Ruintown.
One of the starter cities in the game.
And today, it is filled again with players who are starting the game.
There are almost a thousand new players today, in this starter city.
Stalls have been raised, and there are many things to see in the starter city.
Food, circus, even slaves like rare animals and people, and others that covers a multitude.
Walking past them, is a big gate that is shaped like a giant shield but upside down, and it's doors are open wide.
In front of it are people, standing bundled up, while being led by a single burly man.
This is the Mayor of this starting town, and all the people behind him are the subjects of this land.
"Hello, Sir Hero, will you be interested of we offer you a short tour?"
The mayor said as one player came out of the gate.
The one being interviewed is a young man with curly, burgundy hair and freckles on his face.
"Ha!"
He shouted for all to hear, and all the other players looked towards him.
"This Hero, Genos, is willing to be toured."
Genos spoke in a proud manner, his hand on his chest, like a patriot who is sent to conquer the dragon to save the princess.
His voice echoed among the streets, but no one paid him attention as they started to go back to what they were doing before their attention were taken from them.
"Noob."
Another player walked past by him, as the mayor said the exact same thing to the next one who came out of the gate.
"I would like to be guided."
"Thank you, Hero." The mayor said, and one female went out of the group, and started leading the player to the city.
The burgundy guy's face turned red in embarrassment as he sheepishly hid himself. He looked so small as he talked to the mayor.
"..too"
"Pardon?"
"M-me.. too."
"Sure. Thank you, Hero."
And in that moment, a burly guy with a mustache and apron went out of the group.
The burly guy has so many scars on his face, and his body is like a bear, filled with hair from his arms, chest and legs.
"Uhm? Can I change guides?"
The burgundy guy said, looking at the mayor, but now, he is entertaining another player.
Without further ado, the burly guy picked up the burgundy guy, like a sack of rice, and put him in his shoulder
"No. Wait. This can't be!"
But no matter his tantrums are, he cannot go out of the arms of the burly man.
As he was being taken away, he cursed as he looked at the next player who the mayor was speaking to.
"You wench, I will get my revenge!" He shouted as he was dragged away.
The next player, who did not even hear it, is nonchalant about it.
"I would like to have a guide, please." He said as the mayor smiled at him.
"Thank you, Hero."
Same line, same words.
Another female guide went out of the crowd as the next player walked over.
"Oh, I forgot. There's a letter for you." The mayor rushed over before the said player.
He stopped as soon as he heard it.
Turning around, he took the letter out of the Mayor's hand and shook it for a bit.
"Thank you, Mayor." He said as he went back to the guide.
The mayor also did go back to the place he was standing.
They then began to walk away from the gate. After almost half an hour of walking, they found an inn, where players were going to rest.
As he entered the room, he locked it abruptly as he took the letter out.
Tearing through the envelope, he opened the letter abruptly.
"Dear Zaon."
It started.
The light of the sun, shining through the glass window, hit his face, as it emphasized the perfect face of his.
"I am pleased to say that you have arrived to this place."
"There was a bit of a hindrance in the way, so I took it."
"Don't be too furious about it, and don't be mad, for it can be fixed."
Zaon gnashed his teeth in anger as he continued on reading.
"To be honest, you are the funniest guy I ever saw, and ever contacted, so please don't be boring."
"Boring, my ass." Zaon said as he opened the window to let the air come in.
"Please, use the gift you picked, and worry not about your circumstances."
Zaon didn't finished the letter and tore it apart.
As the torn paper started to fall down, it shone as it formed one deck of cards.
And then, it created a circular pattern, wherein a portal appeared.
And out of the portal, a familiar face, nope, a familiar faceless appeared.
"Voila." Mr. Celess said as he entered Zaon's room.
Seeing this, Zaon was not surprised.
"So, what are you doing here?"
"Cold. Didn't you miss me?"
"Miss what?"
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. I'm not wrong about you."
Mr. Celess said as he created a chair out of thin air and sat.
The air then grew tense as he crossed his legs and put on hand behind the chair he was sitting.
Without further ado, Mr. Celess took out the deck of cards as he pulled out one.
[Anomaly Detected. Please stay put. The Cleaners will be coming.]
A red notification appeared before Zaon.
"This is the card you have chosen, which is the Rule of Four."
Mr. Celess said, rushing to explain.
"What does it do?"
"Are you deaf? I just said I have no time to explain."
"Then what am I supposed to do?"
"You can read, right?"
"Yes."
"And write?"
"Yes?"
"Good, you'll be fine."
Then, suddenly, the door swung open and a group of knights appeared.
"Freeze!"
Instantly, the knights went in the room, and it was empty.
The room was still messy, and looked like someone was here a second ago.
And the anomaly?
It's just a chair, standing next to the window.