Chapter 1: Level 0 – Prologue

My alarm was ringing loudly as I opened my eyes. Already wishing that I had gone to sleep sooner, I got out of bed and quickly prepared myself for school. I brushed my teeth, took a quick shower, and finally got dressed. Just to be sure, I also checked my uniform. It wasn't anything special, a simple white shirt, a blue blazer with our school emblem, and some black trousers. Our school was strict with the dress code, so I always inspected if everything was in order. 

I looked back at my monitor, still displaying the last game I played. It was some pixel RPG that I downloaded yesterday. The dimly lit screen showed some pixel figures in a straight line, with 8-bit music playing in the background. Must have forgotten to turn it off yesterday.

I picked up the controller and saved the game. Before turning it off, I proudly looked at the stats screen, showing my character at almost max level. I was one of those people who leveled every character, even if it wasn't necessary. Decimating every enemy and boss was always fun. With a self-satisfied grin, I turned off the console.

With everything in order, I sneakily tried to go through the front door without waking my big Sis. Unfortunately, she was already awake and sitting on the sofa in the living room.

"Good morning, Mark. How are you?" She asked.

"Oh, me?" I answered, startled, "I'm feeling fine. But I'm about to miss class, so I should hurry." 

I was trying to quickly get to the door, but my sister was somehow faster and blocked the entrance with her entire body. She probably stood about a head taller than me and was quite an imposing figure, so I just stood still.

"I-Is there something wrong?" I asked, trying to sound oblivious.

"I heard from your teacher that you are having trouble in school."

I scratched my head and tried to shrug it off. "Don't know what you mean."

"Well," she started, "Your grades are pretty bad, and you barely participate in class. At least that's what I was told."

I looked down on the wooden floor, trying to avoid my sister's glare.

Her demeanor changed, "Hey, if anything is going on in school, you can just tell me. Alright?" She said, her voice full of kindness. But instead of feeling happy, I just felt the guilt growing inside me.

"I know the past few years weren't easy, but I am here for you."

I quickly tried to dismiss her worries, "Don't worry! Everything's going well in school. The teacher is probably just worried for me because of what happened in the past."

Taking a deep breath, she continued, "I'm just worried that you are getting bullied and have no one to rely on."

There was this stinge in my heart that I should just tell her everything, but I held it in. She's already doing so much. I can't worry her more than that.

"Don't worry, I have friends," I lied while trying to give an honest smile.

"So bring them over for once."

I was surprised, but tried to play it off "But why?"

"Knowing that you are trying to socialize and having someone be there for you would worry me less. So just bring them over, and I'll drop this issue."

Unfortunately, there wasn't anyone I could bring home, at least nobody I would want at our house.

"Sure!" But for some reason, I still choose to lie.

"I'll bring them over tonight. They could stay for dinner or something."

I quickly ducked under her arm and opened the front door, "Don't worry, just focus on your work. I can handle myself!"

With a worried expression, she sighed, "Alright. Bring someone over, and I'll stop pestering you about school stuff."

I gave her a thumbs up and quickly walked out. 

---

What kind of stupid promise did I make?! I don't even have any friends. Who could I even ask?

I was about to rip my hair out but quickly gathered myself. Maybe it would be better to just let her know?

My mind was mulling it over, but I still decided against it. With her job, school, and promotion on her mind, another worry would be the last thing my sister would need.

I started walking down the busy street and reflected, trying to think of a plan. I can't really ask someone from my class. Not only did I not make any friends in the last few months, but I'm also pretty antisocial and shy. This doesn't really help with making friends. But even if that wasn't the case, I don't think anyone would want to talk with me anyway. Because of some people in class... Before I could finish my thoughts or devise a plan, I noticed that I was already standing at the school gates.

With a heavy sigh, I finally prepared myself and went through the school gate. No use in worrying about it right now.

---

I entered the classroom. There were some glances toward me, but most continued talking in their cliques or friend groups.

Only one voice called out to me, "Hey, Mark, buddy!" 

It was Neil with his entourage of goons already behind him. Two scrawny-looking guys and two blonde girls.

I froze up like a deer in the headlights and tried to stammer a response. But Niel ignored me and continued, "Man, we waited all day for you. 

His friendly, calm voice betrayed his actual intention.

"I forgot my wallet today. You can help me out again, right?" He asked, although I already knew that I had no choice.

"Y-Yeah, sure, no problem." 

"Good, then see you later." He said with a smile and finally went to his own desk.

After a while, the teacher walked into the classroom, beginning with the lesson. I didn't really listen, though, as I had more pressing things to worry about. I counted the money in my wallet and hoped it was enough. For some time now, I had become an errand boy for Neil. Doing anything he asked me to. Some days I had to buy food for everyone, do their homework, or, like today, lend them some money.

I would love to just say no to him and his friends. However, I was too afraid. Neil's reputation was known throughout the school. A bully and delinquent who would beat up anyone who looked at him wrong. Knowing that, you can't fault me for just obeying him, right? Although that also made me an easy target, I guess. 

I counted the money again and could already tell I didn't have enough to lend him any. He would always ask for the same amount, 50$. God knows what he uses it for.

I thought for a short moment. If I just tell him that I don't have any money today, maybe he would understand...right?

I looked back up, and the teacher was already done with the lesson for today and went outside. 

Noticing this, Mark suddenly walks up to me. 

"Thanks for letting me borrow your cash. I'd only need 50$," making it sound like 50$ is some cheap change for a student.

I decided to try my luck and tell him I don't have the money. 

"Uhm, Neil?"

My eyes darted around the room. Trying to contain my nervousness, I continued.

"I don't have that much money. So would it be okay if I could bring it next week?"

I couldn't get a read on Neil's demeanor. He simply stared at me with cold eyes.

"Huh, that's troublesome. You should always carry cash around."

Then why aren't you doing the same?

"Yes, and I'm sorry about that. But I really can't afford it."

I tried to give my best friendly smile, "It would just be for now! I can give you the money next week!"

I felt a heavy atmosphere building inside the room. But suddenly, Neil's smile returned, "Well, nothing you can do about it, right?"

He patted me on my shoulder and said, "Don't worry, just bring it next time." 

I breathed a sigh of relief, "Thanks, Ne-"

"But... I can't just let this go, right?"

I didn't have the time to be confused by what he said, as a fist suddenly flew towards me, hitting me right in the face.

I feel on the floor, with my ears ringing and feeling disoriented. I hear slight chuckles behind Neil. It sounded like the two blonde chicks he was always with.

With disdain in his eyes, Neil looked down at me, "I just gave you a small taste of what will happen if you don't bring me my money. So, don't forget it next time."

I held my bleeding nose while nodding.

"Good. Just do that, and everything will be fine." He returned to his desk and began talking to his friends as if nothing had happened.

I laid on the floor for a bit until the ringing in my ears disappeared. Then I slowly stood up and sat back on my desk. What a stupid idea this was. Why am I such an idiot?

I looked around the classroom to see the reaction of the others. But they simply continued talking as if nothing had happened. 

The nosebleed slowly stopped, and I picked up some tissues from my bag, trying to clean up where the blood had dropped. I just wished, at least, that somebody would have helped me. 

---

School finally ended, and I was the last one to leave class. My face was luckily only slightly bruised, so it wasn't too noticeable. Knowing my sister, though, she might still detect it with her sixth sense. I could just tell her I fell or that this happened while playing soccer with friends.

While thinking about all the excuses I could make, I stopped walking and stood still for a moment. 

I'm really pathetic, aren't I?

I shook myself, trying to clear my head. There was no point worrying about it. I was lucky that he only hit me once. There were much worse stories about what happened to those that annoyed Neil. I was also used to this. Him treating me like dirt, nobody helping me, and me simply accepting everything. That was my school life. I stopped short of crying, gathered myself, and continued walking home.

But I had to stop again in my tracks. A person stood a few feet before me, talking with two people. Although, on closer inspection, it looked more like an extortion.

"So, I just have to pay you, and you would let me go?" The silver-haired boy asked.

"Yeah! Just pay us 100$, and I won't beat you up. Do you think bumping into us and hurting my buddy here would get you off scotch free?! " The thug screamed while his friend held his own shoulder, acting like he was in pain. 

Why is this town full of violent delinquents, I wondered.

"I didn't think me bumping into your friends would cause him so much pain. Does he have any health problems, or is he just that weak" The silver-haired boy responded, seemingly in earnest.

"Oh really? You wanna check how weak I am?" The thug asked, not even acting like his arm hurt anymore. 

I could already tell that getting mixed into this situation would only be dangerous for me. Even if that guy was in trouble now, it had nothing to do with me.

So I was about to just ignore it, but there was this slight regret in my gut. Not helping the ones around you and only watching. I would be the same as everyone in my class who stood there, ignoring me. 

I decided against walking away, even if it might be a stupid decision. Not doing anything would only leave me with an even worse feeling.

Walking towards them, I thought up a plan to get him out of there. "Oh hey, old buddy! I was waiting for you!" 

Both the two thugs and the silver-haired boy turned around. The silver-haired boy was the first to speak up. "Sorry, do I know you?"

Don't you see that I am trying to help?! 

"Oh, you and your jokes, come one, now let's go to my place." I grabbed his hand and immediately bolted in the opposite direction.

Luckily for me, the two of them just stood there stunned, giving us enough time to run away. 

Finally, after sprinting for a few minutes, I stopped and looked behind me. 

There was no sign of them following us. I let out a sigh of relief and dropped to the ground.

"Man, that was close..." I thought out loud. 

The boy I just saved looked at me from top to bottom as if he was analyzing me. 

As he wasn't speaking up, I was the first to get a word in.

"Are you alright?" 

"Me? Ah, yes, I'm fine. Although I do wonder if that man's shoulder is still hurting."

I looked at him bewildered, "They only said that to take your money, you do know that?"

As if a lightbulb went up inside his head, the silver-haired boy's demeanor changed, "Ah, so that is what happened. Then I should thank you for getting me out of that situation. "

Did he really not know what was going on? I wondered.

I stood back up, "No problem. Just run next time if someone tries to do that to you again." I warned him and was about to go back home.

"Hey, could you wait a second?"

I stood still and turned around, "Is there something you need?"

"I would feel bad not doing anything for you after you helped me. Is there something I can help with?"

I was about to say no, but then I remembered what I had promised my sister.

"Actually, there is something you could help me with. Although, it might seem a little weird."

I scratched my head and thought about how I should explain the situation to him.

After a while, I finally decided to just tell him the truth, at least the abridged version. 

"So, my sister asked me to bring someone over, and every one of my friends was kinda busy," I lied, still embarrassed by the fact that I have no friends. "She has it set in her mind that I'm a loner or something," I said, awkwardly laughing.

"So, I thought that maybe you could come over and hang out. Just for an hour or so. That way, I can put her mind at ease."

I was preparing myself to get rejected. Nobody would go with someone they just randomly met, especially not to their home.

But to my surprise, he nodded. "Sure, sounds like fun."

I looked at him, surprised, "Are you sure? I mean, it is a pretty weird request."

He let out a small chuckle, "Don't worry, you seem like a good person. I mean, you did help me."

I let out a sigh of relief and thanked him.

I gestured to where my house was and started walking with him. 

"Oh, yeah. I forgot to ask. What's your name?"

"You can just call me, Al."

I was waiting for him to ask my name, but the question never came.

"Haha, don't you want to know my name too?"

He looked at me, "Your name is Mark, right?"

Surpised at his answer I could only stammer out an, "Uhm, yeah."

Did I tell him my name already?

I was about to ask him how he knew, but had to stop, as we had already arrived at my home. There were bigger things to worry about

I turned to him and whispered.

"Okay, look. You don't have to talk a lot. Just try to act like my friend and be polite. You can leave after an hour. Got it? "

He gave me a thumbs up. "Shouldn't be an issue."

I stepped to the front door, took out my keys, and opened it.

"Mark, do you know how late it is? Where you at the arcade again for who knows long?" My Sis was already walking towards me but stopped when she noticed a new face.

"Hi, you must be Mark's Sister. It's a pleasure meeting you," Al said while extending his hand.

"Uhm... Hi?" She said, dumbfounded.

"This is my friend I was talking about, his name's Al." I interjected, "you know how we talked about how I should bring a friend over today?"

She looked over Al from head to toe. 

"Honestly, I didn't expect Mark to bring anyone over. Did he force you to come?"

"No, I came here out of my own volition," Al said, still with his arm stretched out, waiting for a handshake.

She turned and looked at me with suspicion. 

Slightly embarrassed, I spoke up, "Did you really think I had no friends?"

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"To be honest, yes." She said bluntly.

Wow, my own sister thought like that. Well, it's not wrong, but still hurts.

"Well, Al, let me welcome you in." She said while pointing towards my room.

"I haven't finished cooking, so you two can relax in Mark's room. It shouldn't take long." Al nodded.

I pushed him from the back and tried to drag him away to my room.

"Oh yeah, Al?" My sister called before I could get him to my room.

"Yes?" 

"Mark doesn't really talk all that much about his friends. So I will be asking you all sorts of questions, alright?"

"Sure, that sounds good." 

I quickly dragged Al into my room and closed the door.

"I think this went well enough." I said, "Though I think she might be a bit suspicious of you.

"Huh, I wonder why?" Al was rubbing his chin as if in deep thought.

"Well, I don't really bring people over, and you are a new face."

I thought for a moment again. My sister will probably ask some questions to see if he really is my friend or not. Probably just to check if I picked a random person from my class. Which isn't far from the truth.

I should probably prepare him for some questions, at least the easy ones.

I looked over to Al and saw him looking at my gaming shelf, where I stored all sorts of random DVDs and cartridges.

"What are those?" 

"Oh, those. These are games that I collected over time."

He looked at me with a perplexed expression

"Have you never played a videogame in your life?"

Al just shook his head, "I never got the chance to. I only ever heard about them."

Is he from the countryside? I wondered.

I walked over to him and picked out one of my favorites. 

"Do you want to try one out?" I asked him, "Although most of them are RPGs."

Al was about to speak up again, but I already knew what he wanted to ask.

"RPGs are games where you have a group of characters, who level up and beat up monsters."

He thought for a moment and nodded, "Sure, if it would be okay with you."

I removed the disk from the case, inserted it into my console, and turned on my TV.

Then, I handed him a controller and explained some of the basics of the game.

The screen flickered for a moment before the title screen appeared. 

In a stylized font, it displayed: "DEMON QUEST" with some options at the bottom.

Al clicked the continue button. The screen slowly transitioned to 4 8-bits sprites on a forest overworld.

"Wow, this looks quite interesting."

I chuckled at that. Most people would have probably told me that this game looked old.

Al tried to take the first few steps with his character. Immediately, the battle jingle played, getting him into a random encounter with a slime.

"Ah, that should be an easy battle. My party is pretty strong already."

Al looked over all the options and skills he had. "These characters can even cast magic, quite the realistic game," He said while looking over every skill.

"What part of that is realistic?" I asked him, bewildered. But Al seemed too focused on the game and ignored my question.

Ultimately, he chose to use a skill called "Knuckle Sandwich."

Some flashy effects played, and the character hit the slime square in the face... or whatever you would call it.

The slime was defeated within a single turn, and the victory screen played. 

"So things like that exist too..." He mumbled to himself in awe. 

He continued playing the game for a little more while I simply just watched.

After a while, he laid down the controller. 

"Don't want to play anymore?"

He turned towards me, "No, I was just wondering something."

"What is it?"

"Are RPGs your favorite type of game?"

"Yes, absolutely!" I answered immediately and nodded my head.

"Is there a reason why?"

I thought for a moment, "well, they are quite strategic and have an interesting story most of the time."

"Ah, I see. Although other games would have that too, right? " He retorted.

"Yeah, that's true..." I looked back at the screen, "there is also another reason-" But before I could continue, a voice suddenly called.

"Food's ready!"

Oh, I completely forgot about this. Being completely immersed in the game, I couldn't prepare Al for any questions.

I pulled him closer and whispered, "okay, just act normal and don't answer any of her questions, only when it's absolutely necessary. I will do most of the answering." 

Al looked for at me for a moment but then just nodded.

We then went to the dining table and sat down where the plates already were. Al and I were beside each other, and my sister was directly opposite. Giving the feeling that this was more a police interrogation than dinner.

"Hope you enjoy it!"

Al thanked her and started eating. I was still a bit wary of what was going to come.

"So, Al," my sister started, "how did you two meet?"

"Oh, Al and I met one day on the way home," I interjected. Keeping it short and straightforward should keep us safe.

"Thanks, Mark, but I asked Al, not you." She flatly said while staring daggers into me.

I quietly shrunk back into my chair. She must already be onto me.

None the wiser about the atmosphere, Al continued eating his food.

"So, Al, let's move on to the next question. Why did you want to be friends with my brother? He is pretty antisocial, awkward, and a loner to boot."

Ouch, I know all of it is true, but does she have to be so blunt about it?

Al thought for a moment. 

"He's a kind person." Putting down his spoon, he continued,

"When I came here, I ran into some trouble with some, I guess you could call them, delinquents. Most people just walked past us, ignoring me." He turned his head and looked at me, "then Mark came, and he got me out of that situation" He smiled.

"You don't really meet many kind-hearted people like that."

My sister looked surprised and then beamed a smile. "Right?! He is so kind-hearted. My Mark was always a softie."

I sank even lower in my chair, this time out of embarrassment, and tried to hide my blushing face.

"Yes, exactly." Al continued, "he even showed me some games and explained everything. He really is a kind soul." 

While I did feel thankful in some way, the embarrassment was too much. 

I didn't even do all that much.

"Enough about me. Don't you want to ask about Al?" I said, trying to change the subject.

"Aww, don't be embarrassed." She gave a mischievous smile.

"But that's true. I don't really know a lot about you."

I could feel the mood lighten up, luckily.

"So, do you go to the same school as Mark?" 

He looked down at his food and answered, "No, I was mostly homeschooled, you could say."

We both looked up in surprise.

"It's a bit complicated with my family situation." He said with a laugh.

"Oh, sorry if this is a sensitive topic." She said with a downtrodden face.

"No, not at all," Al gave her a reassuring smile, "While complicated, I love my family very much."

"Right, it's sometimes the only thing you can rely on, but-" She continued, "it's also important to make friends and hang out with people outside your family." She said, looking at me. 

After that small discussion, my sister appeared to have eased up, and she luckily seemed to like Al. Al also seemed to enjoy his time, answering almost all the questions my sister asked. 

---

"Wow, you guys ate up everything I put up! That does warm my heart," She said while holding her hand over her breast.

"Should I help with cleaning up?" Al asked, "I already imposed on you enough."

"Don't worry about it." My sister said, smiling, "It's pretty late now. You should go back home." She then began taking all the plates to clean them up.

"Mark, could you go with Al. He might not know the area here."

I nodded and gestured for Al to follow me outside.

I asked him where he needed to go and where his house was, but he simply told me we could return to where we first met.

While walking, I thanked Al again for the help he gave me today.

"No problem, I enjoyed my time a lot."

We walked in silence now, just enjoying the scenery, when Al suddenly spoke up.

"Hey Mark, I think you didn't answer my questions fully."

"Which one?" I asked him, bewildered.

"The one about why you like RPGs so much."

I looked at him, embarrassed, "Promise you won't laugh?"

"Why would I?" he answered in earnest.

I sighed deeply and said, "In RPGs leveling and getting new skills is always easy. You beat some enemies up or do some quests, and voilà, you are already much stronger."

I looked down at the asphalt ground, "But in real life, it's much more complicated. Getting stronger or smarter." I closed my eyes and looked back at Al, "You know Al, I don't have any skills, nor am I especially athletic or smart."

I gave him a weak smile, "So sometimes I play these games to make myself feel stronger."

The silence settled in again. It felt weird telling a new face I had just met all this. Maybe I just wanted to unload on someone. 

"Pretty embarrassing, right?" 

Al stopped walking for a moment, and I did the same.

"I don't think so." He answered again with his reassuring smile.

"Sometimes, all we need is a little bit of fantasy to help us." He then took a step toward me.

He gestured for me to stretch my hand out, which I did.

Then he took something from his pocket and put it in my hand.

"A pendant?" I thought out loud.

It felt like it was entirely out of metal. At the end of it was the figure of a small red star. 

"You can see it as a present. It might help you out in the future."

"Are you sure? This seems pretty expensive." It seems like bad manners to accept something like that after he helped me out.

"Don't worry. Next time we see each other, I might need your help again. So you can hold on to it until then."

I was confused about what he meant by those words, but I ignored them for now and thanked him.

We began walking again, and after a while, we were at the place where Al and I first met.

"Hey, thanks again for helping me out." I awkwardly said, "But it must have been pretty awkward to act like my friend, right?"

"No, not at all." He rubbed his chin, "I meant everything I said."

I rubbed the back of my head, feeling embarrassed but also happy. "Thanks, but I feel like I barely did anything to help you."

"Sometimes, it's the little things that matter." He looked around the street for a bit.

"I can find my way back from here. Thanks for accompanying me." 

I nodded, waved him goodbye, and turned around.

I looked back at the pendant he gave me and put it against the starry sky.

It felt good for once to hang out with someone again.

---

Back at home, my sister was gushing about Al and what a kind friend I had found. I just nodded and excused myself to my room after a few minutes.

I undressed, put on some pajamas, and plopped onto the bed. I held the pendant in my hand again. It looks very expensive, is Al rich or something? But being too tired to think about any of that, I slowly closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep.

---

...

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