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~~~(POV: Marcus Adamo)~~~
~~~(Location: The City Of Jaerey, The Kingdom Of Laasir, The Islands Of Haestar)~~~
~~~(Time: 8:41 AM)~~~
My eyes slowly open, and I look up toward the ceiling as I think about last night. I don't know what Hailey and Rianna were talking about. I can't help being a little curious. In the end, I'll keep out of it. It's not my place to dig when I'm not wanted to.
I turn my head, and Hailey is sleeping on the other bed. After their talk last night, Rianna went back to her room. We didn't have a chance to talk about a plan with Rianna.
At this point, that might not happen until later today. Regardless, there are some things I want to handle around Jaerey alone. No sister, and no Rianna. It's easier for me to get information and talk to people without her around.
That way, they only focus on me. People have a hard time around Hailey. She's a beautiful girl that's powerful. Many would consider her intimidating. While they don't know who she is, they can feel the vibe off her.
She's unaware of it, and that's something getting in the way a little. So I stand up and slowly sneak out of the room as my older sister sleeps soundly on her bed.
After making it outside, there are countless people already walking around. It's going to be difficult to get anywhere I want to go. Right now, I want to see the Arena again. That place has so much information still left to give.
Hailey won't care that I took off on my own, and that's something I appreciate. I'd never be able to do this if I were still with Mom and Dad. But that's not where I am anymore.
I'm free to do what I want, and that's precisely what I'm going to do. And what I want to do right now is watch some PVP practice fights in the Arena. With so many big guilds in town, it makes sense they'd be there most of the time.
"Did you hear that Jaerey is at overcapacity now? Apparently, any new arrivals after this point have to pay an extreme fee and royalties to stay in the city."
I pick up on a conversation that's happening nearby the Arena as I'm almost there now. I don't know what decisions the leader of leaders of this city makes and why. I have no experience, but that does seem like a good way to make money.
On the other hand, it's almost like they're saying they don't want poor and weak Players coming to the tryouts for The Ruins Of Tasdir.
"Yeah, I heard that Big Guilds from up North have to pay even more than solo Players too."
Now isn't that interesting... I think something more is going on here than just a Legendary Quest. But again, I don't know the rules for a city that's in overcapacity. This could be standard procedure. Instead of eavesdropping any more than I have, I continue into the Arena.
I make my way high into the stands since there aren't any seats left up close. There are probably over 700,000 Players watching the current practice battle.
"What's a little guy like you doing out here all by himself?"
Oh, God.
I know what's about to happen. Some overly motherly woman will try to figure out why a preteen is sitting here alone and minding his own business.
Dad warned me that the looks that run in our family make it hard for people to stay away from us. Hailey is proof of that, and Cera attracting Sally goes to show that the men in our family do just as good as the women. Now, why might this relate to what's going on?
That's because, deep down, all the girls that do show attention to me at such a young age is because I fill a criteria of a guy they're looking for.
Most women don't care about age gaps between men and women. At least, that's what I've come to see. Maybe I'm wrong, but I can only go based on what I've learned.
"Look, lady. I'm perfectly fine on my own. So could you please leave me al-!"
I turn my head to look at the voice, and I see one of the prettiest girls I've ever seen in my entire life. She looks at me with amusement, and I can't help feeling just a bit flustered.
She's waiting for me to finish speaking and all I can do is stare into her silvery eyes. I don't know if she's a Player or NPC Turned Player, but I do know that I wish I were a few years older. Then, I might have a shot at her.
I don't spend time thinking about girls unless they really stop me in my tracks, but this one right here.
She's trouble for everyone she walks past. Men and women wouldn't be able to resist her.
"Well, aren't you just a little firecracker?"
Okay, she's not that pretty anymore.
"That sounds like something a grandmother would say."
The sheer bluntness of my words and observation cause the woman to smile and bend down slightly to pinch my cheek.
"Well, I'm an 80-year-old from Earth. I was surprised to regain my youth after coming to this place."
All of a sudden, I'm starting to think I don't know shit about shit all. I blink my eyes a few times and try to find somewhere to begin.
Okay, she was 80 years old when she started playing? Or is she one of the several billion that were given a gaming pod by the government and made a character at the government's behest?
Forget all that for a second.
I take a better look at her, and I can't seem to get over how beautiful this woman is.
"So you're telling me that you looked like this when you were in your mid-20s?"
That's what happened to all the Players that came to The Ancients World after The Collision. They reverted to the primes of their youth, and this is what she looked like during that time.
"You're not the first to say that after learning my real age. I knew I was a beautiful girl, but I'll be the first to say that I aged like milk. But now, it's nice to be able to look into the mirror again and not think about what was."
This is one of the most random and strange conversations I've ever had in my entire life. I don't even know why this is happening right now.
I look toward the Arena, and a group battle is about to begin.
"I'm sorry, ma'am. But I'm perfectly fine on my own. Now, if you'd kindly leave me alone, I'd appreciate it."
She nods her head and gives some sort of strange bow. Before going up a few more rows and sitting with other really beautiful women. Each one of them sees me watching, and they blow kisses my way.
I'm wishing that I brought Hailey with me now.
My attention turns back to the Arena, and as the fight below rages. My eyes drift toward the viewing box. General Daenal Roane is still up there, watching what's going on.
"Why watch now when it has no meaning..."
The question in the back of my head starts to bubble to the surface. Before I can continue this line of thinking, I get a message from Hailey.
[I'm going to do a few things with Rianna. Don't get into any trouble that could ruin things for us here. Other than that, good luck with what you're doing. We'll talk later when we meet up.]
My sister's short and concise message tells me that she and Rianna are doing their own research. At least we're making ground in areas apart from each other. Since we can't get anything done together, this might be better.
[Yeah, I'll say the same to you.]
No need to send her anything more than that. My eyes drift back to the fight, and I notice the Players fighting are a part of different guilds.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N: Below this line, I'll be keeping Cera's player information. That way, I won't have to place it into the story above anymore. It takes about 180 words up.
[Slayer (Zern) Lvl.237][Tier-4]
[Exp: 72/100%]
[Title: The Son of Arch-Angel Michael (Hidden)]
[Stats] [Strength - 7095][Endurance - 7045][Dexterity - 7215][Speed - 8240][Focus - 19,660]
[Mana aura control: 6/100%]
[Health: 76,560,000,000/76,560,000,000] [Mana: 216,600,000,000/216,600,000,000]
[Stat Points: 440] [Armor rating: 500]
[Inventory] [Dice of Wayland (Divine)] [The Witness (Legendary Sword)] [Fenrir's Whistle (Divine)] [Camping gear] [Fishing poles 2x] [Festival Garbs 2x] [4x EXP Boosts] [Princess Saliandra's Panties (Black Lace)] [Desert Warrior Nomad Set (Rare)]
[Passive Perks]
[Inheritor of the Sword] [Son of Heaven] [Slayer of Evil] [Holy Willow Trees Savior] [Finder of Legends] [The Divine who has Legend] [Destined for Greatness] [Dungeon Diver] [An Overachiever]
[Active Skills]
[Heaven's light Lvl.74 325/7400] [Protected by Heaven Lvl.74 225/7400] [Slash Lvl.92 4600/21000] [Parry Lvl.68 85/6800] [Double Strike N/A] [Kingslayer N/A] [Raging Machine N/A] [Winged Glory] [Angelic Flight] [Divine Pressure Exertion] [Divinity Pulse] [Controlled Fun] [Aspect of Transportation (Legendary)]