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On a rainy day, when the clouds were blocking the sunlight, Rash was lying on his bed, thinking about nothing and feeling nothing except the ache on his cheek — an ache that made him doubt himself, as if his value meant nothing.
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A few days before Black met Joseph, while he was checking his email, he noticed a message from a stranger that said:
"Dear reader,
I am Prince Bras Zikar from the Kingdom of Brmolia.
Unfortunately, I got lost during my journey and I need money to return home.
Please send me 1000 coins to this account, and I promise you will be rewarded generously when I return."
When Black read the message, he immediately realized it was either from a place where the internet had only arrived recently, or someone was joking with him. He didn't want to waste time on such things. But first, he made sure it wasn't a hacking attempt, and then he easily figured out who the person on the other side was. It was a boy his age named Rash. It was clear the message was related to Rash's mother's rare illness and his odd personality. Black felt sympathy for him, so he sent him 10 coins.
Three days later, while checking his email again, Black found a new message from Rash — something Black had expected… even though someone like Rash was not easy to predict.
The second message said:
"Hello my friend,
I want to thank you for the money you sent, but it seems the number you entered is missing two zeros.
Please focus next time you type the amount. Man, you don't know how bad my situation is right now.
I miss my palace a lot. Please help me return home, and I will repay you many times over."
At that moment, Black said to himself:
"This is something worth frowning about.
Should I convince him to stop, or just ignore him?
And why should I answer anyway? I already have enough questions that need answers...
sigh… humans really are miserable creatures."
Black ignored the message and didn't reply, but for some reason he didn't understand, he didn't block Rash either.
After Black returned from Dr. Joseph's clinic, he was influenced by the doctor's personality, and after the session, he felt like he wanted to make a friend, just as the doctor advised.
Black opened his device and saw a new message from Rash, who was still pretending to be a rich man needing help.
Black thought:
"I think any friend I choose will need me more than I need him…
So why not make someone who urgently needs help — like this prince — my friend?
Maybe I was affected by the doctor more than I should've been."
Then Black sent a message saying:
"If you want money, I will give it to you, but you must meet me within two hours in the game Rebirth at the coordinates I will send you… if you're lucky enough to even play it, dear prince."
When Rash received the message, he felt surprised, confused, and worried. He never thought that sending these silly messages to one person would actually work. He only did it because he didn't want to ask anyone directly for money and feel worthless, and he also didn't want to be a scammer. So he tried this method, hoping it might work.
After reading Black's message, Rash thought:
"This person is really strange… How did he know I play Rebirth?
I'm worried this might be a trap, like last time… I survived by luck back then.
But I can't refuse, because I need the money…
But why are these coordinates so far away?
I must hurry."
He then put the game headset on his head.
After two hours inside Rebirth, Rash was one minute away from reaching the chosen coordinates. He had faced some level-two monsters and a few other difficulties that almost got him kicked from the game. But in the end, he arrived with only one minute left.
The place he reached was a flat field stretching for miles, colored in dark purple. It was an area outside the regions explored by players so far. Only a few members of earlier expeditions had survived, and their reports mentioned a creature believed to be level three — class five. That was why no one continued exploring it.
As Rash approached the coordinates, he noticed something that didn't match the surroundings. There was a strange rocky hill shaped like a monster, with blade-like limbs stretching from all sides of its body, all pointing upward at an angle. It stood about 30 meters tall. A person was standing on top of it.
In the early stages of the game, characters had no faces and only had a symbol instead, until they reached level two and were given a random appearance. But this player had no symbol at all. He was wearing a simple black shirt and black pants.
Rash assumed the person was using a mask to hide his identity, so he didn't worry and asked:
"Are you the one I messaged about the money?"
Black replied with another question:
"Of course… and are you the lost prince?"
When Rash heard that, he felt embarrassed, as if his own actions were mocking him. But he unintentionally said:
"You… did you come to make fun of me? Didn't you come to give me the money?"
Black sighed and said:
"Alright, as you wish."
A glowing object appeared in Black's hand, and he threw it toward Rash.
When Rash saw the light he was surprised, and Black continued:
"This is 500 coins. I'll give them to you for free, and I'll give you another 500 on one condition—"
Rash cut him off immediately:
"You're giving me all this money for free? Really?"
His voice carried both satisfaction and frustration.
Black answered:
"That's what I just said, and—"
Rash interrupted again, speaking impulsively:
"You're making fun of me, aren't you?
I won't let you treat me like a beggar.
I won't accept that.
So I challenge you.
If I win, I'll keep the 500 coins.
If I lose… I'll return them and do whatever you ask."
Black replied:
"Alright… I accept.
And also… sorry, I forgot you're a prince."
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