Eugene’s luck was awful. He had walked for hours only to learn exactly what he already suspected, the bandits outgunned them many fold. Cassandra the bandit, wore armour and had a weapon, and was almost definitely a higher level than them. They were outmatched. It was as simple as that. Worse yet, it wasn’t more than an hour since they’d decided to turn back to Baldor’s Loft before it had started to rain. It might have been game mechanics, or it might be that Levia had no sun or moon to speak of, but a dark gloom fell upon the land. The sheet lightning and occasional accompanying thunder clap wasn’t helping his mood. His noob clothes soaked up every drop of rain, and Daphne’s white outfit became downright transparent. Edge wiped the water from his nose, hoping it wasn’t blood.

Upon entering Baldor’s, there was a distinct change to the loft. It was filled with NPC’s drinking booze and conversing quietly amongst themselves.

“Well if it isn’t Edge, and Daphne. How are your travels?”

NPC’s clearly couldn’t keep track of time, or at least Baldor couldn’t, which was sort of endearing given the circumstances. They couldn’t make it in the world of Levia for even one day on their own, but Baldor didn’t care. He was just an NPC.

“Levia is a pretty hard game isn’t it, Baldor,” said Daphne, sensing Edge’s frame of mind. Baldor didn’t respond, but Daphne didn’t mind. She preferred quiet men.

“Listen Baldor, can I get a room for the night and some supper?” asked Edge. He immediately handed over the room key to Daphne. “You might want to change.”

She looked at herself, just realizing now that her clothes were completely see-through. Edge made ready for the attack, bracing and wincing, but it never came. He opened one eye, and Daphne was already halfway up the stairs.

“O-O-oo, you Pervert!” She yelled back at him.

He was just glad she didn’t hit him. A room full of NPC’s wouldn’t care if you screamed your brains out, or ran around naked. Though, he wasn’t going to put it to the test. Edge scanned his item menu. They didn’t have enough rubies left for two rooms and meals. He’d already planned on giving Daphne the room, and finding a quiet spot in the common room. He was going to test how picky Baldor was about late night visitors sleeping in the bar. Hopefully, Edge could at least nap in a corner or something. It was taking longer than he thought to dry out, so he ordered the cheapest meal he could from Baldor, while still leaving enough crystals for Daphne.

“Is your girlfriend mad at you?”

Edge nearly jumped from his barstool. A tall High Elven woman with pale white skin and long pointed ears stood behind him. She was dressed in a royal blue corset with black trim and long matching pants that fit like jeans, tucked into solid black leather hiking boots. And most importantly, the name above her head floated in blue, [Sakura].

“You’re a player.”

“So are you,” she replied.

“I’m Edge.”

“I know, it says so right above your head.”

“I haven’t met another player before.” Baldor slid a bowl of watery carrot stew in front of him.

“What about your girlfriend?”

“She’s not my girlfriend, and I-uh-besides Daphne I mean.”

“I’m not very good at chit-chat, so I’ll skip right to the point. Can either of you log off?”

“No, you?”

She shook her head, taking the seat next to his. He didn’t know what to say. It didn’t help that he had a tall pink haired beauty next to him. Her chest was level with his nose. [Your Observation skill has increased: 2] [Sakura is staring at your bowl] He took a harder look at Sakura’s clothing. Although her outfit was dry, she was also dusty and travel worn. Her stomach chose that moment to make a loud rumbling noise. [Sakura looks hungry] [Your observation skill has increased: 3]

“Eat this,” he offered, sliding his untouched bowl along the bar. She didn’t refuse, and he could tell she was holding herself back with each bite, so as not to shovel the food into her mouth. How long could a player go without eating? In the real world, had their bodies been brought to hospitals by now to be treated as comatose? Or was his body dying on the living room floor, alone with no one even missing him?

Edge sat quietly while she finished his meal. He had just enough funds left over for one more, but that one was reserved for the girl upstairs.

Sakura let out loud rolling belch, not very elf-like. “I’m so sorry. You must think I’m such a pig. I haven’t eaten anything since I got stuck here.”

“Are you still hungry?”

“No, not at all actually. Isn’t that strange? Do you think it’s the game’s doing?”

“Probably.” It couldn’t be a mistake that he only got hungry at meal times. Likely everyone's stomachs had some sort of hunger timer.

“Do you know how to leave?” she asked, seriously.

Eugene wanted to point at the door on the other side of the room, but he knew what she really meant. “No.”

“You’re a real fountain of information. Did I do something to upset you? I’ll pay you back for the food, but I don’t have anything I can give you.” She hugged herself tightly, ashamed.

“Don’t worry about it.” Everyone should have something to eat.

“I have to pay you back, somehow. What if I join your party, you and your-umm . . . What was her name again?”

“Daphne.”

“You and Daphne. I’ll join your party. I’m a sorceress, and I’m a good DPS. Or I was, in other games, and I can-” She was talking too fast.

“Sakura,” Edge stopped the her torrent. “You’re trapped here, just like us. It’s obvious that you’re new. So am I. So is everyone. It’s okay that you don’t know how to do things. I was a game addict, and I’m still having a hard time. You are the only other player we’ve met, and you need help. We all do.”

“So it’s okay then. You’ll help me?”

Edge gave her his most serious stare, and single long nod. Was this all it took to save someone? Why was it then that no one had ever tried to save him?

Sakura wrapped her arms around his head and squeezed. His head was buried into her rather large cleavage.

“Thank you, Edge. Thank you so much.”

He felt the impact of two tiny fists against his back, knocking him off his stool and over the bar.

“Pervert!” Daphne yelled.