The wind rushed out of him, leaving him momentarily breathless. The sounds of the FBM faded and in its place, he could hear people shouting at one another.

“Get your produce here. A hundred lil for a bunch of apples!”

“Potions! Limited time sell. Ten health potions for ten thousand lil.”

Horses neighed around him, and he could hear the rattling of a carriage going down the cobbled stone street. He opened his eyes and grinned as the town of Amore materialized around him. It was a large town with an even larger merchant market. The NPCs were dressed in medieval looking clothing with a typical game like fantasy feel. Which meant lots of leather corsets and peasant dresses. Or in the male’s cases, shiny metal armor with swords on their hips. The architecture of the town was more of a jumbled mismatch ranging from modern glass buildings to temples that looked like they belonged in Greece.

“Status check,” he said, and a black paneled window popped up in front of him. It had an image of his character and his stats. He quickly read over his current stats. Sometimes, Y.O.W would play tricks on a player when they first entered. If the player didn’t negate the effects immediately, then they’d end up paying a penalty later. Usually during an important quest or a key event. I guess whoever came up with the idea was a sadist. I don’t know why they don’t change that characteristic even after a majority of the players complained. Though after ten years, I guess it’s just part of Y.O.W’s charm now.

He stared at his image, inspecting it. One time he’d ended up growing rabbit ears and hadn’t noticed until he realized other gamers were laughing at him. In Y.O.W his age was 20-years-old. Class: Arch Mage. Sub Class: Baker. Level: 173. He had short spiky brown hair and green eyes. His height was five feet ten inches and his build was medium, not to muscular, but not skinny like a stick. Good, nothing seems out of place there. He inspected his equipment next. His mage’s robes were blue with gold trimming and his leather boots were purple… Purple? What the heck! He quickly unequipped his boots and they appeared in his hands.

Placing his hand over the boots, he whispered, “Inspect.”

The status for the boots came up. They had their normal stats of plus 10 strength and an additional bonus of fifty percent to his mana. But there was a new stat added to them. Whenever he would cast a spell, he’d take poison damage. He growled under his breath. Checking his friend log, he looked to see if Garif, his guild master and the best crafter/ enchanter in Y.O.W was online. She wasn’t. Looking down at his bare feet, he sighed. The ground was cold on his soles and uncomfortable. He didn’t have another pair of boots to replace them.

Mary-chan might have a pair to sell me… This perked him up. Quickly, he deposited his boots into his storage before taking off at high speed. Sprinting through the throng of NPCs and players, he made his way to the merchant market. The market was a large circular plaza with tall, simple wooden buildings blocking it in. It was bustling with NPC’s and players as usual. He headed for a humble one tabled stall that sold beginner wears.

“Mary-chan! I missed you!” He shouted at the young woman running the stall.

The NPC looked up at him with a generic blank expression. Her eyes were a deep blue and her long wavy blond hair was tied back from her face, revealing a fair complexion and light pink lips that looked like they were almost smiling. He grinned and looked her over. As usual, her clothing was a simple white peasant dress with off the shoulder sleeves and a red corset. The dress was tasteful and hid all her assets from unwanted eyes, but still flirtatious. I’m glad no one can ogle my Mary-chan. The tag above her head said, “Mary Miller.”

She responded in an average female voice with no emotion, but gave him a small smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “What would you like to buy or sell today?”

“Mary-chan, I missed you.” He bubbled and grinned even though her expression didn’t change.

“Ha, he’s at it again, flirting with the NPC.”

He spun around and glared at a couple players near him. One of them tensed up at his gaze. So, you’re the one doubting me. He snapped at the other player, “Do you doubt my love! Mary-chan is the best. Just look at her, that style, the tone of her voice, she’s—”

A firm hand gripped his shoulder, and he turned to face a tall paladin with thick white armor, a boyish face, and blue hair. The tag above his head announced his player name as William. “I figured you be here, Knight.”

“Of course! I always have to start my day with greeting my lovely Mary-chan.”

The player and his companion who Ren had been scolding scurried away.

William smiled at him and chuckled. “I don’t see the appeal. It’s true she has a pleasant face, but she’s got hardly any figure—”

The paladin stopped talking as Ren’s favorite staff appeared an inch from his nose.

“Are you insulting my Mary-chan?” He growled.

“No, no, she’s very pretty for an NPC—”

“Don’t call her an NPC!” The crystal at the end of his staff started glowing a deep violet.

William’s shield materialized in front of him as he readied himself for a battle. A few of the passing players glanced their way. A couple even stopped to see if a fight was truly going to break out. Ren heard a swish and then lights exploded in his head. A status screen popped up, showing that he’d taken 10 points of blunt damage.

“That’s enough, you two.”

Ren turned to the familiar deep feminine voice. A monk with black eyes and messy long black hair, wearing only a brown leather chest binding, denim hot pants and red knee-high boots stood next them. Her red leather gloved fists were smoking from the hits she’d dealt to each of them.

“Guild Master.” William rubbed his own head, looking a bit embarrassed, and put his shield away.

“Garif, he started it by insulting Mary-chan. I was only protecting the honor of my wife.” Ren puffed up his chest, not the least bit sorry at having pulled his weapon first.

Garif sighed and shook her head. “Oh? If that had turned into a fight, you realize that Mary-chan could have been caught up in the crossfire, right?”

The realization dawned on him and his heart sunk. He quickly turned to Mary and bowed. “I’m so sorry, Mary-chan!”

Mary responded blankly, “What would you like to buy or sell today?”

“What about me?” William laughed.

Ren growled. “Go jump in a pool of lava.”

Garif smacked Ren in the head, dealing another point of damage.

William just laughed. “And here I was going to tell you where you could find that glitchy ring you’ve been looking for.”

Ren dropped his staff. He couldn’t have… The Infinity Ring!

He grabbed William’s hand and smiled as politely as he could. “My dear, dear friend.”

“You’re so easy to read.” William pulled his hand out of Ren’s so he could send him the coordinates.

The information popped up in Ren’s inbox. Finally! Ren picked up his staff, grinning like a manic.

“I can’t believe you’re going to use a legendary ring to test out a theory for an NP-Mary-chan, by the way, where are your shoes?” Garif looked at Ren’s feet.

“Oh, right. Mary-chan, I need to buy some boots.” A screen popped up in front of him with gear, and he purchased the best boots that he could. “Y.O.W added poison damage to my feet today. Garif?”

“Ok, I’ll look at them. Are you going after the ring today?” Garif’s hand moved in the air to open her screen that only she could see.

Ren transferred his boots to his friend’s possession. “You bet. Wait for me, Mary-chan, my love!”

Mary-chan smiled at him blandly and repeated, “What would you like to buy or sell today?”

Garif and William exchanged a concerned look but said nothing about Ren’s tastes.

William asked, “Will you be alright by yourself? Where the ring’s located isn’t exactly easy to get too.”

Ren laughed at him. “You doubt me?”

William grimaced. “Just don’t blow up a mountain or anything, ok?”

“No promises.” He ran away and headed for the town gate. Just wait, Mary-chan! I’ll give you that ring yet!