When Reality meets Online

Chapter 2: A Beginner's Level

Kaneki's POV...

The teenager in front of me didn't answer.

"Um..why are you here?" I question the black haired boy again, who seem to be panting and was in exhaustion from running. Observing him, I eyed him quietly. He seems to be wearing some weird type of clothes although I can guess it as medieval clothes or something.

Or maybe I'm thinking this all wrong..but what is up with that red diamond atop his head?

Considering my thoughts, I wondered why a teenager like him is doing here? Miles from town and into these open dangerous fields? From where he is heading is an area infested with wolves.

What made him run about in this place?

Honestly, I've encountered a lot of angry 'animals' since the moment I got 'here'. Still, I don't know why am I asking this myself but right now..

..I could really need his help..

"What do you mean by that? Didn't you hear the announcement?" he responded and I can feel eagerness coming from his words but this only made me uneasy. As far as I could remember, I woke up in the fields hoping to wake up in some place called 'Town of Beginnings' then out of this confusing situation after encountering those wolves and boars, this guy came running and is asking me to do something that I don't know off. It was already bad enough that he gave me a question in return instead of a name or even a reason why he is in a hurry.

I wish I could answer him but I'm already clueless about all this..

Fed up with the circumstances I was in, I can only blankly stare at him and gave a questionable look.

I heard him mumble after seeing my expression.

"..unless.."

"..?" Did he somehow understand my gesture?

He sighed. Now, this is making me even more curious. Does it look like he can't understand what I am saying? Or is it that I'm getting this all wrong again? At least speak.

I mentally sighed and think for a brief moment. While it's nice to have encountered my first human after a perilous journey, it would be more convenient if he could update me on what's happening. Isn't that the common trope in the novels?

While I was troubled by this situation, a buzzing sound was heard then followed by a familiar voice in it. Though its blitz noise twitch my ears, I looked around in wonder wanting to know where it came from.

"Hey Eyepatch..what's going on in there? C-cann You hearrrrr m-mme?"

My eyes went wide.

It's Amon! but why can't I sense him anywhere? Is he hiding from me? And why is his voice getting blocked? Argh! What the hell's going on here!?

"Um..excuse me" I shot back my head at the boy who called to me.

"Are you..by some chance..a beginner?" He pointed a finger towards me. Just a second ago, I was so sure he was giving off an annoying vibe with a slight disappointment in his expression, but I left that thought on the back of my mind.

Remembering what he just said, I pointed a finger at myself as if his only referring to me. When I did, he nodded.

"What do you mean by that?" I tilted my head and ask with a straight and honest face as possible. I don't want to lie to him. Especially since it's only the two of us in this field. I could go ask someone else but I'm already in desperate need of intel at this point.

He's the only person I can rely on for now...

With this said, he gave me a long pause before finally explaining it to me, "Okay. A beginner is a player who's likely still new in a game and lacks some status. In short, we call them Newbie. So let me ask you, are you a newbie?"