Episode 2 - "Light" | Welcome 2 Net

EPISODE 2: LIGHT

" WHO FINDS A FRIEND, FINDS A TREASURE "

I'm Cold.

I don't know where I am, and I don't know anyone here.

To make things worse, the only two people I've encountered so far haven't even acknowledged my presence.

What do I do? Head into the city?

No, wait. Think... I need money. Maybe a warm place to take a shower and sleep.

How on earth am I supposed to manage that now?

I drop to my knees, hoping this is just a bad dream. Come on, wake up, wake up!

An hour passes.

OK, THIS DOESN'T SEEM TO BE A DREAM.

– BrgBrgBrg* My stomach growls –

I’m hungry, and it’s worse than not remembering—being hungry with nothing to eat is terrible.

Awwwww.

A tear slides down my face.

Now I really feel lost.

I find a street corner and sit down on the ground.

– Hey, You! –

I hear a female voice in the distance.

"Me?"

I lift my head and see a young woman, about twenty years old, walking towards me.

"YES, I'M TALKING TO YOU! WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN? I'VE BEEN LOOKING EVERYWHERE FOR YOU AT THE RESPAWN POINT."

"THE WHAT?"

"ARE YOU DEAF? AT THE RESPAWN POINT, THE PARK, DAMN IT!"

"Oh, the park..."

I look at her, confused.

"Yes, I woke up at the park, but I don't remember anything... who are you?"

– The girl comes closer, kicks me, and yells at me –

"LIGHT !!! I'M YOUR -FORMER- . How can you forget me?"

I rub my eyes, trying to focus. I look at her as if she were an acquaintance, but... no...

"I don't remember who you are... -FORMER- ? Can you tell me what I'm doing here?"

"We saw each other ten minutes before the GM sent you to the nearest RESPAWN. I explained how to access it, but when I got you into this server, something went wrong... I think you forgot that we met"

"The GM?"

"Yes, the Game Master. He strangely took an interest in your story and decided to make you a PLAYER, unlike what happens to many others..."

I felt more confused after his explanation..

"What happens to -others-?"

"They become NPCs, obviously. What a stupid question."

I look at her more closely, into her glassy brown eyes, still dazed, and ask:

"RESPAWN? GAME MASTER? NPCS? Am I in a video game?"

"Exactly! Welcome to NET! You are in the Shinjuku server, and I am your Former."

The girl facepalms.

"Are you okay?"

My legs are trembling.

"Yeah, sort of. I'm here, I don't know anyone, and the first person who talks to me makes me feel crazy. A video game. Sure."

"Did you see the two guys at the entrance? Did you manage to talk to them?"

"No, they were rude and minding their own business, pretending not to see me."

Light looks at me and laughs heartily:

"They are NPCs, did you see the triangle above them?"

- I'm shocked. Maybe... this girl is right? -

She smiles and continues:

"We are in a world that belongs to video games. You were chosen as a Player, and I am supposed to assist you, it's my job... I'm sorry I lost you, but I'll start guiding you. For now, let's go home."

"Hey, wait! I haven't told you my name..."

She takes my hand, and smiling, starts walking.

She turns to me, how beautiful she is...

and responds sweetly:

"You are Neko. I know who you are. I saw your DataDisk when you arrived here.

So, shall we go somewhere warm?"

- I follow her. Cats hate being cold. -

- MIAH ... T.T -