Chapter 33 “Team without a leader? Part two.”

-well, I don’t know why it exactly happened but they end up agreeing.

After the long debate that took place an hour ago, Arata, Rin and Levi ended up joining Yume’s expedition to the west. Even if the decision to join up was made on the fly, Arata saw only merits in it. Joining a group that is prepared to go to the west, compared to just doing it on their own blindly, was a great difference. Right now Arata was in his ‘world first mode’ and he would do anything necessary that will increase his chances of winning.

As for the Levi and Rin.

Rin did not like that idea too much but Arata managed to convince her. Still, he did promise to her that if out of sudden, she will want to leave that party, she doesn’t even have to give him her reason and they will follow her decision without asking any questions.

Levi little similar to Arata, also just thought that it will increase their chances of survival, although he was not optimistic and already expected that all of them dying at some point is inevitable. Now that they joined with a larger group, the number of people that will die will simply increase.

-I told you, they are good people.

Yume replayed to Arata. Right now she, he, Rin and Levi were going together to the ‘meeting place’ through streets of Karma.

After the meeting, everyone separated into small groups to make the final preparations. Arata was already prepared for anything so he didn’t really need to do anything. Yume on the other hand said that she needs to take something ‘very important’ from the home and so they went there.

‘The very important thing’ that she wanted to take was a small pink pillow though. Arata didn’t even try to comment on that. Still going to Rin’s house was not fruitless as it seemed that Rin took some things as well. Hopefully, it wasn’t another pillow.

-hey Arata. How long are we planning on going with them?

Levi asked.

-that depends. As long as it’s the same direction as the one we want to go, I see no problems with going with them. Then, when they change their direction or simply pull back, we say good bye to them and no one should have hard feelings there. I thought of doing something like that.

Arata explained how he saw it.

-I see… by the way Yume, where is your party exactly wants to go? It would be helpful if we knew that so we could foresee where that breaking point will be.

Levi asked.

-where hmm? …

Yume thought for a second and continued.

-wherever we want, we will just go with the wind! That is what Bran told me when I asked him the same question.

“That’s answer was not really helpful.”

-then what is the goal of your expedition?

Arata ended up asking.

-to have fun of course! What other goal do we need?

-aren’t you trying to find a city for example or something like that. If you find a city you will become famous as explorers of the west.

Levi followed up.

-hmm… not really, that’s no us. If we find a city then it’s fine, but if we don’t then it’s also fine.

“So whenever they die on the first pack or kill the last boss it will be still good as long as ‘raid’ takes the place and people gather. Well I don’t hate those kinds of guilds. They always do have a good atmosphere in them… Ah right, they are not a guild.”

-Yume, you once said you guys are no guild right?

Arata asked.

-yes, we are not a guild.

-and the reason for that was that you didn’t have a leader, but from what I saw earlier, I do think that there were few people who might as well take up that role. You already told me that this Shin guy doesn’t want to do that but what about that big elf with the dark green hair and beard? I would say that even that mage with azure hair would do or one of the dwarfs or anyone else. I mean, having no leader in a group is quite crucial you know.

-you are not the first one to say that Arata. We once did have idea that if Shin really doesn’t want to be a leader, then Vatras or Musashi could take that role as well. Still, when we asked them if they want to their answer was ‘Do you really think that any of us should be the leader of this group?’… After hearing that answer we somewhat gave up on the idea.

The last sentence Yume said with little sadder tone.

-so you plan to stay leaderless forever?

-it may come to that… still I will tell you once again what Bran once told us. It went like this. ‘Shin will not agree to be our leader no matter what we say, so put it out of our mind and stop nagging him. He was always like that and you won’t convince him otherwise.’ Then someone asked the same question you did and then Bran added. ‘The only chances of us having a leader, is someone even more amazing joining us.” Then he mentioned something about Leader’s quality but I didn’t quite understood what he meant. Still, even though we are not a guild and have no leader we managed to force Shin to become our raid leader so our fights go smoothly, so don’t worry about how it will go…

“That’s because guild’s leaders are not always raid leaders. Leader’s main role is a little different. Still, from what I saw, I guess they don’t really need a leader that would connect everyone as they are all well connected with each other anyway. I may have spent too much time in progress guilds and that’s why I can’t see any other options.”

It was true that Arata didn’t have much experience in casual guilds.

-look we are nearly there. Oooiiii!

After seeing her friends Yume shouted out to them. They were all waiting near the stables that were located at the eastern edge of the city. It was already quite late so apart from them, there weren’t that many people around. Right now it was 21:00. It was the time in which groups that were going to come back for the night already come back and groups that would go out for night hunting would already leave.

-Yume, you are late again!

Vivi an elf in blue clothes welcomed them ‘warmly’.

-it’s you all who are all too early, I am on the time.

-that doesn’t change the fact that you are the last.

“And we even end up coming last. Well that hour of time for preparation was probably for us as ‘they’ have been preparing for this expedition for some time now. Ah, I feel everyone’s gaze on us.”

-everyone!…

Suddenly the muscular man with black hair falling on both sides of his forehead shouted.

-you will have the time to introduce yourself later. Kei and Hiro wanted to be the first raiders so we let them do it. The rest of us will be riding in the cart. It might be a little crowded as we have three more people so separate into the equal groups! Eight people to each cart! Also Shin said that it will be easier for him if he could ride today with Arata, Levi, Rin and Tras, so don’t charge to his cart and wait till those people enter. We will switch later on, so you can all get to know each other but today we ride like that. Also, I think that Yume should also go in there!

“They do have leader all right.”

After seeing man giving that speech Arata thought so. It seemed like he had quite authority in others as practically no one else said anything to that. Well nearly no one.

-then who should be the remaining two, Musashi?

The girl with long light-brown hair in white-brown clothes asked.

-the remaining two can be whomever but I should probably add that anyone but you, Julia.

-why!!!!?

-you will be interrupting Shin too much and he will be busy.

-that’s, no fair I wan… whaaaa! Stop!

Vivi caught the girl from behind.

-Musashi, I will take care of her so why don’t you and Bran also join that cart!

She then propose while dragging Julia to the second cart.

-Vivi let me go! Wait, I am going in there as well!

-see you later Arata and you two as well.

Vivi ended up throwing Julia into one of the carts although the girl was struggling fiercely.

-I say that letting ‘four founders’ raiding together is as fair as it gets so everyone else go to the other cart…

Flynn the dwarf with brown-orange beard added and there weren’t any of arguments either. Then going with the flow, everyone entered the carts and they ride out from the city. Everything went quite fast and smoothly.

When Arata entered the cart he spotted that at the end of it was siting the man in the large wizard like white cloak. He had black hair that was falling on his forehead. He was also wearing the glasses. His eyes looked like he didn’t sleep too often as there were glances of dark bags underneath them. At the moment he was trying to note down something in the notebook although his pen was not moving.

-okay! I should start with introducing everyone…

Yume was not wasting any second and started.

“For her every atmosphere is good enough to make the conversation.”

Arata could not understand how Yume could just say this out right away when they didn’t even managed to sit down yet. Still it was really helpful to have her there.

-let’s start from this side. They already introduced themselves but once again this is Rin, Levi, Arata…

Yume went in order in which they were siting. The right side was Yume closest to the back entrance, next to her Rin and so forth. Arata was closest to the inside as he entered first. Although, there was still quite gap between him and the end of cart, where the man in white cloak sit. It was a long cart.

-then on the other side is Musashi, Bran and Vatras, everyone are calling him Tras though. And then at the end of the wagon is Shin. Together they all are known as our great four founders.

-hi!

The first one to say something after Yume was the dwarf with the black beard.

-Yume you should stop spreading that ‘four founders’ thing.

Followed up, the man with black hair who earlier on made orders in the ranks.

-Musashi, it’s already too late for that. Anyway, I will try to get Shin here so wait a moment.

The large elf with green long hair said and moved closer to the man in white cloak.

-now then, maybe we should start talking about ourselves to get to know each other better.

Yume proposed. She really wasn’t wasting any second.

-in that case you should be the last person to say anything as everyone knows you.

-that’s so mean Bran!

-aye. Anyway I think that they already talked enough when they go stormed with all those questions so it should be our turn now. So… my name is Bran as you can see I am a dwarf. Why did I choose that race someone might ask? It’s because I wanted to have this beard…

Bran went over his long black beard with his hand and continued.

-my class is a beastmaster. Meaning I can control animals in fight, still during my play I managed to gather quite a lot of marksman skills as well so shooting with my crossbow is my main occupation in fights and I don’t summon any beasts to fight unless I have to. Also I like to role play my dwarf role quite much so don’t get surprised by that…

“Flynn was similar, does all people who choose the dwarf race are like that?”

-your turn Musashi.

-eh, you are always have it easy when you introduce yourself.

-you should choose the dwarf race as well then, it would be easy for you too.

-I quite attached to my look thank you. Anyway, my name is Musashi. My class ‘crystal defender’ is strictly focused on tanking and that what I am usually doing ever since I started playing this game. I also often end up organizing this group as no one else want to do it. We have many individuals here so you can guess how hard it is to actually pull that off. Still it somehow worked till now and I hope it will continue to work as well.

-hey Musashi that wasn’t you talking about yourself.

Bran interrupted him.

-I did say more than enough, anyway how is Shin doing, Bran?

-from where I hear, it’s nearly there, it’s nearly there… ah, he is not coming.

Bran added at the end disappointing note.

-what are you two talking about?

Arata ended up asking. He did not quite understood why Musashi asked Bran about man Shin just now.

-this is one of Bran’s special skills. It’s also not limited only to the game. That skill is a superb hearing.

Musashi explained.

-well it has both good sides and bad sides but if you get used to bad ones, aye it’s awesome to have it…

Bran grinned.

-anyway, right now Tras is trying to convince Shin to come here. Of course Shin will not do so until he will have everything planned in his head. But don’t mind him he is just being shy…

“Shy? Him?”

-and what Musashi talked about is that I can hear what they are talking over there as I have good ears.

-that goes beyond having good hearing.

Levi commented as indeed it was beyond good hearing. The only thing, that others could hear were whispers on the wind that would only indicate that there is conversation there.

-aye, but that is how it was always for me.

Bran just answered to that comment like this.

-can I ask you to use that ability of yours for my sake some time?

“Of course Levi would get interested in a thing that would allow him to spy on people.”

-from time to time I do hear things that I don’t even try to hear but my policy is that even if do hear them, I do not share it.

-ah, it’s a shame.

-well, if you really want to overhear something we can always talk about good prices…

“He agreed!”

-but I can show you my price list later as Shin is finally coming.

Five seconds later after the dwarf said that both Vatras and Shin came and sit with them. Shin sat down next to Musashi and after him sat Vatras.

-hey, Shin we are in the middle of talking about ourselves so why don’t you say something?

Musashi said that. Shin wasn’t really eager to do it but in the end he answered.

-ah yes, my name is Shin, nice to meet you. I am responsible for battle planning in this group and because of that I need to ask you something…

Well, he did introduce himself so it was quite a lot but he went straight to the point afterwards.

-I already have new formation in which we will be moving. It changed a little from previous one but it should work the best.

-Shin it was only an hour you don’t have to rush yourself.

This time Bran interrupted but Shin did not answer to that and continued.

-all that’s left is the positions and new groups’ squads. So my first question is. You three want to be in the same group or can I switch you around wherever I please?

-the second option is better overall, right?

Arata asked.

-yes but if you prefer to be together I can make it happen as well. Also just so you know being in other group means only that you will be separated by few more meters in formation and have a different resting time.

Arata looked in direction of Rin. She didn’t looked too bothered by it which probably meant, “wherever I am, it will still be bad to have this many annoying people around and you two are also included in being annoying!”

-you can do that but try to keep Rin with Yume in the group.

Arata answered.

-we are already doing something like that with Hiro and Mika so it shouldn’t be a problem, right Shin?

Musashi asked.

-well, I was going to do that anyway for… safety measures. Now then, your name is Arata right? You have double class and both of those classes are quite high rank. I must say that those classes are quite unknown to me but for now, I can simply classify you as melee dps, right?

-yes.

-next, Levi the crusader. You are more of the tank or more of the dps?

Shin was really not wasting any second.

-more of the dps but I did tank job quite a lot so if needed, I can do it here as well.

-I see. If you were the tank I would give you the tank job but in this case you will be in a group with two other people who can tank some mobs as well so you won’t have to do typical tanking job. Lastly Rin…

Shin continued without stopping but when it came to her, he didn’t continue like before but instead asked.

-… how has it been?

He asked in little different slightly frightened voice.

“Do they know each other?”

-ah, the apocalypse is coming! Shin asked a random question!

Bran commented.

-same as always.

Rin replayed ignoring dwarf’s comment.

-I see. You know I would really appreciate if it doesn’t end up like the last time.

-I can’t promise you that.

Rin was not making it easy for him.

-well I thought your answer will be like that.

-then don’t ask if you already know the answer. Just ask what you wanted to ask and don’t waste my time.

Disappointed look disappeared from Shin’s face and he continued like before.

-you see, because the three of you joined we have a little overflow with melees. Well, this isn’t a big problem but just a side reason that I wanted to mention. Now going to the main point, Rin you said that you had no experience in group play with that skill of your and you might end up attacking someone by mistake. This is something that I would rather not see happening. I could easily solve this by telling you to not using that skill unless it’s necessary. You mentioned something similar before but I don’t want to seal that card away. That’s why I will ask. Could you take the role of range dps for now and focus on precision while using that skill?

“Wow, he definitely has guts if he can ask something like that out of Rin, still I don’t think she will agree.”

-as long as I am in this party I will cope with your ‘requests’.

To Arata’s surprise however Rin did agreed.

-great, now then that’s all I needed to know so if you excuse me…

Shin stood up and started going to his previous spot at the end of the cart but then Bran, Musashi and Vatras caught his white cloak and stopped him.

-hey stop that! I have to make groups before the next stop.

Shin complained to them.

-we have three days of journey before us so take it easy. It doesn’t have to be done today.

-it will be better if people find out their roles faster.

-but you probably already prepared the groups in your mind regardless of their answers, right?

Vatras said.

-knowing you, you probably even considered what to do if each of them said that they are all healers.

Musashi added.

“That is a little too much I think.”

-yes, that sounds like something that Shin would do.

Bran also commented.

-still now that I do have the answers I can finally optimize the groups the best I can and then check if everything is alright.

-okay Shin, you can do your thing.

-I knew you would understand Musashi.

-but do it here sitting with us, it shouldn’t be a problem for you.

-… .

Shin gave him dissatisfied look.

-so?

Musashi asked again.

-fine just don’t involve me in anything.

In the end, Shin sit down to his sit, although in the spirit he was not with them. He completely closed off to surroundings and clearly focused only on paper in his hand.

-don’t mind him, he just wants to finish everything first.

Yume explained to Arata.

-no rather it’s more of, I want to make it the as best as possible so we don’t end up dead.

Vatras added.

-nay, I personally think that he just have the most fun while he is thinking up all those stuff. Now that he is making new formation and groups, he is probably the most happy of all times.

Then Bran added as well.

“Ah, they are not making it easy for him.”

-by the way. Where exactly are you guys plan to go?

Arata ended up asking. Yume did not give him the answer before and after all, today rather than to the west, they left by the eastern gate and just kept going straight.

-we are first going to the elven village Larisane. From there we will start the expedition to the west. It is located south of Karma but if we wanted to go there straight way, we would have to go through the mountains which would take us about the week at best to cross. We went through that route already there already so we know.

The elf with green hair answered.

-I think that this time it would be max five days, we wouldn’t get lost in those tunnels anymore.

Musashi added to what Vatras said.

-still it would take longer and we would just waste our energy. That’s why, we will first travel east by the main road and from there we will turn back south west and by another road get up to the forest that surrounds Larisane. From there we will have to make a short walk. Right, you do have a map don’t you? Take it out so I will show it to you.

-where was it?… Rin.

-here.

Arata took the map from the Rin and he spread it around. The cart was long but narrow, so when they all sit on the both sides like now, their legs were few centimeters away from each other. Still Arata ended up changing his sitting and sat down next to Vatras so both of them had the view from the right angle.

-ah it’s a really well done map so here we… emm…

Vatras had to stop for a moment as out of sudden a dark haired head started to cover the important part of the map.

-Shin, if you want to look at it, you just have to say so…

Shin’s head returned to the previous position after Vatras said that, although his eyes did not. Nevertheless his hands kept on writing something on the paper. Vatras continued.

-let’s see, here is Karma and this I the road that we are riding on right now.

-by the way Arata, by using this road and just going straight you can get to the other end of the known world because it lasts all the way from the east all the way to the west.

Levi informed him.

“Oh, I found out which way it is to Kotori. If both of us were to use that road we would end up joining on the way somewhere.”

-Arata, you didn’t know about it?

Vatras asked surprised.

-I am got to level 100 just recently so I don’t really traveled too much yet. It won’t be even a month since I dinged 100th level. Plus, from this month I spent ten day waiting for resurrection as I died once already thanks to someone who is sitting here…

Arata shot a glance to Rin but she just avoided it by looking outside. For a note, she never apologized to him for that and it seemed like she wasn’t going to. The only thing that he managed to get from her so far was the question of how did it happen that he let himself get killed so easily.

-there wouldn’t be even two weeks of play if I had to count the days.

Arata continued.

-but in that case your level is probably low.

-it’s 109 at the moment.

-I see, well it’s much lower than our group’s average but we never really cared about that.

-Tras you should rather ask, how did you ding 19 levels in such time. It’s more than one level a day.

Bran commented.

-I just said we don’t care about levels and he had to ‘ding up’ from level 90 so those first ten levels were easy. Anyway we are going by the main road ‘here’ and then ‘here’ we turn sharp to the right and go all the way ‘here’. This is the forest where Larisane is located.

The place that Vatras pointed out was not marked by anything and there was only forest.

-by the way Tras. When we get to Larisane with three extra people, won’t it be bad? I mean you know how that elder is.

Musashi asked.

-yes, that might prove problematic I did say fifteen people when I was there.

-is there a problem?

Arata asked.

-well, you see, that village to which we are going is not really open to players and doesn’t allow them to enter it normally. Even entering in the area of that forest is already dangerous. We have some past with them so we can get there but even we have to inform about our coming with two weeks advance and tell exactly how many people will be coming and for how long.

Musashi explained.

-ah don’t worry him unnecessary. If it comes to the worse, we can always smuggle them in some bags and no one will ever know.

Bran joked around.

-well, it shouldn’t come to that. In worst case scenario we can just camp outside. Anyway getting to Larisane should take little over two days. We left Karma today nearly at night so, at the morning of third day of journey we should get there.

Vatras explained.

-I see. Then after that, where exactly do you plan to go?

Arata asked.

-to the west.

Vatras answered.

“I didn’t ask for that.”

-and more specifically? We wanted to know beforehand.

-well, we didn’t have any planed direction, at least till today that is. Right now, we want to travel to the same place as you guys, can you show me where it is?

-but we only asked if we can travel with you for some time while we go the same way. You don’t have to change your plans for us.

-well, we didn’t have a planned direction so we don’t change our plans.

-you can’t change something that does not exist yet…

Musashi added.

-also there are quite lot of us who would like to see how heavens look as well so right now we all want to go in the same direction as you.

-well, I can understand why, but first of all. We ourselves don’t know if those gates will even work. Second of all, getting to that gate might be hard. Then there is a fact that even if those gates works, it might be that only those that have the quest might go through it.

Arata explained.

-I didn’t think about that.

-if the last will be the case then it will be your turn to smuggle us in the bags.

Bran joked once again.

-I don’t think that there are bags large enough for Kuma to hide in.

Vatras added to a joke.

-details, details.

-anyway I don’t think that we wouldn’t be able to pass through the working gate only because we don’t have a quest but still your quest, is it possible to share it?

Vatras ended up asking.

-Rin how was that?

Arata ended up asking her as he didn’t know how to answer to that.

-Wizard said that I can share this quest up to five people, which means two more people can still get it.

-even though we already have completed the first stage of it?

-you can share quests as long as they are not completed. Even if it’s in the middle, people might still join. Naturally they will get the reward only for the parts they are in.

Levi explained.

-you can share it to whomever you want Arata, I will leave the decision to you.

Rin left him with this answer.

“Only two people hmm?”

-no, no, I didn’t ask if you can share the quest because we wanted it. It’s your party quest and we have little to do with it. It’s just that if it really turns out that you need the quest to get through that gate then there is one person that we would like you to share that quest with.

Vatras explained himself.

-if it comes to that I see no problem with it. I might as well share it to two people.

Arata answered.

-then the last person that will get the quest will try the smuggling. If that person does that long after you go inside, there shouldn’t be a problem even if he is caught.

-you will have to find someone who will keep the poker face at the border line all those ten times.

-aye, you do understand.

It seemed like Levi and Bran started to form some kind of strange bond of evilness.

-well even though it’s a heaven if the gate works you might as well storm the front and remove anyone who will want to stand in your way.

Levi added.

-haha, that’s good idea too. Hey Shin, think of a strategy to fight against army of angels with about five to ten gods behind them.

Shin did not react to Bran’s joke though.

-still now that we have the destination and map, we might as well plan our journey. We need to find some good places for sleep breaks. Then we also can’t go right into some large lake or something. I think this is where lake is.

Vatras started while looking at the map.

“I would just go straight and adjust to what I see but planning it before might not be bad idea.”

-Tras, if you want to plan our road then remember to avoid this spot over here as its location of wyvern nest and fighting against flying enemies is really troublesome…

Out of sudden Shin joined the conversation. Although his eyes returned to his notebook and his right hand didn’t stop moving as he was writing something in his notebook, he was showing the position on the map with the left hand while speaking.

-then you should also avoid this part as it’s that forest we heard about so much. The one where you enter and the only possible way to exit it is dying. Then here is a place where one party encountered a boss monster that had really troublesome ability. Throughout the fight, there is a phase that will not end unless you kill half of your teammates. No matter the plan, if there is a mechanic like that, we can’t counter it. Then this is probably our best position to make first stop, as the monster in it have low respawn rate meaning that if we clean them once we can have a full night of sleep. Then here is the lake you mentioned but rather than avoiding it, we might as well build some rafts and go this way with the river. It would help us avoid this area as this area is where…- .

-I get it Shin, I will leave it to you.

After Vatras answered, Shin returned to what he was doing, he also stopped looking at the map now.

-I thought that the west is an unknown area.

Arata had to comment on what just happen.

-it is but we managed to gather quite lot of information while we were preparing for this day. And Shin gathered everything we have gathered and allocated it in his mind. Right now to him, west is not something unknown but it’s rather his backyard.

-at the current moment, you won’t find anyone in this world who will know more about the west than Shin. When Shin is preparing for something, he always follows every last lead.

-but where did you found all those information?

Levi asked.

-our main sources were two great expeditions to the west made by large guilds in the past. From their relations comes most of our info. But we didn’t stop only on that and we asked also other people who just randomly went to the west to see how far they can go.

Vatras explained.

-aye there are much more people like that then you probably think.

Bran added.

-except of that. We also looked through this world history and the records about the empire of Solaris. Still, that info has a large question mark on them as it is from very long time ago.

-but in the end, we had a lot of time so we prepared quite well. So no worries, we will get you to that heaven gate no problem.

Musashi added at the end to make Arata and the others feel a little better.

“I guess it was really good idea to join them.”

-we prepared well but that goes only as far as the places that were reached by other players already. By combining the old records and what they said, it’s clear that the area changed much. Our biggest concern will be world’s raid bosses that we have completely no idea about. Tactics can’t be made until you know something about your enemy. Also by going to that heaven’s gate we will go quite far into the area that no other player ever reached yet. Also even though the history of Solaris did mention it, we can’t even be sure that our destination, ‘heaven’s gate’ still exists.

Shin once again out of sudden started speaking again.

-about the gate. The Wizard that we got our quest from said that he checked last week if the gate is still in one piece and he said that it was.

Arata replied to him.

-I see then our winning condition is clear. With this everything will go much easier, thank you.

With that Shin was going to return to his work but Arata did not finish yet.

-by the way even if you make any mistake it will not be the end of the world. You have all those people with you, who you can freely trust in and at the same time those people trust in you, with that you can overcome anything…

When Arata said that, Shin’s pen stopped moving his hand.

-they don’t even mind dying if something goes wrong as long as they have fun doing so. What will happen if you die? Lose some levels? Your other friend here just said that you guys don’t care about levels. Trying again and facing something that you couldn’t overcome last time is also enjoyable part of the game after all. If you could just complete everything on your first try there will be no true felling of victory…

Right now everyone was looking at Arata who was giving his speech. Shin included as he finally took off his eyes from his notes.

-by the way if you don’t have the tactic for that boss in which you have to sacrifice half of your team, I just thought of something. If there is only one person fighting that boss, he can’t force that person to kill anyone. So the solution is simple, when you see that boss, just point him out and I will go solo it for you.

The silence appeared and lasted for about twenty seconds as everyone were waiting for Shin’s answer. And that answer did arrive.

-I think I finally got the groups distribution right…

Shin quickly opened new pages and started drawing on it. Arata did not see what it was. His pen was moving quickly and he finished it quickly.

-Tras, what do you think?

Shin showed those notes only to his druid friend on his left.

-you don’t have to ask me, it’s perfect solution as always Shin.

Vatras answered with the smile.

-Kei! Hiro! Shin just finished!

Musashi shouted out really loud. It looked like it was some kind of signal as right away the cart pulled of the road and stopped on the fields.

-we are taking a break for a night?

Levi asked.

-no, we will just hold brief strategy meeting as Shin will not be able go to sleep without it.

Vatras answered.

-he will not go sleep anyway as after the meeting he will start planning our way to the west, right Shin?

Bran asked.

-it has to be done and the sooner the better.

Everyone from both carts ended up going outside on and gathered on the right side of one of the carriage. It was already dark outside so few lanterns were brought out as well. They were all brought near the carriage, though everyone sited down on the grass away from their light. Seeing everyone sat there, Arata follow their steps as well.

The only person that did not do so was Shin who at the moment was trying to attach a large piece of paper to the side of the carriage near the lanterns. When he finished, he took out a black marker out from his bag that he had hidden underneath his white cloak and then started.

-we will now continue with the strategy meeting that was interrupted before. There are also few important changes to what I said earlier so listen. First the most important change we have is that we have a final goal right now that we will try to achieve. Ours expedition wining condition will be reaching the heaven’s gate. Whatever it works or not is not confirmed so we can’t set the condition as ‘reaching the heavens’. Should we manage to get there, we will decide on what to do next, based on new information we gather and the situation in which we will be. But I think that reaching the heaven’s gate will be something to remember so it’s a perfect winning condition for us. Following this the second important change. With three new people joining us I had changed our formation for this expedition a little. First big change is that the emergency group will no longer exist. On its place however there will be a new six person group and its job will be the same as any others…

Shin ended up writing down on the white paper three groups of six circles. Then he noted under every group of circles with letter A,B and C.

-the formation itself will be explained at the start of the expedition and adjusted and need. Still in general there will be two groups fighting and one group resting. Like in previous version there will be changes between the teams but they will happen more often so even the resting group will be ready to fight at any given time. Compared to our previous formation our fighting power on average will greatly increase. We will not be holding ourselves back. As for ‘resting rotations’. Two starting teams will be A and B. Then team A will change with resting team C. Then team B will change with resting team A and so forth. In short the team that fights for two turns always switch with the resting team. We will try to keep that rotation throughout the whole course of the expedition. Of course except unexpected fights that will require all of us and in case of need I might as well switch only individual players. As always, I will be the raid leader but this time in addition to that, each team will have their own team leader that can decide things on the fly while I am not available. Next, the third thing that changed is the party distributions. Although there are still teams A and B the new distribution is nothing like the old one. I must say that I changed practically everything that could be changed…

Shin walked towards the first group of circles on the right side of a paper and wrote down the letter C underneath it.

-first, I will discuss team C as it is a little bit specific. Compared to two other teams this team will not have anyone on the role of main tank but it will have three people who will be both in melee dps and at the same time they will be off tanking. Those three people are Kei, Kuma and our new friend Levi. Should we fight one big monster, you should just leave it to the other’s team tank. The person that I will leave with healing this unusual formation will be Thesar. I also will be in this group to make sure that everything works as we didn’t test a group like that before…

After Shin said that, Arata saw some kind of movement on his right. It was Vivi holding some brown haired girl’s mouth to keep her from speaking or maybe shouting.

-then the last person in the group will be Bran as I want to make the fullest of his detecting ability and I want information about anything suspicious asap…

Shin ended up writing down the names of everyone underneath the letter C.

-I mentioned team leaders but team C doesn’t need a team leader as I will be in it.

-which means that he also will be the team leader of our group!

Arata could already recognize Bran’s voice that came somewhere from the dark.

-yes that. Anyway the other two teams are more normal. Following from C lets go to B. Tank of the team B will be Musashi. Then following the tank, the healer of the group will be Vatras. Following the dpses will be. Lee on close melee range, Konan in the middle close range, Yume as the team’s mage and lastly our new friend Rin agreed to take position of long range dps. We had a little overflow of melee so say thanks to her for agreeing on this. Also because she is inexperienced in this position expect to get hit from time to time. Tras will heal you up asap, so there shouldn’t be a problem, everyone has their beginnings and by the time she gets used to it we will have good range dps for fights that favors range and I sure we will need it…

“I think it is a little waste to put her in range but it’s true that having no enough range dps can be crucial. Also I guess this whole thing is for morale.”

-leader position of team B will be left in capable hands of Musashi. Now last but not the least team A…

“I should try to listen now as it seems I will be in this one.”

-you already know who it is as it is the remaining people, but nevertheless. Flynn will be team A tank…

“Oh… I know someone from my team.”

-following him the healer for team A will be Mika and of course following Mika there is Hiro in the position of team’s mage. Then the long range dps for team A will be Vivi…

“Oh, another person that I know is in my team. It will make it much easier.”

-then lastly two melee dps, Julia and our new friend Arata…

“Tank, healer, two range, two melee. We do have balanced team. Ah, it will be an easy walk in the park.”

That was the first and the last time that Arata was allowed to think like that because second later.

-it might be a surprise too few of you but I think all of you will understand my choice later on. I am leaving the Position of team leader of team A to Arata… .

“…”

And that was the end of Arata’s so called ‘walk in the park’.

-any questions?

-I have one, why did you choose someone who just joined to be a team’s leader?

Someone asked from the dark, Arata did not see who.

“It’s given that someone is going to ask that. Ah, my life just all of sudden got so complicated.”

-after thinking it all through, I arrived at that it will be for the best. Do you disagree, Hiro?

“Aaa, someone from my team is already complaining.”

-no, I will believe in your choice.

“Or maybe it will not be that hard.”

-anyway I should just add, that team leaders won’t actually do much but it’s just better to have them should something happen. So, any other question?

-aaa!

Arata once again heard the sounds coming from the right and it looked like Vivi just let go of the other girl as she couldn’t restrain her any longer. And the shout was made by her as she was just bitted in finger by the other girl who stood up and started..

-Shin! Why I am again not in your group!

-eh… .

Shin just sigh hearing that and looked away.

-as I said team C is a special one with three melee off-tanks. Being clear agi type you can’t do that job Julia. Rapier, just don’t work out there.

Shin was saying it without looking in her direction

-I can also tank if needed! Switch me with someone! Aaaa…-

It looked like Julia was once again brought down to the ground by Vivi.

-everything is back in control here.

Arata could then recognize Flynn’s voice.

-so, any other question?

-hey Shin! Why did your last answer sounded like cheap excuse?

Arata once again recognized the Bran’s voice.

-anyone except Bran has a question and it is related to the current topic?…

Shin decided to ignore that comment.

-or rather is everyone okay with this plan?

-yes, we are!

-then we will finish our strategy meeting for now. Even if I were to explain the formation now you guys would still forget it and we would have to repeat it in practice so it’s better to just do the practice right away before we start. Anyway that will be all.

-wait!

The voice of the same girl could once again be heard as this time, Vivi didn’t do a good job on holding her.

-is it about the teams again Julia?

-no that… Vivi let me go already! I promise to not complain about team anymore…

The girl managed to stand up after Vivi let her go.

-I know that our goal is to only reach the gate but Shin what are our real chances of reaching the heavens?

-I can tell you now that our chances of reaching the heaven’s gate are about 10%. But even if we manage to do that we still don’t know if that gate will surely work or not.

-on that we should have 50% chance!

Arata ended up shouting out. He didn’t just think it up from nothing as it was what Wizard told them earlier. Of course Wizard could just think up that number from nowhere.

-in that case, with simple mathematic we arrive at 5% chances that we might actually get to working heaven’s gate.

-5% percentage, then it is not that bad I guess. With you Shin that 5% is more than enough.

-yes if it were 5% percentage it wouldn’t be bad but as for getting through that gate and entering the heavens, this is another story. Realistically speaking our chances for that are close to zero. You do remember that Arata said that their quest is of rank three, right? There should be a reason why no one managed to complete quest of that rank so far. What I am expecting is that the moment we try to activate that gate we will get wipe out in the minute and no strategy will help us in the face of overwhelming force…

“Yep, I also thought that getting to the heaven’s gate is not the hard part and only after that the true problems will appear.”

-anyway, as I said before. We will decide what we will do when we reach and if we manage to reach that heaven’s gate. We will just vote as always about what to do next in that situation. Now then, if you excuse me, I will be analyzing the route which we will be traveling to the heaven’s gate… Musashi take it from here if you can.

Without waiting for an answer Shin disappeared into one of the carts.

-there is nothing else to say so we will continue our ride to Larisane. There probably won’t be another stop like that as we will not be wasting time for it.

-Musashi, can we enter where we want this time?

-yes, go wherever you want, Julia. But just don’t interrupt…-

-yey!

Julia sprinted away and entered the same cart that Shin just entered.

-anyway I going to be the raider now, and is there anyone else who wants to be the other raider?

-yes.

The man in black shirt and jeans came up into the range of light with hand pointed up.

-Kei, you were already riding just now.

-… .

There was no response from Kei’s at all. He just kept his hand high.

-fine, I get it. So Kei will once again be the second raider. Everyone else…-

-hey!…

The girl with brown hair came out of the cart once again and interrupted once again. Musashi just waved his hand as if he given up and walked in the direction of the front carriage. The girl continued.

-I looking for team A’s leader!

-me?

Arata answered and walked towards her.

-yes you. Shin asks if he can borrow the map for some time.

-sure, here it is.

After Arata showed the map the girl quickly run up to him and caught the paper.

-thanks! Bye!

And after getting it she quickly ran back to the cart from which she came out from. The others people did not hop back into the carts right away. Some of them picked up the lanterns, and then there was Vatras who was taking care of the piece of paper that was left on the carriage.

Then out of sudden someone’s grab Arata’s coat from the front and started pulling.

-pss, Arata come with me.

-what are you up to Vivi?

-just come.

Arata ended up following her and before he noticed she dragged him inside the cart without anyone’s notice. The cart they entered was not empty however. At the end of it there was Shin who was looking at the map. At the same time it also seemed like he was just holding a piece of paper to block out ‘the person’ who was sitting near him. It was the same cart that Arata rode before.

-so what do you wanted Vivi?

-I was thinking of having a familiarization meeting for team A and you should get know the people that will be with you in team, leader!

“Ah I already feel bad hearing that.”

-Vivi, I have a traumatic experience with that word so don’t call me that again.

-you mean being called a leader? Tell me about it.

-well maybe I overstated it a little but hearing that word I can’t help but think of one guy that wanted everyone to call him that. To think I would have to share the same name brings tears to my eyes.

Arata answered half joking.

-I see it’s a bigger story, but if you can laugh it out then it’s nothing bad.

-heh, anyway your idea is good but why did we choose this cart? I think it would be easier to arrange it in other one.

-well, it’s true that everyone would probably want to ride this one as Shin rides it but if we want to have everyone from team A then that girl is also included.

Vivi pointed at the end of the cart. It looked like even Shin had ‘some’ problems dealing with her.

-I see, and what about the rest?

-Flynn will get them or rather he should already get them we only have a little time if we want to pull that off. Where is he!?

-relax, I here on time.

The dwarf with the long brown-orange beard entered the cart.

-what took you so long!?

-you only got here faster because rather than just dragging someone in, its better to explain things first. Anyway, I got the package so stop complaining.

-I see that you two are fighting as always…

The man with azure hair following Flynn entered the cart as well. He was wearing similar to the Shin’s one cloak but his was in colors of purple and blue. It also looked a little lighter. Underneath that cloak in comparison to Shin he also wore magician looking clothes but he was not wearing a robe which mages usually did wore, at least in normal games. His gear was combat oriented, which meant it was easy to move in.

-everyone already started to think that you have a love quarrels?

The man added.

-ha, I wonder if a siscon like you could recognize what love quarrel is.

Flynn was not going to leave that comment alone.

-what did you say!?

-I don’t know anything about love quarrels but everyone do know that you have a sister complex.

-ah… how good that we are in the same team Flynn. You know my aim got a little bad because I didn’t play for some time. I wonder if I may by some accident of course end up attacking our team’s tank. Wait, wasn’t that you?

-your aim got bad? Strange, you never had an aim to begin with. Something that didn’t exist can’t get bad. Also it’s not like your spells do any damage.

-then you don’t mind if I use you as a practice dummy!

Hiro answered in fast tone.

The water appeared in the in the palm of his hand and it’s started circling with the great speed. Just touching that would definitely cut of someone’s finger.

“Ah, I see that everyone in this team is on such good terms and everyone will work together perfectly.”

Though Arata, seeing what was happening.

“…”

Or maybe he didn’t.

-Hiro you are joking right?

Vivi asked as the amount of water circling in his hand was getting bigger and bigger.

-am I?

-haha, bring it on!

Flynn also took out his shield and prepared for the blow.

But then a flash of purple light came from the end of the cart. The circling water stopped circling and fall down to the floor.

Underneath Hiro, Arata spotted a purple circle with some markings.

Arata quickly looked in the direction of where that light came from just like everyone else. Shin was holding a long wooded staff that was pointed in their direction. He was holding it horizontally so the back of it was at his back. The map that he was holding before was just now falling down on the left side. He still held it with his right hand though and he wasn’t looking in their direction. Then few seconds later he hid his staff once again and returned to his previous position.

“I thought he was focused on the map.”

-of course we were joking, right Flynn?

-aye, aye.

The matter ended up without accident although for a moment Arata thought that it might end up with this cart begin destroyed.

-ahh! Just sit down already! By the way Hiro, where is Mika?

Vivi asked.

-strange, she was behind me just now. Hey, Mika!

Hiro called out to her and two seconds later she entered.

-I am here, I am here.

The last person from the team A arrived. Similar to the previous guy, she had the same azure colored hair. Her were much longer but not to the point that they would land on her back. She was wearing magician like robe in azure-green colors.

-…em, why is Shin’s rune on the floor?

She asked first seeing the purple circle with marking..

-that’s because Flynn and your brother are idiots.

Vivi quickly answered.

-ah don’t mention it. Mika what were you doing? I told you to hurry or else the cart will be taken.

Flynn said.

-you did but isn’t it more fair to explain everyone that we will held here a team meeting rather than trying to just take the seats by sneaking by?

-… .

No one could say anything to that as what Mika said was really reasonable.

-I stayed before the entrance and told anyone who wanted to come here that our team leader has something important to tell our group so it would be good if we were in the same wagon. No one complained about that.

“I have something important to say?”

-Vivi?

-it wasn’t my idea Arata, I swear. Flynn why did you told them that!?

-it was you who told me. Get Hiro and Mika to the first cart but tell Hiro that it’s something important as he wouldn’t come for some familiarization meeting.

Flynn answered.

-see Arata, it wasn’t my fault!

“The fault is in both of them.”

-I see, so it was like that…

Hiro commented.

“It looked like he heard. Well that makes it easier for me.”

-well, it’s not like I didn’t expect it.

It looked like he didn’t have anything against it though.

-still Hiro, you must say that we had a good idea.

Vivi added.

-I guess. For me as long as I am not raiding with ‘her’, I have no complains…

And then Hiro ended up standing before to Arata.

-I don’t think we had an occasion, my name is Hiro. I think that my looks speaks for myself but my class is a mage, ‘water mage’ to be exact, mr. twilight swordsman.

-Arata is fine.

-Arata then, so might I sit next to you?

-sure the seat is empty.

-em…-

The sound came from behind him but Hiro continued.

-although, it is little strange that you got chosen as our team leader but it’s Shin who chose you so nobody will complain. Also I did saw your fight with ‘rank zero’ the other day so I don’t doubt your ability.

-ano…-

Once again some sound come from behind him, Hiro ignored that however and continued.

-still I do have a question why did you two fought without using game skills? I think that if you were to do that you could have won.

-at that time it was more of a sparring than a fight although even if we were to bring up the skill I would probably lose. You know, she has those flying red things.

Arata answered honestly.

-yes but having two high ranked classes your skills assortment should be larger. Also that skill of hers has a lot of weak points. For example she can’t use it to the full force for too long as it’s eats enormous amount of mana if she goes with it all out. With your speed you would be able to survive that period of time and then attack her with your skills. Also for some period of time after using that skill she also gets weaken so it would be your chance. Lastly, even if you didn’t won at that time, you would get experience in fighting against that style and next time you would have better chances

-you seem to know quite a lot about that skill.

Arata commented as Hiro indeed said a lot.

-it’s because I have been training to defeat her.

“Having fighting her already, I somehow don’t see it coming. Well I might as well ask.”

-and how is it going so far?

-right now I am at stage where I could completely counter her skill at its final stage. By the way did you saw it already, the time when a gold mist appear behind her?

-I did saw it once but I don’t think it would be easy to counter.

-of course it’s not easy. Also the only way to see if my idea truly works is to test it in fight with her so maybe saying complete counter is an overstatement.

-em… .

-but you do know that Rin’s is freighting not because of that skill but of her overall default fighting ability. Even if your counter works, how do you plan to fight against her in close combat?

Hiro and Arata engrossed themselves in the talk. After all, Arata also was spending good deal of time thinking about how to defeat Rin. That’s why conversation between them went so fast despite first time talking with each other. They also ended up ignoring all others while talking.

-yes this is where my problem lies, I trying to think of something now.

-I don’t think that any trick will win against the real skills trained over the years.

-yes I arrived at that a long time ago but…

Hiro started whispering to Arata’s ear.

-don’t tell anyone as they all thinks that I didn’t play for a month, five months in game time. They all think that I didn’t play at all since Shin wasn’t playing either. There are many of us who did that but me, rather than waiting for Shin, I pretended that I took a break when in reality I just traveled to other city where no one would see me and trained in secret. Even Mika doesn’t know about it and she thinks that I was trying out another game at that time.

-then why are you telling me this?

Arata whispered back.

-I just wanted to share it with someone to release the pressure and it couldn’t tell someone I know too well.

“There are times like this I guess.”

-hey! Why did you two started to whisper around?

Vivi didn’t have too much patience.

-why do you care? Wasn’t it familiarization meeting? I am doing something wrong?

Hiro answered back.

-yes, you are taking the guest of honor away from us. Maybe you should…-

‘bump!’

A loud sound of something falling to the ground could be heard from the outside?

-what was that?

Flynn asked.

-it doesn’t matter. Hey Hiro, you should…-

-we are starting the ride!

This time it was loud shout of Musashi who interrupted Vivi.

-so what did you want Vivi?

-you should let Mika introduce herself!

Vivi ended up shouting it out loud and fast so she won’t get interrupted again.

-ah right, Arata, this is my sister Mika. It usually takes her about four to five days before she greets new people so don’t take it’s as an offence.

Hiro went over it quickly

-maybe you will let her greet him before saying those things.

Vivi commented.

-if it were possible I would but I know her best so.

-Hiro, just be quiet for a minute.

Flynn ended up intervening. Hiro didn’t say another word and Arata saw as slowly but surely the second azure head was becoming more and more visible. And then the girl ended up standing up and facing Arata she stretched her hand.

-hi, I am Mika, nice to meet you Araara..rata.

-it’s Arata, nice to meet you too Mika.

Arata ended up shaking her hand back.

-hey Flynn, we are seeing a miracle.

Vivi ended up commenting.

-aye, for her to shake someone’s hand on the first day or even the hundredth day is amazing. Hey Hiro, did you ever saw her greeting anyone on the first day?

-only once, it was when we first meet up with Shin but it may be the record for shaking hands. Arata, what did you do to my sister!?

-hey, don’t make it sound like I did anything bad. Also it isn’t strange to for her to greet me as we already did spoke before.

-no it is strange Arata.

Vivi commented.

-hmm…in that case we managed to create a bond of having strange hair, right?

-um.

Mika nodded happily and sit back next to Hiro.

-Mika, for your information Arata is taken so don’t bring your hopes up.

Vivi commented.

-wha.. wha… I wasn’t.

-yes, it wasn’t even funny Vivi, you know how she is.

-you are that sure Hiro? Seeing first day handshake?

-yes I am.

-but you do realize that one day she will fly out from your care it might be even today.

-Mika?

Hiro looked to her sister as she was jerking his shoulder.

-brother, brother I managed to do it, praise me?

-what did you managed to do?

-remember when you told me that I should be more open to people. Unlike you who spent the last month playing some random game about spaceships I was training in hiding my conversation skill and today you see the results of that.

-training in hiding? Hahahaha.

Hiro couldn’t help but laugh after hearing that.

“Well that’s brother and sister for you.”

Arata thought like that as Hiro also said he was training in hiding although in his case it was something different.

-what?

Mika asked seeing his brother unnatural laugh.

-nothing, nothing, good job Mika. Still, you can’t stop here you still made a mistake at the end with the name.

-that’s may be because of how I trained. I didn’t have time to train speaking up this name.

The cart started to move but then out of sudden one more person entered from the back. He had black hair covering his left eye and was wearing black oversized shirt and blue jeans. Then there was glove protector on his left hand and a longsword on his left side.

-Kei, weren’t you the raider on this turn?

Flynn ended up asking.

-Vatras came and ended up throwing me off the front seat and told me to go to sleep…

“So that was that sound from before.”

-so I came here to sleep…

Kei added and started moving to the front but then his eye stopped at Hiro. Although, his eye was nearly closed. After 10 seconds of standing there just like that Kei said.

-Hiro, ‘I will also keep your secret, best regards Bran’. That’s what I had to tell you.

After saying it, Kei passed next to Arata and then he fell straight to the floor in the middle. Then he rolled under the seats and it seemed that he was already sleeping when he finished rolling.

-… .

-hey Hiro, what is the secret?

Vivi ended up asking right away.

-word ‘secret’ doesn’t tell you something?

-it does, it something that I would want to know so I can blackmail you later.

-just the more reason I shouldn’t tell you. So Arata returning to our conversation.

-Hiro why are you stealing Arata again!

-didn’t you say it’s a familiarization meeting. I don’t need to familiarize with you guys. Still if you have something we can all talk about then go ahead Vivi.

-em…-

-so Arata, returning to our conversation.

-wait!

-what did you thought up of something with that little head of yours?

-why are always so rude?

-I am not rude it’s just that the truth is what hurts the most.

It seems that Hiro had absolutely no blocks on what he can and what he shouldn’t say.

-it’s not the truth! And I will prove it to you. The idea that I have is to let all of us from team A to come up with some tactics.

-yes, yes, great idea but you do know that anytime we try to come up with something without Shin we either end up arguing or simple don’t execute it in the end anyway.

-he is right Vivi. If it isn’t some boss fight everyone always ends up doing what they want and go freestyle. That’s the kind of party we are.

-I did think about it but this time we have Arata with us so maybe he has something interesting to say.

“Why me again?”

-ah, if that’s the case then maybe we should have this meeting, right Mika?

-yes.

-you surprisingly agreed Hiro.

-still Vivi, if we are to have this meeting, you should call her as well.

Flynn added while pointing to the front of the cart.

-you too Flynn, why did you two agreed so easily? Also, Flynn you didn’t say a word when Arata was chosen as a team leader. Even if you believe in Shin you would smirk something under your nose right? I already know him enough and saw him fighting so I see no problem but you would normally say something.

-ehm, if you forgotten I also know him well enough, and in fact I meet him before you.

-we did meet him at the same time!

-nah, you were sleeping when it happened. Also I did saw him that day him fighting in the arena myself, so I saw my part of his fighting as well.

-we also did saw it…

Mika added to the conversation.

-although in his first fight he was really scary, the second one was beautiful. Rather than fighting it seemed like ‘they’ were dancing with each other and speaking without words.

-don’t say that ‘her’ fight was beautiful Mika.

Hiro right away interrupted her.

-but it was you who was watching it fascinated without even blinking brother. And after it you sit frozen in your seat for half an hour still thinking of it.

-that’s not true!

-that’s how it at least looked like. Right being on this subject I finally has a chance. Arata, earlier on when we were voting, my brother ended up saying some bad things to Rin. But he didn’t have bad intentions. He only wanted her to recognize him.

-hey Mika!

-ever since he first meet her, he started to work much harder to get better in fighting so one day he might stand equal to her.

-Mika!

-before our break he was practically spending everyday training like crazy do you know why?

Mika was ignoring her brother comments.

-I was simply training because I wanted to beat her, end of the story. And I started practice especially hard after seeing how she killed Shin last time, now end of the story.

-Hiro, your explanation is good, we all felt like that but it doesn’t somehow fit’s with what Mika said.

Flynn ended up adding.

-whatever she says is irrelevant as it’s only her strange imagination again.

-if it’s only her imagination then you don’t mind us hear it.

Vivi managed to silence him.

-… .

-Mika please continue.

And so Mika continued.

-so, previously Hiro just wanted to have a fair fight with her in which he would show her, that she is not the only good player in the world. But he really went crazy about the training only after he found out that Rin even being strong as she is was having a problem with some quest. He asked Yume where that quest was taking place in pretext that if he manages to complete the fight that Rin couldn’t do, would be the proof that he became better than her. That was what he told Yume at least, in truth he just wanted to go and look on Rin’s fighting style or maybe I think it was rather just look at her?

-oho. Hiro I didn’t know you from this side.

Of course the one to react was Vivi.

-I won’t argue it did happen but that was only to find out her weakness.

Hiro answered. That would explain why did he had such knowledge of Rin’s skill.

-and how many times was it?

Vivi asked and Mika once again started answering.

-Hiro ended up watching about five of her tries. I even ended up going with him once. We hid near the door with invisibility magic and were watching how Rin was doing. Especially my brother, he couldn’t keep his eyes from her. But still after about two hours of fight she ended up dying at the hands of some red knight…

“Ah, that guy was a monster. I really don’t want to fight someone like him again. It was a miracle that I won.”

-that was one of the rare times that I saw my brother angry, he was angry to the point in which the second Rin died, he ran into the dungeon area and started fighting against that knight. Although, I shouldn’t call it a fight though. The red knight took a hard beating from my brother at that time…

“He took a beating?”

-all of sudden my brother started using spells that I never saw before and never did saw again since that time. Even after already wining against that red knight my brother didn’t stop till all pieces of his armor were completely destroyed. Still because of that, he wasted all his mana and even though I helped him we still got overrun by skeletons…

“Hey, do I have completely wrong idea on how good they all are? It might be because of all those boar-hunters that I meet so far but now that I think of it, they are all players who for a long time now were fighting at over 100 level. Just the 100th level barrier alone was hard enough. Still even if he managed to defeat that knight who was probably weaken after fight with Rin he still lost to the minions. Well I did once fought against skeletons in the trial of adventurer and even 5 of them give me trouble so I can’t say anything to that.”

-that was nearly at the time most of us took the break and even though my brother finally become strong enough to do what he wanted he stopped playing with everyone and while waiting for Shin he took up some random game about flying spaceships.

“Only that in truth he continued to train even harder.”

-so what did he really want to do?

Vivi ended up asking after hearing the story.

-I already answered that.

Hiro interrupted.

-but right now, we are now talking only about Mika’s delusions so go on Mika.

-what Hiro wanted to do is to help Rin in that quest. Yume once told us that it’s not that Rin don’t want to party with anyone. She wanted to complete her quest after all. It’s just that most of people will simply get in her way. That’s why Hiro trained himself to be accepted by her. Still, I don’t know why did he stopped doing so only because we were taking a break. It’s not like he was busy with anything. I thought he will use that time to train even more.

-Mika, it is because what you said is something only you thought up and has no reflect on reality. As I said I do want to beat her one day, but I don’t have to rush it so taking a break was okay with me.

Mika’s face has saddened quite a lot after Hiro said that.

-it’s not like you can ever take what Mika says as being real so we didn’t believe her from the start. But it was a fun story.

Flynn summed it up.

-yes, I thought that I can at least annoy Hiro for some time with it but if it has a lose end like this then it’s not even worth to create a rumor.

Vivi added.

-but I thought!

-Mika remember when you thought that Tras wants to leave our group only because he told you that he is going to Capital for a while to deliver something.

Flynn brought up some old story.

-yes, that was a storm. Even Shin got deceived at that time and even ended up calling Tras by phone to make sure.

Vivi followed it up.

-you guys don’t remember it but there was also the time when Mika thought that Shin likes her only because he was kind and polite to her.

And Hiro added additional story.

-but Shin is kind and polite to everyone.

-yes but that is an example of how wild Mika’s imagination can go.

-brother, don’t mention it to anyone!

-then stop creating some imaginary stories about me. Although only the truth can really hurt you so even if you do it, I won’t get angry.

-but I really thought.

She kept saying but everyone ignored her.

-Mika, if you want to create this type of story then chose different characters as your brother and that girl just does not fit your story.

Vivi added. Mika was clearly down after hearing all that about her theory but then.

-still it is true that you brother got fascinated by her fighting style so not entire story is wrong. And I don’t blame him as Rin always draw people attention while fighting, it’s nothing new. It had enough impact for him to try his best in catching up to her. Also even though your story has a lose end, it’s not like it has to be all lie, what about thinking like this. Your brother was training while playing that flying game. Sometimes switching the game gives you completely new view on things.

Suddenly Arata decided to add few words.

“I would want to tell her that, he continued to train and there are no loose ends but I can’t do that.”

-I see. I just need to research this theory more, thank you.

With those words Arata managed to cheer her up. He didn’t have to do that but he couldn’t just sit there and watch her getting told by everyone even though what she said was simply what she thought and how her brother’s action seemed to her.

Arata expected that Hiro will have a grudge against him because he partly brought him some trouble but it seemed more like Hiro was thankful to him that he said that. He himself was probably feeling bad for making his sister sad and tricking her.

-but what did you want to tell me again?

Because of Mika’s long story the plot was somehow disrupted so Arata asked once again.

-aaa! I just wanted to ask you if you can tell Rin that my brother didn’t mean anything bad by what he said.

-Mika, watch your own business, what I said back then is what I think.

-I have to agree here with Hiro here. I also don’t felt good about letting that girl join us but that’s why I vote for no after all.

Flynn added.

-yes, the way she said that we will just get in her way was really harsh. And even though I meet her quite often while being with Yume I could never really hold a conversation with her. In the end I simply started to avoid her as it’s also not safe to be in her company. Even Shin got killed once.

“Now that I think about it, every time I was with Vivi and there was a chance of meeting Rin she would thought up an excuse and go somewhere else.”

-twice in fact.

Hiro corrected Vivi.

-twice? I never heard of the second time.

-aye, I first hearing it as well.

-well it was really long time ago so no wonder you didn’t but I might as well tell you. Our group has ‘four founders’ and we all know who they are but then the first people who officially joined the group were me and Mika. The group’s size changed from four to six but with that we encountered quite a big problem which was only Musashi officially had melee fighting class. At that time we were doing crazy stuff like Tras being the second melee and Bran’s bear being the third, after all, with Shin nothing is impossible but we did need more melee and there was no doubt about that. And so we started looking for someone suitable and we ended up asking Rin to join us.

Hiro started the story.

-ah, so there was an episode like that, and how did it end?

-it’s a story in which Shin was killed so how could it end? We heard that Rin did not want to join any guilds but we were and still are no a guild so we thought, why shouldn’t we try, in worst case scenario she will simply turn us down.

-but she didn’t simply turn you down?

Arata asked.

-at first yes she did. When we ask if she would like to join, she cut us in middle sentence saying that she don’t. Still, Shin is not someone who could take a ‘no’ unless he at least partly understood the reason but this time he had no idea why wouldn’t she even consider listening to them so he continued with arguments. Unfortunately he did not expect Rin’s lighting movements and before he realized what happened he lost his head.

-yes that’s why I said it’s scary to be in her company. So what did you guys did after that?

Vivi added.

-naturally seeing that Shin was killed before our eyes for practically no reason, we all rushed at her but it didn’t have much effect as she killed us all without much trouble either. Mika can confirm my story.

-yes, it did happen.

“I see that she wasn’t called vicious ghost for nothing.”

-ah, who did we end up letting in our party? I won’t be able to sleep at night now. Hiro you did end up voting yes despite knowing all that? How could you let your sister killer and your friends killer to join us!?

-it was really long time ago who would remember that.

-you do remember it perfectly! And others should do as well!

Vivi complained.

-yes but we never thought of it as a bad experience though. Remember what Mika said. I did start to train after first seeing Rin in action but it was not only me. Musashi, Vatras, Bran, Shin, even Mika everyone realized that the state we were in was not good, that there is much, much, much more one can do in this world. It might be possible that without that experience we wouldn’t be where we are now.

-yes but still.

-Vivi, is being too strong a sin?

-now you are going with philosophical questions, Hiro?

-no I am just asking whose fault was it that we were killed back then. Rin’s for being strong enough to kill the bunch of noobs who wanted her to join their party or that bunch of noobs who didn’t know left from right and wanted someone good to join them? We never blamed Rin for that time but rather were thankful to her. As to why we never spread that story, it’s simply because it’s embarrassing to get owned like that by one girl and it is not a story that you would simply chat about.

-I see but why did you bring it up now?

-you asked why did I say yes, despite knowing all that. As Mika said, I trained to show her that I am not some random weakling like back then. But other than that, I also wanted her to see, that not only me but all of us are not like we used to be. And lastly I wanted to find out, if as we are right now, would we be allowed to ask her to join us.

“So she did have some more people who cared about her at least a little.”

-in that case, I will also have to show off some good side of me…

Flynn added.

-still Hiro, you just beautifully repaired image of Rin in our minds as without her our party might not even exist right now. But with your ability in words are you sure that what Mika said before was a lie?

-nice one Flynn, that’s sounds like Hiro all right. You never know when you get caught in his pace. So Hiro how is it?

Vivi also asked.

-yes, I did get fascinated by her skills and that helped me to get better in time and as Arata mentioned, it’s nothing uncommon, right?

-you are now asking him?

Vivi was not making it easy for him.

-as I said others were the same. For example, even Shin would probably not be as he is now if it weren’t the same, so give me a break already.

-aye, we ended up dragging the subject too long.

-okay. So, where we were again Flynn?

Seeing a helping hand, Hiro grabbed it right away.

-I think that it was about that somehow we all ended up looking at Arata’s fight the other day.

-yes isn’t it’s a strange accident?

Vivi answered.

-rather than accident, that’s all Shin for you. He probably decided to make Arata a group leader for some reason but he still considered what others would think about it so he put to that group people that would at least not doubt his abilities. You Vivi being the first one he probably chose. Then the rest of us were those who at least saw his show in the Arena. I must say that if I didn’t saw that I would probably end up dueling you Arata right this moment no matter what Shin would say and there are probably many others who would do the same should they get to this group.

Hiro explained.

-aye, that’s sounds like Shin. Always, making it easier for everyone.

-you are sure? If he wanted to make it easier for me, he wouldn’t have chosen me for the team leader.

Arata answered to Flynn.

-Shin probably had his reason for it. You should think about what that reason could be Arata. But aye, he is not making it easy for you and the biggest proof to that is that she is in our group as well…

Flynn ended up pointing in the direction of front of the cart.

-eh, what is she doing again, can’t she at least come and say hello instead of disturbing Shin?

-leave her be, she should start getting bored soon.

Vivi answered.

-I don’t know about that, she didn’t bother Shin for some time now so she probably has a lot of patience stored up.

Flynn was not convinced though.

-fine I will go and try get her. By now, she shouldn’t show too much resistance.

Vivi ended up moving to the front of the cart and few second later she returned alongside the other girl who so far stayed on the front. She was wearing a long white coat with bronze lines on it, brown belt, short brown miniskirt and white high bootie. Her light brown hair was long falling to her back. She had a braid going around at the back of her head.

-hi everyone, eh… .

She said that without enthusiasm and sit down next to Vivi then she sighed heavily.

-so how did it go this time?

Flynn asked.

-same as always! Or rather, this time it was even worse. I thought that after not seeing me for such a long time there would be a change but rather for a better, Shin is even colder to me than before!

-isn’t he just busy?

Vivi wanted to cheer her up.

-if he were just busy he would at least spare me five minutes, right?

-but he was always like, work comes first, so you shouldn’t worry about that Julia.

-but even when he was free he also did avoid me. Weeeeeeee!

The girl ended up crying out loud.

-Julia wait, it’s definitely not like that.

-weeeeeee, leave me alone Vivi, I know it’s like that weeeeeee!

No one did say to her anything anymore as she continued to cry.

Hiro who was next to Arata whispered to him.

-that’s why Flynn said that having her in a group is not easy.

-shouldn’t someone say something to her?

-there is little we can say. You give it a try if you thought of something?

-I didn’t, and I don’t even know her. What is her problem anyway?

-it’s quite simple. She likes Shin and she does not have a problem saying it out loud. But when she does so, Shin just answers that he is not interested in ingame romance or simply romance in general. Of course that doesn’t stop her but her efforts are fruitless, because of that, she ends up like this from time to time. She will be back anew after some time, so don’t bother.

-but shouldn’t Shin just tell her off the hard way. I think it is a better solution than drag it on.

-maybe but Shin is simply too polite to do something like that.

-maybe he just drags it on because he is not sure how to respond to her feelings?

-if you knew Shin for a little bit longer Arata, you would definitely not think like that. Still, I guess you never know with ‘that feeling’ right? It is really uncontrollable after all, and also Julia is quite pretty. She has that natural and realistic beauty in her. Still it’s Shin we talk about and he is someone who controls even things that are uncontrollable.

-I do think that it is beyond anyone control.

-I see you are speaking from experience, well I guess I also…

Hiro stopped for a moment.

-anyway that’s how it is, but it’s not like Shin was ignoring her right now so I don’t know what she is crying over. She should have known that when Shin gets a new set of puzzles, he will play around with them like there is no tomorrow.

-I see that’s the solution.

-hmm?

And then Arata started speaking loudly.

-I don’t think that it’s that Shin is avoiding her. Even though his is working right now, for all that time before he didn’t tell her to go away as even though he was busy her presence did not bother him. Rather he was probably happy that despite not being able to converse with others right now there was still someone who just wanted to share some space with him. Sometimes just being present, means a lot.

-hmm?

The girl stopped crying and looked up at Arata with teary face.

-hey, Arata, what with the monolog out of sudden?

Vivi ended up asking.

-I just thought that if someone has to cry they should at least have a reason for it and not some misunderstanding.

-no, no, no, I think it’s you who misunderstood.

-no Vivi, it’s me who misunderstood that guy is right…

The girl with brown hair got in mood right away.

-by the way, who are you?

And then she ended up asking this question after wiping her eyes.

-me? I’m Arata.

-ah right, the team leader. My name is Julia.

-if you could don’t call me the team leader or anything that has word leader attached to it.

-why not? Aren’t you one?

-please just don’t.

-well, whatever is fine. So Arata, thanks for just now you opened my eyes, it’s true that Shin never told me off. Also thanks for the map the earlier on, I could finally be useful to Shin even if only in bringing him something. I think there was something else I wanted to say but I can’t remember it anymore.

“Was there something else?”

-hey Julia, we were wondering if you happened to be in Arena few days back and saw Arata fighting. I am asking because everyone else in this group happened to be there.

Vivi asked but Julia did not answer still that question reminded her of what she wanted to say.

-ah right, that was the last thing! Arata, thanks to you I managed to earn 400 gold in an instant. The other day in the arena I happened to be there as I was bored, then out of sudden there were two fights listed one after another where two completely unknown people without a rank fought against two first rankers. I immediately realized that something is going on so after I saw that your friend won the first fight I bet quite a lot of my cash on the second one in which you won in an instant. Then puff and my money got so much bigger. So the last thing I wanted to say is thanks for the money.

-it’s you who were betting, I have little to do with your win.

-well, I just thought I would thank you anyway. So what did you guys talked about?

-Hiro just told us a story about how he got fascinated by Yume’s friend Rin.

Vivi sum up what they told about.

-who ever told a story like that!?

Hiro reacted to it right away.

-but wasn’t it the main point of it?

-yes but the way you said it was completely misleading.

-see, he agreed, so that was about the gist of it.

Vivi added.

-I see, well Hiro. Although I see a little chances of it happening, I am in somewhat similar desperate situation so I will wish you luck.

-… .

Hiro just gave her an annoyed look then he stood up and said.

-sorry but I can’t deal with those two at the same time. Mika, I am going to sleep right now but you can do what you want. Arata, I suggest you going to sleep sooner rather than later… If you value your sanity, that is.

After saying that, Hiro moved to the front of the cart.

=pouter Hiro, pouter Hiro.

Vivi and Julia ended up singing it together.

“I probably should follow his advice.”

Unfortunately Arata could not do it.

Before going to sleep, Hiro ended up sitting next to Shin and it looked like they ended up talking about something. To that there was a reaction.

-but he told me that he is super busy right now!

Julia right away complained.

-given its Hiro, he wouldn’t bother Shin with stupid chatter like you so of course Shin will listen.

Flynn commented.

-maybe I should go and join their conversation.

Julia was ready to do just that but when she stood up, Flynn caught the end of her white coat.

-you did enough for today, so give Shin a break.

-muu.

Julia sat back.

-still, if Hiro already evacuated from here, guess our tactical meeting is not happening.

Flynn summed it up.

-I can still call him.

-nah, you don’t have to Mika. We will just have to work things out on the field as always.

-if there is something specific we have to do then Shin will tell us about it, so we don’t have to worry about it…

Vivi added.

“They are a little bit too carefree or rather they are putting too much on that guy.”

-now that this is out of hand, let’s return to the topic.

-but isn’t there nothing to return with Hiro gone?

-you are right Flynn. Then let’s change it a little. Hiro said that he and the others were fascinated by Rin at that time, was it the same with you Mika?

-me?

-don’t space out!

-eto, rather than fascinating, she is scary.

-yes that’s what I think as well. What about rest of you?

-nah, I don’t know about being fascinated but watching her fight is a privilege. Not only you can learn something but it’s also a nice picture.

Flynn answered.

-I don’t know where that ‘fascinating’ word came from but you can’t put it in the same sentence as that girl name.

Julia commented.

-so you are with us on this Julia.

-she killed Shin, this is not something that I can forget.

It seemed that Julia was interested only in that fact.

-what about you Arata? Whose side you are on?

-neither, I don’t see a reason to get scared by her, but also she is not on some unreachable level which I would have to admire. I saw people who are way better than her both in real world and in this game.

-not unreachable? Maybe for you but that is where we going right now. I have arrived at some theory.

-you can give up as they are always wrong.

Flynn quickly shot down Vivi attempt.

-don’t say that, this time it’s for sure.

-you say it every time but go ahead, what stupid theory you came up with this time?

-based on your answer and what Hiro said before, it is clear that the only people who are fascinated by Rin are men when us women has it right and we think she is scary. I must say you are all deceived by her look.

-aye, that redhead doesn’t look too scary if you don’t know her. Then who wouldn’t want to look at art of war and art of beauty at the same time. Still, Hiro might have get fascinated but I don’t think that Musashi, Tras, Bran and definitely not Shin would think the same. From what Hiro said, I arrived that it was at that time that they found out that in this game you are not bound by limits and by simply grinding your level, you won’t get better. Anyway you theory is wrong.

-I am not finished it, I also have a counterpart. When men will say that Rin is fascinating, then we women will say that Arata is fascinating. Having two examples like that proves it right.

-nay, you got it wrong again.

-don’t say that, Mika, Julia, you will agree with me.

-eeeemm!? It’s wrong to think like that! Also by saying it, you are just bothering Arata as he has a girlfriend.

Mika answered troubled.

-does it matter? We are only talking about the theory.

-it does!

-then what if he didn’t have one.

-emmmm?!

Mika started to look around.

-see Flynn.

-that doesn’t prove anything. Mika’s reactions are always like that when it comes to romantic stuff. Hey Mika, I thought I will tell you. Few days ago Konan told me that he likes you.

-emmmm?!

Mika started to look around even more nervously.

-no wait it was not Konan but Kei.

-emmmm?!

And now her head was simply spinning around.

-no that couldn’t be him either as he was also listening to it and promised that he won’t tell you, now who was that again? Ah, I just remembered, I also promised that I won’t tell you. I think that maybe you should wait till he says it himself.

-emmmm?!

-fine, I get it Flynn.

Vivi commented.

-see, Mika is not a good material for your proving anything.

-still Flynn, you know that Hiro will kill you when he hears that you bullied her.

-I wasn’t bulling her, right Mika? Hmm? Where is Mika?

-over there.

Mika was already standing next to her brother and was desperately explaining something.

-ups. Well what happened, happened. Can’t be helped. Anyway your theory is once again wrong Vivi.

Flynn couldn’t do anything about it now so he decided to not think about it again.

-not yet, Julia you agree with me right?

-well, I am not sure about this one. But if you switch Arata with Shin in that statement then I am 10000% in agreement with you no 1000000% even more infinity%. After all, Shin is the most fascinating, the most handsome, the most all-knowing, the most everything, the most super everything, the most super super fantastic everything.

-okay you can stop right there.

-but I was just getting to the best part.

-no you are not helping so you can stop.

-and so, another page of Vivi’s useless and wrong theories was filled. Still, you should take to your heart Mika’s answer. Look at Julia and how much he bothers Shin by doing what she does, don’t be like her and don’t do the same to Arata.

-I am not doing the same. Arata I am not bothering you, right?

Vivi ended up asking.

-well, I wouldn’t say both…-

-hey hold on cowboy! Before you answer you should think about the consequences. Learn to draw the line fast before anyone gets hurt. Look at Shin and see what happens if you don’t.

Flynn quickly interrupted him.

“Even though he told me that. I think I already drew a line right away from the start.”

-isn’t saying that you have a girlfriend enough?

-yes, but some are more persistent and if they ask you a question like this, you need to answer it right.

-Flynn it’s not like I trying to get in his way.

-it does look like that in my eyes at least. Anyway, since when it came to this? VRMMORPGs are great but the plague that comes from the real world with it is something I can’t stand. You should play game because you want to play game and not some other reasons, especially not to look for their other half. Also if someone’s tells that this is their first game and they started to play it because it’s popular again, I cannot vouch for myself.

Flynn made his opinion.

-it’s you who is ignorant of it, Flynn!

Julia opposed it.

-is that so? Then you think that Shin is also an ignorant?

-why would I ever think like that!?

-you said that I am an ignorant because I think that things that originally were not part of the games shouldn’t be present in EOA. But Shin is on the same page as me. Or rather he often completely ignores all aspect of this game except for its core which is fights, dungeons, and raids. When he plays this game he either does one of those or prepare for one of those.

-you and him are completely different!

-aye, I like to role play my dwarf role and don’t mind chatting with people about topics unrelated to the game. Well Shin doesn’t mind as well but in time when he wants to focus on something, he does mind. He will never tell you that though.

-but.

-Julia, I think that everyone already told you about it but you really should stop expecting Shin to respond to your feelings. It’s simply not happening.

-you don’t know till you try!

-but didn’t you already try and failed many times.

-…, weeeeeee!

And so Julia went into crying again.

-ah, now you done it Flynn, she will not stop till tomorrow, there goes our sleeping.

Vivi commented.

-I just said the truth.

-weeeeeee!

-hey Julia. It’s not like what he said is true. I personally never thought that I would go out with someone I meet in a game but now I do. And it happened only because of her persistence and openness in showing her feelings to me, I simply could not do anything else than falling in love with her as well.

Arata ended up trying to console her but he didn’t say any lie in it.

-wee!… really?

She once again looked at him with teary expression.

-yes, I was thinking just like him. Who would look for a romance in a game, there are other stuff to take care of and the game is the last place in which I would look for girlfriend.

-oh, that sounds like something Shin would say.

Flynn added.

-then can I really do that too? I mean change Shin’s mind?

-probably but that only depends on if you really like him.

-I do! But I already told him I like him and he just said ‘not interested!’ What I am supposed to do, help me!

“Ah, why I am doing it? It is really the curse of this game.”

Arata ended saying all that that but because he didn’t want Julia to start crying again. It was too late to get back from it now though.

-rather than telling him that you like him, you need to show him your true feelings or either he will just think that you are playing around.

-I am not playing around, I am serious!

-the problem is that this is a game. It’s hard to show your seriousness here. Depending on how you approach him, what will you tell him and how you will behave around him, that kind of stuff.

-then what should I exactly do?

Julia ended up taking out the pen and a notebook.

-I can’t help you there as I don’t know.

-but you said like you were speaking from experience. Don’t be sting and tell me some ultimate technique!

-as if there was one. All I told you is what my girlfriend did to change my mind. That’s why it might have sounded like I speak from experience but you would need a story from her perspective.

-I see, so it’s a secret ultimate technique that your girlfriend used on you. Its power is so great that the one that it is used on doesn’t even realize what hit him. In that case you will probably not know it but just knowing that it’s possible is enough, I will have to think of my own way…

And just when Arata was going to get off the hook, Julia followed it up.

-now tell me what your girlfriend did and I will use it for reference.

-what, what? Arata is going to tell his love stories, let me hear as well.

Julia’s and Vivi’s request was replied with single word.

-no.

And Arata’s face was not laughing.

-why not? Don’t tell me you are embarrassed?

-no.

-but didn’t you wanted to cheer up Julia?

-no.

-so why did you said what you said?

-no.

-Vivi, he is still answering your first request and he repeats it till you understand.

Flynn perfectly understood what Arata meant.

-Arata, don’t be like that!

-no.

-Julia what should we do?

-I didn’t ask for your help and if he doesn’t want to talk then it’s fine. As long as I know it’s possible I should just try my best, is that what you wanted to tell me?

-yes. Also personally I never think whatever something is possible or not, you should just always do your best as each failure will lead you to future victory. Just like in fights. Whenever I fight I always go with wining in mind and I never consider losing as its waste of time.

-always?

-pretty much, with very few exceptions.

-being this good you are probably confident most of the time.

-no even when my chances are slim I will still think the same.

-Vivi, could you do something like that?

-never, I know my weakness too well.

-knowing your weakness is a first step to improve…

A new voice appeared out of sudden. Man with black hair, which were falling on his forehead. He wore dark brown sweeter and brown pants. On the sweeter he wore a white cloak that covered most of his body.

-I came to ask you all on the matter that Hiro brought up to me just now. Because there are some of us who didn’t play for some time, I think that going right away into most dangerous lands we have never been before may be a little rush. Of course we will not abandon that idea or move the date of expedition for some other time, but a small wake up is something that everyone needs. Also seeing that we have three new people joining us on this journey it will also be beneficial to them. That’s why, upon reaching the Larisane, we will stay there two to three days longer and execute our ‘luck of draw tournament’. It will definitely help me to see everyone’s current form.

Shin announced.

-luck of draw tournament, only not that!

-luck of draw tournament, yea!

-luck of draw tournament. Wonderful idea.

The reactions were quite different. Vivi was against it, Flynn was really happy about it and from what Arata already knew, Julia would probably say the same thing even if she hated it. Then there was one more reaction.

-what is luck of draw tournament?

Arata asked.

-they will explain it to you. Still I guess I should ask, there is no problem if we delay the journey a little.

-if it’s only this long, there is no concern.

-I see.

With that Shin returned to where he came from.

In the front the number of people that were sleeping once again increased as Hiro who finished his business ended up falling asleep while sitting. Next to him, Mika was sleeping as well in a position in which her head was resting on her brother’s shoulder.

-so what is that tournament?

Arata asked.

-it’s more of training, than a tournament. We just fight each other in friendly matches. That’s most of it.

Vivi started explaining.

-nah, don’t listen to her. It is called tournament because it is a tournament. There is no place for friendliness in it. We beat the crap out of each other because we want to win.

Flynn had another explanation though.

-as far as I know, when Shin first introduced that idea it was so we can train for unusual circumstances, so it is a training Flynn.

-don’t listen to Julia either. She just says that because she wants you to let your guard down should you fight her.

Flynn continued.

-so you just fight each to see who is better?

Arata got to the point.

-that’s exactly it.

-don’t listen to Flynn, he is lying.

Vivi interrupted.

-fine, fine, so Arata, in this ‘training’ you draw the number that marks your position in the bracket, then you fight against someone and the winner moves to another round. The fights continue till the last fight and there is no one else to fight against for he winner.

“Sounds like tournament to me.”

-but it isn’t a simple tournament is it? Otherwise you wouldn’t add something about the luck in that.

Arata asked.

-aye, when I explained I skipped few less important details. Well, in tournaments there is always luck as depending on whom you fight first you might get knocked out right at the start. But there is another element of luck to our tournament. Otherwise it would be impossible for Shin to simply propose that idea. Apart from us wanting to fight against each other badly, the tournament prepares us for different circumstances.

-that’s what I said.

Flynn ignored Vivi’s comment and continued.

-it goes like this. Before each fight we are drawing one card out from a bucket, box or whatever is prepared and not always cards but I will use that reference here. On those cards are listed special restrictions or additional rules to the given battle. Those rule really various and depending on what you draw you might get an easy win but at the same time you might get utterly defeated.

-and what those rules are?

-it’s hard to list them all as there are quite many and every time Shin adds few more ideas he comes up on the way. You will have to wait till the thing will actually be happening but so I don’t keep you in the dark I might give few examples. There is, ‘do not use any weapons’, ‘do not use mana spells’, ‘do not use stamina spells’, ‘do not use any spells’, ‘do not move from your position’, ‘do not fight in melee’, ‘do not attack from more than one meter’, ‘fight with your eyes closes’, ‘fight with your opponent’s weapon’, ‘do not wear any armor’ and many other things. Also, there always is at least one card on which rules are that you choose someone to your party and its 3v3, 2v2 or even 6v6. I think that is the fairest one.

-but some of them are really unfair, how is melee supposed to fight with only range attacks against a mage for example?

Arata pointed it out.

-that’s why we call it, luck by draw tournament. With good cards anyone can win.

-no, that is why Shin called it a training and not tournament because rather than seeing who is the best, people have to manage in different circumstances and thanks to that we learn new things.

Vivi added.

-I think that luck is also ones skill.

Arata commented.

-aye, now you are saying something Arata. Anyway look forward to it, it’s always fun to beat the crap of you party members right?

“Some PVP might be fun, although the interesting part will be drawing some ridiculous restrictions as well.”

-so how fierce are those fights? You probably don’t kill each other as it would be a waste.

-aye, we don’t kill each other but the fights are to death. You see Vatras has a skill called ‘Seed of reborn’, when he cast it on a player, for a day should that player be killed, instead of getting message ‘you are dead’ he is held back on 1%hp for five minutes. The person who losses, is healed back in those five minutes and so he won’t die thanks to that.

-you mean he has some kind of resurrection spell?

-I wouldn’t call resurrection the only method to be resurrected in EOA is to wait those two days. Even NPCs doesn’t have the power to resurrect people much less players.

-you sure about it, I thought that every healer should have a resurrection spell.

Arata asked. For him, in every game so far that he played, the healers and sometimes not only them had resurrection spell.

-well you know how the saying goes, I never heard of anyone having a spell like that…

“How do you complete raid dungeons then?”

-anyway rather than calling it resurrection what Vatras has is a simple trick that prevents people from dying. Also that skill works only on player’s damage for some strange reasons, so we use it only during this tournament.

-but it still works even if someone is cut in half, or completely vaporized, right?

-aye, awesome right? That’s why you can go all out in those fights and don’t worry about consequences. Now that I think about it, it’s such a good time to play it out.

-what are you getting excited for, you won’t win anyway Flynn.

Vivi commented.

-didn’t you say those are friendly matches Vivi?

Flynn replied with sarcasm.

-you will just get ‘spell only battle’ in first fight like last time and you will stop laughing.

-hahaha, rather because last time I had the worst luck this time the goddess of luck will smile in my favor.

Flynn was not concerned about it, too much. Even though he did call it a tournament, those really were friendly matches as there were no enemies to fight, only friends.

-so, how many times did you do it already?

Arata ended up asking.

-this is the eleventh time I think.

-aye, eleventh, we actually do it quite frequently there is at least one every month. Although this is only third time that everyone will be participating. It all started when we finished Vatras’s class quest and he got that spell. The spell seemed useless for us as we are not really doing PVP that often but Shin came up with this idea on how to use it and that how it went.

“Eleventh, that’s quite a lot. Still I see why it might be a good training method. But if there was so many I guess I have to ask.”

-so, who is usually wining those?

-oh, you want to know who to watch out for?

Flynn asked.

-I was just curious.

-curious, aye.

Flynn answered with a grin.

-we might as well tell you. Last time we did that, who won at that time again? It was Kei right?

Vivi answered but it didn’t look like she was reliable source of knowledge.

-yes it was Kei, probably.

Julia was on similar side.

-maybe you two will just go to sleep already and don’t interrupt us.

Flynn ended up commenting.

-I guess it is a little bit late and I am not really interested in it. There are always tomorrow if I want to talk with Arata so good night.

Vivi ended up leaving the conversation and she dropped down on the bench and closed her eyes.

-and you?

-no, I am listening. I am practically the newest here apart from people who joined today, so I want to find out as much as I can. I love the stories you guys always tell.

Julia answered.

-fine, then stay and listen. Just like they said the last time the person who won was Kei. He is sleeping on your right under the bench if you want to know who it is…

Arata glanced over there and saw that Kei was long gone in deep sleep.

-also, so far Kei has the highest number of wins.

-so that’s why everyone is calling him our ace?

Julia asked.

-when Shin introduced to us this training method to get us a little bit more motivated, he said that the person with highest numbers of win will be recognized as team’s ace. And even though this system has a large amount of luck in it, winning it few times tells clearly that someone’s is good.

-so is Kei better than you Flynn?

Julia ended up asking that question.

-I am a tank, he is a dps. We can’t be compared.

-but it’s him who got the ace title so doesn’t it speaks for itself.

-ah, you are interrupting again Julia. You said you are just going to listen.

-okay, okay. So what are the scores?

-I am keeping a record of them. There is Kei with four wins out of elven games and then there is Hiro with three wins, then Musashi has two. Then there is one guy who once won but he is not with us anymore so you I won’t mention him. Then there was also one time that Shin won.

-even though there were already eleven of those only five people ever managed to win one.

Arata commented.

-that’s why winning one has a lot of meaning.

-so how did it came that you never won any?

Julia kept asking Flynn painful questions.

-I might have not won any but here is the thing. Kei who is leading with four wins had a six months ingame time break. Hiro, who always get to high stages, and won three times also six month break. Musashi, the same, Shin same. Many others same or at least they didn’t play at their usual rate. Then there is me who continued to play and often got to high stages of the tournament. Also during this break, whenever anyone wanted to form a group for a dungeon I was in it as I was the only tank left. When everyone else were lazing around I was fighting more than usual. If there is any justice in this world, who should win I ask you?

-justice? Isn’t that tournament the exact opposite of it?

Julia once again shot him down.

-whatever I just saying that this time I have higher chances than usual. Same would go for you as you continued to play as well.

-yes, I was trying hard.

-I don’t even know how many times you came to me and said. ‘Hey Flynn, will you tank this for me’ or ‘Hey Flynn, we are going for a dungeon and you are coming with us’. Not that I minded it though, thanks to that I was more motivated and did not slack off at all.

-still, despite all that I don’t think that your chances this time increased much, rather they decreased. Same goes for me and everyone else.

Julia once again said negative comment.

-why do you say such blasphemy?

-it’s not blasphemy but the facts. This time we have three more people joining and I don’t see much hope for any of us defeating Rin.

-… .

It looked like Flynn forgot about that fact.

-you had to say it didn’t you!…

All his plans fallen in an instant.

-well, in that case I will have to count on that luck that I have left over from previous tournament.

-but what condition would you need to defeat her? I think that she will defeat anyone in any circumstances that we might have.

-well, there is one way. If I we were to draw a team fight, and I would manage to choose Shin then I will win.

-you think it will be this easy?

Arata had to interrupt.

-yes, Flynn even though it’s Shin, didn’t Hiro just tell a story on how he was killed by her in a second and everyone else following.

Julia had to agree.

-you don’t believe in Shin, Julia? Ah, no wonder he ignores you then.

-no, I am not! I do believe!

Julia quickly denied.

-I was just joking. He wouldn’t ignore you because of that. In the first place in our group, the person who least believes in Shin is Shin himself. If you were to ask him, could he win a team battle against team like, let’s go extreme, Arata and Rin he would say, yes ‘good joke’.

-because it is a good joke.

Arata had to intervene.

-you only say it because you didn’t see what Shin can do. Throughout the all tournaments there is one thing that is static and that is ‘Shin never loses in a team fight’. I did say that team fights are the fairest one. That is because the right to choose first person is decided by a coin. Both sides have a fifty/fifty percentage of being the first one to choose the first player to their group. The person who wins this part automatically wins the group fight as choosing Shin means automatic win.

-really, he didn’t lose even once?

Julia had to ask.

-not even once. At some point, team cards started to have additional notes like, each player selects one or two people that opponent can’t choose. When this came up, Shin was mentioned every single time as the first one. Or you could say he is on default.

-now that I think about it, on two tournaments that I have already been at, when the note showed that you can’t choose one player the two that were fighting didn’t even say the name but just laughed.

-yea, rather than one player can’t be chosen it should be you can’t choose Shin. Still it’s Shin who creates cards with rules so he wants to be fair.

-what is he doing that you all think that he is so amazing?

Arata couldn’t help but ask. Such idolization of that person seemed strange to him.

-because he is amazing!

Julia answer did not help.

-you will just to experience it yourself that all. We are not able to describe it.

-whatever he might or might not do, I still going to win that tournament so I will find out how good he is when I beat him.

Arata declared. If he already were going to participate in it, he might as well win. Although, he still had no idea on how he was going to defeat Rin.

-aye, it might be that you will, but I tell you if you get a team fight against Shin there is 100% chances of losing.

“Whatever, I will have to see it myself.”

-so, in any of those group fights. Were there a time when the sides were overwhelming against him? Like two anti-classes against him and his teammates.

Arata ended up asking.

-there was one time when everyone thought that the era of Shin wining every team fight was over. During the eighth tournament it happened that Hiro and Mika were selected for a fight. It was 2v2 fight without restrictions. Hiro said ‘go ahead and choose first’ as he wanted to give her a head start or else he wouldn’t be able to fight seriously. So Mika choose Shin. Then Hiro realized that it might have been not the best idea to let her do it but it was already too late. Still, he wanted to win badly so despite his pride he chose Kei and it was a 2v2. Kei and Hiro vs Shin and Mika. Even I was convinced that it’s impossible to win in that situation but as I already said, Shin never lost a team battle.

-against those, two with Mika as his partner. Isn’t it like impossible? How did he do it!?

Julia asked with high toned excited voice.

-even though I was watching it, I still have no idea how he managed to pull of everything he did. Still, I can also say simply. That’s Shin for you…

Arata once again looked in the direction of the front of the cart. Shin was no longer looking at the map but just simply up to the celling, motionless. His hands were no longer holding anything but instead they were touching each other with the end of fingers.

“He doesn’t look that impressing.”

Arata meet people whom from look he could tell that they are a bad news. For example, whenever he would look at Gerald when his face is serious, despite knowing him and being in his guild, Arata would still get a chill and his instincts would tell him to run away. Then there was also his grandfather who while seeing him in fighting stance Arata’s thoughts wouldn’t even say run away but simply ‘I am dead’. From the man in the white cloak however there was nothing like that.

-I will also be getting to sleep now. There is no need to stay up night as we can continue tomorrow. Julia, would you move a little?

-sure…

Julia ended up standing up and switching her sitting place to the side of Arata as Flynn went to sleep on the bench.

-you are going to sleep as well?

Julia asked.

-no, I am not really that sleepy yet.

-in that case follow me…

Julia stood up once again and then started walking to the back of the cart.

-here, here…

When she waved her hand Arata ended up following her. They moved all the way to the entrance to the place from where the outside could be seen. Julia ended up sitting at the edge of the cart with her legs floating outside of it.

-sit like this.

-but, there is no place.

-you are not fat, we will manage.

The entrance to the cart was quite narrow. And there was only a small area in which someone could sit. Arata came closer and seeing that there is really no place said.

-I think I should.

-sit down!

Julia ended up pulling him down and in the end he sits right next to her. Their legs and arms were touching.

-see there is no space.

-we are already siting so there is.

-yes but in this position I can even feel your breath.

Julia first smiled to that comment but then said.

-it’s good that you are fateful to your girlfriend. I always preferred guys like that but you don’t have to worry that I will do anything as my heart is already for Shin.

-in that case you shouldn’t be comfortable in siting like this either.

-but strangely I am. It’s probably because it’s someone like you.

-if you start talking about things like this then I am getting out of here.

-haha, wait, wait, don’t worry…

Julia laughed at him and then said.

-you know I really do like you…

Arata was about to stand up but Julia hold him back.

-I already told you that I love Shin right? So relax.

-I don’t think I can relax if you start saying things like that.

-do you know only one definition of the word ‘like’?

-well.

-normally one should consider the other version right. Arata how many of your current friends are girls? Don’t count your girlfriend, only normal friends.

“Well in that case it’s not that hard to count. …”

It really was easy to count but when Arata started thinking about it he just got depressed.

“In childhood I had many friends, from girls, there would be Ali for example. But I didn’t keep a contact with any of them so they won’t count. Then there is Ali whom I did meet again after the break but even though I tried to repair that friendship, out of sudden she started to avoid me.”

Alice really did start to avoid him and she didn’t give him any misunderstanding there. For example, when Arata was walking on the sidewalk and Alice was walking on the same sidewalk and was walking in his direction, she would turn back as if remembering that she has to pass the street to the other side. Then there was also that even if they did meet face to face she would simply greet him and walk away quickly. Arata tried to talk with her few times but lately she always replayed with ‘I am busy’ or ‘maybe some other time’.

“She shouldn’t have a bad feelings to me anymore but it’s rather clear that what she wants to tell me. Also it’s not like we ever had much in common so it’s especially hard to find something to talk about. At the state where I am right now, even though I would want to say she is my friend, she doesn’t count as that. Then apart from her there is probably no one.”

Arata continued to get depressed even more and more.

“There might be few girls that I get to know in the game but I am nowhere enough knowing them, to call them my friends. Still it’s not like it is limited to girls. I was practically always friendless even since ‘that’ time.”

-do I have to answer that?

After thinking about all that, Arata’s voice changed into sound of loneliness.

-what happened? You suddenly went into bad mood.

-if it only were a bad mood.

Arata replied with even sadder voice.

-well, well, it can’t be that bad. Don’t make that face.

-don’t worry, I just realized that I have no one that I can call a normal friend.

Julia was quite surprised by that.

-it can’t be that bad. What about you girlfriend?

-yes, she is the only light in the tunnel but you asked for normal friends.

-then what about your party members or I don’t know Yume, Vivi, Flynn?

-I don’t know any of them well enough. Although I guess that I could call Levi my friend. But rather than being happy about, its only making me sad even more.

The way Levi kept repeating that they are friends had a small impact on Arata. It was true that right now he was closest person what Arata could call a friend.

-then what about, Rin? You seemed to get along good.

-it may look like this but I know that she is forcing herself to do it. Also she did once tell me that after we complete the quest I shouldn’t involve myself with her anymore. She did use exactly those words so I don’t even have to wonder on this one?

-what about in real?

-that’s even more sad.

-then in a game. You are in some guild right? I remember as I was on the arena the name was…-

-Refrain, yes I am in a guild and even though I did get along with people who were in it, it only goes as far as being a guildmate. Best prove to that is after we separated we practically don’t keep contact with each other at all.

Tears started to flow out from Julia’s eyes out of sudden.

-you know, your story is so pitiful.

-I don’t know why I ended up telling you this but it’s probably because if I hold back those thoughts in mind I would just feel bad. But why is it you who is crying?

-no, I just understood how good my life has been and the fact that there are people like you in the world makes me sad.

-as I said it’s not that bad. I still have my girlfriend.

-yes hold on to that thought and don’t commit suicide.

-I am used to the fact that I don’t have friends so I wouldn’t do something like that.

-saying that you are used to it is even worse…

And then Julia showed him a smiling face.

-Arata, didn’t I told you that I like you.

-yes and I told you that you shouldn’t say it.

-you are once again misunderstanding. Anyway let’s get straight to it. Arata, do you believe in men and women friendship?

-I don’t see anything wrong with it.

-in that case, you really didn’t think about it well enough. It’s not like I do believe that man and woman can be friends but I am personally little afraid to get too close to anyone from opposite gender. Even here, in this party. Or maybe, especially in this party.

-I thought you were all on good terms.

-we are but for example I avoid being in one on one conversation with anyone from guys, except Shin of course. But then Shin avoids having one on one conversation with me so it’s practically with no one.

-but now you are having one on one conversation with me.

-I was just getting to it…

Julia looked up at the night sky.

-even though everyone is nice and its fun talking with them, I am still not talking with them one on one, why do you think is my reason for that?

-… .

Arata didn’t say anything but waited for Julia to continue.

-as I mentioned the reason is because I am scared.

-you mean, you are scared of them?

-no rather I am scared of what they might say. I am really scared that one of them will one day say, ‘I like you’ and that it would be the other ‘like’ not the one I told you. I might be a little overconfident in myself but I am really afraid of that. If someone tells me that, I can only replay with ‘no’ and hurt that person feeling. After that communicating with that person would become really difficult, it might even become uncomfortable for me to be in this group and this group is something I don’t want to let go, no matter what!

-it must be nice to have a place like this.

Arata commented.

-no one stops you from joining us permanently, you should think about it. Anyway what my point is that I am afraid to act too friendly with guys but it doesn’t mean that I don’t believe in man and women friendship. Also, I do think of everyone in this group as my friends, although I think your definition of that word is a little bit stronger than mine…

“Possible but I don’t want to delude myself.”

-and now I will finally get to the point. The condition that I have to have a male close friend is quite simple. I must be sure that he will not tell me one day that he likes me and because it’s nearly impossible to tell one from another, I will keep my distance to not get too friendly with anyone.

-I guess it is some solution if you don’t want to hurt anyone.

-what about you Arata?

-I probably don’t have to worry about it as much as you, as I am not that attractive but I wouldn’t want to hear someone telling me that they likes me for the same reason as you.

-I don’t know if you really shouldn’t worry as you might end up in that situation one day.

-if it comes to that, then there is nothing I can do about it, but my answer is already prepared.

Arata didn’t think about this answer for long either.

-see, that’s why I told you I like you and I am sitting with you here having one on one conversation with you. You will never tell me that you love me and I will never have to hurt your feelings but because of that, you clear the condition of being my male close friend. So Arata will you become my friend?

-… .

Arata couldn’t reply to the sudden invitation.

-in return I will become your friend and you will never again say something like ‘I have no friends’.

-I would like to but we don’t know each other that well and I practically meet you only today.

-we have a lot of time to find out things about each other. I understand that you value the word ‘friend’ a lot and maybe like me have some strange conditions to meet. But if it’s something I can clear out, ask me anything.

-it’s not like I do.

-then will you become my friend?

-… .

-once again, will you become my friend?

-okay, okay, I will, I will.

-then from this day onward, I am your friend and don’t ever think about me in any other way than that. Even if we don’t meet each other for a long time, even if we end up arguing, don’t think that because of any of those things we stop being friends. Also Arata, I think you should stop being so negative and simply look around yourself. You will find out that you have much more friends than you think you have.

Julia’s words give Arata something to consider but he did not do that right away as he kept on talking with her.

Friendship is a funny thing. Sometimes it doesn’t matter how long you know someone, or in what circumstances you first meet, it can bloom at any moment and last even forever. There are cases when two people meet only once in life, but that time might be enough to remember the other person forever and even at deathbed consider them a friend.

-oiiiii.

Arata opened his eyes as he felt someone was poking him. He did end up talking with Julia for quite long time, they did not finish even when they saw the sun rising up. Only when Kei woke up, they realized how much time has passed. They agreed that they should finish it already and both went to sleep at around 7 am before anyone else woke up. Well there was also Shin who didn’t sleep at all.

Upon opening his eyes, Arata saw a familiar face.

-ah, it’s you Levi.

-what, you are disappointed that it wasn’t what’s her name again, Julia?

Levi answered with smile.

-Levi it’s too early so give me a break.

-I was just wondering how your flirting went because I heard some interesting stories.

-what stories?

-Bran told me that he practically never saw that girl speaking with some other male one on one for this long and that everyone else is also surprised by that fact.

-I didn’t do anything special and if I remember correctly Bran is that guy with super hearing right? He should know what we talked about.

-yes but he didn’t want to share with me anything, he said that it’s his rule as he doesn’t really want to spy on others but he can’t keep the sound out of his head.

-he could buy headphones and listen to some music.

-that’s what he does in real but you can’t find headphones in EOA.

-by the way, why is it so dark here?

Arata couldn’t help but ask.

-it’s probably because it’s a night although the sun should go up soon. It’s 4 am right now.

-4 am?

Arata was quite surprised by this fact. That meant that he slept for nearly a day. One reason for that might have been because of the beautiful dream that he had, but other more realistic one was because he didn’t sleep too much lately.

-yes you did end up sleeping for that long. I heard that the girl you talked with also ended up waking up not so long ago. In fact I came to this cart because before I was the rider and she switched with me. Now it’s her and other guy whose name is Konan who are driving.

-who is Konan?

-he is a funny little fellow. I was riding with him in other cart. We did have a party in other cart you know, although none of us stayed up as long as you and that girl. Well maybe except that guy but he shouldn’t count…

Levi pointed at the front of the cart and there was Shin continually doing something, he was not looking at the map anymore though. Everyone else was sleeping as well. Although they probably were awake during the day.

-but I think he will be at his limits soon as well.

-I had enough of sleeping.

Arata picked himself up from the floor. He realized that he was covered in a white blanket. The blanked was of much higher class than the ones he bought in the shop and was especially fragrant good.

-whose is this?

-not yours?

-no I didn’t buy a white one and they didn’t have a blanked of this quality.

-then you don’t need to be a detective to find out…

“I guess it was her. Also she didn’t cover me just now when she woke up but rather waited till I feel asleep and did it only then. I will have to repay her.”

Arata filled it carefully and put in his inventory for now.

-so it went good?

Levi asked with a grin.

-well, I made a friend.

-that’s all you have to say?

-is there anything else I should say to you. Anyway how it been on your front?

-I can’t complain. Its fun with this many people around you and it definitely increases our chances of completing the quest. Also I did hear about some tournament they will be holding and we are participating as well. I will have a chance of showing off by winning it.

-yes, good luck with that.

-Arata if you also win every fight then we are bound to fight each other finally as it’s a tournament, I quite look forward to it.

-then don’t lose until you get to me.

-you don’t have to worry about that. Anyway, we still have one more day ahead of us of the ride so there is no reason to get too excited about it, at least yet.

-one more day?

-yes if we don’t get attacked by anything we should arrive at that elven village tomorrow at about this time.

-what do you mean, get attacked?

-right, you don’t know. While traveling by road it doesn’t automatically means that you will have a save travel. Rather you are bound to be attacked by something at some point. In fact while you were sleeping a group of bandits did indeed attack us. Nothing you should worry about as they were easy to deal with. They were some random group. We didn’t even stop at that time as few guys jumped out from the cart and dealt with them.

-then, those attacks are only to annoy you?

-don’t say that, it is because of attacks like that traveling between the cities is not easy. Also we just got one of the easiest version, you never know what you might meet on the road.

-it would be good if we got attacked right now, it’s quite boring here and it would be a good practice. Anyway you have any good ideas as what we could do in the meantime?

-don’t count on me. I was going to sleep right now after I spent few hours of night leading the wagon.

-maybe I should also do it. I would be useful for something.

-good thinking, anyway I am taking your sleeping spot…

Levi ended up crawling under the bench where Arata was sleeping before.

-would you mind loan me that blanket?

-use the one you have.

-nah it’s too troublesome to get it out. Good night and see you in few hours.

Arata’s and Levi’s conversation stopped there. Arata looked around the cart and saw that everyone was sleeping. Well, not everyone as there was one who kept on sitting at the front in his usual position.

“It’s not really my business that he doesn’t want to go to sleep. I might as well do as Levi said and switch with someone on the raiding.”

Arata ended up jumping out from the cart and with half-run catch up to the front of the carts.

-hey, do you want to switch!?

He didn’t even know to whom he speaks but said it out loud in direction of the front.

-I just switched myself, try the other one.

The reply came and Arata recognized the voice right away.

-Julia?

“Right I shouldn’t be surprised by that after Levi just told me he switched with her.”

-ah, Arata you finally woke up, not like I am one to say that as I was sleeping nearly as long as you. Anyway, if you want to switch then try the other one.

-got it…

Arata located the other cart that was about five meters away from theirs.

[Lighting speed activated]

-see you later.

Arata said that and then catch up to the other cart in an instant.

“I am getting lazy if I use skills for that but whatever.”

-hey, do you want to switch!?

He once again asked.

-it’s not needed but if you want then I don’t mind.

This time he was replied with the voice he did not recognize at all.

-I thought I will try to be of some use.

-okay then come up here…

Arata get to the bench at driver position. There was a guy with orange-brown clothes. Adding to that he was bald and had an orange circle marking on his forehead.

-no wonder I didn’t recognize the voice.

The man said that seeing Arata.

-yes, we didn’t spoke yet. My name is Arata.

-I am Lee. It’s nice of you to come and help out.

-I don’t really have anything to do so I thought, why not.

-here are the reins. Do you know how to use them?

-yes, I happen to drive a cart like this already but what about the road, is there somewhere I need to turn?

-you don’t, right now we are on road that leads us straight to the Larisane, well maybe not straight by you just need to follow this road without turning anywhere and there is nowhere you can actually turn anyway.

-got it.

-in that case I am going to catch the last hours of night, see you later.

Lee didn’t stay for too long and ended up jumping down to the ground.

“Now that I think about it why none of us is using the front entrance?”

One could get from driving position to the inside of the cart but somehow no one did it.

Riding the wagon didn’t require from him much attention so Arata once again started to look around the area. Still in comparison to yesterday the weather today got bad and the clouds were covering the sky.

“At least it’s not raining.”

About hour later Arata regret those thoughts as it did end up raining. Arata took out a raining coat that he bought and continued to ride on.

Probably because of the weather there weren’t many people who wanted to switch with him later on. There were few voices that asked him from inside of cart if he wants to switch but Arata replied that it’s not necessary. Even though the world was covered in dark clouds and it was raining, the landscape that Arata saw was still beautiful.

Although there were momentary breaks, it continued to rain all the way to 13:00 which was now.

-hey, is it Kei who once again sits on rider spot all this time?

-nah, he is on the other one look to the back.

The voices came from inside the cart.

-is there anyone who wants to switch with that person!? … You? Okay go ahead.

Arata recognized that voice as he already spoke with that person and he had quite strong voice. It was Musashi’s voice.

Surprisingly the person that wanted to switch came out from the front, right behind Arata.

-I came to switch with you so go inside.

Before Arata looked back the person covered in red cloak landed right next to him.

-Rin?

-ah it’s you Arata? I see, so you also had this idea. Still this time you can’t stay in ‘this corner’ alone for too long. It’s my turn now.

Rin took the reins out of his hands.

-you know how to ride it?

-those animals follow the road on their own so you don’t really need to do anything.

-I see well anyway how is it going Rin?

Arata ended up asking a question.

-why do you ask?

-hmm… probably because I was worried about you.

-and why would you be worried about me?

-well I did end up putting you in somewhat difficult position.

-and you realized it just now?

Rin asked annoyed.

-sorry.

-still Arata, I wouldn’t call it difficult position but rather really annoying position. All those people say whatever they want and they are way too friendly with me.

-isn’t it a good thing?

-from which side!?! The worse is that dwarf with black beard. Not only he completely has no shame but also I think he has some mind reading ability or at least he can read my lips movement. Every time I tried to say something under my nose he then says out loudly what I said. The worst thing is however that I promised Mary not to kill them so I try not to do that, but if you ask me then yes, I do think they should all die!

-hahaha, I see that you are getting along with them.

-why do you laugh! I am not getting along with them!

-no you said that they should all die rather than killing them all, it’s a great progress. After all, when we first meet or when you first meet with Levi you killed us both of us without second thought.

-it was your fault for being a kidnapper.

Rin said quietly under the nose but Arata managed to hear it. As always she didn’t plan to apologize to him for that.

-oh, it’s my first time hearing that, why was I a kidnapper?

-it’s nothing, also what happened, happened I can’t take it back, can I? And don’t expect an apology from me. It was also your fault for dying too fast.

-well I do not mind that much. Anyway as I said it’s a big progress that you didn’t kill them.

-why do you make me sound like some mass killing psycho? I do not kill people without a reason.

-I see, so for what reason did you kill me?

-because you were kidnapper of course! Ah never mind. Also, you can’t really say that I didn’t kill them as I did, in fact all of them, some of them even twice.

-hahaha… .

-why are you laughing again! It was their fault anyway! Also, what are you still doing here? When someone is switching with the rider the previous rider should return to the cart. Go in already!

Rin ended up pushing Arata while he was laughing and Arata fell right inside the cart and landed there on his back.

‘bump.’

He hit the floor.

-oh, everyone! Look who graced us with his presence.

The one who said it was a dwarf with a long black beard that Arata already had an occasion to meet. Bran walked up to him and stretched his hand to help him stand up.

-thanks.

Arata stood up and saw an unusual sight. People in this wagon were playing some kind of card game. There was large piece of wood in the middle on everyone’s knees that worked like a table and everyone was around it. There were some cards on that table but it didn’t seem like any card game that Arata saw before. Everyone had only one card before them. There were more in the middle though.

-want to join us?

A large man that with his size would took two seats asked.

“Cat ears and fur?”

That man had an orange-golden-bronze fur like a lion and also lion like ears. He was wearing dark bronze leather armor.

-right, you still don’t know everyone…

Musashi, who was sitting in the middle on right side spoke and continued.

-it will probably be best if I remind you the names you already know as well so going right from me. Well you don’t need introduction to him so following…

The one that sit on Musashi’s right was Levi, it seemed that after he woke up he returned to this cart once again.

-this is Lee…

Next to Levi was a person with whom Arata switched.

-next Kuma…

That was the large guy with lion ears. He was sitting at the opposite end of the cart and he was taking nearly the whole width of the cart.

-following on the other side, this is Thesar.

It was another large guy. Arata remembered him wearing a heavy armor but right now he was in normal clothes.

-Konan.

Another person, that Arata didn’t meet. In comparison to previous two he was quite short in height, maybe even shorter than dwarfs.

-the rest you should already know. Yume, Bran, Vatras and once again my name is Musashi.

“She is here as well.”

-Arata, sit next to me, it just got free as Rin switched with you.

Yume said to him. Rin probably was not playing the game or at least Arata could not imagine her playing it.

-so, what are you going to do, play or not?

Bran once again asked. Arata sat down at the bench and answered.

-sure I can play but what exactly you are playing?

-well if you don’t even recognize it, it will be easier to learn while playing a game.

-okay.

-guys go easy on him!

=of course.

Smiles appeared on everyone faces.

-maybe I should just look for now.

Seeing it Arata commented.

-don’t worry it is in a way a team game. One round usually doesn’t take more than ten to twenty minutes so you will get a hang of it in in one or two plays and in about 5 to 10 plays you will understand it all…

Bran continued to explain.

-in real world, the game is called ‘Moloch agents’. But what we are playing is a handmade version that we made but the rules are the same.

-but I never heard of ‘Moloch agents’ either.

-don’t worry, I will explain everything as it goes…

Bran started shuffling the cards.

-for start what you need to know is that there are two teams the red ones and the green ones. The red ones are the ‘Moloch agents’ and the green ones are the ‘sentries’. You can see five cards in the middle, those are the mission cards. Sentries team win, when they complete 3 missions and ‘Moloch agents’ team win when they interrupt three missions. On that a little bit later, for now what you need to know is that you can’t show anyone the card you have. Just look at the color that your character has and then put the card on the table but don’t let anyone see it.

After saying that, Bran passed everyone one card. When everyone had a card before them on the table, everyone pick it up look at it and put it back.

“Green, hmm.”

The card that Arata good was of a female with short orange hair and behind her there was a green background.

-I think that Musashi is a Moloch!

Konan who was siting a seat away from Arata next to Yume started.

-Konan, everyone knows that Musashi is a Moloch but this is an introduction game for Arata so don’t start it yet…

Bran continued to explain.

-now the next phase of the game is that everyone closes their eyes until I say otherwise. While everyone closes their eyes it’s a time when ‘Moloch agents’ open’s theirs to see who belongs to their group. So Arata close your eyes right now and of course everyone else…

Arata closed his eyes.

-now if you got a red card you open your eyes and look for other people who have opened their eyes. Cheating destroys the fun so don’t do it. We are playing with ten players right now so there should be 4 Moloch agents together and six green players.

-isn’t that unfair?

-no the groups are constructed like this because of how the game goes, anyway all you Moloch close your eyes…

Bran waited few seconds.

-and now everyone open your eyes.

Arata opened his eyes and nothing really changed.

-now I will explain how one can complete or disrupt a mission. At this stage of the game, one random player is chosen as a sheriff, who has a sheriff card right now?

-here.

Musashi passed the card.

-it will be good if Arata experience it so Arata you will be the first Sheriff.

-okay.

A blue card with was passed to Arata’s front.

-Sheriff’s job is to choose the team members that will go on mission. The first mission is three people mission, second is four, third is also four and two last missions are for five people. When Sheriff chooses a team, everyone vote should that team go on mission or not. Voting is carried out by those cards. Everyone gets black card which means ‘no’ and white card which means ‘yes’. We gather it to one spot and then the game master counts it. By the way I am game master but and at the same time I take part in the game.

-wouldn’t it be faster if you just raise your hand?

-it would be, but the important aspect is that you don’t know who vote on what. Anyway Sheriff chooses the party, and when that party is allowed to go, they go on a mission. During the mission there is another voting. Each of party that went on missions vote should that mission be carried out or disrupted.

-so green cards vote that it should pass. Then the red ones that it shouldn’t.

-I see you are getting it already. Well in second voting when you are ‘the sentry’ you just vote green but when you are Moloch you can vote either green or red. The voting cards for mission are in those colors.

-why would I vote green if I were red?

-the results of voting are showed so when a red card appears in it, everyone will know that at least one of people who went on a mission is red and it will be hard for you to go and disrupt a mission again. When you are red player you have to do whatever it takes to make others believe that you are green and go to as many missions as possible.

-so it is some kind of mind game rather than a card game?

-we are using cards so it’s a card game but you are not wrong. Anyway you are the Sheriff now Arata so choose three people who will go to the mission.

-but how should I decide the squad if I don’t know anything?

-well first round is rather random. Usually you just choose yourself because even if your card is red you are green, you understand what I saying.

“It means that no matter what, you never say that you are red.”

-okay, then I am going. So, is there a way to distinguish others?

-well if you are red you know everything so if you show you can distinguish others then everyone will know that you are red. If you are red then you can think of some good strategy of how you want the game to go but even if you are a red right now, just choose two other random people, you can worry about wining when you understand the rules. As you can see, no one is trying too hard right now. Just choose two people who are sitting next to you so it will go faster.

-okay then you and Yume.

Bran gave out to everyone the pair of black and white cards.

-those are the cards I spoke about. They are to decide if the team goes for a mission or not. There is an additional rule to it, whenever five voting are held back Moloch agents will win. It usually doesn’t come to that. Now, everyone votes by putting their cards on the middle without showing what they choose…

Bran started counting.

-the other card should also not be shown so other can’t deduct from that what you choose…

The other cards were gathered in one place as well.

-now the results…

Bran showed the cards and they were nearly all white except for one.

-as you can see usually on first group everyone just votes yes as there is no reason not to.

-what about that one black card?

-it’s from one person who is trolling. Don’t worry about it too much. Anyway now that the team is going for a mission another voting is held. This time the cards go only to the people who went for a mission…

Bran ended up giving away the cards.

-there are different cards for first and the second voting but the rule goes the same…

The voting was held in a similar way and the results were.

-three greens the first mission is completed…

“We are wining.”

Arata still did not know what exactly was happening but it looked like he was winning.

-now then Arata the games goes in a turns like this. Now the Sheriff badge goes in clockwise direction meaning the next Sheriff is Yume…

The sheriff card was passed on the table to Arata’s left.

-the second mission is four people.

-which means, that it has higher chances of failing?

Arata asked.

-it’s not definite, look at the group that Yume will choose. Yume choose the group.

-well it’s a good occasion to show Arata one additional rule. Next team is people from previous team plus Musashi.

-see, Yume choose the previous group because there were three green cards, meaning that there is a high chance that with those people the mission will be completed again.

The voting was held out again. The results were six to four.

-didn’t you say that there are high chances that it will go well?

-well, it’s because Yume choose Musashi and everyone knows that he is a Moloch.

-don’t listen to him. It’s just something that they came up with.

Musashi answered from across the table.

-yes, yes, anyway this is just introduction for Arata so don’t try too hard. Now then just like before another voting is going to be held.

Another mission vote was held and this time the results were.

-three green, one red, unfortunately we got ourselves a Moloch in a group.

Bran continued with the game..

-see Arata, this is another rule. Musashi is always a Moloch.

Yume explained.

-I am not but whatever just go get tricked by them.

Musashi replied.

-now then Arata, here it is where it’s starts. We now know that one of us is a Moloch for sure because green guys would never vote for red. Well, unless they are trolling but that’s another matter and this is just introduction. There are three possibilities. The most possible one is that a new person that joined the team is a Moloch as the first mission was completed with previous members, then there is a possibility that one of people who went on first mission was a Moloch and they just held back so they don’t drawn attention to them. Then there is a possibility that you voted red and you know it, in that case you have to convince others that it was not you even though it was you. As I said, always remember that you are green. You will see how crazy it can get when the real game starts, for now we continue with introduction, Konan you are next.

-if you want to do this fast then I will just go with most obvious rule that Musashi is the Moloch and simply choose the first squad and myself as the fourth person.

-now then Konan choose the party, in the way he choose it, Musashi should right now start arguing saying that he is not a Moloch but because this is just an introduction, he gave up and is not saying anything, which means that he is a Moloch by the way and he doesn’t know how to defend himself.

-yes definitely.

Musashi added it seemed like he gave up this game already. The voting was held and it was once again 6 to 4.

-so it just keeps on going around like this over and over again?

-yes, although I cut one part from the game to make the introduction easier to understand. In real game there are also special cards that you can use, we will be adding that element in next game so I will explain later. Now the mission voting.

The mission voting was held and once again it was three to one.

-another mission was disrupted.

-isn’t that bad?

-it is but we still have a chance, the next mission is five people but in fourth mission there needs to be two red votes to disrupt it. Next Sheriff is Thesar.

-Bran, even though it’s an introduction we shouldn’t just play so everything goes along your plan. Arata, even though he keeps repeating it’s an introduction this and introduction that, Bran is also trying to win.

Thesar started explaining.

-I know that usually the person who says the most is the red one as he tries to control the game in his favor but I am talking this much because I am explaining the game.

Bran defended himself.

-yea, yea. Anyway so this introduction doesn’t end too fast let’s have a green mission. Is there someone who can say for sure that he is green?

-I am green Thesar but we weren’t playing it seriously so just relax and wait for next game.

Kuma the person with lion ears who sat next to him said.

-sure but let’s see how far we can go from this point Kuma.

-then the other person you should choose is Arata because from the way he spoke it’s clear that he is green. He didn’t even know that this game is about lying and if new guy gets the red card at the start they always get nervous.

-okay then me, you, Arata who else?

-we don’t know about anyone else but just don’t choose anyone who was in that team anymore and especially not Bran. Konan also sounded suspicious.

-yes normally he would just like me start playing a little seriously. So we can choose from Lee, Levi and Vatras.

-well, maybe Musashi is also green but I guess it’s more save to choose from those three people. We only need one more green for now.

-anyone feels like green as well?

-well, it would be sad if Arata lost his first game so add me as well.

Levi said suddenly.

-what will you say? Kuma?

Thesar asked his ally.

-definitely not this one. You know how well he lied in previous games.

It looked like Levi’s true nature was already well known to everyone.

-yes even though he just started playing he became quite good at it.

-guys, guys, I might have done it before but it’s what you do to win right? No hard feelings. I want to win this game as well so forget what happened before and allow me to go as well. This introduction game will be a perfect time to cleanse my name.

Levi started talking.

-okay, fine let’s take him along. We just need one more green anyway, from the three of them there shouldn’t be more than one red. Now… one last person. Lee, Vatras what about you guys?

Kuma agreed and continued.

-I am green all right.

Lee replied.

-I am also green but whatever we win or lose doesn’t matter, like most I am just waiting for the next game.

Vatras replied.

-what will you say Kuma?

Thesar asked.

-take Tras and let’s go with it. Anyway is someone against it or would like to change something in that team.

-Thesar, take me along! I am 100% green.

When Bran said that even Arata who just started playing did not believe him.

-maybe it went well if Bran is against it.

Kuma said.

-well the biggest problem is a next round as even though I don’t think we have a two Moloch we might have one.

-yes but we can’t deduce anything anymore so it will come all down to luck.

-okay the group is decided. Thesar, Kuma, Arata, Levi, Tras. The voting goes on.

“Well, I can’t do anything else than vote yes.”

Arata had completely no influence in the game. The voting was held and the result was.

-eight to two for yes. The team goes.

Once again the cards were split to the people who went on mission. This time right before saying results Bran similed.

-hyhyhyhyhy. Three votes for no. Moloch agents win.

“…”

-how? That would mean that there were three red in the previous group, right?

Arata did not believe it.

-well then just look who got the Moloch cards and you will understand. At the end of the game everyone show their cards so we can see who won.

The cards were shown and the people who belonged to the red team were. Bran, Kuma, Levi and Vatras.

-you too Kuma!?

The one most surprised by that fact was Thesar.

-well you did say that we should start playing a little more serious, didn’t you?

-this is a little?

-now then Arata as you can see if you are not careful you can get easily defeated. For example listening to me for all that time was your gravest mistake.

Bran commented.

-but you said it was going to be an introduction.

-aye, but it doesn’t change the fact that the win is a win. Still, thanks to that, I showed you what you can do in this game. I will now explain how everything went. First mission, it was you, me and Yume. I told you to choose people at random but at the same time I said just take the people sitting next to you. In that way I got to the team. I could vote red at first round but I waited and thanks to that I shot down the mission number 2 and 3. Shooting down two missions on your own is usually the most one red can do. People will definitely figure you out by then. In that moment your teammates have carry out the rest. Kuma controlled the game from that point. He was a red player so he had to get trust of Thesar. That came to him with ease because the game was already at that stadium and unless Thesar had someone he could discuss things with he would not be able to win.

-now, as to how I tried to gain his trust. I said three facts, first fact I said that Bran is definitely a red. As a red player, it doesn’t actually mean that you have to protect your teammates. When Bran was already in a situation where the chances of him being red were so high, you just agree to it so you don’t stand out. Then I said that you are green because you are green and you gave yourself our right at the start. Then I added that Konan was suspicious because he was.

Kuma explained.

-I just wanted to finish it quickly and he says I am suspicious, at that moment I also stop caring about the game.

Konan replied.

-yes, he says it like that because he lost…

Bran continued.

-so when Kuma got Thesar trust he just needed to get one more red to the team. He got Levi despite Thesar no trust in him, although a lot of credit goes here to Levi as well. Still you shouldn’t try as hard as that, Levi.

-well I just wanted to make Arata lose, that’s all.

Levi replied. Arata knew that something was fishy when he heard Levi saying that he wants to help him win.

“Well in this game not believing that guy on default might be the best option.”

-at that point, Kuma have already met the requirements so it would be fine to choose anyone at that point. Still when Thesar asked Tras if he is green, Tras answered in a way that even though I knew that he is red I started to wonder if I didn’t saw it bad at the beginning and if he is actually green. Jesus Tras, even though I wanted Arata to see how it really goes, you overdid it.

-hmm, I wanted to warm up a little, the real deal starts now.

Elf with long dark green hair replied.

“Well, this game might not be that easy.”

And the game was not easy but with each following round, Arata started to understand it more and more. He joined the game first game at 13:00 and continued to play up to 22:00 which was now.

-okay guys, I know that you want to continue but if Shin finds out that we were playing all night instead of resting for tomorrow it won’t end good.

-just one more game Musashi!

Yume said.

-we already had four of ‘just one more game Musashi’ so no.

And this was Musashi answer.

-just like Musashi said, we shouldn’t forget our main purpose so everyone go to sleep already. I will go switch with the rider for now.

-I will change you in three hours Tras. You should sleep some as well. By the way, can someone go to the other cart as we have little overflow with people here and it won’t be enough space?

-I was originally in other one so I can go.

Arata volunteered and left the cart through the back entrance.

“The time has flowed really fast.”

Before Arata realized it was nighttime again. The change was however that, they were now riding through the forest. The other cart just like before was few meters behind the leading one and its rider right now was Vivi. Still, because Arata didn’t want to make it look like he came to switch with her, he sneaked by without her noticing and quickly jumped inside the cart.

“Success.”

-wha!

-wha!

Arata sudden entrance startled two girls who were sitting near the entrance.

-yo!

Arata welcomed them. In this cart there was Julia and Mika who were sitting at the back of it. Then there was Flynn, Hiro and Kei talking in the middle. There also was a big surprise as Shin was actually sleeping right now.

-say something before jumping in, Arata.

-I didn’t expect you to sit here, well sorry Julia.

Arata answered with simile.

-so how was it? You had some fun?

She asked.

-more than I thought I will have. The game we were playing, once I understood the rules fully, it becomes really fun.

-so did you made any friends?

-well, I am not sure about that. I don’t think that just playing one game with people makes you friends. So you are still the only one there.

-you should just think about everyone in this party in as your friend and get it over with.

-I don’t think I have a right to do so.

-if you stopped thinking for some time, your life would be easier Arata. Still I won’t say that I don’t feel happy that I am the only one that you consider a friend.

-but, but, aren’t we all friends?

Mika interrupted and it seemed like she could start crying all of sudden even though just a second ago she was happily chatting with Julia.

-of course we are, right Arata?

-mm…-

-Mika, wait, Arata is just shy to say it, that all. You also don’t say everything you want right?

-ah… I see, so it’s like that.

-you will pay me back for this later…

Julia whispered to Arata’s ear.

-you are going to sleep now Arata?

-there would be no other reason to finish the game otherwise. Look even that guy is sleeping.

-I will get angry Arata. Don’t call him ‘that guy’ it’s Shin.

-sorry, it’s just that I practically never spoke with him before.

-you are not the only one who couldn’t speak with him but that’s also Shin for you. I even got used to it… .

-he is always like that?

-no, just when we are doing something new and you could say that going to the west for an expedition is the biggest thing that we done so far. Well, that’s from my experience in this group at least. Mika what would be the biggest thing in the history of this group?

-em… there are really a lot. Like we once went on dragon hunting but it didn’t end up well and since then we have rule, no more dragon hunting.

-you will have to tell me about that, by the way Arata, if you want to sleep the front seems like a good place to do it.

-thanks. Speaking of sleeping is that yours?

Arata took out the white blanket he found after he woke up.

-yes but you can keep it, I have few of those so it’s my present for you.

“I did already buy like ten blankets but you don’t say no to a present.”

-thanks, I will use it then. By the way where did you buy it, it’s at least two classes better than those I bought.

-ah no, I didn’t bought it, it’s handmade. I made it. I learned a tailor subclass so I could change the look of my clothes and armor.

-should you really just give to me if it’s handmade?

-I made five like those, they were from special material. I still have the remaining four so I can give you one. Anyway, I am giving it to you so just take it…

Then she stood up and whispered to Arata’s ear.

-also if you ever find yourself crying at night coz you will be all alone, this will remind you that you have friend somewhere in the world.

-I won’t be doing that!

-yes, from now on you won’t. Anyway, good night, Arata.

Arata walked to the front and ended up lying down on the ground. Still he could not sleep right away.

“There are people like that who play the game with their main goal being the fun. In the first place, shouldn’t that be a reason you play the game? I was like this too, really long ago, I don’t even remember when it was anymore. Then it changed rather than playing for fun, I have played for feeling of achievement and victory. I definitely not regret that decision but seeing people like this, I feel like either way is good. Or maybe in VRMMO your main focus should be different. Playing card game inside a game, I never heard about it but maybe it’s not playing the game in the game but simple playing the game with use of new technology that connects people. Thinking about this world as a game is completely wrong. It is as it says the virtual reality. Being virtual doesn’t make it any less real.”

Arata started to waver because of what happened in past two days. All the people he meet and all events that happened were all fresh in his mind. Also the home-like atmosphere that he didn’t feel for a long time was also making a good impact on him.

“Even though I just wanted to get some information from then, they open to me with open arms and changed their plans just for our selfish request. This guy, no, Shin was working all those three days just to make it possible even though he probably had everything planed out beforehand. In the end, they are just good people, all of them. I feel that even if they had some plans before, none of them would mind to change it. It is because any plans and this whole expedition is just an excuse for them to be together. I think it would be nice to be part of that.”

Arata end up considering should he stay in that party for longer.

“In the first place, what exactly does hold me back? I would be perfectly fine if Kotori were to join with me, right?”

It was what Arata thought at first but when he asked himself a question like that, his mind was filled with other thoughts or rather voice of someone.

“

-hi there, my name is Gerald and you are coming with us to the training dungeon so I can see you up close. If you show any promise I will let you enter our soon to be created guild. Oh and this is Kelly. Are you ready? Great, LET’S GO!

“

“

-The first grand trial in Cobolis Cave will test your ability and see if you are worth of being in soon to be strongest guild in history of EOA.

“

“

-anyway I advise that you take a stroll to Loris instead of logging out now and never returning. Look through the eyes of old Arata once again and then decide what you want to do.

“

“

-From here on the guild Refrain is starting its activity!

“

“

-with all that being said, I wish you luck although you don’t need it. Trust your skills and it will take you anywhere you want. The first challenge that is before you begins now. Go and don’t look back! We will see each other when the time is right.

“

The answer came to him faster than expected and with it, Arata’s mind became clear. He completely erased his previous thoughts and fall asleep.

Arata didn’t sleep for too long thought and once again he woke up before the sun go up.

“Aaa, once again I am up at 4 am. My sleeping balance is completely off.”

Right now it was 4:36 in EOA meaning Arata slept for about 5 hours.

“Still I don’t feel like sleeping anymore, so it can’t be helped.”

Arata picked himself up from the floor and looked around. Once, again he saw practically everyone sleeping, although as always there was one exception to that rule. Still, that man was no longer taking any notes or looking at the map, neither was he looking in the distance with dead eyes. Shin was simply drinking something from the cup. The sent coming from his cup signalized that it was coffee. It was really strong scent not something that you can get from buying a cheap coffee in supermarket.

-you want some too?

Seeing that Arata woke up and looked in his direction, Shin gave him an invitation.

“I didn’t expect that.”

-sure I will have one.

Shin ended up taking out another cup and put it on the bench on which he was sitting, and then out from a vase a hot water came out and filled up the cup. The scent of coffee became even stronger.

-how much sugar should I add?

-one spoon please.

Even though it was a normal conversation, to Arata it didn’t seem like one. Still Arata ended up taking the coffee.

“The water was not moving?”

Only now Arata realized that the cart was no longer going forward and was standing. He realized it right away as yesterday he ended up spill water on himself.

-you know, I can’t wake up properly without a cup of coffee in the morning anymore…

Shin said out loudly.

“If you slept more you would.”

-you just thought that if I slept more I would be able to wake up, didn’t you?

-staying up few nights in a row is not really good for your sleeping balance you know.

-well, there is this but I can’t leave things undone, can I?

-yes, sorry for making it hard for you.

Arata promised himself that he will tell those words to Shin should he have an occasion.

-changing everything that I planned before was indeed time-consuming still it was fun in a way and now I have an end goal. Having a winning condition makes it much easier for me to focus. Also thanks to that, I wasn’t bored during this ride.

-I don’t think you would be bored having this many companions by your side…

Shin didn’t answer anything to this but just drink from his cup.

-I see that you finished already though.

-that’s all I can do before actually seeing everything myself. Also we have the tournament today so I had to rest before that…

“He didn’t seem like the type that would be interested in tournaments.”

-after all, everyone would like to win? I am the same here.

Shin answered to Arata’s thoughts as if he heard the words itself.

-so do you think you can win?

-of course not, it will be good if I got lucky on the draw and win the first round. I don’t know what others told you during this ride but don’t be mistaken and look with your own eyes. I am a simple human being that simply wants to connect one end with another.

“I expected a more confident answer.”

-then who do you think will won?

Arata ended up asking.

-I thought they explain the rules to you. You can’t predict the outcome just like you can’t predict the situation in which you will end up. That is why this training has any meaning. Still, if it were only one on one fights then the winner would be Rin or you or your friend Levi. Still hearing that you both got beaten up by her badly then it would probably be her. Still on the other hand, because it’s not just one on one fight everyone has a chance, that’s the way this training was created.

“Then it means you also have one.”

Just as once again hearing his thoughts Shin drank up the coffee.

-so I see that we did are already at the right place? Shouldn’t we wake up everyone then?

Arata asked as he already had enough of this long ride.

-hmm you are right… still people don’t like to be woken up when they are asleep and we are not rushing anywhere but just going on our own pace. Also, I don’t think that there exists a reason to wake up someone at 5 am.

-then is there a reason to wake up at 5 out of your free will.

-plenty, for example drinking a cup of good coffee in a quiet atmosphere and peaceful atmosphere, then I needed to gather my thought and check if I didn’t have made any errors.

-you should learn how to take breaks.

-I am not doing anything else than checking my memory that’s all.

“Wait this is a good occasion.”

-can I ask you a personal question while we have a time?

Arata asked.

-‘personal question’? Hmm, this should be interesting… is what I would want to say but I think I know what you want to ask about and it’s not interesting topic for me at all…

“So can I ask or not?”

-then how about this. I will answer your question but you won’t be able to tell my answer to her.

-how did you know I was going to ask about Julia?

-by ruling out from all the questions you could ask me and seeing your character so far you wouldn’t ask anything personal unless it was for someone else. Then seeing with whom you got friendly the most I can point up to two people but it were both she and Rin so I wanted to deduce the rest from your reaction but you already told me the name.

-then you know my question already right?

-still Julia didn’t ask you to do it. You are doing it just from your free will, in that case it will be easy for you to not tell her my answer right? I don’t even need your word for it as I see that you won’t.

-it still depends on your answer.

-for you yes it still depends, but I do know what my answer will be. But still after all, I don’t really feel comfortable speaking about it.

-sorry to bother you then.

-I will still answer though. I don’t like leaving things unfinished. So if you are wondering why anyone would reject such girl like Julia who is not lacking in anything and has a lot of good qualities then my answer is quite simple. It’s exactly because she is like this. There are of course other reasons as well but that is my main reason that I convinced myself with.

-could you expand it a little.

-simply put it she should look for someone better than me as there are plenty of those.

-but she does like you the way you are.

-but I don’t see a reason why would she actually like me. Every occurrence should have a logical explanation as to why they happening and I don’t see here any in this case.

-I think love works on its own rules.

-I don’t know them though and I don’t believe in something that can’t be put on paper. Anyway I personally hope that Julia will understand her mistake and move on…

“In a way, I can’t really blame him if he thinks like that.”

-now it’s my turn to ask a question, is there a chance that you will help me in this manner? It seemed that she likes you quite a lot.

-we are friends, nothing more, nothing less.

-I see… but I hope that as her friend you don’t have a grudge against me for what I said.

-no, also I didn’t ask you because I wanted to convince you to do something but I simply wanted to know what you think about her. If you for example said that what she is doing is annoying and you would want her to stop doing so I would try to pass on that message.

-no I don’t mind what she is doing although you can pass on the message that she could be a little bit quieter especially when I am focused on something.

Arata asked Shin about the whole thing because he wanted to help Julia in some way. However Shin’s answers were not something that he could pass on to her mostly because they weren’t simple. They could be interpreted either way and probably both those ways would be true and false at the same time.

-wake up all of you and get ready! You have ten minutes!

A loud shout could be heard from the outside, and some sleeping people reacted to it.

-now, speaking of loud people.

Shin commented the shout.

-didn’t you say that there is no reason to wake up people at this hour?

-I did but it looks like Musashi thought otherwise. It would be fine either way but now all we can do is follow what already started, Arata will you lead my your hand in this?

-sure what should I do?

-it’s not like I don’t believe in Musashi’s voice but if we really have to wake everyone at this hour we should at least do it in a little more gentle way. That’s why…

Shin filled both of their cups with coffee again.

-with this all we have to do is go around the cart and people will wake up by themselves. I will take the left side…

Shin started walking up to everyone and he was just putting his up near people’s face for few seconds. Arata ended up doing the same with people on the right side. When they reached the end of the cart most of the people were already awake.

-there is still the other cart…

Shin drink up from the cup and then left the cart, Arata followed him. Still when they were going to in direction the second cart it seemed like there will be no need for it as people already started to go out from it.

-it’s seems we were too late.

-Shin, we will get up ready in a minute, should I woke up your wagon as well?

Musashi asked.

-we are before the time. There was no need to wake up anyone in the first place.

Said Bran who was also was already out.

-it’s too late for second thoughts now. But where is Tras?

Shin asked.

-he went ahead to talk with our little ‘princess’ about our extra baggage.

-she is a village elder, Bran.

Musashi responded.

-nah, she is a ‘princess’ alright. Trust me I have an eye for those things.

-it doesn’t concern us who she is. Anyway I see that everyone is ready so we shouldn’t keep Tras waiting.

Musashi said as everyone from both of the carts were already out in the open.

The place they were staying in right now was a green field near the end of road that leaded nowhere. Before them there was a huge forest. Even though it was fall already leafs on the trees were all green.

-yo, Arata. You have the coffee, give me some.

Levi ended up coming up to Arata the moment he came out from the cart and spotted the coffee in his hands.

-I won’t be finishing it anyway so take it.

-I not really huge fan of coffee but it’s nice to drink some, once in a while.

Levi said and then drinking up the remaining of Arata cup. Then Shin started talking.

-ehm, ehm. You guys probably heard it already but we are going to hold our luck by draw tournament today and then following day. Hiro suggested me that and I thought that it will be good occasion for some of us to warm up after the break. I also want to check on everyone’s condition and there are few new scenarios that I would like to try out but is everyone fine with it?

=yes we are!

Everyone answered together.

-okay so we are doing it, first though we need to get to Larisane and find a good spot for it. This forest should be cleansed from the monsters but just in case keep the eye out for anything suspicious.

When Shin finished he took out his wooden staff and started walking in the direction of the forest while holding it in one hand. He walked while holding it up and touching the ground with the other end. Everyone followed after him and entered the forest as well.

There was nothing like a road inside of it or any paths as well. It looked like this part of the forest didn’t see anyone in a while.

“Someone presence at the back.”

While walking Arata suddenly feel that something is trying to sneak on his back.

“Three, two, one.”

Arata made a sharp move to the left. Just like he felt, second later someone’s hand appeared at the height of his head as if trying to catch his throat and smother him to death. Arata made a spin on the left foot to the back to create more distance. While spinning he unsheathed his swords and then he looked at his assassin.

-what are you doing, Yume?

-it’s rather what are you doing Arata?

Everyone seeing his strange action either looked in his direction or around to see if any more enemies are coming. As for Arata, he couldn’t get more embarrass, still he would not show it.

-I am just trying to defend myself against surprise attack. It’s you who sneaks up on me.

-and I was just trying to do ‘guess who on you’ but what is your reaction?

“…”

-let’s just forget about it…

The march through the forest continued.

-in future don’t do things like that. Especially in a place like this and especially when I am on full alert.

-I just wanted to see if you could guess it right.

-only you who would do something like that here, so it wouldn’t be hard.

-from what I heard, I am not sure if you can still say it.

-no, I am confident that is, aaaa!

This time Arata did not notice anything but out of sudden his eyes were covered by someone’s hands.

-guess who!?

-see Yume because of you I got caught off guard, if it were an attack then I would already be dead. Still, I do have to give you a credit for pulling that of from that distance, Julia.

-hehe, I did get little angry when you forgot about me.

-yes, yes, sorry.

Arata’s eyes got uncovered and as he turn around, behind him there was Julia.

-so how should I repay it to you?

-let’s see, how about giving up should I fight you in the tournament.

-that’s not fair.

-nah, I am kidding, if we happen to fight, this time I will show you what I can do.

-then I will look forward to it.

With that Julia returned to the people with whom she was going next to.

-hey Arata, did I just see wrong or are you cheating on your girlfriend?

Levi asked the question right away when they started going next to each other with Yume next to them as well.

-you did see wrong.

Arata just replied.

-then, what about that friendly atmosphere you had there?

-friends should have friendly atmosphere, right?

-no, no, that was definitely much more than friendly atmosphere, you will agree Yume?

-well, I know what you are talking about but you are wrong, Levi. I don’t know about Arata but Julia definitely doesn’t like him in that way, you can trust me on that. Still even though I did hear about it before hand it’s still strange to see Julia taking a liking to someone like that. On the other hand knowing the clear condition that she made for herself and the fact that she waited quite long for someone who clears it for quite long does explain everything.

-okay, so they are just friends, in that case…

Levi got closer to Arata.

-psss, won’t you introduce me to her?

“Why does he always ask for that?”

Arata didn’t plan to whisper back to him but just answered normally.

-there is no meaning as she will hate you anyway.

-why do you think like that!?

-it’s safe to assume that as it’s always the truth.

-anyway just introduce me and I will take it from there.

-I will not make troubles for my friend. So no.

-aren’t I your friend as well, you should help me as well.

-I don’t remember us being friends.

-hmm… that’s because I erased part of your memory with my spell once, when we agreed to be friends.

-I see, still I don’t want to be friend with someone who erases my memory.

-hey you two shouldn’t be fighting.

Yume interrupted them.

-no, no, we are not fighting.

Levi answered.

-if we were to call it a fighting about 60% of our conversations would be a fighting.

And Arata followed it up.

-by the way Arata, we need to think up the tactic for that card game so we win it more often.

Levi started reflecting on yesterday’s game.

-it might not be a tactic but I came up with a good rule to follow in that game.

-oh, what is it?

-it goes like this. ‘No matter how the game goes, do not believe what Levi says and never agree with him. It’s also good way to earn everyone trust.’

-hey!

-wow I think it really did work out for Arata yesterday, I only realized it now though…

The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

Yume commented as she also was playing that game with them.

-by the way guys, do you plan on getting serious in our tournament?

-that’s depends on the situation but of course, who else do you think will win but me.

Levi answered.

-oh, you do have some nice dreams if you think you have even chance at winning.

Arata could not stay quiet to that.

-then you Arata, who do you think will win?

Yume asked him.

-I don’t really care who will win, but I will not lose to anyone.

-isn’t that the same?

-no, I heard that there are some team battles as well so if someone choses me to the team I still don’t plan on losing there either, that’s why winning the tournament is a secondary thing, winning every battle that you fight is important.

-right, Arata about that team fights, what will you say about the agreement to join up if any of us draw it?

Suddenly Levi proposed.

-if you ask nicely then I can help you but I will win every team battle on my own anyway so I don’t need your help.

-yes, yes, good luck when you have team fight with Rin. I will look forward to how you defeat her and all people that would be with her.

-… .

“Yes there is also that.”

-okay we might as well team up.

-you guys aren’t you underestimating us a little bit?

Yume had to say it.

-I am confident in myself.

Levi answered.

-whoever the opponent is I don’t see any other option than winning. Thinking about losing just distracts you.

Arata answer was even more confident.

-if I remember correctly when last time Arata was saying something similar, he got beaten by a girl.

Levi quickly reminded.

-you also got beaten by that girl you know and I at least put up a fight.

-I wasn’t prepared back then it doesn’t count.

-is that so, then maybe you should challenge her right here right now. If you win then you will be able to troll me for eternity. Nice reward isn’t it?

-as appealing as it is I will pass on fighting her.

-anyway this time it will be different, I will win against her.

-and where does that confidence comes from?

-well… … … whenever I fight I don’t think about losing.

Arata couldn’t answer that in a good way so he repeated himself.

-ah so nothing change here. Well then, Yume both of us thinks that we will win. What about you? Who do you think will win?

-I have no idea, it can go either way. As far as I know if you draw badly all three of you might get kick out in first round. It’s not your normal tournament where the strongest has the highest chance, then even if it was, Rin would win that, so you guys also have to count on luck.

-ah, she doesn’t believe in us Arata.

-no rather she believes in Rin more, but all we have to do is win to change her mind.

-well the best condition we would have to win against Rin is to have a tag team you and me against her and someone else. We would quickly clean the other party and then with our combo play we should be able to deal with her.

-I guess that would be our best option.

-eh, you are really underestimating us or you are simply overconfident.

Yume once again commented on that.

-by the way Yume, where is Rin?

Arata asked ignoring Yume’s comment.

-over there…

Yume pointed behind her. Rin was walking in her red cloak about ten meters behind them.

-she said that she had enough of ‘people dose’ for few months already so she will use every opportunity to get a little bit of solitude.

-eh and here we finally started to be friends.

Levi said.

-I personally think that she is staying with us only because of the quest.

“Rather, I sure of it because she told me so. And when the quest is done then it’s a good bye forever.”

-I do know that but I wanted this lie to be true.

-it shouldn’t be that bad guys, if Rin hated you then she wouldn’t stay with you regardless of the quest or not.

Yume cheer them up.

“It doesn’t change the fact that she would prefer to not travel with us.”

-everyone, in a second it may look like we are in deep trouble and we indeed might be in deep trouble but don’t attack the people that will surround us in few seconds. In short don’t do anything at all and just wait.

Their chatter was interrupted as Musashi who was leading the group stopped and said it out to everyone.

-what did he mean by that?

-simply we will get surrounded in a second by someone but we shouldn’t do anything. Well, just simply leave the matter to Shin.

Just like Musashi said they did get surround in few seconds. Firstly a rain of arrows started falling out from the woods and made a large circle around the location in which the party was. Then out of nowhere, elves equipped with bow came out from behind the trees or appeared on the trees. They were everywhere around them and there was about fifty of them in total.

“Now, I know what he meant by that.”

-what business do you have in our forest?

An elven ranger came out from behind the tree before them and asked.

-we are going to your village Larisane.

Shin answered.

-you do know that what you said means to us ‘you can start shooting us already?’

-maybe but we already have the permission from elder Hikari so if you could, don’t start shooting at us.

Shin was speaking like he really didn’t care if they start shooting or not. Just in case Arata checked the position of his swords.

-I did get message from Elder Hikari that fifteen people lead by druid named Vatras will be coming so we should let the pass but I don’t see anyone who would fit the description of Vatras and also there is seventeen of us.

-yes, about that, there are three extra people with us so Vatras went ahead to inform Hikari, that’s why he is not with us. Anyway, one of you should remember us and know that I am not lying so go ask your collages.

-very well I will, still if they say that they never saw any of you then either you leave this forest and wait for Vatras outside or leave this forest and never return.

-what about the third option in which we go for each other throats?

-what did you say?

“What did he say!?”

Now it really seemed like Shin didn’t care if they start shooting.

-I just wanted to point out the last option as you skipped it and I like to have all choices in the open. But still… does anyone from the squadron recognize me or rather does anyone took a part in ‘Defense of Larisane’ a year and half ago?

Shin asked and to Arata surprise the answer was immediate. And it wasn’t only one person.

-it’s general Shin!

-it’s Shin the miracle-worker and the hero to our people.

-it’s general Shin!

-yes it’s him!

-general Shin, do you remember me, thanks to you our village is once again prospering in full health.

-good to hear that Irina but I am not your general anymore so you shouldn’t call me that

-no, no, general will always be our general, right everyone!

=yes!

Practically every elf apart from the leading ranger knew who Shin was.

-it would probably be better if I never had to be called general again by you guys as it would mean that you are in troubles again.

-ah general is always thinking about us.

-yes we will never let it happen that we will need your help again.

-general, we will defend this land with our own strength!

-well I am sure that you will manage still if at some point you need some help to get an overwhelming victory you can always call for us.

-general!

Most of the elves dropped their bows and run up to Shin and few other people from the party as if they were having a touchy reunion.

-why do they called him a general?

Levi ended up asking Yume.

-from what I heard they once ended up saving the village that we are going to right now and some of the elves here took part in it. Look around it’s not only Shin but others who took part in this battle as well.

-what about you?

-well at that time I still didn’t officially joined the party. I do know everyone here for a long time but as for joining the party and going with them for dungeons it was about year ago that I started so I didn’t take part in that fight. I am not the only one look, Kuma and Thesar they joined at the same time I did, then there are few who joined later, that would be Konan and lastly Julia. Especially Julia spent little time with all of us, because two months after she joined we went on a break. She did stay and continued to play for last five months with others who stayed but that’s not the same as when all of us are here.

-I see, by the way can you tell me how this group was developing in time while we have the time.

-you are interested in it?

-a little.

-okay, I will skip the people who already left us as mentioning them won’t tell you anything. So it goes like this. First there are four founders, Shin, Vatras, Musashi and Bran.

-then Hiro and Mika joined.

Arata added.

-don’t interrupt Arata I am explaining things to Levi.

-well I also know as far as that.

-well you got it right. Anyway Hiro and Mika joined the group quite fast from what I heard. It was not even a month since the group officially started. Then they did continue in the squad of six for quite some time. Then Kei ended up joining at some point as well. Then again they continued in seven for a while, I already did know them well back then. Flynn and Vivi joined at the same time about seven months before me then and there was also Lee who joined a month after them. It was at that time that battle took place. The rest you already know. Of course there were many others but those are the people who stayed with us all this time and are here with us now.

-thanks for info.

While Yume was explaining everything the situation developed.

-I heard about a group of adventures that helped Larisane at that time but it doesn’t mean that you can trespass our woods without permission.

The elven ranger was still not yelling.

-general said that he has permission!

-yes, he is on good contact with elder Hikari.

-we don’t need an opinion of someone who just came here because he was ordered.

-you never saw general greatness, how dare you tell him off.

Shin had more than good opinion here and everyone from elven squadron started to support him.

-everyone relax, everything will be solved without a quarrel we just have to wait for Vatras right.

-but he just said that he doesn’t believe in general’s words.

-we should teach him that without general this forest would turn into new edge of world.

-wait, he is just doing his job that’s all, also if Hikari finds out that you start shooting your supervisor because of me then it might not end up with simple quarrel.

-general is just too kind.

‘turuuuuuuuuuuuu!’

Then suddenly the loud sound of horn echoed through the forest.

-looks like she already did found out.

-everyone! Return to your posts and let those people pass! Sorry for inconvenience.

The attitude of ranger’s leader changed instantly the he moment he heard the horn.

-good bye general.

-we will never forget you.

-you can also call for our help anytime.

The elves disappeared into the woods once again and in a second they all hid so well that it was hard to notice them.

-we continue our march!

Musashi shouted and they continued up the hill. This time it was Musashi who lead everyone as Shin somehow was slowly and slowly getting farther to the back. They reached the elven village without any more troubles.

Larisane, hidden deep inside the forest, the village that just like Karma, marked the end of the known world. Still normal visitors were not allowed to come here. The village itself was not that big, compared to Karma it wouldn’t even take 1/8 of its territories still its unique building structure was something to look at. They were nothing like Arata ever saw in his life before. The buildings were the trees themselves. They were growing in a way that they made houses on their crowns but as well as trunks. The trees were especially big, in comparison to the trees in the forest they were gigantic in width. There were also beautiful transparent, crystal bridges that marked the top level of the village. Those bridges were connecting the crowns of the trees.

“That’s elven village for you. I wonder how some bigger city would look like? Maybe I should have play an elf race, it definitely looks better than any of human cities I have been to so far.”

If Arata knew the difference in look of cities from the start, he might have really make avatar of elven race. Still how different his story would be should he really done that.

At the entrance to the village there was Vatras already waiting and next to him there was a petite girl with long hair. The color of the hair could be called unique or simply strange. Some of her hair was of light blond and some of them were silver in color. There wasn’t any regularity to it and even one hair next to other hair could be of different color. There was more silver hair than blond though. Still it was definitely not because of age as the girl didn’t look at more than 17. She also had very unique golden eyes which didn’t look really natural and would catch anyone’s attention right away but yet they were quite beautiful to watch at.

When the party reached the hearing distance the girl quickly said.

-could you stop play hide and seek with me? You should know that it’s useless!

Her voice didn’t sound too happy about their visit. Then she pointed a finger at the group of people on the left and from behind them Shin came out. So far he was hiding.

-you are as good in hide and seek as you always were Hikari.

He said.

-it’s elder Hikari.

-I still not used to call you elder when you are younger than me though.

-and whose fault is that I become elder?

-still you were the best for that job Hikari, as elder needs power to defend the village and their people.

-yes and great general Shin when asked for advice on who should be the next elder had to choose me. I also have dreams you know, I wanted to travel the world and see things. I want to uncover what lies in the west, ever since I was born I felt like I should go there and what did you do, you choose me as an elder who has to stay in village all the time.

-you still can do that later on. Also your other dream was to protect this village wasn’t it?

-I will just keep you on the word you gave me back then. But now the other matter! Shin! What did you not understood when I told you that if you want to come here tell me the number of people beforehand.

-but it’s not a big deal…-

-it is and it already made problems didn’t it!? I asked you to do that for your own safety so you don’t get an arrow between the eyes when you come here. If someone with permission is coming to the village and it doesn’t happen too often, Rangers know exact date, exact number of people and some descriptions of people that should be there. This rule isn’t made because we were bored and came up with it to make people life’s harder, it was made so we can know right away if people that are coming are enemies or not!

-yes, yes sorry.

Shin got scolded.

-it was my fault that the number of people is wrong.

Arata said it to the girl as it was indeed his fault.

-is that so? Come over here…

The girl answered to him.

-your name?

-Arata. And yours?

-who gave you permission to ask question? It’s me who asks them. Now then Arata, maybe you will tell me why in the first place you all came here?

-you don’t know?

-I do know the reason that this guy told me but I don’t think that it is the real reason so I am asking you. Hey you, where are you going I am not finished with you yet!…

While Arata took the fire, Shin wanted to sneak away but it was not missed by the girl.

-so?

“Well I don’t know what version they told her or if they even hid the truth but if I start coming up with some random reason it will definitely not be the same as theirs.”

-we simply are going on expedition to the west.

-what did you say?!

The girl answered as if she didn’t hear correctly.

-expedition to the west is our goal and we simply came to this city to start from here.

-Shin!

The girl completely lost her interest in Arata and went back to scolding Shin.

-there is simple explanation.

-oh I would like to hear that.

-then I will hurry. You see to keep our promise of going to the west together when you stop being the elder to ensure you safety I have to prepare everything beforehand and I can’t do that without going to the west at least once.

Shin said everything really quickly as if delaying might be bad.

-yes, yes it’s very logical and very like you Shin but why did you hide it from me?

-I thought you would be unhappy knowing we are going there first without you.

-of course I am unhappy you idiot! And now I am even more unhappy because you hid it! I am as unhappy as I can be. I am at the limit where my unhappiness changes into anger. And you should know what that means!

-yes but I also know that Hikari is not unreasonable and would not let personal matters affect her.

-if you think like that then you don’t know that Hikari as much as you think.

-no I think I do and also even after I tell you my next request you will still accept it and not get truly angry.

-…what is it?

-you see I would like to borrow a part of the forest so we can train by fighting each other there.

-… .

-so how will it be Hikari?

Arata expected some storm coming right this moment but to his surprise that did not happen.

-ah I give up. But know that if the kids in this village didn’t want to see their famous general Shin then you would already be killed.

-good thing they do want do see me then. But when you said kids were you also counting yourself Hikari?

-…

It looked like Shin didn’t really care if he will get killed on the spot or not. Still there was no killing or dead magician in the white cloak in sight. On the other hand the girl just answered.

-yes.

-so about my request?

-do what you want. I can’t stop you hero of Larisane.

-does that also include that I don’t have to add elder before your name?

-you will do it even if I tell you not to so what’s the point. Anyway you already know the city so you won’t need the guide and I already told Tras everything you need to know.

-you are going already?

-I have my duties of an elder to do. But I should be free later on so I will come and find you then I should be able to talk with everyone else as well. Good bye.

The girl disappeared in a flash the moment she said that.

-I see she is doing well.

Shin commented.

-she is but it’s surprising that you are still doing well Shin.

-you just got the wrong impression about her Tras. Hikari is really good at heart she just acts tough because she is an elder.

-but she was the same even when she wasn’t one.

-at that time she was acting tough to help out everyone in the defense. Anyway we will go for some breakfast and then start the first round of the tournament.

The group didn’t go sightseeing the village even though some people wanted to. Instead they just went to first found a shop with food, ate something quickly and then returned to the forest. When they found the suitable location they stopped there. Although, Arata didn’t see any difference as to why this place would be better.

-are we going to held it here?

Flynn asked.

-I am suspecting that in the west we will be fighting in the forest most of the time, with this we can get used to it more easily.

And Shin gave him a logical reason. Then he took out a whiteboard out of nowhere. On it he draw simple championship bracket, the usual tree that is going down, and at the end of it there were 18 lines that ended with 18 numbers. Then he took out a box and put it on a nearby stump of cut down tree.

-for those who are first time doing it. You have to draw a number and then write down the name on the table under the number you draw, that will mark your position and who you will fight against. In that regard it does work like normal tournament you win you go up, you lose you lose…

Musashi explained loudly.

-I will show it how you it goes. So without any cheating you take one number from the box…

Musashi took the first better piece of paper and showed it to everyone.

-as you can see I draw number five, now I write my name under that number. That’s about it. I will just add that four people will have one extra fight, those people will be those that draw numbers 7, 8, 16 and 17.

-those two fights will be played out the first and then the winner from those fights as well as their opponent will be fighting at the end of the next round so they can rest if needed.

Shin added.

-yes those two fights are something like round zero but it’s based on your luck who will get which number and who will have to fight more.

-who would consider having one more fight as unlucky. Rather those four are the lucky ones!

Flynn shout out! Then everyone proceeded to drawing the number.

Arata waited till more eager ones took the vote first but also he didn’t wait to be the last.

“4, hmm?”

Arata didn’t get the number in which he would have to have extra fight. He ended up writing down his name under on the right spot and waited till everything will be sorted out. In the end the tournament placement looked like this. From left to right.

Vivi, Julia, Lee, Arata, Musashi, Flynn, Levi, Konan, Kei, Kuma, Mika, Bran, Shin, Rin, Vatras, Hiro, Thesar, Yume.

“I guess I did end up lucky if I am in completely different block than Rin. So my fight with her will have to wait till the final. Let’s focus on fights that will happen sooner then. My first fight is against Lee. He was a monk if I remember correctly, then my second fight is either against Vivi or Julia, I wonder who will win their fight. Still I won’t go easily on them. Then in semifinal, I guess I will finally have a fight against Levi, hmm we did already prolong our fight for too long I guess. I don’t think I am underestimating the others but I don’t see that bastard losing to anybody. I will have to go all out against him myself. Then, I don’t see Rin losing to anyone me included… although I still winning that! I still don’t know how exactly but there probably… maybe… I hope there is a chance somewhere.”

After being simply outclassed in their previous fight Arata somehow loosed his usual confidence when it came to Rin.

-hoho, I have Shin on my first fight…

Bran commented. His smile couldn’t be any bigger.

-by the way Tras, how did your luck go?

-yea.

Vatras was the one who draw ‘the shortest stick’ so Bran wouldn’t lose the opportunity to get that.

-we believe in you Tras, you can do it.

Bran continued to annoy him. Vatras didn’t even try to reply.

-we will begin with numbers 16 and 17 so Levi who is number 7 doesn’t go on the first fire without understanding how it goes. In the box the cards are already prepared, the person with lower number always draw the random card. With this we will skip the question ‘who is drawing the card’. Last thing remember to eat the seed that we distributed earlier and this time, no one is allowed to die because you forgot to eat it, does everyone understands!!…

The seed was a source of Vatras spell that would keep person from dying upon dying. Still from Musashi’s comment, Arata could tell that there were cases in which someone forgot to eat it and then died in the fight for real. Everyone ended up eating it up now so the effect would last for today.

-okay, then Hiro, Thesar I hope you are ready. Hiro you draw the card.

Musashi started the tournament. The first match that was going to be played out was Hiro vs Thesar.

“So it’s a mage vs Paladin, although that guy was more of a healer right?”

Although Thesar was a healer, seeing him in full plate armor could deceive someone. Also the fact that he was a healer didn’t exactly meant that he didn’t have strong attacks.

When Hiro draw the card and looked at it, his face right away went into slack. It didn’t seem like a happy face.

-Hiro what did you draw!?

Bran asked out loudly. Hiro didn’t want to read it out loudly so he passed it to Thesar who did.

-scenario. You are in an area in which magic spells does not work. Defeat your opponent without using mana spells at all.

-hahahaha, one less to worry about.

Bran laughed out loudly.

-lucky, Hiro is going out in first round.

Then Yume who would end up fighting him next was also in good mood. Everyone was already laughing as laughing at yours friend bad luck was something that everyone always did and enjoy.

“It’s not like he did draw bad. If healer can’t heal himself he should also be at disadvantage.”

That was what Arata thought till Thesar took out a large shield and a silver hammer. Even though he was a healer right now he looked like a heavy class tank.

“Well, I don’t think that he can break through that with mage weapon.”

Right now it looked like Hiro was searching through his menu and then when he finished everyone looked surprised. What Hiro took out was not magic weapon at all, what he now held in hands were two red swords. They were the kind of sword that one could get by bringing the blacksmith the red ore and those were really good quality weapons even better than many dungeon drops. Those were the swords that both Arata and Rin used. Although, Arata also had them enchanted, to lower the level requirement.

-did any of you see Hiro fighting with two swords before. Mika?

Flynn asked.

-no he never uses them.

-then he went crazy because he can’t use magic in fight, well it’s definitely better idea then fighting with bare hands.

“Still fighting with two swords is not something that one can improvise. If an amateur is trying to do that he would get defeated by amateur who would use only one sword. You need to get used to using two swords or either your attacks will be so weak that they won’t even hurt a fly. Still, it doesn’t seem like he is a complete amateur with them, rather the stance that he took is…”

-hahahaha…

Levi who was sitting next to Arata laughed out loud.

-Arata do you see that!?

-I do, I hope he won’t kill himself while trying ‘that’.

-‘that’? I just thought that it looked a little funny as it seemed as if he was coping you.

-he is probably coping Rin though.

-you or her it’s the same. So Arata, as an expert what you can tell?

-well, the move that he wants to lunch off from that position will either win him a fight or it will be a suicidal and he will end up killing himself, the second is more probable.

-let’s see it then!

-you are ready Thesar?

Hiro holding one sword to the front while keeping his body low and the second sword all the way in the back asked.

-I am, and sorry that you will get killed because of bad luck. By the way what are you trying to do?

-oh you will see it in a second.

-on my mark! Three! Two! One! Go!

Musashi did the last counting and the moment he did Hiro launched forward. His speed was incredible at start but in his fourth step he fell right the ground face first, while doing so he nearly fall right onto the sword he kept forward.

-hahahahaha.

Everyone burst out laughing.

“That’s what you get for trying that move. He should be happy that he didn’t die.”

When Hiro fall, Thesar wasn’t planning on giving him a hand to stand up but rather he wanted to use his hammer to smash Hiro head. Still Hiro rolled away before the hammer hit the ground.

He stood up right after and this time without any strange positions started attacking. His attacks were deflected by Thesar shield but at the same time Thesar’s attacks with hammer were also parried out by Hiro’s swords and he was paring them with one sword while attacking with the other. Although it might have looked natural and no one paid any attention to it, Arata did pay the attention.

“If he is able to do this much then it’s not his first time holding those swords. His basis are on decent level. He probably at least end up swinging those swords at something, probably a dummy or maybe a tree. Still apart from that, there can’t be any talk about him having any style.”

That were Arata’s though but only just until that moment.

Thesar pulled his shield back for a moment and then with the impact he pushed it at Hiro with great speed. Should that attack hit him it might have been a KO in one shot, still at that moment Hiro made a short step to the left and dodged the Shield by hair. When the shield went forward right before his nose Hiro saw Thesar arm right before him all open and then there was only one thing to do. Hiro swing his sword upward from the position he was in and ended up cutting into Thesar armor at the arm. The sword ended up sticking inside the armor but it didn’t cut of Thesar arm. Still the moment attack landed Thesar ended up dropping his shield.

Before Thesar wanted to attack Hiro with his hammer but the moment he got hit his attack lost all its strength from shock. But Hiro did not wait for him to fight off the pain and with his second sword attacked at the only weak point of Thesar armor which was his head. Thesar didn’t wear any helmet after all. Hiro thrusted his sword forward little upward as Thesar was bigger than him. The sword didn’t manage to hit Thesar though as even in his heavy armor he managed to bend backward and avoided the strike. Still the moment he did that Hiro jumped at his belly which was now in horizontal position which completely throw Thesar right to the ground. Hiro landed standing on Thesar after regaining his balance and right away he went for the head again. This time he caught the sword with both hands and thrusted it to the ground at Thesar forehead and then.

‘plunck!’

The sword trajectory was changed as something hit it from the distance and it ended up in the ground rather than Thesar head.

-the winner Hiro!

Musashi shouted out! As even though Thesar did not ‘die’ it was the end of the fight.

-wow, he really did really great at the end it’s as if I was seeing you.

Levi commented.

-if it were me I wouldn’t have to jump at the enemy afterwards and I would cut out that arm with first attack.

-yea, but he is a mage right? I never saw a mage fighting in melee so well.

-well, that dodge that bought him a victory was pulled out perfectly.

“I am surprised myself. He probably ended up practicing it a lot.”

Hiro ended up rubbed his forehead and get down from Thesar. After that he helped him stand out.

-I thought that it was luck that we got a condition like this and that I will be able to win but I see that you are in quite a form despite the break, Hiro.

-well, I guess.

Hiro only answered that. Thesar ended up pulling the red sword out from his arm and passed it to Hiro, then he casted a healing spell on that arm and the wound disappeared quite quickly. Hiro picked up the sword that was stick in the ground and then he walked back to his position like nothing has happened.

-Hiro we want an explanation on that!

In instant he was surrounded by few people and the one that was asking him was Vivi.

-what do you want to know?

-for starter how did you learned to fight like this.

-how you ask? I simply trained and I don’t think there is anything else I have to add to that. Anyway don’t disrupt the tournament and I need to rest before the next fight so give me a break.

It didn’t seem like he was willing to share his thoughts.

-well, it’s time for me then.

Levi stood up and walked toward the place in which the fight was held.

His opponent also did the same. His name was Konan, Arata didn’t have occasion to actually speak with him but he did end up playing a card game with him that did involve a lot of talking, so in a way they knew each other well.

Konan was a small guy, really small even more than Bran or Flynn. In his hands he was holding an iron chain. Both ends of the chain were finished up with something that looked like end of axes.

“I wonder how exactly one does fight with a weapon like that?”

Arata didn’t have an occasion to see someone using such thing before, nor did he hear a thing about it.

-Levi you have the lower number so you draw the card.

Musashi instructed him.

-okay…

Levi ended up sticking his hand inside the box.

-I want something funny…

He said and then took out the card. Then he started reading it out loudly.

-scenario. You are fighting in a swamp and you can’t move properly as the mud on the ground gets in your way. Defeat your opponent while moving only by tiptops. Quite easy but what happens if I for example start running?

-those who doesn’t follow the rules automatically loses, although if you get it wrong by accident then you can still continue. But it is easy to see if someone did it on accident or not.

Vatras explained from afar.

-I see.

-in that case, ready! Three! Two! One! GO!

Musashi once again gave the signal.

“Ah, Levi got some annoying condition.”

Levi as someone who fights in melee range could do nothing else but walk forward slowly. Konan on the other hand started to spin his chain in the air in the circles. Soon enough the chain started to spin in air with great speed and the trees that got in the line of it were getting cut. Still that also slowed down the speed of chain. But then the ends of chain started to gather a purple energy and the chain was no longer stopped by the trees.

“I see so it’s something like that.”

Still Levi didn’t seem really concern by that fact and was slowly moving in the direction of Konan up until the range of the chain. Then as the chain was circling around Levi hit it with his sword and that deflected it and completely stopped its momentum. In that moment thrusting forward the second end of the chain was lunched from Konan position, this time Levi blocked it back by the shield. When those two attacks failed Levi once again started tiptoeing forward. Despite unusual condition he was moving quite fast.

The both ends of the chain were now behind Levi and it looked like Konan was waiting for it. He pulled it back to him in a way that it would cut Levi from behind. Still seeing without looking back but just by seeing Konan hands movement, Levi jumped up and hit his sword downward to the ground and kept himself in the air for few seconds and in those seconds the chains ends went underneath him and just glanced over the sword. After that Levi landed and continued forward. He was nearly in striking range.

Konan continued his attacks, this time both of chains went forward at Levi. Levi prepared the shield to deflect them but a moment before the chains hit the shield they changed their direction and went in both left and right. Then they made another turn and attacked from both of sides. From above it would look like they formed a triangle. Still it was not something that Levi couldn’t fight against. Levi simply casted his yellow barrier around himself and the attacks bounced of it.

“That attack might have been too tricky. Rather than surprise attack using speed and power is more important. Well that guy simply got the wrong opponent.”

When another of his attack failed, Levi nearly got in his range and Konan on instinct made a step backward.

-Konan is disqualified, Levi wins!

Musashi shouted and the fight just ended like that.

-but I didn’t even attack him yet.

-yes but he made a step back that was against the rules.

-disappointing…

Levi ended up returning back to Arata’s place, although he was not in a good mood. His fight was quite one sided though.

-it would get much more interesting if we could move as we want.

-you rather left him with no chance in this fight.

-yes but because he could not move like he wanted his ways of attack were limited. As far as I know chain wilders are making a lot of step in their attack. For example with one step they can extend the range of attack catching enemy in a surprise. But I still would have won though.

Levi added at the end.

-with that the number of fighters was reduced to 16, now we will proceed with the round one. It will be simply in the order, first with second, third with fourth, and so on. As I already said but fights with Levi and Hiro in it will be played at the end so there is less unfairness in having Levi fight two fights so close to each other.

-there is no need! I wouldn’t mind even if my fight was right now. Although I will mind if I get a stupid condition like that again.

Levi answered.

-that is left to luck but okay, in that case everything will be in numerical order. So the next fight is…-

-Julia and me.

-right, Julia and Vivi it’s your turn.

Vivi and Julia moved to the position, it was Vivi’s turn to draw the card.

-who do you think will win?

Levi asked.

-I don’t know, never seen them fighting before.

-the one in the white will win.

Out of sudden, Rin decided to join them despite what she said earlier to Yume.

-why do you think so? Do you know her?

Arata asked.

-no, it’s the first time I am seeing her but her foot work is good. I saw it before.

-then do you know about the other one as well?

-well, I did kill her once.

Rin answered like nothing.

-Rin, it may sound like strange question but did you not kill someone from here?

-I definitely wouldn’t have kill Mary.

-yes that’s given and someone else than Yume?

-hmm, apart from Mary… oh right! As I said I first time seeing that girl in white so I didn’t kill her as well.

-so those are the only two.

-… .

-hey Arata some PvP is nice in a while as well, and remember I checked myself, she didn’t do anything wrong.

Levi commented.

-I see you already forgotten your first encounter with her.

-what was, was and is not important, what is important though is that right now she doesn’t want to kill me in the least or anyone else, right Rin?

-I suggest you consider it once more before saying it.

Rin answered.

-see how we get along…

Levi was not concern about what she said though.

-anything, I wouldn’t bet on anyone till I see what they draw. Some cards may be really unfair indeed.

Levi summed it up.

After drawing it, Vivi started reading the card she drew.

-scenario. You just had a clash with your opponent and your weapon and opponent’s weapon flied away. You had no other choice than pick up your opponent weapon and fight using it. Your opponent is doing the same. Condition: fight with your opponent’s weapon.

-ah, why did we have to get something like that!?

Julia asked out loudly.

-what you draw is your luck. Now, give each other your main weapon’s which would be, Vivi’s bow and arrows and Julia’s rapier.

-but I don’t know a thing about shooting this.

Julia complained while switching the weapons with Vivi.

-I see I just need to stick this end into her.

Vivi on the other hand understood right away what she needed to do.

-that’s no fair, she has it easier!

-this tournament was never fair so you just have to think of something. Okay, ready, set, go!

Musashi started the fight without waiting too much.

-wait, I am not ready, aaa!

Vivi attacked right away. Although, her attack was not that solid. Even though she wanted to pierce forward it started to bend upward. Julia who was experienced in melee fight just moved backward with ease and speed, quickly making 2 meters distance before them.

-Vivi, how do you fire the bow?

She then asked.

-I will tell you after I win!

Vivi was not going to make it easy for her. When not attacking, she also had quite the speed and she managed to catch up to front once again. Although, her attacks were as bad as before. Still, she could attack at least. She also stopped using piercing attack but instead started to user rapier as normal swords as it seemed that he had little more experience in that. Still rapier was not really suitable to swing.

The fight turned into Vivi attacking and Julia stepping back and back while trying to figure out how to use the bow.

-do I really have to shot her down with a bow?

Julia ended up asking while backing of and making the distance.

-this rule is not just about it, you simply can’t use your weapon and instead you can use the opponent’s weapon. Still you can still use your magic spells and skills.

Vatras started explaining from afar.

-I need weapon to do that!

It was not helpful to her though.

-Vivi also need’s weapon to shot any of her spells so it’s one of fairer rule we have.

-aye. Unless, you have class that focus on magic as you can cast spells without anything. Hiro for example doesn’t use any weapon in the first place and it works for him.

Bran summed it up.

-on your place I would try to beat her down with that bow.

Musashi tried to help.

-it’s already hard enough to hit her, stop helping her.

Now it was Vivi complaining.

-we should go easy on a newbie right? She doesn’t have much experience in this unlike you.

Flynn added.

-hitting with bow will not do. It’s too hard to wield, it would be better with the fists.

Julia once again complained.

-then go with the fists.

-I never hit a person, how can I do that?

-it was your idea, in this tournament you use anything that comes to your mind. That is the reason we are playing it, right Shin?

Bran said and asked. Shin did not bother to answer his question but instead he said.

-Julia, get rid of things that are useless to you and just think about the solution. Even though your weapon is different you should just keep using your own style.

It was not a solution on what she should do but the words that would help her calm down and analyze the situation. Shin comment was the only thing that Julia considered.

-things that are not useful to me? That would be this bow, rather than trying to shoot by it, it might be easier to just throw the arrows. Still throwing them will bring miserable effect as I never did something like that either.

And in just a moment the situation changed. Julia dropped down the bow as it was useless to her. Leaving it away increased her speed extremely. And in two seconds she managed to distance herself away from her opponent.

-hey, Arata?

Levi right away said it seeing this action.

-yes, I did see it.

-told you, she got incredible footwork.

-but it’s on a level that we would not be able to cough up to her.

-… .

Rin did not answer to that one and continued to look at the fight just like others.

Julia in a distance took one arrow to her hand and held it at the end. She pointed it upward before her face. She waited like that for a second. Vivi seeing this stance was no longer trying to advance. Then Julia took out. Once again with incredible speed she managed to get right before Vivi. Vivi tried to pierce once again with the rapier forward, she was getting a hang of it slowly and it was a decent attack but that was not enough. Julia passed next to Vivi on the right without slowing down, and then from behind she cut it close and attacked. The arrow she held shined in yellow color, the pierce attack was successful and it went through Vivi in the middle of the chest. Then there was three quick following pierces, two at the body and last one right at the neck. The arrow pierced right through it and came out at the other end. That combo attack was enough to kill Vivi off.

-the winner Julia. Someone quickly heal Vivi up!

All the healers casted strong healing spells on Vivi and she was up in no time, still she did lost her fight.

-Shin, Shin! I did good right? Did you finally fall in love with me?

-not really, anyway just move away the next fight is coming.

-…

Shin’s answer was too devastating. It would actually be better if he didn’t answer as his answer shot down Julia’s good humor after the victory.

-this might be bad.

Levi commented after seeing what happened.

-what do you mean?

Arata answered.

-if I got bad card against an opponent like this, then I might have a tough fight.

-you will end up losing anyway so why do you care now? Still I wonder what kind of class characteristics she got to move that fast. She should have some really good movement skill.

Said Arata but then he was interrupted.

-that’s not it. I told you that she has a good footwork, didn’t I? It’s not skill but her default movement. I don’t think it’s possible in real life but in this world you can break human limits.

-then you can also be that fast Rin?

-… .

Levi once again asked and once again Rin did not give him reply.

And then after the fight Julia decided to join them, or rather she came to speak with Arata.

-so Arata, after seeing how I fight, you still think you will win with me easily?

-you are definitely better than I expected. Anyway we will talk later. I am next in a line for fighting right now.

-good luck then, try to lose.

-thanks but I don’t really need luck.

-just you wait till you get a disadvantageous card like mine, although seeing you are fighting with Lee, I don’t think that there will be any cards that will be one sided as you are both melee dps.

-whatever it will be, I will still win. Also, you showed me something good, I will try to show something good in return.

Arata answered and walked away.

-Lee, Arata, you guys are next. Lee you taking the card!

Arata’s opponent was a bald monk in orange-brown monk looking clothes.

When Lee took the card and looked at it he couldn’t help but smile.

-oh, you got something good Lee?

Musashi asked.

-you could say that luck is on my side as, um um. Scenario: You lost your weapon in a middle of battle but the enemies still are coming at you. You can do nothing else than fight only with your fist. Condition: no weapon allowed.

“Ah, that would be all about showing something good.”

Arata was quite unhappy with his condition but regardless he had to remove his weapon. While removing it in his inventory he decided to let go of his coat as well.

-hahaha, he will lose in first fight.

Levi couldn’t hold his laugher.

-he said that he didn’t need any luck and he got what he wanted but now because of that we won’t fight. He got truly unlucky.

Julia who was also staying near them added.

-unlucky? Him? I would rather say that the other guy had the worst luck he could draw.

Rin’s opinion was completely different though.

-what are you talking about. The other guy is a monk right? He normally doesn’t use any normal weapon so for him it’s like fight with no disadvantages. While Arata can’t use his swords and he is a swordsman, right? I don’t even know what he actually plans on doing.

-yes, no weapons condition for melee weapon fighters is one of the worst. I got eliminated because of it twice and I only took part in two tournaments so far.

Julia added.

-you simply don’t understand that forbidding him usage of weapons will actually make him stronger.

But then Rin said something strange.

-what do you mean?

-you just better look at what happens.

Rin added at the end.

The fight was about to begin.

“Ah, I don’t like it. What is with that scenario anyway, if you get your weapon lost you can always take out another one. Who would fight without a weapon when he can use a weapon? I never could understand that. Also, what is with that unfair condition, it’s so favorable for the other guy? Well, I still not plan on losing and it’s definitely much better than only range for example. I would still win that… somehow. Anyway, my opponent is a monk, specialized in close hand to hand combat. I guess I can’t slack off here.”

-ready! Set! GO!

Musashi once again signaled the fight.

Lee was not waiting any second and attacked right away. With three fast steps he got close into Arata’s range and then he threw a punch. When he did so his hand caught on fire as it was probably some skill. Still that punch was easily dodged by Arata and fist flied next to his head. Arata caught still burning hand and right away over his back he threw Lee right into the ground with judo-like technique. Lee hit the ground really hard.

“Although he used a skill it was nowhere impressive. Grandpa poking with finger is much more terrifying and at least 100x more powerful.”

Arata actually could finish off Lee in this moment as Lee had a hard time getting back at his feet. Not exactly because of the damage, but rather a shock he just took. Arata just looked at him from above.

“One shouldn’t kick the lying.”

And though like that. Lee did get end up getting back on feet and this time the moment he did he got into some weird fighting position.

-hey, maybe you will just give up and save healers the trouble.

Arata said to him.

-I am not done yet!

Lee once again attacked forward and started executing kicks and punches. Some of them started to glow, other had incredible over speed, and some were just normal attacks, still Arata had no trouble seeing them all and he decided to block only once when Lee’s attack seemed like three punches at the same time.

Lee started to break in sweat while Arata was actually slightly disappointed and a little bored already.

-you won’t mind if I finish it already.

This time it was Arata who started the attack. After quickly shortening the range he made earlier. With his right hand he threw a punch at Lee’s face. Lee involuntarily blocked it by crossing both of his arms in the way. And it did stop Arata’s attack, at least with right hand. Arata at the same time made and under swing with left hand and hit right in the belly of Lee. It was an attack that would make your opponent defend your face, while the true purpose of it was to attack at lower area. If you don’t have a lot of experience you won’t be able to control your instincts and will defend the face with both hands which makes the lower area open.

After that hit Lee lost the control and bowed a little forward but Arata was not finishing there. After the hits he grabbed Lee’s head and pulled it down while making a hit with a knee right into Lee’s face. The blood from destroyed nose poured right away but it was also not over.

Lee’s head went upward after the last hit and in that moment for a second Arata switched to a position in which he held his right arm upward while holding the elbow with his left hand. Then he just pushed the right arm upward with the power of both hands and with the end of the arm he hit into chin. That attack made Lee fly up a little.

To finish him off, Arata made a kick with a full spin which sent Lee flying into the nearby tree. When he hit it and fall down to the ground face first he did not longer live.

-…-

Normally Musashi should announce the winner but he just like everyone else was holding his breath.

“It was too easy, that’s why I hate hand-to-hand combat. You just have to execute those techniques in right order and you win without any effort.”

-Arata is the winner. Healers, what are you waiting for? Lee just took the beating didn’t he?…

The one who finally finished the fight was Shin who didn’t look too shaken by Arata’s performance and just said in calm voice.

-Musashi, it will be your turn in a moment.

Arata walked away victorious.

-I ended up drawing quite annoying card so I couldn’t repay for earlier. You will have to wait till our fight, Julia.

-… .

Julia couldn’t say anything back to this.

-… .

Although he also wanted to comment Levi couldn’t say anything either.

-I don’t remember this combination to have a finisher like this. Why did you skip the last part?

Rin on the other hand asked completely unaffected by Arata’s performance.

-you know that we can’t use true continuation of this on normal people so I switched it midway.

-I think that using the first part is deadly enough and it also shouldn’t be used on normal people either but you weren’t that concern about using it.

“I can’t argue with that.”

-it’s not that deadly, look that guy is already back on his feet…

Arata answered but the only reason Lee could get up already was because he received large amount of healing spells and because of Vatras unique spell. Otherwise he would be long dead.

-see, he is as if nothing happened.

-I think that Lee might get trauma after it…

Julia finally managed to say something and just like she said it really might have come to that. While playing EOA, you might get an image in your head that you are quite strong. Still, it only goes as far as that if you look at someone who really knows how to fight. In those moments your fantasies will be shattered into pieces right away.

-but Arata didn’t you say you are a swordsman?

Julia asked.

-well, I am a swordsman.

-then how can you win against a monk class in fist fight?

-there is no much to say, he was simply weaker. Even though some of his skills were quite interesting and even though his class is hand-to-hand fighter, I don’t think he actually has much experience in fighting someone who also uses that style. I think that before he might have thought that as long as he can bring himself to the super close distance he can win but he had no idea what to do if that fact did not bring him a victory so he panicked. From there on it was quite easy.

-no I asked why you can fight with fists like this.

-I learned it in real.

-I see.

Julia did not pull it forward anymore as it was unwritten rule to not ask about the real and so far they didn’t talk about it practically at all.

-I can tell you more about it if you want to hear.

-really!!?

Julia was somehow surprised.

-don’t get excited like that, it’s just maybe not short but simple story.

-no, I just didn’t have many conversations about real world with people in this game.

-me neither but it’s not like it’s a taboo. If there is someone you don’t mind telling, then you can do whatever you want. We are free to do what we want, after all. Still as I said, it’s not that short and I would want to watch the other matches as well. I think it might even take the whole day to finish this tournament though.

-it won’t take entire day. Right now we will just play out the first round then later after a break the second. Semifinals might or might not be played today but final will be played at the second day at least.

-I see. Well it might seem like waste of time but it does make things a little fairer. Also it’s not like we are in hurry.

-we will stay in this village for three days anyway.

-three days? So I will have a lot of time for sightseeing then.

-it is quite beautiful village so I understand what you mean. I never was here before either so I think I will do the same as well.

-then why don’t we do it together?

-… .

Julia didn’t answer right away to Arata proposal but agreed in the end.

-okay let’s do it after the first round. Anyway, I suggest you that we focus right now as you might end up fighting one of those people later on. They are both really strong and no matter what card, it will be a fair card as they are both tanks.

On the field they stood. Wearing heavy armor and with shield in their hands. Their weapons were different though. Musashi hold a long trident when Flynn held a battle axe. The difference in range of their attack could be crucial as not only Musashi had a longer weapon but also he was far taller than Flynn who was a dwarf. Still dwarves had other characteristics that could bring them victory.

-I didn’t expect that I will be fighting you here.

Musashi said.

-aye, me too. But thanks to that no matter what card you draw it will be fair and square just like I like it.

Flynn answered.

-it’s my turn to draw so here I go…

Musashi ended up drawing the card but when he saw what he drew his face was not too happy.

-hey Shin, I know it’s against the rules but can I redo the draw?

-if you do that, then this training will lose all its meaning.

-eh, thought you will say that.

-Musashi what did you draw? The troll card?

Bran asked from afar.

-Yume, what is a troll card?

Arata asked.

-well, just as the name says, it’s a card created to troll the tournament. Its winning conditions are ridiculous and usually have nothing to do with fighting. Last time it appeared it was a coin toss…

“Coin toss?”

-there are other versions as well like the person who draws the card automatically loses.

-why is there a card like that?

-it was Bran’s idea. He wanted to spice up the tournament by adding a ridiculous condition like that. It does have quite good effect as everyone can’t help but laugh when that card is draw.

“Yes, everyone laugh as long as it’s not them who draw it. Well if I end up drawing the lose card then there really won’t be anything I can do. But luck is also ones skills so I won’t say it’s unfair.”

-no it’s not a troll card, at least not for me…

In the meantime Musashi answered Bran’s question.

-how to say it. Well, sorry Flynn. Scenario: Sometimes to achieve the victory you don’t have to defeat your opponent but rather simply stay alive. Solid defence brings much more than reckless attacks. Condition: The person who drew the card has to stay alive for 10 minutes while his opponent has to kill him in ten minutes. The defending side can only defend which means they can’t attack on their own. Hits are not prohibited but only if it helped in defense.

-what? Why me? Why again?

Flynn could not do anything else than curse his luck.

-happens right? If it were you who draw the card then it would be the other way around.

-whatever, if Hiro could win in melee then I will win with such condition as well. Do the counting Musashi.

In that moment Flynn switched his gear a little. Instead of using shield and axe he took out large battle-axe with blades on both ends.

-ready, set, go!

Musashi started the fight.

-wraaaaaa!

With a battle shout Flynn started right away. Without moment of though, he lunched a strike over from the head. In the midair the axe changed from iron silver to red color. That strike landed right on Musashi’s shield. The loud rumble could be heard.

Still even though Flynn’s attacked looked really powerful and it was powerful, Musashi did not give any ground and was left unscratched.

After the hit Flynn made a spin and landed another large hit horizontally from the right. But the effect was similar to the other. After that hit Flynn moved back as Musashi’s trident went his way.

-isn’t it against the rules?

Arata asked.

-not quite. What Musashi is doing is just defending himself. Attack’s like that to push your opponent away is also a form of defense. You guys should look at it closely as you might end up fighting him later on. It’s Musashi’s long range tanking style, for melee, breaking through it is insanely hard.

Throughout the fight Musashi confirmed what Julia said.

Apart from two hits at the start when Musashi started to use his weapon there were no more clean hits like that. Even though Flynn tried many different attacks from different angle they brought no effect. While fighting with the battle axe he couldn’t even get into striking range without getting hit. In the middle of battle he switched back to shield and smaller axe. When he did so his charges become more deadly as he blocked away the trident but even if he got close there was still shield waiting for him. Also blocking of the trident wasn’t that easy even for seasoned tank like Flynn. In the end the 10 minutes passed which meant that Musashi has won.

“No kidding, he is at least on Odin level, no I would say that even higher. Flynn’s attacks were well planned, well executed and with good balance of speed and power but how that guy repelled it all was incredible. Yes, he might be better than Odin, he also didn’t use any skills in this fight but just stood there like unbreakable fortress. Also his tanking style is completely on different league than that of other tanks who just take the hits. Not only he defends but he also prevents you from attacking.”

-incredible.

The first one to break the silence was Levi. Ever since Arata’s fight he was silent but now he finally spoke.

-you praising someone is rare.

Arata said.

-it’s not rare, it’s just that there usually aren’t many people to praise. But that guy is definitely first class tank that you rarely can see. Because I also do the tanking job from time to time I do know how good he is.

-so you are saying that he is better than you.

-I didn’t say that. Still I have to agree that on a tank position he would be better than me. Well after I win this fight I will have a chance to fight with him so I will bring out his true abilities then. You know what Arata. We might have underestimated those guys a little but if you think about it, many of them are already veterans of this game. If you also keep underestimating them you might lose.

-don’t worry about me I will still win. You should rather worry about yourself as you are going to fight against their so called ace.

-now that I know that I shouldn’t underestimate them I will just go all out from the start and not leave any openings. Hopefully I won’t get any bad card like ‘you lose’.

Levi ended up going for the position. His opponent was already waiting there.

Before the fight many from the party changed their gear a little from casual one to the fighting one. Still, Kei was still just wearing his black shirt and the pair of jeans. There was a small difference though. He was already holding his sword in a hand and at the end of it there was a narrow but long black chain. Kei ended up wrap it around his arm. When he finished he let go of his sword for a second. When he did so the sword started to hand in the air on that chain.

“So the chain is so he doesn’t lose his sword.”

The sword was clearly attached to the right hand on the left hand Kei just had a black glove protector.

-Levi you are drawing the lot.

Musashi instructed him.

-it’s me again, okay…

“Depending on the draw I might see some interesting battle.”

-oh, I didn’t expect this one but at least it’s not some annoying condition again. Scenario: being strong alone is import but what’s also important is how you play together with others. Condition: instead of one on one battle it will be tag team two vs two. Find someone that you want to team up for this fight, anyone who is present has to agree to your choice. The only ones that are allowed to refuse are those who just had a fight. In case your ally has a round right after you, his fight can be postponed till later. You can also choose one person that you don’t want your opponent to team up with, like someone with your anti-class. The person who draw the card both first choses who he doesn’t want to fight as well as who he wants to have in a team.

-okay, first you guys choose someone who you don’t want as your opponent, Levi you are first.

Musashi explained.

-it’s an easy choice. There is definitely someone I would like to avoid fighting. Cross off Rin.

“Well that’s one was obvious.”

Arata would do the same 100% of times.

-and you Kei?

-standard.

“Standard?”

-next you are choosing the teammates. Levi you are the first one once again.

-wait, I still don’t know whom I can’t choose.

-standard means that you can’t choose Shin, anyone else if available. Me and Flynn included as we don’t mind taking another fight right away. Right Flynn?

-aye, I wouldn’t mind a fair fight to relieve the stress.

-hey, so that means that he left Rin open for me to choose from?

Levi asked as he did not believe it.

-yes, does that mean that you choose her?

-hmm…

Levi wondered for a second but then answered.

-it might be even more dangerous to have her as an ally. I can already imagine how she stabs me in the back saying that I am in a way…

“I can also imagine that.”

Arata looked in Rin’s direction and it seemed like she didn’t take an offence. Would she really do something like that.

-well my choice is clear then. Arata you will help me out won’t you?

“Well we already agree on that.”

-what you need my help out of sudden?

Arata said it after he stood up and walked towards where the fight was going to take place.

-rather than help, I don’t want you to get in my way. I already shot down his option to choose Rin. If I chose you to my team then he won’t be able to choose you either. You might as well sit in some corner and I will fight on my own.

“Oh, he really did think it out. It really seems like a solid plan.”

-if I am already helping you I might as well do some fighting.

Arata answered.

-okay so Levi chose Arata as his teammate. They both already had one fight today and during those fights they achieved one sided victory. They also know each other for some time and are used to fight next to each other. So Kei, who will join you to fight in this challenge, do you feel like you can win it?

Musashi continued.

-well they are both problematic. It will not be an easy fight. That’s why it’s only fair if I use the lack of information and experience in this tournament that my opponent has. I chose Shin to join my team.

-… .

-… .

-… .

-… .

Everyone held their breath for a moment but then chatter started.

-hey Tras what do you think?

Hiro who was sitting next to Vatras asked.

-Arata and Levi combo might be devastating. You saw how they fought before.

-so you are saying that Shin will finally lose his first team battle.

-I didn’t say that. So far Shin won any team battle since beginning of the tournament, no matter who was in his party and who was at the other end. Remember how he defeated you and Kei while being in party with your sister.

-you really don’t have to remind me of it! So you are saying that this time it’s a similar manner?

-in a way yes but this time Shin doesn’t need to create miracles like at that time. After all this time he is in party with Kei. Kei is quite strong and the stronger are his allies, Shin shines even more.

-that might be true but even so I don’t think he will get an easy win.

-well you did saw how Arata destroyed Lee in hand to hand combat which should give Lee a great advantage. Levi also destroyed Konan without much trouble. We don’t know how far their abilities reach.

-aye, that’s why it will be interesting fight.

Flynn joined their conversation.

-how about we do the betting?…

Bran came up with an idea.

-I bet 500gold on Shin and Kei victory anyone will take it?

Then he continued.

-Bran, we agreed that we will not do the betting on this tournament.

Vatras scolded him.

-I know I know. No one would took that bet anyway as there is no one here who thinks that Shin will lose a team battle, right?

No one said ‘no’ to that.

In the meantime.

-Shin, you heard him.

Musashi said to Shin.

-I don’t want to, we will lose anyway.

Shin was not really motivated and his answer was completely different from what everyone else was saying.

-you are the one that came up with rules right, so you also have to follow them, otherwise as you said there will be no meaning.

-fine I get it…

Shin get up from the grass on which he was sitting and moved to where Kei stood.

-Kei you had some bad luck didn’t you? Why did you have to share it with me?

-stop complaining and help me win.

-I don’t think there is much I can do though. Well I do have one good idea though. Hey Arata, your teammate said he doesn’t need your help but he just didn’t want to fight against you so maybe you will sit it back, I also will sit in the back and they will have a fair fight on their own as it was supposed to be.

“Is he for real?”

-Arata, that does sound good to me.

Levi said his thoughts on it.

-see your teammate agrees.

-Shin, no cheating! It’s a team battle and you were chosen. Don’t go breaking your own rules.

Musashi interrupted.

-I wouldn’t mind agreeing to this either as it’s not really my fight in the first place but if I am already here then I might as well have some fun. And I don’t want to get eliminated for breaking rules.

Arata answered.

-if we just stay on the side that won’t break any rules…

Shin stated but then continued.

-still if you want to fight then it can’t be helped. In that case could you at least wait till Kei and Levi duke it out? You see, I want to help him out a little and the only thing I can do is to persuade you to let him have one on one fight. Unlike me, he is quite strong so he will have much larger chances in fighting you two in row than we two fighting two on two at the same time. The two of you would probably be too much for him.

-so you are saying that I should wait and watch till they finish. Then should Kei win I would fight him next?

-yes something like that.

“Clever idea but I have seen through it.”

-but what proof do I have that you two won’t gang on me later on?

-Arata, you are thinking I would lose?

Levi asked from the side.

-no, I just don’t want everything to go his pace.

“I don’t really imagine you losing.”

Arata would not voice those thoughts to Levi though but he was convinced of that.

-oh, we could really do that, I didn’t think of it…

Shin acted surprised.

“Yes, definitely.”

-well in a way you guys could do the same should Levi win. Well not like you would need to as one of you would definitely be enough to take me down, no rather half of you… What to do? What to do? In this case I am just making troubles for Kei.

“I think there is quite easy solution in this.”

-to prevent you two ganging on me earlier on, I will just take care of you first and then I will wait for Levi and Kei battle to finish. What do you say to that?

Arata proposed the idea. With this he would not have to help Levi but also he would have his share of fighting.

-ah, I wanted to avoid that but there is no other way, is there? Well, I will try to make it don’t end in a second so you have some fun in fighting whatever Kei loses or not.

Shin had to accept Arata’s proposal.

-so in the end I just have to take care of this guy just as it was meant to be? I wouldn’t mind fighting both of them at the same time but I can’t be selfish. I will leave the other guy to you Arata.

-Levi you draw a good card didn’t you? Even if you lose the fight, you still win in the end as I am in your team.

Arata answered.

-as if I would lose. Just don’t get in my way.

The battle was about to begin. Shin moved a little back and created a distance. He was holding his staff in a defensive position.

“Don’t tell me he is planning on doing ‘that’.”

-ready! Set! Go!

Upon Musashi’s signal, the first one to move was Shin but his direction was opposite of where the Arata and Levi were, he simply turned around and start running into the forest.

“Ah, he really did start running away… .”

Then second later Levi and Kei started fighting as well. Levi was using his only one sword style in two hands that increased his damage output. He once called it his dps stance. His opponent was also using one sword and so far they were just clashing with swords to see what the other can do.

“This guy is indeed quite good. He has a speed and good technique, still I can’t stay here watching or otherwise I will lose the other guy.”

Arata didn’t want to play hide and sneak later on so he ran after Shin before his white cloak got out of his field of vision.

Arata run after Shin in the forest. Even though there were many trees in a way, it looked like Shin was too desperate in running away to think about hiding behind one, not that it would do him any good.

Arata’s running speed was far greater than that of Shin so after about 7 seconds Arata catch up to 20 meters distance despite Shin’s early start. Shin turned left at some point and Arata lost sight of him as he passed by a large tree. Arata didn’t have to follow the same route as Shin so he turned left right away as well. After he did, he caught sight Shin right away.

“Hiding when I see you would not give you anything. Well I am little overthinking it as he is probably just running away so I don’t come at his teammate the moment I finish him. He simply just wants to buy as much time as possible, the further we go the longer it will take me to go back. Can’t tell there is anything wrong with that thinking but it is a worthless effort as I wouldn’t help Levi anyway nor would he need my help.”

That was what Arata thought but when he was getting near the large trunk of big tree he spotted a white piece of cloth hiding behind it. Although it was probably nothing, once Arata move a little bit further he turned once again to look at the white thing and behind the trunk and there was Shin.

“What is he doing here? Didn’t he just run the other way?”

Arata wanted to look back but Shin behind the trunk seeing that he was revealed shout out an energy bolt at Arata. It was a fast spell that Arata already saw few times before as both Anari and Zen had a similar one. It was really basic spell though.

Arata dodged it to the left and then once again looked behind to where the ‘previous Shin’ went. There was no longer a sight of him though.

“Was it some illusion skill or maybe clone skill? Probably something like that, or maybe I have hallucinations. Still, whatever it was it effect didn’t last long. I would realize it anyway if the clone disappears this fast, he would buy additional few seconds max. Anyway I don’t feel like chasing him for too long so.”

[Lighting speed activated]

Arata with rocket speed went straight forward at ‘Shin behind the trunk’. It was a distance of 15 meters so he should make it in seconds but even though he started fast at first, after moving by five meters, he couldn’t shorten the remaining 10 no matter how fast he moved. It was not that Shin was once again running away. His speed would do nothing against Arata’s lighting speed skill. It was rather Arata who was not moving forward.

It took some time before Arata realized what was exactly going on. On that time he stopped running forward and turned off lighting speed.

“I got caught and the thing that is holding me right now is probably this.”

Arata looked under his feet. Underneath him there was a yellow rune-circle on the ground. Whenever Arata wanted to walk out of it he was pushed back.

“I can’t cross it, is that what it is?”

-you really do have a convenient spell to buy time don’t you?…

Arata said out loudly but Shin did not replay to him.

“I wanted to catch him in conversation so he doesn’t run away while he has the time. This spell shouldn’t last too long after all. Still it is strange that he is not running away.”

And then Arata saw it. Shin was in completely same circle as him.

“Well, I doubt that he got caught in his own spell. Rather, it’s more of how this spell actually works. It’s probably is something along the lines you can caught your opponent easily but at the same time you get caught as well. Condition like that would be fair given that I didn’t even see him casting it and just get caught in the circle.”

Arata started to analyze the opponents spell.

“It also looks like he can’t cast any other spells right now. Well stopping enemy movement and then shooting him with spells from afar. Combo like this could not exist in this evil world. It would be too convenient for a player.”

-we are already waiting so maybe we should talk about something. I heard that you never lost a team battle in this tournament no matter the odds, no matter the opponent. Shouldn’t you come up with some good idea for this fight rather than betting on your friend winning two fights in a row? Or is it that you really believe he can do it?

Shin did not answer him and just stayed there unmoving.

“Does his spell have a restriction on talking and moving as well? In that case it’s not that good of a spell if you ask me. But I guess, he just wants to buy some time so it works perfectly in this situation. Still, I don’t plan to stay here too long, let’s try to get out of here.”

[Black dash]

Arata activated the black dash but that didn’t get him out from the circle.

“Shame, that didn’t work. This spell really does lock you inside. Although even if someone started to attack me right now, I am still able to move as I want so I would be able to take it on. But should it be two on one and the other guy would be mage or ranger for example then most of melee dps would face great problems. Even if you don’t have a comrade locking down someone’s movement is good enough. Still, it will go only as far as normal melee dps.”

[Sword enchant: fire]

“Wait, I will burn down the forest with this one.”

[Sword enchant: water]

[Sword slash]

Arata released horizontally and arc of water that cut everything in a way. Normally Arata was just using sword slashes in wind version as they those were invisible strikes but this time he didn’t really mind if Shin dodged this one. One of the reasons was that there wasn’t really a need to kill him. Other that if Shin were to dodge, that might have broken the spell and Arata didn’t want to wait too long. Although Arata himself would have problem of dodging his sword slash no matter in what version it was as its speed was great, so Shin’s chances of dodging it were really low.

And then something strange happened.

Shin did not move, he didn’t even try to dodge it. He just stood there and took the blow. Still in fact he did not take the blow but the water slash just passed through him. There was not a drop of blood. The slash just continued forward like nothing.

“OoO… this might be bad.”

Seeing how without any effort Shin took Arata’s slash, Arata realized something although, he wouldn’t want to say it out loud. He would prefer if Shin just used some spell that turns him into ghost or something and not the ‘thing’ he just thought of but the proof of his thoughts was shown to him right away.

Shin who just took Arata’s sword slash like nothing, disappeared ten seconds later. But it was not because of Arata’s cut. This attack never had damage like that. Also the way Shin disappeared it wasn’t instantly but rather his image slowly started to blur in the space.

“Ah… this is embarrassing, good thing that no one saw it.”

Upon realizing that he had been had by some clone or other illusion Arata could not feel anything but that.

“’I just want to give him a chance for one on one fight’, my ass.”

Arata also realized Shin’s strategy in this moment. It was quite simple, separate the two of them. Hold one back somewhere and then focus on the other one in two vs one fight. Finish the first fight before the other comes and repeat the two on one fight again.

“Even though it’s simple, executing it out was definitely not. It all started from ‘let them just have one on one fight we don’t have to fight as well’. Then he made me think it was even my idea to fight with him one on one so Levi and Kei can fight on their own.”

The yellow circle spell was still not broken so Arata had to wait there.

“But when exactly did he run off? Was it when he switched behind the tree? No, it would be rather that he didn’t switch but just simply run forward leaving his clone behind. But that clone did cast that energy bolt so I was sure that it was him, although at that time I didn’t exactly saw the clone casting it but rather the bolt came out from that direction. Also when I looked back the real Shin just disappeared. Well that might have been just some teleport spell, as a mage he should have one.”

Arata kept looking at the ground waiting for a yellow rune circle to disappear. The moment was drawing soon it slowly started to fade.

“All I can do is to get back as fast as possible to where Levi is. Also even though he executed his plan perfectly there is still one thing that he has to do and that is to actually take both of us down.”

And then the moment in which the circle disappeared came. Arata took off right away and run as fast as he could. He couldn’t use lighting speed as it was on coldown but even with his normal speed he was quite fast, not to mention he was sprinting. They also didn’t run that far so Arata managed to get back quite fast but still a moment too late.

-Levi.

Arata came just to see the moment in which Levi is pierced by Kei’s sword in the chest. Levi puke some blood from his mouth and with lasts of his strength tried to land one last blow on his enemy. Kei was also covered in many bruises but there was nothing too deadly and the last hit of Levi he caught in left hand on the glove. The metallic sound could be heard but then Levi just slide off Kei’s sword to the ground and fall down. There were traces of some dark circles on the ground but they were fading right this moment.

“He lost? No that’s impossible. He will just come back with his clock spell in a second.”

Arata expected or rather hoped to see that but there was nothing like that. There was no life in Levi’s eyes anymore.

-Tras heal him up! This time it is finally over.

Arata didn’t see it right away but there was Shin in some distance behind Kei and Levi. Vatras came quite quickly but rather than healing Levi up, he first picked him up and moved somewhere else, it was probably because he saw that Arata already came and he didn’t want to get in a way.

“He lost?!”

Arata had a look of not knowing what was actually going on. His eyes were open wide and he couldn’t take any action right away.

“He lost and it was because of me.”

Those were the thoughts that circled inside his head.

Upon seeing Arata’s arrival, Shin stopped using his staff to support himself but stood up normal, although it was clear that he was breathing heavily.

-eh…, I thought I will have an extra second for catching a breath but it was hard to foresee that we will have to kill that guy six times before actually killing him for real. Still, after three kills it went much easier as I spotted the weak point of that ability even so he still hold it back up until now, quite impressive don’t you think?

-…-

Arata didn’t answer to that.

-before we continue, maybe you want me to explain you how I tricked up out. You might think that I run away leaving the clone behind but in truth…-

“Yes, Levi lost because I was tricked by this guy. But it won’t be his lost as long as I defeat them.”

Arata was not really listening to what Shin was saying. Rather listening to him was the reason he ended up in this situation. Right now, rather than speaking, Arata just felt like killing of that guy. And so Arata started to run forward.

-my plan getting some rest while talking did not work, Kei!…

Kei rushed in Arata’s way to stop him.

[Black dash]

Arata was not interested in him though. When they got in range, Arata simply activated his skill and went pass through him while leaving new busies on his body.

After he went through, there was a clean way to Shin open for him. Shin shot out some weird green spell at Arata. Arata had no idea of what element it was so he couldn’t slice it, that’s why he simply dogged it to the left, losing one second was not much.

-Kei! Switch on two, one, now!…

Shin shouted the counting and in half a second it was already ‘now’. And then just before Arata was going to cut off his head in place of Shin, Kei appeared who managed to block the attack with his left hand glove protector.

-Kei! We will do ‘that’ again but I need to catch a breath first as it won’t work on someone like him if we do it now. Buy me, two minutes, in case he run after me we will simply switch again. It will make the waiting time longer but that is the only thing we can do!

Shin was shouting out everything out loudly. It was completely different in comparison to how he usually was. Still, because he was shouting out loud, Arata found out his position. Shin was now staying in the place in which Arata passed by Kei. Arata didn’t waste much time and he turned around instantly and rushed at Shin. There was little Kei could really do to stop him.

-switch!

This time without counting Shin shouted out loud and once again they changed their position this time it was way earlier than before. Still Arata could not stop momentarily and go back as he had too high speed. From Shin’s position Kei also rushed forward at him and pierced forward with his sword, stretching his right hand forward. Arata had no other choice but to parry it away but the moment he did so Kei let go of the sword. In his hand a small fireball appeared and he threw it out forward from a close range. Despite Arata’s ability to dodge, that attack was not something he could dodge so he took it on the chest. This attack did stop him from continuing with his follow up attack with other sword. And in the midst of his stop, Kei bypass him and took the position in which he blocked the path to Shin.

“I should stop attacking recklessly, that guy won’t run away anyway. Also the order in which I kill them does not matter.”

Arata realized that it might be quite hard to get to Shin while this guy is blocking him and taking Kei lightly was also not something he wanted to do.

“He said something about two minutes, I don’t know what plan they have but two minutes is enough for me.”

Arata started attacking Kei at full power. Unlike his opponent, Arata was in top condition right now. Kei was barely holding Arata’s attack back. First he parried away the black sword then he block out the red one with his glove, then he got a bruise on the left arm as he only managed to change the direction of black sword from heart to a little left and then he got stabbed in the right thigh.

Kei was really good, best proof to that was that he was still alive under Arata’s assault but he already was tired after the fight with Levi. Also no matter how good he was, there really weren’t that many people that could stop Arata’s full assault in pure swordsmanship. Still Kei was really good and he managed to reduce the damage from killings blows to the ones that didn’t kill him.

“Not bad but if you really think you should be blocking sword with a hand you got it a little wrong.”

Arata pushed back Kei’s sword and attacked with other. As suspected Kei blocked it with his glove but the moment he did so Arata attacked at his open arm. The black sword was about to cut it out but then Kei made a fast movement backward and in a second get back by two meters. Still seeing that incredible move Arata followed up with his attack.

[Sword enchant: wind]

[Sword slash]

The invisible arc went after Kei and although he see through that his current movement capabilities only allowed him to move a little to the right which ended up with left arm hand being cut off.

“If you want to use game skills then I will also use them, still this guy would be quite interesting if he was fighting at his full power.”

Arata thought like that but in fights there was nothing like a mercy on your opponent. It would be rather rude to go easy on him.

Arata rushed at him and pierced forward but the moment he was going to pierce through Kei, Shin appeared at that place.

-ha…

Shin couldn’t help but made a sound when Arata’s sword pierced him, but moment later he get away from Arata who was clearly surprised to see him.

Although the blood was leaking from his belly Shin shouted out loud.

-Kei, that’s enough I will take it from there!

-what the hell are you doing! Jumping right on the sword!

Kei was not happy by the quick rescue.

-you already took enough blows so it should be my turn now. Anyway we abandon that tactic. I will think of something else and win you this fight so resign from it already.

-as if he gave you the time for thinking new plan! Let’s go with ‘that’ in full sacrifice style that’s the only thing we can do right now!

-no! There are still few things that have a chances of…-

-whatever it’s my fight and this time you joined my team so I have the final word!

Shin and Kei right now were completely different than usual as they were shouting at each other.

“I don’t want to spoil the fun but whatever you do, you have no chance of victory.”

Arata once again moved forward.

-fine!…

Shin shouted out loudly and cast some spell underneath him. The green circle appeared under him on the ground.

-switch!…

And then in a second once again Shin and Kei changed their positions.

“I finally figured out how that switch spell works. Two people have to be on two green circles and they can switch places. Strange, I didn’t realize it before.”

-Kei, I don’t know if you can do that in your condition but you wanted it so here I go, full course control!

Shin stuck his staff into the ground and from it a numberous black circles started to appear one after another right next to each other. The ground was completely covered by them in a second.

“What is it some large area spell?”

Arata expected something like flames coming out from those circles right away but that didn’t happened. This skill had completely different purpose.

“That guy is already done for I will take Shin first.”

Arata decided that it’s best to just interrupt the spell before it does anything but Shin’s spell was already ready.

-course 5-10-1-out!

Shin shouted out loud some code.

Arata was still focused on Kei but then out of sudden Kei disappeared right before his eyes and a second later Arata received a blow at his right arm. Only thanks to his armor his arm was not cut out.

“What?”

Arata looked to his right but there was nothing there, on the other hand he felt a blow that came at him from the left and it went on his back cutting through everything. Arata wanted to look back but even before he did that Kei appeared right before him little on the left and pierced at his neck.

Arata barely managed to dodge it but there was still a wound on his neck after that attack. Also when the attack finished Kei fly away back about five meters away in a blink of the eye.

-next 10-3-10-3-6 go!

Shin once again shouted out loudly and second later Kei once again disappeared right form before his eyes.

“Teleporting all around the place, then attacking from where I can’t see? They will get me in an instant with that. What’s with this overpowered spell?”

Arata had no idea what to do so in the end he just decided to rush at Shin right away. He was running while taking the blows from all around the place, still because he was moving he could reduce the damage by getting out from the range before Kei manages to strike him. Should Kei appear before him Arata would simply block it away.

“With this I can still make it, and after I kill Shin this combination should stop.”

Arata was already closing in on Shin.

-now that’s what you wanted Kei! Sacrifice 0!

Arata was once again just a step away from Shin and he swing the sword but in that moment Kei appeared right before him and stabbed him with his sword right into the chest, in a similar spot that he stabbed Levi. Still Arata’s sword did not stop and Kei’s head was cut off.

Kei’s body fell to the ground first. Arata was still standing and right before eyes there was Shin with his staff no longer in ground.

“Ah I will pass out in a second but…”

Arata felt like his time was coming soon though.

Shin was not in range Arata’s sword could reach. Arata’s movements were already dull but even so Arata was trying his best to pull the red sword in his hand upward. But Shin was not sitting by idly he casted some purple spell right on Arata’s feet. Arata could not really do anything about it, not that he needed to do anything as he was already one leg in a coffin. He was already betting everything on this last card.

[Sword slash]

With his last strength he made a swing upward but there was nothing apart from this and his flying arc was not send out.

Soon after, Arata fall to the ground and lost consciousness.

The only one who stood victorious in this tag battle was Shin.

[You are kept alive by seed of reborn

If no one will rescue you in five minutes you will be dead.

Penalties for death are the same as usual.]

Arata has fallen into the darkness and there he waited. But he didn’t really have to wait long as he was brought back to the world after no more than a single minute.

Arata’s eyes suddenly opened and there were no traces of previous wounds rather he had really refreshing felling. It was as if he just left the pool filled with warm summer water.

Right before his eyes Arata saw one face looking at him from above.

-healing completed Vatras…

Mika reported the situation.

-Arata, do you still feel something hurting you, if yes then please say so I will get to it right away…

Then she asked him with worry in her eyes.

-I will check everything just to be sure, does it hurt here?…

She then started to touch Arata in all the places on which he had wounds before.

-or here? Or here? Or here?

-no, no I am fine.

-then do you have some trauma after dying? If so I will try my best to ease it.

-hey, Mika you don’t have the time for it, you are next in the roaster…

Hiro voice came from somewhere.

-also he is as good as ever or probably even better. Say Arata, right now you are probably feeling refreshed, aren’t you?

Arata sit back on the grass and looked at Hiro who was standing there.

-as refreshed as someone might feel after losing. But my body yes, it feels refreshed. Is it always like that after you get resurrected?

-Tras spell is not convenient enough to call it a resurrection spell as for feeling refreshed. It because of Mika’s healing spells.

-you shouldn’t get up already!

Mika scolded Arata when he tried to get up.

-no, I really fine. Thank you for the help.

-em, em… it was nothing… it… it’s just a healer job.

-maybe but I don’t think checking my condition so thoroughly is also your job so thank you.

-em… em… .

Mika could not say anything back to Arata’s straight thanks.

-Arata, if you want to hit on my sister then first you have to break out with your girlfriend and show me that you are serious about it. Otherwise know that there are serve consequences for your actions.

Instead Hiro voiced his thoughts.

-em… emm… .

Mika started to panic even more.

-I am not hitting on her nor will I so rest easy.

Arata answered normally.

-I just told you so you understand. Anyway how do you feel after losing?

-you can tell that I am not happy about by it. By the way how long was I out?

-two or maybe three minutes, look over there. After the fight Shin just fell on the ground and he still is resting there trying to catch the breath.

“Much shorter than I thought.”

Arata stood up on his feet.

-you really shouldn’t be walking right now!

Mika once again tried to talk him into lying down for a minute.

-yes later, I have something to do…

Arata answered and walked in the direction where Shin was lying on the ground.

-just like everyone said, you really can’t lose a team battle, can you?

Arata said that to Shin and then starched his hand to help him stand out. Shin caught on that and Arata pulled him up.

-you know, it does feel strange to be helped out to stand up by someone you just killed…

Shin said it first. It was really strange indeed.

-still, I can’t agree to what you said. It’s rather my teammates that always win those games when I am with them and not the other way around.

-yes and your perfect plays throughout this match were thanks to luck.

-well, I couldn’t explain it better. In order to win everything needed to be carried out. There was no room for errors. You guys are really too strong for me.

-I don’t feel good hearing it from someone who just beat me.

-but I didn’t beat you did I. In truth I didn’t land a single successful attack on you or Levi, it was all Kei’s work.

-then, how about that last purple spell right before I passed out? It clearly did hit me.

-that also does not count as it wasn’t an attack but only anti-magic rune. I had to cast it or else you would slash me in half, wouldn’t you?

-that was my plan but you did see through it.

-see through it, no. I don’t try to rally on that. Reading your opponent, sure it sounds nice but in my case even if I managed to read what someone will do, it would still lead to me not being able to counter it. If I tried to read you in this fight you would definitely end up doing things, I would not be able to do anything about.

Shin explained.

-so if you didn’t read me then what?

-if we are talking about that last moment, then what you did was your only option left. Well that or dying without doing anything but I did believe that you will succeed regardless of your odds, which were quite low at that time. But if we are talking about battles in general, I do not try to read what my opponent will do. Arata do you think you can see completely through the battle flow?

-probably not but I wouldn’t be surprised that you could, after seeing what you did.

-no I can’t, it is impossible to see through the battle flow completely, that’s why, rather than doing that I try to control that flow. If I control the battle flow I can make it go where I want, meaning to my victory. As long as you control the flow of battle you win the battle no matter who your opponent is. Although depending on the situation and your opponents controlling the flow can be impossible which means the only lead to defeat, no matter what you do.

-you have some interesting theory.

-it’s not just a theory I also put it into practice. That is why we won this fight. I managed to change the flow to go through ‘this little brook’ that lead to our victory and avoided the large sea of our lose.

-a win is a win and that’s why I will be waiting for a rematch.

That was what Arata wanted to say from the start.

-I would really prefer to avoid that. Also if we were to fight again, it could only be in the finals to which I won’t get to.

-if you try hard enough you will. Then even if you don’t there might also be another team battle.

-well there is one more card for team battle there to draw, it’s a six vs six but it also has a condition that won’t make us be able to fight in it. You will understand what I meant when it got draw.

Shin explained.

-in that case just get to the final.

-You say it like nothing but for what I know I will probably end up axed in the first round.

-then don’t get axed and control the flow.

Arata gave him sarcastic answer.

-yes I will think of that. For now I will be getting rest so I don’t have to delay my fight which happens after this one…

Shin returned walked to his previous spot near the table on which tournament standings were.

-Mika, I know that you have a fight in a minute but could you cast a ‘refreshing spring’ one me?

In a half way Shin asked.

-yes, right away!

Mika casted her healing spell on him without delay. Shin was surrounded in the light azure in color of the see. His tired look changed completely in a second.

-ah, I really feel glad that you are here with us.

Shin answered like that.

-em… emm… .

And Mika’s reaction was same as always.

Arata also returned to his usual spot to where Levi, Rin and Yume were waiting. Julia went somewhere else during that fight.

-sorry, I have lost.

Arata said it right away to Levi.

-what are you talking about it was my fight and my lose. I did say that I can take two of them at the same time but it seems that I couldn’t do it.

-yes but it was my fault that you had to fight them both. I was completely tricked out by that guy.

-you know what Arata, even though I lost I don’t feel too bad and you know why?

-no idea.

-it is because when I fought with both of them, I gave them a hard time even though they fought me full power but when you fought them their steam was already running out. I also saw how you couldn’t do anything to stop them, which was a beautiful sight that pleased my eyes.

-I also gave them hard time and even killed one of them and nearly killed the other one too.

Arata started defending himself although he did not think so himself.

-haha, yes this lost was worth much more than a win could. By the way, the story of how you got tricked like some newbie, save it for some other time when I am in a bad mood.

-… .

-hahahaha.

Yes, Levi was not really concerned about his loss.

-now, now. Don’t be like that. There was no other way that it could end.

-you too Yume? Ah, I really did a bad job.

Arata commented.

-no, no it’s definitely not your fault that Levi lost his fight.

-then whose fault it was?

Arata asked.

-Levi lost the fight because of the mistake he made at the start.

-what mistake?

-he allowed Shin to be chosen as a party member. I think the others already told you but Shin never loses the team fights when he is chosen as a party member in this tournament no matter what. Choosing anyone else but Shin as the person you don’t want to fight against is like asking for a lost.

Yume explained.

-I won’t agree to that. Levi did choose wisely. He did prevent both me and Arata as his potential enemies. He should have won that fight.

Rin interrupted.

-then why did I lose then? You will tell me that I was not strong enough?

Levi ended up asking Rin as he had a chance.

-no, you fought really good. Actually it was my first time seeing how far you can go in the fight, you are much better than I thought. I changed my mind about you. During the fight, you will not only, not get in my way but also there might be a lot of use for you.

-well I don’t know if that was really a complement but that was the nicest thing you said to me so far so thank you.

-in that case Rin, why do you think that Levi lost?

Yume end up asking.

-well if I had to choose one then it’s because Arata’s is an idiot for agreeing to any conditions that was given to him by ‘that man’. Other reason would be because Arata’s is an idiot and after agreeing to that condition he fell for a child play and got grounded for twenty minutes in a forest. Then my third choice would be, because Arata’s is an idiot and even after returning from that forest he didn’t managed to defeat two guys who were out of their breath after the fight with Levi but not because he couldn’t do it but because he thought he will win anyway and he got way serious too late.

“Aua. I did know it but hearing it from her hurts even more. And why all answers start with, because Arata is an idiot?”

-I see, well I normally don’t blame others for my mistakes but Arata, we lost because of you. Ah, somehow I do feel a little better after saying it.

Levi ended up saying after hearing Rin’s explanation.

-in that case you should choose miss perfect rather than me. Maybe you wouldn’t have lost then.

Arata answered.

-of course he wouldn’t, I am not as naive as you.

Rin stated the fact.

-is that so, then I can’t wait to see what you will say after it will be your loss.

-that won’t happen. There is no one here that can beat me.

-aren’t you forgetting about someone?

Arata was quite offended by her last comment.

-you mean you? Do not flatter yourself Arata. For all I know you might get knock out in the next round by that girl in the wait. Knowing you, you will underestimate her because she is a girl just like you always do, then you will get defeated before you realize how big mistake it was. I can already see it in my eyes. It would be so like you.

-heh, the simplest way to prove you wrong is to defeat you in the final so we will return to this conversation then.

Arata tried to answer calmly.

-yes, that’s what I am talking about. You already assume that you will win everything. Right, I forgot. You do not underestimating only girls, you are underestimating everyone.

-I am not underestimating anyone but just stating the fact.

-and that fact is ‘there is no way that I will lose to anyone’, that’s what you always kept saying but you should have already know that just being a genius with master’s blood in you doesn’t automatically make you win. Or did you forget about this already?

-don’t return to that manner again! We already sorted it out long ago.

-yes, we did but I think you did forget about it, but don’t worry I will remind you that being a genius can only lead you that far.

-only you ever called me a genius though and you are wrong about it. Still even though I am not a genius I will still be enough to defeat you. Forget the finals, let’s do it right here right now!

Arata ended up proposing the fight.

-very well. But I can’t help but laugh when I think how easy it will be to defeat you here right now.

And Rin agreed to it.

-you asked for it!

Arata grabbed the hilts of his swords.

-hey Arata, you won’t…-

Levi wanted to say something but he didn’t finish as Arata unsheathed his swords and rushed at Rin. Rin looked ready for the blood as well. It didn’t seem like anyone could stop it now.

-Rin! Arata! You shouldn’t…!

Yume tried to call out but when for the first time their swords clashed there was no longer time to stop it.

“I have waited too long for this.”

Arata couldn’t help it but his body was full of excitement. He didn’t feel like that in his previous fight. That excitement was something he could only feel while fighting against Rin.

Hit after hit, parry after parry, four swords were making a loud noises one after another.

This informed every one of the situation and even though there should be another fight starting now, everyone ended up looking at Arata’s and Rin’s fight.

Unlike the arena, this wasn’t a static fight. Arata didn’t want to repeat the last process in which he got overwhelmed, that’s why rather than just making a clashing contest he switched to hit and run tactic.

Arata attacked with both swords from up right corner slashing down to left down corner. Rin spin on a foot and also with both swords pushed it away upward then she made another spin and horizontally with both swords attacked at Arata open side. Arata jumped back to avoid that. After the sword passed by at that space, he rushed forward while making two piercing attacks at Rin. Rin parried it away from the middle to the outside and Arata’s swords went in both directions out to the open then from that range she kicked forward with her left leg. Seeing it Arata used his right leg to kick Rin’s leg upward. But that didn’t go too far up and he only managed to stop the kick. After that Rin attacked with the right sword at his side, Arata blocked it out with his left sword and then he jumped back to make a distance again. But the moment he did that Rin also jumped forward right after him. From there she did a series of attacks and Arata went right into only defense. Slowly but surely, Rin was getting the upper hand in the fight. Throughout the fight, she was getting faster and faster with time.

“Shit, it will be like the last time if I continue like this.”

Still even though Arata did want to change the way they fought Rin did not let him. Arata realized that Rin cannot use that speed right away and she just awakens it in the middle of combat, if he were to make the conformations shorter she would lose that advantage but Rin simply did not allow him to do so.

“Should I use game skill to turn it around? But if I do that, it will be me losing even if I managed to win the follow up. And I don’t think I can win the follow up anyway. Especially now, I have lighting speed on coldown and not enough mana for more than two sword slashes. If I turn it into skill battle now, I will be at disadvantage…”

-what are you spacing out for!

Rin who was continuing to attack him ended up shouting at him and then second later Arata’s swords were thrown into the air as Rin struck it out of Arata’s hands. Arata’s eyes instantly followed the swords up to the air. He lost the sight of Rin who circled around him while spinning and she got to his back. She also was standing backward to him. Her arms however were stretched upward and the swords that she was holding were crossed in a cross right before Arata’s neck.

-a.

Arata didn’t know what to say, he got defeated even before he realized it and before he even managed to think of a plan.

-it is not my third win but it is your third lost…

Rin said to him and continued..

-I just hope it will make you open your eyes.

Rin stated and took away the swords from Arata neck. Then she simply walked away.

-wait Rin, I really didn’t underestimate you and what do you mean third lose?

-it’s the third time that you lost against me. Apart from today there was also the time that I killed you and the one in arena…

“Right I did forget about the first one. That on shouldn’t count. Although if I were to explain why I lost back then it would sound like I am making excuses.”

-and I will definitely not believe you that you didn’t underestimate me…

Rin continued.

-just look at your swords that I took away from you with ease, did you also forget master rule. Whenever you lose or win you can’t let go of your weapon unless you are dead. In arena you managed to keep that rule but just look at yourself now.

-Rin I…-

-I don’t want to hear your excuses. Also going back to the arena, even then you did underestimate me in the end.

-no at that time I definitely was doing the best I can.

-at that time I thought that as well but that was only until I saw your fight with the crimson knight, that is because in that fight you did go all out. In fights against me, or the one you fought today, you never tried as hard as back then. You kept on saying that you will win no matter what happen, but in the end you won’t try to keep that word and when you lose it doesn’t seem like you care about it at all. But it was always like that for you, wasn’t it? Throwing some empty words around is just like you. Now that I think about it, yours ‘let’s get the world first and complete the quest of rank 3’ is one of those isn’t it?

-no that’s.

-it’s this isn’t it? It completely fits your usual formula. Arata I will tell you your own words so listen carefully. You can’t compete for world’s first unless you believe that you can do it and really try your best for it, but seeing that you won’t try your best anyway, maybe you should leave this quest to me and Levi and just go the hell you want!

Rin ended up shouting at him.

-no Rin I got it wrong.

-yes, I might have gone overboard a little but you can’t blame me for that. It should clear your mind though, so as you said before, prove me wrong by getting to the finals and there, fight against me with whatever you got.

With that Rin walked away. Everyone who ended up watching, which meant everyone present started to pretend that they didn’t see anything.

“Well she might have caught me off guard when I started analyzing the situation and looked for a way to victory and it’s really embarrassing to get both swords knocked out like this but I did gave it my all. That is why I tried to think of other way. Same was with Arena, at that time I also tried my best in vain. The only fight where I have an excuse is the first one but I am not even counting that one. Still on other two, during the fight Rin goes into the speed that I can’t keep up with, it’s simple as that! What does she expect me to do then? The only thing that I can do is try out the skill battle and that is my plan for the final, but I still don’t expect it to change the outcome.”

Arata did not know why Rin thought like that but he definitely was not underestimating her and he was definitely not going easy on her.

-we might have a short break but now we are returning to the tournament. There are still four fights before the first round finish.

Musashi continued like nothing has happened. In the meantime Arata returned to where he usually sat but there was silence and no one said anything to him, well except of Levi that is.

-ahaha, you lost the second fight in a row.

It did ease the atmosphere a little but it didn’t seem like Rin is going to add anything to what she already said.

-the next competitors had enough time to get ready so without further ado, Kuma draw the card.

The fight that was going to be held right now was between Kuma, the largest of all here in size. A cat-man beast, that used nothing else but his claws to destroy his opponent. That was Arata’s first impression of the guy but it looked like he was using not only his claws but also steel claws that he had on hands. Those were three lines of blades.

His opponent was a petite girl with azure hair.

-do your best Mika!

There were many who supported her with shouts but the fight did look like it was already decided even before it started adding to that the card that Kuma draw make it even worse.

-scenario:…

Kuma started reading it out loudly the moment he took it out.

-your enemy is using a magical barrier that deflects any of your range attacks. He cast it around himself in two meter radius that means if you want to hit him you have to bypass the barrier and attack only from no more than two meters range. Condition: you can only attack from a short range of two meters. You won’t be disqualified if you get it wrong by few centimeters or if your enemy jumps away from you at last moment. Still although rules are flexible you can’t do something like firing from five meters range at your opponent as it will be cheating with the intention.

-eh, you got unlucky.

Kuma said.

-I would lose anyway so it’s not like it changes much.

Mika stated.

-Mika! Don’t give up yet and fight with your all. Also don’t worry about anything if you make a mistake I will come to save you so nothing will happen to you!

Her brother was trying to give her courage.

-Yume, is that girl as weak as she looks?

Levi ended up asking.

-well, she is really good healer if not the best one we have but when it comes to her fighting by herself, it simply will not work. She always had this attitude in which she doesn’t want anyone to get hurt so she is always holding back on attacking.

Yume didn’t even try to make it sound better but just said the whole truth. It was not something she would be able to hide anyway.

-ready! Set! Go!

Upon Musashi’s mark Kuma ended up charging with his large body at Mika. Seeing it Mika ended up making a step back one after the other but she ended up tripping over her robe and she fall back to the ground. Still from there she casted some water spell and shot it out at Kuma. Still that slowed Kuma only for a second. Also, it looked like he didn’t want to prolong it for too long so he attacked at Mika who was lying on the ground without giving her a chance to stand up. Still the moment he did it, there appeared a purple flash in the air above Mika and from it Hiro appeared. Still, because he appeared in a place like this it was now unavoidable that it will be him instead who will take the Kuma’s charge but it didn’t seem like Hiro was willing to take it. He appeared in the air in unusual position as if flying in the air horizontally. Then in his right hand a flash appeared and after which he spin his body in the air and right before Kuma came at him he thrusted his hand forward. From his hand the large missile of water came out, as large as Kuma himself. Upon the hit Kuma was sent flying right away with incredible speed. As water was continuing to push him back Kuma ended up breaking through three trees trunks before actually stopping.

Hiro landed in class and then he helped his sister to stand up. And then he made a chop on her head.

-you are really hopeless Mika.

Hiro just commented and returned with her to where they have been sitting so far.

-the winner Kuma!

Musashi announced the winner even if it was the winner who got the hard beating. Still it seemed like he had quite an endurance as he stood up without much problems.

-in comparison to Mika thought, her brother is really strong when it comes to fighting and from what I seen so far, even though he was on a break he ended up getting even stronger during it. Kuma is quite strong but he ended up pushing him away like it was nothing. Actually I don’t know when did Hiro got this good? Even though we are both mages the gap between us is so huge.

Yume commented.

-it is because he is training seriously while you take your time on drinking the tea and practically never train at all. You fighting activities are also limited only to this group, aren’t they? What else would you expect Mary?

Rin said the harsh world to her friend.

-you didn’t have to say it Rin.

-Rin, you will probably end up fighting him in a second round so how do you feel about it?

Levi ended up asking.

-I already said that there is no one that can defeat me in realistic combat here didn’t I? I just proved it to someone who had delusions. There shouldn’t be anyone else that has them.

“I can hear you.”

-so you will win? Well that what I thought.

-I won’t forget to be carefully while fighting though. I don’t go easy on opponents that might surprise me and make use of this like someone who is sitting here…

“I can hear you.”

-also I still didn’t actually saw what he can do. Well, for now I will say that he is quite promising but in the end, I won’t give him many chances for winning on the other hand you never know what might happen in a fight. You can’t go into the fight thinking that you will always win, like someone here, because it’s simply not true…

“I can hear you.”

-there is always someone better than you and there are always circumstances in which you might end up losing even if you were better. Everyone have their good days and bad days as well. Also this tournament’s structure is not just about fighting. Depending on the card you draw you might get automatic lose no matter how strong you are. Like those troll cards mentioned earlier.

-that’s more analytical explanation that I thought I will receive but I guess it holds true.

Levi answered.

-I just different from ‘someone’ who will say that he will win no matter what happens in any circumstances and against anyone at any given time.

-well thinking like that is something only an ignorant idiot would do.

-ignorant idiot? That would be a perfect way to describe a person like that.

“I can hear you. And since when did you start to agree with each other?”

Even though he really didn’t do anything special, Arata really ended up pissing off Rin even though they finally started to be on quite good terms.

-the next fight is Bran vs Shin. Hey Shin, you rested already?

Musashi ended up announcing another fight.

-more or less.

-hold on Musashi. Shin says it because he wants to lose quickly. He definitely doesn’t have all mana yet.

But Bran interrupted.

-no I do have most of it and I won’t be able to use all of it anyway, the fight won’t take that long.

-okay Bran, we will skip that fight to the end.

-no, I am already ready. I also have plan prepared.

-yea, yea whatever, think about it some more…

Musashi didn’t let Shin have another fight that soon. After all in his fight against Arata and Levi, he had a long marathon.

-apart from this fight. There are another two fights left, so yours will be after those two. If there is another team battle coming, you are not allowed to fight in those. The next fight, Rin vs Tras.

The competitors took the field.

Rin’s opponent was a large elf druid with long green hair. He was wearing brown-green leather clothing. He also was holding simple wooden staff that didn’t have any ornaments at it ends.

-Tras, you already draw the red joker so whatever you get, it won’t be worse than that.

Bras ended up comfort Vatras.

-yea.

It was clear as the sun that Vatras had no fighting spirit at all.

“Well I am not surprised.”

-Tras, I struggled to the bitter end so you also have to do it.

Shin also ended up encouraging him, although it was more like, if you don’t do it then I am giving up the next fight.

-fine, fine, just don’t expect anything.

Vatras answered.

-Rin you have the lower number so you draw the card.

Musashi continued to be the guider in the tournament. Rin ended up drawing the card. She took first one on the top and started reading it right away.

-scenario: Sometimes in fights you have to defeat your opponent quickly or otherwise something will blow up, killing your entire team in a process or at least the boss will get to enrage phase. There are also the times when if you don’t defeat you opponent quickly enough you will be overwhelmed by his reinforcements coming. The high dps is often required so in this fight you will train it. Condition: the person who drew the card has to win the fight in 10 minutes while the other one has to survive for ten minutes. The defending side should not attack on will and any of their attack should only aid them in defence. They also can’t finish off their opponents.

Rin summarized everything.

-wasn’t something like that already drawn?

Levi commented.

-at that time it was the opposite way, the person who draw the card had to defend while the other one had to attack. Usually when there is a different condition for both sides that card will be repeated so the person who draws the card has the same chances of getting both of roles.

Yume quickly explained.

“Survive ten minutes. Well, it’s definitely easier than winning against Rin in normal card. If I were to draw that card in fight against her, I would highly consider just running away in the circles just to buy some time. Although the problem would be that she would still catch me.”

-in short you have to kill Tras in ten minutes.

Musashi explained to Rin.

-thanks, Musashi.

Vatras replied.

-okay ready! Set!…

When Musashi shouted set Vatras already started casting some spell as his hands started to be surrounded by green energy.

-go!

‘Puff’ and in the second the figure of large druid disappeared, on its place however a black fearsome panther stood. Although that panther did not stay for too long as second later, it started run into the forest. Jumping from back legs to the front ones, the running speed of animal was something fearsome.

What truly fearsome was thought was that Rin who went after him with three seconds delay was already catching up. While she was touching the ground the sparks were coming out from her feet.

It probably wouldn’t take long for her to catch up. ‘Vatras the panther’ also did realize that. He ended up changing his direction to two large trees that stood narrowly next to each other. Right before them, he made a high jump in panther form. Then in the air he changed back to his normal form. There he started casting some spells on instant. While flying he touched both of the trees with his hands. Then when he landed on the ground behind them and he stopped running.

The trees that Vatras touched started to move out of sudden. Before Rin arrived at that spot rather than two trees those were two wooden giants.

-Vatras is cheating already. Rules said no attacking.

Back in the place where everyone was Bran commented.

-hmm, I would classify that as doing anything to survive so it is his defense.

Musashi argued back. In the first place most of those cards didn’t have strict rules anyway so something like that could be ignored. Also right this moment, Vatras was definitely not thinking of attacking.

Although Vatras stopped running, Rin did not slow down her pursuit at all. One of the reason for that might be because right now she didn’t actually see Vatras as things that he summoned or rather ‘awaken’ were getting in her way.

The trees were in moveable forms. Their roots became their legs and their branches became their hands. The one on the Rin’s right, ended up using his new acquired hands and swing it horizontally near the ground. It was a large scale attack that was in fact really hard to avoid as its area was few meters.

Upon getting in the range of that attack Rin smoothly jumped upward and went over that strike. She even made a flip in the air as her legs went all the way over her head. Then after landing she cut to the right, as the other tree-man smashed downward at her position.

Although two giant moving trees would probably stop many, Rin passed them with ease. She didn’t have to kill them so she simply ignored them, they didn’t look as if they would be able to chase her afterwards.

But then when she was going to continue forward, right before her flying creepers were coming at her. And they were covering the area of three meters in every direction. It was Vatras attack. He did foresee that his diversion with tree-man would not work. Their purpose was rather to buy him a little bit of time and hide him for a moment so he can prepare his spell.

Vatras effort finally paid off as Rin had to stop running forward. She looked at the attack, not really knowing what to do. When creeps came near her she cut them off with her sword but that only the cut out part stopped moving and the more was coming as well. Then because she stopped moving the tree-mans behind her managed to turn around and once again with their branches attacked her. The attacks were now coming practically from everywhere.

“Wow, he got her.”

That was what something that one could thought, when he did not know what Rin can actually do.

Rin started to spin on her foot with use of great spell. The swords that she held in her arms started to swirl so fast that the illusion of a red typhoon could be seen, or rather the hurricane. Then when Vatras attacks came in contact with it, everything was repelled and cut down in the process. It didn’t matter if it was a thin creeper or a thick branch of the tree-man. Everything was cut down to the small pieces.

When Rin stopped spinning there was no more creepers coming her way and the tree-man’s no longer had anything but their trunks left as their roots were also eaten in the process. In short they become useless.

“I did forget that apart from those flying red things she has many other spells that I don’t even know about. Is it really that good of an idea to bring it to skills focused fight?”

Arata once again doubted his plan.

Even though his attack ended up in a complete failure, Vatras did not give up. After Rin stopped spinning he ended up sending out three green bolts in her direction and after that he started casting another spell. This time however Rin did not let him finish. She did not take the longer route just because Vatras attack was coming her way. She simply slipped through the narrow gap between two attacks as she moved she turned her upper body sideway. The green bolds ended up going right before her belly and right after her back but they did not hit her. Rin continued forward and finally when she was three meters away from Vatras she instantly speed up and in a second she was already sticking her red sword in Vatras left side of the belly. Although, her plan was to hit right in the middle. After landing one hit, Rin wanted to follow it up with the second one right away but despite having a sword in his belly. Vatras parried away the second attack without delay. Then he managed to push Rin away by casting another green bolt right at her. She was pushed back only by half a meter when she dodged but that time was enough for Vatras to cast another spell right away. Underneath Rin’s feet the ground started to move and then a tree started to grow there in instant. Rin ended up being pulled upward by it as she stood right in the middle. Although seeing the tree coming out of nowhere, she did not have an intention of staying there for any second so in she jumped back even before rising one meter.

Still that time was enough for Vatras to cast a healing spell on himself. Then when Rin started to run at him once again he jumped down to the ground at his hands, it looked strange but the moment before he landed, he once again turned into black panther. In that form he decided to attack Rin with his claws, still what happened after that could be described only as one sided massacre.

Rin completely dodged the incoming attack and as she got on the left of her enemy she sliced Vatras belly and even the organs started to fall down. Still Vatras did not give up then and because Rin did not follow up that attack he managed to get away by one meter and cast emergency healing spells on himself. The process continued two more times like that and each time the damage was so great and wounds looked so awfully that everyone thought that Vatras will drop dead. But Vatras continued to regain his vitality and the green lights were floating near his wounds and closing it up. Still after three exchanges like this, Rin did no longer want to see it. She attacked once again and this time she attacked right at the panthers head. Still in his panther form Vatras had a lot of agility and he managed to dodge that by hair. But then she made follow-up attack with a second sword that cut off one of his front legs. And then when Vatras lost his mobility another follow-up came and this time from a spin, Vatras’s head ended up being cut off.

-the winner Rin!

Musashi announced the end of another fight. Rin sheathed her swords back and like nothing returned to her standard location. Vatras was healed up by other healers in no time.

-it went good but that’s all you could hope after drawing the red joker.

Bran tried to cheer him up.

-the most important thing is that it’s already after me. I don’t want to repeat it ever again.

Vatras replied.

-so how was it Rin?

-…-

Arata asked but he did not get a reply.

-hahaha, she is ignoring you now.

Levi would use every occasion to laugh at Arata.

-no she is not.

-is that so then… hey Rin how did you enjoyed the fight?

-luckily I didn’t get any stupid condition. I had to just win in ten minutes. As for my opponent, apart from having few interesting spells I must say that he was quite persistent as he fought till I cut his head off.

-thanks for summaries, another question, do you start ignoring Arata?

-no, I just don’t want to take his time as he has some things to think about.

-what things?

-well, he needs to think really hard as how to not piss me off in the finals…

“But, I didn’t do anything!”

Although her responses to Levi were calm it didn’t look like Rin did forgive Arata yet.

-that is if he even gets to them. And that is if I get to them.

-but I don’t see you losing here.

-I already said that it’s not impossible. For example if in this fight instead of that druid I had one of the tanks as my opponent then they would have quite high chances of surviving those 10 minutes if I didn’t get really serious with them.

“So if you got really serious you would still manage?”

-the next battle, Hiro vs Yume. Get ready both of you!…

Musashi announced from afar.

-I will be going…

Yume left them and went to her fight.

-you will go easy on me, right Hiro?

She asked her opponent after arriving.

-not this time.

Hiro answered and draw the card as it was his turn. But then when he inspected the card his face grew long.

-no wait, really?

Hiro said out loudly not believing what he just got.

-hey, Hiro what did you get? Seeing your face it’s a card that is really great for you, isn’t it?

Bran commented sarcastically. In the meantime Hiro looked through his inventory and once again took out two red swords. When he made sure he got them ready he started reading.

-scenario: you just got mana drain by some creature, or you simply spend it all during the fight. Still the new enemies keep on coming and they are as healthy as ever. Despite not having any energy left you still have to fight against your enemy. Condition: the person who draws the card gets mana drained for real by the one who composed this challenge. Then the other party has no minuses and is free to attack with all their powers. The winner wins… Shin what is with that one sided super unfair card for mages!?

Hiro really had to complain this time. His luck so far was really great.

-em… think of it another way, it’s a perfect training for you…

Shin answered although even he was not sure of his words.

-anyway as instruction said, I will mana drain you right now so don’t move.

-I could just not use any mana, again.

-no this time it’s a little different. You will by dried to 0 mana but should you regain some you can still use it. On the other hand mana drain also drain’s you vitally so you will get the full experience of not having any mana.

-you don’t have to keep it that real.

-that’s how the rules were stated. Prepare for the shock as here I go.

The bundle of blue energy emanated from Shin’s hand and it landed at Hiro’s right shoulder. Then through that bundle there was a clear image of something blue going through it. And as it went on and on Hiro’s face became less and less colorful and then finally he ended up falling back on the ground.

-hmmm, I didn’t expect a mage to get that card. Actually draining so much mana out from someone’s body is quite dangerous especially in Hiro’s case when he has so much of it. Maybe it wasn’t my best idea, still the rules are the rules. Well he won’t die from this.

With that Shin returned to his usual spot.

-I guess Hiro is not ready but, set! Go!

Musashi signaled the start of the fight. Hiro did not do any effort to stand back to his feet. Yume could use this occasion to strike at him but she didn’t do so.

-I won’t feel too good winning like that.

-Yume! Don’t wait till he gets better and attack him while you have a chance!

From tribunes Vivi gave her advice.

-it’s his fault for drawing that card. Unfairness is an essence of this tournament.

Flynn also added few words.

-yes but what the point?

Yume was not convinced.

-‘cough’, ‘cough’, Yume, know that when you lose this fight, you will become a mage failure.

From the ground Hiro said those words to motivate Yume.

“When you lose, hmm?”

Arata understood those words a little different though.

-fine it’s you who wanted it Hiro, also the best thing I can do for you is actually killing you right now.

It was in a sense true as aftereffect of mana drain, especially for mages was terrible. Killing Hiro off and then healing him back would get him better the fastest.

Yume end up casting a fireball right at Hiro’s location. Still seeing it, Hiro managed to roll way from the place at which she shot. Then he managed to get somehow back at his feet. And with two swords in his hands, he rushed forward at Yume. But then after making two steps he fall right back onto the ground. This time however he did not fall completely as he stopped his fall at the hands.

Still Yume didn’t plan on making it easy on him so she casted an earth fist bolt which hit hard Hiro from the left and make him fall back to the ground. Then after that, she started to cast another really large fireball, so large that Hiro would have no chance of avoiding it.

-go Mary!

Surprising as it was Rin was loudly cheering for her friend.

-Arata I think that this fight describes precisely how unfair is this tournament and that really anyone can lose in it.

-well even “you lose” troll card would be better in his position.

Arata answered to Levi.

-still it’s surprising that he didn’t give up yet. Look he is standing back once again.

Hiro once again stood up. About three meter before him stood Yume with two meters wide in radius fireball which was getting bigger and bigger. It was already too late to stop it. Still, it didn’t seem like Hiro was about to give up either. Despite being pale white he switched to the position that he failed to execute in his previous fight.

“Playing everything on one card is a tactic but if you know that card won’t work, it is no longer a tactic but stupidity. Trying to pull that out now is just as stupid as running through that large fireball which is what you are planning to do.”

Arata could read Hiro’s intention, or rather the pose he used could not be used for anything else than running forward, right into Yume and her fireball. Still, even should he succeed it would result in him burning to death instantly. That were Arata’s thought at least but only until he saw what happened.

Yume ended up creating really intense flames that would vaporize anything that came in its way. At the same time the scale of her attack was also huge. When she was content with the size of it she ended up firing it at Hiro’s location. Well it was more of pushing it at him as they were that close in range. The moment she did that, Hiro rushed forward while keeping his body low. After two steps he ran right into the fireball. From that point there was no sign of Hiro anywhere. It looked like the fight was over but then out of sudden, two swords pierced into Yume’s body. One in the neck and one in the heart. Then the moment later she was pushed away and out of the flames Hiro jumped out right on her. It was the closest way for him to jump out from.

After escaping from the fireball Hiro rolled on the ground while leaving his swords in Yume that due to that attack ended up dying instantly. Hiro who rolled away also was lying on the ground without moving. His eyes were close and the body was pale but there were no burn marks on him at all. Rather than burn marks he was covered in water as if he just went out of the pool.

-Mary!…

Rin seeing the whole thing screamed and then with incredible speed run up to her friend. Still with damages like this in two vital spots her death was unenviable.

-Mary! Someone quickly help her!

Despite knowing the fact that Yume can be healed back in a second, Rin went into a state of desperation.

-relax, of course we are going to help her. Remove those swords from her body and move away, you can leave the rest to me.

Vatras interfered. Rin did as he instructed although she didn’t move away. After few green spells surrounded wounds on Yume’s body Yume woke up like nothing.

-ah, I knew that it will end like this.

Yume said those words.

-Mary!

Rin caught her tightly.

-what are you doing now Rin?

-… .

-Rin…

There was still no response.

-Amy, I am not going anywhere…

But then when Yume used that name, Rin calm down.

-so what brought it up?

-you promised that you will never do that again.

Rin answered still in the same position.

-I didn’t die, did I? I am perfectly healthy right now, so my promise of never dying on your eyes is being kept. Anyway you should understand the structure of those fights. Look around you and you will see that nobody dies here.

-but.

-it couldn’t be helped, Hiro is much better than me. I knew it will end like this. Although after he got that card I had some hopes but even then he overcame it. By the way Tras, you should heal him up as well.

-Mika is already doing that, although I don’t think he took any real damage. But I don’t think he will wake up anytime soon. He fought in a worse condition he could ever be in, that card was too much for spell users.

Mika already did the first aid on Hiro but despite that he didn’t look any better.

-Shin, you got a little bit too creative on this one. I know that giving the most realistic experience was your goal but you saw how it went.

Musashi said to Shin.

-yes I will have to remove it in future. Although thanks to that card, I saw a glance how much Hiro developed over the break time. Although, his two fights so far restricted him from using spells. I wonder if he improved in his main domain as well.

-I am sure he did. You too know him well Shin. Some may say that he is looking down on others and has too much pride but we know the best that it is because of that pride that he is working harder than anyone else so the words he says will be true and so he doesn’t feel inferior to anyone…

Musashi answered to Shin then.

-the winner is Hiro!

He ended the fight with the announcement and now out of the whole round one, only one game remained.

-Mary, you are really bad you know that.

After returning to their spots Rin started nagging.

-I do know, so what about it?

Yume was not really concern about it though.

-don’t you want to be stronger so you don’t lose again?

-not really, I was never interested in those things.

-but you just lost, even though you had such an advantage!

-yes, but it’s only fair that I lost right, I wouldn’t feel good if I won that one anyway.

-Yume, you really have no desire to get stronger?

Arata also interfered.

-you two Arata? Why do you think it’s so important? Would I feel any better if I knew how to fight better? Would I be any happier?

-that depends but as far as I know if you are weak then you will start getting in the way of others. For example this very party.

-I never did get in their way though.

-maybe not until today, but you said yourself, that some of people here definitely improved. With time everyone will improve then they will want to do even harder things than before and to do that, they would go into extremely dangerous places. What will you do when that time comes and you won’t be able to join everyone?

Arata tried to make her understand the importance of it. In fact it was not something he came up on the spot. In games when playing with your friends you had to consider additional things than just when playing it solo. Being on about the same level and having similar level of skill was quite important. If one of two people who played together out of sudden got too much stronger the other one cannot keep up.

-what you said is definitely true and I already do know what I will do when it comes to that, as it will definitely happen one day. But I have no intention of changing the way I am so let’s not speak about it. Also it’s not my job to be good in one on one fight, I just need to make dps in group fights.

“It’s not my business I guess.”

-and now, the last fight of round one will commence. Bran vs Shin.

“I should probably focus more on this one.”

-aye, the wait has been too long.

It looked like despite what he said earlier, Bran couldn’t wait for the fight.

-but I already had enough for today.

Shin on the other hand was not really eager. Still both competitors got to their designed places.

-it’s me who is drawing the card, right? Shin which one would you like?

Bran asked.

-‘your opponent losses’ would be really good drawing right now.

Shin answered.

-that would be quite boring. I will try to get us a card that will allow us to fight on equal standing.

-I don’t think that you can change the outcome by saying it.

-I just setting my luck on the right frequency. Now hop!…

Bran took first better card out from the box and right away showed it to Shin.

-you read it.

He didn’t even check what it was.

-ah, why did we had to get this card right now?…

Shin was not really happy about the outcome.

-scenario: no matter what kind of situation you are in, the most important are the basis, that is why fighting with all you got, going all out is in fact, the best training you can get. Rather than training anything in specific train in a field that will be always important. : Condition, destroy your opponent with all you got.

-hahahaha.

Bran laughed out loud.

-Shin, it’s unlike you to make a card like this.

Musashi commented.

-I wanted to see how a normal tournament fights would look and if we should also try normal tournaments from time to time as well. There are few of us who kept repeating that they want it to happen. This card it was meant to be a tryout. But I never thought I will get that card.

-there is no escaping now. So the rules are simple, there are no rules you just have to win the fight. Bran you ready?

-ready as always.

Bran took out his crossbow and aimed at Shin already. It was quite a large crossbow with four arms at the fire. Also it had a unique look and was in colors of black and red. It didn’t seem like an item bought in shop.

-see you!

Shin disappeared in a flash as he didn’t wait for a starting count.

-whatever, battle starts!

Musashi just announced it officially although it did start already.

-hey didn’t Shin just run away?

Kuma asked.

-no, he wouldn’t do that even if he wanted, that is because the teleport range is simply not enough to get him out from Bran’s striking range.

Vatras who sit near him answered.

Although it did look comic a little and it really seemed like Shin ran away, Bran had a deadly look on his face. It was especially unusual for him.

He was waiting and waiting. It looked like he was preparing for an attack coming from any direction. But it was a false impression. At one moment he spinned to backward and fired out his crossbow at the tree which was behind him ten meters away. The belt passes that distance in an instant and went through the three, cutting it down in the process. After the tree fallen down Shin’s body could be seen. It was face of a man who was nearly killed a second ago.

“That’s some firepower.”

-Bran, go easy on me, I didn’t play for few months.

Shin plagued for mercy. Bran on the other hand answered with the crossbow. Shin ducked down and the belt went right over his head and then he rushed to another tree.

Still he wasn’t planning on hiding there as he just by passes it. Then he continued to run in the direction of the forest. His back was open wide but Bran did not shot at it, in fact he didn’t move an inch.

-ah, it’s my first time seeing it. Shin forgotten about something…

Bran started holding his crossbow with only one hand while his free hand he stretched to the left.

-Misha!…

Bran shouted the command and a large brown bear appeared at his left side. Then Bran pointed with his crossbow at the tree that Shin bypassed earlier. The bear started to run in that direction and also so did Bran.

-go from the right! I will take him form the left. Shin did you really forget that I can tell you apart from your clones with my ears. We had this fight already, didn’t we?…

Confident he jumped sideway to see behind the tree, the bear did the same.

-got you!

Bran said that out loudly but just as he was about to pull the trigger there, was nothing behind the tree.

-roar!

The bear roared out loud giving the signal to Bran but it was too late as Bran was too focused on aiming behind the tree to where he thought Shin will be. Because he was too focused he didn’t spot red circle rune that appeared at right before his feet. He ended up stepping into it and the moment he did the red pillar of flames consumed him.

-hey when did that rune appeared there? It wasn’t there a second ago, the red colored runes in forest are so visible.

Flynn asked.

-I don’t know I also didn’t see anything. Vivi what about you? Yours eyes should catch it?

Vatras answered and asked Vivi.

-it wasn’t there, it appeared a moment before Bran stopped into it.

The flame rune stopped working and Bran was cooked black. Still he was standing at his feet. Still immediately after the rune ended a barrage of white energy bolts started to hit Bran’s body from one direction and that direction was the three that he first cut down with his first attack.

“I see so he never actually left that place.”

Arata finally grasped the situation. Bran did locate where Shin hided but after the tree was destroyed it was an image that run out, passed by the tree and continued to the forest. Bran recognized that it was an image that ran to the forest and assumed that Shin hide after another tree as passing by the object and hiding behind it and letting the image run forward was one of Shin’s favorite plays. Still he did not realize that Shin didn’t move from behind the tree in the first place. Although the tree was cut it’s not like it was torn out from the ground with roots. The trunk that stayed was more than enough for hiding place.

With the barrage of magic bolts that were fired at Bran there was no other way that him falling to the ground. Still it was not an over of the fight as his bear was still there and it started running in the direction of the destroyed trunk. In that moment Shin was forced to go out in the open and he pointed his staff right at the bear with great speed. Out of the staff a yellow energy came out and it landed right before where bear was now just going and in the result bear charge was stopped. Not because the bear was KO to the ground and also not because it stopped running. It was rather than despite running it did not move forward at all. Not wasting any time, Shin started to bombard the bear with more magic bolts.

“He can attack despite while using that skill?… no, rather my assumption that he can’t was wrong in the first place as it was just clone that stood there that time.”

It didn’t take long before the bear was KO as well.

-the winner Shin!

Musashi announced Shin’s victory. Shin adjusted his glasses and walked away. In the meantime Thesar went and healed Bran back.

Shin walked up to Musashi said few words to him in a way that nobody heard anything and then continued forward in the direction of the elven village. It seemed like the tournament will be on hold for now.

-aaaa, I lost, didn’t I?

Bran managed to get up.

-happens, you got overeager to do an attack from two sides at that location.

Musashi answered him.

-I thought it was a chance for a victory. If I just send the bear he would have stop it without problem and we would be back in a square one.

-by the way, why did you think that Shin was there?

-well I could hear that the one that run to the forest was a copy as it didn’t give any sounds while stopping at the ground and it. Also Shin uses this trick quite a lot.

-you thought you read him but it was rather Shin who knew that you would see through that so he created a plan with that in mind. Well that’s Shin for you but it’s rare for him to fight seriously in this tournament.

-aye, looks like the adrenaline from his previous fight didn’t leave him. I should have taken him more serious at the start and be more careful but well I never was really patient. Anyway what did Shin said at the end?

-right. Everyone with this first round is over! The next round will be played in five hours from now which will be at 14:00! Be back at that time but until then you can do what you want.

-em Musashi! Where did Shin go?

Julia ended up asking.

-well, probably to see Hikari.

-eee!

Julia was about to sprint in the direction in which Shin went but Vatras stopped her.

-Julia, if Shin went like this without saying a word that means he doesn’t want to be interrupted.

-but I won’t let him be stolen from me by some elven girl!

-relax, remember what Shin told you. He has completely no interest in romance in the game and especially he would never go after NPC.

-I do remember that way too well!

-see, there is nothing to worry about.

Vatras managed to calm her.

-I wouldn’t say nothing, Tras. Hikari does have a hard crush on Shin.

-what!

And Bran made his efforts useless though.

-he is just teasing you Julia. From all of us, I probably visited this place most times and I never saw the signs of it. Rather she always repeated that she doesn’t want him to come to this village. Also NPCs can’t have a crush on players.

-hmm, I never heard rule that they can’t but I rather heard few stories when they did. You can ask Yume about it.

-I don’t think that her stories are realistic. Anyway Julia, you can ask anyone and they will answer the same.

Vatras continued to calm her down.

-I also didn’t see anything. Bran, you shouldn’t joke around about it with Julia around…

Musashi also interfered.

-it’s may be true she likes Shin but it’s Shin, we all like him so it’s nothing special. Also someone would definitely see through it, Shin being the first one but this is the first time I hear about it as well.

-if Musashi and Tras are saying so then it’s probably true.

Julia was convinced.

-aye, they are not lying.

Bran strangely agreed to what Julia said.

-uffff. Bran sometimes your jokes are not fun.

-don’t get me wrong Julia, I just said that they aren’t lying. But it’s because they couldn’t see anything as eyes are simply not enough to see it. I must say, Hikari does great job on hiding it or rather even more, she completely fooled everyone by her act. She is hiding her feelings under the cover of behaving like his little sister who is always angry at her brother.

-no she is not pretending, that how exactly it is. I think that she even once told me that.

-Tras, as I said you won’t see it with eyes.

-so what basis your theory has?

-it’s simple, even though she managed to fool everyone, she can’t fool herself. Even though her outside act is perfect, her body does give her out, in particular the heart.

-heart?

-yes, you do know that if I focus on someone, then I can even hear their heartbeat. That is why I know that her heartbeat increases drastically whenever she sees Shin.

-then what you said is true!

Julia couldn’t hold it.

-aye, just like Tras and Musashi weren’t lying, I wasn’t lying either. Still Julia it’s doesn’t really change you situation at all. Shin would not answer her feelings because of the way he is. It’s the same as with the fact that he will not answer your feelings either.

-is that your way of comforting!?

-yesterday I did found out the true reason why Shin won’t return your feelings. Before I thought that there might be a chance but with what he said and the way he is they are nearly zero at this point.

-Bran, don’t depress her anymore.

Vatras intervened.

-it’s better that she understands it sooner than later. It rather should be taken care of way earlier.

-maybe but the way you handle it is wrong.

-truth is painful because it’s real. Anyway Julia, did you understood already?

It really looked like Bran wanted to put an end to it.

-no and I won’t!

-you can’t act selfishly like that.

-I can and I will, I will not give up.

-sure you can do what you want. Just don’t say that no one told you beforehand. Still, when you get rejected and get depressed remember that there will be many people who will pick up your remains, so just talk with us when that happens. I for one wish you and Shin luck.

-thank you for your honest opinion, Bran.

-that’s my role, to say the truth to those who needs it.

-sometimes you overdo it though.

Musashi added.

-aye but it’s better if she knows what she stands on.

-yes, and that’s why you will tell me the true reason that you just mentioned, right?

Julia asked.

-I didn’t hear it from Shin directly but simply overheard it. That’s why I can’t share it with you.

-tell me, tell me!

-I can’t do that. I made a vow.

-Bran you could bend your vow a little this time.

Vatras intervened.

-it’s a vow because you can’t bend it. So no matter what you do, I will not spill it out.

-then how I am supposed to change Shin if I don’t know why he can’t return my feelings. Is it my look? Is it because I speak too much and he likes silence? Or does he really hate the idea of dating that much? Bran, tell me! What I am doing wrong?

-I won’t break my vow but I will tell you two things. First, one answer to your question, you are not doing anything wrong at least from Shin’s perspective. I would beg to differ though.

-if I am not doing anything wrong then what is the problem!

-I can’t tell you that as it breaks my vow of not telling others about private matters that I happened to overheard.

-then…

Julia wondered for a second and asked.

-can you tell me who did Shin tell that reason? You are not vowed to keep it hidden are you.

-aye, I can and I was even going to. You can’t make me tell you this but you might have high chances to make to other person tell you.

-so who is that person?

-as I said, I did overhear it yesterday do you have a hunch of who it was already? I don’t want to say it out loud myself as he promised Shin that he won’t tell you and if I tell you who it was then, it will be me creating trouble for him.

-but if he promised Shin then he will definitely not tell me.

-I wouldn’t have even mentioned that if that was the case. Although he did promise Shin that, he does have a stronger connection with you so you should be able to convince him.

-but with whom I have stronger connection with here?

-I already told you enough hints.

When Bran said that, Julia immediately arrived at her answer.

-ah!

Because he promised to hang out with her, or rather he was the one to offer it. Arata was waiting for Julia to finish her conversation with Bran, Musashi and Vatras. Next to him there was Levi who also waited with him. Everyone else, Rin including either log out or went to elven city. Rin and Yume went for a ‘hunt for cookies’ that could be bought only in elven shops.

-hey Arata, should I leave you two alone so you can go out for a date?

Levi asked another annoying question.

-I don’t know where that idea came to your mind but you are wrong.

-I’m just saying. Remember you just have to say a single word. Also I will not sell you to your girlfriend, no matter how will things play out.

-nothing will play out. We will be simply exploring the elven village to kill the time before the next round.

-that’s what you say but to me it looks otherwise. Also the way you asked her to go with you seemed like a date invitation.

-then you saw it wrong.

-I am just saying. Also as far as I know going around the city, village in this case and looking at pretty things only with two of you is definitely counted as a date.

-you are coming with us so it will not be two of us.

-remember, just a single word Arata.

-Levi I told you about it times and times again but I will tell you it once again so you finally understand. I do love Kotori more than anything in this world. She is the light in my life and the main reason that I even want to wake up from sleep.

-ah you are such a poet Arata.

-shut up.

-still I do understand that, what I think however is that you don’t know where you should put your line. You are too inexperienced in dating someone so you don’t know how you should behave around other girls.

-I don’t want to hear it from you mr. never had a girlfriend in his life.

-you don’t have any mercy, do you? And here I was just trying to help.

-I don’t really need it.

-then what will you do if that girl confess to you all of sudden.

-she won’t so I don’t have to worry about it.

“What Julia said about the condition between man and woman friendship is indeed true.”

-you can never be sure of it.

-she already likes someone.

-yes but unlike you she is not dating that someone. So it would be easy for her to turn her feelings to you, it’s nothing uncommon. Also if you end up spending too much time together it will definitely happen.

-it won’t.

-I understand that you can be confident about yourself. After all, you can say all those embarrassing things about your girlfriend to me who would normally use this opportunity to laugh at you.

-then why won’t you?

-because it meaningless if you state it so openly. There must have been a big storm to change you. I do wonder myself what exactly made such strong bond between you and you girlfriend. After all, didn’t you just meet in this game and just were playing together for a month or two? There shouldn’t be enough time for that.

-it’s not something that I feel like telling you.

-well, I am not asking about your love stories it would only make me depressed. Anyway returning to the topic, even though there must be a big storm for you that doesn’t necessary be the same for her.

-from what she said, she is serious.

“She even went as far as setting a friendship condition for herself.”

-you know her better so I will leave it at that.

Their conversation ended as few seconds later Julia joined them.

-is he coming with us?

She asked.

-yes, allow me to introduce.

-no need we already introduced before, right, my lady?

-I don’t have a good memory of that time, and if you don’t stop calling me lady then I won’t feel like speaking with you.

-Levi, what did you do again?

Arata asked.

-nothing! Really. Anyway, I will try not to interrupt you, also if I offended you my la… I mean Julia then it was not my intention.

-the way you speak is something I can’t take.

-Levi just turn off your knight role-play…

Arata said and continued.

-so Julia, is there a place where you want to go?

-I am little hungry so somewhere we can eat but before that Arata, there is something that you have to confess…

“Confess?”

-don’t give me that look. You were talking with Shin about me right? What did he tell you?

Julia didn’t even try to go any way around and went straight to the point.

-how did you know that we spoke? And even that we talked about you?

-you just confirmed her suspicion Arata.

Levi pointed that out.

-it doesn’t matter how, Arata. You know how important it is for me, so just tell me!

-well, I did ask him about you as I wanted to help you out but I didn’t really found out anything that might be of use for you. Also I did promise to not tell anyone.

-I also won’t tell anyone, so you can tell me…

“Did she not understand that it was no to tell anyone her being on the first place.”

-Arata, as your friend I am asking you for this favor just this once.

And so Arata found himself in a position that he couldn’t refuse.

-fine I get it.

-yupi! I love you Arata.

Julia was overjoyed.

-told you that it will be like that.

Levi added.

-if you listened to the conversation you would understand that it’s not like that.

-don’t waste time! Tell me! Tell me!

-I telling you this because I don’t really think that it’s something worth hiding.

-no you are telling it her because you can’t say no to girls requests.

-shut up Levi. Anyway, I gave Shin simple question concerning you. It was something like, ‘why don’t you accept Julia’s feelings?’ I thought that I can use his answer to give you some hints and generally help you out.

-ah, you are a true friend Arata. Doing something like that for my sake. So, what I am doing wrong? What should I change?

-there is nothing that you did wrong but as for changing, let’s see…

Arata thought for a moment and continued.

-it doesn’t have to be any of those but if you get fat or get uglier or simply become ‘hopeless being’ then your chances will definitely increase.

-…

-…

Arata’s answer completely left Julia and Levi blank.

-shouldn’t it be the opposite?

Levi ended up breaking the silence.

-you might think like that but given Shin’s answer to account I think that it might really increase her chances. So I wasn’t joking.

-Arata, you want to say that he thinks that I am too good for him?

-so you did understood Julia. The answer he gave me was that he doesn’t feel worth enough to be with you and that generally you deserve someone better than him.

-then I really didn’t do anything wrong.

-did you feel that you did?

-occasionally I was wondering if what I was doing didn’t actually angry him or that there was something he didn’t like about me or simply didn’t like me completely but… thank god, thank god…

Julia was very pleased by his answer.

-but Arata, what did he mean by that.

Then she asked.

-from where, I see it. He simply has a low self-esteem. Sometimes what he says and what he actually does are completely two different things.

-as far as I know he was always like that but I still can’t find out why. At least in this game, Shin is the most amazing person that I know and it’s not only me who think so. There are few people who stay in our group only because of Shin, and then almost everyone wanted to join in the first place because of him. Also, I don’t know if you heard but Shin is quite famous worldwide.

-worldwide? Well personally I am not that informed. Levi did you hear about that guy?

-well I didn’t think that it was him at first as I thought it was impossible but it turns out that he is the real deal. I did read few texts that mentioned him few times but I most remember him from one statistic table.

-what statistic table?

-half a year ago someone organized a survey with guild leaders of 10 major guilds. Few did refuse so it ended up in 6 guilds but still the results in one question were quite surprising. That question was, ‘if you had to list down names of three players that you wanted to join your guild who would they be?’. Out from those 6 guilds, five of them write down the name Shin of the west. I never thought that he would be someone on 100-200 level and lived peacefully here at the end of the world. The thing that even though he operates here and that all those leaders heard about him and he managed to impress them is quite impressing indeed.

-it is simply because Shin is an amazing player, he has a rare talents that others does not.

Julia added.

-then why doesn’t he have any self-esteem?

Arata ended up asking.

-I was wondering about that myself you know. After all, I joined the group when they already were quite well known. But Shin was simply always like that, everyone said so.

-I guess being recognized by some random guilds is not something that you can actually be proud of.

As always Arata was ignorant of everything.

-Arata don’t say that, they were all big shot guilds, otherwise I would not even mention it. One of them was even WhiteSuns. You have no idea how hard requirements for joining that guild are. But here, their leader declares that he would like to have some low level in his guild.

-if he was really serious about it he would end up asking him to join himself.

Arata commented.

-Arata, there was a time that it happened though. The leader of WhiteSuns himself came to Karma to speak with Shin. He did give him an invitation to join but Shin refused. That’s what others told me at least I wasn’t there yet. Still it is definitely the truth. There were many other cases with other guilds as well.

“Well it is hard to find good members after all. And from where I see it, I kind of understand why they would want to have that guy in their group. You can invite normal players that are good players but that would just add to the number. On the other hand inviting this guy could change the situation drastically and the overall output would go way up. Having a good tactic is a key to success after all.”

-by the way Arata, I just remembered a funny fact. The leader of WhiteSuns ended up also writing two other names. And one of those two names was name Arata.

Suddenly Levi commented.

“Me?”

-I think that something like that indeed happened. Hey Arata, are you famous or something?

-Julia, you are forgetting that Arata didn’t even play back then when that survey was made so it can’t be him. It’s just a coincidence that they had the same names, that’s all. EOA doesn’t restrict you when you want a name that someone else already has.

-for a moment I thought that it wasn’t impossible. After all Arata is a twilight swordsman with double-class but it’s true that he didn’t even play back then so it’s definitely not him.

That was the conclusion that Julia and Levi arrived at. On the other hand Arata couldn’t stop thinking about it since he first heard it.

“Why do you want someone who disappears without a word in your guild, Wolf? Why would you look for a betrayal like me? Why would you still remember after all that time?”

-Arata, what you said didn’t bring me any closer to finding out what I should do from now on.

In the end Julia complained.

-as long as you show him you affection it should be fine.

Arata answered.

-should be? That’s not very convincing.

-I can’t really help you on this field sorry.

-rather than asking us, you should ask someone else.

Levi added it and with that their discussion ended. They then entered to elven village and looked for some shop that sells food.

Walking around in that village was quite an experience. There were no limits as to how far everything could go in games. Houses made out of trees. The bridges between them made of their branches. Then the translucent pedestals on which people walked. Then the richer houses had blue and green were decorated with blue and green crystals. From afar those crystals were shining with small lights.

-they look like fireflies!

Julia commented.

-even the blue ones?

Arata asked.

-those are the blue fireflies.

-no I am positive that blue fireflies don’t exist.

-they definitely do, you shouldn’t give up hope and your dreams.

-well in this world they might really exist.

-see, that’s how you should think. As long as you believe in something, it will definitely come true one day.

“Ah, if only life was as easy as she says.”

Arata was not really convinced by Julia’s words.

-Julia can I ask you something?

-yes?

Levi asked and Julia answered with not so sure voice.

-why did you take such liking to Arata in such short time? From what I saw, you actually don’t have that big of connection with other people with whom you spent a lot of time already.

Levi did not hold back while asking this question.

-I won’t answer that. All I can say is Arata is my friend with whom I am not afraid to spend time with.

-that’s some strange answer, does it mean that you are afraid to spend time with others.

-I am not saying anything else to you.

-wait, don’t tell me you hate me.

Levi as always had a great popularity.

-no, because you joined us for the time being you are my friend, so I don’t hate you. Still, at the same time I don’t want to get involved with you in any way.

-but that does mean you hate me.

-well our definitions of that word is a little different I guess. If I did hate you I wouldn’t be speaking with you right now, would I?

-glad to hear that. Anyway I am not the type that wants to be liked by everyone so as long as you don’t hate me I am fine.

“He is easygoing about everything as always.”

They continued down the main road and after few minutes found the place that was selling food. They found it with the power of smell. It wasn’t a restaurant though but just small stall build in the tree. There were two elves selling and preparing food on the notice. It was in a way a food restaurant. Also the food that they were selling was strangely familiar to Turkish kebab.

-I want to try that!

Julia said right away after seeing it.

-it doesn’t look any special. It’s more like common food that they sell at every corner of the city. We should rather go for some exotic elven recipes that were made in this game.

-Levi is right, it does look like simple kebab, not that kebab is bad but we probably can easily find something better.

Arata also commented.

-kebab? I never heard of a dish like that.

-well if you are speaking like that then we will try out elven kebab. I also didn’t eat one quite in a while.

-although it looks the same the taste may be different so I am also in.

Levi also agreed and they ended up ordering three elven kebabs and eat them. Then they continued with the exploring. They didn’t exactly have a place of destination but simply continued forward to the same road that leaded to the center. Unlike Karma, it didn’t take them long before they reached it and upon reaching it they were welcomed with big surprise.

Right in the middle of the center plaza there was large four meters in high bronze statue of a man in a long cloak. He was holding the staff in right hand in a way that it was touching the ground. Then with other hand he was pointing to the left. The state looked so realistic that it was as if that statue just moved and made the signal.

Arata and Levi didn’t recognize the statue at first but Julia could recognize with single glance.

-it’s Shin!

She shouted and ran up to see it close. After the second glance the statue did indeed look like him.

-I wonder what they exactly did in this village. I didn’t hear about many people who managed to get a statue build for their achievements.

Levi commented.

-that means there are few.

-you can bet. Also those statues usually have some writing near them so let’s check it out…

They did indeed found writing but there wasn’t much information.

-ah, I also want a statue like that for everybody to see my greatness.

Levi commented.

-I don’t know about other statues but this one is hidden in a village that usually doesn’t allow players to come in so nobody will see this one.

Arata said that because he wanted to hide his jealousy. In the end everyone would want a large bronze statue build for them.

Julia ended up returning to them after inspecting the statue from each side.

-it was worth coming here after all.

-Julia, what exactly did Shin did to get a statue like that?

“If I find out and repeat it somewhere, I will get my own statue that will be even bigger than this one.”

Arata was a sore loser if it came to things like that.

-they defended this village from demons invasion that came from the west.

“I see, so I just need to defend a village from a demon invasion.”

=demon invasion!?

Arata and Levi shouted out loud.

-that’s what I heard. But I never really heard the full story but I do know that Shin never consider that fight his victory.

-there was a demon invasion here yet the village still stands and he even got some large statue build for his deeds. What else would you call a victory?

Levi asked.

-it’s probably because too many people died. I didn’t hear much about this fight as none really wanted to speak about it but from what I learned it ended up with 80% of this village population dying in battle, following 10% died from wounds few days later.

-that’s leaves 10% that survive the battle. No wonder the streets are empty.

Arata answered.

-it’s not only that. Most of the people we saw here were quite young…

Levi added.

-it is probably because in battle everyone who was old enough to hold a weapon was sent to fight. I can’t say it was a bad decision though as it was probably the only decision that could be made. It was Shin decision so it was probably best possible strategy.

-no, there was another way.

Out of nowhere from behind them a voice came. The one who said those words was the man who was shown at the large statue.

-Shin!

Julia said out loud.

-I heard what you talk about so I couldn’t help but say something.

He walked closer to them.

-you already did say something, so maybe you should also expand that thought.

Arata said to Shin. Hearing that, Shin smiled a little and continued.

-I don’t really like to scramble that old wound but I might as well finish what I started. The other choice that could be made was to abandon the village. We knew invasion was coming 5 days before it started. It would be plenty of time to evacuate everyone.

-but what about the village, it would be completely destroyed?

Arata asked.

-village can be rebuild, lives cannot be taken back.

-still in the end those were all NPCs, it’s not like anyone really died.

Levi added.

-…

Shin didn’t say anything back to it at first but then continued.

-at that time the only thing I thought about was that we can have an epic battle like in books and movies. “We will probably die while fighting but it will definitely be worth to experience that battle.” Were our thoughts and as we thought, it was the most spectacular, the most difficult and the most exciting fight we or at least I took part in. I was leading the defence of the city, coming up with the strategies to defend against the powerful and overwhelming force. I was even being called a general by soldiers. It all gave me an incredible feeling. But then the battle ended and someone shouted ‘we are victorious’…

Shin stopped for a moment as his voice become somewhat unstable but soon he continued.

-only then did I realize what actually happened throughout the battle. Decisions that I made during it was not something normal human would make. Before the battle, I said that everything will turn out good and then without a moment of thought, I sent everyone to die with single command. They are just NPCs. It was exactly what I thought, but thoughts left me right away when I saw all bodies scattered everywhere and the very few survivors crying over loss of their loved ones…

Shin stopped for a moment once again and then continued.

-even though this is an imaginary world the people here are as real as any others. Actually in this world, NPCs are much more real than the players like us because when they die they don’t return.

Shin made quite a long monologue.

“I do understand where he is coming from. Although I didn’t meet that many NPCs, every one of them was real. The one I was closest with Marco from the beginner’s city. I would definitely not think that he is just NPC while seeing his dead body.”

-NPCs here are not what we are familiar with from other games. The NPCs are simply inhabitants of this world, and that is probably the best way to describe them.

Arata ended up speaking out to which Shin smiled again.

-I decided to tell you all that so you don’t repeat my mistake but I guess it wasn’t needed. Anyway there are few places that I was ‘ordered’ to go to so I will be going now.

“Ordered?”

-where are you going, can I go with you?

Julia interrupted.

-it’s something that I didn’t want others to trouble with so I going alone.

-I definitely won’t feel troubled and if it something that troubles you then I want to help!

Julia was not giving up. Shin start thinking about something for a moment and then asked.

-okay Julia. Depending on your answer I might consider asking you for help in this matter. I must say that I don’t feel confident in it at all. Or rather I am the last person that should do it, still the orders are orders.

-something that even you have trouble with, what is it?

-hold on, first the question. Julia, how do you feel about kids?

-…

When Shin asked the question Julia went red instantly.

-you mean?

-no don’t try to over interpret it but simply answer. Do you like them or do you hate them? And how do you deal with them in general.

-what about you Shin?

-neither of those two but I am definitely bad with dealing with them. Anyway answer quickly because I don’t want to be late.

-one can’t really hate kids can they. You can get angry at them from time to time but you definitely can’t hate them, it is what I think at least. As for liking, for me it depends on a kid, just like with any other person. As for dealing with them, I have a little experience as I have two younger siblings.

-oh, you will really be helpful then. Julia, it may trouble you a little but I would ask you to come with me.

-it’s me who wanted to help!

-yes, but I am interrupting you something.

-Shin you can interrupt me any time you want and also they won’t mind, right Arata, Levi?

Arata and Levi nodded.

-in that case come. It will be a hardest battle that I ever fought but maybe with your help it will work out somehow. Also, I will definitely pay back you for it later.

Shin said to Julia while they already started walking.

-you still didn’t tell me what it is about.

-the later you know the better.

Soon enough they walked out from hearing range.

-hey Arata, when you mentioned that she likes someone you meant that guy?

Levi ended up asking.

-yes, how did you know?

-it doesn’t take a genius to figure it out, ah what does she even see in him?

-I don’t know what women consider as attractive but he is someone who managed to get this bronze statue so maybe there is something to see.

They once again looked at the bronze statue and the sign before it that described to who it belonged. On the sign there was only one note.

[General Shin, savior of Larisane]

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