Knock. Knock. Who is it? (I)

The Players saw the sign that Snow had posted.

"Isn't the price a bit steep?" One of the girls asked, realizing how expensive it was for them. "I can buy five hot buns with that much money and get a good room."

Snow wondered if she jacked up the price too much, but she didn't want to go back and erase the price. Plus, she wasn't too keen on making a thousand more servings any time soon.

"Yea, but these foods have buffs. So far, I haven't found a single restaurant that has buff added to their food." A young man with silver armor spoke up. "I ate one in the afternoon. I swear, I saw my status go up and had a warm tingling feeling that healed small scratches."

"Really?"

The young man nodded, which reaffirmed everyone's resolve to buy it.

Snow wondered if she unconsciously injected a bit of mana into her food because she didn't know what the difference was. Her cooking was quite simple, and nothing had changed as far as she knows.

While contemplating on the prices, the young man stepped up to take his first order.

"I would like two Fried Silver Fish." He asked, excitement in his eyes as he waited.

Throwing out any other thoughts, she sighed and went to work. It didn't take long to make the Fried Silver Fish. She made a dozen more on the side to give it to other people who wanted to buy it.

The young man took the bagged fish and took out one to eat. Everyone waited for his judgment as he took a bite. With a quick motion of his hand, he waved in the air as if he was summoning something. A surprised yell burst from his lips.

"Holy cow! +20 stamina increase and 5% elemental resistance buff? The hell?" The young man shouted out in glee as pieces of fish escaped his lips. "This is a jackpot!" He excitedly exclaimed.

Quickly, the other Players who were passing by lined up in the hopes of getting something to eat. It was then Snow was busy for the next couple of hours.

Snow took in the last customer, closing down the shop. She sighed heavily, realizing how much work it took for her to go through all that cooking. She needed to hire someone to take over the stand because this was a one-day thing.

With tired feet, she shuffled her way into the Dragon Express, where she plopped down on the nearest couch and fell asleep.

#####

Thunders rolling, the sky screaming in diabolical laughter could be heard as the thunderclouds washed in from the east to the west over Atlantis City. High Winds picked up as Snow stood in the middle of the city, staring up at the dangerous cloud that screams disaster. She wondered when she had come out from the Dragon Express.

In the thick of the clouds, she saw four pairs of blackish-brown wings flapping diligently in clouds. Swirling clouds amplified the ghastly wings as a giant bird creature screeched in anger. Glowing red eyes stared down at the city walls, a powerful blast of lightning spatted out from the powerful beak.

With raging inferno, the lightning smashed and blew up the tallest skyscraper, which caused a powerful explosion wiping out the surrounding buildings.

Snow screamed as she took cover. The shards of glass flew all around, cutting her skin into slices. The ground rumbled as an earthquake hit and cracked open a large fissure in the field.

She fell into the very abyss, where she saw a pair of serpentine eyes that stared back at her with hunger. It opened its mouth and swallowed her whole.

#####

Snow woke up with a start, sweating. Her eyes darted around her, wondering where she was. She was still inside the Dragon Express, sleeping on the couch. Her heartbeat shook heavily as she touched her body and face a few times to make sure that she was alive.

Realizing that she wasn't hurt, she sighed. The crazy nightmare frightened her to the very core as she wished to god that whatever it was, was a lie, but she knew deep down in her heart, she was only fooling herself.

Maybe she overworked herself, or she ate something wrong. She tried to console her heavy heart. She looked over towards her alarm clock.

11:40 PM.

Realizing that she overslept, she got up and straightened her clothes. She saw a few late-night Hunters and Players still present in the store, but it was still quiet.

She grabbed her bags, leaving the company as she sped home.

Upon arrival, she smelled a cooked meal, drifting through the air. Her stomach grumbled, telling her that she was only a few steps away from being ravenous. Maybe she worked too much, or she didn't have enough food, but whatever Dairen was cooking smelled delicious and unique.

"Hi, Snow," Dairen called out from the kitchen. He had on an apron. "Made you something to eat if you are hungry."

"Thanks." Snow felt wiped even though she took a nap. She pulled the stool out from underneath the table, taking a seat as she slumped forward into her arms.

"Long day?"

"Yea."

"You seem a bit overworked."

A plate of delicious spaghetti looking food was placed in front of her. Dairen brought over a fork and a cup of water for her to drink. She took a bite. A shower of powerful spices erupted in her tongue, surprising her.

"What is this?" Diligently chewing, she ate some more quickly.

"Fauna Spaghetti mixed with a hint of my culture's spice, you like?"

"It's delicious."

"Thanks." Dairen chuckled, pleased that she liked his food. He made a plate for himself as he took a seat. "Is the Player's giving you trouble at work?"

"Yes, and no." Snow sighed. "The usual lessons, but I got ferried away into doing extra work for Mr. Jay."

Instantly, Dairen asked, "Did he raise your pay?"

"Of course." She chuckled. He was catching on quickly that Mr. Jay was a scourge in pay. "I wouldn't have done it without it."

"That's good."

"What about you?"

"The same old. I took a few cleaning jobs here and there. Nothing fancy, but I have heard some rumors lately."

Snow stopped eating; she glanced over, wondering what he was talking about.

"What kind?"

"Well that's the thing, someone picked up a few major quests."

"Wait, you guys have actual major quests?"

"Yea, something like a storyline?"

Snow thought over what he had said, realizing that their interface was something more than it seemed. Major quest or even a storyline quest pointed towards a possible clue that could help direct the flow of the world. This was big news. No, it was terrible news.

"You guys need to be careful about who you tell about this."

"Like?"

"Anyone." Snow waved her fork in front of her emphasizing the danger. "Honestly, you guys shouldn't spill such information to the magical community. You guys are giving too much free information without a cost, and it could be deadly."

"I don't think so." Dairen shook his head. "It's not like I told you who and where the person is who found the major quests. Not many of the other Players would advertise their findings until they finished it."

"True, but there will always be those people who will attempt to steal or take advantage of you guys." She stated worriedly.

"Possibly, but that's not something we could control. If I know any better, we all have our code of honor and reasons. Some will change sides, and most will do it to get stronger and for selfish reasons. Even I have my reasons."

"You do?" Snow cocked her head, wondering about his secrets and any information that she could gleam out of him from pure curiosity.

"Absolutely," he chuckled. "One of the main reasons I'm here is because the Players can take 'items' back to Earth, but it's only a select few types. It's been pretty crazy. Lately, the players have been calling this new game, The New World: Rosevera. Not everyone can just join in to play."

"What do you mean? There is a requirement?"

"Yes, you have to be as healthy as one. Two, you can't buy your way in. Instead, one needs to be invited by a Player who is over level fifty and above, which so far, nobody has reached that level. I believe our highest right now is a level ten. So, when we supposedly reach fifty, we can only invite one player in their whole life or a Red Envelope arrives at our door. This is a free pass to join in to play."

"Red envelope? It just randomly comes to your mail?"

"Yea, which is weird because nobody knows who the sender is. Once gotten, it binds to your body, and nobody else can use it. From there, we are all sent to a specific location to be transferred to this world. And as you know, there are many things we can't bring over from our world to here either. We tried, mind you." Dairen twirled his spaghetti as he took a large bite and slurped up the rest.

"I have always wondered how you guys came to this world." Snow thought over what he had learned, "but back to the major quest and my question on why you are here." She wasn't going to let Dairen skim over this any time soon.

Dairen chuckled. "I have been contracted to find the fountain of youth or anything that could keep a person young their whole life."

"That's two different things. One is to look young, and the other is not to die."

"Well, it's what he wants anyway."

"There isn't much power to become immortal that I know of. The philosopher stones is one, but that is considered banned and inhumane. The chance of obtaining immortality might even destroy one's soul, stopping one from reincarnating again."

"The Philosopher's stone?"

"Yes, the blood-red jewel made from the lives of millions of people. Nowadays, such things are seen as fables and legends. The other one is the fountain of youth, but so far nobody has found it. Just one sip will keep you young, two sip will heal your whole body, and the third will keep you immortal."

"It seems I have found a bit of a clue." Dairen chuckled. "Thanks."

"Its myths Dairen. No point in searching for either or." Snow waved it off, knowing full well that such information was useless when countless people had gone searching for either or but found nothing.

"I'll just keep it in the back of my mind." He smiled, knowing full well that he was going to go out searching for it.

Snow couldn't help but sigh, realizing that she had given him false hope.

"Now, for the strange rumors." Dairen quickly diverted the topic away. He placed his fork down as he gazed at Snow earnestly. "I suggest you come home early these days."

"Why? You know that my job asks me to stay overtime, depending on how busy we are.."

"Yes, I know, but I heard that young women have been disappearing a lot more these days. It's dangerous for you to stay out late."

Snow shook her head, grateful for his concern. "I can't do that, but I'll keep myself safe. I can handle myself and live in this world a lot longer than you."

"Come on, Snow. I'm serious."

"I know you are."

"Then take my advice to heart. I don't want you to get hurt." He frowned at Snow, who was brushing away his warning as if it was nothing.

"There are already a lot of dangerous things going around at night." Snow replied, trying to convince him. "What is this one any different from the many other missing people?"

Dairen went silent. Eventually, he spoke. "It's because it has become a major event."

"I'm sorry? What has?"

"Finding the missing women and daughters."

"That has become a major event? Isn't that a bit too simple?"

Dairen shook his head. "Even I have gotten it."

"What?!"

"Yea, I was surprised as well, but when I talked to one of the ladies that were in town asking every Players to find her daughter. She's not the only one who has been congregating at CitySquare, asking to find their missing wives, daughters, and loved ones." He replied. "Plus, there also seems to be a major pool of money involved for anybody who finds them."

"We found some clues that spiced up the quest even further, making the church involved."

"The church?!" Snow was flabbergasted to hear such information. "If the church is involved, it's something serious."

"I thought the same thing. A simple quest turned into something big." He chuckled. "At the rate, we are uncovering things; I wouldn't be surprised if we find any new information about this."

"I see."

"There have been rumors that the dark forces are rising, and the reason that the women are being ferried away."

"What for, it's not like any of these girls could….wait. Damn it." Snow had a spur of a thought that made her worry. "Were all these women virgins?"

"How did you know?" Dairen asked, surprised. "I didn't even tell you that."

"This is a major problem."

"I don't get it, how?"

"Virgins have a powerful source of pure magical energy. It is why almost all the female priests are virgins. They have raw untapped energy that hasn't been defiled by men." She replied seriously. "It's also a good catalyst to draw out pure energy that you won't find so easily available."

"Sounds like a big problem indeed."

"How many were taken so far?"

"Over a hundred."

"What?!" Snow shouted in disbelief, almost spilling her food onto the floor. She had to grab her plate, so she didn't push it off the table. "That many already?"

"Yea. It's been increasing this month; some believe it's more than that."

Snow nodded, understanding the seriousness of nature. Being a virgin herself, she knew that there was a risk of capture if she wasn't careful.

"I'll come home early."

Dairen's eyes became wide, realizing her change of attitude, but didn't push it any further.

"Anyways, let's grab a quick movie and go to sleep. We have a long day tomorrow."

"Yea." Dairen got up and took her plate. He started to wash the dishes, allowing Snow to be free. She stood up and turned on the T.V.

"Thanks," Dairen called out to her.

"For?"

"Just because."

Snow was confused; she was about to ask him to explain when she heard a loud thump on her door. Snapping her head towards it, she looked at it and back at Dairen, confused. Dairen shrugged as he placed the dishes down and grabbed a knife. He nodded for her to stand back as he walked carefully to the door.

Chương 20: Knock. Knock. Who is it? (I)

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Chương 20: Knock. Knock. Who is it? (I)

SUY NGHĨ CỦA NGƯỜI SÁNG TẠO BlackSnowAngel

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