Chapter 2.5

After getting near the outskirts of the city, I saw Kurogane waiting on the gate. He really was going outside the city also.

"What's up?" I asked him.

"I have something to talk with you."

Kurogane seemed relaxed and happy. Reina sighed and continued walking away. Maybe she will place a flag for logging in later after dinner with Ayaka.

"I'm going first. I don't like hanging around with players like him." she said.

Kurogane's eyes twitched as it switch to glare at Reina. Oh no... it looks like the thin thread of his patience has snapped easily.

"What do you mean, 'player like me'?" he started as his eyes glared hard at Reina. Sighs... this is tiring.

"We're just both guild masters! And I'm ten level higher than you! Or what, are you some godly-skilled player or something?"

Reina didn't flinched at Kurogane's provocation. What it made is just make Kurogane even angrier and provoked.

"What the-?Hey! You have to listen when people are talking to you! Hey!" he said.

"What is his problem? He just suddenly started shouting at me." Reina said this to me, ignoring Kurogane. What it did was just to provoke Kurogane even more, even drawing his sword on his waist.

"Hey, girl! Get over here! I'll slash that arrogance of your face!" he yelled.

"Look, look." I tried to block him even though he was taller than me. "I'll admit that she has said something to be mad, but you're taking this too far."

It was apparent that Kurogane's patience had run out. Well I think he held it long enough considering his attitude so far.

"Huh? No it's not me. This girl is a brat! She has problem attitude. That not good, specially for a girl!"

"For a girl?" Reina scowled. I was barely trying to block Kurogane but she was continuing to provoke this guy. She looked at my face and seriously continued, "That's a pretty old generation of thinking, right Ryuujin? I'll give you a professional advise to not include him on your dream of social circle of friends."

With that, she started walking away again, leaving me to deal with Kurogane.

"Hey, wait! You bitch!"

"Calm down, will you?" I held him back as he tried to pass from me. He actually felt like a wall of mountain. Is this because of the strength stat? I'm just correcting my posture to overpower him but I'm giving it my all already. So this is the difference of virtual reality and PC gameplay.

Luckily, some other players are starting to gather and looked at him. He reacted from that and bit his lips. He fortunately started to calm down.

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"What the hell is up with her? Fuck it!" He shouted.

"I'm apologizing on behalf of her. Please, you do not need to pay back me anymore with the potions."

"You don't need to. I just hate people like her. The too-serious type."

He went back to his post earlier, probably waiting for other players. Just a while ago, he was arguing with the merchant seller. And now with my wife. He probably had a short fuse.

"Hey, you guys are too loud! What are you, from the Plum Clouds Alliance?"

As things are finally calming down, three boy called out to us. They seemed of a higher level than Kurogane because they are wearing more glamorous armor.

"Who are you now? Want to fight?! Get lost, fuckers!" Kurogane barked.

"Did you hear this swordsman? 'Get lost' he said, hahahaha. What a cocky player not knowing whose territory is this, punk."

The three players laughed at Kurogane's tightening face. Kurogane draw his sword, really intending to fight her. Man, I don't want to be involved here.

"Not on his own territory, huh? You tryna be kings of this land?!"

Kurogane really have an extremely short temper. If I have to guess, he will probably fight with anyone that pisses him off. Maybe an ant that bite him will cause him to draw his sword.

"You're awfully barking too much, considering that you're a mere level ten."

With those words, the three players was then accompanied by more players, circling us around.

"Now,where are we again? Yeah, we are the rulers of this area! Now beat it!" one of them said.

"Tsk." Kurogane muttered. "I'll show you all off. The 7th Alliance has nothing to be afraid of!"

Even though he is backing away towards outside the gates, Kurogane is still standing strong. On the other side, I don't know where to go so I just also walked towards outside the city.

"Hey wait a minute." One of them stopped my by the elbow. "What alliance did you say?"

The swordsman with the blonde hair and glistening armor was imprinted at my memory as he was too closed to me. Kurogane went back and tried to put himself between me and the swordsman that stopped me.

"The 7th Alliance. Is there a problem?" Kurogane snapped.

"Haven't heard of that alliance. Another wannabe big shot has formed huh?" The bunch exchange glances and burst into laughter. From what I know, Plum Cloud is one of the top ranked alliances so it's a bit hard to argue with them.

"Are your alliance gonna join the SOLA International?" the swordsman asked.

"Yeah, you bet! We're going to stand together with the top alliances!" Kurogane keeps saying things to fight them.

"Show up in the SOLA International, okay? We'll fuck you up so good you'll disband immediately after the event."

"Huh? Are you threatening us? Hey!"

As Kurogane tried to fight with them, the swordsman just smirked and backed away.

"Aw, poor players. They think they can stand a chance with us. You know the difference between us and the other alliances? We have a previous SOLA Emperor Alliance Captain with us. Since you guys are trying your best, we'll let you off the hook, just for today. I hope we can see each other at the main event. Let's get going guys!"

"Hey, don't run away!" Kurogane shouted.

"Yeah, yeah, keep on barking. You guys will experience hell soon enough anyways."

Experience hell, huh?

Maybe because they are under the Plum Cloud Alliance, they appeared so calm and composed. I wondered what they'd meant though. I thought I'll just need to defeat the Supreme bosses of this game easily as I've done before but it looks like a storm is brewing on my way.

"Ah, fuck it! Why is this day full of annoying people?! I just want to join an alliance and beat monsters today. Not to deal with morons and shits."

Kurogane maybe forgot that I'm still here or didn't even bother to check me. He put back his sword on his sheath and went outside the gates, heading to the forest.

"Maybe I should prepare adjust my plans..." I muttered.

Reluctantly, I opened the map in a virtual windows screen. I flag down the area I'll be going to. Come to think of it, there's that thing of SOLA International Event also. I'll need to confirm with Ishigawa later.