//** Continuation of chapter 15. (From 15.2) **//

He appeared in a dark area where only few torches that were stock to the ground gave some really weak light, everything around was pitch black darkness so Arata could not see if he was inside a building or on the outside. Still give that there was a earth ground under his feet’s Arata bet on the other one. On the other hand if he really was outside there should be some light coming from the sky and in this case there was not.

As he moved closer, the weak light from torches allowed Arata to spot some dark figure in a distance.

-whose there?

Arata asked and readied his swords.

When the ‘dark figure’ heard that, it started to run in Arata direction, Arata was ready to defend any moment but then he heard.

-waaaaa, Arata.

Anari came crying and started to hug Arata all of sudden.

-hey Anari stop, you will kill me.

Arata wasn’t in the best shape at the moment, and getting crush in the hug wasn’t recommended.

-Arata its dark, I scared.

-stop! Also in the first place, why are you scared of dark in a game?

-but, but, when I get there, no one was here and I am alone in this darkness for 20 minutes already, there were some strange sounds coming from… waaa I don’t even know from where.

-20 minutes?

-something around that but to me it feels like hour already.

“Wait, does that mean that Anari was the fastest? No it can’t be possible.”

-is someone else here already?

-I didn’t see anyone, only heard scary sounds, Arataaaaa!

-aaaaaa!

Arata screamed as he was once again hugged with intention to kill. The blood started to flow out once again.

-why are you screaming?

-Anari stop doing it please, can’t you see I bleeding.

-I can’t see much here, and if I let you go you will just go somewhere and leave me all alone.

-I am not in condition to do much moving right now, and where would I go? And why?

-how should I know. You are the one who just disappears somewhere every time.

-what time?

-you don’t even know. After the test you went somewhere on a quest and left me all alone.

-you weren’t all alone, and I asked you to come with me.

-you should have wait for me, but instead you took Kotori with you and even ended up falling for her.

-yes but it doesn’t have anything to do with you.

-it does.

“Why it does? Don’t tell me she really took seriously those Gerald jokes.”

-well, I didn’t know you cared.

-no! I don’t care about you, I don’t care about him! You can all go and find happiness when I cry left alone!

-where did that come from? And who is him?

-it’s the truth and he is, waaaaaaaaa!

Anari started crying or at least it sounded like this. Arata didn’t really know what it was about but nevertheless.

-I am sorry, okay. Don’t cry.

-I am not crying. Anyway your sorry won’t help because you are not honest.

-I am honest.

-no you are not. To honestly apologize, you must think that you would do differently should you know what would happen. But you don’t think like that, do you?

“I ended up going out with Kotori so she is right about it. “

Arata spoke honestly from heart.

-well, that’s true. No matter how many times I would have to repeat it, I would have done the same. You know, I am happy right now and those days with her are the best days of my life.

-I know…

Anari lightened a little and continued.

-I talked with Kotori about it. Or rather she told me about everything in details. She was worried about me as I wasn’t in a best shape. She thought that it’s her fault because you two started dating. She even ended up telling me about her past, even though she was depressed when she was telling me about it. She even cried at the end.

-I see. But Anari, if she decided to tell you that… does it mean that you like me?

Arata decided that there was no round around method around it and just asked straight. Seeing some of Anari’s behavior and especially her change of mood after he came back from his quest, Arata expected an answer that he didn’t wanted to hear but then to his surprise.

-no I don’t . Remember, I told you this many times. I like you only as a friend, I already have or rather had a person I like. You are similar to him in many ways so I just fell a little strange that all. But even though I didn’t want to admit it, for a long time I liked that person.

“Emmm… why I am the one getting yelled at when I didn’t do anything? Also why is this girl always saying everything in such misleading way? Still, looks like I will have to leave my complains for some other time.”

-so, who is that person?

Arata decided to ask.

-remember I already told you about him once. The friend that taught me a little about how to play. Joining the guild was also his idea.

-yes I remember. So what happened, that you are in such bad mood, you don’t like that person anymore and you are feeling lonely?

-no, the problem is that I still like him, every time I think about it, my chest hurts.

-then where is the problem, continue liking him like you did before?

-but he found someone that he really like, and started to go out with that person, I don’t even know since when. It even may be a relationship that goes for year. Even if it’s not I won’t do anything to interrupt him.

-well you probably shouldn’t try to destroy someone’s relationship but if you wait long enough they may always break out at some point. Relationship those days are not solid. I would say that I am the last person that you should ask for an advice in this manner but you should still have a chance.

-no I don’t.

Arata tried to cheer her up a little but that didn’t work.

-why are you so dishearten?

-remember what I told you, he is similar to you. So Arata, could you tell me what are the chances of you and Kotori braking out? Answer honestly.

-if it’s honestly, well it’s simply not happening. The chances are solid zero if you want a number.

Arata didn’t think much about this one.

-see, he is the same. No matter what, he won’t give up just like that and fight to the bitter end against all odds. And I know the best that he wouldn’t go out with someone if he didn’t love that person deeply. I know him too well.

“Then its patted situation I guess. Not that I have much experience in this field.”

After second of thought Arata answered.

-I see… well the only thing that you can do now is just to tell him your true feelings and it will be up to him to do anything after that.

Anari shook her head to that and said.

-no, I don’t have the rights to do it. After everything he went through I can’t do it to him. Also, I already know that he doesn’t have any feelings for me or rather I always knew.

-then, you are going to just endure that?

-yes.

-how can you say it with that face?

Endless tears were pouring from Anari’s eyes right now.

-I will, even if I have to cry alone one the bench watching him go, I will endure, so Arata please, let me stay like this for some a minute.

She hid her face in Arata’s chest and quietly continued to cry.

They stay like that for some time.

After about 10 minutes a new visitor arrived.

He was holding a stick and was walking slowly and after he made two steps he fell to the ground next to the torch.

-hey Zen, are you okay?

Arata asked.

-do I look like I am okay to you? Anyway, Arata the race doesn’t count.

-is it because you lose?

-listen, my lose is only because I got a guy at the end that could drain mana. Fight was terrible and I nearly died five times. But anyway can you get Kotori to heal me up?

-she is not here yet.

-then who is over there. Wait Anari!?

-hi Zen.

-emm, why are you two siting like that?

-stuff happened, Anari you okay now?

-yes, thanks.

It looked like Anari was now back to her usual self. She also finally moved away.

-well Arata, don’t worry I won’t sell you. Also good job.

-hey, don’t misunderstand anything.

-yes, yes, anyway where is our healer?

-she is not here yet.

-haha, so at least I am not the last? Even if I had to fight in melee I still pro. Anyway if she is not here. Anari, can you use that skill, you know that AOE heal.

-heal is just side effect and I don’t have mana for it.

Anari answered.

-Zen, did you perhaps got owned so bad that you can’t move without help of a healer?

Arata was said to him.

-hey, I told you I got anti mage who drained my mana.

-ah so you just let him drain you, so you can have fair fight, right?

-well after a long way through army of monsters I got careless as everything was dying so fast. Anyway Arata, you are not the one to say anything I see that you are not in better condition either.

-at least I don’t need a stick to walk.

-whatever the race doesn’t count.

-say what you want I still won against you.

Sometimes Arata also didn’t let it up. Zen tried his best to ignore it and change the subject. But Zen was annoyed by the fact. Although Arata would also probably not bring up the subject of race ever again given who actually was the fastest.

-anyway if Kotori is not here then that means that there is still one person left right?

Zen asked.

-that’s only explanation,

-so will she be alright?

This time he asked with worry..

-she should be.

Arata answered. Although, he himself was not sure of those words. Anari followed it up little more positive thinking.

-Arata is right. Also if Leader chose her to do it, she should be able to do it. Even I managed to finish everything on my own.

Anari said that but Zen was not convinced.

-remember that she got the hardest part. I said that I got careless and enemy drained my mana but that was my second enemy. The first one wasn’t easy, even with my mana full. He could counter most of my skills and his attacks were deadly.

-and here you wanted the hardest route.

-says the guy who got pierced through belly.

-Arata, it is true. Look how horrible it looks. Why didn’t you say anything?

Only now did Anari realize that Arata was one foot in the grave.

-don’t worry the bleeding effect stopped so I don’t have to worry about hp. Well it still hurts.

-Arata sorry that I got on you when you had your own problems.

-don’t say it in such confusing way.

-confusing?

-hah… aaaaaaaa…

Zen started laughing or rather he was going to do it.

-hey don’t make me laugh, it hurts so bad.

-Zen shut up.

Arata had enough.

-as I have already said. Arata your secret is safe with me.

-there is no secret.

-don’t take it too serious. Haha… aua. Anyway, I just try to ease atmosphere that all. So, what will happen if one route isn’t done?

-… .

-it is fairly possible that she already died somewhere and we failed a challenge.

Zen added. He was already foreseeing the worst scenario.

-could you stop saying that.

-I just trying to be realistic. Yuki has only 37 level and went on the hardest challenge. If that wasn’t enough, don’t forget that she is 12 years old kid and a small fragile girl at that.

-I know and I am little worried as well.

-easy to figure out. From where I saw it, you started a family with her as daughter and Kotori as mother.

-… .

When Arata tried to ignore that comment Anari followed it up.

-didn’t you guys start to play house together? That is what Kotori told me.

-she never informed me of it.

-so you went along just like that. Well Kotori also mentioned that she wouldn’t mind that development or rather she is looking forward to it in the future…

“She and her ideas.”

Sometimes even in his thoughts Arata weren’t honest with himself as his real thoughts that he hid were ‘me too!’.

-anyway you two don’t have to worry, Yuki didn’t fail at least not yet, look.

Anari said that pointed at the small message next to the torch.

[Challenge one in progress.]

-hey, you should have mentioned it earlier.

Arata commented.

-I forgot about it but that means that Yuki should be ok…

When Anari was trying to end a sentence a small dark figure come to the torch and fell next to it with a metallic sound.

-hey!…

Arata rushed to the person who was lying on the ground.

-hey Yuki, you… .

-Arata is it Yuk…?…

Anari came as well but both of them were stunned at the sight of her. She had few bruises here and there but that wasn’t a problem. A long spear pierced through her belly and was coming out from both sides.

-Arata she is dying!

Anari screamed at Arata who saw the same thing.

“She is dying? No, rather she should be already dead.”

-Anari, check her wounds!

-but what if.

-hey if she were dead she wouldn’t be here anymore, remember when you die, you just log out.

-but body stays for some time even if they die.

-doesn’t matter, she somehow get here so check if she is alive.

Anari went around the wound with her hands and said.

-Arata it’s no use! She is cold all around here.

“Cold like a dead body.”

-it can’t be helped then, give it up…

Arata said that as he couldn’t look anymore. But Anari was still checking the other places.

-Anari just don’t.

-hey Arata, she is breathing.

Then Anari said the words like that.

-but didn’t you say that she is cold.

-somehow the cold is only around the wound but does not spread, check it yourself.

Arata come closer and checked Yuki condition. She was indeed breathing. He then checked the wound.

“It’s not just cold it’s actually frozen. It’s colder than an ice storm in the mountains. What did she fight to be in condition like that? Well it doesn’t matter for now. Anyway we need to do something about it but only she can do something about it.”

-Kotori!

Arata screamed out as he himself could do nothing to help. Surprisingly the answer came right from behind his backs.

-ah, even though it’s only been three hours you already screaming my name, ah you are so hopeless.

Arata looked behind him and saw her. Kotori’s cloak was dirty here and there but no wounds were shown. It didn’t seem like she had any problems in her fight.

-no time for that, Kotori hurry!

Arata said that and Kotori immediately rushed the moment she saw her ‘little sister’.

-how did that happen!?

-we don’t know but you have to do something or she will die.

-… .

Somehow the moment Arata said that the look at Kotori’s face dramatically changed.

-quickly Yuki is… .

Arata was panicking but Kotori’s voice was perfectly calm.

-alive! And that is all I needed to hear. As long as she is alive I can help her up, so don’t panic. You yourself just said that there is no time for that.

Hearing her dearly and ever so dependable voice, Arata also calmed down.

-so how is she?

-hmm, to be frank she should be dead. Look at this. Spear is still inside her. The moment I first saw her I wanted to kill you all sadists for sending her somewhere so dangerous.

-it wasn’t us.

-but you didn’t stop Gerald when he decided that. You should have said that no matter what you will take that job. He would probably give it to you if you asked.

-sorry.

-just remember to not do something like that again, anyway right now I have no idea why is she alive so let me check it…

Kotori just looked around Yuki’ body, then she touched the wound. She did much less checking than Anari, in few seconds she asked.

-did any of you already tried to help her?

-we just checked but we didn’t know what to do.

-I see, so it is her doing. Of course it was, otherwise she would be dead and you wouldn’t have come up with that. Anyway Arata, I will need some help with this.

-can’t you just heal her?

-have you forgotten that she has a spear within her. It needs to be removed first.

-won’t she die if we start moving it?

-I see that you know at least that.

-I watch it in the movie. The moment they take out the weapon protagonist died.

-it’s common motive, but if weapon stayed he would die regardless. We don’t want to have that do we? So here is the situation. The only reason why Yuki didn’t bleed out is because she frozen her wound.

-how would she do that?

-must be her skill or spell, something like that. Or maybe it was an enemy skill like some ice spear attack, but nevertheless it keeps her alive. The problem is if I start healing her normally, this ice will lose its effect and she will bleed out, this time for sure.

-so what are you going to do?

-well, there is probably only one way to do it. Remember the spell that I used when we were fighting against wolves?

-that pillar of light?

-yes that. ‘Song of starts’ instantly restore health to full and it keeps effect for 5 seconds so even if she starts bleeding out she will get heal up right away. So here is the plan, when it will be in effect, you quickly take out the weapon. I don’t know how you will do it, as it is long spear but you need to take that out with one quick movement.

-okay I should manage.

“Probably.”

-you have to. After I use that spell I won’t have much mana left so we won’t be able to repeat that process.

-then I will definitely manage.

-of course you will, you are Arata after all.

-oh you finally cut the ‘legendary’ part?

-that was the nickname that I once give you, when I didn’t know you at all. It’s not right to call you that anymore. The true Arata turned out to be much better than any image that I could thought of. I did tell you about it already, didn’t I?

-well you did.

-so let’s not wait any longer. Remember, right after the light starts and she will be back to full health, you start at that moment.

Arata get start holding the weapon at one end. It was a long spear.

-hey Kotori, can I cut it down? It will go out faster then.

-but it’s a metal rood. Arata can you cut through metal?

-oh, don’t you believe in me?

-… .

Kotori just smiled to that.

-anyway I ask if a small shake won’t do anything bad.

-it shouldn’t, at the current moment spear won’t move an inch, she really have it frozen completely inside her body and it’s not melting away.

Hearing that, Arata took out his black sword and cut the spear at one end with a single slash. After he was done, Kotori took out orb and started holding it to the sky, it started to shine. A pillar of moonlight surrounded Yuki and Arata. Bruises disappeared from Yuki’s body. Clothes that were torn off also repaired itself. Arata also got healed as he was in the range of that spell.

The moment Arata took out the spear, Yuki was perfectly back to her previous look, although her shirt was stretched leaving her white chest out in the open. Kotori hided her orb and came to Yuki and started to fasten the buttons. Arata asked.

-did everything worked? She is still not waking up?

-of course she doesn’t and she shouldn’t for some time. In those five seconds, she took a damage that would kill her two or three times, it’s good that she didn’t have to feel the pain. I would not suggest that method if she were conscious.

-still she is all good right now. Anyway you were great as always Kotori. But I have to ask, how can you be so calm in this situation?

Even if it were just a game, it was hard to get used to seeing people dying around you. Especially someone you knew. Even if deep down you remembered that they don’t die in real, it does not help. Arata for example went into panicking mode right away.

-it would be good if I were calm.

Kotori’s answer surprised Arata a little.

-what are you saying? You looked calm to me.

-being calm and acting calm are two different things. It’s given that I wasn’t calm. Arata! Our little Yuki had a spear pierced through her!

-still you were calm as always, your words, clean logical thinking in them. It was calming me as well.

-it’s a healer job to act calm when people are in panic, after all the healer need to keep that panicked person alive. At the same time, healer should not panic no matter the situation, because there is no one that will keep them alive.

-I for one, never doubted your abilities.

-we are the strongest guild after all, and remember I told you once. I will be the best healer in this game.

The disaster has ended but then ‘something’ crawled on the ground and said out loudly.

-hey! Great healer, heal me as well.

It was Zen who couldn’t get up on his legs.

-sorry your great healer has no mana anymore. Because you guys slacked off and it took you three hours to finish. Also I don’t remember removing you from my black list.

-you just wasted your mana didn’t you!

Even though he couldn’t stand Zen would still shout. Odin who also appeared tried calm him down.

-Zen we had a hard time out there. We were fighting in something that looked like an arena. Enemies kept coming at us from each side. As the time went on there were more and more of them, they were also becoming stronger.

-so you just took too much damage Odin.

-maybe but anyway Kotori always kept her mana over 30% right to the bitter end but when we get here, she had to use it on Yuki so it’s understandable that there is no leftovers for you. Anyway we should have some time before we start the second challenge so she will heal you up as well in no time…

[You have leveled up by 500%]

[You have gained a level, Current level 67]

-hey, I just got a message about leveling up.

-wow five levels in one go.

Zen’s and Odin’s conversation was interrupted.

-over here!

-what is it Anari?

Anari was near the torch again and was pointing at the ground then she said.

-the sign changed. Now it says. Challenge one completed you are rewarded with 5 levels…

“That would explain the change.”

-then it says. Challenge two. ‘Five lights in the darkness’. You are now standing next to one of five torches. You must find other four torches and bring their light here and combine them into one strong light. Be careful as they are around are swamp that are resided by monsters. You can’t be too careful though as there is also a time limit of two hours to complete this challenge. Challenge two begins in two minutes.

Anari stopped reading.

-so that means we have no rest?

Arata stayed the fact.

-rest is one thing but how I am supposed to do anything when I am like this?

Zen was still lying on the ground unable to stand up. Kotori answered.

-you will definitely think of something, aren’t you great magician?

-I don’t think that helps me much. If I go there I will die in seconds.

-oh, that’s a great idea. You can go do just that. I don’t see any problems with it and at the same time there are so many advantages.

-… .

Kotori and Zen didn’t have best relationship. Arata had enough of nonsense and stopped them.

-right now, our situation isn’t good and we have time limited quest. So stop idle talk and let’s come up plan.

-okay, so I would start with sending him first as a decoy.

Kotori pointed at Zen.

-Kotori.

Arata said her name little annoyed.

-I am sorry.

-get serious a little.

-but what can we do. Right now we have two people who are unable to move. The rest could probably go in and it would be one torch per person but leaving ‘this idiot’ aside, we can’t just leave Yuki alone.

-I never meant to do that. I think that for now me, Odin and Anari should go look for the torches. The rest will stay here. Kotori you heal up Zen the moment you have mana for it. After that, Zen you wait until Kotori gets some mana again so she can defend herself.

-I can deal without mana if anything comes, and I definitely wouldn’t want his help.

Kotori protested.

-don’t forget that you have to take care of Yuki. She won’t wake up anytime soon, it was your words.

-fine, fine, even though I still don’t like it. You will have to defend me you useless mage.

-haha, you finally see my greatn… .

Zen got a kick in the face and didn’t manage to finish. Arata continued.

-Kotori when you get enough mana, send Zen for the search as well. As for search, the only thing we can do is scatter around and look for the torches.

-Arata, did I mention to you that I am afraid of dark.

-about five times and I am counting only today. Anyway Anari aren’t you great white wizard who should be especially god at fighting against darkness? You even once told me that you have skill that lights the way. Use it now.

-oh I have forgotten about that.

Arata knew Anari’s skills set better than she did.

-see, you have no problem as you will see things around you, even if monsters shows up you can easily defeat them.

-but then Arata. How are you going to search, without seeing anything?

Anari asked him.

-that’s a good question. But don’t worry. I will just come up with something.

“That is a big problem but maybe I have new skill that would help me.”

Arata looked through his skill books.

[Warrior’s eyes

Increases your ability to see attacks

You have become more used to weapon attacks and now you can see them more clearly.

Passive skill.]

“Why does it always end like that? Another useless passive!”

The skill definitely was not useful in the darkness.

-so each of us go different way and we hope for the best?

Odin summed up the tactic.

-well that’s most of it. Or do you have better ideas?

-no but I am not sure about this walking in the dark blindly.

-me neither but there is nothing we can do about it. Anyway if no one has better ideas we go with this, let’s go!

Arata, Anari and Odin started the search and let for the swamps.

Arata was moving through the swamp in completely darkness. Just as message said, there was completely no light. When Arata tried to look upward, he couldn’t see the sky or clouds or anything one would expect to see. It was like he had some kind of roof far away over the head that blocked the sky.

“Focus your senses and even without a light you will be able to see everything that is before you.”

Without better ideas Arata tried to do something that he once saw in the movie. A blind man could use senses of smell and hearing to imagine every object in 400 meter radius. Thanks to that his ability to see was even better than ones who used eyes. Arata didn’t need 400 meters, even one meter would be enough but.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

-aua!

Of course Arata couldn’t do something like that so once again he walked right into the tree.

“That shouldn’t even be considered a bad plan, it was even worse than that. Anyway, I need some source of light here. …Wait. Why did I rush out like that? I should have made a torch. I have materials for it. Even burning branch would help.”

Previously, Arata thought that if he just run in one way or another he will manage to find missing lights. But it was one of his weaknesses. He way too often trusted in his own luck. Now he was regretting his decision.

“Anyway I can’t continue like this, for now I should get back and make that torch after all.”

Arata turned around.

-…

“Which way was it again?”

He was already moving for about 10 minutes and couldn’t see anything from the point where he was right now. He looked back, then to the left and to the right. Still, nothing entered vision. He might as well close his eyes as they weren’t of any use right now.

“Pitch darkness…okay it’s time to use the last tactic.”

Arata started to just run in one direction with hope of finding anything once again trusting his luck.

-aua!

His leg soon hooked on the tree root. Arata tripped and landed on the ground. Only then he remembered that he already used this tactic before.

“Right, it happened once already, that’s why I started to walk in the first place. Still, I shouldn’t give up too easily.”

“Do not give up” was in his mind and Arata simply got up and start running again. But after two more falls, he switched to walking again.

“I am moving forward so it should be some kind of progress.”

He might as well be going round in a loop but he didn’t even want to think about it.

After some time of walking he stomped on something strange. When he did that the ground started to move under him. Arata jumped back.

“What was that?”

-wraahhh.

Arata heard a scary roar of some creature that he just stomped on. Luckily, he already came up with best tactic in case that would happen.

“RUN!”

He quickly moved away from that spot. At first while running and tripping, he heard some noises like something was chasing him, but it soon faded away.

Arata stopped moving when he was sure nothing was going after him anymore but when he did that, he once again felt something strange under his feet. Luckily, it didn’t roar so it wasn’t any beast this time.

“Strange feeling but it feels nice rather than unpleasant.”

He was touching something that wasn’t as hard as ground. It was like he was on some kind of water bed which was soft and nice in touch. Unfortunately that wasn’t water bed.

“Oo…”

Arata realized what it can be and tried to get out from there, second after. But when he made first speed his other leg fell down into the soft ground. Then second later after Arata tried to move some more, both of his legs were underground.

Right now, despite being in standing position Arata was touching the ground with his hands. He tried to get out once more but that only made it worse and his torso started going underground as well.

“So, those really are moving sands.”

It was something like that but not exactly.

“So the moment I try to move, it becomes even worse.”

Arata stopped his tries to get out and started to think up a plan. This time he didn’t intend to rush anymore.

“I can’t get out from here normally as I tried already. Trying again is no, no. So now what? I don’t know any ways to get out from ‘moving sands’. I saw moving sands once in a movie or some kind of program on Discovery. People mostly just drown there and died. If someone got out, it was only thanks to another person who would throw a rope or something and then pull them out. Rope hmm?… I bought a rope as it didn’t cost much. I thought that it would be useful but even trying to get it out from inventory is no, no.”

Normal ideas shouldn’t work in the first place. Arata tried to come up with ideas that wouldn’t be possible in normal world but could be executed here.

“Which skills would be useful? Well, unfortunately I don’t have something like getting out from the swamp skill. Speed won’t help me unless I get out from swamp somehow. Running through the swamp may be possible as long as someone is fast enough, still getting out is the hard part.”

There were no ideas coming to his mind.

“It’s not like I have many skills in the first place. Dash won’t help as it’s a skill with which I can’t jump up. Then leap is the only option left but somehow, I don’t see it working, I will just end up buried even more and die… Ahhh! I give up. For now I will focus on surviving.”

Having no ideas, Arata had to give up.

He stayed in swamp for 30 minutes without doing anything in particular. Then he began to wonder about the challenge.

“I just have to hope that the others will complete this part of dungeon without my help.”

That was quite optimistic but Arata began to analyze situation even more.

“Anari should manage somehow as she has light spells. Zen also should have something like this. So he also shouldn’t have much problems either. Kotori won’t move unless Yuki wake up and because it doesn’t look like it will happen any time soon she is out from the game. The only other person who is also looking for the lights is Odin…”

There should be four torches and three people looking for it at the moment.

“There is also time limit, and I don’t think that Odin has any light source either. Really, he also should have made a torch. Well, it’s my fault for rushing out without thinking so I can’t say anything now. But realistically speaking in the end we have two people looking for the lights.”

Arata realized that at the moment their chances of finding all lights are rather slim. The hour has already passed. He didn’t know how others were doing but he couldn’t just count on them.

“Time to get out. Whatever happens, happens.”

Previous worries left him as failing in the challenge, would probably resulting in death anyway. It’s better to try getting out. Even if he only had bad ideas for getting out. Bad ideas are better than having no ideas.

[Leap]

Arata didn’t jump up three meters up as he wanted to but he moved a little up.

“If for the first time you don’t succeed try, try again.”

Arata used [Leap] as many times as his stamina would allow him. Thanks to that now only his boots were underground. He somehow got back to a moment before he started falling down.

“Okay, I can move my hands now as they don’t connect with ground although if I move my legs I will instantly get down. It works pretty simple. But as far as I can see just running through won’t work. Although I don’t see too far as I can’t see anything right now.”

Arata decided that it’s better to try with rope rather than use some fantasies from ninja movies. He took the rope out from his inventory.

“The moment I saw it in the shop I knew that it will be useful at some point.”

Arata bought that item even before going for guild test. When he first arrived in Loris, he searched for something that seemed useful, he didn’t find much but as far as he knew, having something like rope is a must if you want to travel around and go for adventures. In previous MMO-games, items like ropes didn’t exist or they had a limited usage but in EOA you can use anything in any way you can think of. You just have to be creative. Well using rope to get out from moving sands didn’t require much creativity.

Arata throw rope in random direction but because he couldn’t see anything he missed many times.

“Why it never works?”

Even if it didn’t work right away it was still Arata’s best idea. He kept throwing the rope upward and at the sixth try it somehow got stuck on something.

“Finally.”

Arata started to pull rope until it became stable. He couldn’t just get up as the rope was at some angle from the ground.

“It must have stuck on the tree or something. Anyway the time is short and I still need to find the lights.”

Arata pulled himself up and got out from swamp. Then the rope started to sway with him. Arata quickly got up so he won’t touch the ground again. He was swaying with rope one way, then back again and again and again like on swing.

“Well I have to jump at the right time and hope that there a hard ground there.”

Arata swung rope a little and prepared for the right time to jump. When he reached a height limit on one side he used a ‘shout of courage’.

-aaaaaAAAAAaaaaAAAA!

At the right moment he left his grip then he landed on the ground.

“Success.”

Arata has managed to get out from the sand, still the situation just returned to the way it used to be. He still didn’t have any light and had no idea where to go. He also might just end up in swamp once again and without rope he wouldn’t be able to get out. He couldn’t pick up the rope as he didn’t know where it was. Looking for it would also be hard. Arata focused on what he could do.

“Okay, I need a light even if I have to rub two pieces of wood against each other, although I don’t have time for that. Shouldn’t I have some kind of spell for light or fire? … Of course I don’t. The only thing that I can call a spell in the first time is sword slash where I release elemental power. I could send out fire with it but I don’t have enough mana for it as as my mana regeneration is as bad as always.”

Arata last time used that skill to take down the Paladin. A lot of time has passed but his mana was nowhere where it’s needed to be.

“So there is only one way left.”

Arata took out one sword lifted it up and started.

-we are those who believe in victory…

-we are those who have entered the citadel…

-we are those who found the flame…

-we are those who used it to conquer evil as our swords were shining with it red light!

A spell that worked only two times so far, still Arata believed as in times need it always worked.

“Why does it never work!?”

Well, it sometimes worked in times of need, most of the times it didn’t.

“I will never try that thing again!”

Still Arata needed some light.

“Well I don’t need a shining sword. Any kind of light so I don’t trip myself and end up in swamps again.”

Arata focused once again and this time he thought of a small glowing light in his hand. Somehow after few tried, this time it worked, although its effect wasn’t great. Still, that was all that he needed.

“Finally. With this I won’t run into a tree at least, well I need to hurry before my mana go down to 0.”

Arata focuses again and reduced a light a little so it didn’t drain him up for another hour then once again he started to run. Now he could see branches that would stop him before or roots that he would trip over. At first he was avoiding them but after some time he took out his black sword and cut through them.

“I still have no idea where to go but at least I see something now.”

On the way he found some alligator-like creatures, but they weren’t big challenge to him.

Time has passed and there was only 25 minutes left until time limit, although Arata didn’t know the timer right now.

“It is possible that in a second we will reach time limit, I don’t have a good time feeling in this place. Even if I can find out what time it is in menu, I don’t know when we started. Well, very optimistically there should still be around half an hour left.”

Arata continued to make his way through the swamp.

“This challenge isn’t about fighting monster. There were not many of them in the first place. The problem is finding something when you have no idea where it is. There should be a way to do it correctly. Running blindly is definitely not that right way. How was it again? Four lights, one in each direction. I think that I ran in right direction although I can still be wrong, even if I run in wrong direction I should still get close to one light one way or another. Anyway it should be easy to see a light in pitch black space like this. That is, if you get close and the view isn’t blocked by something.”

Arata looked at his hand, even if it was a weak light it was the only thing that one would see from afar.

“Wait a minute.”

Arata hid this hand in his black coat and looked around. Then in a distance he saw something.

“That way.”

Arata run in that direction, but as he was getting closer it started to look similar to a place from where he started.

“No, did I end up in at the beginning!?”

But he couldn’t see anyone there so he kept running. Still despite the similarity, this place was not the place from where Arata started the challenge.

[You have found the western light. You have to take it back to the center.]

“Oh, I founded but how I am supposed to find a way back now?”

[Remaining time 13 minutes, the number of lights that reached the center is two, two lights remain.]

“Still two. Anyway even if chances are low I still need to get this one back. Maybe someone else is also on the way too.”

Arata tried to pick up the torch the moment he did that, it stopped burning and the light die out. Arata got worried that he did something wrong but from the torch a small light just like the one he had in hand came out second later. The light soon started to fly off somewhere.

-uff.

With a hope in his heart Arata followed the flying light.

One minute. Two minutes. Three minutes. Arata found out that if he ran faster, the light would also speed up, that’s why Arata was now running full speed. The light in the air helped him a lot in this. There were more Alligators on a way but Arata didn’t stop to fight them. He just jumped over them when they got in a way. It didn’t take him as much time as he thought it will and after about 8 minutes of hyper-fast run he reached the starting point. The moment he did that, the flying light flied out and combined with the main torch.

Arata felt on the ground as he was really tired now. Not only in this challenge, he had run a lot but also in challenge one he took part in a race and also ran a lot.

-Arata?

After falling to the ground Arata heard this ever so dear voice. It seemed like Kotori was still sitting in this place and didn’t go anywhere for those two hours. There was also Yuki still sleeping but looking much better now than before. No one else was present.

With heavy breath Arata answered.

-ah Kotori, I think I just defeated a world record of distance from one torch to another.

-and what distance was it?

-no idea, still I moved as fast as it was possible, anyway how is the time?

-well five minutes left but your effort won’t pay off. We are still missing one light.

-I see, well happens.

Arata already considered them losing from the start so he didn’t have any hard felling.

-you all were just slacking off.

Kotori commented.

-what are you saying? I brought one light.

-two hours and one light.

Kotori wasn’t impressed by those results even thought to Arata it was job well done.

-well there were some problems, like not seeing anything.

-couldn’t you make some kind of torch or something before running out. You rushed too much.

“…”

-you don’t even know how many times I told myself this.

-I will not complain as I also didn’t do anything for past two hours. I don’t know how it was out there.

-I should be the one staying here, you would do better than me there.

“At least she wouldn’t have ended up in swamps.”

-what happened, happened. We don’t have to cry over the spoiled milk. Anyway what is that thing in your hand?

Arata’s light spell still gave dim light as he was made it so it last until the end of challenge.

-I came up with it too late, still thanks to this I managed to get one light somehow.

-you have light spells, Arata?

-nah it’s basic magic. I told you about it, remember?

-ah that, well I still didn’t try it as I didn’t have much time. We keep on doing something nonstop, one thing after another, aren’t we?

-yea, I even think that we may have rushed with level a little. That’s how it feels to me. But it looks like this challenge will be a failure.

-it’s not my fault at least, I had to stay here and it’s good that I did as some alligators came by.

-how about the rest?

-I didn’t see Anari or Odin, not since they left.

-then what about two lights that are here?

-thirty minutes after you left I heal up Zen. He rushed off right away. After 45 minutes he returned with first light.

-what about second light?

-After another 30 minutes he came with another light. At that moment there were still two lights left and 15 minutes. Before leaving he said that you all suck and he can’t wait for a moment that it ends so he can laugh at you. He especially mentioned you Arata.

-at least I got one light so that is not a big problem.

-if you didn’t get even one I would also complain. And not just a little like now but a lot. I would remind you about it for a very, very long time…

“Good thing I get out from that swamp when I did”.

-well there is still one minute left so there may be a chance.

Arata still had some hops but Kotori crushed them right away.

-we should be able to see the light in the distance if someone was in one minute range but unfortunately we don’t see anything.

-ah, you destroyed my last hope. Anyway what is this dungeon about? I didn’t get much fighting in this part.

-it’s true, there should be more monsters to kill.

Normally in dungeons your main occupation is killing monsters.

-this is what happens when designers try to be creative.

Arata commented.

-but isn’t it leader fault that we came here. He said that exp here is good.

-so far it’s not that bad after first challenge we got a lot of exp, wonder if we would get the same from this one.

-well at Arena I leveled up quite a lot and with 5 level bonus I already 70.

“I still 67 even though we started with one level difference. Shame on me.”

-that’s probably why he said that experience here is good.

-yes but what will happen if we fail?

-we will probably just die and have to wait for respawn.

-well 10% may be a lot but in the end I still will be on plus…

“Ah yes 10% level lost. I only died once and it was early so I didn’t lost much. If I die now it will be…”

Arata started counting his levels but then he stopped.

-hey Arata, what is it? You will be sad over 7 levels? If you worry about it now, wait until you get 299 level like Gerald. Then it will be a true tragedy.

-hahaha, nah I will never have to worry about that.

-never? I think that losing 30 level is not funny at all.

-skills are important not levels, right?

Arata remembered that he got one additional skill that may be the most useful skill in a whole game. Sacrifice – that skill, prevented your level from dropping down even after dying.

“Muahahahaha.”

-you say that skills are important but your face seems suspicious, like you just had inner evil laugh within you.

Kotori could see through him though.

-what are you saying of course I didn’t.

“It will be better if I don’t tell anyone. It would look like I brag about it.”

-Arata you can’t fool me. Now you are thinking that you don’t want to tell me about it, hey what is it?…

“She has mind reading skill or what.”

-and now you are thinking.

-hey Kotori, we have 30 seconds left till we die so it’s not time for it.

Arata changed the subject. Kotori didn’t say anything regardless the skill after that. Instead she asked.

-Arata do you have anything planed right now?

-now?

-after we die here.

-well nothing unusual.

-then isn’t it a perfect time to meet each other?

-em, aren’t we seeing each other right now?

-I mean in real life, after all, we are going out.

-sure but won’t it will be hard, I mean we don’t even know where we are life.

-you are from America right?

-yes.

-then there is no problem. Anyway we will talk things out on the phone look 7 seconds left, let’s do the counting.

-on the phone then. After we both die we will meet each other.

-yes, it’s a promise.

=3

=2

When two seconds were left, something appeared right next to the torch. It was a small portal. First a light came out from it. The light instantly merged with torch. Then the portal got bigger and following the light a man jumped out from it shouting.

-HAT TRICK!…

He slide slip on the knee.

-who is the master! Zen is the master!…

While Zen started making the shouts of victory, message appeared in front of Arata and all others.

[Five lights has become one the challenge completed]

[You have leveled up by 600%]

[You have gained a level, Current level 73]

[Teleport to third challenge in two minutes]

-ah Arata you are here, good job on finding one light.

-and you did find three. So I rather should be saying good job.

-hahaha, I did, didn’t I? Well it’s a job of main character to do the impossible in time of need.

“What main character?”

-anyway what was this in last second?

Arata asked as he didn’t quite understand what Zen just did.

-I left a portal here so when I find next light I can get back here as sap without running. I came up with this method only after the second light and that’s why I used it only now. Anyway it’s just one spell and I won’t go into details.

-well you truly did good job.

-hahaha, didn’t I? It’s finally shows who is the best, hey Kotori what will you say about me now?

Somehow Kotori wasn’t happy that they managed to complete the challenge. Arata soon asked.

-Kotori?

-well, I guess free 6 levels are not bad and we can simply quickly die in challenge three… Hmm, it’s nice to be healer after all so much depends on me.

She said it to herself.

“I got the bad felling about it.”

-what happened again?

Zen asked as he didn’t quite understand what happened.

-nothing, hey Kotori we don’t have to die, okay?

-I just joking, anyway good job Zen. I may heal you once in a while from this time on. You left my black list.

-haha, great me doesn’t need any healing.

-is that so then I won’t waste any mana on you.

-wait, even the best can sometimes need healing.

“It’s better to not fight with words against her. It always ends up like that. Also, good thing that she forgotten about…”

-hey Arata, what was with skills and not level being important again? You still didn’t tell me in the end.

“Clear mind, clear mind.”

Arata tried his best to avoid mind reading.

-nothing. We have to prepare for third challenge.

He answered calmly.

-fine but you are telling me about it later.

“Well I will tell her I guess, the only important thing is to not tell “that guy”.”

They all disappeared in a flash before anything else happened.

Second later they all appeared in some kind of huge cage. The cage was moving upward like an elevator.

-waaaawaaa! Ha?

Everyone appeared at same time with Anari and Odin as well. Odin was covered in some kind of brown mud and Anari was doing her usual waaaawaaa. But second after she spotted Arata right next to her and soon catch him.

-waaaa Arata, I don’t know how but you saved me as always.

Anari was soon hugging him strongly.

-Anari let me go.

-but.

Arata looked around.

-hey Kotori, help me.

-why?

“Why, shouldn’t you be at least a little jealous at least.”

Arata though like that but she wasn’t bother by it at all.

-you see.

-Arata just look at her. She was in dark forest for two hours, you should at least give her that.

Anari looked up at Kotori and said.

-waaa, Kotori is so good and understanding person.

-I am your friend after all. Ah Arata you probably thought that I should be jealous or something but I already said that you don’t have to be worry about that.

-I don’t?

-after all I know, even better than you, how deep your feelings for me are, and it’s not like Anari had any chances with you in the first place.

-waaaa.

“Auch.”

Anari stopped hugging Arata and moved into the corner.

-ah Anari sorry, it sounded wrong. Anyway you only didn’t have chances because it’s me.

“That sounded even worse.”

-Kotori don’t kill her off like that. Look at the sign it’s says the challenge three begins in one minute. Hey Anari you too it’s not the time for cabaret.

-Arata you will never understand maiden heart.

-one minute Kotori don’t start it again please.

-it’s fun, isn’t it?

“Why can’t they be ever serious?”

-but it would be good if we pass third challenge as well.

Arata tried to convince her.

-hmm, I think it would have been better if we simply all die very quickly.

It looked like only Kotori didn’t have much motivation now or rather she had different goals.

“This is bad, how is it on other side?”

Arata looked around. Yuki was now lying on the ground in one corner. In other corner Zen was having the best laugh of his life.

-hey Zen what is it?

Arata asked as he was curious.

-hahaha, hey Arata did you hear that?

-what?

-hahaha, you didn’t then… hey Odin tell them how you ended up in this mud.

-I don’t want to.

Odin answered with sulking voice.

-then I will. Hey Arata listen, ten minutes after the start, Odin ended up in some kind of swamp and couldn’t move at all. He stayed there for two hours. What’s more some birds ended up crapping on him. Hahahaha!

-there were no birds!

“Looks like I can’t count on this side as well. Well at least I feel your pain Odin.”

-everyone hear me out. Challenge three Boss fight!

//** This chapter is still not over over. Continue to part _15.4 **//

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