Chapter3: A New World (2)

As soon as I opened my eyes, I saw Kuti looking excited while holding a card. She saw me and started shaking me to wake up. "Thomas! Wake up! We're in the game world!"

"You're still dreaming, Kuti. There's no way we're in a game world," I said, yawning widely. Suddenly, a card appeared in my hand too. I looked at it, "Wait, really?"

"Did you also dream about that strange world?" Kuti asked me.

"Yes. There was a voice that told me to spin a wheel," I replied. "So, are we really in the game world?"

"But everything still looks the same as our world. I'm going to open the window and check," Kuti said, heading to my bedroom window and opening the curtains. "Thomas, come here quickly!"

When I looked outside, everything had changed. It looked just like the game world. Then we heard my mom's voice outside my bedroom door. "Kuti, Thomas? Are you two okay? If you're doing that, please be gentle!"

"No, mom, we're just excited about the view outside!" I replied.

Our phones vibrated, and I saw the same message from Dahlan and Rosa. We discussed this and our dreams. It turned out the four of us had the same dream. Suddenly, someone joined our group chat.

"Hello, my name is 999. I granted your wish and transformed this world to be like your game," said someone named 999. "I will guide you, but your choices are free."

"Is our ultimate goal to defeat the demon king?" Dahlan asked.

"That will depend on your journey," 999 replied. "Since you're already familiar with the game, you surely know how the mechanics work, right?"

"In safe zones, our lives won't decrease, right? Is it like that?" I asked.

"Yep. But there's a slight difference. Each region and city will have a total protection point. If the protection points run out, the monsters appearing around the area can attack. Every adventurer or soldier who completes guild tasks will add protection points to your area. Currently, all regions in this world are neutral. You can claim them by planting your guild flag," 999 explained in detail.

"In this world, you cannot die. If your life runs out in forbidden and unsafe zones, you will return to the hospital of the last region you visited, with a penalty of losing some of your items. Beyond that, you understand the rest."

"Tasks will become progressively challenging. You will find out the ultimate goal in time. Enjoy!"

Dahlan suggested we check the map on our phones. He marked the building that used to be the town hall, now transformed into an adventure guild. He invited us to go there together.

We all agreed to go. I looked at Kuti, "Ku-Kuti, do you want to shower first? Use the bathroom on the second floor. I'll go downstairs to help mom prepare breakfast."

"No, you shower first. I'll help your mom," Kuti said, quickly leaving my room and heading to the kitchen.

I decided to take a quick shower and then headed to the kitchen. After showering and changing clothes, I was surprised to see my dad dressed in knight armor, drinking coffee, and reading the newspaper.

"Kuti? Aren't you surprised too?" I asked.

"Later. Now sit down," Kuti replied.

I sat next to my dad and observed him. He noticed my gaze and lowered his newspaper. "What's up, Thomas? You look like you've seen a ghost."

"N-no, I'm just surprised by your appearance," I replied, diverting my gaze.

"It's normal, I work as an instructor at the sharpshooters' academy," dad replied.

Mom now came with breakfast, a plate of rice with eggs and vegetables, for dad. "Eat first, dad. Don't be late for the academy. It's embarrassing to be late at your age."

"Even so, my shots never miss," dad replied and started eating. After eating, dad quickly left, carrying a rifle on his back.

Kuti and mom joined me for breakfast. The three of us ate together happily and peacefully. Mom looked at me, "You've changed, Thomas. It seems you're starting to open up. Thank you, Kuti."

"Oh no, ma'am. Thomas wanted to change himself," Kuti replied. "I just gave him a little push."

"Now it's time for a haircut. Let's freshen you up and give you a new look," mom said, standing up and putting her plate in the sink. "Kuti, can you help me wash the dishes? I have an important task before he runs back to his room."

"I-I'm not running away! I'm staying here!" I stayed quiet and let mom lead me to the bathroom, carrying a chair. I let mom cut my hair however she liked.

After the haircut, I didn't feel much different, but my hair was now shorter. Mom smiled proudly, seeing that I let her cut my hair. Kuti came over carrying a bucket of warm water. "Ma'am, here's the warm water, and WHOA! Who is that?"

"I-it's me, Thomas?" I replied, pointing at my face.

"Ma'am! Can Thomas be mine?" Kuti said. "You look so cute and cool!"

Mom seemed proud and patted my head. "Don't forget to shampoo and dry your hair. I'm going to work in the field today."

I looked at myself in the mirror, seeing a face I didn't recognize. "Whoa, is this me? I look so different from before."

Kuti hugged me and held my face. "Only I get to know this new look. Now, let me help you shampoo!"

After Kuti helped me shampoo, I left the bathroom and waited for Kuti to finish her shower. Mom was now beside me in her gardening clothes. "Lock the house if you go out. I'll be in the field for a while."

I nodded and let mom leave. "Be careful, mom. Don't overwork yourself!"

Mom smiled and left through the front door. Kuti finished her shower, and we both got ready to head to the adventure guild. I thought, if this is a game world, it would be better to prepare by gathering basic materials to craft good items and weapons. Especially for me, who has high endurance as a tank.

"Ku-Kuti, have you decided what weapon you want to use?" I asked her.

"Hmm. Maybe we can stop by the weapon shop later. I can buy from there," Kuti replied. "But I bet you'll gather materials, right?"

I nodded, "Because crafting your own gear can get you better items than what's sold in the shop."

"Then after the guild, I'll join you to earn experience points," she said, hugging me from behind. "I still can't believe you look this cute."

"Ku-Kuti? Y-you're too close!" I said, trying to escape her hug.

"It's okay. Will you be my boyfriend?" Kuti looked at me eagerly.

"Y-yes, I will," I replied.

"Yay!" Kuti cheered and grabbed my hand. "Now let's go to the shop first. According to the updated map, the weapon shop is next to the guild. Come on, Thomas, let's go!"

After about a twenty-minute walk, we arrived at the weapon shop. Many people were inside, looking at materials, buying, and checking weapons. Kuti went straight to the showcase with long-range weapons.

I checked my phone and saw my money. I still had 500,000, and I wasn't interested in buying weapons here. But since I didn't have any basic equipment, I decided to buy something cheap to make it easier to gather materials later. Since Kuti was the attacker, I bought a wooden shield and a wooden club. Their durability was still full, but I knew they would break quickly based on my grinding experience in the game. At least this would speed up my material gathering for forging better equipment.

I saw Kuti had bought a bow and a dagger. My new girlfriend quickly approached me. "I'm done! Next, let's go to the armor shop!"

I followed her to the adjacent shop. For starters, I bought chainmail and an iron helmet with chain borders. Kuti bought iron armor and an iron helmet for herself.

"Don't you mind?" I asked her. "You're using a bow; you need high mobility."

Kuti thought for a moment, "In the game, yes. My speed stat is slow because I often wear heavy protective armor. But since we have a tank, I'll buy something made of compacted feathers."

"Geez. Haven't you noticed I always take most of the hits when we play together?" I said, putting on all my equipment.

"Okay! Time to head to the guild!" Kuti said, leaving the shop. In front of the guild, there was some commotion. Kuti and I moved closer to see what was happening.