Chapter 6: A New Companion

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It should be an amazing coincidence to be walking down the road and spotting people fighting to the death resulting in someone killed then suddenly finding yourself fighting against killers. It sure doesn’t happen often in the real world......

But there I was just walking back to the city when a fight broke out near the city walls. Of course I’m not some hero that goes around saving people who I don’t know why they’re even fighting, but I guess it’s too late for that.......

What really pissed me off was how after their friend was killed, some of them ran away leaving a friend behind!  They just left and treated their own comrade as bait!

What’s even worse is the fact that the one left behind was a woman and 3 men ganging up on her wanting to take her life.

No matter how unrelated I am I couldn’t just leave her alone.

And that’s why I’m currently facing 3 warriors who by the looks of it were pretty strong while pointing my sword at them.

“Oii! Say something bastard!!” one them roared at me

The three of them were now standing a about 15 meters ahead. I was just about to charge in when suddenly the guy in the middle stopped the other two.

“No! This ones mine!”

Ah, it’s the one that got hit by my lightning bolt. I guess he’s looking for some revenge. No matter, if I take out his guy first it should be easier later.  I gripped my sword tight I prepared to dash forward leaping striking him first.

At least that’s what I intended

The guy with the huge axe was already in the air and was about to swing his axe on my head forcing to roll to the right. I can’t believe it! He’s wearing red full body armor swinging that huge axe but he could still move really fast! If it weren’t for my increased reaction time I would’ve been squashed like a bug...

Because the attack missed his axe crashed into the ground. Looks like it was stuck there. Using the chance I poured mana into my blade and dashed at him while swinging my sword.

CLANG!!

He blocked my attack with his left arm making my sword strike the metal armor. The damage it dealt was far less than what I expected. With his right hand he pulled out his axe and readied a stance again as I leapt a few feet back.

“ The hell? Turns out you’re really weak!” my opponent taunted me

Damn it! This guys really strong! His level must be way higher than mine.  This situation was getting worse by the second...

Looks like I have to go all out or I’ll get wiped out here. I took my left hand of the grip of my sword and readied a one handed sword stance. From my now free left hand I used discharge and formed my lightning claws. Launching myself with lightning movement. I slashed at him which he blocked with his axe. Using my claws I thrust into his shoulder shocking him while pushing him back.

“Why You!”

Again he charged at me, this time he was going to swing horizontally aiming at my torso. I jumped high evading the attack and finished with a flying kick forcing one of his legs on its knee.  

Swiftly standing back up he tried punching while I was still in the air! Blocking with my sword I was sent flying back before landing and sprinting up to him again.

This time as I got close ducked under his attack and slash my claws at his left knee. Even though I hit him, he kicked my right on my chest  causing me tumble on the ground before picking myself up. Looking furious he charged at me like a mad bull swing his weapon left and right.

No longer keeping a cool head his attacks were much easier to read as I dodged the effortlessly. The problem was I still couldn’t penetrate his thick armor! Trading blows while parrying each others attacks the fight dragged on for nearly 5 minutes.

Behind me the girl was still standing there watching the fight. Looks like she couldn’t run with the other too still here. Those two didn’t interfere in the fight but I think it’s only a matter of time before the get impatient.

I guess I’ll just do something to distract these 3 and quickly escape with the girl.

As my opponent swung his weapon I dodged to the side and quickly kicked him as hard as I could pushing him back. After this I immediately retreated a few steps and opened my inventory window. Taking out the highest quality mana potion I had I gulped it down fast replenishing my mana pool fully.

Now I have to strike with the strongest blow I could muster.

I poured a huge amount of mana into my sword and went back to a two handed grip. With lightning blade activated I also formed another layer of lightning with my discharge skill. It resulted in me holding a sword that looked like a raging thunderstorm.

Looks like my foe noticed this change and hesitated to come after. Using the largest amount of mana I’ve ever tried I focused on my legs and flew at him

Now I was instantly at his left side as if I had teleported.

Before he reacted I slashed his left wrist that was slightly chipped from where he blocked with at the start of the fight. Feeling my blade penetrate the armor it sliced his muscle and bone severing his left hand. As he was on his knees clutching his left arm I executed a perfect spin kick to the side of his head throwing him down on the ground.

Quickly sheathing my sword back. I raised both hands and aimed at the the two men that were surprised at their friends loss. With mana pulsing to both hands I unleashed a barrage of lightning.

*ZAP*ZAP*ZAP*ZAP*ZAP*ZAP*

With 3 lightning bolts hitting the square in the chest they were knocked back quite far and falling on their backs.

Running towards the girl behind me I picked her up behind me and used my remaining mana on lightning movement and sprinted in the city’s direction.

If it weren’t for the death match I just had I would’ve found this a pretty funny situation with carrying a girl like a sack of potatoes while running as fast as I could....

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Reaching the city gates I relaxed and stopped running and entered the city.  Having sprinted a mile using my skill I was exhausted....

“Excuse me, could you let me down?”

......Forgot I was carrying her

“Ah, sorry” I apologized and let her down

As I was relieved of her weight I laid down on the ground, ignoring the cold hard stone, gasping for air. After a of minute catching my breath I stood back up and faced the girl that was still there.

“So, are you alright?” I asked her

“Yes, thank you for the help.” She said slightly bowing

“Don’t mention it, I was just kinda pissed off”

“Why is that?”

“Huh? Why? Well, you know...those guys just killing other people like that.” Suddenly I realized something

“Are you really alright?” I asked her again

“..... Yes, no injuries.”

“Not that! I mean.... That is.... your friend dying and you being left alone by your other comrades” as I said that I cursed my stupid insensitivity in my mind

But the girl just shook her head.

“No, they weren’t my friends. Only strangers that I happened to be with”

“I don’t particularly feel anything about them.” She said

“Wha- Is, is that so? I see....”

Thats pretty cold of her.... considering somebody just died. As we both stayed silent the mood was getting awkward. Unable to handle the atmosphere I just said something to break the silence.

“Well, anyway I’m about to go to an inn and grab some food. You coming?”

I expected her to decline, but surprisingly she nodded and followed me. After I arrived at  the inn I went over to the counter. Telling the innkeeper my order I ended up ordering the girl the same thing as me cause she just stood by the door silently. Moving to a table furthest from the door she also followed me and sat down.

I noticed her taking off her hood after sitting down. The girl had a pale white skin tone and looked delicate as if it were snow. Her face was definitely beautiful but what was most eye catching were her light gray eyes and long straight silver hair which reached just below her shoulders. By her looks I'd guess she was 2 or 3 years older than me. Following her I also let my hood down as it would be rude if I just kept mine on.

“Ah, yeah! My name’s Haruki” I introduced myself

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“I’m Sylva”  

Sylva is it. It certainly matches her appearance....

“Right. So why were those PKs after you?”

She hesitated a bit before answering my question

“I was returning to Rygar after a quest. It was at a hidden dungeon north of here. They probably found out and tried to take the items I got there”

Was that the reason? I just couldn’t wrap my mind around what she just said. If that’s true than they did for some game items. I mean, was some item really worth somebody else’s life? Feeling disgust I clenched my fists hard at thinking about those scum.

“I see. Well I’m glad you’re alright.”

“How should I return the favor?” she asks me

“No, really it’s fine”

“No, I do not want to be ungrateful to someone that I owe my life to” She than opened her inventory and took something out. “At least accept this, I noticed that your weapon was unable to do much damage....”

That’s true. I was still using the basic katana I bought my starting point. It really was really unsuitable to use at my current level. Sure, I could’ve bought a better sword here in Rygar but every where I looked here they didn’t have any Japanese swords, only western long swords which I wasn’t used to

Taking the item from Sylva’s hands I examined the sword.

Sword of ??? (Unique)

A katana found in an ancient mountain temple in the east part of the continent. It’s full potential is still unknown.

Attack: 70-100

+2% attack speed

It was shaped as a katana so it should be easy for me to use. It’s attack was also more than two times my basic katana, and it seems it could be even more powerful in the future. Unlike my katana it had a pure white sheath and grip that contrasted my black outfit.

“Are you sure? This is unique item you know?”

“Yes, I can’t use it myself and it would be waste to just sell it for gold”

“Okay, I will accept your token of gratitude then.”  I lowered my head

“I guess from your name and formal tone of speech you’re Japanese, right?”

Questions about RL huh? I guess there’s no harm telling her

“Yes I am. Though not all Japanese use formal speech... This is just how I was raised.” I smile as I think about my traditional step parents.

“What about you Sylva?”

“I’m from Finland.”

I’ve always thought about it but the technology behind this game is amazing. To me Sylva and I are speaking in perfect Japanese and to her we must be talking Finnish.

“Haruki, do you plan on going to Roden?”

“Um, maybe.... I’m going to Tyrne first though. I might continue on to Roden.”

“Would you mind if I come with you then? I think it would be safer if I travelled with someone else.”

“I don’t really mind. But I’m travelling with 2 others so I’ll tell them later.”

“I won’t get in your way. I can support you with long range magic in fights. I’m sure I could be useful.”

“No, I don’t doubt that” I say

“So you’re a mage right? Can I ask you to show me your fighting abilities? It would be better if I knew about them if we’re going to travel together.

“I suppose that’s true. Then we’ll go to a training field after finishing our meals.

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Done eating our food we headed back outside. As it was already late at night there wasn’t anyone else using the training field so we should be able to use it freely.

“Then, I will cast my spells here. My main elements are fire and ice so I can use various spells according to the situation.”

After a bit of explaining Sylva started to demonstrate her skills.

She showed basic fireballs and ice spikes. It seems she can control it’s size and numbers too. Next she cast a fire spell which sprayed fire similar to a flamethrower that formed a firewall if it hit the ground. The wall of fire reached nearly 3 meters as Sylva could adjust the intensity of the fire. It seem s her fire spells include something similar to explosives as something thought was a normal fireball exploded on impact.

Showing more of her magic she chanted and waved her staff and a small blizzard appeared all around her. With her staff she could even control the area it effected and wind speeds. Watching her cast her spells while waving her staff as her hair followed her movement it looked as if she were dancing  while controlling the flames and ice.

Finished with her demonstration she walked up to me.

“Those are the spells I currently know, if you could why don’t you show me your magic too Haruki?”

“Sure, but it can’t really be compared to spells from a player that plays as a real mage”

“Real mage? Are you not a mage yourself Haruki? And an expert one at that.”

“What? Why do you say that” I’ve never consider myself a mage while playing

“Well you seem to control lightning, what’s more you channel it directly from your body.”

“Can’t everyone do that?” I ask

“No if you don’t use a staff the magic and use it directly from your body it will also affect the caster as well. It’s said only experts can control magic using their own body”

That’s right. At the beginning the lightning did shock and damage me as well. Even now with 70% resistance I don’t think I can pull of a large thunderbolt or summon a storm around me.

“But why do you need staffs to use magic?”

“well, according to the games lore the staff have special crystals imbedded which acts as a catalyst. See like the one mine has.” She pointed at the tip of her staff. It’s true, there seems to be a somewhat transparent crystal there.

“That’s why I say you’re an expert mage. From the info I have so far only those that mastered their focus can control magic without a catalyst, At the games launch they predicted that it would take at least a year in game time for a player to acquire that expertise.”

That’s actually really surprising as even the developers  said that. Doesn’t that make my Lightning affinity skill somewhat cheating?

“Actually it’s not that I have complete focus on it.” I corrected Sylva

As I said that I poured lightning into my left arm making sparks appear around them.

“It’s just with a skill of mine my resistance is really high so it barely does damage to myself.”

I continue to demonstrate and shoot out a lightning bolt from my hand.

“See? Compared to your spells mine lack in scale and strength as doing more than this also hurts me. In battles I mainly fight with a sword in close quarters.”

“I see, so that’s why you only use lightning.....”

I continue to show Sylva my other skills. With discharge I show her the shapes I can form such as my claws and daggers. I also used lightning blade and lightning movement so she could understand my melee skills.

“I guess that’s enough for today.” I say while yawning

“Alright then let’s return to the inn”

“Haruki when do we depart for Tyrne?”

“In two days. We’ll be meeting up with the other two at the east gate in the morning.”

“Then I suggest for the last two days we hunt together to practice our cooperation.

“Sounds good to me.”

Walking back in silence to the inn, I think about Sylva. it seems she doesn’t show her emotions. Even when a companion died she said she didn’t really feel anything. Worrying about the new addition to the traveling group I found myself already in bed and drifting to sleep.

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