Episode 3 - "Home" | Welcome 2 Net

EPISODE 3: HOME

" I AM MY WORST ENEMY "

I'm Here, in a Videogame.

Light takes my hand and guides me through the city. With her beside me, this new world feels less intimidating.

I feel genuinely good, even though my mind is still full of questions.

Is she a Former?

But what does that really mean? Perhaps it's some kind of "class" in this strange video game.

I look at her, and her reassuring presence comforts me. She seems to know exactly what to do.

We walk along crowded sidewalks, passing countless shops with illuminated windows. The lights are dazzling and colorful, bringing a city that never sleeps to life. We traverse streets bustling with people of all kinds, immersed in their digital lives.

Finally, we turn into a quieter side street.

There are only two parked cars, and Light points out a doorway on our left, under the sign of a scooter shop. The sign flashes with bright colors, but the alley is quiet, almost a refuge from the noise of the main city.

"Hurry up, Neko"

Light Exclaimed with a radiant smile.

"Yes, Miah! Here's the door, entirely made of steel..."

Light placed her hand on a glass panel next to the door and spoke her name, taking her hand on light-pannel. With a hiss, the door opened.

"Wow"

I exclaimed, surprised by the technology unfolding before my eyes.

"And you haven't seen anything yet"

We entered. The entrance was a foyer leading to several corridors.

We turned right into the first corridor, and after a few meters, we stood before a door of intense blue color, without a handle.

"This is our destination"

Announced Light, pointing to the door.

"This is where you'll begin to learn more about this world."

I approached the door with curiosity. I saw no obvious way to open it.

"How do you open this door?"

I asked, looking at Her.

She smiled.

"Watch closely."

Touching the door, Light placed her hand on the smooth surface.

A faint blue light emanated from her fingertips, letting a handle appear on the door.

Slowly, the door silently opened, revealing a space beyond my imagination.

"C'Mon!"

Light said, inviting me to enter in the house.

"Make yourself at home. How about I make you a nice cup of milk?"

She suggests.

"Would you happen to have lasagna too?" >:3

She bursts into laughter, a contagious laugh that fills the room.

"If you want, I can make it for you tomorrow, we'll go shopping. Right now I don't have anything..."

" Oh... okay.. Miah T.T "

I say with a sigh of disappointment.

"I can give you some cookies... and milk. Tomorrow we'll make plenty of food"

She say, trying to comfort me.

"Oh yes, food!"

I respond enthusiastically, accepting with a nod.

While Light heads to the kitchen, I relax for a moment. I close my eyes and... ZzZzzZZzz

"Nekooooooo, come on! It's ready!"

I'm awakened by Light's words, a few minutes later and I follow her.

Light heads towards another room and says:

"I'm going to take a shower! Then it's your turn."

I hear Light’s voice fading as she tells me this.

So I rely on my sense of smell to find where the kitchen might be.

I wander around the house for a bit... ah, there it is.

The kitchen! The great Kitchen! I will always honor this place where even the most desperate of souls can find nourishment again.

- Finally, I can eat! -

- MIAH ... T.T -

With pleasure, I start enjoying the cookies that Light offered me. They are truly delicious, a delight to the palate. A tear of joy runs down my face.

"THESE ARE THE BEST COOKIES. Thank you, world T.T"

Shortly after finishing eating, Light arrives and invites me to take a shower. I gladly accept and head to the bathroom, where I find spare clothes already prepared for me.

I slowly undress, letting the warm water flow over my skin. As I wash myself, my mind wanders. I still don't know why I am here and what I must do. I continue to feel a strange emptiness, a void that haunts me.

I soap up and then rinse off the foam. I step out of the shower, feeling refreshed and more focused.

After changing, I hear Light calling me from another room. I join her and find her standing in front of a monitor, focused.

I look around and admire the surrounding environment. These rooms are incredible, as if built specifically for a futuristic world.

"What an amazing place"

Light turns to me.

"Do you like it?"

She asks, indicating the monitor.

"We're about to start exploring and discovering more about NET."

I approach the monitor to see what it's showing, feeling increasingly drawn into this new and fascinating world unfolding before me.

Light invites me to sit down, clearly determined to explain many things.

Neko. I need to talk to you about a lot of things... and the most fundamental is finding your mask."

"My... mask?"

I ask perplexed.

"Yes, tomorrow we're going to the Mask Maker, Majira"

"Without a Mask, you won't be able to access many structures and events. It's essential for your SKIN."

- Do I need a mask to navigate this world? I can't fully grasp it. Indeed, so far I haven't seen many human faces around... -

"But you, you have a human face. Why?"

I ask, confused.

"Because only Formers and certain classes of Players can retain the face of the human race... Then some Players who misbehaved were punished by the GM and turned into NPCs without purpose or quests — like the two guys before the bridge in Shinjuku."

Light explains with a slight grimace.

"Here you'll find many species, some of which are completely unique..

..And Still others buy Skins with human faces — a matter of luxury

The human race is the one that gave rise to this world, which is why it's considered 'chosen'. As for me, I've been like this forever."

"So... how old are you?"

" Don't ask a lady her age"

Replies with a playful glare.

"In this Server you can find many Players with human faces, or NPCs who buy human SKINS.

Anyway, I can't tell you how long I've existed, or how long all this has existed. These are questions that only a GM could answer correctly... For now, focus on completing your SKIN.

" Then we can start the main quest! "