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RUN!!!
This single word blared continuously through my head, and my body responded in kind. This was not a new or unfamiliar circumstance for me. I had been in this exact situation more times than I cared to remember. It was synonymous with a life spent on the streets, which is where I had spent many months. I am a thief, and I'm not too ashamed to admit it. I have no home, no money, and almost no possessions of my own to speak of. I eke out an existence by snatching food or money from unsuspecting people in the markets and then escaping either before they realize what has happened, or before they can catch me. Sure, I'll admit that it isn't a noble profession, but what other option do I have?
I spawned onto this server with nothing but hopes and dreams. The land of Robojama was hailed as one of the greatest servers in the Roblox universe. Situated in the far eastern part of the Roblox universe, the server is steeped in Oriental culture and beauty. There are stunning views to behold, hundreds of villages, towns, and cities to visit, and, of course, the legendary ninja clans to see. Like many other adventurers, it had been the tales of the Ninja that had brought me here in the first place. Very few facts about them are known, and they are rarely if ever, seen, but their legends are as great as the mountains that tower over the capital city of Robojama.
My dream had been to become a ninja, but things had not gone as I had hoped. Only days after arriving in the capital city, Ju-fi, I had been robbed. Without any money, and no friends on the server, I survived in the only way I knew how by stealing. Thankfully, I was gifted at it. My hands were nimble and quick and were both agile and extremely fleet of foot. On the rare occasion that I was spotted stealing, I was able to quickly outrun my pursuers. Today seemed to be no different. With a pocket full of golden Robux, I sprinted to safety, weaving through backstreets and cutting across crowded marketplaces.
Although I was taking a serpentine route, I knew exactly where I was going. I was only a few twists and turns from my destination: an abandoned back room in a run-down part of town where I slept at night. In other words, I was almost home. The feeling of escaping a pursuer made me feel very good about myself, despite the guilt that stemmed from stealing, and I let a smug smile creep across my face.
WHAM!!!!
From a darkened alley a long wooden katana suddenly flashed outward and struck me square in the face. The force of the blow knocked me off my feet and I was hurtled backward and onto the cobblestone street.
“Whuu-aaa?” I muttered. My eyes fluttered, and a swarm of tiny birds danced around my head.
From out of the darkness a figure stepped. He was clothed head to toe in clean white linens. A plain white scarf was also wrapped around his face, concealing all but his eyes. The only thing that wasn't white was his belt, which was a dark black color. Hanging from his belt was the wooden katana that he had struck me with, as well as another. This one was not wood, but steel and its blade glistened in the rays of sunlight. He stood over me and looked down, in a stance that indicated he was prepared to strike again.
This is payback, I thought, for all the things I stole. Goodbye cruel world!
But instead of killing me on the spot, the man spoke to me!
“You have strong legs, and run very fast. You also have keen fingers. These are valuable skills. If you wish to waste them stealing food and money from strangers, so be it. But if you aspire to a higher cause, then come with me. There is much I can teach you.”