MMORPG: Genesis

I’m afraid I am not willing to play this game with you

John knew he would be getting a substantial amount considering it was eleven years' worth but still, the amount was enough to make his brain freeze for several moments. 

Eventually he came back to reality at which point Alea said with a cheeky smile. 

"Back with us John?" 

John looked at Alea before rolling his eyes making her laugh again before he turned to Ayduin and asked. 

"I assume human credits are fine to pay with?" 

"That's fine John, though with how banks automatically convert currency transfers into the correct currency these days you don't really have to worry." 

"Oh, is that a thing?" John asked in an embarrassed tone. 

"Don't worry about it John, after all it's your first time outside the Eastern Continent so you can't be expected to know that unless you researched it and we did drag you out rather quickly." Alea explained. 

"Dragged?" Ayduin asked curiously as he grabbed the payment machine. 

"Don't worry about it Ayduin, John just wave your access band over the payment machine and you're all good." Ayduin instructed 

John did just that and he got a notification saying the funds had been deducted which hurt his heart. 

After that they said goodbye to Ayduin and left the shop, seeing John with a slightly sour look Alea asked. 

"What's wrong? You don't like the clothes?" 

"No, the clothes are great, it was the cost, two days ago the amount of money I just spent on clothes would have allowed me to survive for more than a year." John explained. 

"Ah I see, well not to be disrespectful of how you used to live John, but now you don't need to worry about any of that as you have plenty of money, and once Tia starts transferring you the two percent from the Dawnscape guild you will be able to withdraw that and never have to worry about money again." 

"Speaking of that, something has been bugging me." John said 

"Like what?" 

"First off, how come I have not received any money in the game yet? Guilds run twenty-four seven, don't they? So why have I not received anything?" 

Alea suddenly hooked her arm through John's catching him by surprise and making her guards eyebrows raise before she began to explain. 

"Ah well for that there is a simple reason." 

"The starter villages all have their own separate ummm I guess instance is the best word, even though they are part of Genesis, and you can receive and send messages to players not in the starter village you cannot receive any goods from players not in the starter instance." 

"For example, I could not send you a sword that could kill anything with one hit because that would make the starter village pointless, the same goes for money or gold in Genesis." 

"If I sent you a hundred gold you could buy all the equipment and potions you need to clear the Yesta Village mayor's test and leave straight away." 

"If that were to happen you would not learn any of the basics of the game." 

"Ah ok that makes sense, now is there a reason you're linking our arms?" John asked rather uncomfortably. 

Alea giggled before answering. 

"Yes, for a very good reason." 

"And that is?" 

"Because I want to, why do you dislike it?" Alea asked with mischief in her eyes. 

She was well aware of what her fellow elves were thinking right now. 

While they walked along the shopping district of the city the elves still continued to greet her as did some of the other races. 

However, after they all saw her holding the arm of a human male, they could not help but show some surprise. 

To the elves Alea was well known for keeping a distance from all males because of her position as princess. 

However the real reason she kept such a distance was in fact far more secretive.

Only a few elves in positions of power in their society knew of her special position.

Even as just a princess though, Alea still had many suitors and hardly a week went past without one of them sending her or the queen a proposition of marriage. 

Tanelia had long ago decided to allow her daughter to choose her own partner just as she had been allowed before, she therefore always politely refused any marriage proposals. 

However, males of any species were always hungry for beautiful women and with Alea being an elf she was recognized as one of the most beautiful women in the whole of Atlantia and males from every race sought her affection. 

Because of this the fact that she was willingly holding a male's arm was no small matter, the only form of physical contact she normally permitted from males was if they wished to hold her hand when greeting a princess. 

Even then she pulled her hand away after a second or two. 

Alea was well aware that by the end of the day every elf in Asyath Serin and by the end of the week every elf in the central continent would be talking about how she held a human male's arm of her own accord. 

She even half expected it to make the Genesis News considering she was just as popular and sought after in Genesis as in Atlantia. 

"Not at all, I am just not used to this since I have never had a beautiful woman hold me by the arm before." John replied honestly."

Alea smiled at John's compliment before replying. 

"Well, that makes two of us since I have never held a handsome male by the arm before." 

John just smiled back before turning his head away to look around since he was not sure how to reply. 

Alea giggled at John's lack of response. 

"You do realize you're gathering even more attention now, right?" John asked as he saw the look of surprise on the elves' faces. 

"I am perfectly aware and knew this would happen even before I took your arm." 

"Then may I ask why? I am sure many men will be jealous after this, and I don't want people to get the wrong idea." 

"Oh, and what idea would that be?" Alea asked with a sparkle in her eyes. 

"I'm afraid I am not willing to play this game with you." John said before slowly and gently removing her arm. 

"Game?" Alea asked, confused. 

"Alea, I treat you as a friend and if you wish to use me as a shield against your suitors, I am fine with that." John explained, causing Alea's eyes to widen. 

 "Yes, I knew what you were planning, I may never have been in a relationship, but I am not so foolish as to not realize your plan." 

"As I said I am more than happy to pretend to be your shield, so you don't need to play your game of getting me to believe I have a shot with you when in fact all you want is a shield." 

As John finished speaking, he turned away from Alea and walked off towards a store that caught his attention.