Arriving at the large city within the next two days, Kino got a better look beneath a large floating mass of land hovering over over city. The three then stopped at a long line waiting to pay the toll to enter the city.
Gulping, Kino hid his gaze underneath a garb as Myrva payed the fee as they were then allowed to cross inside. Passing two guards berry differently dressed and equipped from Lord Valents, Kino hid away his gaze as he turned to the front and watched his surroundings with a peculiar glare.
("There's no doubt about it... I was there, waiting for Mika -- there is the water fountain where we met up... What is this? ")
"Kino, dear. Make sure you don't look at anyone suspicious. "Turning toward Myrva as she was simply worried for Kino, Kino nodded gently as he lowered his gaze under his arms.
Stopping at an inn, Retsuo climbed down and suddenly began talking with two other realistic people yet, in Kino's mind, he could not tell the NPC's apart from real people, let alone, other players.
("Wait! Payers!? Then, doesn't that mean there are other people besides me playing this game-")
"Eh?! What are you looking at!? "Snapping his gaze around the back of the wagon, a small group of three shrewd and completely unhinged men wearing strong armor classes appeared out of thin air from a few seconds ago.
"Calm down Hizi, we just logged on and already, you are picking on Brick. Besides, I'm only on break for half an hour. Let's do this event quest as soon as possible, yeah?! "Stunned when Kino noticed a beautifully dressed woman in a full suitbof armor talking to the other two men, it then clicked that they were real life players.
Gulping, Kino soon caught the attention of the one named Hizi, as he began walking toward the wagon parked on the side of the large main road.
"Hizi? "As the other two noticed him, Kino looked away as he his his gaze underneath the garb covering his head. "Hizi! We've got to get going! The quest will take a while to compete, so let's hurry! "
Stopping ten feet from the wagon, Hizi turned and walked away as Kino noticed another player round the corner beside the wagon and approach Hizi.
"Hizi, die! "A sudden clash between two players soon launched a surge of violent wind through the area. "Hizi!? How could you become a scummy guy, you've turned into a PK (player killer). "
"Hah!? I knew you looked familiar! Go on ahead guys, I'll catch up! "The the other two behind Hizi soon held pitiful gazes and disappeared into thin air as a blue light engulfed them both. "Now then, what can I do for you today, Tori? "
"Dying is a start! "Hizi and Tori both began unleashing strong attacks only using steel swords. "You are a monster! Going after the rookies like a hungry wolf to a herd of defenseless sheep! How scummy can you get!? "
Pushing Hizi backwards, Hizi recovered quickly and raised his gaze as he looked with a confused expression.
"What are you talking about? I've been on for ten minutes now. How could I have done those things, why would I go after lower level players? Dude, even if I did, you know I have standards when it comes to loot robbing other players, which aren't that many. "
"Then... You weren't logged on for these past few days? "Hizi stood firm as he shook his head. "If it's not you, then it must be some other player with the same color scheme as yours. "
"Woah, Tori. Chill out, what's been happening these past few days I was gone? "Walking toward Tori, he soon put away his sword and stood collecting his thoughts. "Tori? "
"Hizi, its been strange. Someone or something has been picking off new players from levels 1-5 here in Reviere. I think its some hotshot high ranker but, the attacks seem too focused to be random. "
"Wait, hold on. You mean there is someone, apart from our guild, that has already passed a combined level of 60 to attack other players? That's impossible, the game was just released this week and we are barely passing level 30 as it is. PK-ing isn't available for any levels below 30. "
"I don't know what to tell you, someone must have found a loophole and is picking off the newer, inexperienced players on here and it's making it like some sort of twisted sport. "
"Hmm... This is a problem, I'll get in touch with Brick and Liz, in the meantime, issue a notice to have new incoming players report to a neighboring town until the problem is resolved. "
"Are we shelving the game for repairs on the first week?! "
"No! I'll just have Liz go over the code once she's done her shift at her job. Also, there are several glitches in the Whillow area near the port of the colonial town over in plot land 15 for levels 10-15. Have that looked at and fix it in the next update. "
"Isn't the AI program in charge of that? Uh, sure. I can do that. Also, sorry. I thought it was you messing with the rookies. My mistake, man. "
"No problem. In fact, I'm kinda relieved you thought it was me and attacked. I can get bored sometimes in games I play simply because there aren't that many higher level players or high rankers yet... Thanks, Tori. It means alot to have someone that can keep me in check... Catch you later! "
Flustered after Hizi left, Tori turned with a cold, irritated glare and composed himself as he himself then dissapeared from the city.
"Kino? "Turning toward Myrva, Kino nodded as he crouched up and climbed out of the wagon.
Standing on the uneven rock path, Kino followed behind Myrva as they entered into an inn that looked different from what he had seen before in his short time playing in the game and explored.
_________