The Pledge to Keep

"So, you mean to say that...we have to find out what we do?" I look at the man in front of me and he bursts out in laughter.

"BAHAHAHAHA, what?! Of course not! You can do whatever you want here! You want a pair of beauties to travel with you? Just go and find those who are willing to marry! You want prestige? Build up a reputation by asking NPCs for quests! And of course, if you want to do other things, private spaces like inns exist!" He responds, giving me an information shock...

That's such a strong power and responsibility! And players are given free will to do so? That's absolutely nuts...

"So then...if I want to get rich...do I just ask random people in the streets for quests?" I ask him, looking at him with expectation and wonder. Surely, the NPCs work the same way as they do in other games...right?

A look of skepticism is expressed on his face, and finally, after a long sigh, he shakes his head. "No. For that...you'll need to fight against monsters and beasts. Didn't you ever read the articles or forums about this game? It's like you don't even know anything about it,"

I look at him with a resigned expression on my face and nod. "Yeah...that's right. I don't know anything about this game..." I murmur, as I look at him puzzled.

He then grabs something from his bag and chuckles. "I don't normally give out gifts, but here's a map. It will help you get through the continent of Catelia." And thus, he reaches his hand out and gives the map to me.

"Thank you for the generosity," I bow my head down to him thankfully, knowing that, any other player could have just left me alone with my own problems and not give me any bits of their time. And yet...this guy helped me, and even gave me something to help myself with. What a great guy.

"It's no problem," He laughs boisterously, touching my shoulder again. It seems like it's one of his habits. "Just don't sweat it and enjoy the game, why don't you? This world is like an extension of your life, and it works that way too. So, do what you want!" He smirks looking at Andrea and resting his hand on her shoulders.

"All of this exists as a paradise for men. All your desires become real! From all the women in the world, to glory and fame, to riches and gold...what more could you ever ask?" His speech is laced with pride, and just for a split second, I could see a bit of Andrea's facial muscles form a little frown on her face, however, she quickly covers it up with a smile.

"Really...but what about the NPCs of this world? What about what they want?" I ask the man, and for a single moment, his smile drops, and the expression on his face changes into a grim and cruel grin. 

"Oh, the women? Well, nothing!" He laughs again, but this time, I'm not laughing at him. Nonetheless, I don't return his remark with a look of annoyance or anger. I remain neutral. After all, there's nothing much I know about this game and the thoughts of the players on this game.

"They're NPCs, aren't they? It's their job to serve us...but I gotta admit, they are lifelike," He ponders, looking at Andrea. She averts his gaze, a blush forming on her cheeks...but doesn't speak a word and instead gives a fake smile to him.

"Ah...I see..." I smile back at him, giving another one of my well-cultivated smiles. It's a good skill I've learned to not get into conflicts that I'm not sure of resolving. School can do that to you sometimes. 

And thus, with a final tap on my shoulder, he leaves, telling me that he plans to go beast slaying with Andrea. With a friendly demeanor of my own, I waved back at him and set off to travel to the center of the town. To where the light shines the brightest.

I've learned a couple of things from that short interaction.

One is that this game and how you develop in it will be limited to the things you do. The path you take is yours to decide, and there are no limits or barriers to who you want to be. It works exactly as how you would in the real world.

Two, that women are the strongest way for you to build up fame and strength. There are multiple classes of women, with the lowest being "maid" or "housewife"...and assuming how he said Andrea was a "warrior", she may be a tier above them. Although, I'm not so sure how high that rank is.

And finally, three...that men treat women the way they want to in here. It's a place devoid of most rules that are naturally applied on Earth. In here, you're practically free to do anything you want to do in here. Well, except for public spaces. I don't see anything bad or intimate happening in public.

"If that's the way the game is played...then I might as well find a girl I could marry," I think to myself, frowning slightly and sighing.

"But only one girl...I have to abide by my mother's wishes. Even if the harems in here don't practically count as cheating due to the customs in here...I know my mother would not be happy if I decided to build up a harem. Not when it will only remind her of my father. Even if this whole thing is virtual."

Walking to the path with the beaming light, I decided to embrace the peaceful scenery by looking up at the azure and clear clouds. A sight like this is breathtaking...but it also reminds me of my philosophies. "Never aim too high without doing anything to overcome those goals..."

"And of course...this journey must start by searching for a wife...ironically. Damn...and here I thought I would never have to like someone again," I look down at my own hands and grimace...these very hands are one of the many resemblances that I have with my father.

I hate everything about me that reminds me of my father...since it now serves as a bitter memory of his failure.

"I am my father's son...but I am not my father. I will...I will do the thing he has failed at becoming. I will find a wife and be loyal, no, rather, devoted, to--"

I stumble backward, seemingly hitting someone...or something? It took me a second to recuperate, but as soon as I awoke from my dazed state, I saw a woman with silky smooth and sleek hair that cascaded down to her body, flowing like a river.

She stood in front of me with an upright manner, wearing clothes that resembled those taoists you see in Chinese comics, and this...it resembled that of a demonic sect's clothes.

And finally, the last feature of her I found so intriguing...was her eyes.

Her eyes were an intriguing color of scarlet red that held a sense of hatred and disappointment.

And finally, for the first time in a while, my heart started to beat wildly, my heartstrings pulling me closer to a heart attack.

It's...been so long since I allowed myself to finally like someone again.

It's virtual, but...it's...it's a big step for me.

Then....maybe...she can be my wife?...

"Please..." I try to stand up, looking at her intently. "Please marry me!" I say straightforwardly, bowing in front of her with my eyes clasped tightly.

It should work out just as that man taught me earlier! I mean, this is how I do it, right? He said that most NPCs in here were low-tiered girls that would accept...

And after a few seconds, she looks at me with an annoyed and furious expression on her face. "Insolent mongrel! Your kind truly has no sense of decency! I've already set upon my conditions of marriage, and you dare...you dare to disobey my order? You're courting death!" She exclaims, taking out a sword from her side and pointing it at me.

But what did I do wrong?! What order?! I don't even know anything about this! What kind of NPC even is she?!

Shit! Maybe...maybe this whole concept of playing the "Charming Beauties" game is a bad idea after all?