neetware, as I like to call it. Equipped with the same kind of ordinary shirt and pants, it was as if they were wearing some sort of special uniform or something.

If this were a real other world, then I would put this as a plot to distinguish the newcomers from the natives. But, oh well. Oh wait, we were categorized as ‘heroes in training’ correct? Then maybe it is a well-covered plot. As I was considering these things, I heard another ding as a blue box again appeared before me.

Intelligence +1

I jerked my head back in surprise, but who doesn’t like free stats? I smiled. I knew it…You were probably awarded stat points in accord with what you did the most.

But what if the reason why I got that stat point was because I was right about the big plot-

“You know, most people would have considered you quite rude by now.” A familiar voice came from behind me. “You’re lucky I’m feeling rather generous today, seeing as it’s your first time out and about.”

I turned about with a start, already trying to keep my face from twitching. Yep. As expected. It was the Drama Queen Narcicist, Ryuu. I sighed.

“Yes, it is rather disappointing to compare yourself to the great me, isn’t it? Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it eventually.” He replied.

What god did I offend to get stuck with this one? I thought silently. Sure, when he’s quiet, his appearance is quite flawless, but when he opens his mouth…the results are cringe-worthy.

If he had a background, he’s probably some stuck up prince or a commoner that rose too quickly from rags to riches and let it get to his head.

Intelligence +1

…I like this game already~! I thought, the corners of my mouth turning up.

“If you’re quite finished daydreaming, my young charge, there are things the great I must have you complete before the day is done. Follow me.” He whirled about, causing his robe to flutter in the breeze a bit more than most. Seeing as how I didn’t know my way around, I reluctantly followed him down the streets.

Soon, I realized that if I was going to keep up, I had better put more effort into it. He turned this way, then that, swiftly moving through the crowd of people in the marketplace. Did I forget to mention that the marketplace was literally C.R.O.W.D.E.D. with people? I had to squeeze between people who were only a hand’s width apart from each other, apologizing the whole time.

Ryuu, that hateful person, was slipping through these people like he was a ghost, except, none of the surrounding neets seemed to notice him. Huh. What is he, some kind of ninja?!

Finally, I managed to escape the crush of the crowd and pursue his back, unhindered.

Somehow, even though he was faster than me, I always managed to keep him in my sights. Perhaps it was because he stopped and talked to the villagers every now and then, blending in like a true local. Huh! Neets couldn’t see him, but locals could? I grinned as I had just discovered a possible way to tell apart neets from locals in the future.

Still, I felt just a touch of admiration, seeing that AIDs could fit so flawlessly into the game system. I thought they’d be just like a computerized android. I never thought the AIDs would act so familiar with their surroundings. This new gaming system is super sweet~!

Ryuu stopped in front of a slightly larger thatched wooden house with a stone wall surrounding it, rather like the old fashioned English country houses that can still be seen in preserved villages here and there. But I am getting off track.

A strong-looking man stood at the gate entrance, holding a spear. He was obviously a guard.

Is that really necessary? I mean, any good parkour person is gonna be able to scale that wall. There’s plenty of ivy and stuff growing on it, after all. I wondered as the man moved forward to block us.

“HALT! Who goes there!? Only authorized people may come inside to see the mayor!” He barked out, making it clear that he was not going to let us by. So does that mean we have to somehow acquire authorization? Sounds like the intro to a beginner chain quest. I was going to turn around, when Ryuu began to interact. I waited, since it was likely he’d help me get information on where to get the authorization that I’d need.

Ryuu simply laughed. “Go play guard elsewhere, Little Kuma. Is your father in?”

“Yes, he’s in, but somehow he’s been bombarded with being called upon by all the new heroes-in-training. There were even a few people who were trying to wheedle free stuff from him, calling him a ‘hard boss to defeat’ or something like that. Therefore, I decided to guard the gate and make sure they have a document with a legitimate reason first before they can enter, to give my father a chance to rest.”

Little Kuma, who was by no means little or bear-ish in appearance, took an attitude of respect towards Ryuu.

Hmm…It seems that he can hold a normal conversation without bragging about himself with others... Then why is he that way with me? I wondered, noticing the absence of ‘the great I’ and ‘you puny mortals’. Not that he’s ever said anything like ‘you puny mortals’, mind you-it’s just that he gives off that kind of overconfident, extremely narcissistic vibe, there.

“I see. I was going to ask him about something, but, as I thought, maybe it would be better for us to come back later so that he can rest?” Ryuu asked, a considering expression upon his face.

“No no, if it’s Ryuu-sama, then he’ll be more than happy for your presence, it’s just…” Little Kuma glanced over at me. Ah, he said ‘sama’. Little Kuma, you must not be fooled! He is only a super narcicist!

“What is it?” I asked, suddenly feeling like I was being judged by my appearance, which made me tense up slightly in mild resentment. There’s no way he could have heard my thoughts, right? Ryuu put his hand upon my head. Oy oy! That is my head, you! It is not an armrest!

“Oh, so she does speak! I was sure that she must have been a mute, seeing how most of the heroes-in-training just love to talk.” Little Kuma said, in mild surprise.

“This one, here, is my personal charge. She is also a hero-in-training, but has yet to be registered with the village. She may seem a bit dull now, but she’s surprisingly intelligent for someone who just arrived.” Ryuu said.

…Eh? Was that just… a compliment!? Maybe he really isn’t some narcissistic con, but actually could he be a really nice guy underneath? I thought to myself.

“Understood! She may also enter!” Little Kuma saluted Ryuu, who waved off the salute casually, removing his hand from my head. You could have done that sooner, baka.

I silently followed Ryuu into the house, slightly bowing in acknowledgement to Little Kuma on my way in. He nodded in acknowledgement. I’m not sure what kind of effect having good manners will bring, but surely it can only help in building good relations with the inhabitants of this world.

Once we were past the gate, Ryuu looked at me and smirked.

“What?” I asked him.

“Oh, nothing. I just can’t believe that such an ‘intelligent person’ would actually believe my words back there.” He chuckled, bringing his wide-sleeved arm up to cover his mouth as if her were a skilled courtesan.

“Huh?” I replied, confused. “Actually believed… which means…I wasn’t supposed to believe them? In other words, you lied when you were praising me!?” I exclaimed, half-incredulously. The look on his face said it all. I TAKE IT BACK!!! YOU’RE NOT NICE AT ALL! YOU’RE A BLACK-BELLIED CROOK!! MY GOOD IMPRESSIONS: RETURN THEM!!! I cried in my heart.

“He wouldn’t have let us past if I hadn’t said something like that, don’t you know? It was so amusing to see your expression, though. Perhaps I should do more of this in the future~”

My eye twitched as I heard what he said. “No thanks. False compliments are like a balloon: flashy and colorful on the outside, yet full of hot air on the inside.” I said flatly.

“I see…you aren’t pleased with false compliments. The great I will be sure to remember that.” Ryuu said as he once again led the way forward, his shoulders shuddering strangely as he went ahead.

I glared at that back, wishing to strike it, but eventually good manners won over, and I held my peace. It would do no good to gain a weird title for doing something violent as soon as I logged into the game, and I was NOT going to get caught with something like [Dominatrix ] or something equally weird.