Premiere End Chapter 3

               Adventurer's Hall

Clive stopped for a moment to where he was standing and read the contents of the window that appeared in front of him.

(Hmm.. a quest huh)

Clive’s hunches were slightly being confirmed because of the things that were happening around him. Though he was still uncertain he somehow knew on the back of his mind that it was something related to the game that he was playing.

He accepted the quest and a big yellow arrow appeared on the ground and he knew that it was a guide to where he is supposed to go next.

After passing by the gates under the giant wall, a scenery of a lively town revealed. It wasn't what he was expecting, the town is modernized.

There were no houses made of wood but instead structures made of concrete and steel. Even buildings can be seen on some parts of the town.

(Tsk.. this is different…)

Clive thought that if it was somehow the same as the game he was playing then all things would be a lot easier since he knew all the do’s and don’ts to that game. 

He knew all the important quests, people, item and skills. 

Back then he was too committed to the game to the point where he researched and sacrificed food and sleep. You could say the he knew how that game works like it was the back of his hand.

Unfortunately, it was different by a huge margin. So far he has only encountered little evidence related to the game he was playing. With that thought in mind he knew that some of his knowledge to that game would be useless.

While following the arrow that appeared from the ground, there they saw various shops, market place and houses. While they were walking Clive stops from time-to-time to talk to the people who were loitering around town.

But some of them either ignore him or just repeats the same sentences like a broken record. 

Clive was having a hard time identifying those who’re NPCs and those who’re not and thus making gathering of information hard.

“Maybe I’m talking to the wrong people… come to think of it… maybe I should only talk to the people who’re wearing this same outfit”

He mumbled to himself while devising a plan.

“Big bro! Look a horse”

Immerse to his thoughts, he forgot the little girl who he promised to help find her sister.

“A carriage? Seriously?”

“Carriage?”

“Yeah, the thing that’s connected to the horse”

“I see~”

Clive was annoyed because of the irregularities around him. 

He was thinking that a modernized town like this would at least have cars for transportation but instead they were using horses.

“Oi… Looks like you’re having fun.  We’re not on a field trip” 

“Mmm... kay...  Big bro when will I see my sister again?”

“Who knows?”

“Will I see my sister again… hic”

“Maybe”

“Waaa… I want to see my sister… Waa”

“Tsk…  Oi, stop crying... at least let me pretend you don’t exist”

Clive covered his ears using both his hands while giving an annoyed expression. 

It became too troublesome for him. 

Clive really regretted making that promise. Thought regretful, He cannot back down from the stupid decision that he made.

“Oi... What’s your sister’s name?”

“Hic... Her name is Lisa and I am...”

“Not interested”

“I’m Misa”

“Agh!  It’s so hot in here.”

Clive didn't give much care about Misa. But then he looked at Misa and realized that Misa is in fact a cute looking little girl.

Misa is around 4 ft. tall and has blue eyes which gave a dreamy vibe around her. Her hair also is unique because of its blue color.

(Do kids dye their hair at this age? What’s happened with kids these days. Hmmm… not that I care.... not in my strike zone....)

Sounding like an old man, Clive blurted out the topic about Misa’s hair color

“Why would you dye hair? You’re still a kid right?”

“I’m not a kid anymore I’m already 10 yrs. old!”

“Sorry.. my bad, an infant perhaps?”

“I’m not…  and I did not dye my hair”

“You mean it’s naturally color blue?”

“Huh?. My hair is color black”

“There’s a glass over there... go see for yourself”

Clive saw the glass wall of the cafe nearby and both of them gazed upon it. He saw his reflection and his new hair color but instead of being surprised, his narcissism took over.

“Silver white hair huh…  I know I’m handsome but this is even better...  I should have dyed my hair a long time ago... I even sweat so handsomely…”

Misa noticed Clive’s mumbling so she stared at him who's smiling creepily.

Clive looked towards Misa and met her eyes.

“Big bro? why are you smiling?”

“Haaah?... Ahmm… Nothing.. Hot weather right? Let’s go”

Clive immediately made a fan gesture with his hands and while heavily sweating, he awkwardly changed the topic and proceeded to their destination.

They were walking under the hot sun for quite a while before they have reached their destination. Both of them were sweating rigorously after walking under that extreme heat and there they saw a 4-storey building covered with glass.

It was an appealing building that reflects the town from its windows.  

In fact, it was hard to locate from afar because of the mirror’s reflection. If not for the arrow guide, both of them wouldn't notice it.

On the base of the building Clive saw two guards standing at the entrance of the building.

“Tsk...  These guards again”

Clive made the same reaction of irritation because of the guards imbalance outfit of military uniform and sword.

After making such a comment both of them entered the building and after entering, a cool breeze was felt from inside.

“They have air conditioning here?”

“Ah… This feels nice~”

“This is totally wrong but yeah I agree”

Because of the cool air, Clive somehow felt sleepy and started lying down on the carpet floor.

It was noon already and it took them quite a while to reach the Adventurers’ Hall because they were only walking.

Earlier, they saw carriages but they couldn't afford the fare because they were both beginners.

Even though earlier Clive was seemingly in a bad mood, he was still taken aback with the building’s receiving area. There were couches, paintings on the wall, complimentary drinks and even elevators.

“Big bro.. look! Free drinks”

“Go, get yourself a drink”

“Okay~”

Clive saw the information boot and approached the woman sitting there to ask where the person on the quest can be found.

“Excuse me. Can I ask where is… wait… ah here… Thomas Harlequinn”

“2^nd floor room 205… Have a nice day”

“Ahh.. O-okay…”

Although Clive knew how the NPC would respond, he still could not get used to a person with that speech pattern.

“Big bro! Here’s your drink”

“Ah. Thanks”

“You’re welcome…”

After receiving his drink they moved to the elevator and went to the 2^nd floor.

“Sigh… Soldiers, buildings, swords, horses, elevators.. Sighs..”

“Big bro?”

“Nothing”

“What is it?”

“At least it’s not hot in here”

“Hmm?”

Misa tilts her head in confusion. She couldn't understand why Clive is upset.

“Big bro, is something wrong?”

“Nothing. Anyways, did a box shape image appear in front of you when we entered the town?”

“Yes, the one that says Quest?”

“Yeah, that one. What did you do with it?”

“I tapped “Yes” just like what you did”

“I see…  Not a kid anymore huh”

“Of course!”

Misa happily agreed to Clive's sarcasm as they got out of the elevator.

They walked along the corridors and just like what the person on the receiving area said they have reached room 205.

Clive opened the door without knocking and there they saw a bearded old man wearing a suit who looked like Colonel Sanders.

“Are you Thomas Harlequinn?”

“Yes, how may I be of service to the both of you?”

While Thomas Harlequinn was speaking, a circular button with an envelope in the middle appeared on the right side of Clive’s vision.

(wha.....blinking?….a message?)

Clive tapped the button to read the contents.

 『   Announcement:

          All players assemble to the Plaza

          Time: 15:00

          Date: April 1, 2114

                                                                                      』   

“2114? Haa?” 

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Note:
I've color coded some of the text to avoid confusion

Copper = announcements/quests/ or actions answerable by yes or no / achievements / completions
Red = skills / commands
Blue = stats / inventory
Green = city / town / 
Orange = dungeon / instance
Pink = whispers / PM
Black = regular conversation