Being ‘banned’ is the same as dying. You don't get to come back. Sure in their world, they'll be fine… but it's still wrong. It isn’t that I care so much about him being gone, but I think I’d miss him randomly popping up to stop by. If I didn’t, I’d think there was something wrong with me.

“Oh I’m sorry, no no don’t worry!” He said, scratching his head in embarrassment.

I hadn’t realized I was making such an expression of somber.

“I’ll be back, I can… Uhh… Do some magic on my end to create a new character to circumvent it.” He explained in an unexplained way, “Really, won’t be gone long.”

“As long as you will return.”

“The real worry here is that you’ll be able to grab the skill crystal.” He held the same happy-go-lucky demeanor as always, “Worst to happen is I lose a couple levels from having to restart.”

“That isn’t exactly the worst, but if you’re sure about it.” I spoke with a melancholic tone, which came standard for me.

Lord held each of his hands out with his palms facing the sky. His skill crystal appeared in his left hand, nearest to me. It was a symmetrical diamond shape, with a faint blue glow. Players summon it usually to share data with one another, such as their ‘friend system.’

In his other hand was a crystalline sphere with many internal refractions, it was an item I hadn’t seen before.

“What’s that?” I pointed to the unknown item.

“It’s a Jewel of Rebirth. One of the things it allows for is to be renamed. Every player gets one when they finish the tutorial quest.”

I paused, trying to think of some reason as to why it’s relevant. Nothing made much sense at this point to me.

“I’ll just change my name to something that the system managing it can’t handle. I’ve got something ready to paste in… Just be ready to snatch the skill crystal from my hand right as I begin to disappear.” He reaffirmed the plan after speaking a bit of gibberish.

I nodded, “Mm. Sure.”

He would nod after, and crush the gem in his hand effortlessly. It released a vibrance of fluttering light from his palm.

“I’ll see you soon, Erin.”

I tried to quell my anxieties as I saw his body almost immediately thereafter crack like glass. I had a mission, though a simple one.

I would grab the skill crystal.

Claim ownership? Oh I wish he explained that a bit more. I kind of assumed it meant just take it, but nothing’s happening. Pocket it? I’ll try that.

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

I slipped the skill crystal in the pocket of my robe, holding onto it with determination. My long sleeve had remained loose hanging off of my right elbow.

After a moment he’d completely disappear, leaving no traces he was ever here.

I stared into the air he previously occupied, frozen in disbelief and nerves.

I’d never seen someone die, even if he were just a player who stopped by and chatted with me. His constant joyous demeanor was enough to make my days, without me realizing it. I never thought I’d feel sad over a player’s disappearance.

Coming back from my thoughts, I fidgeted with my pocket and pulled out the crystal.

“Claiming ownership was that easy…?” I spoke aloud, questioning the peculiarities of their system.

I examined it, squinting and watching the sunlight refract off the different angles I held it at until a bright white light washed out all scenery. There was nothing but white, until a monotone feminine voice spoke.

I couldn’t see anything, nor feel myself. I was still able to hear and speak, however.

“Welcome to Chrono Rebirth Online, adventurer. What is your name?” She asked me.

“... Erin?” I answered in a confused voice.

The words ‘Erin’ displayed in a floating lettering in front of me with a question below it.

‘Is this spelled correctly?’ [Yes] [No]

“Yes?” I spoke to it, causing yes to highlight and the prompt to disappear.

“Chrono Rebirth Online features a state of the art system for choosing a class. There will be a series of tests to determine what you are qualified for. Are you prepared?” She asked me.

“Sure.” I answered her.

It couldn't be anything too crazy, right?

The world would begin to form around me. Jagged rocks jutted from the ground as everything took on a dark color palette, circling the small area. The sky became ashen with a soft maroon shade. There were racks of weapons and armor around me.

I finally have my body back.

Maces, flails, longswords, falchions, and more weapons to my left. A similarly diverse array of armors from full plate to wizardly robes to my right.

I was fine with my robes, albeit long for what I expected to be a battle test. I wasn't sure what weapon, but elected for a katana to use. It was what I remember many of the players carrying. I've seen them enough times.

I wonder why I'm not anxious about this as before. Maybe since it's just my life that I'm calm. I've always been that way, I suppose.

Feeling the weight of the sheathed blade, I said aloud expecting something to happen, “I'm ready.”

The rocks surrounding myself and the armory crumbled, revealing a basalt arena with bubbling lava popping between the rocks. It was a volcanic setting, which I've heard about somewhere. The monster ruling these parts was…

A throaty roar from the distance ahead bellowed, sulfuric scented breath rushed past as if it were a strong gust. My hairs stood on end as I viewed a legendary unkillable monster a few hundred feet away.

A dragon.

It stood fiercely and proud, its scales ruffled down its back like an angry, but incredibly deadly kitten. The creature was smaller than I would imagine from tales, but easily large enough to swipe my village in one stroke.

Too brutal of a test… what the hell were players? If they are expected to beat this, they are each monsters of epic proportion.

Its chest began to glow a blazing orange, traveling upwards its throat to its closed maw. I only had the choice of running towards it. The closer I got to it, the harder it would be to aim at me.

My legs felt lighter, even in a full sprint to the beast. I could run well enough, but my feet carried me faster than I ever ran before. An effect of the skill crystal? Regardless, I feel more free than ever; weightless.

A loud hiss cracked as the dragon spewed its flame in a focused line towards me like a beam of superheated death. I barely reacted quick enough to sidestep in my tracks, my robe burning as it flailed with the wind behind me. I ditched it, leaving my arms bare and chest wrappings as armor. Clothing would only be a hindrance in a battle with fire. I'd be cooked if I wore that plate armor.

I was nearly to it. The terrain was rougher the closer I got to it, with footings being stone that shattered with any force behind a step. Was it shale? Obsidian? Even the air became a pain to breathe, like a sauna but harshly dry.

The dragon wasn't very happy with the distance being so short between us, it's pride probably hurt it missed me. It stood into a more forward stance, its stature showing larger. It must have been sitting down before, all arrogantly. It was waking up now, but I wasn't going to be an easy snack.

My eyes scanned over its body, attempting to find a weak point. Every living creature has tendons holding it together. I've dressed enough meat to assess where they might be, overgrown lizard or not. With how limitless I feel right now, I can do it.

The beast reared back, raising an arm. Its next strike was going to be a swipe. It was a slow, scaley cat. I slowed my movement to change direction as I was nearing its flank from my sprinting. If I can react, I can do it.

It slammed its arm down with such force I felt the air pressure change. With only a moment to react, I dashed forward to barely dodge the talons plunging into the fragile stone. In the same movement, I twisted my body around to slash upward into its wrist. Drawing the blade and slicing into flesh with a fluid motion, as if it were natural to me.

The dragon let out a sharp shriek as it recoiled, its blood gushed through the air as it ripped away from me. The crimson rain sizzled like hot oil as it met the ground, though I didn't feel it being hot enough to do so.

I stood facing the dragon once more with a determined look, matching a blazing anger with its now limp hand.

I wasn't sure what I was expecting, but this is fun.