Hayato opened his eyes with a groan and sat up from his comfy bed. He saw unfamiliar objects in his room. A shelf with books, some sewing kits and he could see a kimono that was definitely not his size.

“Oh, you’re finally awake Hayato-chan!” Hayato looked towards the door where an elderly tailor in a yellow Yukata was standing at with a tray of water. “You made me worried when you suddenly fell in front of my store. I thought that you might have fallen unconscious due to your fatigue.”

Hayato just stared at the woman with a confused look. ‘I was not logged out?’

“You made me even more worried when you wouldn’t wake up for three days! The other adventurers also fell unconscious like you did. Some of them are up and walking but none of them have left the town as of yet. They look mighty shaken as if they were told something unbelievable happened to them.”

Hayato looked down at his hands and tried to move them. They responded perfectly and he could even feel the cold air around him which was slightly odd but seeing as he had not been online long enough so there might be something going on that he missed. Then he realized that his tails did not seem to be ‘detached’ as he felt it before he fell unconscious.

“…” Hayato thought of something and bit on his thumb until it bled. Now he knew that his theory was real. He was not in the game as an avatar of his body but he himself was in the game. He did not even realize that he had spooked the elderly tailor.

“Hayato-chan, what are you doing!?”

Hayato looked up at the woman with a reassuring smile. “I was only trying to make sure I was not in some kind of illusion, do not worry…” Hayato turned back to his hand and saw that it was beginning to close. He could not make sure if it was due to the game or simply from his body modification in real life that allowed him to heal his wounds quickly.

He knew one thing: He needed more information; More data to clearly assess the situation. He will leave seeking of a way back to the other people that undoubtedly will appear when the situation needs it.

He got off the bed and began to move the rest of his body just to make sure nothing happened to them whilst his real body merged with his data body.

“Hayato-chan…?”

Hayato turned towards the elderly tailor and bowed deeply. “Thank you for taking care of me. I will make sure to repay you, so if you ever find yourself in trouble; don’t hesitate to find me. I will probably stay in this town for a little while longer.” Hayato straightened his posture and smiled at the elderly tailor woman and walked out of the room and shop.

Hayato knew where he needed to go to next. He needed to go out of the safety of the town walls and go outside to find out if the world they are in was exactly the same as the one he was in before. He brought up the player menu and seeing that it worked, he brought up the skill menu.

[table]Learned skillsName:Description:Wind walk (Semi-passive)This ability lets the user increase his speed corresponding to the user’s agility and speed. This skill also reduces the requirements to increase speed by half. It cannot be upgraded. (User level X speed) +1/2 agility for seven minutes, skill cool-down is 1 hourDexterous hands(passive)the user gains crafting skills more easily and improves the quality of each work he/she makes. Also reduces weapon handling penalties. Skill can be upgraded.Fighting spirit(passive)After years of training, the body and soul gains immunity to CC (crowd control) skills and gives 5% resistance to every resistance. Can be upgraded every 5 levels.Lucky Bastard!(passive)blessed by the goddess of luck, you gain an increase in drop rates and experience gain! This skill also influences of receiving rare treasures from dungeons and treasure chests! Increase in item drop, EXP and money gain by 25%[table]Racial skillsName:Description:Master of illusions(Passive) Due to the mischievous nature of the [Foxling], they have obtained mastery over illusions and are immune to them. Living with illusions, these masters of illusions do not require any training in any type of illusions and only require the creativity and the mana of the user to be cast upon the enemy. From taming to inflicting damage indirectly, illusions created by masters of illusions can only be broken by bosses of savage ranks or higher.

Hayato nodded. He could use illusions and he can use it to tame and do other things so he was not worried about being attacked by groups of monsters but he still kept his paranoia because of his low mana pool and low mana regeneration rate.

Hayato needed to get better equipment or at least a better sword. He also needed to find people who are willing to go out of the safety of the city.

Hayato walked by a few players; who were apparently called adventurers by the people of [Kismet]; who looked like they have been told that they would die tomorrow without any excuse or any salvation. Put it simply: they held the looks of despair and hopelessness. They needed to understand that this was no longer a game but alas; humans are such fragile creatures. Even he felt worried about his family whom he just returned to.

Hayato walked past the plaza fountain where even more people with hopeless looks gathered. No one seemed to want to move and no one seems to want to try something. He disappointed at them; especially the older ones who were supposed to be better figures for the younger ones. Even in the most hopeless situation.

He looked around yet no one reacted to his presence. He looked around more and found someone with a familiar face and red colored hair.

“Big sister Yuka, we’ll be fine right? The people from the company are going to fix the game, right?” Yuka could only gently caress the head of the little girl sitting next to her on the plaza bench. It hasn’t been long since they awoke from the [Church of Odin] and when they looked up at the in-game forum; they saw many threads saying things like ‘Doom’ and ‘Death’. Honestly she was just fed up with them but the little girl beside her was shaken.

“Big sister Yuka… You won’t leave me… right?” the little girl called Ame looked up at the elder girl with upturned eyes. She could see the anxiety and fear within the little girl’s eyes so Yuka nodded and brought the little girl closer to her. The two looked like siblings comforting each other.

“I won’t leave you. That’s a promise.” Yuka tried to comfort the little girl beside her and closed her eyes in an attempt to reorganize her thoughts. ‘It cannot be like in that novel… where they are forced into a death game?’

“We’ll be fine, right?”

“Yeah…”

“We’ll be able to get back home, right?”

“Of course”

“isn’t that Instructor Hayato?”

“Yes- wait, what?”

Yuka opened her eyes and saw a familiar set of heterochromatic eyes colored teal and gold looking right at her. ’No way… It must be some kind of a coincidence’ Yuka shook her head to dispel her thoughts. She looked at the male again to see that he was already in front of her.

“Ame, and Yuka too… How are you two faring?” Hayato, her instructor, nonchalantly questioned the two.

“Ame is feeling a bit worried but she knows things will be resolved so Ame will be fine~”

“I guess I’m good…”

She and Ame gave out different answers.

“I see… Well, I need to go somewhere now. You two be careful~” Her instructor smiled at Ame and her. He didn’t look like he was panicking and he was even cheerful. She knew the Ichiharu family was a bit odd but this…

“Ah, instructor…” Ame pulled at the hem of her instructor’s novice clothing causing him to look over his shoulder. “Can I go with you?” Ame timidly requests.

Yuka understands why Ame wanted to go with him. If towards Yuka’s age group he was a demon; for the younger age group: he was a kind older brother who patiently taught them what they needed to know about the Ichiharu style. He was kind and thoughtful, yet at the same time he was not lenient and expected great things from them. His teaching style was unique in its own way but it served him well. Ame’s age group had advanced quicker than her group’s in the basic movements of the Ichiharu style.

“Sure. What about you, Yuka? You want to come along as well?” Her instructor petted the little girl’s head and brought his attention towards her.

Yuka nodded. ‘It is not like I have anything to do now…’ Yuka followed after the two.

“Ah, please don’t call me Instructor. I am merely Hayato now so please, call me by my name.”

Yuka slightly lagged behind her instructor and Ame. Unlike Ame, she was not as close to Hayato or any of the instructors if she was being honest. True, Hayato’s methods of training was effective but that was it. No one in her group tried to close the gap between instructor and pupil so unlike the younger aged students; they were pretty much just student and teacher.

Yuka watched as her instructor got called out again by another blacksmith and merchant NPC. She wondered how and why he was so popular with the people of [Shinzan Town] but then again, not all the achievements and titles were uncovered in [Kismet] so he might have just found a new one.

“Here, a present for the person who brought more customers”

“Thank you, Smith. I’ll make good use of this”

Yuka watched as her instructor was given a standard long sword meant for level 5 players. He equipped the item and it appeared on his back. Just when she thought a blacksmith giving him a weapon for free was odd, the fact that a magic shop just gave him a four skill books made her jaw drop.

“Here, Hayato-chan… These were old books stuffed away in the corner of my attic. They are sure to be more useful with you than sitting in the shop.”

“Thank you, Eliza-san. I’ll make sure to put them to good use”

Her instructor bowed at the elderly woman before putting the books into his inventory and continued on his way.

“Big brother, big brother…” Ame pulled the hem of Hayato’s Yukata like novice armor causing him turn his head towards her. “How come big brother is popular with the townspeople? Did you defeat a dragon or something?”

Hayato laughed and shook his head. “No, nothing of the sort… I’m just a new player here and in the duration of one day: I helped everyone here in the town with odd-jobs and somehow I got popular and received the title: Odd-job prince which garners me more requests and rewards.”

Ame’s eyes lit up while Yuka felt it was a bit too odd. “So… you got the title after helping everyone within a day?” Yuka inquired to which Hayato nodded to. “Which means that it is a passive title?” Again Hayato nods. Just as Yuka was about to ask again, the three were stopped at the western gate.

“Ah, Hayato… Mind helping us with a monster problem? We would go ourselves but our numbers are too little and I can’t leave my post…”

“Sure. I guess they have been harassing the farmers?”

“Yeah. Thanks for helping, I’ll make sure to get your rewards as soon as you finish.”

Just like that, Yuka’s instructor accepted a hunting request. He then turned around and faced both Ame and her.

“So… would you two like to join me? I think the quest will go much faster than if I was alone.”

Hayato has invited you to his party. Will you accept?

Yuka stared at the smiling Hayato and then to Ame. Hayato had a neutral smile saying that he would not mind if she declined but Ame had a smile that said ‘Accept it’. So with a wry smile, Yuka accepted the party request and another window appeared before her.

You have accepted the quest: monster extermination!

Yuka blinked. This quest has not been found before. The rewards were still unknown so she felt a bit excited. That is, until she read the quest description.

monster extermination!

defeat 10 raccoon

rewards: 50C, 150EXP

Yuka thought it might have been a better quest but she knew it was impossible. They were in [Shinzan town]; a beginner town surrounded by beginner monsters like [raccoon] and [slime].

“Don’t judge a book by its cover” Yuka snapped out of her thought by the sound of her instructor. “Ichiharu style, rule number 1: Never underestimate anyone or anything; meaning that even a child can kill a full grown and armed man with just a knife.” Yuka could see his disappointment which actually made her a little bit disappointed with herself.

“I’m sorry… I was just a bit disappointed…” Yuka bowed and apologized.

“It’s fine. I know that this quest was not listed in the forums so no wonder you had high hopes for it. And you were right in having high hopes for it.” Yuka looked up at her instructor. “The title says [monster extermination] not [raccoon extermination]; meaning that this might be a chained quest of epic proportions.” Hayato began to explain. “So, if we go through this until the end; the rewards will be more satisfying.”

Yuka never thought of it that way. She always assumed that the names were just there to identify what type of quest it was.

“So with that being said: let’s go and hunt down some [raccoon]”

Yuka looked up at the three bars in the upper left corner of her vision.

Hayato level 14, HP2160 MP1460

Ame level 5, HP780 MP780

Yuka level 12, Warrior level 5, HP2140 MP1850

Her instructor has a higher base level than she was but he still had no job.

================================================

Hayato took out the four skill books he got from the magic shop owner. All four of them were passive skills but they all glowed golden. He knew that reading it where there were a lot of people was going to be troublesome so he chose to read it outside the walls of [Shinzan town] and put it back into his inventory. Thus it would kill two birds with one stone since it would also help him with his current objective.

Then came the gate guard who asked him to exterminate some monsters; thus the two birds became three. He looked at the two behind him and offered them.

“So… would you two like to join me? I think the quest will go much faster than if I was alone.”

He brought up the player menu and chose the [community] button and pressed the [invite to party] button.

Ame has joined your party!

He was surprised Ame had instantly accepted his request. He then turned towards Yuka. He smiled, signaling that he was fine even if she declined the offer.

Yuka has joined your party!

Hayato smiled and looked at the upper left corner of his vision where he guessed the HP bars were sitting in.

Hayato level 14, HP2160 MP1460

Ame level 5, HP780 MP780

Yuka level 12, Warrior level 5, HP2140 MP1850

‘Oh… I am the highest leveled person here but only Yuka has a job… so she is the highest leveled player?’ Hayato thought as he studied their character information. ‘So Ame only has 14 VIT and INT while Yuka has… it is hard to tell…’ Hayato stared at Yuka’s panel before shrugging it off.

Hayato looked at his student but saw her having a disappointed look.

“Don’t judge a book by its cover” Hayato said to Yuka with a disappointed look. “Ichiharu style, rule number 1: Never underestimate anyone or anything; meaning that even a child can kill a full grown and armed man with just a knife.” He saw that Yuka was reflecting on her actions.

“I’m sorry… I was just a bit disappointed…” Yuka bowed and apologized.

Hayato knew that this quest was not mentioned in the forums, or on any site for that matter, so he did not blame her for having high hopes. But still, he needed to teach her something in which most, if not; all, players overlook.

“It’s fine. I know that this quest was not listed in the forums so no wonder you had high hopes for it. And you were right in having high hopes for it.” Hayato began as Yuka looked up at him. “The title says [monster extermination] not [raccoon extermination]; meaning that this might be a chained quest of epic proportions.” He began to explain. “So, if we go through this until the end; the rewards will be more satisfying.”

Yuka had a look of revelation. She must have thought the names of the quests were just to identify what type of quest it was.

“So with that being said: let’s go and hunt down some [raccoon]”

Hayato turned around and began to walk towards the player-empty fields swarming with passive monsters.

From what Hayato knew: [Raccoon] were part of the beast-type monster which had a fear and weakness to fire. He then took out the four skill books he was given back in town and unhesitatingly read them. All four books shot out golden lights which entered his body. It felt odd as it felt like something was burrowing deep into his soul.

You have learned: Hunting!

You have learned: Magical prowess!

You have learned: Advanced appraisal!

You have learned: Ghost strikes!

Hayato then brought up his skill menu

[table]Learned skillsName:Description:Wind walk (Semi-passive)This ability lets the user increase his speed corresponding to the user’s agility and speed. This skill also reduces the requirements to increase speed by half. It cannot be upgraded. (User level X speed) +1/2 agility for seven minutes, skill cool-down is 1 hourDexterous hands(passive)the user gains crafting skills more easily and improves the quality of each work he/she makes. Also reduces weapon handling penalties. Skill can be upgraded.Fighting spirit(passive)After years of training, the body and soul gains immunity to CC (crowd control) skills and gives 5% resistance to every resistance. Can be upgraded every 5 levels.

Lucky Bastard!(passive)blessed by the goddess of luck, you gain an increase in drop rates and experience gain! This skill also influences of receiving rare treasures from dungeons and treasure chests! Increase in item drop, EXP and money gain by 25%ghost strikes(passive)Each strike from the user ignores any and all armors, even the armor of the legendary heroes. Will apply to any weapon the user equips, even if the user is barehanded [/tds][tds]Magical prowess(passive)Bending mana to the user’s will, the power of magic can be increased or decreased depending on the amount of mana injected into the magic. Even if the magic is an AOE type, it can still be deployed with the size of a palmAdvanced appraisal(passive) After training the eyes, the user has developed an ability to discern any material, weapon, armor, monster and even people. Detecting the tiniest hint of malice towards the user or his/her party, the skill will mark the person with that intent to be an enemy on the radar.

Hunting(passive) The more you hunt a monster, the higher the damage against that monster’s species. Beware that the owner of this skill stacks up aggro faster than anyone.[table]Racial skills

Name:Description:Master of Illusions (passive)Due to the mischievous nature of the [Foxling], they have obtained mastery over illusions and are immune to them. Living with illusions, these masters of illusions do not require any training in any type of illusions and only require the creativity and the mana of the user to be cast upon the enemy. From taming to inflicting damage indirectly, illusions created by masters of illusions can only be broken by bosses of savage rank or higher.

He didn’t thought they would be that overpowered. He just thought they would be slightly powerful but ignoring any and all armor? Overpowered skills…

“What’s the matter big brother?” Ame who was beside him saw his exasperated look and asked.

Hayato merely shook his head and reassured her that nothing was wrong and that he was just surprised at the feeling of the skills entering his body.

“If big brother says so… oh look: A [raccoon]!” Ame brought out her novice dagger. “…” Even though she was the first one to bring out her dagger, she did not move an inch.

“Ame…?” Yuka called out to the girl who began to tremble.

“I don’t think I can do it…” Ame slowly lowered her weapon. The [Raccoon], without knowing anything, approached the girl and tilted its head in a cute manner. “I can’t…” Ame sheathed her weapon. The [Raccoon] seemed to want her to pet its head but before she could: Hayato, using his new long sword, chopped its head off without remorse.

==================================================

Ame froze. “Hayato, what are you doing!” She could hear the rage in Yuka’s voice. She was splattered with a little blood from the now headless [Raccoon]. She then felt a slightly malice-tinged presence next to her and looked at its direction. She saw the cold eyes that contrasted to what she believed her older brother would show. “Big… brother…?”

Hayato flicked the blood off of his blade and turned towards her. Ame could make out some shouting coming from the second eldest, which was Yuka, directed at Hayato but she silenced herself when Hayato turned his cold gaze towards her.

“If you still have not believed that we are no longer in our world, then you better wake up to the facts: We are not in OUR world. We are INSIDE another world where even a cute [Raccoon] can kill you; A world where it is KILL-or-be-KILLED.” Ame could not believe her ears. Gone was the warm and kind brother she knew. No, he was still the brother she knew but what he was showing was his other side. She did not understand why he has that side but one thing she knew: The [raccoon] died and it bled. It was not just a bunch of data, nor was it just a magical thing where if it dies: it will be transported somewhere else to heal. It will DIE if hurt badly or it will KILL anyone that fails to KILL it.

Ame felt a pair of arms wrapped around her and pulling her into an embrace. She did not realize it but she had begun crying when Hayato finished his ‘tutorial’

======================================================

Yuka was glad that the little girl she knew was not just going to kill the [Raccoon]. She was proud that she had that kindness within her. Yuka was about to go and help Ame when she saw something she refused to believe: Hayato had chopped off the [Raccoon]’s head right in front Ame, letting blood splatter over her.

“Hayato, What are you doing!” She shouted at the male who only flicked the blood off his blade.

“She’s just a child! You shouldn’t be-” Yuka stopped her shouting when Hayato turned towards her with a gaze that could make hell freeze over. Not once has he shown that gaze even when one of his students ‘accidentally’ hit another student’s solar plexus with the intent to kill.

“If you still have not believed that we are no longer in our world, then you better wake up to the facts: We are not in OUR world. We are INSIDE another world where even a cute [Raccoon] can kill you; A world where it is KILL-or-be-KILLED.” Yuka flinched. The tone he was using was not something he had used before. It was a voice full of authority and experience.

Yuka then realized the little girl next to him had begun to tremble and sob. Yuka ignored the white haired male and quickly wrapped her arms around the little girl and pulled her into a hug. She did not deserve to see something like that. Not even inside a game.

“When the both of you calm down, talk to me through the [Party chat]. I will continue with the extermination…” Hayato turned away from the two of them and walked away. Yuka could care less right now and focused only on calming down Ame who had just witnessed her first kill.

===========================================

Hayato turned around and began to walk away from the group. He knew he might have gone a bit too far in ‘teaching’ them that the world they were currently in weren’t theirs. He needed to make sure that they either continue fighting or just live normal lives inside safe towns and cities.

He might regret his choice afterwards but he still needed them to know that treading the path of an adventurer is not something simple like in the anime and cartoons children were fed with. It is a journey alongside death in an endless waltz; Always gambling away the safety of one’s life.

Hayato walked towards the entrance of a forest. He will give them space and time to think. If they still on planning to continue as an adventurer, then he will try his best to protect them in his journey. If not, then he will bid them goodbye and continue on alone.

Hayato entered the forest and was greeted with the sight of a [rabbit] being pounced on and eaten by a [Wolf]. He felt no sympathy for the animal for it was nature. He even thought that should the [Wolf] be eaten by something far larger, it would be funny.

You have received the title: Heartless

You will always deal full damage to your enemies and will always be immune to attack-reducing debuffs

Hayato laughed slightly and drew out his long sword and hacked the [Wolf] into half with one downward slash.

You have dealt fatal damage to your enemy and have instantly killed it!

-end of chapter-

i have no idea what is going wrong with the tables... i followed the rules and even copy-pasta it onto my written document but it is still turning out... like that. I would be grateful if someone could help me with this...

as always constructive criticism, praises and simple thanks are welcomed.