The capital was huge and enclosed within walls, and in the center of the town was the king’s palace. The streets were filled with people at merchant stalls. There were balloons tied up everywhere and at every corner. Scarce and scattered bits of confetti rained down from the sky. Even guards marched about in colourful armour —too colourful and silly that it had taken Kiyomi a while to recognize them as guards. They looked like walking pieces of hard candy from a distance.

It was noisy as Kiyomi and Sako walked through the crowded streets.

“Coming through!”

They stepped out of the way as a carriage passed them.

Sako had insisted on coming, hoping they could make some friends. She might be right: if they make friends, they could become useful allies later, so long as they didn’t betray them. She was in awe at everything around her. The smells of the different foods…

Kiyomi was paranoid, so she constantly maintained the buffs she had on her, which forced her to refresh them every half hour. It got annoying, but at least she only had to think of the buffs to reapply them. She would prefer having enchanted gear she could passively gain protection from. But still no money… They needed to go adventuring for money and levels but it all that would have to wait.

A girl with pink hair dashed towards them from behind. An unexpected attack?

“Sako,” Kiyomi warned.

As they both turned around to face the girl, she dived for Sako and wrapped her arms around her waist.

Sako shrieked as the force knocked her down. She hit her head on the pavement. “AH!”

“Oh Sako! You’re here! I’m so glad you’re here!” The girl was on top of Sako, making it hard for Sako to get up off her back.

Sako was holding the back of her head, trying to endure the headache.

Kiyomi was at a lost. It looked like Sako knew her, which was why she hadn’t tried to stop her. Either Sako knew her, or this girl was a stalker “…And you are…?”

“Sako’s girlfriend of course!”

“Her what?” Kiyomi didn’t get that. Even if it was true, she would be bad at the job: Sako was writhing and groaning on the floor with a terrible headache, yet this idiot, the culprit, wasn’t in the least bit worried.

“How about you help your ‘girlfriend’ up.” Kiyomi felt bad for Sako. Having to endure random tackles from strangers could get really annoying. Maybe it was due to her charisma. The last time she had seen it from Sako, it was 20 008. I sure as hell wouldn’t want that much.

Sako mumbled weakly. “Luna, please… could you get off me?”

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“Oh, right.” Luna got up off her.

Sako slowly stood up but was unsteady on her feet.

“You okay?” Kiyomi asked.

Sako nodded.

Kiyomi pulled up the girl’s stats on her holoscreen to confirm her name: Luna Forger. “You know her?”

“She’s the girl from the alley I helped the other night.”

Kiyomi looked the girl up and down.

“What’re you doing in the capital?” Sako asked.

“I’m here for the king’s celebration of course!” Luna was a bit too excited. Her eyes were bright red and overflowing with joy. “Can I walk with you?”

Sako took 2 steps back as Luna was in her personal space. “Sure.” She forced a small smile.

“…And…” Luna looked down at the ground with hesitation. After a while, she gained the courage and looked into Sako’s eyes again. “Can I… hold your hand?”

She chuckled and held her hand out. “I guess… I don’t mind.”

Luna instantly took it.

Kiyomi had her doubts. The emotion in Sako’s reply sounded… almost… fake. “Sako, if you don’t want to, you don’t have to.”

“Haha, no, no! It’s fine, really! Thanks for worrying though.”

“There you have it. If she says it’s fine, it’s fine.” Luna grinned.

Kiyomi left it at that, and for a good while, they walked through the capital. She remained quiet in her thoughts as Sako and Luna chatted away about every trivial thing under the sun.

“I don’t know much about fighting, and you seem pretty strong for your level, so I’m wondering if you could teach me sometime.” Their locked hands swung back and forth. “In private,” Luna added.

Kiyomi rolled her eyes. In private or not, she would watch them as she wasn’t about to let some stranger catch Sako off guard with anything. And if it meant spying on them for Sako’s safety, she would.

Sako looked to Kiyomi for approval. Luna followed Sako’s gaze.

“Whatever,” Kiyomi replied.

Sako’s and Luna’s conversation continued.

“I used to go to school too before I got stuck in the game,” Luna said.

“Oh, what’s your plan now?” Sako asked.

“Dunno. I don’t feel like going back now.”

“Why not?”

“I wouldn’t get to see you anymore.”

Kiyomi wanted to vomit. This felt like a romance movie. “What’s next? Kissing, foreplay, and then fucking?”

Luna looked at her in utter shock. “How did you read my mind?!”

Unbelievable. Kiyomi walked on ahead of them. They could have their alone time. She knew Sako’s magic signature by now, so she could always find her wherever she was in the capital. Or she could just message her from her friends list.

She heard Sako laughing behind her. “Don’t joke about that!”

But now that Kiyomi was alone, she wasn’t sure what to do. Social events weren’t her thing. She would just look awkward, but she wandered around anyway.

About 1 hour later

Something felt wrong…

A massive figure flew around high in the air, heading towards the capital.

She turned around and could hardly make out the figure. But after mentally activating a telescopic spell, her vision zoomed in, and she got a clearer look. A high-level dragon. Not just any dragon. This one seemed leagues above regular ones. She could tell by its magical energy and potent aura. Probably an elite mob. Level 500.

Before she moved, geared-up people ran past her towards the gate. Guards and adventurers probably. She sensed a horde of something beyond the walls too…