Logging off, John was happy despite the fact that he had died from starvation. For others, it would be humiliating as it was ranked #3 on worst ways to die after being eaten by a living weapon in the form of a giant dog and having your stomach ripped apart by a black and blue dragon... John wasn't worried;  all he cared about was the fact that he had finished all of the books in a single gaming session. Getting dressed, he got up to school. 

Once again, Hajime was droning on about Endless online. "I unfortunately failed this test to become a sage, but then some girl paralyzed me by poking me and finishing me off with some kind of hand blast! It totally sucked! Although she had beautiful purple eyes, the veins on her face kinda ruined it..." 

"Dude can you just stop being the stereotypical retard that tries to get girls' numbers online?" John retorted. Many of his classmates laughed at his remark and Hajime quieted down. "Don't be such a kill-joy. I didn't ask for her number." John raised an eyebrow; he knew his friend. Hajime tried and tried but he always sucked at romance. Rumour was that he once tried to go on a date, but almost died! Although for a short bit, he had a  harem but they had eighth-grader syndrome: One believed she was a vampire princess, another always wore rabbit ears and the final one talked in third person and thought she could transform into a dragon... 

Once the school had ended, he was walking home when suddenly a familiar voice called out to him. "John! Wait up!" It was Lucy. "Hey. How are you doing?" That was their standard greeting. They first met when some weirdo tried to grope her, muttering something about lolis, but John stopped him with a jump kick. They were firm friends ever since. 

"Do you have Endless online?" Lucy asked out of the blue. "As a matter of fact, yes. I am in the city of Konohoa. I am level one( I lost a level when I died). What about you?" 

"Well I am more active than you. I am currently level 10. I am an apprentice witch and am in Magnolia. I actually have no idea where Konohoa is. Do you?" 

"As a matter of fact no. I just asked the A.I to place me in a place where there were as few players as possible so I ended up there. I will go exploring soon so you will hear from me soon." John smiled. "Anyway, what are you called in Endless online? I am Kira." 

"Well mine's a secret!" She clamped her hands on her face, peeking through her fingers. She abruptly changed topic. "Apparently we have to physically meet each other to become friends. I hope I find you soon." They were getting to Lucy's house. Every day they walked together like this. Their conversations ranging from school to fashion to martial arts.  

"Well I have to go now. See you Lucy!" John waved her goodbye. "See you later Kira-kun!" Lucy replied in a playful tone. Her smile widening to a grin. 'Yay he talked to me again!'  

Unknowing of Lucy's thoughts, John jogged back home; it was good exercise for him. Once got back home, he read a bit about Endless online. Apparently he was the only one in Konohoa, while  most people were in cities such as Area 11 and Camelot. He read about the standard enemies the game had, such as slimes, wolves and skeletons. There were also some unusual ones such as killer rabbits that swarmed you, bandits and dungeon bosses. He read about the different classes and skills, and how to get them. All was for the sake of improving his own performance.  

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

There were many characteristics copied from other games; guilds, bounties and classes with sub-classes. However, the system of creating your own skills was an entirely new concept; unique to Endless online. It showed just how powerful the A.I truly was. 

"Game, start." 

Logging back on, Kira found himself on an altar of some kind. He had his katana and his cloak, no food, but at least all of his bars were full. 'I guess food should be a priority now.' Getting up, he went outside. Unfortunately, "I have no clue where I am." He was still in Konohoa, that was for sure, but it was not a place he knew. "Are you lost young lad?" Hearing a person addressing him, Kira turned around. In front of him was a man wearing ordinary clothing. "Sorry I am." Kira laughed. Smiling the passer-by nodded before answering "You are near the edge of the City. If you want I can show you the way out."  

"Sure why not?" Kira answered with a smile, following the man. After walking for a while, the man stopped. "This is the place." He muttered. They were in an alleyway, out of sight, out of mind. "Fellas, come here. I got a good one!" Four men appeared with weapons from the end of the alleyway. Three more joined the 'trustworthy' man. It was eight vs one, yet Kira was unfazed; he knew exactly what was going on. It was a kidnapping. "Guys we can resolve this peacefully. Back off." Kira threatened. "Haha guys this one thinks he's tough 'cause ha got a weapon. Let me teach him a lesson." One man stepped forward. Kira faced him. Sheathing his weapon, he took an itai stance: Leaning forward, left hand on sheathe, right on hilt, one foot forward. Once the man got in range, he lunged forward, drawing his weapon. The man still had a grin on his face when his head separated from his body. Blood spurted everywhere, including Kira. However, there wasn't any blood on his blade. The rest of the men were angry. Charging, they swore. 

"You son of a-" one of them didn't finish his cursing: His throat had been cut. Another stepped up only to meet the same end. There were five left. By now they had reached him. Two swiped down their swords. Kira blocked both with his katana. Another two behind him lunged at him with the points of their swords. Any other level one would have died, but not Kira. He had already faced life and death situations before. Ducking under the blades of the two men in front of him, Kira withdrew his katana. Turning round to face them, Kira went into the Itai stance once more. The two men that were blocked by him wanted to turn but couldn't; their fellow kidnapper's swords were piercing into their chests, killing them. With a surprised look on their faces, they fell. 

Now the men drew more cautious. Five of them had been killed by the man in front of them. It should have been an easy job: Grab the guy and then deliver him to the slavers, they get money and go along their merry way. Unfortunately fate had other plans. 

Kira stepped forward. He didn't need to be serious to take care of two of them. If was the final one, their boss, that he needed to be careful of. His minions were only level one, that's why all he needed to kill them was a simple swipe. The boss, however, was a level 9.  

Two cries filled the alleyway. Against a martial artist, these two street thugs stood no chance.  Kira glanced at his notifications. Just by killing these 8 guys, he had already advanced to level 4! Glancing at the boss, Kira readied his weapon. He took a different stance this time. Body turned, feet planted firmly into the ground and his katana was held parallel to the ground above his head yet still pointed at his opponent. Grinning, the boss also got ready. He held a claymore in both hands diagonally, pointed towards Kira. "My name is Tetra. It is an honour to duel with you." 

"My name is Kira. I will end you." 

They both knew only one would get out of here alive; speaking further would be a waste of breath. At some unseen signal, they charged.