CHAPTER 3

When Ashley woke up she was outside of the dungeon. The sun was at the top of the sky. Maybe it was noon Ashley was thinking.

—Are you okay? — It seems there is another person beside me. Ashley hadn't noticed. She got up slowly and analyzed the man who saved her.

He was handsome, he had deep black eyes and brilliant blond hair like the sun. He had weapons and armor that Ashley had never seen. He doesn't look like a novice.

—Yes, thank you for saving my life — Ashley expresses her gratitude to the stranger.

—It doesn't matter. But If you don't eat something you are going to waste the opportunity that I gave you —Ashley felt dizzy and when she looked at her HP. It had a red color and was almost empty.

—You don't have food, right? —Ashley nodded.

The man sighs as he takes out some food from his storage. The food was like a sandwich. And it was delicious too. Ashley couldn't eat another thing that a roll without taste until now.

—Thank you...—Ashley told him a little embarrassed after finishing the food.

—I have a question for you girl —He ignored her gratitude and asked her.

—Did you create these things? —Ashley's face changed when he shows her a bottle with a fluid between green and blue color. She knew that it was impossible to escape in her condition so she answered sincerely.

—Yes, I did — The man only looked at her for a while and then said.

—Can you create more of these things? — Ashley understands the idea of the man.

—Yes — The man seemed to decide something and extended his hand to seal the deal.

—Work for me, and I will protect you until you will be able to defend yourself —Ashley didn't think it was a bad deal for which she accepted.

—Okay, I agree. And I'm Ashley. —She introduced herself.

—I know...— The man murmured something but Ashley couldn't hear what it was.

—What?

—Nothing. I'm Alan

***

Ashley had been with him about six months and as Alan promised he would take me with him. He teached me to improve my warrior skills and thanks to that I manage to discover my type of magic. It was healing magic. It was a type of magic well paid in the teams. But Ashley continued at Alan's side. One reason was because the players discovered that they can die before the lifetime of their real bodies will be over. That discovery produced fear and panic in the players. They required answers to the inventor of the game. But nobody heard anything about the company's leader. I thought that it was a little unfair with the company because they already have a new opportunity to live a new life here and escape from our world. The whole people accepted the terms of the company although it could be possible a case like that. Now it is stupid that they did complaints by this thing. Also it's not like we have only one chance. We can died more than one time. Of course the times we can revive depends on the health and strength of our real bodies. Afterwards the people understood that, they became more careful with their lives. Even there are some groups that didn't come out of the cities again. The cause is that the cities are a safe place. The monsters can't get into a city. But, even though the monsters can get in. The people with bad intentions are allowed to enter. The company accepted that all kinds of people join the game, without care about if they were assassins, thieves, or criminals. That and the fact that in this world doesn't exist the law, only the strongest survive. Some players formed assassins teams. Of course there aren't only criminals. There are normal people too. Without something that represses them. Many players became in assasins. Even though the real question is Who has their hand completely clean now? Ashley had to kill some players sometimes, it is the same case for everyone. It is as if someone told them that even if they didn't fight outside they have to do it here.

Anyway Ashley focused on her training even more with that news because she didn't want to die. Ashley has learned to do poison of paralysis, it was the reason she could escape for a time from players stronger than her. The paralysis poison was only used by the monsters until now. So Ashley understands why Alan wanted her to work for him. But Ashley doesn't believe in that completely because she knows that out of that she was just a nuisance for him.

—¡Agh! — Ashley fell on the ground and her sword dropping beside her.

—You are fast but not enough for the opponent not to see the shortcomings in your defense —Alan sometimes trains personally to Ashley.

—Okay, I will work on it — Of course she always loses the fights.

He was about to leave when the alarm of the city sounded.

—What happened? —Ashley went out to the training area and searched for a good place to look. Alan didn't say anything but she could see surprise in his eyes.

—It is a monster... —Ashley follows the glance of Alan. And see an enormous Spider attacking the city.

—What…? It is not supposed that the monsters can not join the cities? — Ashley felt scared to see those monsters here.

—That rule doesn't apply in one case. If a player covers a monster with her own magic, the city will detect that monster like a person. —Ashley's mine was blank and she only feels a chill in her body.

—We have to escape, we can stay here, we....— She gets in a panic. She doesn't want to die, especially after almost dying in that dungeon.

Alan called her but she could hear him. Until Alan took her arms and shook her slightly strong. She could react. —Ashley calmed down. You aren't going to die. Okay? I'm here — Ashley recovered a little composure. And asked Alan.

—I'm sorry. What do we do? — Unconsciously Alan supported her.

—Fight with it, You need to control your fear. It could be a good opportunity. You have enough strength to beat this monster. I know — Ashley took a deep breath and accepted the offer. She knows that she couldn't go on like this. In addition she feels a little better with the presence of Alan near her.

—All will be fine, Ashley, don't worry — Alan patted her awkwardly on her head.

Ashley felt a little embarrassed but comforting too. She focused her attention on the monster and walked towards it.