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STAGE FOUR >> Nether Earth (Part One)

This is a work of fiction. All of the names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents in this story are all products of the author's imagination used in fictitious manner. Any resemblance to an actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

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— NPC is short for non-player character. These characters are coded to give pre-determined answers and dialogue.

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[TW: This part contains content that some might find disturbing, reader's discretion is advised] 

"That's it? Whoever finishes the game first gets to meet this legendary Gryphon?"

Eiko smiled once again and it makes Yuki wonder if there was someone behind that character. She added, "Whoever finishes the game meets Gryphon and controls the flow of their story."

All four exchanged glances. "What is she saying?" Masami asked the person beside him.

Yuki shook his head, "I have no idea—"

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

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The Nether Earth.

100 miles away from the Imperial Capital.

[Eiko: Hello, Players! Now that you've arrived, please proceed to the Imperial Capital to claim your Beginner's Kit and register your character's name. You may talk to me at any time by saying my name "Eiko". Good luck!]

"GET THE FUCK OFF ME!"

That was Hikaru. No doubt about that. Only that he doesn't look like his usual self because he was currently on a different face and body.

Hikaru had always been slender, with smooth fair skin, and so being an elf seemed rather befitting. However, this wasn't what he felt the moment he stood up brushing nonexistent dirt off of his now elegant white robe with gold trimmings.

"Why do I look like a fucking priest?!"

"On the contrary, you still look gorgeous despite falling a thousand feet from the sky—"

"WAAAA! Who are you?!"

It was only then that Hikaru realized that he was being surrounded by three different people—or creatures—the likes he never met or encountered before.

Right in front of him, standing was the biggest creature he had ever seen in his entire life! Seriously, this person—creature—was about 8 feet tall! A humanoid cross between a mortal race and the bear clan. Despite his physical appearance, this creature has gentle eyes which was the only part of him Hikaru was very familiar with.

"Aoi?"

"Yes! That's me?" Aoi was not even sure himself as he gazed at his hands which were now ten times bigger than his usual hands. Not to mention that he was also covered with fur. "I look like a walking rug..."

Masami stepped in, "Or worst, a hunter wearing a pelt."

Because Aoi right now was the biggest among them, it took a great deal to just looked down at a three-foot imp. Even Hikaru couldn't believe that he immediately felt the strain on his neck.

Masami right now was the pixie of the group. If they didn't know that Masami have chosen to be a boy, they wouldn't be able to tell what his gender was.