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17

The next day, I spawn in the city I swore I would never set foot it again. That was very optimistic for me to say, but I totally forgot that you spawn in the last city you've been in after dying.

Apparently, the tiny gloomy village counted as well.

So here I am, sitting on the trunk of a fallen tree, mindlessly kicking away some stray pebbles while shivering from the cold. I noticed it yesterday as well; this part of Parallel is significantly colder than all the other parts I've been in.

To make the circumstances even more fun for me, I have no clue about what time Lino wanted to meet me here. All he said was to him here today, before he devirtualized completely. That's basically why I decided to get online super early, just to make sure that I'm here when he appears.

Well, okay. Eleven am isn't that early, but early enough on a Saturday in one's summer vacation.

I toroughly wonder for how long I have to wait here before Lino arrives. Ten minutes? Two hours? Half of the day? Would I be crazy enough to wait here for half a day? I have no idea. For him, I might do it.

Another cold shiver runs down my spine and I curse the short sleeves that come with the azure blue tunic. The only fabric that covers the outside of my lower arms are the iron arm guards I'm wearing, and they don't offer much warmth.

Dear Lino, you always show up at the right time. Please save me from freezing to death.

But then I remember something, and I quickly rake my hand through the air to open my inventory. I rapidly scroll through many items I know I'll never use and it takes me a while to find what I'm looking for. For a small moment, I'm afraid that I don't have it anymore. But eventually, I find it and I waste no time, shivering once again after a particularly cold breeze.

       Everyone's indispensable cloak
       ↳ Equip?
           ↳ yes/no

I almost sigh in delight as the supple cotton drapes over my body, covering my bare arms and immediately shielding them from the cold air nipping at the skin. It's nothing more than a simple cloak I obtained after accidentally killing an NPCer in a small village, made of brown cotton with minimal decorations around the edge of the hood and the hem of the cloak itself. But in situations like this, it's a true lifesaver.

Now the boredom is the only partypooper -okay, and the fact that I hate these surroundings in general- and all I can do is lamely kicking around some pebbles, not wanting to miss Lino when he comes online.

Let's just hope he won't let me wait here for hours.

As if my complaints were his cue, a hand with fingers covered in rings lands on my shoulder. I jump slightly after the initial surprise but manage to supress a yelp and quickly get to my feet.

"Hey, Lino," I greet the other, who looks as good as always -does he ever not look good?

"Yo, Jay. You look like you're freezing," is the response, paired with Lino's trademark attractive smile.

"I am," I reply with a snort. "I don't know what's up with this part of the world but it's legit cold out here."

"Aww, I'm sorry for letting you wait," the raven-haired coos. "C'mere, let me give you a warm hug to say sorry."

The boy spreads his arms open wide, an invitation for a hug. I just look at him, a little surprised and unsure whether he's serious or not.

"W-What?" I stammer, mentally cursing my voice for failing me like this in front of him. Really, what is he doing to my usual confidence?