"Glad to know that it was all for something."
"I'm sorry, First. I never thought of that. I admit that I got angry with you for leaving me but… Thank you." I also apologized and expressed how much I feel bad for him. My sincere message to him—asking for forgiveness and being grateful for what he did for me.
"Anytime. I'm sorry too and thank you for being alive." I smiled. I might not see him in person right now while in the game, I can feel his tone. After our dramatic scene, we are now planning how to solve the connectivity problem we encountered. First told me about how I did not die in Zarod's fatal stare. He did something to my inventory as part of the game options in exchange for our communication and his control over me. Glad to know that it was all for something.
"There's a map here. You need to stay in a hotel first. In the meantime, we can use voice communication and describe to me where you are now, then I'll give you the directions."
He mentioned to me that my life percentage is only 91%. It must have been because of the first encounter with Zarod. To help him, I tell him and describe my position and environment.
"Okay, turn right on that street."
I just follow the directions he tells me to find the hotel where I will stay. While walking and getting cold, I asked him. "Can you still control me even if you can't see me?"
"That's the good news, yes, I can. I can prevent you from an attack."
It's still quiet here and the streetlights provide light. It is dawn, so it was getting a little brighter and there were a few people walking. I'm getting tired because I have a wound, making it harder to walk when it's snowing, and I walk quite a distance.
"Are you fine?" he suddenly asked. How many times has he asked me about this? First is indeed a thoughtful person.
"Yes," I don't want to make him worry anymore. If we have better progress in exchange for my rest, then I'm willing to give it up.
"Next, sit on that bench for a minute." I was a little confused when he next gave me a weird direction. "I know you're hurt. I can tell it by your hard and heavy breathing. You also walk slowly and carefully, even though that area has been cleared with heavy snow."
My eyebrows met at what he said. Did he find out I was injured just because of that? He cornered me and I had no loopholes. I just followed what he said. I sat on a bench. I think I'm in a park. It was mildly snowing on the side of the road but not in the middle, compared to the heavy snow we had earlier. I saw that there were people cleaning the street and removing the snow.
"How did you know there was no snow on my path?"
"It has no sound—the sound of snow touching and rubbing against your leather shoes. Also, I can hear the sound of a metal thing from a distant against concrete." He deciphered my situation just by the sound I and my surroundings produce. He already knew the snow was being cleared on the road. He told me to wrap a scarf around my wound, which I did.
"You're here"
I raised my head and looked up at the 8-story hotel. 'The Grand Chase Hotel'. I entered the hotel's lobby. Although this hotel is not too big, it is stylish and cozy. I met the beautiful woman who is smiling. She must be a receptionist
"Bonjour," She greeted me, I guess.
I raised my two eyebrows, asking 'what did you say? Excuse me, please '.
"Que puis-je faire pour vous, madame?"
What is she talking about? I can't understand a thing.
"Um, sorry. I didn't understand you. Anyway, can I have a room please?"
"Quel type de chambre voulez-vous?"
This must be a foreign language on Earth. Or who knows, maybe a specific language on the nth planet.
"How're you?" I heard First's voice.
"First, why can't I understand what she's saying?"
I saw the woman frown. Probably wondering who I was talking to, I immediately turned away from the woman to talk to First.
"Oh, I forgot. This is a virtual reality game. The settings changed. Look what's outside."
When First said that, I looked outside the hotel and I was shocked...
Eiffel T-Tower. Earlier, I was near Big Ben in England, and now there's an Eiffel Tower!
"That's right. It changes from time to time. I'll now change the language settings. What language would you prefer?"
"English, please," I sighed at First's question. What other language should it be? Kidding.
"Affirmative"
If there's an Eiffel Tower, then the receptionist spoke in French. No wonder I understood nothing at all.
"You may now talk with her. There's money in your pocket. By the way, you can turn on our communication line by biting your lower lip once, and twice when you want to turn it off." He informed me.
"Alright, I can do this. We'll talk later after I rest. Thank you."
"Got it"
I have bitten the lower part of my lip twice.
I confronted the receptionist again and took the smallest and cheapest room for myself. I only need a solo room to save money for future use. I took the elevator to go to the 2nd floor. I exited the elevator and searched for room 205. When I found it, I pressed the hotel's key card instead of a traditional key to open it. I went inside and saw a small bed, a small bedside table and lampshade, a cabinet, and a clean bathroom.
I took off my jacket, bonnet, and gloves. There is a heater and an air conditioner to keep me warm. I also removed the scarf wrapped around my wound. I went to the bathroom to wash away the dried blood. After doing that, I lay down on the soft bed and fell asleep. What a cozy place after an exhausting initial encounter with Zarod.
***
I yawned, stretched, and gaped. It's nice to fall asleep in this type of weather. I looked out the window, and it was snowing. I looked at the wall clock opposite the cabinet. It's 9:00 AM. I had six hours of sleep. My body feels refreshed. The Eiffel Tower is visible from my window. How I wish I always get to see such a view every day. By the way, I have to talk to First. I bit my lower lip once.
"Hey, how's the day?" I even preceded First to speak. He seems very eager to talk to me.
"I feel better." Funny how sleep can recharge a person's body and mind.
"That's great. Um... there's..." he spoke hesitantly.
"Hm?" I asked him what he meant.
"You know... that thing after you wake up... on your lips?"
On my lips? I touched my lip and...
"Oh-"
"S-Sorry, I didn't mean to..." This is what he meant. "Hahaha!" I thought he would be sorry, but he just laughed.
Oh no. I forgot that it's been over 5 hours and First can already see me on his screen. He just continued to apologize but with a mixture of laughter and teasing. I wiped my drool off my mouth. When I got up, I noticed that there were pamphlets, booklets, and fliers on the small bedside table. I took one and what is written here is all about the hotel. 'TGCH' is the acronym of the hotel. I shrugged and took a shower. After bathing and getting dressed I spoke to First again.
"What are we going to do?" I requested him for a plan.
"You need to leave the hotel and fight those minions of Zarod."
"What? He has minions?"
"Yes, our only goal is to defeat Zarod. But I think we must first defeat the lower-class enemies, and then we'll plan on how to trample their heinous leader."