Sometimes, after the training, Abigail, Miranda and Nathan invited Yvonne out. They went shopping, to watch a movie or simply went around until they found something they wanted to do. Miranda and Nathan were childhood friends, a couple, and, like Abigail, instructor candidates. Miranda was a tall 21 years old woman, she had sleek brown hair, which reached her waist, beautiful amber-colored eyes, an always serious looking face and an ample bosom. Her weapon of choice was a pair of tonfa. Nathan as well was 21, he had black hair with a military-cut, clear blue eyes, an "always calm" demeanor and well defined muscles on his body. His weapon of choice was a Bō. They too were brainwashed. Elisabeth was a scary woman.

A week before Abigail went to Yvonne's house, The two visited a VR shop, bought two headsets for Hyria and also scanned their bodies. At home, they quickly connected to Hyria and created their avatars. Nathan added a shade of blood red to his hair, and also a bit of beard; he choose the race Warlock, an half demon and half human, thus ending up with two very little horns on his forehead, and the name Atlas. Miranda didn't modify her appearance, but choosing the race Succubus gave her a pair of bat wings, a pointed tail and iridescent amber eyes with vertical slit pupils similar to a cat's. She picked Electra as a name.

Their starting point was the Winter Citadel, in the kingdom of De' Draake. It was south of Ferl and between them there were 'only' two kingdoms. Electra later decided to be a fighting enchantress while Atlas choose to fight using a staff while also being a mage. They continued to train until they felt like going north.

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Yvonne detached herself from Abigail as they stood up.

"Hi Abigail, so you started playing too?"

She said while noticing that Abigail too, had not modified her appearance

"Yes! ..Ah and, I'm Matagi here, Aisha."

Matagi answered with a cheerful smile

"Do you need something? I was about to go to sleep and then log out"

Matagi was a bit surprised but then noticed the bags under Yvonne's eyes

"I see, I'll add you to my friend list, send me a message before you log out, cya!"

Yvonne waved her goodbye after doing the same thing, otherwise how would she send her a message?

Twelve hours later, after notifying Matagi, Yvonne logged out.

The capsule opened and Yvonne opened her eyes. Both eyes. A little more than a week ago, an artificial eye was successfully transplanted in her left eye socket. It was the exact same as her right eye, only it had a barely noticeable mini barcode hidden behind the lower eyelid. The operation had been organized long before she started playing, Hyria was meant to help her adapt with the changing in her vision, among other things.

As she stepped out an began to stretch, the other capsule opened too, and Abigail came out. She quickly followed suit.

"Hey, wanna go on a date?"

Yvonne stared at Abigail, who had a cheeky smile on her face.

"Aww, no reaction this time too~ Can't you be a little surprised at least~?"

"Did you already forget why I have no reaction to your jokes?"

Abigail's face turned sour

"..No, I didn't. Anyway it was not a joke, not entirely."

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She said as she, too, began putting on clothes

"I wanted to ask you if you fancied the idea of partying up with me and going to Magiron?"

Yvonne thought about it a little, then nodded

"I don't have anything to do, so I may as well go with you"

"Cool~ I'm quite hungry, want to order some pizza?"

In the living room, Elisabeth held a video chat with five people, obviously from her clan as they were discussing its management and future prospects. Yvonne recognized them all, as they were her mother's co-workers at Crathos Inc. Abigail stood by the side as Yvonne approached her mother, greeting the people in the call, and asked her if she too wanted some pizza.

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As Yvonne and Abigail logged back in, they went around Thyw selling their loot (mostly Yvonne) and buying the necessary gear. In the end, only Yvonne had to buy a new armor and katana, which cost in total 4 gold coins, with higher durability and damage bonus. They then sat on a bench in the plaza and opened the world map to discuss the best rout to reach Magiron.

"Our best bet would be following the northern road to reach the pass, it would take longer than going east to the Dragon's Throes and then walking north until the pass. The northern road is also safer, as merchants, both NPCs and players, travel through there with their guards."

Matagi quietly listened to Yvonne's proposal when she got an idea

"Can't we just become part of the guards?"

"Yes, that would be even better"

After nodding in affirmation, the two walked to Thyw's northern gate. They looked around, trying to find two or three promising merchants busy recruiting guards for their caravans. Two merchant players piqued their interest, but one seemed intent on hiring NPCs only. Not like there were many players in Thyw to begin with. Yvonne and Matagi approached the remaining merchant, level 23, followed by fifteen level 45 NPC mercenaries and two players, levels 39 and 41.

The merchant wore some kind of blue tunic with white decorations, was about 170 cm tall and probably weighted 100 kg, if not more. His hair matched the tunic's blue tonality, while his eyes instead were white. He raised an eyebrow as the two girls neared him and began the conversation

"What can I do for you ladies?"

Yvonne and Matagi looked at each other, trying to decide who should speak.

".. I'm Aisha and this is my friend, Matagi. We were wondering if you still wanted to hire more guards."

Answered Yvonne after nodding to Matagi. The merchant looked above their heads, seeing that while Aisha was level 36, Matagi was only level 11. He pondered a little and then said:

"It would be okay to hire you, miss Aisha, but your friend's level is a bit low."

"She is good, but yes, she just started playing. I can work for both of us, if needed."

"I'll lower your salary, but if and when your friend is able to fight too, I'll increase it and pay your friend too."

Yvonne considered the offer a moment and then nodded, stretching out her right hand. The merchant took it and the two shook hands as he presented himself and the other two players

"My name is Merx, while this two are Polo (lv.39), and his older brother Marco (lv.41)"