Chapter 24 “Welcome to the Karma.”

[You didn’t discover any resurrection points nearby. Resurrecting at body’s location.]

Where he died, he revived. Because Arata just teleported or rather was sent to completely unfamiliar place, he didn’t have the time to look around yet. In EOA, if someone did not find the place where you normally would revive they would revive in a place of their body location. Situations like that were exceptions which happened only after level challenges. Say you left the city one day and traveled far away into wildness. You would not be close to any resurrection points you unlocked but you would still be sent to the one closest to you which you discovered. Because of that new lands were hard to explore as when you died you would have to start at the beginning. Resurrecting points however were not only cities, it could be any place set for it. It actually sometime leaded to unpleasant situation where you would resurrect in a place from which you couldn’t escape those places were simply called revive trap. There were cases where someone completely stopped playing EOA as he could not get out from there. On the internet you could sometimes find someone looking for help to get out from that place. There were even people, who were earning money by doing so. Dying once from time to time was something that was bound while playing EOA and it was taken as a natural thing, what was important though was to not die once again after you already died once. Dying too many times in row would lead to a massive set back. Still that problem was not something that concern to Arata.

“It’s clean I guess.”

Lucky for Arata, there were nothing jumping at him the moment he appeared. Resurrecting at body location was uncommon and one could see some advantages of it but in truth it normally resulted in being killed by the thing that killed you last time.

“Left clear, right clear. Looks like there are no crazy players who want to kill me for no reason in sight.”

Just to be sure Arata looked around. Last time he appeared here he did meet some player who attacked him out of sudden and killed him. Even though he did not lose levels from dying and would log out regardless Arata didn’t want to repeat that again. Even though it was just a game, dying was still not a pleasant feeling. Why was it unpleasant? If someone was to ask Arata that he wouldn’t be able to explain it with words, his answer would be probably something like ‘if you want to know go try it, it’s the only way to find out.’

Yes, Arata would rather avoid dying if possible however right now he wouldn’t mind meeting the same player that killed him again even if it might lead to him dying again.

Arata had some scores to settle. Last time he died because bad effect after using the potion of prohibited heroism got him right in the middle of the fight, if it were not for that he would surely win. Yes surely, that was what Arata at least thought.

“As I thought, no one would wait here ten days just to camp over my body.”

Little disappointed, Arata started to look around.

“Back in some forest again?”

What was around him was a forest full of trees. Although now it looked way different to other forest that he was before. It was not because the trees were different but the color of the leaves. When previously it was always green now it was in the colors of the fall. Brown and yellow were dominating around. But there were also red leaves as well and a lot of chestnuts on the ground.

“And which way should I go?”

Arata had no idea where he could find anything. After all he was simply thrown somewhere in the world and he had no idea what is where.

“There should be city somewhere near. That girl, Yuri, Yumi, well it doesn’t matter what her name was, she said something like that. So for I should start with finding the city.”

Arata turned right and started going in that direction. He chose this one because to the right it was going downhill while to the left it was uphill.

While going through the forest the birds were singing around.

“Been a long while since it was so quiet here.”

What Arata first wanted from this game were times like this, where he could just simply walk around in another world. If he didn’t join Refrain, he would be probably taking it easy somewhere on 50th level right now.

“I have good gear and now I can use sword slash 5 times, so I don’t need any new skills. What could be better than this? I have been rushing with my level ever since leaving beginners city so it’s time for a break.”

Without anyone around to watch over him Arata went into slacking mode right away. He was slowly walking through the trees while listening to the sound of birds.

“Still, I need some gold otherwise I won’t be able to slack of in the way I want.”

The only thing that Arata was missing right now was gold. How to earn gold in MMO’s? It’s not a trivial topic. There were people who specialized in earning a lot of money in games and sold it for real money. They could live off from playing the games alone. It was not easy and only about 1% of those who tired made it but people like that existed. Of course Arata was never in a crazy situation where he would have to do that. If he had to earn money he would do it in more standard way. Still, as best dps of best guild in once most famous game he knew a lot of methods of earning gold.

“I don’t think I will try the hard way.”

The hard way would be time consuming grid. It had one advantage as during grid you also leveled up but Arata had enough of that for now. He decided to use the other way which would be make money out of nothing. Still he would not be able to use it right away because this method required something unique if he wanted to use it.

“Now what would be a best trading skill to learn? It also has to be useful for me in a way. I don’t think that some crafting is a way for me to go. The NPCs here are a little too advanced, if I were to choose sword smithing for example, how I would fare against NPC like Rodrigez who has been producing weapons and armors nonstop since so long. No one would buy it and it would be useless to me all the same. I think I will go with something like I had in Light in the citadel, I am Arata after all.”

Arata decided to choose the skills that his character once had in other game. They were Alchemy and Herbalism. Herbalism simply focused at gathering plants and flowers while Alchemy focused on changing those plants and flowers into potions and elixirs.

“If I go this way it will bring a lot of gold and it will be definitely useful for me.”

Arata already experienced power of potions so he was positive about it.

“Still before I get even one coin it will take some time. Also I will probably have to invest a little of gold into it at start. Still, later on it will be easy for me as I won’t have to spend too much time on it. Herbs should be easy to find everywhere so they will come to me naturally as I play.”

Of course Arata had no idea how things worked in EOA but he was just using assumptions based on other games.

Arata was nearly at the edge of the forest. In a distance he could see the walls of some city.

“Oh, I didn’t get lost.”

Arata was expecting to roam around the forest for at least few hours. He also expected something to attack him inside it, but he didn’t find any monsters there. In a distance he spotted a road that leaded to the city from the forest. Arata reached it and ventured in direction of the city.

“I guess it’s some big city, from here its look at least as big as Triangle was.”

The city was quite big and its walls would be about 8 meters high.

“Now even though I choose trading skill I still won’t earn any gold this way yet. For now I should look for some easy money, guess I will check out information board.”

Arata didn’t know if there was something like information board in the city to which he was going to but because there was one back in Loris and that was just some small country side village there should be one here. Or at least something similar to it.

Arata continued forward. On his way he stepped walked over a small bridge as there was a river floating through the fields. On the bridge there were two guards who were playing some game that involved dice. Although it would be some source of information Arata didn’t bothered them and continued forward. He planned to use the golden rule on some other guards.

Upon reaching the city he also had to enter through the bridge as there was a moat floating around it or at least on this side. There were two guards standing at the gate but they didn’t even move to stop him from coming in. In fact they were barely standing as to not fall asleep even though it was midday.

“Guess I won’t bother those either.”

Arata walked pass by them and he entered the city which name he still don’t know.

In front of him, he had a long side walk made out of gray bricks. It was quite spacious in wide and ended way forward. Arata couldn’t see where as there were a lot of people going around. It was Humans, Dwarves and Elves. It was the first time Arata saw the second and also first time he saw the third in such number. Previously it was only Kelly.

“What about two other races?”

Arata could not see any represents of other two races. Right now he didn’t even remember what other two were.

“Whatever, for now I will go this way.”

Arata decided to go the main road and see what he can find.

There were a lot of people around but no one paid any attention to him as they were doing their own things.

“Why no one is running?”

Arata still had in his mind that when going somewhere you should run, just like in any other game. Right now he was walking because, right now in general he was slacking off but if that was not the case he would normally run.

“Guess that’s a different game after all.”

Arata find first greatest change in normal MMO and VRMMO still.

“Well if they are going to always walk around like this then I already won.”

Still he would not have a change of hard and when he will go back into the business he would run all day long.

It took him a while before he reached the end of the street. Upon the way he saw many shops inns or even houses to rent but he didn’t stop at any of it, he wanted to look around first and then find a best place. The end of the street turned out to be the city center for which Arata was looking for. It didn’t take him more than an hour to reach it.

“This city is a little smaller than Triangle I guess.”

Arata reached this conclusion. Sure this city was smaller than biggest city of under 100 level. In triangle Arata had to walk for two hours to reach the center or go from center to the outside. Still it was also because Triangle didn’t have such convenient path from the gate right to the center. This allowed Arata to not get lost and he didn’t have to make any turns.

Arata looked to the left and then to the right. One side was overloading with people while second would be considered normal.

“What’s the fuss about?”

Arata thought that something special was happening there right now but that wasn’t the case. In that place there were people with tablets that stated their interest. Selling things, looking for things, asking for things, guild recruitment, all kind of things.

“It would be better if they divided into smaller group.”

The way that people went about it had some flaws. It would be better if trading were in one place, grouping in other and all other strange things in the third one. It would be also better if it was away from information board.

“Should I come later?”

The idea of pushing with people in that mob didn’t seem that appealing. Right now, it was the midday and it was the busiest period.

“Guess I will come later, for now let’s check what those tablets are about.”

Arata went into the place with less amount of people. It looked like the middle was for people who were reading the tablets and looking for something useful, while the sides were the place for people with tablets.

Arata was looking for something of interest. He would instantly skip over any party invitation for dungeon as he had enough of this. He also would skip any tablet that would sell things as he was really low on gold and also didn’t need any new equipment. Then there were some tablets which were buying information but right now Arata didn’t even know the name of this city so he definitely wouldn’t be cut out for this.

“Maybe I should put a tablet with the question. What is the name of this city?”

Some of the questions he found were as stupid as this but then he spotted one tablet that pike his interest.

[Buying information about previous expeditions to the west. Any new and useful information will get you 5 gold. Depending on how useful it is it may be up to 25 gold. P.S: Anyone who knows how to solve Morgorian riddle and wants to earn 100 gold is welcomed as well but if you don’t have idea what Morgorian riddle is don’t even ask.]

“100 gold for some riddle? Someone really wants it’s solved I guess.”

Arata saw the prices of all other things in other ‘stands’. Even though level was higher the prices were all the same. That could only mean that gold income would also stay the same. 100 gold was not something to easy get hand on.

“Wonder what Morgorian riddle is? Wait, from where do I remember that word? I think it also involves some bad memories.”

Arata had a quick flashback.

“I think Marco used that word somewhere, when was it? He told me quite a lot of his adventure stories but that was not then, there would no bad memories in it.”

Then it hit him.

“The wizard. That bastard who run away with my reward.”

Arata would never forget someone who owns him.

“Still what was it with the riddle? Well that guy gave me some riddles while I was looking for him but those didn’t have a specific name. Morgorian riddle was the one that he gave to Anari. We ended up in Park after reading the message from it.”

It was all coming to him.

“I didn’t solve it as I already had a solution from wizard but Marco explained how to do it, didn’t he? There were pictures you take the first letters and you make the sentences which creates another riddle. As for pictures you choose the ones that are relevant to the creator of riddle. Yes, something like that.”

Arata himself was a little surprised that he remembered that. Still he tried to remember it at the time when he heard from Marco the solution just in case Anari asked him about it sometime later. Arata never revealed to her that the solution he got was not something he arrived at by himself but it was given to him by the Wizard.

“I should be able to solve it with Marco’s instructions. Well even if I don’t it is worth a try. It’s 100 gold after all.”

And so Arata decided to give it a try.

It looked like there were two people who were creators of this tablet.

The one who was holding a tablet was a girl with long straight blond hair. She was quite high in height and really slim. She was wearing clothes in mostly color of blue. After spotting her ears Arata found out that she was of elf race. Her clothes didn’t look too elvish and were quite normal. She weren’t wearing any weapons on her at the moment but that was something that Arata spotted normal in the town. The girl had her eyes closed. She was standing a little similar to the guards that were sleeping on their duty while holding to their halberds.

The other person was a dwarf with long bronze beard. He also was not wearing any weapons but he wore an chain armor and brown cape. In comparison to elf girl, the dwarf was not sleeping and Arata walked up to him.

-I am about your request.

-you were in the west? How far did you go?

Dwarf went right into the business. It was normal for anyone who was making a stand in the city center. There was no time for chitchat. Still he was wrong in Arata’s intention.

-no I am about the riddle.

The dwarf somehow lost interest.

-listen I had a thousand people already who fawned over the thought of 100 gold. Are you the next one? You think that if it were something easy that anyone can do, we would pay you 100 gold?

I looked like the dwarf was already annoyed by people who asked for it. Also Arata could see that the last fragment of message on the table […If you don’t have idea what Morgorian riddle is don’t ask!] was written with different hand writing.

-no no, I know what Morgorian riddle is.

Arata tried to explain himself.

-really, because in my case even though I saw it I have no idea what it was.

-I can understand why.

-you say as if you really saw it.

-because I did.

-in that case tell me what it is about?

The dwarf asked.

-there are a lot of pictures and you create riddle out from it.

-in first one you are right but the second is false.

-False?

“Did I remember wrong? No we had a message water but no river or sea. And lights go out was signaling night, it was another riddle.”

-aye it’s false, from pictures you create a message no another riddle. That’s what the instruction said at least.

-maybe it’s some different version. Still in those riddles you take first letters of name of the object and create a sentence. Whatever it’s another riddle or a message it’s doesn’t change much.

-aye, you are right on this. So do you know how to solve it?

-I know the method at least.

-and it is?

-and that method is worth 100 gold I presume.

-hahaha looks like you have your head screwed. Well I doubt that you will solve it but you do know about it more than anyone else who came here did so it’s worth to give you try at least.

-so can I have look at it?

-about that, the thing is, I don’t have it. Also I would never pay 100 gold for some riddle. Flynn has his head screwed as well.

Dwarf explained, it looked like his name was Flynn.

-looks like it, so your sleeping friend is the one that has it?

Arata pointed in the direction of sleeping elf girl.

-nay, not her either. Anyway I hope you are not too busy right now or has to do anything.

-not really.

-then listen. The one that want’s this riddle solve is our friend Yume, she asked us to put additional information on the tablet and if we find someone who can solve the riddle we should send that person to her.

-that’s quite nice of you.

-it’s normal to do it for your friend, aye? Anyway, as for Yume she should be in elven district right now. Look inside the café shops for a girl with long curly blond hair.

-and where is that elven district?

The dwarf looked at him surprised.

-you don’t know?

-today is my first time in this city. After entering I just walked straight forward to here.

-that explains it but a visitor from other lands here is uncommon. Was there a reason that you come here?

-I just finished my 100 level barrier and appeared here.

-you don’t look like someone who just came after noobs land, your gear look like from 130 at least. Also I am sure that the sword of red steel you have 120 level requirement. If you try to hide your level then you should be more careful as it is embarrassing if someone finds out.

-no this sword has requirements reduced so I can wear it.

-aye, there are enchants like that, not sure how you did get it if you just finished 100 level barrier but I care not about that.

-so where is that elven district?

-right, if you are new here, you don’t know. Hmm, how to say it so you don’t get lost.

-the general direction would be enough I will manage somehow.

-nay, we don’t want you to get lost. I will give you a guide. Hey! Vivi wake up!

Dwarf shouted to the elf girl but she didn’t respond.

-you don’t have to.

-nay she is sleeping for the whole day, she could use some walk. Look now it will work I will use magic words. Vivi! Shin is back!

The girl right away opened her eyes. She dropped a tablet and run toward the dwarf.

-really? Flynn why didn’t you say earlier, I thought he was going to be absent for another two weeks.

She answered right away.

-because he will.

The big smile from girl face turned right away into angry face.

-why do you call me then! I thought we will finally go for expedition!

-I have work for you.

-I don’t feel like doing you a favor.

Arata was not sure if those two were on good terms on bad ones, still it was clear to him that they knew each other for quite some time now.

-how about doing Yume a favor?

-for Yume, that’s a different matter.

-thought so.

-so what is it?

-remember what she asked me for today?

-something about the riddle right? That’s why we have this additional message on tablet. But Flynn, why Yume can’t just wait for Shin to come back, he would solve it right away.

-she said it’s urgent.

-but its 100 gold.

-she is probably doing it for someone else. You know how she is.

-that’s why we all love her.

The elf girl said with smile. Dwarf looked back at Arata

-right, what’s your name again?

-Arata.

-I am Flynn and this is Vivi…

He pointed at his friend. Then he once again start speaking to her.

-so Arata has an idea how to solve the riddle. I say let’s give him a try. Show him a way, will ya?

-well it’s not hard to find Yume in this town.

-he is new here so make sure he won’t get lost.

-I can show him a way but after that I am not coming back here again.

-you weren’t helping anyway, do what you want.

-yey!

Completely new energy entered Vivi and with small jumps she started walking.

-Arata was it? Just follow me.

Arata followed elf girl. The ventured to east part of the city.

-finally out of the crowd.

Arata signed when they left city center.

-you don’t like crowds?

Vivi asked.

-does anyone do?

-I know few people who do. Actually, right now we are going to one of them.

-is elven district also crowded like this?

-even more.

-100gold, 100gold, 100gold…

Arata looked down and started whispering to himself as to convince himself that his choice was right. Vivi started to laugh at that.

-hahaha.

-what?

-you are strange you know?

-I prefer word unique.

He was already used to it.

-so Arata, why did you come to this city? You are from the outside and traveled here, right?

-if being teleported after 100 level challenge can be called a travel then sure.

-really, you just leveled up? You don’t look like a newbie.

-because I am not newbie.

-anyone who passes that challenge is not a newbie I guess. So how was it, did you have a hard time? On which try did you pass?

It looked like Vivi was not only going to show a way. Conversation on a way was pretty natural so Arata was answering.

-hard time? I guess fighting against five boss class monsters at the same time could be called hard time.

-you went for a second part? You are not strange then, you are simply crazy!

“That’s probably the normal reaction.”

-still it was worth it. The reward at the end was quite nice.

-wait you completed it?

The elf stopped walking and looked back at Arata with huge green eyes.

-yes?

Arata was not sure if it was a good answer or not.

-so people like that really exist. You are not lying right?

-why should I?

-I don’t know, sometimes guys want to impress me.

-I have a girlfriend, thank you.

Arata cut it right away.

-hahaha… so you are a faithful type. Still say honestly, who looks better, me or your girlfriend?

Arata once again looked at the elf girl once again. Tall and slim with long light hair. She was a picture of elven beauty found in fantasy novels. Arata arrived at his answer.

-don’t take it as an offence but honestly speaking, she is about four to five times better looking than you.

That answer was not something that Vivi would ever expect to hear though.

-how I am not supposed to take it as an offence?

-no no, you are good looking but let’s say not that good looking.

-you still sure you are not offending me.

-you wanted a honest answer right.

-I did but you should learn that girls sometime says one thing and means other…

“I know it very well.”

-still you really must have some high standards. Either your girlfriend really is five times prettier them me, which I can’t even imagine or you just madly fall for her.

-both I guess.

It was true that Arata’s vision was clouded in that regard. Also it was hard to compare two people’s look after all.

-I am jealous. I also want a boyfriend who will look only at me.

-hope you find one, anyway how long is it?

Arata changed the subject and asked the ultimate question.

-about ten minutes left till we reach elven district. Finding Yume will take me… not too long, so from there it will go fast.

-I am not really in hurry.

-me neither, until Shin’s comes back we can’t do anything.

-we?

-our raid group. We always go together on dungeons or raid or on adventures but since few months Shin is not here and we can’t do anything other than small dungeons, so we are all bored. There are many others who doesn’t play either.

-you can always find a replacement.

Arata gave a simple advice. Normally it was impossible to expect each member of guild/raid party to come at every time the group goes somewhere. Having someone on backup was essential. Still Vivi answered.

-yes but there is no replacement for Shin. Raid dungeons that we are normally going for are usually for 25 or 50 people but with Shin we can do them in only 15 people. Well, only once we did dungeon for 50 people we mostly do those for 25. Still without Shin it is impossible.

-that Shin, does he have higher level than everyone else?

-no he is on the same level as us.

-well I can understand why one person can sometimes decide the outcome even if he is not higher level than you. So, is that Shin your guild leader?

Arata arrived at conclusion which was not true.

-it would be good if he were.

Vivi said with a little sadder voice.

-you have some bad guild leader or something?

Hearing her sadder voice he could understand that something was not going well. Vivi answered.

-no we don’t. Thing is we are not even a guild.

-group of friends playing together is something like a guild even if you are not registered as official guild.

-still it would be more fun to be in a guild, right? We would have our name, our herb and even guild house to hang out in.

-is there a reason why you don’t become a guild then?

-normally when someone asks we say that we don’t want to spend our money on register form. It’s not really convincing lie as it cost only 20 gold. Well, I can tell you the real reason. Our problem is that we don’t have a leader.

-but what about that Shin guy?

From their conversation Arata understood that Shin is the most important figure in that group. He easily come up with conclusion that he should be a leader. To that Vivi answered shouting.

-right! Everyone thinks that he should be our leader but Shin doesn’t want to become one and we can’t convince him!

-but normally when you go for raids he lead you right? Why can’t he just take the title?

-as for leading part. Shin is our raid leader in a way but he wouldn’t even accept even this title either.

-but he is acting like one, right?

Vivi looked down again.

-well, he comes up with tactic and tells people what to do if they don’t know. If you ask him about anything he will answer and explain everything in small details but in easy to understand way…

“Sounds like Raid leader to me.”

-but apart from that he never takes a lead. Also every time he explain the tactic he came up with, he always ask one question “Is it alright with you guys?”. Like anyone could come up with something better!! It’s a little annoying but that how Shin always was and that’s why we all love him. His official position that he came up with himself is called tactician.

-sound like great guy.

Good players who doesn’t have too much pride or thinks too highly about themselves was something you would look for with candle in your hand.

-if only he took leader position.

-from what I heard so far, given his character he probably never will.

-you don’t have to tell me that, I know it too well. Anyway look, we already arrived.

The elven district was somewhat different from what Arata expected. It was still the same city similar buildings. They also were still made out of stone. Arata was expecting tree houses or at least some different style but it looked like it was not the thing. There was a change thought. In comparison to previous parts, here the sidewalk was not out from stones but green grass. How was it kept green and fresh despite the crowd that was stamping over them was unknown. There were really a lot of people there. Human and elves mostly, Arata did not see any dwarves. It improved his opinion about them by far.

-so where we start looking for my employer?

Arata asked.

-well we will do it the fastest way possible.

-and that would be?

-just wait and look…

Vivi took a deep breath and then shouted.

-YUME!!!!!!!!

She shouted really loudly. Possibly everyone in elven district would be able to hear. Still no one even looked at her when she did that. It was like it was normal to them.

Two seconds later another shout came.

-HERE!!!!!

It was not something that came from close direction. Arata did not recognize where exactly it came from but it looked like Vivi knew right away.

-this way.

Arata followed her through the alley. They arrived at the place called five minutes of joy. It was a café shop which was selling different kinds of café and cakes.

Vivi lead him to one of the tables. There were three people sitting next to it but upon noticing Vivi and Arata’s arrival, they left their sits and walked away after saying their goodbyes.

At the table there were left only one person. Girl with curly blond hair and big green eyes.

She stood up as well when Arata and Vivi were coming really close. Vivi walked up next to her and both of them hugged each other.

-Yume, it’s been a while.

-about two months, right?

-too long to count.

-so is Shin back already?

-not yet but you are coming with us next time, right?

-yes, yes I am coming…

They both stopped hugging each other. Girl with curly hair started.

-so how has it been lately Vivi?

-boring, without Shin we didn’t go anywhere new. No wonder you also decided to back off.

-no, no it was nothing like that.

-yes definitely.

-hehe, well did you have any particular reason in finding me or just came just because you feel like it?

-it’s been two months after all. Not only you didn’t go with us for dungeons but out of nowhere you decided to go for a trip to another city.

-it was best time for this.

-I should have gone with you. So how was it?

-it was really refreshing to see a new city… .

The girl started answering but the she was cut in by Vivi.

-wait a second Yume.

-hmm?

-I think I forgot about something…

“About time.”

-it’s probably nothing important.

-hrm, hrm.

Arata reminded about himself to Vivi. Vivi looked at him right away.

-sorry!

-I can wait if you have something more pressing to talk about.

Arata said sarcastically.

-ah it’s Arata. You came looking for me in the end.

The girl with curly hair said that. Arata was surprised same as Vivi.

-you two already know each other?

-no, I think not. How do you know my name?

-we meet before remember. You save me from those bandits mr. Knight.

Arata understood right away.

-the miller’s daughter!

The girl had no idea what was it about but she laughed it off.

-hahaha, you are still as strange as you were. Anyway, welcome to Karma, Arata…

She said it with smile.

-first lets order some cakes and then tell me why you come…

Yume made an order with a single move of her hand. The waiter recognized it without any sound and just nodded.

-so Vivi, how did it end up that you are here with my rescuer?

-I didn’t know that you even meet each other, hey Arata why didn’t you mention anything.

-we talked only for a three minutes and I didn’t remember her name.

-how can you not remember me after you have done?

“What have I done!?”

Vivi completely ignored that and continued to Arata.

-right, Arata you should know that while talking with Yume you have to ignore half of what she says.

-you are cruel Vivi.

-this guy is a little too serious so go easy on him.

-I am not too serious.

-you are. Also he has a girlfriend so your usual jokes are also no, no!

-mhm…

It looked like the girl with curly hair was not too happy but he understood.

-fine. Anyway once again, my name is Yume.

-I will try to remember this time.

“Can’t promise anything though.”

-so, how do you like Karma so far Arata?

“Do I have to go into another off top?”

-city like any city. Anyway we should go right into the business so I can see more of it.

-you have business with me?

It looked like she had no idea what it was. Vivi interfered.

-Yume, remember what this morning you told Flynn?

-yes, ah so this is what it is about, Arata you want to join our expedition?

-ha?

Vivi also had no idea what it was about.

-is it not it? This morning I was talking with Flynn and was explaining him that we should invite more people if we want to succeed.

-Flynn didn’t even comment on that and we are not looking for some random people to join us. Remember what Shin said. Our first try should be just a small test, not too far so he can see for himself what exactly is needed there. If there will be a need we will organize a large expedition and invite Karma’s guilds for it but not in a near future. For first expedition Shin didn’t want any unknown elements.

-so what is it about?

Yume still had no idea.

“Is there really 100 gold for it?”

Arata was a little worried so he explained.

-I came here because of your announcement. You have riddle to solve and you give 100 gold to the one who solves it right?

-yes and?

“Looks like she remembers.”

-I know how to solve it so let’s get started with it okay?

-wait, you really know how to solve it!?

Yume eyes went wide.

-I know a method as how it can be solved. So do you have it with you? It’s better if I look at it right away. Wasn’t it urgent?

-yes it is! But you really can solve it right!?

-probably.

-ah, that should get her back in a mood.

Yume said to herself.

-Yume first show him that riddle.

Vivi interrupted her daydreaming.

-right, about that. I don’t have it right here.

A new problem arrived.

-and where is it?

-at my friend house. Let’s go there right away…

Yume stood up and gave some signal to a waiter.

“Why it can’t be ever simple. I just wanted to solve riddle fast and get that 100 gold. Now it turned into quest chain go there, go there, and then sorry Mario but your princess is in another castle.”

-Vivi you are coming with us?

Yume asked.

-should I? Yume is it one of your normal friends or that friend? If it is the second then I will pass.

-she shouldn’t be at the house right now.

-even so I think I will pass, I will catch you later Yume.

-okay, bye Vivi. Let’s go Arata.

Yume said it a little sadder and looked away.

-thanks for showing a way, good luck on creating a guild.

-thanks to you as well. Also a word of advice be careful if you meet Yume’s friend. Best not talk to her at all and just finish the riddle.

-as long as I get my gold then I am happy but why shouldn’t I talk to her?

-if you don’t mind dying once or twice you don’t have to listen to my advice. Anyway bye Arata, may we meet again.

With that Vivi also left the café. Arata leaded by Yume left the elven district. He had to ask what was it about.

-is your friend dangerous or something?

-dangerous, no. She is just misunderstood. Anyway she is not at home right now so you don’t have to take too seriously what Vivi said.

-I can deal with things that come at me so I am not that worried.

-right you defeated 4 players in a flash when you rescued me after all. Your level is some super high or something?

-not really. It’s only 100. Remember when we first meet, I appeared at that cave because I just finished my 100 level challenge.

-hmm, Arata are you hiding something?

-no.

-I trust you have good reason for lying then, well its normal that people hide their levels I guess.

-I am not hiding my level.

-still at least I can tell that you are definitely lying. Arata you shouldn’t lie. Liars can never be truly happy, if you keep telling lie after lie one day you will even forget what the truth is.

“Right Vivi said that I shouldn’t take her too serious.”

Arata had no idea what it was about so he just answer.

-I will remember that.

-you are strange but good guy so you can still go on the right path and I am quite forgiving.

Even though Yume said that their conversation stopped completely for about 20 minutes. Arata felt little uncomfortable. He tried to find a topic to speak with.

-so what happened to you after I died in that cave. Did that assassin also get you too?

-assassin? I didn’t see any assassins there.

-you know that I died there right?

It looked like Yume was not comfortable while speaking in this topic.

“I should just shut up.”

But then she answered.

-I saw but no nothing happened to me. You want to know what killed you?

-you know who it was?

-of course I do, there are not many people who knows Karma better than me. As to what killed you it was a ghost.

-ghost?

-yes vicious ghost that kills people.

“Should I take it seriously?”

-can you tell me something about that ghost?

-I guess, it will keep you save in a future so listen. The other name of that vicious ghost is ‘Queen of Blades’. If you spent enough time in Karma you will listen this story eventually. There is a place south of Karma called Tomb of Edward Third the Great. The tomb in a way a dungeon but that doesn’t matter. What matter is that near this place from time to time, the vicious ghost appear. When you find a figure completely hidden in brown cloak with mark of blood at her back nothing can save you. The ghost will kill you and you will have no chance of defending. Power of the ghost is unstoppable and no one will stand against it.

“No one can stand against it hmm.”

Arata wasn’t convinced by that story.

-that ghost, is it some AI monster or a player?

-what difference does it make to you?

-if its AI monster then I won’t go there as its level is probably too high for me but if it’s a player then I have scores to settle.

-why do you want to go there and die again?

-I didn’t mention dying.

-you already fought against her once right? You should know that you have no chances.

“What does she mean no chances?”

Arata’s pride was hurt a little.

-I might have lost but that doesn’t mean I will lose again. At that time I was in worst possible condition to fight, if I were full strength it would be different.

-it will not be different, you didn’t see her true power.

-you say like you know that ghost well.

-it’s because… .

Yume stopped.

-I won’t pry. Anyway even if I don’t win, it will be interesting fight at least. Even though our previous fight was short I already found something that I need to make sure of. Because of that I need to look for that ghost one day.

-what is that something?

-nothing much, just one technique that ghost used, I can’t let some imitator use it like nothing…

Yume started looking at Arata with curiosity.

-what?

-nothing. Anyway, Arata could you do me a favor?

-sure, what is it?

-don’t go hunt for that ghost right now, do it later or if you can, don’t do it at all.

-is there a reason for that?

-yes.

“Well that player dodged grandpa technique so I should check it out but I guess I don’t really have to do it. Still.”

-I won’t say that I won’t look for that ghost but I will not bother it and I will not attack it. If it’s tells me to leave I will, how is that answer?

-see, you can be nice after all…

She answered in a little better mood then she added.

-still you shouldn’t lie.

-when did I lie?

Arata still had no idea what it was about.

-fine I will tell you. Firstly you said that you just passed 100 level barrier but what about your gear? Red steel sword is for level 120 that I know. Also your clothes. They are made by Olivia! I did some research after seeing it before. How did you get that famous designer to make it for you I cannot tell but it was definitely her work! It means that you were at least once in Capital and to get there you would need to get 100 level way before. You said that you appeared in a cave after the challenge, how will you explain this?

“I should stop telling my level until I level up, it’s the second time already. Still I didn’t know that those clothes were made by someone famous. Well Loki and Gerald probably have good connections.”

-listen I didn’t lie, those clothes have level requirement reduced and as how I get them? They were given to me by my guild so I can have easier time while playing, simple as that.

-aaaa, why do you keep lying?

-I don’t!

Arata shouted honestly.

-you just started to tell me some fairy tale about some good guild that would sponsor you full gear from famous crafter.

-well this guild is a little special and joining it is not easy but yes it’s exist.

-fine, I will take this believable lie. I don’t know if it’s a good thing or a bad thing but you can say all those thing without even blinking. I really wouldn’t want to play poker with you.

-everything I said is true!

-then explain to me one thing. You said that you just passed 100 level barrier so you are 100 level right now correct?

-yes that is true.

-aren’t you 90 level then?

-no I am 100?

-did you forget that you died right after we meet?

Arata finally understood what it was about.

“With my sacrifice skill dying doesn’t reduce my level but I would be 90 if it were the truth. No wonder she kept saying I am lying.”

-ha finally some reaction, so what do you say to that mr. liar?

-there are some reasons to that which I won’t explain, still know that everything I said was true.

Yume wondered a little but then said.

-you know what if you promise me that you won’t lie again I will forget about everything.

-I promise I won’t lie to you.

A smile come back to her face out of sudden.

-well Arata, hope we can start anew. I don’t like to be on bad terms with anyone.

-me neither.

-so Arata, you sure you can solve that riddle?

-I can’t be 100% sure but as I said I know the method…

“Right I should get to it already..”

-you know who made that riddle?

-is it important?

-yes it’s important piece of information that is needed to solve it.

-well it’s not me but my friend who got that riddle but original creator was some Wizard, is it enough?

“Wizard? That brings some bad memories. Well it’s probably not the same wizard but I should check it out still.”

-yes it’s enough. By the way do you know where to find that Wizard?

-well I know where he should be, not so sure how to get to his hideout though.

-can you show me a way after I solve the riddle?

-I guess I can but why do you want to know?

-I meet once a Wizard that liked to create riddles like the one you have, it may be the same Wizard so I should great him at least.

“With a fist into the face.”

-that good reason enough I guess, not sure if it’s the same Wizard you meet though. Anyway I will show you the entrance to his hideout but as I said I don’t know how to open it.

-I already have an idea as how to do it.

-we are nearly there.

They arrived as southern part of the Karma. Now they were standing before small too floor house. It didn’t look much different from all other houses.

-this is the place. Sorry that I can’t invite you in but my friend is the official owner and it is set that only someone with permission can enter it normally.

-I don’t mind.

-sit over there I will be back in a second…

Yume pointed at small bench in front of the house and then walked inside.

“Finally I will get done with it.”

It was a lot of walking but Arata was going to finally see the riddle. No that he minded walking around the city that much. He was planning to wonder around the city anyway.

About two minutes later Yume walked out from the house. She had an envelope in her hands.

-I got it.

-let me see.

Arata received an envelope and got started. There were three pages inside one of them was an instruction page and the other two were pages with pictures. Arata didn’t read the instruction at all and started with started with first page with pictures.

“Looks similar.”

Yes it looked similar to Arata. This Morgorian riddle was as crazy as the one he once saw.

-so you know how to solve it?

Yume asked after Arata had a first look.

-yes but.

“It will take hours.”

-hmm?…

Arata didn’t feel like solving it but he couldn’t escape now, especially when Yume was looking at him with pleasing eyes.

“Without work there is no gain. I got what I asked for.”

In this world or in any world there is nothing like free 100 gold.

-so how is it?

Yume asked once again.

-I know how to solve it. It might take some time though.

-really? Yata!

“Eh. Oto.”

Arata felt a little more motivated after he saw how happy Yume was. She even tried to hug him in happiness but Arata skillfully avoid that.

-its still isn’t solved.

Arata reminded her.

-but it’s the first time. You know there were few people who said that they can solve it. They were really convincing but when they saw the riddle they gave up…

“Maybe they knew how to solve it but when they saw this version they gave up.”

Arata kept his thoughts to himself.

-so Arata when will it be done?

“How should I know.”

-I can’t tell. If you help, it will go faster.

-if I can help then I will.

“I thought that she would leave all to me and go somewhere. That what I would do at least, after all she is paying me for it.”

Arata had his view on how things worked. Nothing is for free and when you pay someone for a job he has to do all of it.

“She probably needs it as soon as possible or just don’t want to leave me with the riddle because she thinks I would take it away.”

-do you need this riddle solved right away?

Arata asked to make sure which assumption was correct.

-not really, you have something to do first? If so, you don’t have to solve it today.

-eh…

“I guess I really doesn’t look like trusty type.”

-I will get to it right away.

-ok so tell me what to do.

“Hmm I could tell her how to solve the riddle and let her take care of second page but if I do that she might just leave me with nothing because she will no longer need me to solve it.”

It turned out that the one who really didn’t trust others was not Yume.

-take out some paper and note letters that I say.

-okay.

Yume took out a small notebook and a pen. Even though EOA was based on medieval times both of them looked quite modern. Well pen and paper were not that modern anymore.

Arata get back to the picture and start to look for objects related to the Wizard. Even though on first look items were randomly placed Arata could see that they were placed in lines. He started from top left corner and moved to the right like reading a book. He soon spotted first picture that definitely was related to a wizard or mage.

“Magical clothing. Vest, Robe. I guess Robe is more popular term. Still it won’t hurt to note the second one.”

The first picture was purple magical robe with was typical mage clothing in fantasy world.

-first note down letter R. Then under it in bracket letter V.

Arata continued.

“Strange thought it will be longer.”

Arata went through five lines but he only found one picture so far. Then in sixth line he found another picture.

“Will this count?”

The picture was showing a lighting storm. Thunders were coming down from the sky and were hitting the ground.

“Still how should I interpret it. Lighting? Thunder? Spell?”

-you have problem with something?

Because after first letter Arata went quiet for about five minutes Yume asked.

“Might as well ask her.”

-which word would you use to describe this picture.

Arata show her the page and pointed at the picture with lighting storm.

-this one? I would say electricity.

Her answer was rather unexpected.

-electricity? Why this one?

This term wasn’t used in fantasy worlds. Reason for that is electricity is not discovered in medieval time in which those worlds usually appear.

-somehow.

-that’s not really convincing.

-but that’s the first word that came to my mind when I first looked at it. Also look, thunders make letter E in a way.

“I guess it’s true but it’s more of an F.”

-okay but letter E next to the R but do it in bracket. Also letters L, T and S should appear under it just like with V…

Yume note it down just like Arata said without asking more question.

Arata finished first page after about half an hour. It was much faster than he originally thought. Reason for that was that there were not that many magical oriented pictures so far.

-you already finished first page?

Yume was also suppressed when Arata put it down.

-yes, show me the notes so I can see how it goes.

Yume passed him a her notes.

“Hope it will be something readable. There were only like seven pictures so far.”

The notes were written just like Arata asked and even though it were random letters next to each other with Yume’s handwriting and organization they didn’t look that chaotic. Also it looked like she was already trying to create the words out from it. She had a lot of time and not really much to do.

-I think the most possible one right now is ‘Read the’. Only second E and one other letter are from bracket.

“That’s probably it. The second page should say what you should read.”

-that’s probably it. Let’s see what says the other page.

“Strange though. I thought that one page should symbolize one sentence. That was at least in Anari’s case when with four pages she got four sentences. Guess it’s not a rule.”

After another half an hour his worries turned out to be correct.

Even though there were much more pictures related to magic on this page Arata managed to finish it even faster than previous one. There were also few pictures that repeated themselves. It looked like the Wizard that made it was somewhat lazy at coming up with new symbols for each letter. Arata really started to believe that it was the same Wizard that he looked for.

-so what does it says?

Upon finishing Arata didn’t ask for notes but for what Yume already created with it.

-it may not be correct but when we combine all we got it says ‘Read the instruction again’.

“Did I get it wrong?”

-your friend had some instruction for that quest?

Arata tried to find a solution. The message should be related to some quest that Yume’s friend had..

-hmm, the riddle came with instruction remember? It was in envelope.

-right, I still didn’t even read it.

-you already solved it the riddle so you don’t have to do it. The message must have been that.

-it won’t hurt.

Arata looked at the last page that he didn’t read before. Upon reading he reached very concerning part.

“’Owner is the king.’ That doesn’t sound good.”

While searching for pictures related to Wizards and magic there were quite number of them that would be related to King or monarchy. Second Arata read the words ‘Owner is the king’ he felt something was not right. Also those words were separated from all the text implying that they are important.

“That’s what you got if you don’t read the instruction first.”

Arata finished the whole instruction and after doing so he was sure that it was the same Wizard he once met. His style of writing was as annoying as he himself.

-you got something?…

Yume while Arata was thinking about how he should make his revenge on Wizard.

“I will finally get my reward. I have been waiting too long for it.”

-Arata! …

“Still this won’t be enough. There should be something extra for a long wait. Debts are growing with time after all.”

-hey!

Yume’s attempts were still in vain. Evil smile started to appear on Arata’s face.

“I know I will leave one punch for other time so he won’t know when it will come at him. He will live with consciousness that he can be hit any time in my presence.”

Then Arata felt something touching his check. It was Yume’s index finger. It brought effect right away.

“Ha?”

-what are you doing?

Arata asked.

-oh, you are back. So did you found out something?

Yume asked but she didn’t stop touching his check.

-can you stop this first.

-I am making sure you listen.

Arata moved his head away.

-making sure I listen, what is with that method?

-it worked, didn’t it? I use it quite often and it always works great when someone is daydreaming.

“Often? No never mind.”

-I stopped daydreaming as you called it so you can stop as well. Then about the riddle, we got it wrong so we need to go over it once again.

-wrong? But the sentence sound like sentence.

“I wonder if that Wizard made it on purpose or not.”

-there are small chances that it’s right and the message is meaningless…

“Given that it’s that Wizard the chances are not that small though.”

-still, I think the correct to solve this riddle is slightly different.

-in that case let’s go back to work.

And so Arata and Yume started all over again.

This time it took him more than an hour even though he already had the experience. The reason for that was, there were much more pictures related to the king rather than those related to magician. Still the work bore a fruit and the message that sounded like advice was formed. Just like before Yume was the one to make the full sentence out from it.

-‘Plebian can’t lay their hands on King’s crown. Only worthy one, recognized by the king can take it.’ That’s what it says.

-its sounds like the right solution this time but what does word plebian even means? You sure you got it right? Maybe there are other combinations.

-I had problems with this one but this is the most normal sounding word that could be made also there was not much to choose from. It’s either this or Blebian or Blelian or Plelian. I just chose the normal letters here.

-I never heard a word that would sound like any of those.

-me neither. Still, from the sentence I understand it is related to a person. Maybe it’s a name of someone or their status, position, well doesn’t really matter. We might as well change it to John.

-leave it as plebian then. Anyway, how do you feel about this message? Any crowns or kings are related to this quest?

-yes, they are more than related. In that quest she has to take the crown from the tomb of the king.

-fits perfectly then.

-it really does!…

After proclaiming loudly Yume once again tried to hug Arata, still even after three hours of siting on the bench and looking at the pictures his senses did get an worse.

-why do you dodge?!

She asked.

-it’s natural when someone tries to attack you.

-it was a ‘hug of thanks’.

-so that’s the name of that attack.

Arata’s viewpoint was a little different on it.

-mhm!

-anyway, let’s talk about my payment.

Arata would not forget about most important thing.

-right, here is your 100 gold…

Yume gave him 100 gold without a moment of thought.

“This is more than I ever had before.”

-you are good guy after all Arata. Despite lying earlier.

Yume complemented him.

-and what brings that now?

-you know, I was satisfied with first solution and I would give you 100 gold for it but you stayed for another nearly two hours and worked to make sure you got it right.

“Ah, didn’t realize that I can cheat it out like this.”

Even if he did, Arata would not cheat anyone out of money.

Probably.

- hope it will help your friend. Also, just for a record, I didn’t lie to you even once.

-any you kept on saying that even though it’s not logical.

-that is the truth. And it is logical when you add one more aspect.

-and that is?

-something that you don’t have to know. In the first place I don’t really care if you think I lied or not.

-stingy!…

Arata didn’t plan to tell anyone about his [sacrifice] skill and not only that. He didn’t plan to reveal any of other skill as well or his classes. He did not really think that it was that useful to hide it. Still it looked like in EOA revealing too much information was not something experienced player would do. For example Arata still had no idea what was Gerald’s class. There was one thing that Arata would reveal however and that was his level. If he wanted to form a group he would need to reveal at least that. He could say that his level is around this or that number but that was annoying to do so. In the end level, right now was supposed to not mean much. That what others told him at least. And whatever level difference there might be, Arata was always positive about winning.

Arata stand up from the bench as his job was done and paid.

-you are going already?

Yume asked.

-no reason to sit here all day.

“I don’t any gear right now as I just got a set of new items. I think I should buy some ingredients and then cook something awesome. Or I can buy some ingredients for later and go to some restaurant or something. I have a lot of gold after all. But it’s a little waste to spend it on some restaurant on food. On the other hand if it’s any close to Marco’s level then it would be definitely worth it. Well, I still don’t know where I can find anything so I will continue to take tour around this city. If I find anything interesting I will stop there. Hmm, Should I go back to the center first?”

Arata wondered at what to do next. Being completely new in this city didn’t give him much options to choose.

-then let’s go…

Yume also stood up and started going in one direction.

“Now then should I go left or right?”

-Arata, don’t just stand there! …

“Left seems like the right option. But I feel a nice flavor coming from the right one.”

-oiiiii!

“Wait is that a restaurant over there? Well I was going to choose first restaurant carefully but whatever I am going to…”

When he was in middle of planning Arata felt a soft push on his checks.

“Ha?”

It was once again Yume’s doing.

-you need something else?

Her method did work like a magic, although Arata would never try to use it himself.

-don’t tell me you already forgotten.

“Was there something else?”

-sorry, those pictures brainwashed me and I don’t remember.

-you said you wanted to see the Wizard, that questgiver right? I was going to show you the way…

There was no need to say anything else and Arata start following Yume right away. They once again started to go through alleys of Karma.

-so what is your relation with that questgiver?…

Yume asked when they were walking.

-also, how do you plan to enter his hideout? He likes you so much that he will open it when he sees you?

-relation? Well I did two quests for him. As for entering his hideout, yes the entrance will appear right away.

-two quest? Amazing. You sure you are 100 level?

-those were quest in city of beginners, I meet that guy there, why do you ask about him though?

-I was wondering if you are looking for him to get another quest.

“Ah that’s why she is coming along. She thinks that if I get some quest she also will also get one. Haha, I finally understood her intentions.”

-I don’t go there to get a quest.

-but if he offered you one you would take it right?

-no.

Arata didn’t think much about his answer.

-why not? You said you have nothing to do right now, what can be better than doing epic the quest and get awesome reward. You said you already completed two quests from him why not take another?

-it’s because I completed two quests from him.

-what reward was not enough?

-you could say that.

-but those were in city of beginners right. This time it could be something much better. You should see what my friend got from one of her quest, you would change your mind right away. Or were his too hard and you don’t want to take more risks?

-you are somewhat too concerned about it.

Arata had to point it out as he was bombarded by Yume with questions.

-ah yes, sorry.

-you really want to get a quest that badly?

-me, not really. I am busy anyway, no time for quests right now.

“Was I wrong?”

-anyway, I don’t think of getting any quests for no either. If I find something really good, I might take it but I would leave it for another time when I once again feel like it. Although that Wizard is exception, I don’t want to take anything from him.

-I see.

From that moment their conversation completely ended. It lasted like that until they reached a lone tower which was placed between dwarven and human district.

-it’s here.

The silence was broken by Yume.

-you said that the entrance to the hideout is at the back right?

-yes it’s there.

-then I will be going.

Arata started to move in direction of the bushes. He did not know why Yume went silent out of sudden but he suspected her to leave him now that she showed him the way as she promised but to his surprise she did not so.

-I am coming as well.

They started to move through the bushes. The awkward silent was once again there. Arata couldn’t take it anymore.

-I didn’t think you will be coming with me.

-why not?

-didn’t I offend you somehow, you stopped talking out of sudden.

-you also stopped talking.

-but for me it’s normal.

-and for me it’s not?

-from what I heard from your friends and from what I saw so far you then not.

-you didn’t do anything wrong Arata. I shouldn’t have hope. It would be impossible anyway.

-what would be impossible?

-I won’t tell you.

-why?

-secret. You have your secrets as well don’t you Arata?

-yes, those are not something to get sad over.

-unfortunately mine are, but in the end there are nothing you can really do about it even if you choose differently. Also I don’t have permission to tell about it to anyone. I will just tell you this. Arata you didn’t do anything wrong so, don’t worry about it…

Arata could not say anything to that as the matter seemed too deep for an outsider to intervene with it.

They reached the hidden entrance to the hideout. Well it was just slightly different from piece of wood and a torch holder on it. It didn’t look like an entrance at all.

-well Arata this is the place from where my friend enters to wizard hideout. To open it normally, first she would need to enter the tower and do some kind of ritual. She never told me what that ritual is though.

-so how do you know this is the entrance.

-after the ritual she would come out from the tower and come here. I was with her once when she visited that questgiver. The last stadium is putting back the torch into torch-holder and then pulling it, then hidden entrance opens.

-isn’t it a little bit too complicated?

-probably, but that’s the only way to open it. Also if you try to pull the torch without doing the ritual, trap will activate and you will die.

“This whole thing sounds really fishy.”

Arata ignored Yume’s warning. He picked up the torch put it into torch-holder and pulled it.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

-what are you doing! You want to die?!

Yume shouted at him for being careless but nothing happened to Arata. Also the hidden doors started to open.

-thought so.

-why nothing have happened?

Yume could not understand.

-because the rituals and trap were simply a lies. You never tried to open it this way?

-well losing levels for such stupid thing is not worth it…

“Right, people normally lose levels when they die. Still if I were to do some stupid rituals every time I have to open those doors, I would take a risk at least once to see if it’s true.”

-Arata you are not afraid of dying, aren’t you?

-it’s a game after all. It’s normal to die from time to time. Rather if you don’t die from time to time it’s a boring and way too easy game for my taste. Well then, shall we go in?…

Arata entered the hideout or rather he wanted to enter it. Instead of entering he encountered invisible barrier.

-ah what next?

-well this is the reason why I never saw that questgiver. My friend can pass through this barrier without any problems but if I try, it will block me. Seeing that you are blocked as well it means that one can’t simply enter this place.

-ever tried to break through it?

-give up that idea right away. This barrier is like the ones in boss room. The one which won’t allow you to leave the boss fight.

-ho?

-Arata, I thought you could enter because you know that questgiver but it looks like this is not the same questgiver you know. Otherwise he would let you in.

-no, I am positive that this is the Wizard I am looking for, and if he knew that it was me, he would definitely not let me in but don’t worry I had a plan before coming here.

Arata unsheathed both of his swords from right side.

-I said it won’t work. Listen my class is elementalist its main strength is enormous damage in single hit. My best spell bounce out of this barrier, do you think you can do better?

-elementalist? That’s some kind of mage right? Your spells are probably strong indeed. But I will break through no problem.

-I heard about players that can break through boss room barriers but those are only few and they are way out of your league. Or is it that you lied to me after all and you are one of them?

-I didn’t lie.

-then why do you say that you will break through the barrier.

-did I ever mention breaking through the barrier?

Arata moved a little to the right.

[Sword enchant: Wind]

[Sword Slash]

[Sword Slash]

With both swords he released an invisible arc that cut through the walls next to the barrier. The walls broke down right away as they were not that thick. The inside was also cut a little.

“One would be enough, good thing that the tower didn’t start to crumble.”

Arata entered the hole and jump down on the stairs. It was close so his torso was still out for Yume to see.

-see, I broke through.

Yume stood there without a word. She never thought about crazy idea like breaking through the wall rather than breaking through the barrier. Still she went quickly back to her usual self ad followed after Arata.

-that surprised me you know?

-the easiest solution is the best solution right? If you can’t break through the barrier why don’t you break through the wall next to it.

-I think I saw a movie where thief couldn’t broke through the bank iron doors and come up with similar idea the break through the wall instead.

-if you think about it, it has a lot of sense.

“Although it was a solution that Gerald gave me to escape dungeons. But it has other ways of use as well.”

-but won’t that questgiver be angry at you. You destroyed his perfect hideout.

-only the entrance and it’s not like I need something from him. Making him angry is in my interest.

-but what if he attacks us out of sudden.

-then I will beat his ass.

-easiest solution is the best solution right?

-exactly.

They walked down through pretty long stairs but finally reached the end of it.

They entered the first room. It was quite large room. The walls were filled with book on bookshelves. There were few doors to other parts of the hideout. But there was no need to look for the Wizard as he was in this very room. He was sitting in a rocking chair behind the desk. He was looking as wizardly as possible. He was wearing purple robes had long white beard and long purple pointed hat.

“It’s him.”

Arata confirmed that it was the Wizard that he once met.

There was no reaction from Wizard at all though. In fact he was sleeping. Arata and Yume could even hear him snoring.

-he didn’t wake up after that sound? He really is a hard sleeper. Should we come another time?

-I know how to wake him up. Just you wait.

Arata walked up to the rocking chair on which Wizard rocked.

-what are you going to do?

Arata was no longer listening to Yume.

-oh, how long I been waiting for this.

Arata first took a stand, made a huge swing and then, made blow with his right hand right into Wizard’s sleeping face. With a loud thud, the Wizard hit the floor after falling back with the chair.

Arata did not hold back at all and made the strongest hit he possibly could.

“Ah, this felt good.”

-Arata what are you doing! You just killed him!

Yume’s reaction was quite normal seeing what happened.

-it’s a game right? Dying from time to time is normal.

-but it’s NPC! They don’t revive if they are killed!

-this one got what he deserved, now shall we go then?

Arata was not really concerned by the fact that the Wizard might have just died.

-wait, you came here just to do that!?

-pretty much.

Arata turned started to go back in the stairs direction.

-but if NPCs dies then the quest dies with them. You just destroyed my friend quest.

-yea sorry about that.

Arata said that but he didn’t felt sorry at all. Still he could see that strangely Yume was not that unhappy about the outcome.

-well what happened, happened. We can’t do anything about it can we.

They both started to walk in direction of the stairs but then they encountered a barrier and couldn’t go through it.

-should I destroy the wall on the left or the right?

-let me try it this time.

-YOU THERE!!!!!!!! You dare to attack the great me!

They heard a yell coming from behind them. It looked like the Wizard didn’t die from that punch. He was quite lively so to say. He already had two large spells ready to fire in his hands.

-he is alive?

Arata said without worry, although he should be worried about something right now.

-hey Arata, those two spell, if we got hit by it we will die instantly.

-I can tell, without you saying it.

But then those two spells disappeared all out of sudden. Also Wizard voice was no longer in higher tone.

-Arata?

The Wizard said his name surprised.

-old man, why do you get angry? I only here to get my reward, you don’t have right to counter attack me.

-what do you mean reward?

Yume asked.

-you see that yelling old man is a questgiver who runs away without giving reward to those who complete his quests. That’s why I won’t work for him again. There is no gain.

-so that’s why you didn’t want were so against it. Still, your previous reward was hitting him in a face?

-I got three hits in fact but I will leave remaining two times for when I will be in bad mood. Anyway that is what he gets for cheating me.

-it’s you who swindled me out of money!

Wizard interrupted their discussion.

-hey, it was legal transaction, you agreed to it.

-agreed or not, it’s something that I shouldn’t do.

-you also shouldn’t be running away from giving the reward to person who completes your quests.

-it was what needed to be done so everything was once again in the balance.

-exactly everything needs to be in the balance so what I just did, needed to be done to keep that balance.

Although the Wizard was bleeding before and looked dead on the floor, right now he was doing fine. He raised back his chair and sit back on it then he started.

-well then Arata, it’s been a while hasn’t it? Good job on making it this far.

-I didn’t come here for a talk and I am leaving already. If you don’t want your hideout’s walls to get destroyed remove this barrier.

-yes, you are free to go if you want…

The Wizard waved his hand and the barrier disappeared.

-but if you want to hear what I have to tell you then it’s better if you stay.

-see ya, I will come back the other time when I feel like punching someone.

Arata was not hesitating in the answer.

-Arata wait, let’s listen to what he wants to say, we came all the way here after all.

Yume stopped him from advancing.

-it’s a waste of time I tell.

-can’t you do it for me?

When Yume put the matter like that Arata finally agreed. He didn’t really own Yume anything but he simply was bad at rejecting requests made in that way. Also he didn’t really have anything specific to do right now. He and Yume sit down on the couch, then the Wizard started.

-Arata you have changed. Last time I had to bride you with money.

-it’s not me who wanted to stay.

-yes it’s good that Yume is here with us.

-you know me?

-I heard about you quite a lot from our friend Rin. It’s really good that she has you as a friend.

-well thank you.

Yume answered but then.

-don’t get deceived he is an evil being.

Arata said to Yume so she doesn’t get deluded.

-he doesn’t look bad to me.

-Arata don’t slander me, I never did anything bad, did I?

-you never did anything bad? What about the time when you gave Anari impossible puzzle.

-it was a miscalculation, I didn’t do it willingly. Everyone can do a mistake.

-what about the wolf that was waiting at the end.

-I don’t know how it leaded to it? That wolf was supposed to be smaller and it was supposed to be a small puppy.

-as if I would believe you. Anyway from what I heard you still into bullying people to whom you give quests. Yume can confirm it right? Yume?

Yume did not say anything her eyes started to look into the ground.

-hey!

There was no reaction.

“I wasn’t going to ever use it but I have to try this.”

With index finger Arata touched her check.

-Arata what are you doing?!

-wow, it really works like magic…

Arata put his finger back.

-anyway I was saying that the quests he gives are impossible right?

-well they are really hard at least.

-so, what will you say to that old man?

To that wizard answered.

-the prequest that I gave to Rin is not hard. What awaits her afterward is much harder than it though.

-and you tell me you are not evil.

Arata kept on joking but then.

-she can’t deal with that and you want her to take on something harder!

Previously collected Yume bursted out.

-I wouldn’t if I didn’t have to but Rin must complete that quest. This is at least what I feel.

-… .

-yes, yes destiny and other stuff. This game just loves this theme. Anyway Yume, if that quest is that hard why don’t that girl just look for a group and do it with a good team? Everything can be done with numbers.

-if she could do that she would do it long time ago.

Yume answered to Arata’s obvious question. Arata continued.

-and why she can’t do it?

-well, she is somewhat bad with people.

-bad with people? In that case either she became good with them or she has to give up on that quest. Some people needs to understand the meaning of word MMO, if you don’t want to play with other people there are things you can’t do here. If she wants to play solo she should simply play normal RPGs.

-… .

Yume didn’t say anything to that but just looked down silent. Arata felt that he said something wrong but what he said was entirely true and he would not back off from what he once said. The wizard interrupted them.

-well, well. No need to argue about those things.

-we are not arguing as it has nothing to do with me.

Arata cut it short.

-yes it has nothing to do with you.

-well then, you still want anything from me or not? I think there are more interesting places in this city than some old basement.

-it’s a perfect place for me, no annoying visitors. No ones can enter here.

-we entered here and now that the entrance is no longer hidden you will get much more guests.

“Serves you right.”

-… .

The wizard was quite unhappy about it but he didn’t say a thing.

-I see that you really have nothing more to say in that case.

-it’s not me who wants to say something, right girl?

Wizard looked at Yume. She was still sitting on the couch.

-I just.

-yes?

-I just want you to leave Rin alone.

Yume said strongly to Wizard.

-oho and why is that?

-because of your quest, she… . Anyway why do make her do it? If you want that quest completed find someone else for it and leave Rin out from it!

“Ah, people take this game too serious.”

Arata could not understand why someone would say something like that to NPC. Wizard answered to Yume request.

-I know why you ask that and I understand your worry as her friend, still this quest is important and Rin must be the one to take main reward out from it. If it were not for that, I would let it to someone else long ago. Or rather I would never create that quest in the first place.

-she doesn’t need your reward!

-oh but she does, she does.

-it’s definitely not worth what she is doing. What is that reward you speak off!

-I don’t know, I only know that Rin must get it. That’s why no matter how long it will take I will wait…

Arata was standing near the stairs and was wondering if he should already go or not. He didn’t want to stay here and listen to their conversation as he didn’t understand half of it.

Still he decided to wait for Yume as it would be rude to leave like that.

-now then, you finally reached this place and talked with me, do you have anything to ask of me?

The wizard asked like he already knew the answer. Still Yume’s answer was not what he expected.

-no, if you can’t revoke that quest, we have nothing to talk about.

-really? I thought that you would ask me to give you the same quest Rin has, with that you could help her and gain the profit from it.

-I don’t need anything for helping my friend. Also, I already tried to help her but I alone am not good enough for it. In the end I was just getting in her way. And if following quests are going to be even harder there is no reason for me to even get that quest.

-still that would be the beginning. Couldn’t you find more people for that quest? With that Rin would also complete it, wouldn’t she?

The wizard continued.

-she would not join that group as for her it would have no meaning to do it like that.

-still she would get the reward that way and everything would end as it should.

-I would not be able to convince her. Would you be able to do it?

-no, it’s impossible and I already tried…

“What is so hard in joining a group for a quest? I mean you can just stay quiet in a corner and do your job? Can’t that person even do that?”

Arata really could not understand the situation.

-still, I think there is a way for it to work.

Wizard continued.

-you just don’t know her enough.

Wizard had hopes but Yume shot the down right away.

-the idea of her joining huge raid group is indeed not the best one. Also if too many people take up on that quest the main reward will not be accessible.

“If there is too many people on quest, rewards become smaller? That’s some good info.”

Arata finally got something out from coming here.

“I see where it coming from as its makes this game more complicated. One the other hand it kills MMO spirit of this game. You don’t want too much people on your quest or the reward will be lesser.”

-so you have some idea?

Yume asked but she was not really convinced.

-the solution is simple. Rin has to look for her group herself.

-eh… .

It looked like Yume did not believe in Wizard words.

-it doesn’t have to be that big group, in the first place there can’t be more than 5 in it.

-sorry to say it but it’s impossible. Rin will definitely not do that.

Because Wizard was getting a little excited Yum shot his idea down right away.

-I know her well and I think it’s possible.

Still Wizard continued.

-I know her better and I know that it’s not. Listen, she once told me this. She wouldn’t mind that much having a party for her quest if it meant completing it, but because there are no people that could really help in it, it’s better to do it alone. In the first place she considers every other player a trash that can’t tell left from right and that they are no salvation for them at all.

“Ah, now I get it, that person simply got fed up with noobs. Well it’s true that 99% of people who plays MMO are bad players. I guess here in VRMMO it’s even worse. Although Gerald said that from level 100 up it’s not that bad as people should have at least pass 100 level barrier. Still remembering all those boar hunters I can’t be certain of it.”

-she really said that?

Wizard asked.

-yes.

Yume confirmed.

-then the answer is simple, she needs to find good players whom she won’t consider a trash. Tell her that when you meet her, it’s a bonus advice to the one she got in a riddle.

Wizard was proud of himself but Yume was not impressed by it.

-as if finding people like that was easy!

-maximum amount is five so it won’t be that bad.

-with Rin standards it will.

-well she might be good but this world is huge. There are many better than her.

-maybe somewhere but not in Karma.

-you are so pessimistic about this.

-I am realistic and you are talking to someone who knows everyone in this city.

-in that case you should have no problem in helping Rin in finding those good people.

-there are none who would be up to her standards.

-well its god forsaken province after all, you might be right.

It looked like Wizard was finally convinced.

-don’t insult Karma!

-I know you love your city but that is the truth. Anyway because it’s a god forsaken province I will help finding someone.

-really?

-well it’s against the rules of quest givers but in the end, I can do what I want and no one will have complains.

-so do you have anyone in mind?

-hmm, I will scan the city and look for someone right for the job, there should be someone here. Even though it’s god forsaken province it’s still a big city.

-I said don’t insult Karma!

-I just stating the fact. You should see more of the world then you would understand. Still do I really need to do it? As far as I know you have few quite strong friends out there, wouldn’t they suffice?

-I already proposed that solution but Rin would not accept that.

-ah, why does she always need to create problems. Anyway, fine I will find someone else.

The Wizard closed his eyes and focused. Right away a blue mist started to form around him. But it was only for a second as Wizard opened his eyes right away.

-you found someone?

Yume asked right away.

-you could say that, but there were no really need to look too far.

In that moment Wizard looked in Arata’s way.

-no.

Arata just said those words as he understood what that look meant.

-I still didn’t say anything.

-hmm?

Yume looked in Arata’s way.

-you don’t need to say anything but the answer is no and I will be going now.

-why no? Didn’t you already do something similar for me?

-it was different that time.

-wait, you mean, you want Arata to help her?!

Yume finally realized and bursted out.

-I still have to convince him, well now it’s just a matter of time.

-good luck with that but the answer is no.

Arata answered but then Yume once again interrupted them and said something that hurt Arata’s pride.

-still, I don’t think that Rin would consider him good enough. I saw him die already once so he is not as good as you think mr. Wizard, better if you look for someone else. Also Rin really hate liars so it would end in her killing after exchanging few words.

-for the hundred times, I didn’t lie to you!

-even if you didn’t, what you said is really suspicious and that would be enough for getting one way ticked to the grave if you tell it to my friend.

-I don’t plan on seeing your friend anyway so we will never know. Still you have to take back what you said. I would not lose to someone who doesn’t understand the importance of parties in MMOs.

-you think so? I think that she would ravage the floor with you.

Arata didn’t expect Yume to use words like that but it just meant that she really believed so.

-hmm…

Arata made an evil smirk.

-there is always only one way to find out isn’t there? Just don’t blame me for what happens.

-I won’t and it’s you who shouldn’t blame me. Anyway if you want to fight with her I can easily arrange it.

-Yume…

Wizard stopped her.

-Arata is surely strong I can assure you of that.

-good enough to beat Rin?

-well, as he said there is only one way to find out. But what would be the meaning of them fighting if they are to make a party. Anyway Arata will you accept this request of mine?

-no.

Arata was not taken by a flow of conversation.

-if he doesn’t want don’t force him…

Yume in the end took his side.

-still, tell me on what do you base him being better than Rin? You know what Rin can do right?

-on what? Well. I first meet him even before he got a profession in a city far, far away. And now, not even two months later from that time he managed to get to this place already. Also I heard that he managed to fully complete trial of adventure on his first try. Now then Yume, do you know anyone else that managed to do it?

-Arata you fully completed 100th level barrier!?

-well yea.

Arata answered like it was not a big deal.

-but that’s impossible!

-hardly impossible when there were 300 people who did it before me.

-now then Yume, do you believe in him now?

Wizard interrupted them.

-but that challenge, even Rin didn’t manage to complete it. It’s really hard. I don’t know anyone who did.

-yes, Rin should be able to complete it as well but she went for it the wrong way. To pass trial of adventure fully one must not only be good fighter…

“You also need super gear and potion of overpowerness.”

-now then Arata, I think you have her approval.

-nice try but I am not falling for it.

Arata kept his position clear. The wizard got inpatient.

-ah! You did it once already, what’s your problem? Why can’t you do it again?!

-as I said that time was different. Right now, I just don’t want to get involved in anything troublesome when I finally can slack of, that’s all. Don’t mistake me for someone who I am not, you got a wrong idea about me.

-I do?

-yes you do.

-mr. Wizard you can’t force him if he doesn’t want to. Just like he said it’s not his problem…

Yume interrupted them.

-still Arata, you sure you don’t want to do this? This quest should be high ranked and reward would be probably big.

“What she says is truth but I don’t really want to get involved in impossible quests right now. That Wizard can find someone else without problems so even if Yume’s friend really need help it doesn’t have to be me.”

-no it’s better if that old man finds someone else for this job. Sorry.

-you already helped enough. You solved the riddle after all. You don’t have to be sorry. So Mr. Wizard can you find someone else?

-I can but, Arata you think you can just walk pass it?

-yes. You can’t force me into anything.

-then let me ask you something. Why did you fought in that park on the mission I gave you?

“Strange question.”

-well if I didn’t do it, I would have died. Well I died anyway.

-but if you escaped you could stay alive.

-if I did that then Anari would die.

-so instead of choosing the easy option you decided to help her and defend her?

-more or less. I didn’t want to see her dead that’s all.

-then you help people only when it’s convenient for you? As long as you don’t see someone’s problem it’s not your business?

-even if I see someone’s problem it’s still not my business.

-hmm, well then, let me see if your opinion won’t change the next time we meet, you might go.

-well look forward to meeting me again, remember I still have two… aaaaaaa…!

In that moment Arata start falling into the floor. A colorful hole appeared right underneath him and in second he was no longer in Wizard’s laboratory.

“That bastard.”

Though Arata after landing on solid ground.

“And where am I?”

Arata looked around. The place that he appeared in was completely unfamiliar to him. Needless to say, it didn’t look like any part of the city. Well, Arata didn’t know the city that well but he could be sure that he was not in it as around him there was a forest. The place he appeared in though looked more like cemetery. There were graves around him and stone crosses next to them. There was also a building that looked like some larger tomb of someone more important.

Above Arata there was a colorful hole from which he fell out from. It disappeared soon after though.

“And what now? As far as I know, I can be everywhere right now. Well it’s only a little setback, I guess.”

Arata as always was optimistic and tried not to get angry over it. He couldn’t do anything about it anymore. Still it was the truth as no matter where he would end up, it made little difference for him, sure he would have to start from the beginning and look for new city again but it was not that bad.

“There is a road so if I follow it, I should get to some city? Still I wonder if he sent me somewhere too far away like other side of the world. Well I doubt that as this forest looks quite familiar.”

The forest in colors of red, yellow and brown. Leafs of fall season. It looked the same as the forest which he first explored near Karma early this morning. Also Arata didn’t believe in Wizard potential to send him somewhere too far off.

“Going to city should by my priority but I want to stretch a little.”

Arata once again looked around the cemetery.

“How can cemetery have no ghoul or two walking around in MMO is beyond me.”

Arata wanted to kill some monsters but there were none in sight. Because of that he started to walk in direction of the tomb.

“It’s probably because it’s still midday. They probably come out only at night. Still inside this crypt there should be a skeleton or two.”

Arata decided to see what he can find inside the tomb. In games with open worlds the greatest pleasure is just exploring. For example you go through the road and see lone tower in a distance. No matter what were you doing at that moment, an inner voice will say, go to this tower and see what’s there. Even if there is nothing special about it. In cases of towers you can at least see the sight from atop of it.

When Arata was right at the entrance, he could see the long stairs downward to the ground. It was at least three meters long down.

“What’s this?”

At the end of the tunnel he could see a dime of the green colored light. Also it looked like there were a lot of people down there. Arata could see their shadows and quite number of heads. Then, there was also quiet sound of swords clashing at each other.

“Guess it’s a dungeon after all. In that case I will just take a look, if it looks interesting I will come back later.”

Arata continued to go down the stairs. It was dark inside and he couldn’t see that much, but there was a wall of people at the entrance to the next chamber. Arata could also make out someone who was sitting at the stairs but he could not see his face even after that person turned around.

-if you came here for this dungeon, or whatever this place is, you have come at the bad time because as you can see it’s occupied right now.

The voice seemed somewhat familiar to Arata but not enough to make him recognize the person who spoke the words.

-I here just to take look and I see that there are already too many people inside.

-people? What people.

-well those who are standing next to the door. There are a lot of them there, is it some raid dungeon?

Arata had no idea where Wizard could send him and from the look of the inside there were so many figures after all.

-you should come closer and have a better view.

Arata could make out that the voice belonged to a man. The man invited him downstairs which Arata was already doing. When he was close enough he could understand that he made a mistake. The figures did not belong to the players, neither did they belonged to humans or something that was alive.

The creatures were white and thin. They were skeletons. Still they were really clump up together and were making a wall of bones. Arata could see that there was really lot of them. Still because none of them made even step out from the rectangular door, Arata was sure that they would not attack him.

“Guess it’s some boss room with a barrier.”

-I see that the group that tried to complete this fight slacked off a little if they left so many of them alive.

-you wouldn’t say that if you saw how big that group was.

The man gave a reply to Arata’s comment.

-big or not, if they didn’t have enough people they shouldn’t even try in the first place.

-you are probably right still there are people who likes to solo dungeons as it’s more challenging this way. Right now someone is trying to solo it.

“Someone went solo there. I get that it’s something to brag about if you can complete dungeon alone but if you can’t do it you simply can’t do it. There are types of dungeons and encounters that can’t be soloed no matter what. And this one with this endless swarm of skeletons looks just like that type.”

-more challenging sure, but usually it’s also more suicidal.

-for most people yes, but the girl that entered there is quite good I must say. She is keeping it up for about three hours already…

“Three hours of non-stop fight, that’s something.”

-before there was a clean view on the inside. I must say that watching that girl fight is a work of art. It’s better than any action movie I ever saw.

It looked like the man was a talkative type.

-you know the person that is inside?

-personally no, but I heard few stories about her. Still those stories didn’t even tell a half of the story.

It looked like the man really meant what he said.

-still even if you stay here for longer you probably won’t be able to see anything again.

-it’s true that I can’t see anything now. It’s like that since an hour actually. From what I saw, the rate at which those skeletons come out is enormous. Still from time to time all of them are killed and the room is cleaned for few minutes. Right now I am waiting for next time it happens.

-you have no better to do? It’s nice to be free.

-well, I have things to do but they are no better than this. Have a sit and just wait for it.

“It won’t hurt I guess.”

Arata was not really that interested if the man was telling the truth or not. Still by talking with him a little longer he could confirm some things.

-I have question, do you know of any city that is close by?

-you are new around here?

-kind of.

-well I am the same I came here not that long ago. As for the city there is one, the name of that city is Karma. It’s not far from here if you follow the road out from the cemetery, you will get there in one or two hours.

“Guess I wasn’t sent that far. Rather it looks like I was send back to this forest. Just a minor setback them.”

-thanks for info.

-no problem but I see that you are not in hurry to find a city if you are entering a places like this.

-killing some monsters from time to time is a thing to do, right.

-well I feel the same way but you are lucky that you didn’t come here when no one was inside. It would be you surrounded by skeletons right now. Well you wouldn’t probably survive to point where it would get swarmed like this.

-I didn’t see how hard the fight was so I can’t tell.

-then let me tell you a little bit of this dungeon. Well, I also saw it only once so it’s only my observation. What I first saw was, five skeletons appearing at the time about every ten to twenty seconds. But their appearance rate increased with time, and it end up like this after some time.

-five at the time is a lot.

-later it becomes even ten at the time. Those skeletons may not be that durable but they are quite fast.

-use some AOE and it’s taken care of.

-I don’t think that anyone would last with mana for three hours of using AOE.

-probably not but that is because this dungeon was not designed for one player to beat. Soling something is not easy. In normal group it would definitely take faster. As far as I can see the person who is tried to complete this fight is long pass enrage timing.

-you mean that enrage is spawning endless number of skeletons.

-yes.

-and here my friend you are wrong…

The man started explaining.

-you are wrong, because this fight was designed to be a long fight. After about each 20 minutes there is a special enemy that appears except from skeletons. I think that encounter will end after you defeat all of those special enemies.

-in that case it’s true that you can’t speed it up. But then, in bigger group you would get overwhelmed by skeletons numbers. Still if you had a mage in party, one or two huge AOE and it’s clean.

-still even if you don’t clean them all and manage to kill the bosses you will complete the encounter.

-that is if you survive being surrounded by horde of enemies. You are telling me that the person who is staying inside is managing to pull it off.

-as I said, her figure fighting is a work of art.

-but for three hours?

-three hours and more. Three hours is the time when I came here and she was already inside. Also from what I counted, there should be 12 special skeletons and right now eleven of them are killed.

-you are saying that she is going to complete it?

Arata would be impressed if that was the case. He knew how hard it was to complete the normal dungeon and from the look of it this was boss encounter would be harder than anything that he seen so far. The reason for that was not number of enemies but how long one would need to keep himself alive in sea of enemies.

-as for completing part. I don’t really know. Up till the last boss it was looking quite good. But that fight was barely won by the girl and I thought for a second that she is going to fall down to the ground any moment. Well her eyes were nearly closed last time I saw her. Also did you hear it? The sounds of fight nearly died out inside it the room.

It was true that only from time to time Arata could hear any sounds from there.

-I guess I won’t be able to see anything here.

-don’t be so sure of that. Before the last boss it was the same. Then when the boss came, boom whole room cleaned and the fight begins. But god, that fight, that fight! If only you came 20 minutes earlier you don’t know what you have lost.

-well I never will but how did that girl cleaned the whole room. I take it that it was in the state.

-she has one overpowered spell, that’s the secret…

“Should have known.”

-still as I said it’s not that spell what you should look at but at her own fighting abilities and swordsmanship. Having overpowered skills is one thing, but fighting like that is another. Ah I think I will save today’s image and replay it from time to time.

There was a function that allowed you to rewatch what you saw recently in EOA. It lasted one month behind but if you wanted to save something you could easily do it.

-so when should next boss be coming?

Arata asked because he didn’t know if it was really worth to wait too long.

-it shouldn’t be too long I think. I am not keeping track of it but two to three minutes maybe.

When the man said the area around them got a little brighter. The source of that light was coming from the inside. In a distance one could see some golden mist forming.

-look it’s that spell, its means that the boss will be coming in a second.

The man stood up and in that moment his face was clearly seen. And seeing that face Arata couldn’t help but shout.

-it’s you Levi! And here I was wondering whose voice it was.

Arata recognized the blond haired knight of the silver hand order.

-do you know me? Haha, I am finally getting famous.

-no, you are not.

Arata also stand up and his face was now visible.

-this strange hairstyle can’t be mistaken for anything else. Arado, it’s been a while.

-it’s Arata.

Arata corrected him.

-yes, I had at the back of my mind…

“Normally it’s me who forgets someone’s name.”

-so Arata what are you doing here?

-I could ask you for the same thing.

-I will tell you later, it’s a little complicated.

-mine is also complicated.

-for you it’s probably, you just finished 100 level barrier and got send here. No rather this is the only option as you wouldn’t be able to get here any other way.

-if you know then why do yo ask?

-I just asked without thinking. Anyway, wait a second Arata and first look what is happening inside, I didn’t lie when I said that it’s a work of art.

This time, Arata got a little more interested, that was because he knew that Levi was not your average Joe when it’s comes to fighting.

-the greatest champion of our empire, show thee your strength.

The hollow voice came from inside the chamber. Levi commented.

-it’s coming, Arata look closely now. Even if it’s just a skill she uses, it’s looks awesome to look at. Anyway, she should start cleaning the room in a second.

Arata focused on the golden mist in a distance but nothing really happened. Then out of sudden the skeletons started to bury themselves under ground.

-I guess it worked but I didn’t really see anything.

Arata commented. The room did become clear but it didn’t seem like it was because of that spell.

-no it’s not that. I think, I get what happened though. Because it’s a last boss, skeletons are no longer part of encounter. Now all that the girl needs to do is defeat that last boss…

When some of the skeletons were already underground Arata could finally see the girl. It was not the sight he expected to see. Arata expected someone with fierce appearance but what he saw was girl with rather small body. It was not that she was short. She should be around 170 centimeters in high but she was really slim. Her arms had absolutely no muscles or fat on them. Then the girl was wearing really girly clothes. On top she only had a red-white vest or some kind of shirt without sleeves. At the front they were joined by bottoms like in shirt. The connection was in white color and looked like it was flounce. Then at the high of the chest, there were two red ribbons tied together, and then the collar around the neck. There were no sleeves but the girl was wearing long brown gloves up to arms. They were ended with white flounce. Shoulders were revealed. Around the belly she had a brow belt. The belt was tied around the red shirt. Then lower there was a brown miniskirt which also ended with flounce. Adding to that look she also had ridiculous long ruby hair. Arata would not consider her look normal but he would consider it to be very appealing in its way.

The girl eyes were nearly close and there were many wounds around her body, still she stood on her legs straights and was holding two ruby swords in her hands. Around her there was that golden mist and from it there were sticking out edges of various weapons. Each of those weapons was directed in one direction.

-guess you won’t see her fight because I think she is planning on using that skill to instantly kill the boss. Well I am not surprised by that.

Levi stated the fact.

-I will not fail you my king, never again.

Arata heard a new voice. It came from what looked like the last boss that the girl had to defeat. It was a knight in full plate crimson armor with large two handed sword.

-you see that weapon, I wonder if it’s drops here.

Seeing the weapon, even Arata who used two swords at the time wouldn’t mind changing his style.

-if it does I have someone that will want to know about it…

The sword looked imposing and really epic. Going around with something like that would definitely felt good.

The fight started soon or rather the massacre started soon. In one moment, ruby weapons started to pour out from the golden mist. It was a rain of swords. They were all going in direction of the knight with badass sword. First, the knight started running around the girl to avoid the first wave. He was doing quite well in avoiding the attacks.

“As long as you stay in a distance you can avoid it, still I don’t think it would be as easy as it looks.”

The pattern of girl’s attack changed. Now instead of going for a knight she started sending weapons in area around him.

-guess that would be it.

Levi commented as the weapons finally reached the knight. When that happen all weapons once again started to go in his direction and this time they also hit. The knight was taking it all.

-isn’t that skill a little overpowered?

-it is but you have to know that finding skills like this is not easy thing. It’s not like she got that for free also I saw skills that were better.

-like what?

-hmm, for example spell that eats half of the city with it and only leaves crater of mud behind.

-old times.

-anyway, Arata let’s go somewhere where we can talk in peace, I also hungry so it’s best if we go to the city?

It looked like Levi lost his interest in the battle already.

-didn’t you want to see the ending of that fight?

-what is there to see, it ended already didn’t it? That boss could do nothing against it. Still I tell you, you really should regret that you missed what happened previously. It was spectacle of swordsmanship and beauty not some overpowered spells like here. Although the girl was using that skill full time as well it was not that skill that managed to damage her opponent but two swords in her hands. You know what, I going to save that fight on video anyway so I can send you this it later if you want.

-no thank you, also I don’t think it the battle ended already.

-what are you saying? It’s nearly a minute since that knight start getting bombarded. He didn’t even move since then. I must say that the girl is making a little bit of overkill.

The ruby weapons kept pouring out from golden mist and kept on hitting the crimson knight. But the knight was just standing there like nothing and as if the weapons that kept hitting him were really simple raindrops. The weapons were either bouncing off or disappearing upon hitting the armor with the sound of shattered glass.

-guess that skill is not that overpowered.

Arata summed it up.

-no Arata, it is what it looks like. Each hit of those weapons is like getting hit from normal weapon. It’s not some imitation. It’s even pierced through my shield.

-what do you mean your shield?

-well I had a little episode with that girl.

-you mean you fought with her?

-haha, I wouldn’t call it a fight. Anyway don’t take that as some imitation.

-if it’s real then does it mean that this boss stays unaffected by it all.

-that’s what it looks to me…

The boss was just staying there as if waiting. Soon enough Arata understood what he was waiting for. The weapons stooped coming out at some point and the golden mist started to disappear.

-oh Arata, maybe you will see her fighting after all, looks like she went out of mana and can’t keep up the spell any longer…

“It doesn’t look like that to me.”

Arata could see that the girl had no fighting spirit in her. When the knight started to walk in her direction she slowly started to move back.

-what is she doing? Normal it was always her rushing forward at the enemy. Strange indeed, maybe she really is out of gas already…

Then it happened while walking backward the girl tripped and landed at her back. She did not even try to get up.

-looks like she really reached her limits. Still I thought that she would at least try now that it’s nearly the end.

-well if I were to die after few hours of fight I would give my best in last moments.

-me too, I mean, why do you even try if you don’t plan on giving it your 100% and give up at the end. Although, I kind of understand it after seeing what she would have to defeat.

The knights walking posture was not really something you would want to see at night.

-with attitude like that you would definitely lose.

-then what about you ‘mr. just dinged 100 level’, can you win against that guy?

-realistically speaking it would be hard, but there is only one way to find out right?

-if you say it like that why don’t you jump in and find out?

-because if I don’t have to do something I won’t, it’s my policy. It’s not my fight anyway.

“Still, somehow I don’t want to see that girl die.”

-well then Arata, it’s time for us to go right.

Levi said that but then Arata gave him an unusual response.

-Levi. Get above this place outside and wait for a signal.

-ha? What are you talking about, what signal?…

[Lighting speed activated]

-Hey what are you doing!

Arata jumped in through the entrance and started running in the direction of the knight and the girl.

The knight was about to finish her off. He swung his gigantic sword at her.

[Sword enchant: Shield]

With double speed Arata managed to reach them in time. He jumped right between the girl and the knight and blocked the gigantic sword with both of his in mid-air. In that moment Arata and the knight looked themselves in eyes. Even though the knight was wearing the helmet and his vision was really thin Arata felt like he could see them even if in real there was nothing of that sort. The clash lasted about three second and after that, Arata was send flying away.

“Christ, it wasn’t the best idea.”

Experiencing the might of the knight on himself Arata thought like that still, without delay after landing back on the ground, Arata rushed back at the knight.

-who dears to invade the tomb of Edward…

Arata did not focus on the voice that was coming from some green ghost in a distance.

When Arata got in range the knight with his gigantic sword slashed at him horizontally.

[Leap]

Arata jumped up while turning around. With the force of the jump he made few steps on the celling.

[Sword enchant: wind]

[Sword slash]

[Sword slash]

From the top he released double arc of wind at the knight.

“Let’s see if you will withstand this.”

Arata was not playing around and went all out from the start. But when Arata released this attack the knight’s sword was surrounded by dark energy in an instant and the knight instantly slashed with it upward at Arata attack.

Arata quickly pushed himself away from the celling back to the ground. Although double sword slash was Arata’s strongest combo he could felt that it will be broken. Although he didn’t see it he could feel his spell being destroyed by knight’s sword.

With that high slash, the knight’s sword went through the ceiling and day light started to come inside as it reached the outside. But it was only the beginning as the opening started to get bigger and bigger.

“Emm, I guess I will pass on finding out if I can win against this guy.”

Arata hid his red sword back to the sheath and started running in the direction where the girl was lying unconscious. After quickly picking her up in one arm he looked back at the knight.

“Now then, how should I do it?”

The knight did not follow after Arata right away and kept waiting under the opening he made. It looked he saw through Arata’s plan.

Arata wanted to use the hole that the knight just made to jump out from this dungeon and run away as far as possible but now that he saw crimson knight in his battle stance defending that opening, Arata didn’t felt like that will go well.

“I am going to return to my plan A.”

[Sword slash]

Arata released and arc of energy upward and just like knight before he made his own opening as he originally planned.

[Leap]

Right away without waiting he jumped upward.

Still Leap could bring him only as far as three meters up. Arata did jump off from the tomb but only his hand reached out to the outside ground. With a sword he stuck it in the ground so he doesn’t fall down. With the girl in his arm he couldn’t pull up though. After about ten seconds, Arata felt that he is slowly getting lower. The sword cut through the ground which could not support their weight for too long.

-Arata! …

But then Levi came to the rescue. He caught Arata’s hand and pulled him up from the hole. They both lay down on the ground and started breathing heavily.

The girl left Arata’s hand at some point and was lying unconscious next to him.

“Good thing it’s not the kind that comes out from the dungeon.”

Arata analyzed the situation. His plan had one weak spot in it and It was if knight would jump off from that tomb and went after them. Luckily it didn’t happen.

-you should have said something first if you are going to do something like this.

Levi complained.

-but I told you didn’t I? Wait for a signal outside.

-I didn’t see any signals.

-still you catch up on it.

Truth to be told Arata had no idea how it will really plan out so back then he just didn’t want Levi to jump after him. If he did that they would have to defeat that knight which would probably result in both of them dying. If Levi also had some kind of Leap skill it would be a different story but there was no time to ask him that..

Arata and Levi stood back on their feats.

-next time, just be more clearly. Still why did you do that?

Levi asked.

-well, somehow.

-I did not ask how but why?

-we couldn’t just let her die, right?

Arata’s reason was quite simple although he did not understand it himself fully.

-Arata you are one of those? You know I want to be a hero type!

-of course not!

-then why?

-well, somehow.

Arata did not have good explanation for why he did that. Or maybe he did but that explanation was something that he wouldn’t want to share.

-anyway what do you want to do with her now?

Levi stopped asking as he understood that he will not get good answer anyway. Instead he addressed the problem at hand.

-what I want to do? Nothing really. You thought that I rescued her because I wanted something in return?

-that’s how it usually goes. Normally you don’t risk your life for a stranger. Still I do understand you.

Levi grinned.

-I think you don’t.

Arata’s comment was ignored and Levi continued.

-after all it is just a game. The price for losing is just few levels but feeling of awesomest when you do stuff like that is worth it. I mean normally you can only read about it right or watch it in movies but here in this game you can actually do it. Then when you succeed you not only feel awesome but also who knows, maybe there will be extra reward in the end. After all it was clear example of saving a lady in trouble and we all know what comes after that.

It looked like Levi had an interpretation of Arata’s action.

-no I didn’t do it for that.

-you don’t have to hide it. I also did the same few times…

Levi replied with a grin and then continued.

-still, because it is within a game and being in danger is quite common, I didn’t even receive a single kiss in check in return. Pity, isn’t it? So Arata don’t except too much.

-hey, you should know that I don’t need any thank kisses with some girl.

-aaa, right you reminded me that I hate you…

Levi tried to sound serious for a moment but followed it up with a grin.

-nah just kidding. You didn’t take it seriously did you?

-even if it was serious I wouldn’t care less about what you think of me.

-how cold, aren’t we friends!?

-since when?

By the way, this scene was not serious but comedic.

-that doesn’t matter does it? Now then, let’s move somewhere away from those holes because if that knight jump out from them out of sudden it might end badly…

Arata pick up the girl from the ground and they left the cemetery. They didn’t move too far, only few meters away from cemetery in a forest next to the road.

-ah its good feeling to do a good deed from time to time, right Arata?

-yes but you didn’t do anything.

-if I didn’t help you, you would fall back to that hole.

-if I were really to fall down I would drop the girl down and get out on my own.

-you are just saying it, you wouldn’t do it.

-you don’t know me.

-if you were someone that could drop her down back to that hole, you wouldn’t try to help her in a first place.

-everything was planned out so I didn’t have to worry about that.

-ah Arata, you are too good for your own sake. Well then.

Levi walked next to the girl who was lying next to the tree. With his hand he touched her arm which was covered in blood. He stood up after his fingers were dyed in red and then unsheathed his sword.

-hey, what are you doing?

Arata asked seeing his strange behavior.

-something that I came here for…

With that answer Levi touched the sword with fingers that had blood on them. Then, Arata could see surprise on his face.

-green! Really? She killed me in cold blood and it’s still says green. I am writing a petition, this system is bugged!

He then cleaned his sword and hand and sit down back.

-so what were you doing?

Arata asked again and this time Levi answered.

-I was just checking something. Right, this is a good time to tell you what I was doing here. Remember when I told you about silver hand order points system.

-more or less. It wasn’t that complicated, you were gathering points for next rank and with each rank got some bonuses.

-then my explanation will be quick. I simply came here to get more points by catching a potential criminal, which is she.

Levi pointed at the girl with long ruby hair.

-hmm, she doesn’t look like criminal to me.

-looks can be deceiving although in the end I can’t get any points from killing her because I just checked it. I once told you that I need to land a hit on someone and I will know if that person is on list to catch or not. To be exact I need to have some of that person blood on my sword and it will do the trick.

-well that explains what you just did. Still you didn’t come here, I mean to this region of world just to check if you can get some points from her. Then why are you here?

-my reason is more or less the same reason as you and that is to level up and do random stuff. I don’t have any missions if you asking about that. In truth I didn’t have any other plans apart from checking the story of vicious ghost.

-vicious ghost?

-that or Queen of blades. In short this girl. You want to hear about it?

-nah, I am not interested.

Arata already heard the story about that from Yume so he didn’t ask for explanation. Arata once again looked at the girl.

“Still no matter how many times I look at her, I feel like I seen her somewhere. And it’s not the time when she first killed me after I finished the challenge, I didn’t see her face back then. Still, now that I return to that moment she countered my…”

-hey Arata.

-yes?

Levi stopped his thoughts.

-you have any plans now?

-not really. As you said, I am more or less in the same situation as you.

-in that case, want to make party with me?

Arata was taken back for a moment.

-party? You and me?

-you see anyone else here.

-I do but anyway, why do you want to make party out of sudden?

-it’s not out of sudden. I mean we both have no plans, and we also don’t know anyone around here. You should know that playing alone has its limits. After all, you need someone to go to the dungeons or slack around the town with. Also finding someone good to party with is, not that easy if you didn’t know. So what do you say?

Arata didn’t have to think too long about it.

-I guess it’s not that bad idea. I’m in.

And so Arata and Levi joined into party. It was something that just happened out of sudden, without second thought. They had no idea how long it would last though.

-great. Now then what should we do first?

-if you want to go for dungeons we would still need to find more people.

-finding more people won’t be a problem but we still don’t know where we could go after that.

-well, my plan was to explore the city first, buy some things then go exping. I had my part of dungeons recently so I am not in rush for going to another one.

-let’s go with your plan then. I personally didn’t thought about what to do after I done here.

-we still have one problem left though.

Arata pointed at the girl lying next to the tree.

-it will take some time before she wakes up, I tell you. After all, just look at her. If we weren’t in a game you would think that she can die any moment.

“If I didn’t see her breathing I would thought that she is already dead.”

-hey aren’t you a ‘Paladin’? Heal her up.

-didn’t I already tell you that I am not ‘Paladin’. I don’t have any healing spells.

-you could use your clock spell then.

-even with my full many it’s not enough to restore something back by three hours. Also I think that she wouldn’t want to forget about that fight. Anyway, she is not about to die so there is no need to use it. Arata don’t you have any healing spells?

-do I look like cleric to you?

-yea, forget that I ask. Do you have anything that can restore health?

-well I have few potions, as for skills, I have my cooking skill which is quite good at that.

-good cooking? Wasn’t it the other way around? With your cooking you created a poison if I remember correctly.

-it was not my fault.

-then you weren’t the one that made it that time?

-it was me but.

-if it was you then I will pass on your so called ‘cooking skills’.

-well it will be your lost.

-If you really had confidence in your cooking skills you would prove me otherwise.

-nice try but I will not fall for that.

-what are you saying Arata? What would you fall for?

-I am not making you a free lunch.

-haha, you got me here. But in occasion of our meeting and forming a party you should make something.

-well it’s not like I do mind it but I am out of materials right now. Do you have anything that would be classified as cooking material?

-I don’t.

-then there is no helping it, we will eat later.

-hmm, in that case, Arata mind if I log out for an hour or two?

-you can go if you want. I am not holding you.

-no, I am asking if you will wait for me, we are making a party, or did you already forget about it?

-just kidding. Anyway I will wait for you so go ahead, don’t take too long.

-I will try to get back before you get tired of waiting.

With those words Levi disappeared in a flash.

Arata look up to the sky. It was clear that in hour or two it is going to get dark.

“It was quite a long day.”

He decided to set up the fire. He started gathering wood that was lying around but then decided that cutting down the wood from the tree will be faster. After all he could do all he wanted as it was a game.

Arata set up the fire back at the place where he started off.

He also took out a blanked and covered the girl with it.

“That will do.”

Arata lay down on the ground. He was at the opposite end compared to the girl. He took his hands behind back of his head and started looking at the sky.

The night came faster than he thought. Although in real world, it was still early stages of summer the game or at least this part of the world was in fall season. Back in Triangle it was the summer but after jumping from there to here the season switched to fall. Or was it simply that enough day have passed. Arata didn’t bother to think about season system in EOA though and just simply accepted it.

Arata was looking at the sky where starts one by one were becoming visible and the sky darker and darker. While looking at starry sky like that Arata started to feel that something is missing. He started to feel his heart aching. It was painful, at the same there was nothing wrong with him physically. So far, in his life only once Arata felt like that. No, at that time it was much stronger feeling, more painful and much sadder because at that time, he thought he will never see her again.

-Kotori.

Arata spoke out loudly the name of the girl he loved and at the same time the source of his heart aching. Arata was feeling like that because it was the first time that he actually got separated from her for longer than three days. There was also no specific time for which he could hope to see her again.

“And here I was worrying about her.”

Kotori herself told him how much he hated how 100 level challenge ends and that she doesn’t want to be separated from him even if for a short period of time. At that time Arata was trying to cheer her up and said that it won’t be long before they meet each other again. They could call each other by phone anytime he was saying.

At the present time, if someone told Arata that he can call her by phone anytime and it will solve his problems, Arata would without a doubt punch him in the face.

Arata’s state about separating was as bad as or even worse than that of Kotori. He would just not say it out but that how it was. Arata himself would try to hide it, even from himself but at time like this and places like this he could not do so. It was after all the same as that time. Forest, during the night with starry sky. It was there, where it truly began. It was there where Arata and Kotori truly started to love each other.

Time when Arata felt similar pain was when he was fighting alone against the wolves. At that time his death seemed unavoidable but what pained him the most was the thought of not seeing Kotori again. But he did not die that time, Kotori came back in time and they both survived. That pain changed into love and into the ‘will’ to never leave her again.

When Arata and Kotori first meet on that hill, he was somewhat attracted to her but it was still not love. Although Kotori would say love at the first sight it was not that. Or maybe it was love at first sight, at that time Arata didn’t understand his feeling. Still as the time progressed and after what happened in that forest he was sure that he is in love with Kotori. Since then she became the reason he wanted to wake up at mornings. Time with her was the time that he was most happy.

For a long time before meeting her, Arata was in a state where he didn’t care about his life. After his parent’s death, he was convinced that he should die as well at that time and it was some kind of error that he lived. It became better with time but Arata became someone who wouldn’t mind throwing his life away for someone else, because with that single act, he would create a meaning for his life. Yes, it was what Arata was lacking, he saw no purpose in living. He could not find joy in everyday life, he was sure that he will no longer become who he once was. But then he found it, a new world in which he could forget about the past and at the same time be reminded about it. In this world, he found things that he enjoyed, things that would make him laugh and also he found two people.

It was those people that truly saved him. Thanks to the first one, Arata finally realized that his thinking was wrong, that he can in fact change back to how he once was, that he in fact never changed at all. What first person said was nothing complicated, those were simple words but those words were exactly what Arata needed at that time. That first person, allowed Arata to start once again, value the life that he had and that no matter what happens, everything will work out in the end. Even if it had no meaning, it is worth to live and see what world has for you to offer.

Then, the other person that he met became ‘The light of his life’, but right now, Arata was separated from that light. Arata knew that as long as he is separated from his light he will fell like right now from time to time but each time it would only remind him how much he loved ‘that light’.

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