Project Anima : A Virtual Reality / Reincarnated Tale

Chapter 4.1: Path of the Ace

"Okay, it's not like I can refund the bail money." Slater sighed. "There goes my plans to getting to the Wrath domain..."

Raiden crossed his arms. "Here's the deal. I'll help you clear the Sacred Quest and get you to the next area. In exchange, you'll help me research about my life in the real world."

Slater stared at him as if he just rolled a Glorious Legend item. Clearly he hasn't heard such an audacious statement from an NPC before such as this. "You're serious?"

Raiden nodded nonchalantly.

The poor player was having trouble wrapping his mind about what he just heard. "You'll clear...and I'll research..."

"I know the best ways to progress quickly," Raiden said. "When do you want to get to the next domain? A month? Several weeks?"

"Uh, a month is good, but a few weeks would be really nice..." Slater scratched his head. "Wait, wait. Let me get this straight. So you're saying, you, an NPC stuck in Lvl 1, who also happens to be a player, can help me get to the next area in a month. And in exchange, all I have to do is search for hints of you in real life?"

"Basically that," Raiden said. "Don't you think it's a fair deal?"

Slater screamed.

Raiden winced at the player's reaction.

"It's not about fairness, okay?!" Slater said. "Everything you've just said...it's ridiculous and confusing!"

Raiden stared. "Ridiculous or not, I'm trying to make it simple. Either you take it and I'll help you, or you don't take it and we go our separate ways."

"Man, I have so many questions!" Slater said. "Like how are you a player and an NPC at the same time?"

"I don't know yet."

"And how do you think you can help me complete the Sacred Quest? You're stuck at Lvl 1! One swipe even from a field monster will kill you!"

Raiden waved it off. "I have that covered."

"Okay, considering you don't get killed everytime," Slater said testily, "how can you possibly help me get to the next area?"

"I've told you. I know the best ways to progress quickly."

"How? But you're just starting out!"

Raiden smirked. "Simple. I've read about it. The Adventurer's Guidebook."

"Adventurer's Guidebook?"

Raiden palmed his forehead. "Oh, you haven't opened it."

"Who even reads a guide these days?"

"You have your answers," Raiden said. "Still confused?"

"I have one more question," Slater said. "How would I research about you? Do you even know your real life?"

Raiden paused. "I don't. Only a few memories. But I'll work around it."

"Let's say you're really a player. Where is your real body? Surely it has to be somewhere."

Raiden palmed his chin. "Not sure. I don't remember getting in this game."

"So you got kidnapped then, or something. Hooked to medical equipment to keep playing the game."

"Why would someone do that?"

Slater shrugged. "Why not?"

"Not enough memories to conclude that," Raiden said. "Still doesn't explain why I'm classified as NPC."