Dust and Zoe ran through the darkened streets of the tutorial area, their breaths coming in sharp gasps as they fought to stay ahead of the demons closing in. Their earlier encounter with a group of supposedly kind merchants had turned into a trap, leaving them cornered and surrounded.
Dust's grip on his stolen daggers tightened as he darted a glance at Zoe, who clutched her bow tightly, her hands trembling. She had been too trusting, too naive about the intentions of others in this world, and now they were paying the price.
"Dust, I'm so sorry," Zoe whispered, her voice cracking. "This is all my fault. I didn't know they would—"
"Zoe," Dust interrupted firmly, his eyes scanning their surroundings for an opening. "It's not your fault. We'll figure this out."
The merchants—who Dust now realized were players—had left them behind after luring the demons toward their location. It was a betrayal Dust had half-expected but hadn't been able to stop in time. Now, he and Zoe were cornered in an alleyway, the rift to the next part of the game just a few meters away.
The demons snarled and closed in, their glowing red eyes piercing the darkness. Dust could feel Zoe trembling behind him, her bow shaking in her grip.
"There's no way out," Zoe whispered, her voice trembling with fear.
Dust's mind raced. He knew their chances of surviving a direct fight were slim. The demons were too many, and he wasn't equipped to handle them all. The only option was the rift.
But Zoe didn't move. Instead, she stepped forward, her hands shaking as she turned to Dust with tears in her eyes. "I—I can't do this, Dust. I don't know what I'm doing. I—I don't want you to die because of me."
"Zoe, stop," Dust said, his voice sharp.
She shook her head, her face pale but determined. "No, Dust. I won't let you die. I'll push you through the rift. You'll be safe—"
Before she could finish, Dust acted on instinct. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her in a tight hug. "We're in this together, Zoe," he said firmly, his voice low and steady. "If one of us falls, we both fall."
Zoe froze in his arms, her face buried against his chest. For a moment, the world seemed to stop as the demons snarled and advanced.
Dust didn't wait. Holding Zoe tightly, he took a step back, then leapt into the rift behind them.
### Transition: Into the Forest
The world around them twisted and turned, a kaleidoscope of colors and light as they fell through the rift. Then, with a sudden jolt, they landed hard on the forest floor. Dust groaned as he felt the impact reverberate through his body.
As his senses cleared, he realized two things: first, they had made it through the rift. And second... Zoe was on top of him.
Her petite frame was pressed against his, her soft curves in direct contact with him. One of his hands had accidentally landed on her chest, while the other was awkwardly placed on her hip. Zoe's face turned beet red as she realized the position they were in, her wide eyes staring down at him.
"Uh..." Dust began, unsure of what to say.
"Y-you...!" Zoe stammered, her voice a mix of embarrassment and shock.
Before she could say anything else, a small voice interrupted them.
"Oh my, what an interesting way to start your journey!"
Both Dust and Zoe froze, turning their heads to see a tiny, glowing figure hovering nearby. It was a fairy, her wings shimmering in the sunlight as she looked down at them with an amused expression.
The fairy giggled, placing her hands on her hips. "I see you two are getting *very* comfortable with each other. But introductions are in order! I'm Anxia, your guide for this part of the game."
Dust quickly moved his hands, helping Zoe off him as they both scrambled to their feet. Zoe's face was still bright red as she avoided looking at him.
Dust cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure. "You're... our guide?" he asked, focusing on the fairy.
"Indeed!" Anxia said cheerfully, spinning in the air. "By decree of His Majesty, everyone who enters through the rift is a newcomer and must be guided to the main city. Demons can't follow you here when the rift is closed, so you're safe for now. But we've got a lot to do, so let's get moving!"
Zoe finally found her voice, though it was still shaky. "Um... thank you. We... we really need help."
Anxia nodded, her expression softening. "Don't worry, little one. I'll take care of you both. But first, let's make sure you're ready. The forest can still be dangerous, so stick close to me."
Dust glanced at Zoe, who still looked shaken but nodded resolutely. "Let's go," he said, his voice steady.
As they followed Anxia through the forest, Dust couldn't shake the feeling that their journey was only beginning—and that the challenges ahead would test them both in ways they couldn't yet imagine.
For two days, Dust and Zoe followed Anxia through the dense forest. The fairy's soft glow guided them through the darkness, and her endless chatter filled the quiet stretches. Dust kept alert, adapting quickly to the game's realistic world, while Zoe, timid and inexperienced, struggled to keep up.
When the forest finally opened up to reveal the city of Eralith, both siblings stopped in their tracks.
Massive stone walls loomed before them, stretching high into the sky. Guards patrolled the battlements, their armor glinting in the sunlight. At the center of the walls, a large iron gate stood open, bustling with traffic as merchants, adventurers, and townsfolk moved in and out.
"Here we are!" Anxia announced, spinning in midair. "Welcome to Eralith, the central hub for all newcomers and adventurers in this region!"
Dust and Zoe exchanged glances. Zoe's eyes sparkled with wonder, but a nervous edge lingered in her expression.
"Stay close," Dust said, gently pulling Zoe along as they approached the gate.
On the way, Zoe hesitated, her voice soft. "Anxia... can we separate when we get to the city? Maybe we should—"
Anxia turned mid-flight, her tiny wings fluttering. "Oh no, you two can't separate!"
Dust raised an eyebrow. "Why not?"
Anxia giggled, pointing to the air above them. "You see those names floating over your heads? Underneath them, you've got unique titles—look!"
Dust glanced up, seeing the faint shimmer of his title: **Brother of Zoe.**
"What the—?" he muttered.
Zoe checked hers as well: **Sister of Dust.**
Anxia twirled in the air. "It's totally unique! I've never seen titles like this before. Usually, titles are based on achievements or background stories. But you two? You're stuck with each other!"
Dust sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Great. Any idea why this happened?"
Anxia grinned mischievously. "No clue! Maybe it's because of the, um... intimate way you two arrived. Hugging and diving into the rift together? It must've caught the system's attention! Now you're not single—you're a pair! Cute, right?"
Zoe's cheeks turned crimson. "But... I didn't know this would happen. I didn't even think..."
Dust cut her off, his voice calm. "It doesn't matter now. Titles or not, we're here. We'll figure it out."
Anxia gave them a playful salute. "Exactly! Let's focus on what's ahead, okay?"
### Inside the City
When they passed through the gates, the sight that greeted them was breathtaking.
The outer section of Eralith resembled a traditional medieval town. Cobblestone streets wound between timber-framed buildings, bustling with markets and lively chatter. The central square was alive with merchants selling goods, performers entertaining crowds, and adventurers preparing for quests.
Beyond this area, the city transitioned into an elven forest. Towering trees housed homes and walkways, their soft, magical light creating a serene ambiance. The blend of human and elven architecture made the city feel harmonious and unique.
Towering over the horizon was a massive mountain with a winding path leading to its summit. Dust squinted, catching the faint silhouette of a grand structure at the peak.
"This is insane..." Zoe whispered, her voice filled with awe.
Dust smirked. "It's impressive, I'll give it that."
As they walked further into the city, Anxia landed on Dust's shoulder and said, "You know, you two really stand out. Those titles? They're not just for show."
"What do you mean?" Dust asked, narrowing his eyes.
"Well," Anxia began, her tone playful but serious, "it means you're bound together. You can't separate—not completely, anyway. There's some kind of connection between you two. Maybe shared quests or responsibilities. Who knows? It's a first for me, too!"
Zoe bit her lip, guilt flickering across her face. "I'm sorry, Dust. I didn't know this would happen."
Dust glanced at her, his expression softening. "Don't worry about it. We're in this together now. Let's just focus on surviving and figuring things out."
Anxia clapped her tiny hands. "That's the spirit! Now, let's get you settled."
### The Tavern
Anxia guided them to the left side of the city, where a sprawling building caught their attention. The lower level was a bustling tavern, with laughter and music spilling out onto the streets. Above the tavern, banners marked the entrance to the Adventurer's Guild, where groups of people gathered to discuss quests and exchange goods.
"This is your first stop!" Anxia said, pointing at the tavern. "Newcomers get free lodging here, some basic supplies, and their first quests. The guild upstairs is for when you're ready to register as adventurers."
As they stepped inside, the warm scent of roasted meat and fresh bread filled the air. Adventurers shared stories over mugs of ale, merchants negotiated deals, and a bard played a lively tune in the corner.
Zoe stayed close to Dust, her earlier awe replaced with nervousness. "Are we... really supposed to be here?" she whispered.
Dust gave her a reassuring smile. "Relax. We're newcomers, just like everyone else here. Let's figure out what's next."
Anxia flew ahead, motioning toward the counter. "Go on, introduce yourselves to the innkeeper! She'll get you set up."
Dust took Zoe's hand, guiding her forward. Whatever challenges lay ahead, he knew one thing for sure: they were in this together, whether they liked it or not.
As Dust and Zoe approached the innkeeper to arrange their room, the warm, golden light of the tavern offered a false sense of security. Zoe clutched the room key tightly, her knuckles white, while Dust scanned the room, ever alert.
"One room, huh?" Zoe mumbled, clearly uneasy.
"It's all they've got," Dust replied matter-of-factly. "We'll deal with it."
She nodded, but her hesitation was obvious. Before they could ascend the stairs, a familiar voice called out, dripping with condescension.
"Well, if it isn't Zoe."
The blood drained from Zoe's face as she turned to see Simon standing by the entrance, his grin smug and eyes full of mocking amusement. His name hovered above his head: **Simon—The Charming Adventurer.**
Simon leaned casually against the wall, arms crossed. "So, this is the guy you picked, huh? Not exactly what I expected. But hey, at least someone got you into the game."
Zoe stiffened, her face turning red. "Simon..."
Dust's sharp gaze shifted to Zoe, his curiosity piqued. "Friend of yours?"
"Ex," Zoe muttered, her voice taut with frustration.
Simon's grin widened as he stepped closer, ignoring Dust completely. "Ex? That's a funny way to put it. Let's be honest, Zoe, you're here because of me. You broke down crying after our breakup, remember? Didn't even last a week before running off to distract yourself." He chuckled cruelly. "So, this guy bought you the game? What'd it cost him? Your 'first'? Funny how low your standards dropped after you wouldn't give it to me."
Dust's jaw tightened, his stance subtly shifting as if preparing for a fight. "Care to explain yourself, or do you just enjoy being an ass?"
Simon scoffed. "Easy there, pal. I'm just stating facts. She was a mess when I left her. Too sad to even hold onto her job, right, Zoe?"
Zoe's hands trembled, her fury barely contained. "You don't know anything about me."
"Oh, don't I?" Simon sneered. "You're just a naïve girl who thought everything would work out if you clung hard enough. I did you a favor. You needed to grow up."
Dust stepped forward, his voice like ice. "You're done talking. Leave."
Simon finally turned his attention to Dust, sizing him up with a mocking smirk. "Big words for a guy tagging along with her. Careful, or you might end up cleaning up her messes, just like I did."
Zoe couldn't hold back any longer. "You never helped me! You lied to me, manipulated me, and then left me when I needed support the most. You're nothing but a coward."
Simon shrugged, unfazed. "Believe what you want. I got what I needed. Looks like you finally figured out how to move on... or at least found someone to carry your baggage."
Dust's patience snapped. He stepped even closer, his voice low and threatening. "You're going to walk away now. Because if you don't, I promise you'll regret it."
Simon raised his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, tough guy. Relax. I'm just here for a drink, not a fight." He looked at Zoe one last time, his grin returning. "Good luck, sweetheart. You're gonna need it."
He strolled off, disappearing into the bustling tavern.
Zoe let out a shaky breath, her anger giving way to an overwhelming sadness. "I can't believe him. Even now, he's still trying to hurt me."
Dust placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "He's not worth your time or energy. Let it go."
Zoe nodded, though tears threatened to spill. "Thank you," she whispered. "For standing up for me."
Dust gave a small smile. "We're in this together. Come on, let's get some rest. We've got bigger things to worry about."
As they climbed the stairs, Anxia hovered beside them, her usual cheerful demeanor replaced by an air of thoughtfulness. "That guy... he's trouble. I hope we don't cross paths with him again."
Dust smirked. "If we do, I'll make sure he remembers why he should've stayed away."
Zoe managed a weak smile as they reached their room. Despite Simon's harsh words, she felt a flicker of hope. Dust had her back, and she wasn't going to let her past define her future.