Everything seemed unclear as I slowly opened my eyes. The black-colored visor shrouded my vision, and I couldn't see anything.
I took off the helmet and rubbed my sore muscles. However, then I saw three figures standing in my room, concern filling up their faces.
''Liam, where did you get this?'' Iris asked with concern. She really hoped that her son didn't do anything shady to get his hands on it.
''You know I have gathered money for the past year?'' I saw my mother nodding and continued, ''I earned enough to buy one, so I did.''
Iris touched her chest and let out a sigh of relief, ''I am happy that you managed to achieve something with your own hard work, but remember, don't spend all your day in the game.''
I nodded, even though that was precisely what I planned to do. The real-life seemed so dull and boring compared to the beautiful sea scenery and incredible battles that could occur.
My father was standing next to my mother, whose name was Luke. He had a rough-looking face with tired-looking eyes and a skinny body. His hairline was rapidly declining, and he looked much older than he should have been.
Like my mother, his childhood was full of hardships, but they managed to climb out of them, but the effect was still there.
Iris and Luke looked at each other and nodded after ensuring that their child was safe from harm. Then, they left the room.
I turned to look at my adorable sister. Her black hair was dark as mine, with a cute nose and small pink lips.
She was pretty short, around 150cm, with petite body stature. Her long hair reached the center of her back, and she was currently dressed in her school uniform, which consisted of a blue and white jacket with a black skirt.
Half of her legs were covered by knee-length socks, and her feet were slipped inside the sandals.
''How was it?'' My sister, named Alice, asked with curiosity emitting from her eyes. Her eyelashes moved gently as she blinked, showing her glowing gray eyes.
''Different,'' I replied with a simple comment.
She nodded and smiled. After another look at the helmet, she left the room while saying to be careful.
I stretched my sore limbs and stood up. Then, I went downstairs, dined with my family, and returned to my room.
The sun was already down, and my eyelids were getting heavier. However, before going to sleep, I pulled out my phone and checked the news about Fantasy Online.
In the forums, everyone said about their experience ingame. While reading, I had a strange look on my face.
Everyone talked about the beautiful forest, covered by dense and lush greenery with patches of flowers absorbing the sunlight. There were monsters, wild animals, and all sorts of beasts that were a danger to humanity.
They talked about their battle experience and were amazed at the things they experienced.
However, not even one talked anything about the ocean or ship.
''What the hell…'' I massaged my temples and wondered whether the spawn spot was indeed random. It was so strange that so many talked about forests, while I couldn't see even one.
I pocketed my phone and lay down on the bed. The thoughts were soon erased after the sleepiness arrived.
After the black-haired youth fell asleep.
The helmet lying on top of the desk let out a spark of electricity. The visor was turned on, and it showed hundreds of random, lettered words with different languages and phrases.
…
The following day.
After eating breakfast, I said farewell to my younger sister, that went to school. Then, I returned to my room and placed the helmet swiftly back into my head.
After lying on the ground, I pressed a button on the side, and I again heard a weird humming sound. There were also sounds of strange crackling.
The side of the helmets showed an electric spike, and the black-haired man's hair strands stood up without him knowing.
After, his face became emotionless. His body began twitching, and foam poured down from his mouth.
[Wel… Come… Player!]
[W… O… R… L… D]
[World - One Piece]
[Quest: —————]
…
''Mmm…'' After opening my eyes, they were attacked by a shimmer of light from the open window. The large yellow-colored sphere circled around the bright blue sky and sent annoying rays of sunlight straight toward me.
After sitting up, I saw all the chore boy's already wide awake, doing their own stuff.
Then, I heard a mocking voice coming from the other side of the room.
''Hey, you.'' It came from the youth with bushy brows, ''Marine doesn't need laziness!''
''Whatever…'' I replied and stood up.
Creak!
Then, the door to our room opened, and Lotus appeared, this time, with someone else.
Next to her, a muscular man with broad shoulders and well-defined facial features stood while giving off an aura of a strong. A justice coat was draped over his shoulders and fluttered behind him as he moved silently yet powerfully.
The chore boys instantly saluted.
''This is Marine Captain, Leeway.'' Lotus introduced him and stepped aside.
Leeway nodded and said, ''Today, the Marines will go hunt a pirate group that had run rampant in the nearby area.''
''I will be Captain of that ship, and I need three Chore Boys to keep the ship clean and handle the mess after the battle.''
The chore boys nodded, and many of them wanted to be chosen. It was the perfect time to show their worth, and maybe they could also begin learning Marine fighting styles.
While they were excited, I wasn't. I backed off and sneakily hid behind Peter. That didn't help much because my height was 180cm, and I was miles taller than small Peter.
''You, you, and you.'' Leeway pointed at me, Peter, and the youth with bushy brows, who goes with the name of Ox.
Peter and Ox cheered inside their mind. While my shoulders slumped and I already thought that my day was ruined.
''We will leave in two hours, be there before we depart.'' Leeway said with his stoic tone. After seeing the three chore boys nodding, he left with a justice coat fluttering behind him.