LOCKED DOWN

CHAPTER 3

THE MAGE WITH THE INFINITY POTION

A loud growl was heard from her stomach. The place was really amazing, that even in the virtual world, she could still feel the same way in the real world. She can feel everything-- happiness, excitement, pain, and now, hunger.

A group of several men walked in front of her, just a few meters away, tossed a wrapped burrito-like food to the man waiting for them outside the establishment where they had just come out. Their friend caught it and opened it immediately. The aroma of the hot long circled buns filled with various vegetables and a big chunk of a meat spread in the air.

It went right through her nostrils and it made her belly roar, asking for something like it. She remembered Ayako explained this afternoon that she needed food to regain her life bar. She got herself her coins and there is nothing wrong with trying if her taste buds also work in that virtual world.

It was already evening when she finished her first task and she did not even felt that it was that long already. The only thing that tells her the time in that world was the environment's sky. The stars were twinkling in the clear dark sky and the moon was in a perfect crescent.

With jolly footsteps, she went inside the restaurant nearby. The inside was filled with players and fully packed even on the two more floors above the wooden stairs. It was like a top fast food chain on its busiest hour. The smell of the cooked dishes makes her saliva active. She gulped and started walking towards the long line at the counter while her eyes are focused at the kitchen where the cooks have four arms.

She was taken back to reality when her small built body bumped on someone who has a lean body frame and it made her lose her balance. She was about to fall but the guy's hands caught her back before she did. She does not know if it was just a sudden mini heart attack that her heart pounded loudly as she look at who he was.

Everything felt so slow as the guy, a few years older than her, blinked his grey sparkly eyes on her. Her hands were on his shoulders and she felt that he worked out really well. His pitch black outfit looks like he has been rewarded many times that he can purchase such magnificent item. The color matcher his messy well made hair, only the tip were silver gray highlights. He was pale and would probably mistaken as vampire. But he would be a charming gorgeous blood sucker if he was.

"Would you mind standing up? And watch your step," he spoke in a rude kind of tone.

She was talen back and stood as she cleared her throat.

"Sorry," she whispered in an awkward manner. Damn. She feels embarrassed and the tip of her ears are feeling hot.

"Night. You are scaring someone again," said a woman in a braided long blonde hair. The woman walked near them and put her hands on her waist. "You okay, little girl?" she asked.

Even in the virtual world, she still lacks height for her age.

The blond woman in her middle twenties was wearing a tank top, paired with a jumper shorts that the other sleeve was loosen down. Around her sexy waist was a brown small belt bag. Her combat shoes were also brown.

"You are new here?" she asked.

Pixel nodded.

"I do not remember having a new player in a while," she said, arching her brows in distorted lines. "My name is Juliet," she introduces.

"Hi, beautiful!" A guy in a plain white casual prince outfit appeared behind this woman. He was also looking like in early twenties. His silky hair was brushed to tie up his neck length hair in a top knot.

"I think I have something for you in here," he said and began searching his pockets. "Oh! It's here." His hand motioned a heart shape and winked.

That made her smile. Well, this guy got looks that every girl can possibly fall for his charms.

When Pixel looked back at the young woman, she was showing her disgust faces she was looking at the guy flirting on her.

"Oh,come on, Sammy. Enough with those lines. My hairs are all standing up," she said as she embraced herself.

"Well, my lines doesn't affect you because maybe you are not a girl," the guy named Sammy mumbled.

"I heard that well. Would you want to be toasted?" the woman said as a big weapon appeared on her hands. She was very angry.

"Enough. What are you? Gradeschoolers?" said a deep baritone voice.

Pixel turned around to see a general figure man. The outfit armour and how he stood up was very magnificent and it was blinding her. Not only that he was a big guy but but the looks of it, he was a reflection of a true soldier.

"Sorry mother," Sammy rolled his eyes and looked at the woman sharply.

The weapon on her hand disappear and stood straight.

"Sorry for these two over here," the newly arrived said.

"So, what are you?" asked Juliet. She somehow calmed herself.

It took her seconds before finally realized what she was asking.

The choices of weapon on the first mission determine what a player is. She chose the potion and her tab indicated that she was a support player.

"Im a mage," she said.

"Cool! The truth is we are short of one member in our squad and we are looking for a mage." She looked at the big guy. "She can fill the empty slot," she suggested.

"Mage. That means you are weak," Night said as he crossed his arms on his chest. "Mage are known to be weak and fragile. They got defeated every time. Even the tiniest damage, they would use potions each time."

"Oh. Don't be like that to her," Juliet shushed him. "You are not using potions that often, right?" she said. "Just look at her cut."

"Really? I bet she already used her potion the first hit she got." Night raised an eyebrow.

Pixel tapped her watch and swiped to her inventory, showing the infinite potion she got on the first mission.

"You mean this?"

The four players around her looked at it as if it was the most divine weapon.

"You still have that?" Night squinted his eyes.

"Mother, please, let her join," Juliet begged the big guy.

"Okay. But we will need to regenerate her life bar. Her mana was also used up. You need to eat this," the big guy said and sent her a coffee and a big sandwich like the one she saw outside a while ago.

These people doesn't look like bad guys, so she joined. It would be nice if she can have companionship in that world. As hungry as she was, she began digging on the sandwich and it was really tasty. She can savor the flavors melting in her mouth. She can also feel her energy gaining up.

When she finished the food, the big guy sent her an invitation to his squad. This big guy was their leader.

She was about to press the agree button when she paused to see the big guy's name. It was Kinn. She blinked and started to ask herself if it was just coincidence.

"What is it?" Juliet asked.

"If you are in doubt, you can decline," Night said and walked first.

She shook her head and pressed the agree button to make her an official member of the squad.

"Let's grab the mission now," Juliet excitedly grabbed her hand and made their way to the pub.

They were standing at the mission board when a group of other five members came and immediately aimed the mission they were about to get.

"Oh, it is them again," Juliet gritted and looked at the other group sharply.

"It is us again. Yes you are right," the tall girl in all purple looked at them from head to toe. "I see you finally got yourselves another mage."

"What is your problem, Jessy? Why sre you always picking a fight with us?" Juliet stood in front of the girl name Jessy. "How about we settle this, five versus five?"

"Is that allowed?" Pixel mumbled.

"Yes. But that thing needs a contract," Sammy answered.

"Am I picking a fight here, Kinn?" Jessy blinked her purple eyelashes to their leader.

"I have to decline," he answered to the suggestion of Juliet. He looked at the mission board and grabbed a poster. "We will take this mission. Let's go."

Before leaving, Jessy and her team waved them goodbye saying, "Bye, losers."

Like the same way she was transported to the Winter, they arrived the same way at Summer. Slowly she can feel the heat even if it is already night time. Everything around them is dusty and the leaves on the trees were slightly burned because of the sun, maybe.

"Oh, I hate that girl!" Juliet stomped her feet loudly and made the ground shake its dryness.

Pixel made a cough because of that.

"Sorry, little girl."

"Choose your weapons and skills now," their leader reminded them.

Pixel also opened her tab and saw that she can purchase more things with the coins she have. She was a mage and there are several magic wands, spells, and potions to choose from.

"Am I more like a witch or something?" she mumbled.

"Just choose anything that you know you can support the team," Night said as he was pressing and adding so much items with him.

She could see clearly his tab and can't help herself to say "Wow!" at the amount of coins he has.

She also began to choose from the options she have.

The game began and they are here to defeat the gigantic stone giants. She never saw giants in her life because it was not true. Seeing them that time made her feel that she is really small. Her limbs were not shaking in fear but by how the ground is quaking because of the gigantic stone giants' footsteps.