Strange Beginning (IV)

Jennifer's face scrunched up with a bit of worry. "If that is true. The question comes down to, are we ready?"

"Why wouldn't we be? We've already been using it since the dawn of man."

Jennifer shrugged, showing him uninterest.

"Either way, there have been high reports of the quest being completed so fast that we don't have to be worried about not being able to play any time soon. So for all you hardcore gamers out there, go and help the people doing these quests, so we can enter into the game sooner."

"What a thing to say to the viewers." Jennifer scolded him. "Please don't mind him. Enjoy the game, and wait for our next review. We'll see you soon and give you more in-game screenplay as soon as possible."

The video clip fades black and goes back to the three web videos that were up to view.

"I must say that was an interesting thing to watch. I just recently heard about the World quest. Kind of astounding that Yami Hikari company has done something outrageous again. I should've known." Anna stated as she scooped another mouthful of ice cream into her mouth.

"Wait, you're saying that you don't know as well?" Kiyro asked. He shouldn't be as surprised, but he still was.

"Yep." She was busily flicking the ice cream quickly into her mouth.

Kiyro clicked on the next web video titled The Elusive Seed. Once again, the screen enlarged and filled up the whole TV. Brian and Jennifer were sitting comfortably in a bean bag chair. Both wearing completely different cosplay outfits. They were both in private school clothes for rich kids.

"Hey, guys. Welcome back to the show Eleventh hour. This is Jennifer and Brian giving you more information about the game of Growth. Today we will talk about the elusive Seed that the players have been talking about. So far to this date, we have been reporting there to be over several thousands of people already having this so-called Seed given to them through real live quests, in-game quests, and by some unknown player. Unfortunately, we have no set details of this player's features, so we can't tell you anything about these ghost players." Jennifer stated in a chirpy voice. "The thought of ghost players sounds a bit too creepy."

"Don't worry too much about them. It's more of a rare occasion that anyone would meet these so-called ghost players. We know that the Seed allows the player to have a chance to activate a Seed Shard quest. And we know that a seed shard quest activates a hidden world quest and finally transcends into the world quest."

"Why? What purpose would a Seeded player have?"

"Well, there have been rumors that these seeded players have some kind of privileges given to them in the game. That would be able to start a Seed Shard Quest that reshapes the history of Noriene, but other than that, there hasn't been much information as of late. No other special report has been specified by any other seeded player.

"Is that all? Seems a bit small for something so special."

"There has been an odd rumor that all seeded players go through some bedridden stage the moment they get the Seed. Supposedly they get headaches, become sick, have horrible stomach flu, and other common cold symptoms, but it's not something you should worry about. For example, an acquaintance is a seeded player and was fine all week."

"With that being said, Aldrin, Hercules guild leader, had successfully accomplished the Seed Shard quest and paved the way for the players to explore new areas, buy land, a new level cap increase, and seemed to acquire some legendary armor. Did you see his amazing Gryphon Armor? It's a sight to behold."

"Yes. He looked so dreamy in his armor. Almost like a saint." Jennifer drooled a little, thinking about Aldran in his armor.

"So far, we know that his armor is one-of-a-kind armor that is given in a Seed shard quest. No replica of such armor has been found or made to this date. I think it even rivals or is better than Jergorian's armor and sword set," said Brian in excitement.

"You serious!? That's pretty amazing. Since Aldrin got his armor, there has been a rumor that he has even beaten Jergorian in a one-on-one duel. That would make him the number one player in the game of Growth."

"Mhmm." Brian nodded his head in agreement. "But such power could corrupt a player. What interests me now is what would Aldran do next? What accomplishment would he set? That in itself is the question."

"I would love to see into the future to glimpse such a thing. I want to be his wife. He's so hot." Jennifer stated dreamily.

"If you say so." Brian rolled his eyes. "Well, this is all for our news on the Seed. Check out the game footage we were given by famous players like Aldrin, Jergoiran, Liliac, and even Kyo. See you guys in the next episode." Both Jennifer and Brian waved their farewells, and the screen turned black.

The mouse hovered over the next video.

"That's quite an interesting thing to know about the Seed. I didn't know it would become so popular."

"Welcome. Welcome. Welcome. This is the Eleventh-hour game online show bringing you up-to-date news about different exclusive games worldwide. This is our first video of our site. Our host for this news is Jennifer, and I'm Brian."

Two heavily costumed young people in an angelic-looking pure white costume were sitting in gothic-like chairs. The contrast between the two people and the background was extraordinary, making them seem slightly out of place.

"Our updates would be on the eleventh hour at exactly eleven minutes during the day or night. But preferably during the morning. Our goal is to bring you a powerful awakening of your belief to reality in life through games. We will be showing footage and news and giving you our opinion on games considered more extraordinary than normal," said Brian. Soft white feathers fell from over them.

Kiyro couldn't help but feel these people were a bit odd in the head. He didn't hate it; it was just that they were a bit too weird.

"We want to know your thoughts and opinions. Send us the videos that you think are considered unique. We would love to see and possibly even post it on the web," said Jennifer. She used the cutest tone of voice she could muster.

"At this moment, the two games that have been rivaling neck-and-neck are Growth and Combat Crisis, but having a fully functioning immersive game is none other than Growth.The Alive gear has made its way into almost every household. It would be considered a bit strange if you didn't have much gear with you on hand. Don't you agree?"

"Mhmm. The function of the Alive gear has been growing exponentially and has become the number one product hot off the shelf, but I wonder how long this will last." Jennifer waved around a white feather that she caught during the process when the feathers were falling from above them. "As the code of awakening to activate your subconscious mind. We implore you that whenever you see this number, you remember us. It's our guardian angel's request to tell you to wake you up and remember that we create our own realities with our thoughts, intentions, beliefs, and everyday actions. We'll see you again." They both winked and motioned goodbye.

The screen turned black and minimized back to the front page. Where the dice roll number 1111 was at. Kiyro and Anna stared speechless at the screen. He didn't know what to say to his sister about the whole thing.

A blare of loud cackling sounds appeared before Kiyro's TV, startled Kiyro and Anna. Then, a small cute avatar that looked like a fat bird appeared before their screen.

"I'm Alive!" The avatar exaggeratedly laughed. "Oh? Where am I?" It walked back and forth from one side of the TV to another.

"I'm sure I got the right address." The fat bird pulled up a white envelop-looking paper. "It said right here that I am in the right place." It scratched its head with its stubby wings.

Kiyro's Alive gear turned on automatically by itself.

"Oh?! So I was right." The fat bird disappeared from the TV. A holographic image appeared out of the Alive gear. A fat bird was displayed in the middle of the room. It hobbled around and turned towards Kiyro.

"Excuse me," the fat bird called out towards Kiyro. "I'm guessing you are Zero."

Kiyro stared with complete loss at the holographic image before him.

"Oh, nice. I didn't expect the Alive gear to have an actual hologram. This is quite an interesting development." Anna placed her ice cream on the table and leaned over to look at the hologram closely. She reached over and poked at it out of curiosity.

"Hey, hey lady. That's a total violation of space. It's completely distorting my image. Scoot back." The fat bird shooed her away but stopped short. Anna's cleavage was showing a little, and the fat bird's speech pattern and voice abruptly changed. It flapped its wings, trying to fly a little higher to get a better view. "Actually, you can come closer."

Anna got up and sat back down on the couch. The fat bird frowned and settled back down on the table.